Comments on: finished bags and comment thoughts http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/ the art and craft of Mimi Kirchner Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:28:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: The Purpose of Blog Comments? « Artquiltmaker http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/#comment-3629 The Purpose of Blog Comments? « Artquiltmaker Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:51:10 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/?p=1837#comment-3629 [...] clipped from mimikirchner.com [...] [...] clipped from mimikirchner.com [...]

]]> By: Emily http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/#comment-3636 Emily Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:58:30 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/?p=1837#comment-3636 Boy, have I heard of this many times...I did creative writing workshops, art workshops and so on...each with a touch of being "true" and critiquing as a form of growth. None were that bad...though, on a occasion, I had a few of my pieces ripped into and boy, did it hurt. Then, I had the best writing workshop ever. The premise was to let people share their voice, focus on the positives and give people room to grow. I think this is an excellent mantra to have for nearly any type of art/writing. I really think this goes hand-in-hand with the mentality of raising a child...the child being our art/writing. If we only focus on the negatives, we freeze and the art is stunted and is always left wanting. However, if the opposite is done, the art grows, matures and becomes what it needs to be. There will always be people who prefer "harshness" to kindness assuming by being harsh there is truth involved. I don't believe this and I've seen the exact opposite happen to a person who is encouraged and uplifted by being truthful on the good things in their work. PS Have a Happy Birthday! :) Boy, have I heard of this many times…I did creative writing workshops, art workshops and so on…each with a touch of being “true” and critiquing as a form of growth. None were that bad…though, on a occasion, I had a few of my pieces ripped into and boy, did it hurt.

Then, I had the best writing workshop ever. The premise was to let people share their voice, focus on the positives and give people room to grow. I think this is an excellent mantra to have for nearly any type of art/writing.

I really think this goes hand-in-hand with the mentality of raising a child…the child being our art/writing. If we only focus on the negatives, we freeze and the art is stunted and is always left wanting. However, if the opposite is done, the art grows, matures and becomes what it needs to be.

There will always be people who prefer “harshness” to kindness assuming by being harsh there is truth involved. I don’t believe this and I’ve seen the exact opposite happen to a person who is encouraged and uplifted by being truthful on the good things in their work.

PS
Have a Happy Birthday! :)

]]> By: Sonya http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/#comment-3641 Sonya Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:07:59 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/?p=1837#comment-3641 OK here is my two cents. I've had your post open on my web browser for a day or two and while I was thinking about it, lo and behold who should I hear on the radio but Emily Gould of the NY Times mag story on blogging. I had not even heard of her before that article and had never read gawker. Here was a world that I was completely unfamiliar with. One where people wrote scathing diatribes and tore people to shreds, for what? Truth apparently. Well as I get older, I am trying to get away from the notion of trying to make myself feel better by making others look bad or just talking crap about them. If everything is just a love fest here on craft blogs, so be it. I am with you and have always been with you on the community. This is my community. This is where I find understanding, inspiration and camaraderie. Where I do not need to explain the why, that other people with imagination and creativity can and will if not think the same, at least have an appreciation. Now I am starting to blather because it's late. But I suppose I'm preaching to the choir. OK here is my two cents. I’ve had your post open on my web browser for a day or two and while I was thinking about it, lo and behold who should I hear on the radio but Emily Gould of the NY Times mag story on blogging. I had not even heard of her before that article and had never read gawker. Here was a world that I was completely unfamiliar with. One where people wrote scathing diatribes and tore people to shreds, for what? Truth apparently. Well as I get older, I am trying to get away from the notion of trying to make myself feel better by making others look bad or just talking crap about them. If everything is just a love fest here on craft blogs, so be it. I am with you and have always been with you on the community. This is my community. This is where I find understanding, inspiration and camaraderie. Where I do not need to explain the why, that other people with imagination and creativity can and will if not think the same, at least have an appreciation. Now I am starting to blather because it’s late. But I suppose I’m preaching to the choir.

]]> By: Holly http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/#comment-3642 Holly Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:19:56 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/?p=1837#comment-3642 I had a related experience a while back that has troubled me ever since. I was in a group with some friends and the subject of blogging came up. One of my friends told another about my blog and he was dismissive. He said blogs weren't necessary if you lived in an urban community because you could walk outside your door and say hello to your neighbour, suggesting, I think, that bloggers were some kind of reclusive group that never saw the light of day. I think he has a very limited view of community (not to mention a limited view of bloggers - some of the more adventurous, interesting folks I know!). The online community transcends geographic barriers, which is part of its value. Like you said Mimi, it's hard sometimes to find folks who can appreciate a vintage spool, a thrift score, or fabric find. When I find mine, I can't wait to post about them ... it's almost my first thought! I had a related experience a while back that has troubled me ever since. I was in a group with some friends and the subject of blogging came up. One of my friends told another about my blog and he was dismissive. He said blogs weren’t necessary if you lived in an urban community because you could walk outside your door and say hello to your neighbour, suggesting, I think, that bloggers were some kind of reclusive group that never saw the light of day. I think he has a very limited view of community (not to mention a limited view of bloggers - some of the more adventurous, interesting folks I know!). The online community transcends geographic barriers, which is part of its value. Like you said Mimi, it’s hard sometimes to find folks who can appreciate a vintage spool, a thrift score, or fabric find. When I find mine, I can’t wait to post about them … it’s almost my first thought!

]]> By: Miss Dot http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/#comment-3640 Miss Dot Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:15:34 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/?p=1837#comment-3640 well you know I love your work. I only talk about my blogging with other bloggers. It is easier that way :-) well you know I love your work. I only talk about my blogging with other bloggers. It is easier that way :-)

]]> By: kirsty http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/#comment-3634 kirsty Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:29:13 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/?p=1837#comment-3634 Mimi, I've been reading your blog for so long - I more than owe you a comment! I agree wholeheartedly with you. If I want a critique I will ask for one and, call me fragile, but I like my critiques to happen privately. I blog primarily to connect with others who like the same stuff as me! No one in my house gets excited when I find cool old buttons in an op shop, but I know my blogging buddies will! Mimi, I’ve been reading your blog for so long - I more than owe you a comment! I agree wholeheartedly with you. If I want a critique I will ask for one and, call me fragile, but I like my critiques to happen privately. I blog primarily to connect with others who like the same stuff as me! No one in my house gets excited when I find cool old buttons in an op shop, but I know my blogging buddies will!

]]> By: Barb http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/#comment-3635 Barb Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:55:35 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/?p=1837#comment-3635 Mimi: Pay no attention to those comments about Blogging. Your art is yours and you are so creative, you enjoy what your doing and you don't have trouble with people wanting your work, so who cares what some guy says about blogs and coments. If he put his mind to work maybe he could be more creative before he opened his mouth ! HA HA !!! Not everybody is going to have the same taste in art. Your bags are wonderful. Your dolls are so unique Love them because they are so different. I have been working on some hand bag organizers. Have sold two ! And a few for gifts. I'll try and get pictures tomorrow of the one's I've finished. They have been fun to work on and I do enjoy mine ! It makes changing hand bags so easy just pick up the organizer out of one bag and place your contents into the next hand bag and your off. Most everything can stay contained and Organized in your hand bag. Your flowers and tomatoes are wonderful, I haven't done much with my flowers this year. And it is already the end of July ! YIKES I have some perinials that are doing wonderfully but as far as my annual's I didn't get much done at all. It has been a hetic summer so far. Where does the time go? Looking forward to your next project. Before I forget. When I arrived in Charleston SC. As I was putting my bags into the car,at the airport. I looked down and what did I find, right next to the curb ? A zipper pull ! I had to laugh and the first thing that came to mind was your little man with the pink zipper pull, but mine wasn't pink, and much larger in size. woo woo! I quickly scoffed it up and put it in a safe place for safe keeping until I can find my own unique use for it. LOL A Bee busy ! Barb Mimi: Pay no attention to those comments about Blogging. Your art is yours and you are so creative, you enjoy what your doing and you don’t have trouble with people wanting your work, so who cares what some guy says about blogs and coments. If he put his mind to work maybe he could be more creative before he opened his mouth ! HA HA !!!
Not everybody is going to have the same taste in art. Your bags are wonderful. Your dolls are so unique Love them because they are so different.
I have been working on some hand bag organizers. Have sold two ! And a few for gifts.
I’ll try and get pictures tomorrow of the one’s I’ve finished. They have been fun to work on and I do enjoy mine ! It makes changing hand bags so easy just pick up the organizer out of one bag and place your contents into the next hand bag and your off. Most everything can stay contained and Organized in your hand bag. Your flowers and tomatoes are wonderful, I haven’t done much with my flowers this year. And it is already the end of July ! YIKES I have some perinials that are doing wonderfully but as far as my annual’s I didn’t get much done at all. It has been a hetic summer so far. Where does the time go?
Looking forward to your next project. Before I forget. When I arrived in Charleston SC. As I was putting my bags into the car,at the airport. I looked down and what did I find, right next to the curb ? A zipper pull ! I had to laugh and the first thing that came to mind was your little man with the pink zipper pull, but mine wasn’t pink, and much larger in size. woo woo! I quickly scoffed it up and put it in a safe place for safe keeping until I can find my own unique use for it. LOL A Bee busy ! Barb

]]> By: Tina http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/#comment-3630 Tina Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:59:03 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/?p=1837#comment-3630 I love all 3 of these bags! I hope Olivia will share hers with me on occasion if I ask very nicely :) And your lovely grandmas! The aprons are so perfect - white so that flour dustings from the baking they've been doing won't be so obvious. I don't know which hair I prefer - the steel gray, the classic blue, or the soft white. All so perfect. *sigh* Who wants criticism after the fact anyway? Your creations are like your children in that you hope the best parts of yourself will shine through. Your work is inspired, Mimi. I love all 3 of these bags! I hope Olivia will share hers with me on occasion if I ask very nicely :)

And your lovely grandmas! The aprons are so perfect - white so that flour dustings from the baking they’ve been doing won’t be so obvious. I don’t know which hair I prefer - the steel gray, the classic blue, or the soft white. All so perfect. *sigh*

Who wants criticism after the fact anyway? Your creations are like your children in that you hope the best parts of yourself will shine through. Your work is inspired, Mimi.

]]> By: Carley http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/#comment-3639 Carley Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:14:52 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/?p=1837#comment-3639 You know what? It takes so much guts to have a blog and post your art on the web in the first place. It's like ripping your heart out and asking strangers to play nice with it. The few times people have "flamed" me I've completely checked out, why would I want to let myself be abused in such a public and humiliating arena? I only post comments when I feel strongly about something, because the internet is such a tender place. I know there are those people who love to jump from site to site being rude and doing what they think is "criticizing," but in reality they're just being mean. What's the point? Mimi, you are a true artist. A talented artist. Art is something that is very personal, as most of us who read your blog know. We are here to support you. We are a community, and I believe we are all adult enough to behave ourselves. I would argue that your male friend is the adolescent, and we who are crafty and blogging are the true graduates of life. You know what? It takes so much guts to have a blog and post your art on the web in the first place. It’s like ripping your heart out and asking strangers to play nice with it. The few times people have “flamed” me I’ve completely checked out, why would I want to let myself be abused in such a public and humiliating arena? I only post comments when I feel strongly about something, because the internet is such a tender place. I know there are those people who love to jump from site to site being rude and doing what they think is “criticizing,” but in reality they’re just being mean. What’s the point?
Mimi, you are a true artist. A talented artist. Art is something that is very personal, as most of us who read your blog know. We are here to support you. We are a community, and I believe we are all adult enough to behave ourselves. I would argue that your male friend is the adolescent, and we who are crafty and blogging are the true graduates of life.

]]> By: Edie http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2008/07/finished-bags-and-comment-thoughts/#comment-3628 Edie Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:30:00 +0000 http://mimikirchner.com/blog/?p=1837#comment-3628 I did ask for constructive criticism... and I got a couple of comments (http://cowgirl53.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/critiques-and-criticism-and-eww/). I think it's really hard to critique others' work, and we all know what it feels like to get negative comments, so unless someone's in one of those hypercritical "I hate myself & I'm going to take it out on someone else" nasty kind of moods, it's really hard to write critical comments (and in that kind of a mood, who wants to get those comments!!). I think that's one of the reasons that we rarely see negative comments. Plus we aren't taught how to give constructive criticism; in a couple of art classes I've taken, critiques were very difficult for the students. And also... I agree, that finding someone else that does something similar to yourself! or their work is just so cool! how can you find anything to criticize?? Plus the time factor, taking the time to really look at a piece and say what you do and don't like about it. aargh. I really would like critical comments... but I don't write them either; I would much rather be positive and gloss over something I see on the 'net... and this is one of the longest comments I've ever written, so I guess that says something right there! and p.s., I enjoy seeing the dolls you make. I'm not a fan of toile fabric, so those are my least favorite, but once I get past that, they're pretty cool! The felt dolls though... them I love! I keep thinking I need to make one. someday! I did ask for constructive criticism… and I got a couple of comments (http://cowgirl53.wordpress.com/2008/05/10/critiques-and-criticism-and-eww/). I think it’s really hard to critique others’ work, and we all know what it feels like to get negative comments, so unless someone’s in one of those hypercritical “I hate myself & I’m going to take it out on someone else” nasty kind of moods, it’s really hard to write critical comments (and in that kind of a mood, who wants to get those comments!!). I think that’s one of the reasons that we rarely see negative comments. Plus we aren’t taught how to give constructive criticism; in a couple of art classes I’ve taken, critiques were very difficult for the students.
And also… I agree, that finding someone else that does something similar to yourself! or their work is just so cool! how can you find anything to criticize??
Plus the time factor, taking the time to really look at a piece and say what you do and don’t like about it. aargh.
I really would like critical comments… but I don’t write them either; I would much rather be positive and gloss over something I see on the ‘net… and this is one of the longest comments I’ve ever written, so I guess that says something right there!
and p.s., I enjoy seeing the dolls you make. I’m not a fan of toile fabric, so those are my least favorite, but once I get past that, they’re pretty cool! The felt dolls though… them I love! I keep thinking I need to make one. someday!

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