Working through changes in the gig economy

Over the last couple years, I’ve experienced a shift in the types of teaching gigs that I get booked for. I don’t know if this is due to a changing economy that’s hitting 40% of our population pretty hard, the lifecycle of aging quilt guilds (and from the modern quilt exodus), and I’ve also been told by many program chairs that they are only booking 2 to 3 out of town teachers a year, and many guilds have dropped down to one workshop day, because they have trouble filling two.

So, because I won’t get on a plane to teach just one workshop (it’s too much travel time involved for the amount of money) I now teach at guilds less and for retreats more, which comes down to lengthier teaching gigs, but less bookings throughout the year.

A year ago Carrie Bloomston wrote an honest, and heartfelt explanation on her blog about why she was quitting the gig life and got a full time job, she just couldn’t make ends meet anymore, and her post was one I could really relate to as a sole income teaching artist. Over the last couple years, my teaching income has shrunk while living expenses have continued to rise. I’m still eeking out a meager living through a variety of revenue streams and I’m not quite ready to throw in the towel yet, but I certainly think about it.

Last year, my daughter Indigo had a job in the makerspace of our local community college where she was taking computer graphics and 3-d modeling classes, and she often brought home things that she made on the 3-d printers, and large format digital printer. I became very intrigued by her access to this kind of equipment and thought how cool it would be to use some of that equipment.

If you’re unfamiliar with a Makerspace, they are kind of like a library of tech equipment like; large format printers, 3-d printers, electronics (computers/robotics), laser cutters, large woodworking and metal arts equipment, digital routers, etc. Equipment that would be beyond the average persons income to buy, but students can have access to using it for school projects or training for jobs.

Last January, to supplement my income I took a part time job in the makerspace teaching mini workshops two afternoons a week during the spring semester. It has turned into a great side gig that I can work around my existing teaching schedule and fill some of the bigger gaps that occur during the year, and I get access to the machines!!

After teaching adults in quilting/textile arts for 15+ years, it has been a dramatic shift teaching young adults, 18-30 years old, male and female with little to no experience in textiles that come and go continuously over the 4 hour time period of my shift. The fun part about this job is I can teach whatever I want and considering how many different types of art/craft techniques I like to dabble in, I have an endless stream of things I can teach these kids, and I often spend time helping them mend things too.

It was really funny during my first couple weeks working in the makerspace, it was like being out on the street with kibble surrounded by feral cats.

I sat down at the main table with a pile of metal embossing supplies. That’s right, like crows, I hoped to lure them over with shiny objects. I started embossing a piece of aluminum, while the students kept to the perimeter of the room, watching from distance, until one kid finally came over and asked what I was doing, and I slowly lured him in. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the others watching, seeing if it was safe to approach. After about 20 minutes, another kid came over and asked what we were doing, and before long I had 4 of them sitting and working designs into metal.

For the first month, that’s basically how each day started. Then the trust began to build, and I started getting asked what I was going teach that day soon after I walking in.

One thing that surprised me, was how many of the guys wanted to learn to sew. The makerspace has two heavy duty sewing machines and a serger. I still need to learn how to use the serger.

I got Jackson, a talented photographer, started by teaching him how to sew a canvas tote.

I’ve made several projects printing images of my paintings and quilts on banner vinyl and then sewing them into totes and zippered pouches.

The zippered pouches are something I’ll eventually stock in my shop. I made 10 pouches during the semester and sold 5 of them at my last gig and then sold another on the plane coming home after pulling out one that holds my embroidery supplies. Now I’ve completely run out and am anxious for the fall semester to start so I can print some more.

Gelli plate printing turned out to be immensely popular with the students.

Many students come by the makerspace between classes and can’t focus on something too in depth, so mono printing has been ideal to do with the flow of kids coming in an out and only having 20-40 minutes to sit down and create. They absolutely love it.

I also find great cast offs from the wood shop to use for making patterns in the ink. Now the guys in the wood shop check with me before they throw weird shapes in the trash. 😁All those fabulous circles are from laser cutter scraps.

To continue in the printmaking theme we carved small rubber stamps. I plan to do more of this on a larger scale with the students in the fall.

Now of course, I worked my way up to painting textiles!

and then shibori

I thought the space also really needed some technology/maker themed prayer flags, so the kids could try their hand at screen printing.

I would like to work the kids up to more complex projects, maybe some simple patchwork? but I’m not sure how successful I’ll be considering it can get pretty chaotic in the there at times with so many students using all the various pieces of equipment at the same time.

Now that I’m finding the groove, and figuring out how how to make things work in the makerspace, I’m looking forward to fall semester where we’ll start the school year off with an indigo vat and explore shibori techniques.

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Hey, Northern California

Join me in beautiful Santa Rosa, California August 2,3, where I’ll be teaching two workshops at the new Meissners store.

On Friday- everything you ever wanted to know about painting on fabric, from backgrounds, to smooth gradations, avoiding bleeding and painting details. Lots of tips on how to solve common problems painting on fabric.

and Saturday- the ever popular Tea & Ephemera, an intro to mixed media. A day packed with techniques, from drawing on tea bags, collaging paper imagery, printing with thermofax screens, rubber stamps, and using stencils with paint sticks.

In the mean time,

Keep creating,

Judy

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I’d love to spark your creativity at one of these upcoming events:

2019

August 2, 3 Meissners Santa Rosa, CA Tea & Ephemera and Painting Imagery with Textile Paints

September 27, 28 River City Quilt Show, Sacramento, CA
Color Theory, and Painting Imagery with Textile Paints

October 31-November 2 International Quilt Festival, Houston
2-day Paint and Printapalooza, and Tea and Ephemera

2020

Craft Napa Jan 15-18, 2020!

New Zealand February 2020! Christchurch, Napier, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Whatakane, New Plymouth, Ngarawhahia, and Whangerei

May 27-31 Woodland Ridge Retreat, Menomonie, WI
Tea & Ephemera and Painted Imagery

July Australia! More info TBA

October 18-24 Hudson Valley Quilt Retreat, Greenville, NY
Paint and Printapalooza

ABOUT JUDY
Judy is an artist, explorer, image wrangler, knowledge seeker, instructor, speaker, creative alchemist, and purveyor of inspiration, helping others channel creativity on a daily basis.