In the past few months, I've bought these books to remind me how to do the things I once enjoyed, but have long forgotten: decoupage, collage and embroidery. Probably it was my nomadic existence that discouraged creating crafts - if you're always moving, you don't tend to focus on art supplies (unless you make your living as an artist). Also, as a working single mom, there wasn't much time to focus on crafts - any energy left after work and taking care of my daughter was poured into writing.
My husband gave me a set of oil paints and brushes that I've never used. My daughter, the versatile artist, gave me charcoal pencils, sketchpads and blank canvases on which to experiment. But something - probably my own insecurities and perfectionist worries about not being "good enough" - good enough for what? - has kept me from attempting to paint. For nearly a year now I've been reading the blogs of many clever, creative, crafty women and you've rekindled the desire to create something with my hands. I live in Paris, where vintage papers and ephemera are plentiful. So once a month I'm going to make some sort of art or craft and post it here.
Grandmother's buttons
In response to my posts about Monsieur Andre Molco's vintage buttons, Frida made a comment about fond childhood memories of playing with her grandmother's buttons, "They are in quite a different league to my grandmother's jars of buttons, but I think the same aesthetic interests lie behind both collections. My Grandma was just a little limited by her location (rural NZ) and budget!"
My late grandmother's buttons also were limited by her location and budget, but they are more precious to me than any expensive designer buttons. I've previously written about my grandmother's extraordinary skills as a seamstress. And I keep her buttons in a red glass apothecary jar, occasionally using some for a sewing project. My daughter, a student at the Savannah College of Art & Design also uses some of her great-grandmother's buttons for sewing projects. Yet another example that in life it's the sentiment that counts, not the expense.
ohhh, those books look like something I could devour. Slowly :) but I'd enjoy every moment pouring thru all their luscious samples.
Posted by: Madeline | 02 February 2007 at 10:15
I cannot wait to see what you create! If it is half as good as your poetry - it will be amazing.
I must post about my button memories oneday!
Posted by: miss*R | 29 January 2007 at 22:30
looking forward to what you will be bringing us. and i really wanted to reach in and grab a couple of those books and open them,,,
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 27 January 2007 at 18:10
I am looking forward to seeing what you create.
Posted by: sarala | 26 January 2007 at 23:51
I truly know that no matter what form your art takes it will have a soulful infusion. Your imagination, your immense resources for wondrous finds.....just follow your heart! I can't wait to see the results.
XOXO
Posted by: Lisa(0ceandreamer) | 26 January 2007 at 19:32
How could anyone who writes and photographs so creatively, fail to find creativity in paper, paint, charcoal, etc.? I think you are good to go. And you don't have to put your creations on the internet if you don't want to; just save them for yourself. You can have a "show" when you are ready. Until then...
Meilleurs voeux!!
Posted by: bluevicar | 26 January 2007 at 15:14
Creativity is the point. "Let it go" so you don't attach enough to look for perfection. Just enjoy! Leasten to yourself, is like doing meditation. Not grasp into. To me art is like a magical wand that turns around you, gather many things (like in a sort of spiral) that come together falling in your blank page combined in your only one magicl way! Go!
Posted by: Catalina | 26 January 2007 at 14:40
Tara,
When we bought this home, we bought it as is. Meaning, Complete in every detail. The furniture, clothes in the closets and drawers, and food in the freezer and cellar. There was an old treadle sewing machine and the drawers were/are filled with age old buttons of everysort.
I look for ward to seeing your creations!
rel
Posted by: rel | 25 January 2007 at 10:50
It is never too late to start something new and looking forward to see your crafts...
Cheers!
Posted by: abhay | 25 January 2007 at 09:25
There's just something about grandmothers' buttons - I have fond memories too of playing with my Nana's button tin on her wooden table, rain lashing against the window and a view of whitecaps (or white horses as Nana called them) out on the sea out beyond her house.
Posted by: chiefbiscuit | 25 January 2007 at 07:49
i would have to agree that with the many crafty artists i see within the blog community one cannot help but get inspiration. Have fun creating.
Posted by: naturegirl | 25 January 2007 at 07:16
Ooooh, I can't wait to see what you come up with! I find it soothing to make things. I too couldn't create for so many years as the kids were always with me. Now that I'm home and they're in school, I have a little more time. I find the ATCs refreshing because they are so small and you don't have to spend a whole lot of time on each one. Some, I spend more time than I would like to, but all in all, it is still relaxing.
Posted by: Rosa | 25 January 2007 at 05:17
I've been feeling the call to create also. I've found that nothing really happens until I issue a challenge to myself. Another blogger posted a sketch of a common household item and I thought, "I can do that too!" So the next day I did. Certainly not world-class work, but fun nonetheless.
Happy creating!
Posted by: Star | 25 January 2007 at 04:46
I'm glad you're going to dive in, toss insecurities aside (well maybe just a little aside!) and try some art! Hopefully you will inspire me to try my hand with art supplies bought by husband as well!! x, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 25 January 2007 at 02:22
So..now,,,, The Paris phonebook.. Very easy challenge? (see KatieKendrick)
Posted by: Pam Aries | 25 January 2007 at 01:44
So many of us, me included, have these perfectionist stop signs. How can one create anything without making a bit of a mess? Get it all out, literally and figuratively!
Posted by: tut-tut | 25 January 2007 at 01:19
Looking forward to seeing your art Tara...follow your heart, choosing things that speak to you...it'll be fantastic!
Posted by: Gemma | 25 January 2007 at 00:25
I think you'll enjoy making stuff and we'll enjoy seeing the results.
I also played in my Gran's button jar as a child and I have recreated one of my own that I sometimes let my children play in. Not often enough though - maybe I should do it more often.
Posted by: Ash | 24 January 2007 at 20:15
Yes, yes, you must. The best advice I can give you is: Don't censor yourself. Just do it, and if you don't like what you've done, it's fine, do another one.
xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 24 January 2007 at 19:27
This is so exciting! You have such a great eye and sense of style, that your collages (or whatever you choose to do) are bound to be charming! So much talent oozing out of the Taraean pores ;D.
Posted by: Laura | 24 January 2007 at 19:17
I can't wait to see Tara art! These women are fabulous and if I could I'd give it a whirl...it's infectious! HUGS
Posted by: Tammy | 24 January 2007 at 19:14
I remember playing in what we called grandma's Fibber McGee Closet. It was filled with wondrous things. Your post suggests to me that I close my eyes and try to recall some of those memories from 50 plus years ago.
Posted by: annieelf | 24 January 2007 at 18:45
One of my most treasured possessions is my Nannie's button box - some of the buttons in it belonged to HER mother (my great-grandma). It was a special treat when I was little, to be allowed to sort through them on a rainy day. Though I'm not much of a seamstress, I still love to run my hands through them and find my favorites.
Creating something tangible with your hands is one of the most satisfying experiences - more fun than almost anything I can think of - I'm so glad you're settled in a place where you can take up doing the things you love again. I'm looking forward to seeing whatever you create. Enjoy!
Posted by: tinker | 24 January 2007 at 17:34
This may be another weirdness about me,...When I was little, I was terrified of buttons so most of my clothes were put together by ribbons.
Now? I am fine. Some buttons are lovely.
I look forward to your art & crafts Tara. Pour your heart out!
Posted by: Nina | 24 January 2007 at 17:04
There's something so satisfying about making art, which I didn't discover until just over a year ago when I retreated to wordlessness in my grief. The soul tells us different storys with art.
I'm looking forward to seeing your creations. I know they'll be beautiful.
Posted by: deirdre | 24 January 2007 at 16:43
I alas have no craft skills. :(
I leave that to my wife. :)
Posted by: Brian | 24 January 2007 at 15:53