(photos by mav)
I had the pleasure of sharing some sewing fun with a friend a few weeks back. Maria came over to my nearly finished studio for a little play session with buttons and thread. I will admit that anytime a friend comes into my studio, I feel a bit like a child wanting to show and share ALL of my 'tools'. Seriously - hours can go by in a blink of an eye, and before I know it, they're trying to inch their way to the door as I'm shouting, "but wait! we haven't looked at all the vintage lace!". Maria was more than a gracious and patient guest - she was, as she always is, interested and excited. She had an idea for a letterpress card that she wanted to try, and so we promptly dumped the buttons,and did some sewing and playing with thread. (After she very wisely bought us some alone time by stuffing my four babes full of her delicious chocolate chip cookies - a smart woman she is!).
Once we were done with the sewing/button-gathering part, I waited with excitement to see her process take place - the artwork, the printing - and then the beautiful result of the cards. Just gorgeous, aren't they? They're exactly as she described her idea to me, and yet they surprised me still. I adore the colors she chose, the placement, and well - all of it. I can't wait to start writing little notes and sending these out to crafty peeps.
Probably similar to how Maria feels about sewing, I feel about her letterpress. I'm curious about the process, inspired by her creativity, and enjoy so very much the end product, regardless of how much or how little I understand the tools specific to her work. And that's something I find so incredibly connecting about people who value creativity in their lives - that no matter what the medium is - in many ways, the process of creating is the same. The passion, the energy, the uniqueness is all there. The process of turning an imaginative thought into a concrete piece of craft/art/work, is a process I love to witness perhaps as much as I love to partake myself.
Thank you, Maria for sharing your beautiful art, process, and creative passion! And most of all, for your beautiful friendship.
{Maria's button cards are available at her Etsy shop.}
