Jim Arendt - Labor and Work

I grew up on a farm outside of Flint, Michigan, birthplace of General Motors and the United Auto Workers Union. Our region underwent a radical shift in economics as the industrial and agrarian economies disappeared or were outsourced to different regions and countries. Famously depicted in Michael Moore's 1989 documentary Roger & Me, Flint suffered through the loss of 80,000 manufacturing jobs from which it has never fully recovered. The resulting impact on the lives of the people I grew up with has left an indelible mark on my outlook to our relationship with work as a concept as I seek to make sense of the narrative that unfolded.

Welcome to our newest crafthaus members:

   Anna Butcher, Lakonia, GREECE

   Caitlin Skelcey, Champaign, IL

   Callahan McDonough, Atlanta, GA

   Carolyn Edlund, Arts Business Institute

   Gigi Li, San Francisco, CA

   Wayne S. Sutton, Berkeley, CA

Midori Takaki - Where the Wind Blows

"When I was a child in Japan I thought I would become a writer. My head was a full of imagination, memories, feelings, thoughts and stories. Once in a while, they overtook my daily life."

Introducing Linda Wallace

- blog post by Leisa Rich, 2014 crafthaus project grant recipient

"My first brain surgery, in 2006, was to remove a tumor pressing on the optic nerve and causing holes in my vision.  It went well, with a few minor glitches, and my vision was restored to its previous astigmatic glory. All was good, until a routine MRI found a new tumor in the same area. And so began a process that took me through: very invasive brain surgery with part of my skull dismantled and put back together with tungsten straps, six weeks of stereotactic radiation, shingles on my scalp during the radiation treatments, which led to disseminated zoster (the shingles virus throughout my system, including my cerebrospinal fluid….and, therefore….in my brain)."

This blog is part of an ongoing series by Leisa Rich about her project Invisible:VisAble Exhibition.

Call for Artists: ‘Mimesis’ Amberif Design Award 2015 – Poland

Lynn Skordal - Paperwork

"After retiring from the practice of law several years ago, I returned to an early love--art. Usually I make small works on paper, and the humble art of collage is a favorite medium."

Sean + Melissa, the continuing tale!

- blog post by Melissa Cameron, in the CoOperation GarnishProject series

As I sizzled in the last post; the Co:operation Garnish experiment between Melissa + Sean Macmillan has already netted 2 neckpieces, in stainless steel and vitreous enamel with titanium hinge pins. These are the test pieces - a sort of proof of concept. The actual part that will allow Sean to work his magic was sent to the laser cutter earlier today.

Kevin Best - wood tuner, carpenter, set painter, jeweller & photographer

Kevin takes us back to that golden era, he has amassed an extensive collection of items which featured in the original paintings, giant glass Roemer’s, delicate “Kraak” porcelain, German Westerwald jugs, agate and silver knives, silver cups and 300 year old bronze candlesticks that have miraculously survived many attempts to be turned into cannon.

What he can’t find he makes, acquiring skills as a wood tuner, carpenter, set painter and jeweler.

Eugenia Ingegno - Triggering Memories

My jewels are trace of possible lives, memories of something that did not happen but that could have happened.

Opportunity: 2015 Internships and Apprenticeships at SCC‏

John Lopez - Scrap Maverick

- American Craft Council article by Diane Daniel

You could call John Lopez a maverick. It’s the same name the sculptor chose to anoint the 10-foot-tall Texas longhorn he brought to life when he welded together old chains, wrenches, shovels, sections of rusted ploughs, and anything else he could pull out of the pile of parts he keeps in his studio in Lemmon, South Dakota.

Craft Intern Blog

- blog by Emily Shaffer

Check out my new post about my favorite tools by clicking the link below. Enter your email in the side column to receive my bi-weekly updates about my internship!

www.contemporarycraftforward.com

• Florida CraftArt, a statewide non-profit organization representing Florida's fine craft artists located in downtown St. Petersburg, is seeking a part-time sales associate for its retail gallery starting immediately.

More information (member sign-in).

Enjoy the holidays!

Nick Lowe - "Christmas At The Airport"