I went shopping for used earrings/necklaces so I can take them apart and make new ones! I wish I had taken a “before” picture, cuz it was really ugly, there were more pieces and they were attached in a circular-like shape that just did not look cute. So much so that I wasn’t even planning on using the pieces for earrings, more like a sewing project.

I’m enjoying taking apart frilly, fussy used jewelry and putting things together in a more beautiful way.

I’ve been wanting to wear earrings again, haven’t really worn them since high school, and I haven’t worn dangly ones since like 9th grade. Went shopping for some but didn’t like anything I saw, and since I’m feeling quite crafty these days I thought I’d make my own. Had some jewelry I got from Sri Lanka years back so I took them apart. I really enjoyed making them!

Last month I sold my first softie, one of the pink and red ones, to a friend, Ann Freeman. It was fitting that she was the first to buy one because of a conversation we had last fall about how the type of art you create might change once you have a kid. As I started making the softies/dolls I was reminded of something she said, that your idea of what is “art” might have to expand.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. I was making these dolls at my mother’s, while Kumari just played and occupied her self with random things. I was amazed that she just let me sew. I’ve tried working on my drawing with her, but she always wants what I’m drawing with or the paper that I’m using. It’s impossible to draw, let alone focus on it.

Working on these softies was something she didn’t mind me doing while I watched her so it made me feel like continuing even more. I could even work on it while I watched a movie with Kenji. It felt so wonderful to be productive but still spend time with family! I didn’t have to feel so stingy with my time anymore!

Even during her naptime I was working on the stuffed creatures and not drawing. It felt good to be making something 3-dimensional with my hands. But I felt guilty that I wasn’t working on my “art.” My only objective with the softies is to make something cute, not exactly something you can write in a grant proposal! The snotty art school kid in me was hell bent on making me feel like I wasn’t doing what I should be doing, even though I was doing what I wanted to be doing!

I’ve had to expand my idea of what being creative means to me. The notions around the “artist’s life” has so completely changed for me since having a kid. This new adventure in sewing has further shown me that it will continue to evolve and change. The distinctions between fine art and craft have slowly blurred for me.

So I have faith in the inspiration that Kumari has brought me and I hope to keep evolving in this creative life.

I had a few old winter sweaters that I don’t wear anymore, I think they’ve been in a box for like 10 years! Anyways, I musta really been into this sweater cuz I had two of these same fuscia & red sweaters, so i thought I’d make as many of these creatures as possible with the material.


sidenote: I saw a great anime recently called Summer Wars directed by Mamoru Hosoda. Really amazing film that did a great job of showing elements of family life (a very large family!) along with life in the online world and when the two collide. The story was great and the animation was beautiful, and the characters on the online world looking amazing. I was so impressed at how many unique characters they created!