Crafts – KATARINA THORSEN [POSTSTREET]

Sock owls and creative engagement

These crazy little sock owls are wonderful for creating dialogue around the craft table! Our intergenerational sock owls will be on display next week at Mulberry PARC’s Ignite Your Passion event (September 28, 2017 2-4 PM) as part of ACTIVE AGING WEEK! See also:

Burr, Washington, Jefferson, King George sock monkeys. Hamilton in my heart.

I had planned to be in New York City on July 28th this summer, sitting at the Rogers Theatre with my daughter celebrating, watching Hamilton, the Musical. We would have just completed two days of sock monkey workshops at Graham Windham with children and families (Eliza Hamilton’s orphanage). I was going to bring my sock…

The Mulberry Panels: art project with older adults

I have the pleasure of working with an extraordinary group of individuals at Mulberry PARC doing art projects that range from drawing, interactive art, sock animals and group painting/quilt! We have had 5 sessions so far and, at this point, confirmed 10 more that will take us into November! My goal with the art sessions is…

The Heron Feathers: 100 Herons Art Project

THE PROJECT: I am creating of twelve 20″ x 30″ panels depicting a total 100 Herons [between June 14 to July 31, 2017]. For every $25 raised I will draw a heron! THE SPONSORED ART will allow me to develop and provide much-needed FREE ART LESSONS for REFUGEE YOUTH from war-torn countries at a Lower Mainland program in July…

Poststreet deluxe Sock Monkey Kits! Order now!

My deluxe sock monkey kits come with: Pre-sewn sock monkey body (surprise high quality socks) Buttons Embroidery thread Needle Felt heart gLOVE bird Link to how-to video Instruction sheet Small original surprise drawing JUST ADD STUFFING! $30.00 CAD (includes shipping) THROUGH PAYPAL Or Email Transfer to britakatarina@gmail.com CONTACT ME FOR SPECIAL PRICES FOR BULK ORDERS

From the heart- a 15-day journal exercise Part 5

I dedicate today’s post to my soul-sister Patti Henderson and to our deep HEART chats. — I am re-reading Stephen Levine‘s A Year to Live- how to live this year as if it were your last as a personal exercise schedule to take time to slow down and truly listen to my heart. Recall: Part 1: Catching Up with Your…

From the heart- a 15-day journal exercise: Part 3

I am re-reading Stephen Levine‘s A Year to Live- how to live this year as if it were your last as a personal exercise schedule to take time to slow down and truly listen to my heart. Recall: Part 1: Catching Up with Your Life Part 2: Practice Dying Part 3: Preparing to Die 1. Embroider your heart Here is a…

What the sock pigs taught me…

This past Sunday morning- hanging out on Vancouver Island, my 4 friends and I had a hankering to create sock pigs. There is such magic in sitting around the dining room table at my friends’ house, surrounded by crafting supplies creating. We laugh, we go deep, we eat, we drink coffee, we share time. It…

Poststreet custom order sock monkeys.

I’ve had some interesting requests and ideas over the years and I do love the challenge of finding materials and interpreting the subject. Here are some samplings and planning sketches… Contact me for your custom order and pricings! CONTACT KATARINA: EMAIL

Traditional craft: handwoven treasure by “Domestic Intervention Co.”

Being Swedish, I was raised surrounded by beautiful handwoven cloths. When I think about Sweden, I see looms. Textile art is in my DNA. My mother loved to tell me stories about my great grandmother– my name sake, Brita. Brita raised so many children with little money. She’d walk to town and check out the…

Eliza’s Story

“210 years later, Eliza Hamilton’s orphanage — now a family services agency called Graham Windham — is still helping kids get their shot. Graham Windham serves over 4,500 kids and families each year. Just like Eliza’s husband, these kids survived a tough start in life. Graham Windham provides services like family counseling and treatment, after…

Operation Sock Monkey Project Sophia

SOCK MONKEY THERAPY AND CRAFTIVISM PROJECT SOPHIA Sophia, age 16, was born with a life limiting condition and she has been part of the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice community for 14 years. Sophia loves to spread joy around and this includes handing out countless sock monkeys (made by her and our Operation Sock Monkey communtiy…

My mother’s tapestry…

Today would have been my mother’s 80th birthday. It was joyous to celebrate her by celebrating my nephew’s 5th birthday (his official birthday is on the 19th) in my brother’s household filled with kids and mayhem, food and laughter. Our growing family certainly is my mother’s tapestry- her woven threads. We are the weavers of our…

Stitched together with good intentions- a grumble of [sock] pugs!

On September 1, 2016, Fall weather and autumn vibe seemed to come on full force here in Vancouver BC. Along with the autumn atmosphere comes the rejuvenated desire to craft, to create product and re-open the ETSY shop and the reminder to focus on the Winter craft fair to do list. So I put away my other work…

Special sale: Dead Bird Collection- embroidered drawings

I am a BIG BIG fan of symbology, imagery and metaphor. I feed on it like some kind of voracious vampire. As I was collecting a few books from my personal library to donate to our local community mini library, I pulled out an old book I had forgotten about. Oh, how I love…

The psychopomp and the crow- made from @Socksmith socks!

I received these beautiful skeleton socks from Socksmith in the mail on Monday! Oh I love them! Socksmith has been a long time favorite sock company for me ever since my first visit to Sockshop on Haight back in October 2010! Here is the blog post about that visit: LINK I remained a long time fan:…

Embroidered drawings and forensic taphonomy

My passion project, Molly- a true crime analysis, centres around a 63 year old Vancouver cold case. On January 15, 1953, the skeletal remains of two children were found in the forest of Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The victims became known as the Babes in the Wood. The physical evidence indicated that the children were killed…

The sock monkey and the paper dress.

I love making paper dresses! — — Check out: I’m obsessed with my paper dress The bypoststreet paper dress The bypoststreet punk paper dress My dress hangs there I finally made one for a sock monkey. Surprised that it took me so long! Not sure why it is so satisfying, but it is! — —…

Sock Monkey Social- intergenerational craftivism!

Operation Sock Monkey (OSM) was approached by Langara Recreation Leadership student, Matthew Sung, a few months ago regarding an intergenerational project: Sock Monkey Social. We gave him some pointers and links to a couple videos (how to make a sock monkey and a feature on OSM’s founder, Lindsey Hodgson): How To Make A Sock Monkey (HD) from Fredrik Thorsen…

I’m raising funds to provide free sock monkey therapy!

I am selling sock monkeys and sock birds on my ETSY site to raise for sock monkey therapy! See selection at: 100% of proceeds go towards me providing free sock monkey therapy workshops for local at risk youth in Vancouver BC Canada! Sock monkey therapy creates a safe space for youth to dialogue while delivering…

Sock Rottweiller plans!

Quite a few years ago, I designed my first sock pug. Since then I have made many, and they continue to be very popular! My pugs are available made to order on my ETSY site for $40.00 USD. Due to multiple requests, I am now tackling a Sock Rottweiller! According to my plans, they will be a…

My personal #Chakra #SelfCare #CheckIn #Toolkit

I can’t help but love the magical thinking that happens when considering the chakras! The 7 Chakras are the energy centers in our body in which energy flows through. Blocked energy in our 7 Chakras can often lead to illness so it’s important to understand what each Chakra represents and what we can do to…

Special edition sugar skull sock monkey

This handmade, handsewn sock monkey is a special version of my sugar skull sock monkey line! She has an embroidered face and her dress is soft stretch cotton with crow design. She is adorned with flowers and a little bird sits atop her head. Materials: Work socks Hypo-allergenic polyester fibre stuffing Embroidery thread Cotton Felt…

Operation Sock Monkey Booth at the Strathcona Craft Fair Nov 28! And Latest Updates!

My incredible Operation Sock Monkey Western Division team of youth, teachers, support staff, community members of all ages have been hard at work since July, volunteering time and donating supplies and monkeys. And now part of this great sock monkey collection goes on sale this Saturday at the Strathcona Craft Fair 10 AM-4 PM! 601…

Sock monkey with hummingbirds #craftivism

“If the hummingbird shows up in your life as a spirit animal, it may remind you to enjoy life’s simple pleasures and take time to enjoy yourself. The hummingbird’s wisdom carries an invitation to take part in and draw to you life’s sweetness, like you would drink the nectar of your own flower.” [source] — —…

My special hand-sewn sock monkey kits now on Etsy!

Sock monkey kits! Now on my ETSY SITE! My special hand-sewn sock monkey kit includes: • Pre-sewn sock monkey body (ready to stuff and assemble and personalize) • Needle and thread • Felt heart • Button eyes • A little worry bird (made from glove finger) • How-to info • Information about my local to…

Craft: three birds, two monkeys, one tea towel.

This cozy sock monkey measures 18 inches tall and wears a tea towel dress and a little bird on her head. Let her accompany you in your kitchen; she’s washable- so let her infuse your kitchen with magic as you wipe your hands on her dress. The little blue bird adds an extra delight and…

Owl wisdom

Taking a somewhat silent retreat today to regroup and prepare for transitions. Picked up an old sweater (80% merino wool, 20% cashmere) and created these little one inch plus tall baby owls. Perfect for holding in the palm while figuring stuff out. I have always found that sewing and drawing owls is a powerful experience. Stay…

Craftivism: Operation Sock Monkey’s Hummingbird Project

Today I worked with a group of Operation Sock Monkey craftivists to create hummingbirds for a very special cause. Over 5 hours, we created 40 little ‪hummingbirds‬ for the Liz Elliot Memorial Ceremony and Potlatch happening on September 11, 2015 ‪at the SFU Centre for ‪Restorative Justice. SFU criminologist Liz Elliott, who was a champion of restorative justice,…

ART-INTERPRETED PERSONALIZED EMBROIDERED PORTRAITS- now available to order

Portrait illustrated here of Ixquel Delaluna — ORDER YOUR ART-INTERPRETED PERSONALIZED EMBROIDERED PORTRAIT: ONLY $175 FOR 12″X17″ PORTRAIT (plus $20 shipping when using PayPal) HOW TO PAY: 1. Email transfer to britakatarina@gmail.com (save on shipping costs) 2. PAYPAL EMAIL ME FOR MORE INFO

Recycled sock craft: dead crow. #Graphicnovel fundraiser.

The crow guides my healing journey. It gives me the courage to enter the darkness of the unknown and to let go of fear. The crow reminds me to laugh, live and love fiercely as I embrace my life’s mission. According to folk lore, finding a dead crow implies good fortune awaits. I feel they…

Autopsy and the somewhat autobiographical nature of my graphic novel

I have been on a bit of blog-haitus of late. Just experienced an amazing pull back into the past as a dear friend spent 9 days here visiting from Sweden. We dove deep. Real deep. Drenched in Swedish. Endless necessary exhilarating conversation. Fully open and torn open- finding old wounds long hidden- releasing them. Reflecting…

Lilla My #fanart custom made composition books.

I love customizing composition books. Prepping a new one for today. I am particularly in love with this one so I’m making this version available to you! Lilla My fan art custom made composition books: Ready to contain your hopes, wishes, dreams, ramblings, musings, to-do’s, purges, goals etc. A safe place to vent as you…

10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 9: Frida and the magpie portrait

I’ve been celebrating my blog with an art event. The event honors the woman who inspires me to keep it going as an artist: Frida Kahlo. — For 10 Tuesdays, I have been creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo (plus some additional posts here and there) in some form/medium or another. It may be a…

10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas: Frida No. 8: Dia de los Muertos Sock Monkey (made to order)

I’m celebrating my blog with an art event. The event honors the woman who inspires me to keep it going as an artist: Frida Kahlo. — For 10 Tuesdays, I have been creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise….

Limited edition hand-embroidered print sale #graphicnovel

— I am making available 10 hand-embroidered prints entitled Who is it that can tell me who I am? featuring an original image from my graphic novel, Molly. — — The print captures the moment a crow, the magician of the forest, adorned by a child’s skull as a crown, looks, with intense curiosity, into Lost Lagoon…

Day 4 and 5 Inside Out Project Summer 2015: Digging Deeper

INSIDE OUT PROJECT: OWN YOUR JOURNEY- Breaking the cycle of violence through creativity Inside Out Project – Own Your Journey SUMMER 2015 is a three week intensive arts-based program running out of Mountainside Secondary School (July 6-24, 2015) for youth ages 13-20 that uses the vehicles of therapeutic art, photography and stop motion animation to teach life and…

Day 3 Inside Out Project Summer 2015 #ownyourjourney Day 3: animation and anatomical hearts

Update- SOLD: Art sale to celebrate Frida’s birthday! One of a kind package.

FRIDA KAHLO BORN JULY 6, 1907 To celebrate the woman who inspires me everyday- I want to spread the love, so I am releasing these 4 original interpretive portraits of Frida as a package deal for only $135 CAD ($106 USD) includes shipping. First come first serve. Email me to purchase. UPDATE July 7, 2015: SOLD…

Happy birthday, Frida! Frida No.7: Fetal Frida Sock Doll

Frida Kahlo b. July 6, 1907 See Frida No. 1-6: LINK