art
The best relationship art depicts the highs and lows of the authentic couple.
Why am I a Jewelry Artist
When I was about 14 or 15 years old, my sister gave me a Christmas present consisting of a bunch of jewelry making supplies that she had bought for herself, but never used. I was so excited to try my hand at this new world of creativity. There were beads, charms, pendants, jump rings, head pins, eye pins, chain, clasps, wire, chord, pliers, and a pair of wire cutters. That day, I sat down and created multiple necklaces, earrings and bracelets using just about every single thing she had given me. Now, most of what I created wasn’t very good and I have since taken apart most of the necklaces and such to create new things, but that day, I believed I had created veritable masterpieces.
By Keturah Goldsberry 5 years ago in Humans
Red Mittens
Of the more than 3,000 islands off the Maine coast, only 15 are both inhabited year round and unbridged. Many of these islands, accessible only by boat or aircraft, serve as summer enclaves to wealthy Floridians and New Yorkers who alight on their magnificent houses for a few weeks each summer before taking off again, leaving behind the small communities that keep the islands running through long winters and cold springs. At least that’s the case on this island, where I moved a few years ago after getting a job at the local Post Office.
By Hilary Clark5 years ago in Humans
Lighten Up
When times are tough, look for a glimmer of light in the darkness. In other words: buckle down, keep your chin up and make sure your eyes are wide open. If you look hard enough, the saying goes, you’ll eventually see a sliver of hope cutting through the blackness.
By Maya Sloan 5 years ago in Humans
Costumes of My Heart
When I was eight years old, I got my first sewing machine. Within a few weeks, every doll in my room had a new costume. My fashion dolls became representatives of many countries around the world. My baby dolls were ballerinas. The ragdolls were no longer dressed in rags. When I ran out of dolls to dress, our cats became the next, albeit unwilling recipients of my newfound love of costuming. I of course sewed other things as well, but my heart always returned to making costumes.
By Heather Smith5 years ago in Humans
Let them eat cake!
On a particularly sunny afternoon, I found myself sitting across from my mother at a vaccination site. We weren’t scheduled to be there together, but the universe in its infinite wisdom made it so we were. As we sat amongst others in the bustling waiting area, I took a look around as a moment of silence approached us.
By Nicole V Scott5 years ago in Humans
Struggle and Vision
Being the sculptor of ceramic pieces endows the artist with a unique sense of power. Whatever comes from our hands has the ability to transcend time. The time our bodies, and the bodies of those we love, and the bodies of those we will love, are allowed. It’s a responsibility that few get to experience — creating something that has the potential energy to be seen and studied as a touchstone of present-day culture.
By Allie Alcala5 years ago in Humans
Needle and Thread
Over 15 years ago, I was signed up (against my will) for a cross stitch needlepoint class that took place directly after Chinese school ended. Much to my dismay, I, a Cantonese/Vietnamese child, was in way over my head when I stepped into that class when the teacher could not speak any of the languages I knew. She spoke Mandarin with very limited English, and we could not communicate. She recruited one of the students she knew to act as our translator, and we became fast friends. The first few translations, however made it very clear how unprepared I was for this class. My mom gave me needles but I was empty handed when asked where my thread, cross stich fabric and stencils were. I was mortified. I am as introverted as one can be and being the only one that could not communicate with my teacher while she is telling me how bad my cross-stitching was did not help. The next week, my mom takes me to get all the materials I needed, and I still did not get the right colours of thread, my needles were too large for the cross-stitch fabric, I forgot to bring scissors, the list goes on. My teacher eventually gave up on trying to teach me directly as my translator friend and I would quietly do our craft until the bell rang. Who knew this extracurricular I reluctantly joined would result in a newfound love for sewing and embroidery?
By Jackie Nguyen5 years ago in Humans
With Fiskars As My Weapon, I Can Change the World.
With Fiskars As My Weapon, I Can Change the World. From 2020 into 2021, the world took a blow to the gut, enduring pain, loss, fear, and other emotions that rein indescribable. For me, a 19-year-old empath hiding in the safety of my boyfriend’s home, I ached for those who were on the frontlines not only fighting a global pandemic but systematic racism, the climate crisis, and threats to our country’s democracy. Being alone with my thoughts was hard, as it was for most during quarantine; however, a pair of Fiskars provided me some distractions: I cropped all my old t-shirts, cut my bangs out of boredom (a mistake), and took on hand sewing; of course, when I wasn’t learning Tik Tok dances. Yes, Fiskars has been in my back pocket through the not-so-impactful times this past year, but they have been there for the most impactful times as well. Throughout quarantine, watching the news, and being on social media was hard. I constantly wondered, “What can I do to lighten the burden on those who can’t help themselves?”. I marched in as many protests as I could, signed petitions, joined an activist group, and planned a canned goods drive for family’s impacted by COVID-19. I still felt like I could be doing more to impact lives more profoundly.
By Magdalena Rene Nickle5 years ago in Humans
Honing a Craft
In this essay we will take a close look at how joy and happiness are natural by-products of fulfilling the creative process — I will let on a little about what I'm crafting on now, discuss the existential art of crafting mentality and talk about why scissors are just, so important.
By Alex Johnson5 years ago in Humans
From Trash to Pirate Treasure
As a woman in my mid-30s, I have a lot of the things that often come with growing up: A job, an apartment, and a pile of clothes that have just one or two things wrong with them. Growing up has meant more working than playing, and skewing my spending more in the direction of bills and responsibilities, rather than toys or the adventures that I dreamed about growing up. As a child, my dress-up bin included outfits to help me imagine myself as pirates, princesses, animals, astronauts, and everything combined and in between. Nothing gave me more joy than taking a simple scarf and tying it around my waist to hold a paper towel roller sword, or putting on bulky clothing to simulate the protective gear of a space explorer.
By Jennifer Trustem5 years ago in Humans
Beadwork and Cultural Connection
My husband told me I need a hobby. I guess watching TV mindlessly isn't considered a hobby. At first, I was slightly offended by his suggestion. It's not like I don't do anything. I enjoy gardening but as I get older, bending down for hours on end and eventually throwing my back out doesn't appeal to me anymore. So, I took some time to think about what I'd like to do, and what I hope to get out of it.
By Alison McLaughlin5 years ago in Humans
