Monday, November 03, 2008

4... Getting To Sleep


Do you ever have trouble sleeping?

I had a heck of a night last night. I tossed and turned for hours. The last time I looked at the clock, it was 3:45am and I was up this morning at 6:10am. That isn't much sleep! And that isn't like me. One of the reasons I am able to get done what I do is because I don't deprive myself of sleep. At one point in the night, I told Ron (who was mostly asleep) that I couldn't quiet my mind and it was making me anxious and agitated. Nope, I didn't have any coffee... nothing to drink... just a glass of water. Huh. I just don't get it.

Anyway, there was an interesting turn of events last night, and maybe it was that bothering my sleep. I got an email from Rochester Magazine that the latest issue was on newsstands. I grabbed my pal Lindsey and we took off to Barnes & Noble. The article is a huge bummer! I knew going in that three artists were being interviewed about the show. After more then a half hour on the phone with the writer, and a photo shoot in my studio, out of a 3 page spread I had a three line paragraph that was a total mis-quote and not a single photo of my work. The writer said that I hand make my beads in a kiln, wrong... that I wield 2000 degree torches, wrong (I only use one torch)... and that I said "These beads are a step up from what you find at JoAnn Fabrics," wrong. What I said was that the quality of handmade beads is worlds beyond that of mass produced beads and things created with them are truly one of a kind. The way I was paraphrased makes me sound like I am belittling what I do. I was bummed too because the whole feel of the article was very condescending. The title was "Art or Craft?" and it had comments of about "sticker shock" and "$3000 teapots". Yikes. I was so disappointed that I didn't even buy a copy of it. Oh well. It was out of my hands. I know what a FANTASTIC show this is going to be and I know the incredible quality of work that will be presented.

Speaking of work... I made a Playground bracelet over the weekend. I haven't made one in ages and I gotta say, I am not feeling it. I think I will take it apart and make something else with it. We'll just have to wait and see. In fact, I decided, I got to stop making necklaces and work on bracelets for the rest of the week. Should be fun! Stay tuned.

8 comments:

Holly said...

Ack!

I know how you feel with the article. When Maya and I were in the magazine, NOTHING i said was correctly represented, and some things made me sound downright bitchy. I think it happens to everyone.

Now go take a nap!

rosebud101 said...

That is a shame, Kerry. I hope you sleep better tonight.

Jenn said...

Kerry, what a shame. That shows ignorance and poor journalism. They probably had a deadline to meet and didn't care how they represented the artists.

P.S. - don't change this bracelet! It's adorable. Love the colors together.

Jen Judd said...

Kerry - sorry to hear about the poor press. But, as I'm a new admirer having just found your work through Art Bead Scene, I would love to see your work anywhere! I took a wire-working class this weekend and ended up with something very fun--I was totally inspired by you!!!

Thanks for sharing -

Jen

Christine said...

Ick. Sorry about the article. I lovey our new necklace and bracelet designs, though, and I wish I was in Roch so I could go to the show this weekend. Have fun!

Kerry said...

thanks so much everyone for the words of encouragement. I really really appreciate it!! I ended up taking pretty much the whole day off to decompress. And it worked out for the best because I got a great phone call from the Memorial Art Gallery about somethign extra special for this weekend! More details to come on that :)

Pretty Things said...

The bracelet - no no don't change it! It's so totally spot on.

The article -- I read it, and it was such a muddle. Journalists often take SUCH liberties with what we say, and it would have been good if this one could have been educated about the fine art of craft before she wrote that stupid article.

Anonymous said...

Ooooo, love the bracelet! Don't take it apart! The colors are a fun departure from your usually primary colors.

Sorry that the article was such a miss and that you were misquoted. Too bad there author didn't give the story it's due dilligence, or even an effort at being representative and truthful.