The Kids are Alright
I went to speak to my friend Robert's comics/cartoon class for teenagers yesterday, and we had a really fun time. The kids were really sweet, and it's very comforting that "the kids today" are pretty much exactly like they were when last I interacted with them as, well, one of them (7 years ago!).
I wanted to make them something for them, and I thought about bringing buttons or postcards or something along those lines...but then I thought that the boys would probably not go for that so much. So I decided to make them little pencil/pen zipper pouches, which would at least be useful. And I really love making zipper pouches. I have a quick n' dirty (aka cheater) technique that's very satisfying and still makes a nice little pouch. And I had a little help at the sewing machine yesterday:
I tried to make some "manly" ones (you know, because men like wood, and skulls, and tape measures). Sadly, the girls snapped up all the boyish ones for themselves, leaving the guys with owls and little red riding hood, etc.
The lesson here is make like 11 skull pouches next time (how did I not foresee that?).
I told them all about the shop, the way I work, infusing yourself into your work, personal inspirations, etc. and they doodled and and were charming and a few asked questions and I really had a good time. The boys especially (kinda surprisingly?) were super-polite and sweet.
Even though they did end up with the girly pouches. Maybe it's because I also bribed them with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies?
Exsqueeze me, but apart from the lovely little pouches - could Miette get any freakin' cuter?!
Gosh, I want!
Posted by: Cupcake | February 02, 2008 at 03:00 AM
Exsqueeze me, but apart from the lovely little pouches - could Miette get any freakin' cuter?!
Gosh, I want!
Posted by: Cupcake | February 02, 2008 at 02:59 AM
Well I'm dying to hear your zipper-pouch technique. Adding my vote to the Please Share list! And aren't you sweet making pouches to take with you - I must take a lesson from your book next time I speak in a school :)
Posted by: Fixiefoo | February 01, 2008 at 04:35 AM
I would love to know what your cheater tutorial is - especially as I spent a few evening last week fighting a little zip and trying to get into an innocent looking purse.
Posted by: Jessica | January 28, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Yet another vote for the cheater tutorial! I am sure your students were blown away by the meeting someone as young as yourself who has a successful art business. Until I saw your blog, I didn't *know* anyone who had achieved that. In school (not an art school) I learned about the starving artists. The ones who cut off their ears and the ones whose husbands left them and galavanted when they were in pain. Nothing about that was nearly as appealing as your blog, pencil pouches, or cookies!
Posted by: Jane | January 27, 2008 at 08:24 AM
oh that is so sweet!
i would love to see your "cheater" method LOL. i'm a shortcut seamstress, so i would love to see what you've done to make those zipper pouches easier! :)
Posted by: jan | January 27, 2008 at 04:39 AM
That is so cool of you to do that for the kids. I am sure it will leave a lasting positive impression on them all. You are awesome.
Posted by: Danette | January 26, 2008 at 10:55 PM
such a sweet story!
Posted by: katie | January 26, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Oh my gosh!!!! I LOVE the one with the skulls on it!!!! Awesome!!!!
Auberne' Ancalimon
Posted by: Auberne'Ancalimon | January 26, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Another vote for a tutorial! I always want to make some of those pouches for me and I cannot do zippers! Pretty please???
Posted by: Lindsey R | January 26, 2008 at 01:10 PM
How lovely you are! And Miette looks like such a helpful kitty--my boy Blue tries to help with writing and grading but hasn't yet aspired to sewing.
Posted by: moya | January 26, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Love your blog, your art, your pictures, your writing. But today, missy, I must call you a tease. You mention some fabulous cheater method you have for making pouches, but then you don't share what it is? Not. Fair.
Oh, well. Still love ya anyway. ;)
Posted by: kelly | January 26, 2008 at 11:12 AM
How sweet! I love zip pouches :) I would have taken a little red riding hood pouch!
Have a lovely weekend!!
♥Lisa
Posted by: Lisa M | January 26, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I really enjoyed listening to you. I thougt that it was really interesting to see what it's like to make art for a living.
I love the pouches you made. Thanks for coming in and talking to us.
Posted by: Rin | January 26, 2008 at 09:46 AM
I loved your job!
Kisses, Luciana.
Posted by: Luciana Kajiura | January 26, 2008 at 09:38 AM
sounds like everyone had a great day!
i wish we had interesting and talented folk to visit when i was at school - all we had was a policeman telling us not to speak to strangers!
have a great weekend
hugs to your little sewing buddy x
tracy x
Posted by: tracy x | January 26, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Or maybe the teenage boys had a crush? And were too distracted to snatch up the boyish pouches? ;)
Posted by: Emily | January 26, 2008 at 03:01 AM
I've been looking for woodgrain fabric. Where did you find yours?
Posted by: Kat | January 26, 2008 at 01:04 AM
that is so sweet of you. unlike some of the commenters here, i did have a pretty enjoyable experience with all of my art teachers. i've never attended an art school - not unless you count saturday art lessons at the Y. but i loved doing art in elementary school. i loved my junior high art teacher. i loved my high school art teacher. and i especially loved my saturday art teacher. they've all encouraged me in my artistic and creative pursuits and it is always great to see their own original work. my saturday art teacher is a children's book illustrator during the work week (her name is m. sarah klise who illustrates the "regarding the..." series as well as a series of rabbit stories (one of them is "why do you cry?"). all very sweet.
anyway, we can certainly use a lot more people such as yourself in the schools - to inspire, to show that it is possible (and yes, it is a hard world for artists and yes, not all can make it, but some do) and you are a part of that story! :)
Posted by: shirley | January 26, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Lucky students!
Back in the day in art class the only visitors we got were critics telling us it's a hard world out there for artist and most of us will never make it :(
Posted by: Lady Ying | January 26, 2008 at 12:05 AM
yes, a tutorial please.
Lucky students, I wish I had fond memories like that of my art school days, sadly I don't, but you can pop by with cute pouches and cookies any time ;o)
Posted by: jo 戎嶋 | January 25, 2008 at 07:52 PM
haha listen to youuu, motivational cottage crafting speaker :) I am sure the boys loved red riding hood al the same :)
Posted by: www.projectblancoyd.typepad.com AKA Hilary Glime :) | January 25, 2008 at 07:36 PM
As a mother of an 11 and 17 yrd. girls, they would have snapped up the skull ones too. How sweet of you to make those. It will speak to those kids. Clarice
Posted by: clarice | January 25, 2008 at 06:46 PM
please o please post a tutorial of your zipper bag cheater technique!!
Posted by: Amy | January 25, 2008 at 06:44 PM
that really is a special treat. you speaking of course, was the special treat for those kids... (the cookies and pouches were nice too!) last year i had my filmmaker friends come in and speak to my 4th graders. i did it in hopes that they would turn to creative endeavors in times of boredom (rather than t.v.!).
they'll remember you!
Posted by: valerie | January 25, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Those pouches are so cute! Are similar ones going to end up in your etsy shop? : )
Posted by: Jaime | January 25, 2008 at 05:38 PM
What a wonderful experience and aren't you just the sweetest person for baking them cookies and making them pencil cases! I'm sure they will fondly remember you indefinitely.
Posted by: Marie | January 25, 2008 at 05:33 PM
how funny! I would snatch up the wood one too, it was cute!!
Posted by: stela | January 25, 2008 at 05:14 PM
how funny! I would snatch up the wood one too, it was cute!!
Posted by: stela | January 25, 2008 at 05:14 PM
I'm a substitute teacher and I wish I had the same opinion of kids these days as you but perhaps I just need to bring more cookies!
Posted by: Amy | January 25, 2008 at 05:10 PM
that's sweet!
Posted by: kim* | January 25, 2008 at 04:39 PM
How sweet! Maybe the guys will give the pouches to their girlfriends.
Posted by: Marilyn | January 25, 2008 at 04:05 PM
how cool are you? that's awesome that you made them all pouches. and that you talked to them about all that stuff- i would've loved to hear from someone like you when i was in school. very cool.
Posted by: julia | January 25, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Wow! Lucky teens! What sweet pouches. And I dare say that more than one boy had a crush on you--pretty thing that you are! ;)
And you are truly a wonderful role model. My own teen daughter is a great admirer of yours.
Posted by: Kineret Willowgreene | January 25, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Want to trade students? I'll give you my almost 150+ kids for your lil group of kiddos.
(I personally love my students to death but it has been a trying day.)
Posted by: Katie | January 25, 2008 at 03:20 PM
that is awesome that you did that- it will leave SUCH a lasting impression on them!!! for kids who are artistic, meeting a working artist shines a little light on their future... wish you lived closer so you could talk to our students!
Posted by: karen | January 25, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Where were you when I was in school? All I ever got from my art teacher was a failing grade because I painted a sky pink and blue. She said it was unrealistic!
Posted by: Sheri | January 25, 2008 at 03:05 PM
My cat wont go anywhere NEAR my sewing machine...
Posted by: mary | January 25, 2008 at 02:47 PM
I have it on good authority that boys also like guns & dragons too.
Posted by: Josiah | January 25, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Aaawww... see that's why I love teaching, especially dealing with creativity.
Okay, so when are you going to charm us with your cheater technique? Enquiring minds want to know.
Posted by: WendyZ | January 25, 2008 at 02:42 PM