October 2010

Curiosity?

Submitted by Saskia on October 26, 2010 - 10:18pm

I was recently told that my curiosity, most definitely, is waning. I attended the RGD (Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario) Creative Business Summit 2010 and the first speaker gave a talk on curiosity. It was Bob Hambly from the Design firm Hambly & Woolley whom I have met on several occassions many years ago. He began by telling us that curiosity "is the fuel that drives designers creativity." In childhood we have the most amount oif curiosity because, of course, everything is new. As we proceed through our lives our curiosity shrinks. This "shrinkage" is due to several factors, the top 2 being fear of looking stupid and fear of feeling stupid.

At the end of his speech, that had flow charts and colourful graphs demonstrating the speed of our shrivelling interest in the unknown, he gave us a few pointers on how to encourage our inquisitiveness. At the top of his 5 points was to always carry a sketchbook and a digital camera to document and record our thoughts, questions and interesting things that we find in our everyday travels.

Since that comment I have been thinking non-stop about sketchbooks, curiosity and me. I have been fretting. Could he be right? Is my curiosity deflating at a rate that will leave me idealess in the very near future?

The other night I rummaged through my studio shelves and lined up all my old sketch books.

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Good Things DO Come in Threes!

Submitted by Saskia on October 21, 2010 - 3:49pm

I just heard from the 918 Bathurst Holiday Art Market.

A jury of "quality artists, art dealers and promoters" selected me along with 8 others from 32 early submissions!

This sale will be taking place on the weekend of December 4th and 5th

I'd better get to sewing...

Good things come in threes?

Submitted by Saskia on October 20, 2010 - 12:02am

I have to keep this week's entry brief because I have a splitting headache, monkeys to sew and classes to prepare.

I stopped by Periwinkle on Sunday to check on our shelves. I had a few more owls from Michelle and a few more monkeys to restock. My heart jumped when I walked through the doors. Our products had been rummaged through and moved around. There were holes... The biggest hole was where my giant sock monkey had been (made with thigh-highs). It had been sold!  I was giddy and couldn't think straight. My hands were shaking and I could hardly arrange the new products. When I left the store I wanted to run. Instead I went to the Burger Shack and ordered a celebratory burger with a side of onion rings. The problem is I have to go home and sew more. I thought I could have a few days off from sewing until midnight.

When I got home I checked my email and this is what greeted me:
"Congratulations! Your work has been chosen to be part of SpeakEasy's Annual Holiday Show and Sale." Wow, I will be a vendor in a craft show just before Christmas. I was part of this show many years ago but had minimal luck. It was my mask-making days and people just weren't interested. I mostly sold my hand-printed note cards. But that was pre-sock monkey, so maybe this time I will have more luck.

I am gleeful and panicking now. I have a lot of work to do between now and December. They say that good things happen in three's. There is one more craft show that I am waiting to hear from. Fingers are crossed.

SAVE THE DATE:
SpeakEasy's Annual Holiday Show and Sale.
Show Time: Thursday December 2nd, 7pm–11pm.  The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto.
http://www.blttogo.com/

Don't Quit Your Day Job....

Submitted by Saskia on October 12, 2010 - 9:51pm

178IMG_3776.JPGCrafting has always been a huge part of my life and I have always had at least 3 projects on the go at any given time and about 40 in the back of my head waiting for a spare moment. I have always been open to selling what I make but have never really actively sought a forum for selling until this year.

2010 has been the year of turbo charging my crafting. My friend Michelle, owner of Kempton Jones, also has a passion for crafting. She has been a huge influence in making things happen. Together we have fueled each other into doing more with what we make. We both started our own Etsy shops this year and

Mentioning my Mentor

Submitted by Saskia on October 5, 2010 - 12:35am

170Maud.jpgMaud Has Done it Again. By Jim Ireland.

My fondest memory of working for James Ireland Design Inc. was when Jim would come downstairs, where all the junior designers sat, perch in a chair and talk to us about music, tell us stories of his youth, and opinionate about current events. (yes, I know opinionate is not a word but it fits here). He wouldn't be speaking to anyone in particular. He would sit and look at the ceiling or at a wall and

 

 

 

 

© SASKIA VAN KAMPEN
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This blog is where I reflect on creative processes, creative happenings, creative experiences and creative artefacts.