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HOT TALKS: Leanne Prain
October 23, 2014
 

Sewing Our Stories: Stitch Narratives
 
Inspired by a series of epiphanies that she had while researching multiple books on textiles, author Leanne Prain will take you through a personal journey of how multiple conversations with textile artists resulted in her obsession with linking the stuff we make to the act of storytelling. Amid the weft and weave of textiles, she has found societal commentary, personal confessions, humor, fictional dalliances, the secret lives of oppressed people, and simple snapshots of individual experiences. She believes that weaving a tale or dropping a thread can take on new meaning when we start to see textiles beyond the narrow scope of functional objects but instead, as an important part of the human experience.

From her research into the many motivations of those who participate in the yarn bombing movement, to a candid interview with a man who learned how to embroider while incarcerated, to a woman who stitches recollections of eHarmony dates on hankies; Leanne will share how she thinks that textiles can serve to tell us about ourselves and the lives of those around us. Talk followed by Q&A.

Leanne Prain is a Vancouver-based writer, maker, and graphic designer. She is the author of three books: Strange Material: Storytelling Through Textiles (October 2014); Hoopla: The Art of Unexpected Embroidery; and Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti (co-authored with Mandy Moore), all published by Arsenal Pulp Press.

In 2005, Leanne co-founded a stitch and bitch called Knitting and Beer in order to expand her knitting skills at a pub. While that has group disbanded, she continues to be amazed at what can be created with two needles and a bit of yarn. In 2006, she was introduced to knit graffiti (aka Yarn Bombing) via the Internet, which resulted in a downright obsession with the political and cultural aspects of modern textiles. Once the keeper of the infamous knit graffiti blog yarnbombing.com, she now lives online at leanneprain.com.

HOT TALKS: Miranda Lievers
August 21, 2014
 

In a world where we’re inundated with Pinterest-perfect snapshots of seemingly impeccably executed culinary adventures, craft projects, and even home renovations, it’s enough to assume that everyone else has got this already and that you should probably just stay in bed. Not often perfect (but usually close enough), the “sure why not?” approach can lead to a funny story, a new skill, and the courage to say yes again. As someone without that voice in the back of my head telling me I can’t do something, my initial response is most typically along the lines of “how hard can it be?!” Turns out, it’s usually the right call. Join me in a conversation about trying anything once, even when logic might suggest that something is probably better left to the experts! 30 minute talk followed by Q&A.

Miranda Lievers is a Railtown based entrepreneur with a passion for all things small business and DIY. After jumping ship from her fast-track corporate life, she dove head on into the photography studio she started with her husband Reilly. Now in their 11th year, her company Blue Olive Photography has earned countless accolades including being named among the most inspiring photographers in Canada and the best wedding photographers in Vancouver a few years in a row. Outside of running her studio, Miranda can usually be found throwing parties to connect like-minded people, chasing after her busy toddler, or getting way too excited about the next project she’s about to tackle.