AMY MEISSNER
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The fifth boxes of mystery.

12/21/2015

21 Comments

 

When I say "boxes of mystery" here, what I really mean are "2 envelopes plus a gallon-sized ziplock bag of mystery," not as poetic, nor as mysterious, but still filled with treasure and history. The 2 envelopes arrived here in Alaska on the same day last week -- one from England, one from New York state, but the bag was delivered to my dark-morning door the other day by a local friend I was so happy to see. The fact that I'm connecting and reconnecting with women over handwork they are pleased to pass on is the best part about this little crowd-sourcing project.

This first piece of handwork has the longest story and the longest journey.
​It took my breath away when I opened it:

Amy Meissner, textile artist. From the post The fifth boxes of mystery. www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fifth-boxes-of-mystery
Maker: Olga Clark, Circa: 1969, Origin: Thessaloniki, Greece, Rediscovered: in her cupboards in the UK

This unfinished cross stitch came from fellow textile artist, Olga Norris, by way of Hampshire, England. Olga's art (as described on her website) is "figurative and marks emotional narratives. From small stories whole worlds can be read." She has shown at Quilt National three times and uses a digital process to manipulate her initial images, which are then printed on fabric and worked further with hand and machine stitch. If you aren't familiar with her current work, I encourage you to follow the link and learn more. 

This cross stitch is very much a work of the past (her history used here with permission): "This is my last piece of counted cross stitch. It was designed by me, based on the paper patterns I previously used. It was started in my final summer en famille in Greece, immediately after graduation from Edinburgh  University, just being engaged and about to be married the following year. It represents, in its unfinished state, my futile attempt that summer to remain the daughter/niece/grand-daughter everyone expected. Little did I know that this struggle would go on until just a few years ago when my mother died. I would like the piece, like me, to go on to become something more positive."

"My difficult relationship with my parents, and especially with my mother really formed a great deal of the kind of person I am.  The work I do now is under my married name, the person I feel more as the ‘real’ me –- and all the cross stitch work was done by the child I was then (which of course was the foundation of who I am now)."

She said she felt that the work had "glowered" at her from the cupboard for decades, so, she sent it to me. And I am in awe of this work. It is perfect in its striving, its empty moments and in its release.
​
Amy Meissner, textile artist. From the post The fifth boxes of mystery. www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fifth-boxes-of-mystery
Amy Meissner, textile artist. From the post The fifth boxes of mystery. www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fifth-boxes-of-mystery

​I can relate, in part, to a "glowering cross stitch" not because of a strained relationship with my mother, but because I had a childhood embroidery that also scowled at me for years: It was ambitious, colorful, I'd had to have that expensive kit (Unicorn + rainbow + heart? Can I , can I, please?) and my mom gave in, feeling that counted cross stitch was a good place to begin a proper embroidery lesson at age 7 or 8 or 9. (Yes! Let's start right now!) After locating the center of the Aida weave (Right, can we start now?), basting the center lines in contrasting thread (Except, when are we going to start?), organizing a-a-a-a-a-ll the embroidery floss a certain way so it doesn't ever get tangled  (Why can't we just START? Let's do the rainbow first, no, wait, the unicorn. Unicorn first. I love its face), then steaming the Aida cloth with the iron (Mom, I just want to START!), then whip-stitching the edges by hand so they don't fray (Oh my god, can we just make this thing?), then learning how to read the pattern and counting up from the center point so I'd know where to begin my first stitches (But I don't want to make the top of the heart, that's so boring! I want to make its face), and learning how to count each square and then stitch a certain direction so the back looked just as nice as the front (No, I am NOT crying!), I finally completed about 32 tense stitches before giving up and going outside to swing.

Let's be clear, I in no way blame my mother for that invisible unicorn chomping at me for 30+ years. She is an excellent embroiderer and a good teacher. I did, however, think for a long time that I wasn't good enough to make this pattern, that I wasn't math savvy enough for all that counting, that I'd been greedy; my own little guilty conscious stabbed into that short curving blue line.

This feeling ended two years ago when I cut the damned thing up, incorporated it into a big piece of artwork, entered this in a show, won a prize, sold it to the Anchorage Museum for their permanent collection and launched this current body of work.

F***ing unicorn. F*** you. Enough said.

​Release, I'm telling you. Release.
And, of course, understanding.

I, for example, understand that I have no patience for other people's patterns.

Now for something completely different:

Amy Meissner, textile artist. From the post The fifth boxes of mystery. www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fifth-boxes-of-mystery
Makers: Unknown, Circa: Unknown, Origin: Unknown, Found: Pleasantville, New York, USA

These sweet confections came to me from Natalya Aikens, also a textile and mixed media artist (are you sensing a contributor theme here?). She was happy to pass them on to me, and while she couldn't attest to their provenance, nor did she have a weighty story to share, I think she was excited to know that I could use them. Oh, little primroses! Oh saccharine variegated chevron edge! Yes, please.

Amy Meissner, textile artist. From the post The fifth boxes of mystery. www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fifth-boxes-of-mystery
Amy Meissner, textile artist. From the post The fifth boxes of mystery. www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fifth-boxes-of-mystery

The last bundle of grytlappar (and these are authentic Swedish pot holders, I assure you), came to me by way of my Swedish friend, Inger, who contacted me right away to say she definitely had some to offer. We stood on my frosty front steps while she shared her "arrive with an empty suitcase" strategy for her family's various Scandinavian travels. She's got it down to a science. It was so lovely to see her on a dark Alaskan morning.
​
Amy Meissner, textile artist. From the post The fifth boxes of mystery. www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fifth-boxes-of-mystery
Makers: Unknown, Circa: Unknown, Origin: Sweden, Found: in a Swedish thrift shop

I'm sending thank you cards, of course (mail for mail), and now I have also started making a teeny tiny doily to slip into each card as well (doily for doilies). No one should be without at least one doily in their life. I hate to think I've cleaned anybody out completely.

Amy Meissner, textile artist. From the post The fifth boxes of mystery. www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fifth-boxes-of-mystery

If you, too, have a piece of unfinished needlepoint, cross-stitch, or other embroidery that is glowering at you, or festering, or just plain taking up space and you'd like to see it move on to become something else in this world, bringing all its stories with it, then consider contacting me. If you'd like, I'll feature your website here, make sure you get a proper thank you and something handmade in return (which will take up just the right amount of space as a place holder in your favorite book).

If you are brand spanking new to the blog and have sort of an idea of what is going on but would like more information, please check out the following links:

Splitting open the idea and the various posts under the sidebar category Boxes of mystery.

Amy Meissner, textile artist. From the post The fifth boxes of mystery. www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fifth-boxes-of-mystery
Makers: Unknown, Circa: possibly 1930-1980, Origin: Sweden, Found: church thrift shop in Ludvika, Sweden

Around this time last year -- Solstice in Alaska -- I posted this: Into Darkness.
If you've never been to Alaska or another northern locale in deep winter, it's something you should consider. I've spent 15 years wrongly believing I needed to get used to it. Now I believe I'd rather get used to to being in awe of the earth and its hearty inhabitants instead.

Amy Meissner, textile artist. From the post The fifth boxes of mystery. www.amymeissner.com/blog/the-fifth-boxes-of-mystery
Makers: Me + the guy I really like, Circa: 2008, Origin: Anchorage, Alaska, Found: following the hot mop truck at high noon on a Solstice-y afternoon, pleased with her newly sharpened little blades.
21 Comments
Vicky Davis link
12/21/2015 10:27:02 pm

My dear granddaughter wants me to teach her how to sew....she feels as you did when your mother taught you cross stitch. Poof....the dress is made!

I try so hard to remember how i learned to do all the different needlework I do, but all I remember is that I did it, do it. My mother did all sorts of needlework and I am aware of 'learning' from her, but not actually being 'taught' by her. I do remember teaching her how to crochet, which I could do so well, and she could knit well, which I could not do.

How do I teach my g.dau. how to do that????

Reply
Amy Meissner link
12/22/2015 05:45:46 am

Vicky,
I don't know how old your grand daughter is, but it's never too young to learn patience. My daughter is too young to use the sewing machine, but she is very good at hand sewing, so we stick with this and she is happy making stuffed animals from socks, or small embroideries, or most recently needle felting (which results in many broken needles and some blood, but she is determined and I just look the other way). Both of my children knit, the boy crochets. What you will be teaching your grand daughter is more than how to make a dress, you will be teaching her the value of the made item. And even if she never makes another dress in her life, she will never look at a dress off the rack in the same way again based on that experience. If she really wants to make clothes, start with a skirt. It will go together faster, be easier to fit and use less fabric. A really incredible skill to give her as well is how to alter clothing. I spent many years ripping into clothes in order to remake/resize them and it taught me so much about construction. Take her to the thrift store, find a skirt with fabulous fabric, then go home and cut it apart. See how it's made, then do something new with it for her. Teach her self-sufficiency, thrift, will. She is asking, so now's the time, but don't get hung up on proper technique at this point, just make something she can wear. If she has a joyful experience, all that "proper" stuff will come.

I'm excited for you both to have this time. I wish you well -- thank you for reading and taking the time to comment!

XO
Amy

Reply
Vicky Davis link
12/22/2015 03:41:56 pm

Amy...funny you would mention re-make because that is something my g.dau. wants to do too. I will make sure one of the adults in her life, besides me, can take her thrifting. [i don't get out much] I have gotten her to do some hand work....embroidery type, and all 5 girls like to do crafting. [son has 2, dau. has 3] I have helped her make paper clothes with safety pins and staples for her sister. oh, and tape...she loves tape. I envision a duct tape prom dress for her in 6 years.

I do know that having things prepped helps. [When the 2 and dad lived with us, that was almost impossible to do] All 3 of my children learned to use the machine, and my son has made several quilts, parachute webbing purses, etc, My youngest [25] and her niece are the same....pedal to the floor! Never could get that child to go slow on the machine.

Tammy link
12/22/2015 06:27:39 am

You had me belly laughing at the "F"ing unicorn ....I guess I can relate! My mother sewed all her life. She never had the patience or the thought to teach me how to sew. But I definitely wanted to make and do my own thing. I finally learned to sew in home economics in the 7th grade. I can sew from patterns but I'd rather cut up old clothes and sew them back together. My favorite thing was to embroider denim shirts with faces. My own drawings in stitch. That was in the seventies when it was right in style. Makes me laugh to think of how it would fit in style today with all that I love about both drawing, faces, and stitching. Maybe I'll go back to it and see what comes up. Love your works and the stories!

Reply
Anita Joy
12/24/2015 05:52:26 am

The issue with the unicorn's face put me in mind of a little known retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth by C. S. Lewis, entitled "Till We Have Faces" published in 1956.

Reply
Amy Meissner link
12/25/2015 01:46:08 pm

Anita,
Thank you for sharing this -- I'm not familiar wit the C.S. Lewis retelling so I will look for it!!
XO
Amy

Amy Meissner link
12/25/2015 01:45:03 pm

Tammy,
I was really big into crocheting clothes. This was in the '80s and I made these dresses and shirts that were basically tubes. Hilarious. I tried really hard to make crocheted pants, too, but they never really worked out well. I also made an easter bonnet out of yellow and orange granny squares (hey, I was 9, I won a prize). Recently someone shared some men's pants on FB made out of granny squares ... You and me? We're so ahead of the times. Like, decades ahead.
XO
Amy

Reply
Helen Clifford link
12/22/2015 10:23:39 am

How wonderful to find a post from you today, as the world starts turning back to light again. Thank you for sharing the delight and wonder of opening your parcels as they arrive, reading the stories that are stitched into each piece and imagining the stories that are now lost. Giving each piece and each known and unknown maker a new life and future.

Solstice wishes, Amy.

Reply
Amy Meissner link
12/25/2015 01:49:52 pm

Helen,
Thank you for the Solstice wishes. Everyone gets so excited about Christmas, and unless you live in the northernmost climes where we are REALLY aware of the darkness, Solstice gets overlooked or is forgotten. So much power in this time of year.

Solstice hugs,
Amy

Reply
Marian Cravino
12/22/2015 11:15:35 am

I bought fabric for a huge cross stitch tablecloth 30 years ago. I spent time stitching it for many years and made it into a much smaller cloth by just hemming the edges. I was so 'over it' and I get the bit about release to do other things. It has sad connotations and I never use it so I will send it to you with the full story.

Reply
Amy Meissner link
12/25/2015 01:53:06 pm

Marian,
Thank you so much for contacting me here and for following this blog. I am so intrigued by your story and the narrative weight behind this piece. I've contacted you separately with information as to how to contact me via regular mail. Know that I very much appreciate your intention and will be ready to receive the work whenever you are ready.
XO
Amy

Reply
John White
1/1/2016 06:04:43 pm

Amy ,I knew you were an exceptional person when we were only sixteen.You are an amazing woman. I hold the greatest respect for you.

Reply
Amy Meissner link
1/1/2016 07:35:05 pm

John,
I find it hilarious that you read this post -- all doily rescue and vintage textiles and embroidery. I'm pleased you showed up and took the time to comment. Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate them very much.
XO
Amy

Reply
Natalya link
1/26/2016 11:53:18 am

OMG! Just catching up on your blog now... f*ing unicorn! Love it! Glad you liked the saccharine goodies. Perhaps there's more in my stash...I'll look again.

Reply
Amy Meissner link
1/26/2016 02:02:45 pm

Natalya,
I've been loving following your costume shop adventures on Instagram (if anyone else wants to check out this craziness: @artbynatalya)! Super fun to get to connect with you in this way and in this bizarre cyber place.
XO
Amy

Reply
Natalya link
2/1/2016 12:56:15 pm

Glad you enjoyed the costume craziness! It was fun, but I'm glad it's over for now.... back to regular studio life!
And while cleaning my studio after the fishheads invasion, I found a few more goodies for you!

mary moorkens link
2/12/2017 07:20:19 am

Do I have unfinished - abandoned "not really me" childhood stitch projects . . oh yeah !! This box of mystery post made me own up to being very much NOT a planner and a total 'evolve as I go' type of embroiderer. (I had forgotten I had cross stitch tray covers from age 9 !)

Reply
Amy Meissner link
2/12/2017 07:28:47 am

Mary -- all that unfinished work really hangs over our heads, doesn't it? Hard to figure out what to do with the dated projects that don't speak to us any longer, but have so much time invested that they're hard to throw away.
I'm sure you'll figure out what to do!
Amy

Reply
Wanda Nott
5/24/2017 06:27:35 am

I had heard about this project but just 'happened' upon your blog this morning, started at the beginning & I'm hooked. This post made me laugh out loud both 1st & 2nd reads! Today I am going to kill a unicorn!!! Actually, it is some lace curtain panels that hung in my mother's bedroom for 20 years! running w/scissors....laughing (that wicked, evil laugh) out loud.....

Reply
Amy Meissner link
5/24/2017 07:16:16 am

Hello Wanda,
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to read my blog posts! Good on you for tackling your personal unicorn, armed and dangerous, indeed.
I hope you'll come back and read more!
XO
Amy

Reply
felicia Belair-Rigdon link
2/8/2018 12:31:03 pm

I have read this wonderful blog and for some reason my heart feels like it has swelled. I am itching to send U a quilt top- no real history- so thanks for being accepting.
felicia

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    Amy Meissner, textile artist. Photo credit Brian Adams, 2013. www.amymeissner.com

    Amy Meissner

    Artist in Anchorage, Alaska, sometimes blogging about the collision of history, family & art, with the understanding that none exists without the other.

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