Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Ease on Down the Road

I'm oh so gently easing back into the routine after a few days off. I can't speak for more than me but when the holiday's so wonderfully interrupt what goes on daily in your household I just want to continue having a vacation.

It's not that I don't want to make art. While on this "vacation" I taught my daughter how to use her Grandmother's old White sewing machine. I consider sewing an art form. It requires quite a bit of technical expertise to run a sewing machine and create a well sewn piece. And that doesn't even address the color, pattern range, and types of textiles available to the artist.

In fact, much to my spouses dismay when some semi-ignorant cave man type used to question us at art fairs about his wooden toys I was ecstatic about pointing out the fact that band saws are simplistic machines as compared to those made by Singer, Janome, and Bernina. Poor man used just wilt as I explained the finer points of picking out thread and needle as compared to the limited number of tooth styles available in 80" continuous blades for his Sears Craftsman!

I don't want you to think I am a terrible booth sitter or artist. I never frightened them away. Besides, they were always accompanied by some darling wife like - MA WAH - who always stood behind him with this enormous smile across her face. When the discourse was finished she would then pass me several toys she was interesting in having for her children. AND, she'd instruct "cave-boy" to pay the lady. Did I make any converts for forward thinking from the males - doubtful. But, it's the women who buy the toys for their children and they were consistent repeat customers.

My DH would laugh it off - as would our artistic art fair neighbors. Anyone who has engaged in a cooperative "art team" knows that artistic women are not generally bound by medium or frightened by tools. My personal belief: If you can handle the damn adjustments, feet, thread, tension, and the round robin of other nefarious crap on a sewing machine you can probably handle the space shuttle on mars mission!

Okay, so it doesn't sound like I'm gently easing back into anything....I'm jumping in like a belly flop. No use sticking your toe in the cold water. You might as well just jump in and get it over with. I left my sewing machine up - just in case my mind wants to wander back to it. My darling daughter; Kate, took her Grandma's back home with her. She also took a new set of skills, two lined Christmas stockings, and a great pair of flannel PJ's. You Go Girl, onward and upward.


Oh, there a new things in the Etsy store and if you want a great Christmas Red that does not burn (and you torch workers know what I mean) try the wonderful red from Lauscha Glass.

4 comments:

rosebud101 said...

Great story, Sharon. Isn't is great to be able to pass the torch on to someone you love?

Sharon Driscoll said...

Absolutely Mallory! She even asked about crocheting - whoo hoo. There is this whole set of young crafters coming up who are knitting, sewing, and trying all of the "vintage" arts. I think it's just grand.

Deb said...

What a great Mom you are :) Sewing is a wonderful skill to have. Learning how to sew in a straight line & reverse can lead to endless possibilities & when accompanied by an older sewing machine, can also lead to a whole new skill set.

I'm not so sure I could manage the space shuttle, but I do know that after years of fiddling about with sewing machines & such small things such as stripping down a lawn mower & other power tools or machinery to get them working again didn't scare me.
I agree too, band saws along with jig saws, scroll saws & most sanders are so very simplistic ;)

Kate said...

Oh my, I'm famous -- I made... duh duh duh THE BLOG!! Hahaha. Thanks for teaching me Mom. I had to resort to my iphone video of how to get the bobbin done, but thankfully my technology saved the day ;)