Armstrong Industry Journal

Creating

I find the creation process has changed for me in these last few months.  One of the hardest is not having a place to work and having lost so many materials.  But the up side is I have so many ideas-it is like a cleasing or something-starting over again.  We have been so busy with the rebuilding of the studio, we have to do a lot of the actual work ourselves, the insurance is still fighting about everything.  But with the help of friends we have been able to work on a few new shirt designs.  The boys have come up with some great designs for the shop.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/ArmstrongIndustry

On Gratitude

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person." Albert Schweitzer

I am humbled and inspired by the creative community.  Working as a independent artist/designer we often find ourselves in creative obscurity and it can take a lift-changing event to make you realize how wonderful people are and how much you love this unique life. 

Since the fire my life so changed and many people have come to support me in many ways.  I want everyone to know how grateful I am and how much their words and deeds have helped me keep going.    I am working through all the emails and notes and hope to contact each person who has offered and helped.  If I do miss someone please know that I appreciate everything.

We are finally starting to put our life and business back together.  The red thread studio will be different from before, but I feel in a good way.

Stayed tuned as we continue the process of rebuilding-I hope to use this place to record the process of opening a new design studio.

Thank You

Red Thread Fire Please Help

Before

 

After

We are having real problems with our insurance after our fire this past weekend at the Red Thread Studio.  They do not consider hand craft to have much value. This space is our working studio as well as a retail gallery/shop showcasing about 12 other artisans as well as our own work. We have much work to do to our building and have lost artwork and supplies.  Erin at Design for Mankind has been so wonderful to set up a fund raiser, so if you are able your support will be greatly appreciated.

Smoke and Water

It is very surreal to be on the road to a seminar and have the phone ring and ask if you store in on fire.  It is also amazing the damage smoke and water can do in a short amount of time.  My lovely studio/gift shop was severely damaged by fire.  An abandoned building that connects to The Red Thread Studio, caught fire due to electrical problems and spread into my place.  We are in an old downtown area, and the buildings are all interconnected in funny ways so the smoke and water caused the worst damage in my shop.  Since I work in fiber and fabric many things will be lost.  In the mean time I will have no work space for a while.  Now it is the tedious task of working with insurance adjusters and building cleaner and inspectors.  It was so crazy today I am standing on the sidewalk with five or six different companies and press and all these people wanting me to decide many things at once.  It hard to know what direction to turn.

A sad sign to see on the building.

 

 

 

Fabric Design

This has been screen printing summer.  SA has been so busy and has fie tuned the light, time, images and all those little details that go with creating a screen.  We have made great progress and now beginning to print our own items.  I have so many designs it is hard to pick each one and put them together to create a our now product collection.  In researching color and concept I have found so much lovely inspiration.  This is from Patricia Bravo Art Gallery Fabrics.   Great color groupings.

                             

Fashion Friday

I love the layers in this look. This designer is so full of color and fun in her designs. Gudrun Sjoden's site is full of lovely information and images of travel and design.  The company has a good business and environmental policy as well.

"My basic belief is that the first step towards reducing negative environmental impact is to minimize the use of resources. Which is why I think we should think long term and wear clothes that are hard wearing in timeless designs".

Photography and Visual Display

For as long as I have been creating art work, I have been trying to photograph that work.  It is a never ending challenge to try a represent your creative design in an image that others can see and feel all that you have put into the work.  Lighting, styling, models, props all play such a huge part in the overall "look" we try to bring to the photo. 

Over at decor8 , I foundher list of favorite flickr photographers and I admit I am in awe of some of the amazing photographs that are presented on the flickr.  Hours have been spent looking and finding more and more each time I search.  Here is a some of my favorites.  What are you flickr favoriites?

      

6.5stitches

                                   

Elista(Elsa Mora)

Color Green

When in the planning stage of design, I can never seem to decide on color, I love so many and the combinations are endless.  One thing for sure it I always come back to green.  This site has offers a great insight into color and personality.  Green for me seems to fit.  Does your favorite color match you?

                       

                         "Greens are generally frank, community-minded people, fairly sociable but             preferring  peace at any price."

Shawl Knitting

We started the Knitting Knook in March as part of the Red Thread Studio. It has been encouraging to see people coming and all the interest in the yarns, we are still working out the class and letting everyone know we are here, but I think it will only continue to build with time.   This is a lovely shawl by Sasha the founder of the Knook.

                                       

More images and details are here.

Suffolk Virginia Shop Local

Our brick and mortar shop the Red Thread Studio is located in an historic downtown in redevelopment phases.  We struggle to get people to think about coming back into small towns and buying from small local shops.  This seek end we are starting our monthly art walk event Suffolk First Saturdays.  We are bring in artisans and musicians it will be great fun.  My hope is to build on it each month as new renovation and businesses open around us.  If you live near or would like a chance to display your work let us know                   

                                    

starting June 6, 3-6pm.

A monthly celebration of Downtown Suffolk’s growing Arts and Cultural Community

The Art Walk takes place in Downtown Suffolk on

Main

and Washington Streets. Local art galleries and retail businesses, gift shops, boutiques, restaurants and others are available with a special artist displays and/or events.