Posies is going south in 2015!

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Salley Mavor

I am thrilled to announce that the Pocketful of Posies Traveling Exhibit will be going to the Upcountry History Museum – Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina! This is extra exciting, because southerners have been clamoring for the exhibit to come closer to them. The show dates are October 17, 2015 ~ January 31, 2016, so there’s plenty of time to plan a trip to see it. I have also been invited to do a book signing and give a talk at the museum sometime in the first half of November, 2015. An added bonus will be a chance to visit the area in SC where my grandmother was born and raised and where our Salley family has been for many generations.

Wouldn’t you know, just as soon as I announced that the exhibit’s 3+ year tour will be winding down, it has picked up momentum. Dana Thorpe, the museum’s director, contacted me last week and we quickly made arrangements. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’m no longer actively seeking out new locations, but will respond to inquiries from interested venues. Looking at a map, Greenville is located in the north western corner of the state, near the North Carolina and Georgia borders. I am so pleased that folks from the surrounding cities and towns will be able go and see my original embroidered illustrations!

Cuba: modern dancers

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Salley Mavor

While in Cuba, we had the pleasure of watching a modern dance troupe in rehearsal. What a treat! They were a fantastic, incredibly talent group of young men and women. The dancers did an elaborate warm-up and then launched into a performance piece, with excellent live drumming. I was busy being mesmerized, while my husband Rob took these photos.

Posies originals at Cotuit Library

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Salley Mavor

The next location for the Pocketful of Posies Traveling Exhibit is the Cotuit Library in Cotuit, MA, here on Cape Cod. Founded in 1874 and housed in the former village school house (1830), it’s similar to a lot of small town New England libraries that have slowly grown in size over the years.

Because of tall book stacks against every wall, there is limited exhibit space inside the many rooms. I managed to hang 24 pieces in the library; in a glass case, on walls and on top of book shelves. Finding all of the artwork will be like a treasure hunt. I’m concerned that visitors, especially children, won’t be able to see the detail closeup on several pieces that high up. The glass case near the front door is the best display area for getting a close look.

I’ll be giving a talk at the library on Friday, May 2 at 6:00 pm.

Although I’ve said that the “Posies” tour is winding down, it looks like the exhibit will live on, at least through 2015. If everything goes according to plan, I hope to announce a new venue very soon. I continue to hear from people who want to know how to bring the exhibit to their area. Since I’m focusing on newer projects, I am no longer sending out proposals and actively seeking new locations. But, l will respond to inquiries from interested museums and libraries. That’s how many of the 20 shows in the past 3 1/2 years came about. I am willing to drive up to 3 hours away (from Cape Cod) to deliver and pick up the artwork. That means all of Rhode Island and much of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire. Locations further away will need to cover the shipping costs. So, if you work at or know someone from an organization that may be interested in hosting the exhibit, please have them contact me.

Cuba: people

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Salley Mavor

We were really struck by the expressive and engaging people in Cuba. On a popular tourist street in Havana, Polly Doll met her match with this character dressed up as a washer woman. Of course, it’s easy to feel like a repressed New Englander anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon line, especially in a Latin culture. With the exception of the cigar smoking newspaper seller, the people we encountered while waking around the city loved having their photo taken. Around every corner, there was someone interesting to see!

Cuba: balconies

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Salley Mavor

In Havana, people seem to spend a lot of time looking out at the world from their balconies. In this series of photos from our recent trip, you can get a glimpse of the former elegance of the buildings, which even in their rundown condition, are filled with character and beauty.

2 new baby jackets

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Salley Mavor

Within my sphere of friends, two new baby boys have recently been born. So, I made them each a little jacket, which is my go-to baby gift. I love going through my stash and picking out fabric to use for the outside, lining and bias edging. I’ve used the same Simplicity pattern 9647 for about 30 years, adapting it with cotton quilt batting padding, so it’s warm. Their names are chained stitched on the front. Welcome to the world, Eli and Kieran!

Needle Arts magazine cover

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Salley Mavor

I returned from our trip to Cuba (see posts here) to find my Birds on the cover of the March issue of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America’s Needle Arts Magazine! Of course, I knew about the article, but I was unaware that my piece would be on the cover, so it was a nice surprise. Thank you, Shirley Wozena, for describing my work so well in the article. Mary Corbet’s Needle N’Thread blog has a post about this issue and EGA in general.

It is gratifying to know that many of the magazine’s readers have been introduced to my work for the first time. The article shows photos of the process of making the Birds of Beebe Woods, which are some of the same pictures I’ve shared on this blog. I’ve heard from people who want to know if I have instructions or a kit to make their own. Embroidery and needlework has a strong tradition of copying and learning from patterns and directions, so it’s a natural assumption that I would share my techniques. I’m glad that embroiderers are inspired to learn more, but honestly, I can’t imagine revisiting this piece like that and writing out detailed directions.

Yes, I post photos of general steps along the way and have written how-to instructions for the dolls in Felt Wee Folk, but it only goes so far. For instance, in the past, some have expressed frustration that I haven’t shown detailed instruction on how to form hands and fingers. My answer is that I consider the more involved process of making my fabric reliefs a proprietary personal expression that I’m not sure I can explain effectively anyways. My work requires a non-analytical approach that I don’t want to tamper with. For me, recounting the process would be going back in time, instead of moving forward. And, I don’t want to ruin the magic, because that’s what keeps me excited about making the next piece!

This month has been an embarrassment of riches, in the magazine department. Because of postponements, it just happened that everything came out in March. In addition to Needle Arts, there was the Cape Cod magazine profile. The Horn Book Magazine has my essay, “The Common Thread” in their March/April illustration issue and Fiber Art Now has included my Birds piece in their On View feature.

Fairy petticoats and wings for sale!

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Salley Mavor

I’ve been cleaning up my studio, going through boxes and bags left over from my kit making days. Even after I discontinued the kits, I would buy flowers out of habit, so I have a lot in my stash. Now, I’d like to clear space for the post-fairy phase of my artistic career. I know that some people who make fairy dolls from my how-to book, Felt Wee Folk have trouble finding the right kind of petals for skirts and wings. So, I’ve decide to offer them for sale in my Etsy Shop. I’ve put a variety of colors and sizes in packages with enough petals to make skirts and wings for 6 fairies.

Also, for each purchase of Felt Wee Folk, I’m including a bonus bag with enough petals to dress 2 fairies. You still have to find acorn caps and the other parts yourself, but there are enough petals to get started. That is, until you get hooked on making them and have to go in search of more supplies!

Cuban sampler

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Salley Mavor

We’re back from our trip to Cuba, with a couple thousand photos to comb through. A photographer’s dream, Cuba is a complicated country, full of life and longing. In Havana, I felt that I was walking around in the middle of a post-apocalyptic Fellini film set.

You may wonder how we, as Americans, were allowed to enter Cuba. For the past few years, the embargo has been loosened enough so that educational groups can travel with person-to-person visas. We went with a tour organized by the Marine Biological Laboratory here in Woods Hole. More and more educational institutions are offering tours to Cuba, which I heartily recommend!

This group of photos is a sampling of more to come. I’ll be posting photos in different categories like doors, streets, people, vendors, laundry, balconies, etc.

Polly’s winter escape

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Salley Mavor

Polly is leaving snowy New England for a warmer climate. She has a new outfit, as well as a special people-to-people visa for her trip to Cuba. Did I mention that Polly has a thing about Pippi Longstocking and Carmen Miranda? She’s a bit cold standing outside in the snow in her cotton skirt and blouse, but she’ll soon be sun burned and sweaty. Stay tuned for photos of Polly’s travels upon her return!

Please Note: My Etsy Shop will be open while I’m away, but orders won’t be shipped until March 17th.