confused but still an optimist

 Gordon Mortensen（b.1938 United States)

 Spring Flowers

crafters often refer to this collection as a "stash" or a "hoard."

it's normal to have, but sometimes comes with a certain awkwardness.

the problem is that it takes a very long time to make things from textiles - and it is extremely quick, fun and easy to get more materials.

Presents, impulse purchases, leftovers from other projects, things you bought FULLY intending to make something that you changed your mind about...

Another problem is that you genuinely DO have a plan for the materials! your intentions and desires are THERE!

and admitting that it isn't going to happen - or that your mind has changed, or you're no longer able to do them - can be really painful!

it's incredibly hard to say: "we are not the people who can do these things. we are not the people who WILL do these things."

but sometimes you need to.

it's a natural part of life. it might feel painful to let go of things that you really want to use, but won't. But clearing them out - and the attached guilt and shame - will make room for a lot more things in your life. Room for things you'll use. Room for the projects you'll do.

Room and space - not for hanging on to the shades of the ambitions and intentions and people you aren't - not being held for lives you don't have - but room and space for who you are today, and who you'll be tomorrow, and for the things you'll do.

Room and space to grow.

I've been lino printing!

If you like my badger in bluebells, you can vote for my design in the 2026 Badger Trust Design Challenge! It would mean a lot!

So guess who actually won!?!??!! Thanks any of you who voted ily <333

Needed a clean graphic for a project, and figured while I was vectoring I would put sex and magic back in.

How many of you would be interested in thunderbirds enamel pins?

@claypigeonpottery tbh this is one of my favorite parts of pottery, that it encourages a sense of unattachment and humility. No matter how hard you try sometimes things just will not turn out and that's okay!

***Because they don’t know HOW to read

***Because they’re not ALLOWED to read

***Because they weren’t TAUGHT to read

***Because the generation BEFORE THEM were never taught HOW TO READ or how to TEACH READING

***Because we DON’T VALUE INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS

***Because our society prioritizes PRODUCTIVITY over QUALITY OF LIFE

Sick of the “yall are stupid because you’re lazy” narrative. Obviously people with no time no family no money no books no education no perspective no respect no options no support no mentors aren’t perpetually disseminating themes of Othello on the fly.

People aren’t stupid, reading isn’t the peak proof of intelligence, and society isn’t on a decline because poor people are poor.

You’re confusing a symptom for a cause