CYBER FYBER, Jan. 8 - 20, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios

CYBER FYBER was an exhibition of international fiber art scheduled held from January 8th through 20th, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, USA. The brainchild of Susan Lenz, this exhibit focused on the supportive, global community of fiber artists with whom Susan regularly shared new techniques, contemporary approaches to textiles, and finished work via Internet websites and blogs. The exhibition had three primary areas: Fiber ATCs (Artist Trading Cards); fiber postcards; and the work of several invited artists. The exhibition also included FIBER DAY and ATC trading day. From the beginning, Susan Lenz is documenting CYBER FYBER on a blog/journal.

INVITATIONAL ARTWORK: The main gallery displayed the original fiber works of Emmy Schoonbeek and Jacqueline de Jong of The Netherlands; Maggie Grey and Lynda Monk of Great Britain; Beate Knappe and Wanda Lenz of Germany; Annica Lindsten of Sweden; Arlee Barr of Canada; Dijanne Cevaal, Dale Rollerson, Sharon Boggon, Doreen and Ebony Grey of Australia; Penny Sisto of Indiana; Nikki Wheeler of Washington; Veleta Staffney and Corinne Stubson of Oregon; Jill Rumoshosky Werner of Kansas; and Fulvia Boriani Luciano, Susan Sorrell and Susan Lenz of South Carolina.

FIBER DAY: On Saturday, January 10, 2009 Gallery 80808 hosted Fiber Day. Susan Lenz partnered with Creative Sewing (519 12th Street, West Columbia, SC) for this event. It was a day in which visitors experienced the joys of sewing machines, embellishers, hands-on demonstrations and discussions as well as "Show-n-Tell" by experts and amateurs alike. Susan Lenz conducted two demonstrations: The Stitch Family (a hilarious presentation, perfect for children) and HOT (heat activated processes for the contemporary embroiderer.)

ATC TRADING DAY: On Saturday, January 17, 2009 Gallery 80808 hosted ATC Trading Day. This was an opportunity for EVERYONE to trade ALL KINDS of ATCs. There will be no age or media restriction. The artists at Vista Studio invited everyone to participate in an INTERNATIONAL RANDOM ATC TRADE.


(The photos were taken at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in Columbia, South Carolina. The postcards and ATCs pictured are the ones being offered by Susan Lenz for trade. For the exhibition in January 2009, there were labels...of course!)

This project was funded by the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.

CYBER FYBER 2 Postponed Indefinitely!

I've been composing this entry for the past several weeks. I'm totally distraught about it; yet, it is unavoidable. I am so sorry.

During the past two months I have been investigating the needs to mount CYBER FYBER 2. I've learned so much, collected valuable information, and made many new contacts. I've also had to face facts. It pains me to announce that CYBER FYBER 2 has been postponed indefinitely....maybe until 2011...maybe longer. Current economic realities are harsh. A bright future might be on the horizon but there's no way to determine when it will blossom. South Carolina ranks second in US unemployment statistics and daily the numbers increase. I know teachers whose contracts will not be renewed after decades of loyal service. I know too many people in the arts and elsewhere being forced to take numerous, unpaid vacation days in order to avoid layoffs. I've had former Mouse House employees call asking if I have any openings. (I don't.) One of the people on my "Selected Reference List" is now looking for a job....needing references of her own. Our newspaper has cut staff because company advertising is so low. This cutback eliminated the entire arts section...writers and editors. The owner/editor of the region's monthly art magazine just took out a second mortgage on his house. The gallery in which my 2007 show with Janet Kozachek was held has closed its doors. I know of at least one other art gallery doing the same.

How can I, in good faith, approach businesses for financial support? I can't! How can I apply for grants from arts agencies that are experiencing as much as 25% reductions from their sources? I can't! How can I proceed knowing that Steve and I can't personally cover the expenses or expect help? It's impossible.

I don't, however, have to remove the show's listing from the Gallery 80808/Vista Studio's website. These two weeks in the incredible gallery space are mine! I WILL USE THEM to mount my own solo exhibition. The "working title" is "Life Everlasting". This installation will focus on personal and universal identities through art inspired by grave markers and epitaths.

There will be more developments, of course. For one thing, I've recently submitted exhibition proposals for "Personal Grounds" (including the entire Decision Portrait Series) and Blues Chapel. Also, I've applied for several artists residency programs and also for a summer scholarship to Penland. Depending on the outcome of one of these programs, I will hopefully be traveling to Austria with Pian and Annica (my Swedish stitching buddies) to take a workshop with Sara Lechner! I've started submitting my work for gallery representation too. In a nutshell, I'm redirecting my focus...away from CYBER FYBER 2 but toward an exciting, artistic year in art.

CYBER FYBER....The Future!

CYBER FYBER was a tremendous success. I've decided to mount CYBER FYBER 2! The exhibition is scheduled from January 7 - 19, 2010 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios.

IT WILL NOT BE THE SAME!

There is no possible way that I could force myself to do the same thing. CYBER FYBER 2 must be an evolution of the ideas, connections, and concepts from this year. It will still focus on the supportive, global community of fiber artist using the Internet for inspiration and conectivity. I would like the main gallery to feature an international juried exhibit. To this end, I'm already seeking sponsors for significant awards and will be learning about securing quality jurors. I would like to include fiber postcards too....but not traded ones. I would also like to create an installation.

Below are some of my thoughts. I've written this as an email to a close cyber friend and am now sharing these ideas. I want feedback.....ideas, suggestions, new concepts, and comments....basically BRAINSTORMING!

From my recent email:

The main gallery during CYBER FYBER was devoted to the work of the invitational artists. As you know, I selected artists who represented a unique benefit to the Internet world of fiber arts. This was great. The signage included all the reasons for each person's inclusion. I think everyone who walked through the gallery "got it". Next year, however, I'd like the main gallery to evolve into a juried exhibit....the "best of the best" sort of thing. Having submitted for such exhibits, I'm familiar with how this should operate. I'm also aware that in order to attract truly high quality artists, I need substantial prizes and really qualified jurors. This will take MONEY. I'm thinking $1500 for first place; $1000 for second; and $500 for third. There will have to be a few $100 honorable mentions. I'm not sure how much jurors cost but I'm hoping $500 each....for 2 jurors.

Unlike the Pfaff Embroidery challenge that always has a theme, this would not have a theme. The only requirements would be: mostly fiber and each artist would have to have an Internet presence....a blog, website, Flickr!, Stitchin Fingers, active profile, etc....somewhere the public can leave a comment for each artists. Afterall, CYBER FYBER and CYBER FYBER 2 are about the Internet connected community. Each person has to be a "member" of this on-line, supportive, global network. I know that juried shows like this are a bit elitist. I know this means that some people will pay an entry fee and recieve a rejection. I know this because I've opened plenty of rejections myself!

I also know that the fiber postcards were undoubtedly the most popular part of CYBER FYBER for those in the supportive, online community. I know that CYBER FYBER 2 will have to have postcards. But, I'm not about to make hundreds of postcards again this year. For me, that part has to be over! Right now I've got this enormous collection. I hope to donate it for some good purpose but in the meantime I don't need to be adding to this collection! Personally, it was fun making the first round of postcards...but I don't find it fun anymore.

What do you think of this idea: Fiber artists who want to be involved in CYBER FYBER 2 simply send a postcard. They temporarily become my personal property. Each postcard must be from someone in the cyber community. Each one will be hung in the gallery. There will be another on-line PEOPLE'S CHOICE award. There will be another BEST OF SHOW jurying. However, I want to partner with a museum....a GOOD museum....high profile place that already has a connection with fibers. This museum would end up with the postcards.....accepting at least 20 into the permanent collection. The remainder could be sold in their gift shop, used in some sort of charity event, etc.

Do you think that stitchers would participate? I just don't know if people were more interested in trading with me personally, being part of an exhibit, or what. Do you think people would send great postcards just to be in a gallery exhibition, an on-line exhibition, and with the possibility of getting their postcard into a museum.....or do you think they really want something in exchange?

I think the ATCs will evolve into a second International Random trade....but not be part of the exhibition or the on-line exhibition.

I also think that I'd like Maggie Grey's concept to evolve into an installation. Maggie Grey asked the world for comments on her blog and then used the text to create the works she made for CYBER FYBER. I'd like to suggest that fiber artists send me scraps and threads as a gesture of our common stitches and sense of community. I would document whatever I receive and promise to use all the materials in the creation of an installation. The scraps and threads would have to be all fiber but could include any writing, message, stitch about the Internet connected community and/or indications of that part of the physical world from which the material came. The installation's working title could be "Stitched Earth" or "Global Threads" or "The World Wide Web in Thread" or some such thing that addresses both the Internet community and fiber all at once....an evolution of the original concepts....and something totally new and wonderful for me to do!

Well....there it is....my brainstorming. Let me know what you think.

New Video!

ATC Day Video, including International Random Swap and People's Choice Awards, click HERE!

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

(Click on image above to enlarge. Mimi Renne Sainte-Laudy's winning postcard being presented by her sister Georgette Zissel and her daughter-in-law Debi Combis of Charlotte, North Carolina! It was so very exciting to have them present for the announcement!)

Today the on-line votes and the physical, paper votes from Gallery 80808/Vista Studios were added together. The winners were determined! The announcement was made! Here it is:

PEOPLE'S CHOICE POSTCARD
POSTCARD 231
Mimi Renne Sainte-Laudy
http://mimi837.oldiblog.com/
FRANCE

PEOPLE'S CHOICE ATC
ATC 134
Leslie Casey
http://stitchinfingers.ning.com/profile/Leslie44
Malawi, AFRICA

CONGRATULATIONS!

CYBER FYBER GETS A REVIEW!

The following review just appeared in this week's edition of the local, Columbia weekly publication, The Free Times.

Exhibit Shows Internet’s Impact on Art World
A review of Cyber Fyber, on view at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios through Jan. 20.
BY
MARY BENTZ GILKERSON

Alree Barr, Cache (detail)

Cyber Fyber is not your average gallery exhibition. It is the culmination of a monumental, yearlong project developed by Columbia-area fiber artist Susan Lenz. The project was inspired by the sense of community she developed with other fiber artists around the world through her blogging experiences.

The Internet is a vast web of resources that is very attractive for visual artists in particular. Most artists use it to market their work through web sites and online galleries. But many others are taking advantage of the social and professional networking opportunities not only to market their work, but also to create ties with other artists throughout the world. Some limit themselves to the main social networks like MySpace and Facebook; others use using free blogging sites to create their own networks.

Lenz has done all of the above: She has 12 blogs associated with the Cyber Fyber exhibit alone.

The quality of the artwork is high, but the most important thing about the exhibit is the process Lenz used to put it together. It is a manifestation of the paradigm shift in the art world resulting from artists making full use of the Internet to control their own careers.

Art entrepreneurs like Lenz are going beyond simply organizing their own local exhibitions to building national and international networks that they can use for both marketing and professional support. Lenz was able to curate a truly international fiber arts exhibition purely from the contacts that she made via her blog, an unthinkable feat 10 years ago. The show includes work by artists from more than 26 countries including Australia, England, Germany and Canada, as well as the United States.

Cyber Fyber has two components: 400-plus fiber cards that Lenz traded with other artists, and larger works by 17 artists in an invitational section.

Some of the small cards are little gems, but the main impact of this section comes from the sheer visual weight of so many pieces. The grid pattern that was used to hang the pieces makes this section read as one large quilt.

The invitational section has some more traditional work, but most of the work could stand on its own in any contemporary art setting. Cyber Fyber is a four-panel book piece by Jacqueline de Jong of the Netherlands. Accordion folds allow the work to stand on its own on the pedestal where the viewer can see both the front and the back of the panels. She uses a range of dark earth tones in her richly textured abstracts.

Fulvia Boriani Luciano, from South Carolina, also works with abstract forms and shapes. She creates quilted hanging pieces in various grid formats, exploring subtle color relationships.

Penny Sisto of Indiana also makes quilted wall pieces, but she uses representational imagery to create narratives that deal very openly with social commentary. Strange Fruit VI is dominated by a large female figure, her mouth open in a scream or cry. To her right, six male figures swing in the branches of a tree.

The range of work in both sections gives an overview of the broad range of styles and content being addressed by contemporary fiber artists. The invitational has allowed Lenz to go deep with the work of the 17 selected artists.

The exhibit showcases the potential of the Internet to change the reigning dealer/artist art-world paradigm. The role of the middleman, i.e. the dealer, hasn’t been eliminated — yet — but that role is definitely shifting.

Cyber Fyber will be on view through Jan. 20. A variety of related activities are taking place in conjunction with the exhibit. Visit the main Cyber Fyber blog at
cyberfyberexhibition.blogspot.com for more information.

The Daily Gamecock

The Daily Gamecock

Above is a link to the University of South Carolina's Daily Gamecock newspaper where the talented Ellen Meder, Assistant Mix Editor, wrote an article on CYBER FYBER complete with an on-line slide presentation. In order to preserve this information and the images, I've posted it on the CYBER FYBER journal here.

Reception Video!

I've complete the CYBER FYBER reception video! All the images are from that wonderful evening...January 9, 2009 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. Every moving clip and still photo was shot by either my fabulous mother, Linda Lenz (Postcard # 14), or my incredible youngest sister Sonya Lenz. Please enjoy!

CYBER FYBER EXHIBITION

Click here to access the exhibition video!

CYBER FYBER at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios
808 Lady Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 252-6134

OPEN DAILY, Sunday - Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM
THROUGH Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Saturday, January 17 is ATC (Artist Trading Card) Day from 1 - 4. The International Random ATC Swap will be held starting at 2:30 PM. On-line comments/votes for PEOPLE'S CHOICE Awards will be counted and winners will be determined! To vote, leave a comment on your favorite ATC and postcard in the CYBER FYBER on-line exhibitions. Postcards are here. ATCs are here.

WINNERS

Last Monday, January 5, 2009 Ellen Kochansky juried the CYBER FYBER traded fiber ATCs and fiber Postcards. Ellen is an internationally renown fiber artist from Pickens, South Carolina currently in the midst of a textile installation residency at 701 Columbia Center for the Arts. Jurying so much talent took two hours. The winners and several honorable mentions are awarded. A video of Ellen's announcement with her comments is here. Below is the list of winners:

BEST OF SHOW POSTCARD
Hope Clinchot
Viriginia, USA
Postcard # 101

Honorable Mention Postcards
(Random Order)

Diane Mularz
Viriginia, USA
Postcard # 83

Fulvia Boriani Luciano
South Carolina, USA
Postcard # 48

Jocelyn Goodger
NEW ZEALAND
Postcard # 127

Sara Lechner
AUSTRIA
Postcard 167

Patty Van Huis-Cox
Illinois, USA
Postcard # 240

Gail VandenBout
North Carolina, USA
Postcard # 274

BEST OF SHOW ATC
Silvia Gardiol
ITALY
ATC # 141

Honorable Mention ATCs
(Random Order)

Fannie Narte
Texas, USA
ATC # 110

Suzanne Clarke
AUSTRALIA
ATC # 66

Maureen Cross
United Kingdom
ATC # 152

Neki Desu
SPAIN
ATC # 92

Shirley Hayes
Maryland, USA
ATC # 20

ARTICLE

CYBER FYBER, an international exhibition of fiber arts created by Internet connected textile artists, opens at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios on Thursday, January 8, 2009 and runs through January 20th. An opening reception will be held on Friday, January 9 from 5 – 9 PM. The gallery is located at 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.

The art show is divided into two areas: the work of seventeen invited, international fiber artists and hundreds of fiber cards traded with other textile enthusiasts from over twenty-six countries and 46 states.

The invitational art show will include art quilts by Jacqueline de Jong of the Netherlands and Dijanne Cevaal of Australia as well as wall pieces by the internationally recognized author Maggie Grey of Great Britain. Most of the work is quite contemporary, including embellished or machine felted work by Beate Knappe of Germany; fiber paper quilts by Nikki Wheeler of Washington; beading by Veleta Staffney of Oregon; and experimental techniques by Lynda Monk of England. Susan Lenz, a Columbia based fiber artist whose work will also be included in the exhibition, selected the international roster carefully. Each invited artist represents a unique benefit of Internet communication within in the global community of likeminded fiber artists.

Arlee Barr of Canada was selected for her remote, Canadian location. Arlee’s connection to the larger art world is completely on-line. Susan Lenz also selected her sister Wanda Lenz who lives in Munich, Germany. They are able to share their embroideries through blogging. Internet exposure broadens any artist’s experiences and ideas. For that reason, Jill Rumoshosky Werner’s three dimensional art quilts were selected. Susan Lenz explains, “Jill’s approach to artmaking is so unlike mine that I am always inspired. Her blog and website challenge my way of viewing fiber arts. Jill is exceptionally strong on art concepts and she has influenced me by her willingness to share her experiences on-line.”

Educational opportunities foster interconnectivity in the fiber arts world. Sharon Boggon of Australia has initiated several free on-line fiber challenges including “Take a Stitch Tuesday”. Each week a stitch was introduced and hundreds of artists participated in the lessons, including Emmy Schoonbeek of the Netherlands. Emmy turned her year of stitches into a one-of-a-kind fiber book. This book and work by Sharon Boggan will be included in CYBER FYBER.

Susan Sorrell of Greenville will also have works in the show. She teaches on-line classes. Dale Rollerson of Perth, Australia teaches on-line too. The work she is sending for the January show also represents some of the contemporary materials available through Internet shopping. Dale and her husband Ian own and operate The Thread Studio, an international supplier for today’s contemporary fiber artists.

Penny Sisto, who was born on the Orkney Islands but now lives in Indiana, stays in communication with other fiber artists through her website and is sending two art quilts from her Slavery Series including “Flying In A Pink Dress” and “Strange Fruit VI”. Connie Stubison of Oregon works primarily in paper but incorporates textiles and has created a unique artist book, Flower Child, for this exhibition. Annica Lindsten represents another wonderful aspect to Internet communication. Her blog promoted last August’s Swedish Embroidery Symposium. Susan Lenz accepted her invitation to attend and brought an on-line relationship into a real, international fiber experience. Annica is unable to come to the USA but her work is!

Doreen Grey and her granddaughter Ebony of Australia will have work at CYBER FYBER, including Ebony’s first quilt. The eleven-year-old represents the future of contemporary textiles. She is being taught at her grandmother’s side, which is also in front of a computer screen.

In order to include as many fiber artists as possible in the exhibition, Susan Lenz created hundreds of fiber cards, which were traded internationally. Postcards and small, Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) came from all over the United States, England, Scotland, Wales, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Germany, France, Italy, Cyprus, India, Japan, South Africa, Israel, Malawi, Romania, Canada, and the Netherlands. CYBER FYBER will have Internet access in order for viewers to leave comments for each of these talented fiber artists.

On Saturday, January 10 CYBER FYBER is partnering with Creative Sewing of West Columbia for “Fiber Day”. From 10 – 4 there will be on going sewing and embellishing demonstrations, guest speakers, and show-and-tell opportunities. On Saturday, January 17 from 1 – 4 CYBER FYBER is holding ATC Day. For more information, please contact Susan Lenz at (803) 254-0842 or http://cyberfyberexhibition.blogspot.com.

Press Release, two of them!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Susan Lenz
CYBER FYBER
(803) 254-0842
cyberfyber@prodigy.net
http://cyberfyberexhibition.blogspot.com

CYBER FYBER EXHIBITION AT GALLERY 80808, Jan. 8 - 20, 2009

CYBER FYBER, an international exhibition of fiber arts created by Internet connected textile artists, opens at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios on Thursday, January 8, 2009 and runs through January 20^th. An opening reception will be held on Friday, January 9 from 5 – 9 PM. The gallery is located at 808 Lady Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina.

The art exhibit will feature hundreds of fiber cards from over twenty-six countries and 46 states. The work of nineteen internationally known fiber artists will also be on display. These invited artists include: Dijanne Cevaal, Sharon Boggon, Dale Rollerson, and Doreen Grey and her granddaughter Ebony of Australia; Beate Knappe and Wanda Lenz of Germany; Emmy Schoonbeek and Jacqueline de Jong of the Netherlands; Arlee Barr of Canada; Lynda Monk and Maggie Grey of Great Britain; Annica Lindsten of Sweden; Nikki Wheeler of Washington; Veleta Staffney and Corinne Stubson of Oregon; Penny Sisto of Indiana; Jill Rumoshosky Werner of Kansas; and Susan Sorrell and Susan Lenz of South Carolina.

Postcards and small, Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) came from all over the United States, England, Scotland, Spain, Belgium, Wales, Norway, New Zealand, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Germany, France, Italy, Cyprus, India, Japan, South Africa, Israel, Malawi, Romania, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands. CYBER FYBER will have Internet access in order for viewers to leave comments for each of these talented fiber artists.

On Saturday, January 10 CYBER FYBER is partnering with Creative Sewing of West Columbia for “Fiber Day”. From 10 – 4 there will be on going sewing and embellishing demonstrations, guest speakers, and show-and-tell opportunities. On Saturday, January 17 from 1 – 4 CYBER FYBER is holding ATC Day. For more information, please contact Susan Lenz at (803) 254-0842 or (803) 252-6134.


Cyber Fyber Comes to Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina – Cyber Fyber, an exhibit of international fiber arts, is coming to Columbia, South Carolina’s Gallery 80808 at 808 Lady Street in the city’s historic Vista arts district on January 8^th, 2009.

Local contemporary fiber artist, Susan Lenz devoted most of 2008 to the acquisition of fiber post cards and ATCs – artist trading cards – by coordinating the trading of cards, which are actual miniature works of art, via the Internet and her blogs Cyber Fyber Exhibition (http://cyberfyber exhibition.blogspot.com/) and Art in Stitches (http://artbysusanlenz.blogspot.com/). With 27 countries and 46 states represented in the ATC and fiber post card division of the show, Cyber Fyber will also feature an invitational art exhibit displaying the work of such noted textile artists as Maggie Grey of the UK, Emmy Schoonbeek and Jacqueline de Jong of The Netherlands, Dijanne Cevaal of Australia, Annica Lindsten of Sweden and more. January 10^th has been designated Fiber Day, during which patrons may participate in demonstrations and hands-on activities from 10am until 4 pm. On Saturday January 17^th from 1 – 4 pm, the exhibit and Gallery 80808 will sponsor an open trading day during which local artists of all ages, levels and media are invited to participate in an exchange of their own ATCs with both area and international artists alike.

The show will run from January 8^th through the 20^th with an opening night reception on January 9^th from 5 – 9 pm. Gallery 80808/Vista Studios is located at 808 Lady Street in Columbia’s historic Vista.

This project is funded by the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John and Susan Bennett Memorial Arts Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.

FIBER DAY SCHEDULE!

Fiber Day at CYBER FYBER
January 10, 2008
Gallery 80808/Vista Studios
808 Lady Street
Columbia, SC 29201

(Click on image to enlarge. Interior of Creative Sewing Center of West Columbia....CYBER FYBER's partner for Fiber Day!)

Schedule of Events:

9:30 AM Set up (Coffee will be available)
10:30 AM Orientation: “Pandora’s Box”, opening
remarks by Peggy Ledford, owner of
Creative Sewing, 519 12th Street,
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 936-1251 or (803) 936-1624

Throughout the day there will be on-going demonstrations on the new Bernina 830 with Juanita Hayden (See biography at the end of this post) and also on the Babylock Embellisher with Jackie Price. (See images and additional information below. “Make-it-and-Take-it” bookmarks for children will also be on-going.

The morning will begin at 10:30 with Peggy Ledford, owner of Creative Sewing Center, with a brief introduction called "Pandora's Box". This is Peggy's biography:

Peggy Ledford is the proud owner of Creative Sewing Machine Center. She was born in Missouri (one of five girls). It was there, where she was first introduced to sewing in a home economics class. She moved to South Carolina in the early 70’s and she continued her interest in sewing, making many polyester pantsuits! Her sewing interest shifted towards children’s items. She gradually shifted away from sewing during some busy years. As retirement grew closer she knew she wanted a great hobby. She found that great hobby one day when going in a store for a vacuum belt and coming home with an embroidery machine. Her love for sewing and embroidery continued to grow and her need for quality sewing supplies increased. This led to the opening of Creative Sewing Machine Center on March 13, 2001. Her great hobby turned into a great sewing resource for Columbia!

11:00 AM Heirloom Stitching with Susan Sease (See images and additional information below)
Demonstration and Sharing

Noon “Threadplay” with Jo Park (See images and additional information below)
Conversation and Sharing

1:00 PM “The Four Family of Stitches” with
Susan Lenz
A lively demonstration of hand stitches
Appropriate for all age levels, especially
Kids!

2:00 PM Show and Tell with the staff of Creative
Sewing
Sharing, questions and answers
Guests and attendees will be invited to
join with their own work!

3:00 PM “Heat Activated Processes for the Creative
Embroider” with Susan Lenz

Demonstration

4:00 PM General Show-and-Tell
Everyone invited!

Creative Sewing will be open at their West Columbia location from 9 – 3 with sale items throughout the store, including special prices on selected machines and fabric. Thread will be BUY TWO, GET ONE FREE, mix and match!

Above: This image is of Mr. Creative Sewing Center himself....co-owner with his wonderful wife Peggy, Russ repairs and services machines in his own, separate studio in the shop.

Above: Photo of the newest Babylock embellisher at Creative Sewing Center

Above: One of the areas of Creative Sewing Center where various machines are on display and available for demonstration.

Above: Another shot of Creative Sewing Center...including a fantastic machine for quilting!

More machines!

Everything is available at Creative Sewing Center....a place definitely in touch with the most modern technology available for today's textile artists!

More than just machines, the selection of fabric is incredible! There's books, trim, threads for both hand and all kinds of machine stitching in addition to all the needs for quilters, heirloom stitchers, embroiderers....professional level to beginners!


The staff is friendly and totally knowledgeable! Peggy is on the left!

Above is an amazing work by Jo Parks who will be conducting "Threadplay" at Noon during Fiber Day, Saturday, Jan. 10 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street.


Above is a photo of Jo Parks.

I have always liked the look of embroidered pictures, but didn’t have the patience for hand work. In 1978 while living in Winston-Salem, NC, I passed a small shop advertising a workshop on Free Motion Machine Embroidery and signed up immediately. That week of classes had me hooked! I made pictures and sewed designs on pocketbooks, made placemats, etc. for friends and family for years.

In 1991, I took classes from author and teacher Patricia Merrill and became certified to teach Machine Embroidery and became a member of NMEIA, National Machine Embellishment Instructors & Artists. Any zig-zag machine can be used to do free motion machine embroidery, my instructors used Berninas and their work was amazing. I was determined to have my own Bernina and have been using one ever since.

I have taught Free Motion Machine Embroidery in Columbia and Oklahoma.

Above and below: Additional fiber arts by Jo Parks.


Above: Yet another wonderful piece by Jo Parks.

Throughout Fiber Day, Saturday, Jan. 10 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in Columbia, Jackie Price will be conducting demonstrations on the EMBELLISHER! For those unfamiliar with this amazing dry-felting machine, be warned! IT IS TOTALLY ADDICTIVE! Using the embellisher is so much fun. Jackie will show everyone the creative possibilities with this wonderful, affordable machine.
Below is a purse Jackie embellished.

Jackie's biography reads:
Jacqueline Vining-Price a native of Columbia, SC, has lived in NC and VA.She now resides in Lexington. Wife, Mother and Grandmother she expresses beauty in pursuit of various art forms: photography, watercolor, oil, porcelain doll making and sewing.

After seeing the computer sewing machine, this was it. She could combine all the arts. Fabrics are her canvas to embroider and embellish, from wearable art to note cards.

Below is a beautiful jacket embellished by Jackie.

At 11 AM Susan Sease will be leading a demonstration on heirloom stitching. This will be held at Fiber Day, Saturday, Jan. 10 at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios, 808 Lady Street in Columbia. Below are several images of Susan's amazing talent. Her biography includes: Susan Sease was born and raised in Gilbert, SC. Her Mother taught her to sew when she was a teenager during the summer. She started sewing clothing for herself and later expanded into home decor when she was expecting her first child. When her daughter Mary Beth was born a very special friend from church taught her to smock which she has been doing for over 17 years. She currently teaches smocking and heirloom sewing at Creative Sewing Machine Center and spreads her love of this art to many others. She has been working at CSMS for 7 years and heads up our different clubs with creative ideas.

Juanita Hayden's biography is: Juanita Hayden was born in Kyoto , Japan and lived there until she was 13 at which time her family moved to Texas . Her love of sewing started in Japan and she continued learning in Texas . She took an extensive class in 1989 from The Martha Pullen School, which reinforced her love of sewing. Her work experience includes 5 years in Radio broadcasting in both Texas and Columbia . Through Friendship International she taught sewing at her church to internationals for a year. She is the mother of 4 children. Her special interest besides sewing includes singing in her church choir. She has been with Creative Sewing Machine Center for 2 1/2 years as a valued staff member and instructor.