Slow Craft

Slow Craft. A couple months ago I wrote Slow Craft on a post-it The next day in the NY Times Design section was an article on Slow Design..... how spooky it was, just the next day. It was a great article on Alabama Chanin and her new book, Alabama Stitch Book. www.alabamachanin.com. We are designers and craftspeople because we'd only be happy using our hands to create beautiful things. My fellow craftsperson friend and I always say, we'd do what we do even if we never had to work a day in our lives. We would still do it; it's who we are and what makes us happy.

The Alabama Stitch Book is a beautiful book. I have been more observant than ever about book design these days. Book shapes, yes they do need to fit on book shelves.... and is it beautiful? I am such a sucker for a beautiful book. I love to buy books; they are one thing that I do not mind buying. I love looking through my old books; they are such a great resource. I remember my grandmother saying she started re-reading her books at 80 and how wonderfully different they are at different times in our lives.

so back to Slow Craft, yes, how nice it is to have some things in our busy lives these days that is made by hand in the traditional way. There isn't much that we have that is totally hand-crafted, or even made in the usa..... or even made well. Our chain stores mostly have products that are poorly made by the least expensive vendor.... I love good cotton socks. I had bought them at a well known Country Store in Southern Vermont. I would go to them every year to get these same socks and then about 8 years ago they started get crummier and crummier!!!! I did stop going to that store. They were so concerned about the bottom line and less concerned if their customers were happy with their products. to be continued...

Day 2 in Sturbridge and Brimfield

Here I sit in my pitty Econo Lodge in Chicopee, Mass; the closest I could find to Brimfield without breaking the bank. Hate these places, but what's so bad about 200 tractor trailers all idling
all night.... Yikes. Almost reminds me of another yucky motel on Rt 7 new New Milford, Ct. that was right next to an electricity plant. What we do for finding "great stuff".

Monday was The Vintage Textile and Fashion Show in Sturbridge. It was fun as always. The trend for more fashions than textiles seems to be growing. I enjoy going to see what the dealers are showing. There are 2 big rooms and several smaller rooms and hallways. I was quite restrained in my shopping, mostly because I didn't really find too much. I found a nice old french piece, a few very nice embroideries, a few trims, a few cottons fabrics and not too much else.... just to fancy and expensive. Too bad. But I made up for it at the great textile shop down the road in Sturbridge. I think I found many more treats here. Barbara owns the shop and I would imagine looks forward to the Textile Show customers. At her shop I found a favorite red and white trim that I have gotten from her before, a nice red work piece, bunch more trims, a super pretty english or french chintz, etc. I saw here today out at the flea market, she got a little time out in the sunshine, too.

Today I parked on the east end of the flea markets. Which was a great plan.... how lucky. Found a great parking spot and immediately ran into a friend from home. That was a nice surprise. And I was off. I had circled which shows were open today, but when you arrive it's all a bit overwheming. It seemed like folks were walking further east..... humm... should I go that way or head east??? I went east; later I realized they were headed to a show that was opening at 11am. I sort of missed that one, but geez.... I saw plenty.

I'd have to say I found lots of great stuff at the markets. I think if you don't like the price, keep going and you'll find something better. Today it just didn't quite. I kept finding great, cool stuff all day long. Just when I thought it couldn't get better, it did. I DID have a list of things that I was looking for to fill out my book projects. How lucky to be collecting goodies for a whole year for my new book. Yikes, but I had to buy fabrics.....

so I found..lots of tablecloths, a big stack of turkey red quilt squares, a nice chenille spread, a few small select french pieces, a few glass lamps, a cool iron shabby chic, lots of neat trims, some nice wood blocks, nice monograms tea towels, great funky aprons. These feet walked miles. It sure is fun to run into old and new friends. The weather today was so unbelievably beautiful, sunshine and cool. Everyone's spirits were on high. Last year I was here on Wednesday and it was soooooo hot that you couldn't move too fast.

Tomorrow is the opening of The Heart of the Mart. I am meeting George, one of my photographers for the new book and we are going to take a few photos of the good stuff at the show and I guess me, too.... Sort of embrassing...... what the heck. Another nice day ahead. And then back to Vermont and back in my own bed. And then to Boston for my son's college graduation; how could it be. Such a fast four years.

It's the Flea Season

How exciting is it that it's the beginning of flea market season. There's no doubt about it that it's the most fun this time of year. You just get the feeling that the "BEST STUFF" must be out there now. I got taste of it, call it a flea market warmer upper. Last weekend in Greenwich, N.Y. there was a biannual market at the fair grounds. It seems to be getting a little better each year. I have been going for a gazillion years and know some of my favorite spots to hit as much as those to avoid.

I start to see new stuff at the flea market and it's a veer the other way. It seems like they come in big patches, so it's easy to skip them all. I headed over to Greenwich pretty early, it was drizzly rain so I took my time. 8:20 was plenty early enough and I was loaded down with bags galore. I had specific things I was looking for...... so much for that. You know how it is when you have a list at a flea market..... forget it.You'll never find it if you set out looking for specific things. I was looking for vintage kids blocks and found a nice set and the guy DIDN'T have them priced and said sixty bucks.... no thanks. but they were pretty nice. I'll keep looking. Found some nice fabrics, a nice red ticking and a good price,too. It was my last forty bucks in hand, time to head back to work and open up all the bags... and wire the lamps.....fortunately they were all really easy ones and I had all the parts.

This week felt like a milestone. We started photography for my new book. It has been a long process to get to this point. I have to admit, it has been a pretty stressful time getting organized to this point. You should see my back room at my shop, I'll add the shop asap here. I have 50 lampshade projects or almost that many. Wires, fabrics, trims all stacked up with labels and numbers.... Good thing I am a good organizer. It sure is coming in handy now. It's kind of fun figuring out which fabrics to go with which lampshade frame. Mix em up, use a good variety or textiles and colors. Color, Color, Color..... use great colors. Be brave, they'll love it....

I have only a limited experience with photo shoots, but I do know when it's time to slow down and chill out. If there is ever a time it's now. It's a slow process and it's got to look good, but getting it there is wicked tuff. Holy Moly, tedious.... breathe.... my photographer, George is very patient.... even when I screwed up.....Putting the wrong shape styrene panels with the shade we
were shooting, Ha!!!! neither of us noticed. There went one extra hour..... time for a cold beer....

I'm off to Sturbrige and Brimfield Monday- Wednesday. Sort of a day off. Lets hope for the great finds. Good lamps, favorite embroideries, maybe some french fabrics that one can actually buy, and always that unexpected great thing. And some wooden blocks that aren't 60 bucks. I'll probably see the same guy, maybe they'll be less this time, I'd make a bet he still has 'em.

See you there. Happy hunting.