Intro to Craftivism + Embroidery with Badass Cross Stitch

Shannon Downey is an artist, activist, craftivist, community builder, and general instigator. She blends her politics, activism, and art into projects that are designed to inspire others to take action, think, discuss, engage with democracy and their community, and find some digital/analog balance. She makes art to inspire others to make art. Her passion is teaching people how to stab out their frustrations + take action to build a just world. Life motto: Make Art. Smash Systems.

Shannon Downey aka Badass Cross Stitch

Get acquainted with craftivism, learn to embroider, stitch something brilliant, and make friends—all in just 2 hours!

Piano Craft Gallery

Craft-based activism has been used as a tool of resistance, coalition building, and even espionage! I will provide an introduction to the history of craftivism and ways you can get involved in the modern movement. Then, I will then teach you how to embroider and have you stabbing it out in no time. I guarantee you walk away feeling better than when you arrived. You will learn about the materials, how to get set up to stitch, working with patterns or designing your own pieces, and we will kick if off with backstitch. There&#x27;s much to learn and it&#x27;s zero-pressure and wicked fun. After you fall madly in love with embroidery, <a href="https://www.patreon.com/BadassCrossStitch" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">you can join in the #YearOfStitch in my Patreon community</a> where I&#x27;ll teach you a new stitch every week for a whole year! There are free patterns, a community of likeminded folks, and craftivism challenges to get you flexing your activist muscles. If you have a craft box (or room) at your home, here&#x27;s what to bring with you:<ul><li>an embroidery hoop (5-7&quot; is usually best but any size will do)</li><li>a piece of light colored cotton fabric (got a tea towel or old sheets around? Use those)</li><li>a tapestry, chenille, or embroidery needle </li><li>pair of scissors</li><li>embroidery floss (whatever colors you like)</li><li>a water erasable marking pen, transfer pen, or friction pen (don&#x27;t have that? don&#x27;t worry we can work with pencil, chalk, ballpoint pen, whatever you got)</li></ul>OR if you, like many, purchased an embroidery kit in 2020 and haven&#x27;t gotten around to it yet...that will be perfect. ;) I see you. Another option is to buy all of the materials you need in this handy bundle that Maydel set up for us. The cost of the bundle is $13. Maydel is an ethically-sourced, women-owned business and I am a big fan. Here&#x27;s the link <a href="https://maydel.com/product/intro-to-embroidery-bundle-by-badass-cross-stitch/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://maydel.com/product/intro-to-embroidery-bundle-by-badass-cross-stitch/</a>I will have extra of all materials for folks who might need them. As always, my workshops are pay-what-you-can to keep them accessible to as many people as possible. The workshop will take place in the Piano Craft Gallery amongst the Speak Up exhibit. About the Exhibit:Welcome back. This show was planned to happen before the pandemic. At that time, many topics inspired us to select the title, Speak Up. Social and racial justice, equality, inclusion, diversity, immigration, and elections were the original driving forces. A few months later, the topics are still relevant and have multiplied exponentially. Polarization greatly intensified, becoming a disruptive force in our society and communities, causing violence and acts of hatred to erupt amongst us. We witnessed an alarming intensification of climate change-related tragedies. We helplessly watched fires ravaged in Australia, North, and South America, further damaging the already fragile balance of ecosystems and biospheres that sustain our lives. We&#x27;ve witnessed and stood together in protests that present themselves in a wave-like motion, advancing and receding, without losing momentum, and most importantly, here to stay. And, we are collectively facing the enemy of all, the Coronavirus.More than ever, we must use our voice and analyze the options before us. And as always, choose wisely, collaborate, and find alternatives to avoid a dead end. We have the opportunity to question and improve the way we interact with one another socially, financially, professionally, and the ways we interact with the world around us or witness the continuous degradation of the core values within a just, equal, and peaceful society.Whether displaying a call to action, for social injustice, the fight against inequality, violence, racism, gender discrimination, sexual oppression, the climate crisis, personal traumas, but also; beauty, visions of a bright future, manifestations of happiness and alternatives, utopias, and collaborative thinking, artists have been using their voices in the most inventive ways to facilitate difficult discussions.The Piano Craft Gallery presents Speak Up, a juried exhibition of presented by: Arts Administration Association New EnglandShow Dates: November 6th, 2020 - November 29th, 2020 Opening Night: November 6th, 2020, 6-9PM(social distancing and masks required)Gallery Hours: Fridays 6-8PM, Saturdays 12-5PM, Sundays 12-5PMLearn more here: <a href="http://www.pianocraftgallery.com/speak-up/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">http://www.pianocraftgallery.com/speak-up/</a>&lt;3 Shannon

Intro to Craftivism + Embroidery with Badass Cross Stitch

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Intro to Craftivism + Embroidery with Badass Cross Stitch

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