Posts Tagged ‘Ayumi Horie’
Handmade Nation…The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design
My first encounter with Handmade Nation was at Haystack Mountain School of Craft in 2007. As part of our discussion on the process of creation, and how this process has evolved for the new millennium, Ayumi Horie showed our group a trailer for the Handmade Nation film. I was blown away by the talented artists featured in this small clip and came home wanting to learn more. However, at that time the film was still in production, and so I kept an ear out for any news of it’s release date.
Fast forward to this past January…my husband and I were browsing in a local bookshop, and I happened upon the recently published companion book Handmade Nation…The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design. I brought the book home and read it cover to cover! This fantastic book discusses such issues as craftivism (craft + activism,) craft as religion, and the myriad roles the internet has played in the renewed interest in all things handmade (including the role of Etsy in this revolution.) Not only does the book include wonderful interviews and bios for some of the best and brightest stars of the indie craft world, it is also a terrific resource for forward thinking crafters, listing websites, community connections, shows, and organizations. Thank you to authors and film-makers Faythe Levine and Cortney Heimerl for giving voice to this hip new generation of crafters!
The book is available at Amazon.com, and the movie is out in limited release across the country…read it, watch it, be a part of it!
The Importance of Making Connections.
Last Summer I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Ayumi Horie’s workshop at Haystack Mountain School
of Craft on Deer Isle. Situated on Maine’s rocky coast, at the very edge of the Atlantic, Haystack is another one of those special places that seems to possess a certain indescribable creative energy. I spent two wonderful there weeks living, working, learning, and perhaps most importantly, sharing ideas and making connections with other artists and craftspeople. One such connection I made was with North Carolina artist Lou Plummer. At Haystack for a paper-making workshop, Lou happened to purchase a vase I had made for Haystack’s benefit auction. As a result, she and I have become friends, and have been able to keep in touch via email.
As well as making art, Lou works at a wonderful fine craft gallery called Carolina Creations. Located in New Bern, NC, Carolina Creations is owned by artists Janet and Michael Francoeur, and handles the work of over 300
well known artists and craftspeople from across the country. The gallery has been honored by Niche Magazine as a “Top Retailer of Fine Crafts” for the past three years…a very sought after distinction in the craft world. A few months ago, Lou suggested to me that Carolina Creations might be interested in selling my work. Of course, I was thrilled by the possibility of being included in such a great group of artists. So Lou put me in touch with Janet, and Carolina Creations now carries a lovely selection of Noelle’s Pretty Pots…both in their store, and online!
My thanks to Janet for choosing to place my work amongst the lovely selection in her gallery…and to Lou for helping me make this great connection.
