crafty events in chicago, celebrating 10k instagram followers, a reading list + more
Happy February crafters! I have some really good stuff for you this week.
But first, something very important.
Trans Chicago is an incredible organization operating out of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center that provides many resources, events, and services to trans folk in our city. Unfortunately, the CDC pulled funding from the organization this week which was essential to their operations. This resulted in most of the staff getting laid off and programming being cut.
If you’re able, please donate to the Mutual Aid fund for laid off employees and support the folks that have been doing excellent work, and providing for our community.
Now, onto the update from us!
we hit 10k on instagram!!! wow!!!
Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. This is definitely a huge milestone that Laura, Mary, Leah, and I have been dreaming of for awhile. The fact that there are 10k crafter babes wanting to connect in this awesome city we all love is so so so exciting. 😭
As a thank you for all of your support, we’re running an INCREDIBLE giveaway on instagram!! Go enter!!! It’s good stuff!!
reading list
I don’t know about you, but I need a little hope right now. Check out these books I’ve added to my TBR if you’re feeling the same.
the Subversive Stitch by Rozsika Parker - buy on Bookshop.org
Rozsika Parker uses household accounts, women's magazines, letters, novels and the works of art themselves to trace through history how the separation of the craft of embroidery from the fine arts came to be a major force in the marginalisation of women's work. Beautifully illustrated, her book also discusses the contradictory nature of women's experience of embroidery: how it has inculcated female subservience while providing an immensely pleasurable source of creativity, forging links between women.
This Long Thread by Jen Hewett - borrow from CPL, buy on Bookshop.org
Weaving together interviews, first-person essays, and artist profiles, This Long Thread explores the work and contributions of women of color across the fiber arts and crafts community. These conversations explore materials, belonging, identity, cultural misappropriation, privilege, the value (or undervaluing) of craft, community support structures, recognition and exclusion, intergenerational dialogue, and much more.
show & tell from the geneva community
Pat (@plsgouacheyourhands on Instagram) braved the bitter cold to do some air painting! Pat, we cannot admire your dedication to your craft enough. 🥶
Ali shared a felt pennant they created for their sister for Christmas. It’s a song title from her favorite band. Looks like it was a hit!
If you want to be featured in our newsletter, or just want to connect with other crafty folks, join our group on Geneva 🫶
moments in crafting
Joann Fabrics is filing bankruptcy again. If you've been into a Joanns in the last 6 months you'll know this has been coming...but gosh, what a loss. The Elston Joanns x Five Below x Ross Dress for Less x Micro Center x Michaels run will never be the same.
the Sophie Scarf knitting pattern has taken the world (instagram, tiktok and me) by storm. I love this little pattern. I worked on it during my cross-country train trip and wow, it's so addicting and fun to knit. A good step up for beginner knitters too. You'll have to do increases/decreases every like 8th row or so – a stitch counter is essential. I swear I'm not sponsored by PK; I just love this project.
crafty things around chicago
Picnic Date Studio is opening a kitschy grocery themed pop up store as part of the West Town pop up project at 1821 W Chicago Ave! Myself and the rest of the staff are so excited to visit. It will be open from January 31 to July 20.
Apparently a yarn store in Andersonville called the Dropped Stitch (so cute) was opened in November by Jeopardy champ Hannah Wilson. As a huge fiber and Jeopardy fan, how incredible is that? How am I just finding out about this now?
Lesbian love letters 2: a tribute to sapphic love and literature by the Artistic Alphabet Mafia is going on again this year on Thursday, February 13! Tickets are pay-what-you-can with a guarantee of having a big gay beautiful time no matter the price. This'll be a COVID-precaution-friendly jam (masks required) packed event with a sapphic poetry workshop, lesbian love letter writing, a flirty book swap, and so much more. TAM events are always magical.
the Wasteshed is having a Craft Night on February 12th, masks required which looks very fun. The folks at Craft Club love them. Specifically, the Wasteshed fuels my craft supply stash and you just never know what you’re gonna find.
Don’t forget about our events tooooooooo!
Well, this has been a quick feb update from us. Wishing you love, grace, and care. Let’s do our best to be good to each other. See ya!