My piece for the Artstream Gallery Lovely Hearts 2 show, to benefit breast cancer research.
not quite finished…
and done-
and then I put it into a shadowbox frame, which was more of a puzzle then I’d expected. The finished artwork (unframed) is approximately 7 1/2 x 9 1/2.  I wrote in the artist statement, something along the lines of- it is a traditional valentine image interpreted in wool applique and embroidery.
Something I’ve been mulling about- when I was down at Etsy, I was put in front of a camera to do a clip for their series- Your Handmade Stories. I was suppose to say who I am, what I do, and why people should buy handmade. Well, I was stumped. I am still stumped. Why should people buy handmade? … I don’t know. I couldn’t come up with anything that I felt was sincere except, well, buy MY handmade, because I need to get it out of the house!
I can not think of why someone should buy something just because it is handmade. Buy something because you love it, need it, it will haunt you if you don’t. Buy art because it makes you think every time you look at it.  Buy things that are beautifully crafted because you appreciate the design, the workmanship and using something that is so well made will enrich your life. There is a lot of handmade crap out there… along with all the manufactured crap. I’m going to have to watch any videos that they post to see what other people say. I’m really curious.
I love this piece of yours and by the way I would buy your piece anytime as it does speak. The colours which are so vibrant and each piece is put together so beautifully and lovingly. Every shape and colour is co-ordinated wonderfully. Sorry I am not just being gushing or anything like that. I just love your pieces. On the face of it some of your pieces may look simple but there is beauty in that simplicity which speaks to me a lot and I am sure it does to many others too.
beautiful…it looks like a stamp on an envelope…the finished picture..
makes me happy
The valentine birds are very darling. I really like this interpretation of a traditional design.
Hmm, regarding buying handmade, I do agree that there’s a lot of handmade crap in addition to the well-made handmade items. I would say that buying handmade is a way of connecting with fellow artists, a way to have something with a touch of soul in your home. Perhaps it’s also a way to slow down and recall the good parts of simpler times (minus the poor plumbing, lack of technology and ease of getting materials). Have a good weekend!
I agree with the above comments on good reasons to buy homemade….For me….the art I buy must reflect time and care….I want that spirit near me in my home…Seeing another artist’s work next to my own simply feels good, comfortable. I like the idea of having a little piece of another person invited here to live with me….Vitality….that vibrates good things to me.
Susan
Really lovely ‘sweet birds’ Mimi! On: your why buy art? I saw this at after school art today, “Life is short, Art is long” great isn’t it? Geri
I love your wooly valentine. Regarding the handmade vs. manufactured… My dilemma is this – when you see an item with some obviously handmade element say, ina museum gift shop or a dollar store, shouldn’t some thought be given to the poor soul (usually a disadvantaged woman) who “manufactured” it? Should the work of her hands be any less valued than something I myself made? Because of this notion, I purchase countless items (most of which I don’t need) in my odd attempt to honor these workers of the developing world.
it’s gorgeous mimi!! i’m curious about what stitch you used for the main vine…it almost looks like a thicker thread or cord…
i feel there are great reasons to buy handmade when and only when the crafter or artist truly loves what they are creating and it shows in their work. if the handmade item was made to just make a buck…i think that will show in the work as well and i would not care to buy that.
Very beautifully done…!
Beautiful Mimi. I purchase handmade for myself when I love something and for others when it is perfect for them. I like to give gifts that are unique and I guess handmade is where I find most things.(I also hate hate hate to go to shopping centres).
This is truly lovely!
They are the sweetest birds and the nicest composition. You are so good at felt appliqué!
I was hoping you were going to make something lovely for that show again. It is beautiful, as always.
An interesting question about buying handmade. I think you nailed it when you said that using something that is crafted and constructed well, by hand, by someone who is skilled at what they do, will enrich your life. I have found that to be very true. Using those things gives me joy every day. But you are also right that there is a lot of handmade crap out there. That’s okay, too, though. As in all cases, you need to be a discriminating buyer.
This is a beautiful piece you made.
Love your comments about Etsy/buy handmade !
The valentine is a sweet piece; the colors are so appealing.
Regarding the “buy handmade” movement: there is another aspect. It is a way to slow down the consumerism/design for disposal mentality so ingrained in today’s world. I would apply your thoughts about buying handmade to anything one buys: do you need it, is it good design, does it speak to you, will it enrich/enhance your life….?
Karen B.
I agree with you, when you say “There is a lot of handmade crap out there… along with all the manufactured crap.”
I frankly don’t think that it is up to artists and artisans to particularly promote handmade over manufactured items. Quality is either self-evident or it is subjective.
I remember taking a class in Raku pottery, lo those many years ago, when I was a tot of 13! I was so fortunate to have an experienced teacher and we made tea bowls. At that time, the teacher said that irregularities, and evidence of the “hand of the maker”, were indeed cherished in tea bowls in Japan. I can still get behind that idea, but I have no real interest in shoving a priceless handmade tea bowl into the dishwasher.
There is a spectrum, and on that spectrum – humans need evidence of humanity.
Oh, I so totally love this piece, Mimi! If it’s for a fundraiser, it must be for sale? Details?!*
As for “why buy/support homemade” … Finely crafted homemade everything is like a species at risk of extinction. If we don’t honor it, support it, appreciate it, teach our kids the value of it, it will be like a language that could just evaporate. I’ve always made so many things myself rather than purchase ready-made and the why of that is, “just because it’s always my first thought”. … yes, the other videos will be interesting to see and listen to.
And again, I just am in LOVE with this applique piece. What a beautiful poster it would make … To grace the walls of so many crafters’ workspaces. or a bedroom … or a kitchen!
Mimi, I just love your piece, The colours which are so so soft yet bright,You can tell you so lovingly put together this piece together, You did put allot of thought into this..Store bought Mimi one does get these same feelings..Thats why I buy hand made..I do not buy just because it says it is hand made..It of course has to be quality, and artistically done with real talent, and the artist caring and about her work
I feel all this shows in their work,
what a good one: buy it because I want to get it out of the house. I could barely get up from the floor to type this I was laughing so hard. I feel the same way! What a fabulous post and the blue birds are exquisite. Really truly beautiful. I find your work such a huge inspiration.
I agree. Love the boids.
what an amazing composition, I like the nostalgic look of it very much!
Thank you for your hint regarding the stuffing topic on my blog. I will give it a try.
Very beautiful!
they are beautiful!
interesting question – am pondering!
your piece just arrived mimi – thank you so much – it is even more beautiful (not a surprise) in person. it will be in the shop at artstreamstudios.com by tonight!
in regards to handmade – you nailed it on the head. nuff said.
Lovely piece, as always.
I don’t think there is anything wrong buying manufactured pieces or handmade. For my self, I think buying handmade, right now, is mostly an economic one other’s can afford. On the other hand, if I can make something, I’m going to do this first instead of buying (again, primarily economic).
On the comment that some things handmade are bad, I think this is very subjective. I think all works by hand are wonderful for their attempt. Maybe in a few years the artist will get better and this is their early works…I guess the teacher in me came out right now. ;) lol!
The main reason to buy handmade is that it’s a lost art (rediscovered, recently; Etsy, etc). Most women (because it was primarily women) are working outside of the house and don’t have the time to learn/do these things we do. It is art and necessity and desire which makes handmade so much more valuable.
I’ve been mulling this one over and I think you’ve made a really good point in a stick-your-neck-out kind of way. Handmade as a reaction to the mass-produced, to the throw-away – perfectly valid. But I just spent part of my morning sorting through my kid’s art and school projects – all made by hand. Do I keep every singe piece of be-glittered paper or tempra-painted roll of newsprint? No. I think we need to be careful in not having a knee-jerk reaction, that the labeling of something as handmade does not imbue it with some special quality. If handmade automatically equals good, then we risk going down the same road as organic food. Agribusiness gets wise and poof – Dole organic bananas. But wait, aren’t items that are handmade or handcrafted already brought in from developing countries? Whenever anyone asks me if I sell sweaters, I laugh. How could I ever fully compensate for the time and materials put into a sweater. Especially if handmade wool sweaters from South America can be had for around $100? It’s that connection. A piece speaks to you, strikes a chord inside.
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Mimi, I’m glad to finally find another doll maker! I kept thinking they must be out there somewhere, but had only found 1 other in the years I’ve been blogging!
I want to say I love your dolls, & your attitude. I listened to the podcast. Very interesting interview. You don’t sound very east coasty though. Mu DH is from New Bedford, Mass. & you sound more like my Michigan accent than his!
I love the wool piece with the birds & your garden fairies, though I hope no one ever leaves them outside in a garden!
I’m more a quilt/fiber artist, but have made 6 or 7 dolls, & I set up the doll portion of our Alaska Fiber Festival every other year. I’m hoping to get more dolls for the show in 2010! I’ll be putting you on my list if you don’t mind.