So Many Things
craftivism grant, feelings, free pattern, events, book reco, a strike, and some FUNdraising
Friends,
These are dark and sad times and I hope against hope that we all manage to hold onto our shared humanity. That we invite women into leadership in support of peace, justice, and solutions. That we look for ways to be helpers, bring comfort, and deliver kindness to those around us. That we find moments of joy. I hope that we can keep perspective and work toward progress. More than anything, I hope we can all live in a world where we feel safe, seen, respected, valued, and loved. This is the space I’m holding for us right now.
2024 CRAFTIVISM GRANT
I have had a wicked fun time these past two years working with the grant winners. We have done some pretty rad work together for community. I am offering the grant again for this coming year and the application is NOW OPEN!
https://www.badasscrossstitch.com/communityprojects/craftivism-micro-grant
The grant is currently $500, 20-hours of my time to use as you see fit, and a 1-hour activist coaching session with Omkari Williams.
I say “currently” because $500 is what I contribute. I’m always open to collaborations and donations. Last year, two individuals each donated $250 to bring the grant offering to $1000. If you want to help me up the ante, hit me up!
The grant is for anyone US-based who has a great idea for a craftivism project or already has one running that could use some support. This is open to all mediums. Individuals, groups, and organizations are all welcome to apply.
The application is simple but it does ask you to think through the project and how you might want to use my time. So far I’ve helped develop curriculum, calendars and schedules, offered workshops, helped write up toolkits, fundraised, crafted marketing strategies, and helped with product development. Not bad for two years! Let’s get into more good trouble in 2024!
Please feel free to reach out with any questions but know that there aren’t a lot of rules just opportunities for creative solutions.
Help me spread the word? Thank you in advance!
UPCOMING EVENTS
In Person
November 9th // Chicago, IL // Micro Activism Book Launch at Booksellers // 7pm
November 16th // Evanston, IL // Intro to Craftivism at cloth+home // 6pm
November 29th // Chicago, IL // First Time show at Martyrs' in support of CHIRP Radio // 7:30pm
I will be telling a funny seasonal story at this very exciting and beloved storytelling event to support CHIRP Radio, a listener-supported music and arts focused community radio station in Chicago staffed by more than 150 volunteers.
Online
December 2nd // Zoom // Intro to Embroidery // 1pm CT // Pay-what-you-can
Stab some shit and get started making all of your holiday gifts!
ABORTION ACCESS FUNDRAISING PATTERN
It is the last month of our year-long abortion access fiber art fundraiser! You have a few days left to donate $10+ to Abortion Access Front and be rewarded with this pattern that I made for you.
Donate now! Stab it out this weekend!
LAST SAMPLER OF THE YEAR OF STITCH
Monday we will start the last sampler for the 2023 Year Of Stitch! You can join us by signing up for my Patreon Community. Each Monday for the rest of the year I will teach you a new stitch and you can apply them to this darling sampler.
That will wrap up two years of the #YearOfStitch!
But don’t worry, I have been working on the plan for 2024 and we are branching out big time. Think of it as a year of creative dabbling. We are going to explore new mediums with guest experts. We are going to play and explore and take risks and get silly and damn it we are going to have fun no matter what. I’ll fill you in on the full plan and details in the December newsletters. <3
Join us now and get the last dose of the #YearOfStitch and then gear up for 2024.
FREE PATTERN
Get started on those handmade holiday gifts this weekend.
PERSONAL UPDATES
In other news, I’m currently on strike. I am adjunct faculty at Columbia College Chicago and a proud union member. I LOVE Columbia College. I love my students, my colleagues, the spirit of the school. The college leadership has made some epic cutbacks and did so without consulting the union. These cuts disproportionately impact the most vulnerable faculty, including me. My Spring classes have been cut. This breaks my heart y’all (and my bank account). You can learn more and follow along on Instagram @cfac_strong
I must say, I’ve been on a lot of strike lines and this has been the most fun strike line ever. Our students are DJing, there’s dancing, inflatables, and general joy. I believe we will come to a resolution and I can’t wait to get back to my students!
If you missed the news in the last newsletter, I wrote a whole ass book for you! It will be published by Storey/Hachette and come out next September!!! The team has literally been moving at the speed of light to make sure the book comes out before the 2024 election. I am really proud of it and I know it will be super helpful. My November and December are going to be bonkers with book work. It’s all so exciting!!!! I will keep you posted every step of the way.
BOOK RECO
This one will surprise approximately no one. I ADORE Patrick Stewart and Captain Jean-Luc Picard is responsible for many of my best decisions. Naturally, I was first in line for his memoir. Obviously, I listened to the audio version because…that voice. Two thumbs up. Give it a listen. Shakespeare, Star Trek, X-Men, Broadway, and a perfect story about Paul McCartney. You’re welcome.
I am grateful for you and I’m sending you love.
<3 Shannon