Solo

A few nights ago, Aidan began a solo tour with A-Sun Amissa. It started with a really great show here, in Berlin, at West Germany. I wish I could share audio from the entire night here, on the blog. It was super great. Between sets, Helge dj'd a perfect mix and Aidan played in a super trio with Erik Skodvin & Andrea Belfi. Really only the third time - ever - the three of them played together, it was truly great and they've got to get that shit recorded. Seriously.

Aidan being on the road, I'm left at home to work and (grudgingly) make my own coffee. It's tough getting motivated when the workaholic I share my space with isn't around to make me feel guilty about loafing around, but I'm working on the foundations of what will be The Wunderkabinet's big project of the year. I've pared down from constant exhibitions to accommodate for tours and a trip back to Canada this summer. I'd also like to go as nuts as possible where the kabinet is concerned so focussing on one big project right now is the way to go. More on that later.

For now, I'm working through an immediate to-do list of things long overdue. Alright, I'm also crocheting myself a cape while watching episodes of Downton Abbey. This is the first thing I've ever crocheted using an actual pattern and it's a big project! It will be about hip length with arm slits and button-up. I thought I'd try to chronicle my progress:

Not so much at the moment, but more to come.

Domo arigato

We went to Japan.

We toured with a really great band - that we also made a little collaborative tour cd with - called Vampillia. Not only is Vampillia a great band and NOT TO BE MISSED should they come to your town, they are hosts like no other and just very swell people. We came home to a frozen Berlin.

A small obsession with little trees.

I've spent a lot of time staring out of car, train, and aeroplane windows, and it might be my years spent in the middle of Ontario forests with my family nostalgically catching up with me, but I've got hundreds of photos that I took from these cars, trains and aeroplanes of northern European forests. I love the way birch trees look in the snow and clumps pine trees look from the air. I even bought a giant piece of locally woven linen in Tallinn, Estonia last winter after I was inspired by the landscape of wintery Finland as we flew over it and wanted to embroider what I saw. Well, that or the icy water that clogged up the small channel that separates Finland and Estonia. I can't decide so that chunk of fabric remains in a box.

Instead, I've been doing a lot of this.

I sold a couple these before I could even photograph them - my own fault for archival laziness - but, I kind of love the way they're turning out so there'll be many more.

So Much Road

Sometimes so much happens between the posts I make here that I find it a little overwhelming to 'update'. Sometimes I'd rather just go for a bike ride than unload my camera. I've really only done one thing since that September post, but it has left me with a million pictures I need to sort, an apartment to clean, and mountains of laundry. AND, I'm not quite finished.

This last tour had us criss-crossing Germany, in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, The United Kingdom, Norway, Latvia, and Lithuania. Next week we're off to Greece, Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, and Hungary. Oh, and we'll be spending part of the first week of December on the island of Madeira. Our schedule has been a little mental, with just enough time in Berlin between trips for a nap in our own bed and a bowl of Aidan's comforting gruel. At this point, I would be wallowing in my fatigue had these last weeks not been very good. [knocking on wood] Also, I'm pretty excited as the rest of our time on the road this year has us going to places we've never been.

Here's just a few pictures from a few of those places...

in order: Kavka - Antwerp, Belgium; Kafe Kult - Munich, Germany; walking around old Nürnberg, Germany; Frappant - Hamburg, Germany; old fort ruins on the Baltic in Liepaja, Latvia; mossy ground swallowing me up in Durbe, Latvia; Durbe, Lativa; Aidan rehearsing with his Latvian band in 400 year old church; a piece of medieval Lithuania outside the cathedral in Vilnius

Hi, Again.

I haven't been here for a while now. For most of the last few months, I've been spending 3 days a week over at the Etsy Labs tending to my little project, The Wunderkabinet/Reading Raum - you might have heard me mention it. It closed with summer, but my brain is still churning so it will resurface one day soon.

What else has been goin' on? Well, we moved from the crazy gentrification of Kreuzberg to the watery calm of Rummelsburg. Where's that, you say? It's (probably) east of wherever you are.

Moving also meant that coldsnap bindery got to have a studio again - this has meant that time at home has been spent in production!! All those books (and even more!) are going to be available at Renegade London this October. I'm going to share a stall with my super pal Tania! If you are reading this and you are in London this October (that is, the original one in the U.K., and not my hometown), you should come and say hello.

Let's see, what else? Well, tomorrow we leave on tour! This is shaping up to be a very busy fall as we're on and off the road for most of the next few months. We start off tomorrow in Amsterdam with our friends, Picastro! Speaking of which, you should totally check out a little record we did together.

I'll try to keep up with everything happening in the real world, in this one. Bis bald!

Where's Leah?

HERE!

Of Boris & Becky

 

photo by Becky Johnson

There are just a handful of people left in the western world that lead rare and amazing lives. Often, their sustainability is threatened by the forces of man, nature and sometimes both.

If you've ever brushed past the surface of this blog or my own life, you are no stranger to Becky Johnson. There are even a hundred (or so) Nadja fans out there sporting a Becky Johnson designed t-shirt. What many of you don't know is that Becky and her partner, the Reverend Aitor - another Nadja collaborator - do a substantial amount of their work on the road. In the past, they have criss-crossed North America in the crocheted-afghan-interior of beat-up Dodge station wagon, Boris Karloff, but like everything manufactured in the early 80's (take note 'Cosby' sweaters) expiration dates are imminent.

Along with working along and with the road, Becky also runs a blog that not only chronicles their life, but also serves as a huge resource to crafters, artists, and makers across the continent. The so so sad demise of Boris has put a serious kink in this year's schedule and help is needed to make sure The Sweetie Pie & Reverend make it out again this year. I could go on and on, but I think you should just watch this video and let Becky tell you all about it! Then, visit her Kickstarter project and back this project while getting something great in return!

Some Time

I went to Canada for 2 weeks. It seemed like 4 days.

So many facets, so little time.

My waking life is strewn in many directions, often all at once, so catching up on things and posting on others is a task often filed at the end of my to-do list. I'm working on a better organization system, but honestly, that's been in the works for YEARS.

That said, this week The Wunderkabinet IS my life, but not without a bit this.

By 'this', I mean, picture Aidan and I folding, stamping, and numbering these. All letter-pressed by the amazing Sabrina of small caps:

New-ish

This is something new to me. Not completely, but mostly. What this also is, is just for me. Well, and Aidan when he feels like joining in. I'm not doing this for any other reason other than to do this for the sake of doing. Something I'm not used to doing.

That little wonder up there, found at a Berlin flea market, along with another little wonder arriving via post from somewhere in the Ukraine will be a wholly extra-curricular activity for A and me. This one in particular will have me unraveling 35mm film and rolling it into little cartridges to be usable.

Although this plan has been in the works long before this new year, it does come with a resolution: take fewer pictures.

Merry Christmas......Love, Mom & Pop

This arrived yesterday packed full of food and a couple treats. Need I say more?

Pile Up...

This happens every December - no matter where in the world I happen to be. As much as I would love to deal with the snowy one happening outside my window, I first need to tackle the one in my schedule.

Over the past few years City of Craft occupied this space in my mind and with my leaving that city for my adoptive new home, it's been a little sad to completely sever the ties. I won't physically be in Toronto this December, but a few little pieces of me will be.

photo by Danijela Pruginic

City of Craft is organizing two exhibitions and I'll be in both! The first is For Keeps: A Mending Show, co-curated by Jen who picked up one of my sad, sad attempts to salvage a favorite plate when she came to visit me this fall. From what I've seen, this show might make you look at the cracks and holes in your own belongings with a new affection. The opening reception caps off a mending session with a dance party! Attending could only make you feel better about yourself.

photo by Anja Haering

The pieces I've submitted to Love & Money, curated by the so very talented Tara Bursey, is handwork I'm a little more proud of. I also feel pretty honored to share the gallery at Ontario Crafts Council with the other incredible artist-makers in the show. There were some sleepless nights involved in finishing these pieces and some pretty serious self-doubt after endlessly scrutinizing every thread involved; it actually felt nice to release them.

In the city and space I physically occupy, I've been really busy teaching bookbinding to those that want to learn....in english. La Bastellerie has me booked for two separate workshops each month from the easy postcard book to more intensive hardcover-making sessions. Of course, you could always take the easy route to gift-giving this holiday and just buy one of my books directly from me at La Bastellerie's annual holiday edition of the D.I.Y. Trunkshow! Come and get drunk on Glühwein then lay down some dough on the great handmade stuffs on offer.


This craft life of mine isn't complete until it's jammed full. My other baby, The Wunderkabinet will be open during the Trunk Show so that you could get your drunken paws on some lovliness brought to Berlin from far and away.

I had very little to do with the actual happening of City of Craft this year, but to not have my mind occupied while it happens 6 time zones to the west, saddens me to no end. That's why I've signed my sleepless self up to one more market in this markt-crazed city. Coldsnap will be sharing a space with La Bastellerie for Handmade Supermarket. We'll be there on Saturday in the amazing Markthalle in Kreuzberg.


So, to my sisters and brothers in craft I say, here's to a liquored and restful night's sleep after your final show and/or sale. Wherever it might be.

Oh yeah...something else piling up in my mind is posting about 3 weeks we spent in Australia and New Zealand this past October. This trip took a lot out of me and digesting it has been a struggle. It'll happen, I just need a bit more time.

From the Vaterland to the Motherland

photo by Olga Talalay, also pictured: Marusja in black and Bobby in green

It's been a week since we returned to Berlin from a 4 day trip to Russia - more accurately, we've returned from 4 days in St. Petersburg and Moscow. As much as I would really love to see a little more of that immensely vast country, it just wasn't in cards this time. It's also taken me this long to get over the trip enough to archive it here. It's just oh so amazing and just oh so exhausting.

I really love the chaotic energy of the cities - particularly Moscow - I guess I also love that I get to leave. However, another trip east means another Russian making fun of me. Last year it was shirt I wore and this time I looked like a "math teacher from the country side"...it was super hot and super sweaty on stage and my hair (and face) is prone to do that in damp circumstances!

I will say that I got to practice my Russian a lot on this trip and that was pretty fantastic - that's right Mom and Pop, thanks for forcing me to spend the lovely Saturday mornings of my youth in Russian school.

Of course, a tour in Russia is not without drama, but I'd rather dwell and dream of returning sometime soon. So I'd really just like to thank Marusja for being a great friend and keeping us company in both cities; two Maxims and an Anton for feeding, housing, booking(!), chatting and setting us up with some great music; Sabine for her warm hospitality; and to super sweet and sleepy Sasha for not only putting on an amazing show, but putting us in a cab with the most amazing driver! It was terrifying trip to the airport, but thoroughly entertaining.

Oh yes, if you want to see more pictures, click on THIS.

Slightly Terrifying, But Big...In a Little Way...

Okay. So The Wunderkabinet has GROWN! To some of you with whom I've shared my big dream of spaces and future residencies here in Berlin, this is news of a giant step forward. Also, I'm taking this step far, far sooner than I ever intended.

What was a neato cabinet in a neato little shop, has now become a whole neato little room that I am now renting from the aforementioned shop. Legalities aside - who really knows? really(.) - The Wunderkabinet is a live and true THING!

Initially, this was a terrifying realisation at 4am - 6 hours after the meeting. Then the sun finally rose and I remembered all the great people involved on both ends. The final list is set to break over on the kabinet's page in the next week!

Okay, so still a little terrified, but pretty darn excited too.

In the Realm of the Handmade

My life is spent floating between two worlds. There's that one where I strap on a bass - or accordian, or something else - and make (sometimes melodic) noise. Then there's the one where I run with a slightly different crowd. One where I spend hours and hours cuting, folding, and sewing hundreds of pieces of paper together making books. And one where I can't help myself but to start some new thing. It's in this other life where I met a photographer from Paris who sometimes lives in Berlin and happened to take a bookbinding workshop I was giving. She has a photo blog and took a few pics of the coldsnap home studio - look here!

I came from Toronto and a pretty darn incredible community of friends and makers so it's been an education these last weeks of how stuff works here. I think I'm pretty lucky to have found some people trying to make Berlin a great city for craft and as a result, this other life of mine is now pretty busy.



La Bastellerie is, itself, transforming these next weeks, but in the midst of that I'll be shilling Coldsnap wares out of a trunk - as the above image suggests - at their second trunk show in the shop. For a list of other makers and more info, check out their blog. I had a test run of selling in Berlin last weekend and I learned a lot! Enough for another post altogether.

Also, you may have already read it here, but my aforementioned 'thing' is called The Wunderkabinet and applications for unique handmade oddities are still being accepted for another week!

In further calls...



...my dear buddies in the City of Craft (Toronto) are accepting applications for 3! amazing exhibitionary extensions of the show. More conceptual than craft? Apply to the interactive Midway! Are you inclined to fix what you've broken? Apply to the exhibition on mended wares! Do thoughts of money and art and survival consume you? Apply to the Love & Money exhibition!