a note from my studio (no.002)
Hi there!
Thanks for being here. This is the second-ever note from my studio, but it’s the first-ever instalment in my new monthly(ish) newsletter! I enjoy sharing my art with my community, and posting on billionaire-owned social media platforms that are full of AI slop has become increasingly uninteresting to me. SO I’m planning to send out little notes to you to share: fun events and projects I’ve got coming up, art that I’ve created recently, my experiences in nature, and art that’s inspiring me!
I imagine that the cadence of these notes will shift and change over time – I’m human after all! You will probably hear from me more in the warmer seasons and less in the winter. I’m excited to see how this evolves and grows with time.
upcoming events
The spring/summer dates for the Earthshakers Creativity Club are live! Our next in person meetup is coming up on May 24 in Downtown Kitchener! Masks are required and provided <3
This space is open to everyone that wants to explore their creativity in community! Feel like doodling on some scrap paper with a random pen you found in your junk drawer? Great! Want to write in your journal? Love it! Have some clothes that need mending? Amazing! I also have some art supply kits at the in-person meetups that you can use!! I hope to see you there 🙂
Learn more about Earthshakers & RSVP for an upcoming meetup!
what i’ve been making
I have been exploring sewing this month! After getting through my large pile of things that needed mending in March, I felt really inspired to sew something new.
So… I made some cute little pieces for my sewing kit – a needle book, and a pouch and a drawstring bag for notions! I sewed these all by hand with scrap and thrifted fabric.
works in progress
I put together this concept sketch for an application to a local public art opportunity.
Here’s a little sneak peak of my design 🙂 Hopefully I get to bring it to life!!
My next sewing project is a vest, in a gorgeous mustard yellow jacquard cotton fabric! Photographed here is the toile, or mock-up, that I made to check the fit before cutting into my fancy fabric.
Also, I’ve been knitting my first sweater and I am so happy with how it’s going so far! I’m about to attach the sleeves to the body of the sweater, and then I’ll work up towards the neckline!
let’s go outside
Spring is here!!!!
I’ve been getting outside as much as I can, even for a short walk around my neighbourhood with my dog on the days where I don’t really feel like it. Hearing all the different birds singing and seeing the landscape come to life in vivid colour brings me so much joy 🙂
There have even been a few brave blooms from the woodland strawberries in my little garden.
If you also like spending time outside and want a space to share your adventures and observations, I invite you to join the lil online club I created for that exact purpose: In Our Nature. It’s a relaxed space, allowing you to pop in whenever you feel like sharing or reading about what others are up to! (It’s also a great way to try out Discord if you’re new to that platform!)
what I’ve been inspired by recently
My sewing practice has been energized by a few artists that so generously share their work through videos on YouTube:
- Bernadette Banner focuses on historical sewing, and has made some incredibly intricate projects that are just so stunning
- Ash Bentley has a lot fun with her creations, including unique wearable art pieces and so much more
- Carly B makes whimsical, colourful garments with beautiful details and finishes
And here are a few excerpts from one of my favourite books I read recently, Circe by Madeline Miller:
“Let me say what sorcery is not: it is not divine power, which comes with a thought and a blink. It must be made and worked, planned and searched out, dug up and dried, chopped and ground, cooked, spoken over and sung.”
“Little by little, I began to listen better: to the sap moving in the plants, to the blood in my veins. I learned to understand my own intention, to prune and to add, to feel where the power gathered and speak the right words to draw it to its height.”
Thank you for reading 🙂
Nikki
NS | sent via email May 9, 2026; posted online May 16, 2026
