Writing Family Stories, My Process in Folklore Research

I love this collection of handwork by my grandmother. Domenica Giuffre was a master of threads -- she worked magic with embroidery, crochet, beading and the fine techniques of sewing.

There's a history behind her skills. Her techniques are based in the exquisite traditional arts of Sicilian drawn threadwork and Italian lace crochet. As I learn more about my family history, I am humbled by how important heritage is to quality of life and to our sense of community.

I am lucky to have a few precious pieces of my grandmother's work and a few photos. Although I wish I had more material items to hold and display, I'm grateful for what I have. Legacy is in our hearts, yes?

I recently completed a class on folklore study and research. I hope to write more about my grandparents, my Italian heritage and the traditional arts my grandparents practiced. I'll post more in the months ahead about my Italy trip and my family arts, but, for now, please read about my Tucson field school experience in folklore writing.

A Tucson thrift store find stirs a sewing secret

1958-1965: I was a sewer, a lover of fabrics and beads, a seamstress educated at the elbow of my mom. Mary Surfaro was truly an artisan of wondrous clothes and crafts. My eyes always followed her hands as she cut. It was a joy to watch her piece and bring fabric to life. I loved the craft and worked hard at mimicking her artistry. No matter that it was a necessity for us to make our own clothes in those days. For me, sewing was super cool.

When I hit college I grew impatient with myself and my sewing. There was no way that I could be the disciplined sewer that my mom was. My stitches did not follow her impeccable lines. Discouraged, I let my love and talent for sewing slip away.

Fast forward half a century. Here I am, nearly as old as the oldest mom of my memory. I love her and miss her as passionately as ever. In this period of my life, it would be a joy to sew with her.

I realize now that although I can't carry on my mom's meticulous seamstress skills, I can carry on her joy of the craft. I relish my fabric stashes and my sewing tools, as she did. As I sit to sew, the movement of fabric and the sewing machine hum envelope me in a strange peace. An hour will fly by and even the most crudely shaped purse or textile art gives me such satisfaction and energy.

If only bend the rules sewing had been a choice for me years ago! No matter. I have re-embraced my sewing passion and re-invented a path for myself in the craft. More photos of vintage sewing stuff on my Tucson Cowgirl blog.

Photo caption and comment: Staring at me, on a sundries table of a Tucson thrift store, were several of these perfectly packaged sewing and needle kits, circa 1950s Japan. I also scored some beautiful glass beads from "West" Germany, and needle kits from England. Posting some pix for the retro-loving designers among us. 

Surprise Balls from Tucson, for Holiday Nights

As you probably know from previous posts, I am a lover of holiday gifts like Surprise Balls. They are a Brooklyn childhood memory and a crafting passion. Instead of using paper, I cut strips from repurposed fabrics to do my winding, and I select little treasures from antique stores, toy shops or any vintage shopping haunt to make gifts within surprise balls interesting. I also borrow from nature (sea shells, tiny rocks) so that the gift giver can pass on something of meaning to the receiver.
For the Tohono Chul Park Holiday Nights Ornament display, I quilted the covering of my surprise ball using old Christmas fabric. I added a hand-sewn saguaro to the surprise ball ornament. This one is probably too filled with goodies. I'll make the ornaments a bit lighter next time around. I'll be making more, and putting up the tucson cowgirl webpage live, within one week. Hope others will want to enjoy my handmade surprise balls!

Friend, Crafter, Wonderful Mom

I'm guilty of not posting lately on Tucson Cowgirl only because of freelance work (that's good) and other matters. Today, though, I'll find time for a special recognition. Although I am not a fan of commercially-induced holidays, it's Mother's Day weekend and time for a post to honor my mom.

She and my grandma were the first crafters in my life. My mom's forte was meticulous sewing, but I also admired her talents in drawing and, later in life, her collage artwork. She would hand-letter artful commemorative announcements, then burnish the paper in some way and finally craft her artwork onto an old matchbox, book or piece of wood. I did not have a formal wedding or invitation. My mom, wanting me to have a memory of my special event, hand-lettered and crafted an invitation for me. Of course I still have her art, and treasure it more than any expensive commercial stationery I could have purchased. I grew up watching my mom's appreciation of handmade crafts. That's how my love of crafting was formed. Thanks, Mom, for that great gift.

Beyond crafting, my sister, brother and I thank my mom for so many things. Her quiet goodness was a model for our lives. Her devotion to family ensured that her children share a priceless family bond for eternity. Her work habits (into the night, doing typing jobs to help pay the bills) reinforced the importance of responsibility in our lives. Her commitment, love and friendship with our dad gave us all a goal to shoot for in our own relationships. Thanks, Mom, for a value system that has served so well in my life.

Finally, a personal thanks to my mom for helping me be the best mom I could be for my son. I was a working mom in the early 1980s. Family and the workplace still didn't mix well in corporate life and it was almost impossible to grow a management career and be a good mother. My mom was there to give me encouragement and babysitting support. But mostly I treasure her just being there - always - with her generous love, offered with no qualifications.

On this Mother's Day, I honor my mother, Mary Conti Surfaro. I also celebrate motherhood, and pray that it continues as a positive, nurturing and healing force for all living things, for our earth and whatever is beyond.