This post was originally published on Substack. My monthly-ish newsletter is a way to mark time, remind myself of what I’ve accomplished, reflect on my creative practice, and update loved ones and students who aren’t on social media. You can read, like, and comment on the original post here. Please consider subscribing to show your support!
Like February, I gave myself permission to not work on any sewing projects for most of March. It felt uncomfortable to step away: most of my income relies on sewing, so it felt like something I SHOULD be doing constantly. But I needed a break because the majority of my sewing had become for others, not myself: coming up with class ideas that people would actually register for, sewing samples that folks would like, promoting classes on social media, feeling disappointed when I had to cancel classes I was excited about due to low enrollment. Sewing became work instead of a creative outlet and started triggering my demand avoidance.
It’s so easy for the (external and self-imposed) pressure to “stick with” a single hobby or finish a project before starting another to become barriers to creative expression and productivity. I have to constantly remind myself that my AuDHD brain is driven by novelty. Learning new things and engaging with my special interest du jour brings me joy and is necessary for my wellbeing and ability to function. At the same time, my ever-contradictory AuDHD brain also likes to make up arbitrary rules about how, when, and in what order things ought to be done, which can make it difficult to be flexible and spontaneous. Here’s the approach that I’ve been taking recently:
- Check in: I think one of the trickiest things about a late diagnosis of neurodivergence is recognizing the signs of approaching burnout and adjusting course. Frequently assessing how I’m feeling (Does this activity make me feel energized or drained? Is this POTS fatigue or resistance?) can help me identify when interests have begun to feel like obligations and it’s time to pivot.
- Make space: I set boundaries around the thing I’m resisting so it takes up less time and mental bandwidth and pare back my to-do list by gently questioning my assumptions and prerequisites about what actually must get done this month. Without cutting back and making space, trying to add in creative activities that recharge me just feels like more work.
- Provide options: I intentionally select a few creative outlets to focus on for the month that I am feeling excited about—something I love but haven’t engaged with in a few seasons (film photography) and something I’ve been meaning to try but haven’t gotten around to (risograph and volunteering). I’ve found that I always need a few options to choose from to minimize demand avoidance, and that a month is a good timeframe for me to thoroughly hyper-fixate on a topic before moving on to something new.
- The last and most important step that I encourage you to try this month is to follow your interest. Give yourself permission to pursue what brings you joy and excitement today. Trust that everything else will still be waiting for you when you’re ready to return to it.
makes
risograph prints
I took two risograph classes at Outlet PDX this month. The Risograph Basics class might have been the most fun I’ve had in a class (and I have taken MANY classes). I’d recommend it to everyone, whether you’re a practicing artist or someone trying to rekindle your creativity for the first time as an adult. We experimented with different mark-making techniques to see how they’d turn out, then created our own edition of two-color riso prints. In the second class, we learned how to print a photograph in four separate color layers (yellow, magenta, cyan, then black) to approximate a CMYK process. It was so fun to see the print develop with each new layer! In both classes, we got to take home a print made by everyone else to build our riso collections. Let me know if you’re interested in purchasing one of my prints (sliding scale $10–20).
film photography
I’ve been meaning to try out the new community darkroom that opened up in St. Johns last year, so I signed up for a darkroom refresher class which came with a couple weeks of trial membership. Photography spaces are not always the most welcoming, so I was pleasantly surprised by the Franklin FOTO community. Everyone I’ve met there so far—the instructor (Jake Nelson), the owners, and the other members using the darkroom—have been kind, welcoming, and encouraging. Franklin FOTO offers classes, open darkroom hours (5 days a week!), memberships, and social events, all available on a sliding scale to make film photography more financially accessible. After starting my film journey at PHX Film Revival, I’m so grateful PDX finally has a similar community space. Here are some of my favorite silver gelatin prints I made this month:
zines!
I contributed one of my black & white film photos to the Something Good Happened Here community fundraising zine organized by Portland Zine Meetup. The zine documents acts of care, joy, and solidarity that happened in PDX and will warm your heart. If you’d like to buy a copy of the zine (sliding scale of $15–25), message Portland Zine Meetup or visit Secret Room Press. 100% of proceeds go to the Trans Relocation Fund 🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️🏳️⚧️
ceramics
I finished up another ceramics class at Radius last month. This term I focused on intentionally shaping cylinders and kept my glazing simple (clear glaze with the raw red clay peeking through) so they look a bit more cohesive. Next term my goal is to work on throwing larger pieces—the amount pieces shrink in the kiln still surprises me, even after a year!
classes
I taught another session of the Klum House Bag Lab this month. It was a smaller group than last time, but I love being able to provide focused, individual attention and really get to know the students. In a sweet full-circle moment, one of the students in the class was the person who first taught me how to sew two years ago ❤️ The other student was a super enthusiastic beginner who wanted to know All The Things (tbh, my favorite kind of student). They both made incredible bags and I didn’t take a single picture.
I also taught a kids sewing class during spring break (drawstring backpacks) and all three kiddos ended up buying more fabric afterwards to make more at home, so I’m counting that as a win!
little pleasures
- SPRING BLOOMS!!!! Trillium! Magnolia! Cherries! Early tulips! I am the person you pass on the sidewalk and try to avoid eye contact with because I stop at every tree to inspect the buds.
- I saw a sweet lil rough-skinned newt (full of neurotoxins) up close for the first time.
- The Cheese & Crack Snack Shop Dirt Cup Sundae—not even their best sundae (that’s the Peanut Butter Oreo)—but I must have one every year to satisfy childhood nostalgia.
- I finally read N.K. Jemisin’s The Broken Earth Trilogy (first book is The Fifth Season) and highly recommend for anyone who enjoys sci-fi, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic genres.
- D and I loved the altered photographs and collages by Debra Achen and Charlotta María Hauksdóttiron at Blue Sky and MF at Waterstone Gallery. We also LOVED the two gallery pups at Waterstone who gave us ALL the snuggles.
looking forward to
- More signs of spring: birdsong ratcheting up, irises and rhododendron beginning to bloom.
- I’m taking a workshop at Wildcraft with Julie Beeler, the author/creator of the Mushroom Color Atlas. I’ve been wanting to take this class for years and am excited to learn how to use mushrooms to make vibrant dyes, pigments, paints, and ink.
- The Oregon Naturalist Field Course starts this month, so I get to spend two days learning about the ecology, geology, watersheds, and fisheries of the Columbia River Gorge.
- As part of my volunteer training, I’m shadowing school field trips at Bird Alliance of Oregon and public tours at Hoyt Arboretum. After shadowing a couple times, I’ll start leading my own!
upcoming shows
Five of my photographs are featured in four community art exhibitions this month:
- One of my silver gelatin darkroom prints (magnolia unfurling) is on view in the Queer Artist Gallery at the new location of Always Here Bookstore until May 9.
- Two of my silver gelatin darkroom prints (chat & snack) will be on view at the Oregon Society of Artists and Portland Photographers’ Forum 2025 Photography Exhibition (Capture the Experience). The opening reception at the OSA Gallery is this Thursday, April 3, from 5:30–7:30pm.
- One of my film photos (euphoria) was selected for The Sexual Assault Resource Center of Oregon’s 2025 Reclaim/Reclama magazine (Joyful Resistance). The magazine artists will be highlighted in an Art Walk at the Reclaim/Reclama LIVE event on Wednesday, April 9, from 5:30–8:00pm at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Nature Center in Hillsboro, Oregon. The event will also feature performances, presentations, and a Survivor Speaker panel.
- Two of my film photos (euphoria & grief, hope) were selected for a communal piece called “We Take Care of Us” featured in the Shift Work: Queer Artists in Tectonic Times exhibition. The photographs are for sale and benefit p:ear, a local organization working with unhoused youth. There is a joint opening reception for Shift Work and Holding Our Own: Works by LGBTQIA2S+ Ceramic Artists & Potters at the Front & Center Galleries at the Multnomah Arts Center on Thursday, April 10, from 6:00–8:00pm.
upcoming classes
kid & teen sewing (8+ years)
- PPS No-School Day Artist Pencil Roll (Apr 7): sold out!
- The Modern Domestic summer class calendar is coming soon! I’ll be teaching most Thursdays from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
adult sewing (15+ years)
- Pottery & Workwear Apron (Apr 11–25)
- Noodlehead Bags & Accessories Lab (May 15–29)
keep in touch
Thanks very much for reading! If you’d like in-person support and instruction, please sign up for my classes at Modern Domestic or reach out to schedule a private lesson. If you have any questions, feedback, or corrections regarding this post, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
further reading
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