Went to Quilt Market last weekend- came back with a bad cold and somewhere beneath the cold a lot of inspiration is percolating.
Certainly because of so many things I saw at market and also because I’ve been thinking a lot about saturation.
When is too much, too much? And how do we as designers continually stand out in a world that is becoming inundated with design - which = awesome + overwhelm. Do our consumers know how to tell the difference between your average 'pretty design' and something that someone crafted with a unique point of view. Are we still designing with a unique point of view or are our creative visions getting watered down by seeing so much other design? Are we consciously or unconciously just mimicking what works over and over again, or remembering to blaze our own trail?
Bunch of questions, no answers yet - your thoughts?
What I do know is that I want to continue to know myself better. And from that space I want to create quality work that I’m proud of. This is always where I want to start and from there I’m sorting it out as I go. Because as soon as I think I’ve figured at least some of this out, the world in which I am creating changes again. I’m telling you, every time I attend market - I think this is my 4th time since 2011, the quilting fabric industry has changed again. And that’s just one of the industries my work is a part of.
I keep reminding myself that this is all just a normal part of being an artist in business, especially in 2013. Keeps me on my toes for sure, challenged and still excited about my work and where it’s headed. In a world that thrives on what’s new and on trend, how do we continue to set ourselves apart?
Some snapshots of what inspired me this market.
from top to bottom
- leah duncan’s booth. her designs are contemporary yet hand drawn. she’s also got an etsy shop, you should check it out
- mo bedell’s booth. my first time getting to know mo better, she’s a fellow andover designer - as lovely as her fabric
- penguin + fish cutest guinea pig embroidery maybe ever
- rashida coleman hale’s new fabric with cloud9 - a favorite design of mine 'its a plus'
- oliver + s - always love liesl’s style and especially enjoyed her booth floor that her husband hand painted
- a hand made melody skirt {which her new line btw, i was so enamored i forgot to take a photo of it or the seven islands booth for that matter} and an alexia bag from her new book liberty love
- heather bailey hand embroidered this huge bird, oh yes she did
- since i’m obsessed with patchwork, i loved this dress featured at the art gallery fabric booth
- and this painting at our hotel - could not stop staring at it, so great against the red walls
- didn’t get out to see much of portland this time but i did make it to this restaurant - which was probably one of the best meals i’ve had
- missed a photo, but the little bird is also a new favorite Portland hangout
Interesting to hear a designer talk about this. Fabric consumers and bloggers often talk about the churn - the push for new and different and the next thing when we're still trying to find the time to sew with what came out 2 seasons ago.
Some people talk about embracing the slow, but it usually only applies to the creative process on the tail end, not the front end. That is still a good thing (And oh, do I love Carolyn Friedlander's Slow Sewing Social Movement.) But it would be nice if the industry would just put on the tea and gather for conversation more than visual explosions.
And in my head I just thought that could be a really cool booth at Market. So sad.
PS Wonderful to get a long hug from you. Next time I really want to talk more.