This post includes a mixed bag of activities and events that are coming up or have already happened – a train trip west, a podcast interview, a Tiffany window with a family connection, an artist talk, and new ltd. edition fairies.

In October, Rob and I traveled by train to Portland, OR to see my sister, Anne Mavor, who is also an artist. Here we are at the Leach Botanical Garden. Every year, we look more and more alike. Not only do we have the same hair and face genes, we have a similar color and fashion sense, from our zippered jackets down to our totally practical over-the-shoulder purses.

NEW PODCAST: I had the pleasure of chatting with Gail Cowley from the School of Stitched Textiles. We delved into where my art comes from, how it’s evolved and why I do it. You are invited to listen to the podcast on the YouTube link below.

ENCHANTING THREADS Exhibition: It’s wonderful to hear that my exhibition at the Albany Institute of History and Art in Albany, NY continues to attract a steady stream of visitors. I’m amazed that some fans are traveling far to see the show. They’re coming by plane, train and car from different parts of of the US and even driving across the border from Canada. And from what I hear, they say that it was worth the trip! One advantage of having the show up for a 7 month long stretch, is that there’s time for word to spread about the show. We’ve all had the experience of finding out about an exhibit after it’s closed. Enchanting Threads will be on view through March 2, 2025.

ARTIST TALK: I will return to Albany to give a talk about my work on Sunday, Dec. 8th. The talk is free with gallery admission. They anticipate the event will reach capacity and encourage those interested in attending to reserve early. To register, please click here.

HARTWELL MEMORIAL WINDOW: On our way home, Rob and I got off the train when it stopped in Chicago, specifically to see the Tiffany window that my great grandmother, Mary Hartwell, commissioned in 1917. The window was a memorial to her husband, Fredrick, who grew up near the New Hampshire landscape it depicts. We were fortunate to spend some uninterrupted time gazing at the window and talking with a member of the curatorial team that worked on the project.

Seeing this stained glass masterpiece designed by Tiffany artist Agnes Northrop made me feel emotionally connected to my great grandparents in a way that I didn’t expect. After spending 100 years in their Baptist church in Providence, RI., the window was sold to the Art Institute of Chicago, where it was restored and installed in 2021. To learn about the window, please visit this page of the museum’s website.

NEW LTD. EDITION FAIRIES: If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know that I don’t sell one-of-a-kind dolls. But every once in a while I offer a ltd. edition of 25 dolls similar to the ones in my how-to book, Felt Wee Folk. I only work on them outside of my studio, while traveling, so there’s no predicting when a set will be finished. This is my way of controlling the urge to make them all the time. As some of you’ve discovered, making wee folk can be addictive! That isn’t such a bad thing, but if I succumbed to the impulse, I would be less inclined to work on new projects.

We traveled across the country by Amtrak, from Boston to Portland, OR and back home again. Besides gazing out of the train window at midwestern farms and plains for days, I wrapped pipe cleaners and stitched felt peplum jackets for 2 sets of ltd. edition fairies. I’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s still more work to do before the fairies are all dressed, coiffed and winged! They will be sold in my shop on a first come, first served basis. Sorry, no pre-orders. I’ll announce their listing date on this blog, Facebook, and Instagram when they’re closer to completion.

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