With Hands

The Lightbulb Conspiracy

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:10:00 +0000

I just got finished watching this video on planned obsolescence and consumerism (and waste). I thoroughly enjoyed it, and if you're at all interested in what I'm doing here with With Hands (or the reasons WHY I'm doing it), you just might appreciate it too.

Lawns are evil.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 22:11:00 +0000

A Book Review: The Ultimate pH Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Ultimate pH Solution: Balance Your Body Chemistry to Prevent Disease and Lose Weight by Michelle Schoffro Cook

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was one part hokey, one part marketing, and eight parts quality content. And I would have never picked it up if a trusted friend hadn't recommended it highly. After all, she had gotten me drinking lemon water, I should at least understand why.

I like this book because it explains how diet effects health in a body-chemistry way. Eating right to improve your health instead of popping pills is absolutely in line with With Hands!

also: SCIENCE

View all my reviews

A simple solution to a long standing problem.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 02:54:00 +0000

This is a repost from my personal blog, but felt it relevant to share here.

My cat Igby is a bit of a bulimic. I don't think it's for any concern for her figure, and I don't think she purges intentionally. It's just that she hasn't figured out how to pace herself when eating.

When I think of it and have the time, I limit her consumption by just putting out a small amount of kibble at once. This is super annoying. I don't have a dog because they're too dependent. I needed to find a better way.

I started searchingbthe internet for automatic or cat-powered food dispensers. I was intrigued by this hamster-ball looking thing, but I didn't like the idea of a non-stationary feeding device.

On instructables I found an awesome food dispenser mod, and decided I should go out and buy the little feeding dish base and make it.

Before I got that far, however, I was struck with a far simpler idea. I often see Igby reaching her little paw underneathe some cabinet to retreive kibble she'd knocked there. If I put a bunch of food in something she couldn't get her face in, it would slow her down and solve my problem. BAM.

Jars are handy in so many ways.

It Wasn't Garbage.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:17:00 +0000

I love this so much. A collective dedicated to repairing things instead of tossing them! So much of what ends up in the waste stream is entirely useful, and from what I can gather, the Fixers Collective isn't settling for repurposing so much as restoring to the original purpose. I want to see one of these in every town! #bigdreams

Meat Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 05:33:00 +0000

A couple years ago I found this beef chart / diagram in an old cookbook. I thought it'd be a really interesting / beautiful thing to enlarge and embroider, much like my cuts of meat napkins, but more involved, on a larger scale. This large embroidered piece could be a quilt, which would make it easier to manage, just carrying around small squares at a time. Realizing that I'm free to bring With Hands wherever I want it to go, it dawned on me to pick this project back up. I've talked about it before but I think it's important to reiterate: I think that we (westerners, really) have a huge disconnect from our food. I know myself that if I shop in an Asian grocery store, the foul and rabbit shrink-wrapped with heads still attached is really off-putting. When I was in Spain, the fact that the heads were left on the shrimp really disturbed me in a way that ripping their legs off never did. In as much as I often cook delicious meatless meals (have you tried Moosewood Cookbook's lentil mushroom walnut burgers? Sooo good.) I am a meat-eater. The way meat is sold in grocery stores across America definitely separates Food from Animal. I like things like this beef chart because they bring everything together, sort of ground our concept of food, of meat, in a sense. It's interesting when I make work about meat, I get a few different reactions, often a visceral one from the vegetarians I encounter. Thinking about where meat comes from seems to remind them why they don't eat it. Non vegetarians often comment about how they didn't know where in an animal a given cut of meat was located. I am fine with either of these reactions. I just want to reinstate the connection between food and source. Also: I really like that this chart tells the best way to cook given cuts of beef. I've ruined many a steak due to ignorance.

While working on this particular piece I've gotten a lot of questions, not so much on the imagery, but on the object itself. I don't like to make a big deal that I see With Hands as Art. I don't care if someone else sees it as Not Art, and I really don't want its artness to turn anyone away, so I typically just refer to With Hands as my project. Somehow, though, embroidering a meat quilt is just too bizarre for comprehension. I never got so much confusion when I was embroidering little animals with cuts of meat diagrams on them onto vintage cloth napkins. It seems that I need to break out the 'a' word for people to feel OK with a meat quilt. Will it be used? Most likely. Will it be art? Absolutely. It will be functional art, because I'm into that, and that is really a core value of With Hands. This is a little deeper into art theory than I had intended on getting here, but it seems that it is necessary to address. The meat quilt functioning will give it more opportunities to act as a catalyst.

What I'm Working On

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 05:27:00 +0000

After making far too many produce bags, I asked my friends Beth and Andi to show me how to do the single crochet (which my mom couldn't help me with) so that I could make a jar cozy. I recognize that such an object seems mostly for frills, and maybe it is...but to be fair, I've started using jars in lieu of travel mugs and not burning my hands would be convenient.

So begins the awkwardness that is trying to explain what I'm working on, when what I'm working on seems ridiculous. The jar cozy is a little bit easier for people to wrap their heads around than the...fingerless glove? See, the problem is, I'm not even sure what to call it, but the fact that I'm sort of just making it up is helpful when people express that they wish that they too could make whatever-sort-of-thing. "Oh, you totally could do that, because I just sort of made it up, so if you found some sort of directions you're probably better off that I am straight away."

This past weekend I took a trip to central PA to visit some friends, and before I left, I began embroidering presents for a few of them. Unfortunately, I didn't really have enough time, so I found myself embroidering while I was there. This in itself was fine, but I didn't really want them to see what I was working on until it was nearer to finished, seeing as it was for them and all. It was a different experience than my usual show and tell, but I did indeed finish everything and was able to give it before I left.

I'm not sure what it is, but there is something that for me is far more satisfying in embroidery than with knitting or crocheting. The process is somehow more enjoyable, and I think I even like talking about it more. I'll have to consider this further.

I've also picked up a sizable project I had wanted to do a few years ago, but that really deserves its own post. If you've seen me recently, and you've seen me EMBROIDERING recently, you might have an idea of what I mean by this.

*ALSO, I was subbing the other day and I had to read some first graders a book about Kwanzaa. Apparently all the gifts associated with this holiday have to be either handmade or educational. I love this, of course. Maybe I'll start celebrating Kwanzaa.... after all, they say we all came from Africa.

Crocheting

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:35:00 +0000

The other night I asked my mother to teach me to crochet again. She taught me when I was younger but I couldn't get the tension right and gave up pretty easy. I can't actually knit in the round, and it seems that with crocheting, doing circular things is no issue at all. I had seen a couple things on the internet recently that I wanted to make that required crocheting. I've been working on one of them, which is actually a pretty quick project. A crocheted produce bag, which I think is a cool thing to work on, because not only does it reduce waste and keep my hands busy (which helps me focus), it also provides a catalyst for conversation about (obviously) the handmade as well as that of waste.

I deviated a bit from the pattern. Here's the link of my inspiration.
I previously had been knitting the mate for this fingerless glove, which I made many years ago and didn't even remember I hadn't completed the other until I went to wear it. It's somehow more difficult to explain what I'm working on when I'm knitting this, but people generally guess the terms right when I'm doing it.

Let's be straight here. People always ask: "are you knitting?" whether I'm embroidering, crocheting, tatting, or actually knitting. I feel like knitting is seen as more of a catch-all term than it actually is.

Fresh Cuts

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 21:50:00 +0000

I absolutely love instructional things like this. A chicken one, too!

How To-Nic

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:40:00 +0000

The How To-Nic (How to- Tunic) will soon be for sale on chateauofadoubt.etsy.com. For now, check out the illustration:

With Hands Book

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:19:00 +0000

The With Hands book is complete. You can pick up a physical copy at the Chateau of a Doubt booth at the Tight Knit craft fair on black Friday, or if you don't feel so inclined, you can have a free digital copy.

With Hands Mini Documentary

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:16:00 +0000

With Hands from Emily Armstrong on Vimeo.

Apologies for the poor quality. I'm still figuring out Final Cut.
If you're featured in this video and I've spelt your name incorrectly (or anything of the sort) please contact me!
WithHandsTroy at Gmail dot com

With Hands Event: Troy / Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:37:00 +0000

Here are a couple shots from last nights With Hands event at the Troy Public Library. Thank you so much to those of you who came out!

With Hands on Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:29:00 +0000

In case you use Twitter, With Hands now has an account. Please follow!

http://www.twitter.com/withhands

With Hands Event: Troy / After much ado!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:43:00 +0000

After much ado, I have finally scheduled a date for the first official With Hands event. The focus of the event will be embroidering, because that is where I'm starting. I would really love to talk to anyone who has ideas and would like to be a part of With Hands; if you make or do anything with your hands please come chat. If you are just interested, want to learn, want to observe, then this is for you too.

Ok, the details:

Wednesday, October 14th, 6pm
Troy Public Library, 100 Second St, Troy

This will be a "drop-in" event. It does not matter that you show up when we get started, but I believe the library closes at 8....so you'll want to be there before then.

With Hands: Schenectady, Profile: Staci Elaan

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:46:00 +0000

My name is Staci Jane Elaan, I'm 31, and I'm an alternative energy engineer by trade. By day, I design generators and power inverters for wind and gas turbines, fuel cells, and solar panels. As long as I can remember I've been a gadgeteer. Even when I was little I would entheusatically tear parts out of discarded electronics and appliances to make all types of little inventions. I've always been driven to make things. I believe that when you make something and give it away, you're giving a part of you with it. Sharing something that special is so deeply rewarding that I couldn't imagine a life without doing it. I enjoy working with all mediums, but most of all mixing them all together - but the two that that I love most are big metal and electronics

With Hands: Troy / Physical Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:20:00 +0000

Yes, I am still eager to receive any Troy photos or suggestions you might have. (Schenectady and Albany as well.)

Learned to Embroider (Event: Troy / Embroidery Recap)

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:20:00 +0000

If you missed learning to embroider with me last night, fear not. I will certainly teach you, especially if you are willing to embroider a quilt square for me. Just contact me (info on right side panel). Here are some shots of successful embroidery students (that is, 100% of those who wanted to learn, and showed up, did learn):

Beautiful things were made. With hands.

Businesses you should patronize

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:28:00 +0000

Recently, due to a lack of submissions, I walked around Troy in search of Trojans who do or make things with their hands. Who is more clearly labeled as such than employees and owners of certain businesses?

I have not yet printed the photos, but here is a glimpse at the negatives:

Yes, you are very perceptive...that is slide film. (oops!)

Alright, here all the businesses you should patronize, as their owners or employees were warm, friendly and helpful.

All Brands - Vacuum Cleaners Sewing Machines Sales and Service, (New and Used) 385 4th St, Troy 271-7534

Segel Violins & A Place For Art, Sales & Repair, Gallery & Jewelry, 44 3rd St, Troy 266-9732

Troy Quick Shoe Repair, Est 1908, 81 3rd St, Troy 274-2431

The Paper Sparrow, Handmade goodies for you and yours, 288 River St, Troy 272-7227

Broken Mold Studio, "Where we teach and we throw and we pot," 284 River St, Troy 273-6041

Also, I'm still accepting submissions! Please do contact me!

Event: Troy / Embroidery

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Come Learn To Embroider!

When: Tuesday, April 7th, from 6pm-9:30pm

Where: My apartment in Troy (e-mail WithHandsTroy@gmail.com for address or directions)

What: Learn to Embroider, be a part of the construction of With Hands, and eat some delicious snacks (can I entice anyone with Banana Cookies?)

Feel free to bring embroidery hoops or thread if you have any, but if you don't -- I've got plenty.
Come with no experience, come with plenty of experience. You should be able to embroider within 20-40 minutes, I'd say.

How to make Yogurt

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:20:00 +0000

Sunny Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 17:06:00 +0000

Since it is such a nice day, today I will bring my preparatory work for With Hands out of doors, into downtown Troy. I plan on working near the library, but this is subject to change. My hope is that this will inspire conversation, and perhaps plant some seeds for collaboration and participation. I will have my camera with me. I would like to meet and photograph more local makers and do-ers. It is important to me to authentically represent the family of skilled makers and do-ers within the community. If you are in Troy, especially if you make or do something that others pay someone else (or a company) to make or do, then please come talk to me!

Vinegar is Amazing!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:58:00 +0000

Albany Schenectady Troy

I can not do it without you.

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:09:00 +0000

Residents of Albany, Schenectady, and Troy!

Economy Got You Down?
Relax! You can still provide for yourself, creating, fixing, doing with your own two hands, right? Or perhaps someone you know has taught, or can teach you such a valuable skill.

This is a call for photographs of models, resulting pictures to be used in an installation celebrating and encouraging handiwork in the community.

What I'm Looking For:

1. A photo of someone who has taught you a skill using one's hands (or of someone who possesses such a skill that you admire)
2. A photo of that person's hands with his or her handiwork.

Along with the photographs or offers to allow me to take pictures, I also welcome stories along the theme.

If you would like anything returned (physical mail) please include SASE.

E-mail: WithHandsTroy@gmail.com
WithHandsAlbany@gmail.com
or WithHandsSchenectady@gmail.com

Physical Mail:

With Hands: (Please Indicate Albany, Schenectady or Troy)
P. O. Box 1274
Troy, NY 12181

and if you're really feeling randy, check out Sparkle Mag