But Then

I got the most serendipitous visitor from the Sew Sisters Artists Guild Society in Cumberland, BC. I felt an instant sort of affinity to Andrew in his reclaimed wool sweater and the organic energy that seeped out of a pair of gentle eyes.

And that was well before he said something blush-worthy about the bags. I think his exact words may have been; "This stuff is one step off of couture". (I was just vain enough to feel more than just a little flattered.) But he wasn't here to blow smoke up my bobbin threader. Nope, it was gonna be bigger than that.

Andrew was thinking that maybe he could do something about the marketing end of the bags4darfur project. That maybe this stuff would work out in here:

In Cumberland, British Columbia.

That maybe their viewpoint and my viewpoint pretty much hoped for the same things: loving our neighbor, holding onto our own stuff less tightly, sharing with others, encouraging the artist in all of us.

From the Facebook page of Sewing Sisters I read today:

"He who works with his hands is a laborer.

He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.

He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist."

(St Francis of Assisi)

 

I was kind of pumped.

I imagined my virtual presence with fellow minded seamstresses, who like me, believe in using up just a little of the vast amount of post consumer stuff out there as the sole source of "building materials". I imagined putting my bernina beside artists with creative vision, a love for textile, and sharing the joy of re-creating.

I imagined shipping a boxful at a time, and letting bags4darfur line up beside all those other peoples' art. We'd be like a big happy family, connected by vision, hope, determination.

So, sometime soon, if you're ever on Vancouver Island, you'll be able to see bags4 in an actual brick and mortar store. It'll be partially because Andrew here has a sister who lives in my hood, and she connected the dots for the both of us. She recognized the affinity of purpose here, and we got to meet and make a little bit of a plan.

So, if you have a moment, look up Sew Sisters Artists Guild Society. They've got a really cool thing going on, with community gardens, affordable living options, and art. Lots of art.

I'll meanwhile keep optimistic about my Etsy shop plans.

(I'm so excited!)

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