Stitch Wish Radio

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Long before written language, our species learned to communicate through symbols. As children, we learn to identify images before we can speak. And when we reach for knowledge beyond our own culture, symbols allow us to transcend the limitations of language.

This episode scratches the surface on the idea of working with symbols and archetypes, both in our artwork and in our personal transformations. I discuss my view on how symbols and archetypes work with our minds, and how we can use corresponding images or objects to greater amplify these archetypes. 

Mentioned in this episode:
Magic Threads Online Embroidery Course
My book, Mystical Stitches
Richard Tarnas "An Introduction to Archetypal Astrology" 

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Despite the fact that I don't really relate to any specific religious scripture, this connection between artistic expression and divine dedication is one that I feel deeply drawn to. So this episode is a little bit about the spiritual nature of creative acts.

 I also want to leave you with some actual tools, so I'm sharing a few light suggestions for approaching your creative endeavors in a way that is enriching and rewarding, no matter what the reason for making is!

Mentioned in this episode:
Textile Arts Center
Episode 4: Talisman
Episode 10: Inspiration
More on  my Magic Threads Course (enrollment opens Sept 16th)
My FREE Embroidery Portal

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Let's talk about one of the most powerful tools in the artists studio - creating in our minds that which does not already exist in the world! In this episode, I talk about what VISUALIZATION is to me, how it helps us access non-ordinary consciousness, and work towards creating what we do want. I also share some techniques for enhancing your ability to visualize, and some fun ways to further play around - OH AND, there's also a guided meditation towards the end! (17 minutes in) 

- My sketchbook process mentioned in Episode 12: The Creative Process
- Cheryl Humphrey's "In Color - Spectral Meditations for Healing" (video here)
- Stitched Visions Beginner's Workshop
- Magic Threads Online Course (opens up for enrollment in late September) 

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So excited to have had the opportunity to interview Tessa Perlow, a textile artist based in New Jersey who makes work themed around magic, nature, mythology & love . She works on repurposed fabrics & garments with a focus on embroidery and beading.

We talk about...
- Tessa's creative practice and the evolution of her embroidery skills
- Upcycling, and Tessa's relationship to "fashion"
- Not taking yourself or your work too seriously
- Craft and Art - is there a difference?
- Finding inspiration through research

Tessa's Website
Instagram: @tessaperlow
Etsy Shop:
Mentioned:
- Dreaming The Dark - Starhawk
- Faeries - Brian Froud and Alan Lee
- Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom - Rachel Pollack
- Drawing Down the Moon - Margot Adler
- Between the Worlds Podcast
- Leonard Knight's Salvation Mountain
- The End in Joshua Tree
- The Road to Nowhere - Mary Evans Oracle Deck

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A little about the process of making my recent book, Mystical Stitches! I also shared a bit about the process in this IGTV post but this episode goes a little more into detail about the emotional journey and all of the epiphanies along the way! 

Making a book epiphanies - the short list:
- Listen to your creative urges; don't wait until they "make sense"
- Send the email. Write the letter. Reach out to the person about the thing - we are all human and humans love connection.
- Get help to work through your mental blocks, no matter how small they might seem
- You don’t have to have a degree in writing to write
- if something isn't working - don't force it - dream about it

Storey Publishing
Stacy Wakefield
Alexandra Jiacopetti Hart
Nina Chakrabarti
Brad Ogbonna

Next Week's interview:
Tessa Perlow 

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I love learning about other people's creative evolution and artistic process, so I shared a bit of my own, as well as some ideas to consider if you're looking for new ways to think of your own artistic process.

In this episode:
- my personal creative process
- the journey of how my art and spirituality merged
- some ideas for opening up creatively
- the Sufi story of Fatima the spinner
- SOFT WORK Intuitive Garment Design course - registration closes Thursday (or when the class is full!) 

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Let's talk about how clothes are designed (and why) and how we can make more sustainable choices. In this episode, I talk about:

- the difference between modern and ancient clothing construction
- my lifelong love affair with clothing design
- the problem with the $40 dress
- 5 tips for making more sustainable choices when shopping
- my online course, Soft Work

Links mentioned:
Sign up for newsletter to get into SOFT WORK
Good on You and Re/Make brand directories
Melanin and Sustainable Style's article: "47 badass womxn of color changing the landscape of sustainable fashion" 

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The thing about inspiration is, its hard to pinpoint, hard to guide others to, hard to explain... but having studied the creative process for quite a while, I've picked up some ideas about inspiration that I'm sharing in this episode. I discuss:
 
 - not sharing your magic beans with the skeptic
- reverence and focused attention
- allowing intuition to lead the way even though intellect likes to do so
- concept driven vs experiment driven works
- my 7 favorite ways of seeking inspiration

Links mentioned:
Magic Threads Course opens Sept 2021 (check out works from previous Magic Threads students on Instagram here)
Stitched Visions Workshop (with $25 off Magic Threads)
FREE Embroidery Portal
Greg Jackson's article
Stitch Wish on Instagram

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In conversation with Lise Silva, we talk about:

Finding inspiration through internal dream lands

Making time for meditative thought (no matter what) 

the world of wovenutopia: dreaming up new possibilities

the weird world of sharing our art in an internet culture that prefers homogeny and predictability

Rehumanizing our relationship with social media

The Mariah Fantasy Portal (doesn't matter how you feel or don't feel about Mariah Carey -  this is important stuff!)

Mentioned in this eposide:

Lise Silva's website

Craft and Practice / Wovenutopia Patreon

Wovenutopia Summer Issue

Today's podcast episode comes with a GIVEAWAY! Lise is offering us three copies of the digital mag to give away! To enter: Make sure you're following both @stitchwish and @wovenutopia, and tag a friend or two in this evening's @stitchwish post that mentions the giveaway and Wovenutopia Magazine! 

Three winners will be chosen at random - I'll contact you via DM to give you the download code. This giveaway is not associated with IG. We'll announce winners on Friday, July 30th

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This episode ties together the past two episodes - reuse and play - by exploring the value of textiles. How we use textiles as a form of play and expression, and how we can bring value back to this artform by honoring the forms of cloth we already have in our lives through the act of mending.

Mentioned in this episode:

Mending E-Zine 

Soft Work Course (opens again in August)

White Coat Study 

Studio Akina (my sister's hand-dyed pieces)

Zak Foster's memory quilt swatch album 

Katrina Rodabaugh

Fibershed by Rebecca Burgess