Elaine

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Correspondence (this exchange was completed after the artwork ‘Many Hands: A year of exchanges and stories’ so was not included)

Bridget, Perfection is the enemy of progress… this keeps me from completing so many crafts I start. I get stuck on my work not meeting my expectations, get frustrated, and eventually abandon the project
for something new, a clean slate with the promise of turning out better. I did a little experiment with this project. The first ornament took about 4.5 hours – taking out and re-doing, getting it “just right.” I made the same ornament again, but went a little easier on myself and tried to accept the work for how it turned out… taking just about 2.5 hours! Granted, there was some time saved in  gathering the materials and dusting off the old sewing machine. But, all in all, it was a good lesson: now that I have such little me-time, I need to embrace the “good enough is good enough” concept and continue to create, despite imperfections! Thank you for the opportunity to make this realization. So glad I was able to participate in this very special project, and that I can take a piece of your  work home to the U.S. I will treasure it always. Being a new mom, very pregnant before that, and new to the country before that, I always found excuses not to make time to be creative. Entering  into this “exchange” with you held me accountable to actually make something and FINISH it. And I did it, and learned a valuable lesson along the way! So thank you. – E

Sorry might be a little bit late but we’re coming!!! – E

Yep that’s fine – B

What time are you available on Monday? Could we pop by around noon? – E

Haha oh good! Is this the kind of pic you’re looking for? We try to get to the library right by you on Mondays… would a Monday work? I know you’re not always open then? – E

Wow that was one of my quickest and easiest exchanges ever! Did you take a pic of your hands stitching? I’ll need you to email me a high res image of that (or a mock up if you forgot). Then you come in and I’ll take a pic of your hands holding the vessel and  we’re done! Just let me know day and rough time that suits. – B

Greetings, Bridget! I’ve completed my project… what happens next? -E

Hi Elaine, Welcome on board the project! So glad to have you involved….I get to have a little souvenir of your stay here and our connection too – soooo cool! yay!! You chose to exchange time for your basket ‘141:4230’. This comes to a total of 2hrs and 21 minutes. You’ll be doing some embroidery for the same amount of time in exchange. Please keep a log of the minutes spent making as this will feed into further developments in the project. Before we commence the exchange, I just want to check that you’re ok with photographs being taken to document the process. The photos will be mainly of hands and the process undertaken and won’t include any facial features. I’ll also be documenting any text or email communications that may take place. This information will feed into a further development of the artwork. Are you ok with this? I’m looking forward to exchanging some time with you. – B

That is great! Thanks for considering me:) Can I go with the little green one? I think 2ish hours is how long this will take in my side… Cool to get started or something else I need to do? – E

Little green one at front is 2hrs and 21 mins and the other one with the waist at the back (blue and whiteish) is 4hrs And 30mins….about. Can confirm when back in gallery. Let me know which you want. I have two other peeps interested too ….Which is great. – B

Do you happen to have a pic? I can’t quite remember… Are they both the same amounts of time? – E

That would be just perfect! I also heard a story about rice once which I’ll share next time we see each other. Either the little green vessel or the one
behind it (with the waistline!) Is available. Let me know which one you’d like and will email through more details tomorrow – B

Hi, Bridget! Glad this was helpful! I hope you have a great time there.Thinking about Shanghai again and my husband currently in China, got me thinking about a saying I learned while living there: 饮水思源 (yin shui si yuan) Which literally means when you drink water, think if it’s source… be grateful for your blessings. Don’t take things for granted, especially the earth and it’s resources. An outlook you seem to embody in your lifestyle and are passionate enough to inspire and challenge others to do the same. I’d like to take this idea and embroider the characters into a little hanging ornament. Would this be something you’d be interested in to exchange for one of your creations? Let me know if I’m on the right track or next steps… – E

OMG, this is unreal! Thank you soooo much. I was feeling a bit intimidated about travelling to such a big city in a country I’ve never been to before. Now I am just SOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!! It was a nice email to receive as I was feeling a little down after my opening last night. It probably wasn’t such a good idea to have it during school holidays (I remember the impact of hols
every year – but always after the event) and the weather didn’t help. But a few very special people turned up – Wander by if you get a chance and feel like it. The show’s on til Saturday. I’m soooo excited about Shanghai!!!!!!! – gonna send this off to my husband NOW! – B

Hi, Bridget! Wishing you luck this week with your show opening! Here’s some thoughts I had for Shanghai… I hope you find these tips useful! -Most places don’t take international credit cards, so be ready with cash! ATMs
have English options. -Don’t drink the water:) -Tipping isn’t customary.-The Metro is easy to use, and lots of options for the places you’re going. You could buy a metro at one of the information counters where you can just load it up with money and go. Or buy single trip tickets at the machines. -Taking cabs can take a little longer with traffic, but often make more sense in terms of where you’re going. I recommend using this SmartShanghai site, where it gives you a “taxi printout” option, so you can just show
the driver the address in Chinese. Drivers rarely speak English. I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions. – E

Hello! It was lovely to see you too. Yes, kids can do that but they’re worth it. At least at the moment he’s contained in a pram! I’ve attached a screen shot with all the little green flags of the places I need to get to. My works in a show called Triple Parade….from what I can gather it’s in a couple of places. Am also wanting to go to San W contemporary jewellery gallery and some of the art and design universities. Am hoping to tee up some meet and  greet meetings. If you can provide any handy hints on Chinese social etiquette it would also be much appreciated! — B

Bridget! What a pleasure seeing you Monday – glad you were around as I was passing by. I’ve been looking over the Craft Week catalog – oh how I wish I could go to so many of those workshops! Rudy’s made things a little limiting, but it will be a good reason to get out and about when we can! Especially hoping to see your show and how it all turned out:) If you think of it, let me know the name of the gallery where your work is in Shanghai! I’ll put together some recommendations. Good luck during your busy period (and on your own!) -E