Friday, November 27, 2015

Flood the Streets with Art (III) in Redmond, WA


Flood the Streets with Art (III) in Redmond, WA
Today is Black Friday, the one day a year that Americas go crazy for stuff. It's called Black Friday because it represents the point in the year when retailers have historically begun to turn a profit, thus going from being "in the red" to being "in the black".

I wanted to counter the Black Friday commercialism while teaching my children the value of homemade. I researched some projects online and came across this website sent to me by a fellow artist. I immediatley knew I wanted to do this project and tried to think about what my art would be.

I decided on Christmas ornaments.  I realized  that not many people would expect Christmas ornaments from an Arab artist.

This of course makes the ornaments a perfect art to share because it reminds people that the Arab world is full of people from all three major religions.

Each ornamnet has a vintage sequeince patch that has been handsewn on a felt circle. Then I stuffed the circle with cotton fiber and blanket stitched around. I also added a ribbon hanger and my business tag so people can find my website.

A couple of the ornaments have fabric flower centers.
 

I made eleven total.

We placed each ornament in a Ziploc bag with a paper cut out explaining what it was and my business card.


My daughter and I then drove around town and placed the ornaments in various parks. One in the nook of a tree...


One next to a lake...


One as payment at a bait shop...


One in a "Extra Balls" bin at a dog park...


One at an entrance to a play park.

We had to pause for robotics club happening in our home, but will place the rest before dinner. Watch this space for the other photos and let me know if you find an ornament.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Every Muslim...

Every Muslim...really? All 1.75 billion?

Every Muslim is a terrorist who hates the West.
Every Muslim hates freedom and civil rights.
Every Muslims wants to kill a non-Muslims.

These are the words that I've read over the last few days on the internet.
With that logic...

Every Catholic Priest is a pedophile.
Every Jew wants to kill a Palestinian.
Every Mormon is anti-gay.
Every German is an anti-Semite.
Every Irishman blows up planes.
Every Native American is a drunk.
Every Somalian is a pirate.
Every Iraqi hates Kuwait.
Every Mexican is a drug dealer.
Every Indian is involved in sex trafficking.
Every Russian owns a gun.
Every Chinese person is hacking into your computer as you read this.
Every British citizens enjoys being in control of 3rd world countries.
Every Italian American is a member of the mob.
Every teenage boy in a trench coat will kill your kids.
Every postal worker is a mass murder.
Every Halloween candy has a razor blade in it.
Every bearded man wearing sunglasses puts pipe bombs in mailboxes.
Every Oklahoma citizen blows up federal buildings because they loath the government.
Every resident of Georgia despises Olympic athletes.
Every Floria local enjoys target practice on visiting tourists.

...see how stupid the original sentences sound now? 

Stop buying into the daesh goal of separating the world into Muslims and everyone else. Educate yourself. Go to a mosque and ask questions. Stop spewing hate filled bigotry into the world. We have to imagine that love will win.

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup

Wow, what an amazing day we had yesterday at the 9th Annual Homemade Harvest Open House.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup
I was so happy to see a wonderful turn out with the torrential downpour outside. We had a steady flow of traffic from 12 to 6pm. I usually have balloons out with my signs, but the rain didn't allow that this year. The signs had to go out balloonless and came home soaked.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup
There were 7 cozy vendors in my living room. I used my studio space to sell my items to help make more room this year. I wish I could have taken twice as many.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup
This year was a real family affair with my daughters more involved.

My middle daughter set up her items on my sewing machine and gave polymer clay demos all day. This worked out great since she helped answer questions about my items.

My oldest daughter (mostly) helped with the cash register and (mostly) hung out with her friends that came to make art with her sister.

My youngest spent her day sharing some one on one time with her baba (Arabic for dad) but did come towards the end and managed to sell a few of her fuse beads creations. It's been so wild watching them be more active in this event as the years go. Maybe I can retire in a few years and they can organize this?

Shukran (thank you) to everyone that came. I'm looking forward to writing a ton of thank you cards this week. And sending nice checks to the artists that you bought from. Just a reminder that other then a small amount taken out for food, every dime you spent yesterday will go in the hands of these hard workers.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup - Food table
 Please continue to shop from these artists.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup - A Crafty Arab
Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup - Blue Heron Dye Artwork


Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup - The Cat Ball

Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup - Holli Dunn
Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup - Lorraine Holland

Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup - Northwest Suds


Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup - Scarf City

Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup - Thea Starr

Homemade Harvest 2015 Wrapup - Veronika Lisuk

See you November 12th, 2016 for our 10th annual show.


Friday, November 13, 2015

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Sweet Paws

Tomorrow is the Homemade Harvest. I can't wait to see everyone that is coming.

My middle daughter has asked if she can sell her items and I said yes. She had made a number of them for the Redmond Farmer's Market Kids Days but we were in Florida and missed the chance to sign up.

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Sweet Paws

She will be set up in my studio, so be sure to stop by and say hi. She ia demoing her skills in clay and is even thinking of offering a make and take!

Now that all the vending artists interview are up, I thought it might be cute to ask her the same questions and see what she says. I also took a few photos of her artwork for sale.

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Sweet Paws

What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?
I think about what I wanted and liked when I was younger and picture myself making the item instead of buying it. My handmade items are less expensive and more creative and they give me something to do in my spare time.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Sweet Paws

Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?
I look up to other artists, especially my mom because she helps me with difficult problems and sorts out different issues.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Sweet Paws

What other passions do you have in your life?
VEX Robotics, swimming, drawing, running XC, painting, studying art, baking sweets, and having fun at school with friends.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Sweet Paws

In the future I’d like to be…
In the future I’d like to be an artist.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Sweet Paws

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Samia El-Moslimany

With Homemade Harvest just around the corner, I wanted to take a little time to talk about the artwork that will be hanging on the walls around my living room.

These limited edition canvas and photo watercolor prints are by Seattle artist Samia El-Moslimany.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Samia El-Moslimany

Samia is currently engaged on a refugee relief mission for the Salaam Cultural Museum and unable to be at our event.  While I do make it a requirement that all artists be present for customer questions at Homemade Harvest, I do understand sometimes life happens and you find yourself on a beach instead of an art show pop up.

Since Samia is standing on the shores of Lesvos, Greece helping flagging down boats, she was unable to answer my interview questions. I did manage to find a bio from an art exhibit we did together this past August at the Arab Festival.

In honor of her working instead of hanging out with us, I'm asking anyone coming to bring gently used medical supplies to the Homemade Harvest for donations.

I hope you are able to stop by and enjoy her artwork that will be up for sale.

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Samia El-Moslimany


Samia El-Moslimany, is a Saudi-American originally hailing from Seattle, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Film Making and Television Production and her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Washington. 

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Samia El-Moslimany

In addition to Seattle, she has lived in Kuwait and currently splits her time between the US and Saudi Arabia her home for more than 30 years. Samia is the mother of a daughter, two sons, three foster sons and is the grandmother of the most adorable baby in the world.

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Samia El-Moslimany
Samia has photographed professionally for close to 30 years, and is the managing owner of one of Arabia’s leading photography studios located in Jeddah. In addition to numerous Saudi publications, Samia has photographed for Business Week, Fortune, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Marie Claire Magazine, Institutional Investor, Le Figaro, Saudi Aramco World, The Christian Science Monitor, the Associated Press, and most recently photographed for the cover of a TIME Magazine.

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Samia El-Moslimany
Samia’s volunteer activities include having serving as a founder and chair of the board of directors CAIR-WA, as a founding member of the Jeddah Orphan Eid Gift Project, as a member of the steering committee of Together We Build, a Seattle interfaith coalition working with Habitat for Humanity, as a member of the Muslim Youth Camp of California board of directors as a volunteer and Community Activity Chairperson at the Islamic School of Seattle, and as a co-founder of the Wanisa Sisterhood, a support network for First Wives, in Saudi Arabia.

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Samia El-Moslimany
In January of 2012, Samia reluctantly became involved in a family law dispute in Saudi Arabia and took on the justice system. Samia prevailed in her cases and was pleasantly surprised to find individuals and a system within the Saudi Shariah courts that advocated for women’s rights.

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Samia El-Moslimany
On October 26, 2013 when over a hundred Saudi women took the drivers seat in a call to allow women basic freedom of movement and the right to drive, Samia was one of the only two women who were arrested and detained with by authorities. She was later released without benefit of her “legal guardian” which was without precedent.
 
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Samia El-Moslimany

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Lorraine Holland

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Lorraine Holland
This Saturday will be Homemade Harvest  and today we're getting to know one of the artists that will be selling, Lorraine Holland. She is a new artist to our pop up event and we are excited she is joining us.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Lorraine Holland

Tell us a bit about yourself? Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?
I’m all about creating most days. I use beautiful stones, crystals and beads and combine them in to strands of beautiful colors adorned with decorative charms. Hamsa hands, evil eyes, sports, and angels are just a few of the charms that enhance my creations. My clients display them on windows, cars, purses and in their homes.New in my workshop is an etched glass votive with three images. When I’m not beading, I work part time at an integrated health clinic and support my children’s soccer teams.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Lorraine Holland

What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?
Since my first coloring book, I’ve been fascinated with colors and crafting. That evolved into my greeting card business and to my beaded beauties. I’m observant of fashion trends and the featured colors each season. Currently, I’m enjoying working with shades of turquoise and teal, and my favorite color is purple.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Lorraine Holland

Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?
I looked up to my dad Joe. He worked long hours in the insurance industry and yet made time for his wife and his five daughters and his beloved wood working. Our family loved decorating and making holiday ornaments.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Lorraine Holland

What other passions do you have in your life?
I am passionate about my loving family and friends. Each completed project fills me with gratitude. It’s a way for me to share my joy, love and light with others. I appreciate hearing from customers how they display their beaded beauties. I encourage everyone to tap in to their own creative expressions. I’m passionate about love, kindness and creativity. How do you promote your work?
They’re sold at East West Bookstore-Seattle and through my large network of family and friends. They will be featured on my website soon.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Lorraine Holland

In the future I’d like to be…
Expanding my product line and touring the world to find unique and colorful beads.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Lorraine Holland

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Northwest Suds

Our house is very busy right now, getting ready for Homemade Harvest this Saturday.  Today I'd like to introduce you to a new artist: Natalya from Northwest Suds who will be joining us.

Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Northwest Suds
This is a brand new enterprise for Natalya, so we are so excited she chose our venue to try out her entrepreneur skills.

I hope you can come out and support her new business and smell for yourself how wonderful these soaps are in person! Be sure to visit our FB page for more information.

Tell us a bit about yourself? Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?
I am a wife and a mother of 2 grown-up daughters. I am also a bioengineer, working in medical device industry. My responsibility is assuring that the medial devices are clean, sterile and non-toxic when they reach patients. So my work is all about cleaning – and so is my hobby.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Northwest Suds

What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?
My family and friends who like to use my soaps and see the benefits. Someone told me that few months after he started using my soap, his dermatologist noticed positive changes in his skin and asked what he is using. This was the best compliment and inspiration ever.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Northwest Suds

Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?
To Mother Nature. In nature everything is interconnected and has purpose. Things are practical, yet beautiful. Biochemical and genetic processes are very complex, but on the grand scheme of things the life is very simple. Humans tend to complicate things for no reason. By creating simple, practical and attractive soaps I bring my own world back to basics, where things are simple and one can enjoy simple pleasures. Just like nature intended.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Northwest Suds

What other passions do you have in your life?
Science and simplicity. These seem mutually exclusive, but they are not. I want to know how things work, why they work certain way and understand cause-effect relationship between events. But, armed with this knowledge, I want to live simply, and enjoy simple pleasures in life.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Northwest Suds

How do you promote your work?
I do not really promote it. It is mostly word of mouth.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Northwest Suds

In the future I’d like to be…
Myself. I would like to gain wisdom, tolerance and understanding, and want to help others to do the same.
Homemade Harvest 2015 Artist - Northwest Suds
 P.S. I also would like to be a better photographer – these picture really do not do my soaps justice…