Michelle Gardella: The Five Question Interview

August 8, 2024August 8, 2024Leave a comment

Michelle Gardella is a photographer, cermacist, teacher, nature lover, and community builder. She lives in a magical cottage with her husband, two children, and dog Maple in in Smithville, Texas.

1. Why did you move to Smithville?

After leaving New England in our Airstream camper and traveling the country with our kids for a few years, we ended up in Austin. We stayed there for ten years, but my heart longed for small-town country living. When I visited Smithville for the first time, I wrote in my journal that I had stumbled upon the Vermont of Texas. I think I meant that the lines between the Earth and the people were blurred and the warmth of the community was unmistakeable. I bought our falling-apart cottage because I loved the Magnolia tree in the front yard and never looked back. I love it here with my entire heart.

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

I don’t know a life of not being an artist. From my first memories of making mud bowls and “cooking” them under the dryer vents of my Grandma’s backyard, it was never a decision or a choice. Whatever exists in the intersection of nature, art, and healing is what my heart is made of, I guess. There have been times I have been compelled to stop creating in an effort to get a “real” job and be more normal, but that only lasts a short time before I come to my senses.

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

Everyone should have a best friend over the age of 80.

Early morning walks are medicine.

My husband and children are my winning lottery ticket. I have no idea how I got so lucky to be loved by such incredible humans.

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

I am working on a collection of folk-inspired plates and platters. I have been visiting the library weekly this summer, reading everything about spiritual botany that I can find. If it involves mushrooms, moss, rivers, or plant medicine, I’ll read it.

5. Cake or Pie?

All of it. My love of carbs is unwavering. 🙂

…….

In September Michelle is hosting a Photo Exhibition showcasing the photography by the participants of her Community Archive Project.

Read more about this amazing project and event here.

Instagram @michellegardella
Website michellegardella.com

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WIP Wednesday: Spooky Kitties

September 28, 2022October 31, 2022Leave a comment

Halloween Cat Bunting spans about seven feet... perfect for our built-in book shelves. — *Halloween Cat Bunting spans about seven feet… purrfect for our built-in book shelves.*

These past two days have felt like an entire week. Fall is such a busy time for magazine publishing as issues are crammed with booze, holiday, and winter travel advertising. I am busy printing, knitting, and bookbinding for Luna Market and other fall and holiday maker markets while my work days have become increasingly busy.

*Nine hand-printed Halloween Cat heads are strung on seven feet of black hemp twine. Drawn and carved by hand.*

Yesterday was a particularly problem-solving kind of day. I carved this block on Sunday knowing I would come home to a quiet house last night to print, trim, and string this Halloween Cat bunting was just what I needed. Sometimes a little project just for fun is the balm I need to soothe my overworked brain.

This project has me in the mood to watch some witchy movies this weekend.

October is just around the corner and that means lots of celebrations at Chez Vee*.

* Chez Vee (for Van Landingham) is what I’ve named our charming red cottage style home.

Watching and Knitting: Bad Sisters

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022Leave a comment

Bad Sisters

Sharon Horgan’s dark comedy has the same fierceness as Pulling and Catastrophe, both co-created by Horgan. Her talent for creating and writing comedy roles for women is unrivaled.

Bad Sisters is about the five Garvey sisters and begins with the death of one of their husbands, whom the other four sisters refer to as “The Prick”. The opening credits with PJ Harvey singing Leonard Cohen’s Who by Fire is inspired. The soundtrack is amazingly eclectic with tunes from The Pogues (it is Irish after all), Fiona Apple, and Stringbean. Apple TV+ Watch the trailer

The Durrells in Corfu

I watched this on a recommendation and it’s surprisingly funny. The series is based on a true story and series of novels by the youngest Durrell about their widowed mother transplanting them from England to the island of Corfu. The sister Margo has quickly become my favorite Durrell. PBS and Amazon Prime Watch the trailer

Current WIPS

Crocheting a lovely shell stitch scarf with this beautiful Louisa Harding Giardino in Rosabella. I made a granny square throw with this yarn and think this scarf should use up the 3 remaining balls. IMHO this yarn looks better crocheted than knit.

I’m still deciding whether I want to knit more wooly garlands to have enough to sell this holiday season. They sold well last year, almost too well… which leads me to believe I was charging too little. I may just knit fewer and limit them to a couple holiday markets… though pretty sure I sold out in 2 hours at Luna Market.