100 days of stitched ceramics
The 100 Day Project
I spent a good portion of 2019 working on a 100 day project. The 100 Day Project is an annual virtual event, where a bunch of optimistic creative types post daily images of their projects on Instagram. 100 day projects range from writing quotes, to creating collages or paintings, to practicing calligraphy, photography, cooking, or drawing an illustration.
My project, #100daysofstitchedceramics, actually ended up being more like 150 days, because it was a more intricate, phased process than I’ve done in previous years. I knew going in that it might take longer to complete, but it was worth every extra day! I now have a collection of organic and unique little pieces, a colleague described to me as a “tide pool” to showcase.
The process
I started by shaping small hand-built greenware (clay that has not been fired) pieces in random, organic shapes, in which I made holes so I could stitch them. I didn’t necessarily know how or with what I’d stitch them (I generally didn’t count the amount of holes I pierced into them), and would make batches of them at a time when I was in the studio.
Next, these small unfired pieces went to the kiln to be bisque-fired, then glazed (or raw) and into the second and final firing. Once the ceramic processes were done, I’d stitch them using a few different types of thread and materials, including paper, hemp, bamboo, and leather. When that was done, I would photograph and post them to Instagram. Phew!
Why do it
This is my fourth time doing a 100 day project (not consecutively—I skipped a year), and as I mentioned, this project took a bit longer and was more complex that in previous years. At times, the finish line felt like forever away, and there were a few days where I was annoyed, making pieces quickly and not paying attention, just to feel like I fulfilled my responsibility to myself. There’s something interesting about the processes and outcomes of doing projects like this, where you aren’t doing it to make money or for a cause…you’re generally doing this for yourself…perhaps to prove something or to improve on something. Or, maybe you just like to torture yourself (I kid!). Regardless, I love looking back at what I’ve created and it feels fantastic knowing I finished what I set out to do.
You can do a 100 Day Project at any time, but I recommend participating with most of the internet when the project officially begins each April. This year (2020) the project starts April 7th. Find more info on doing your own project at the100dayproject.org. I’m already starting to plan mine.
