WELCOME!Welcome to Grace & Diggs! My name is Linda and Grace & Diggs is my shop. It features a collection of items designed and hand made by me; items for the home, aprons, and paper party hats (wearable art, actually).
All these things are crafts that I have been making for years. As you can imagine, my home work space was overflowing and threatening to take over. When the opportunity came to occupy one of the cottages of Salem's "Artists' Row," I took it (much to the relief of my long-suffering husband). So, in addition to having a shop, my cottage also includes a workshop where I hold classes. Making things yourself is one of the best ways I know to find calm in this crazy world. The classes offered here are a great "something to do" with a group of friends or kids. No skills needed - in fact, the things made here benefit from imperfection. See "Workshops & Classes" page for full info.
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ABOUT ME
I grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and we were "cottage people." Every weekend we'd head to the lake. In the summer, I had friends to play with, but in the winter I'd entertain myself. I suppose this is why I started making things. I made dollhouses and doll clothes, drawings, little clay sculptures, you name it. I was never lonely.
This desire to make things led to the study and practice of architecture - a process I refer to that as the design of big things.
I love the big things, but it is the small things that allow us to put our stamps on the places we occupy. I sew, draw, paint and then I wonder what to do with it all. What might others find of value? Is it truly possible to support oneself by making things? What big lessons are there to learn in small tools and methods? In these technology-driven days, would other people come and make things with me? All of these questions are what I mean when I say that Grace & Diggs is an experiment in the design of small things.
There is so much more to say about this! Stay tuned if this interests you - I will get a blog and discussion space up and running soon.
This desire to make things led to the study and practice of architecture - a process I refer to that as the design of big things.
I love the big things, but it is the small things that allow us to put our stamps on the places we occupy. I sew, draw, paint and then I wonder what to do with it all. What might others find of value? Is it truly possible to support oneself by making things? What big lessons are there to learn in small tools and methods? In these technology-driven days, would other people come and make things with me? All of these questions are what I mean when I say that Grace & Diggs is an experiment in the design of small things.
There is so much more to say about this! Stay tuned if this interests you - I will get a blog and discussion space up and running soon.
ABOUT THE NAME
The name "Grace & Diggs" is my invention.
I love the word, "grace." It speaks to things that are lovely. "Digs" is reminiscent of the seventies as in, "Hey cool cat, welcome to my digs!" I added another "g" because I liked the way the word looks this way.
When I look at the things that were trendy in the seventies, I see that tastes change over time and that good taste is a subjective thing. Together, the terms "Grace & Diggs," are a mantra of sorts; pursue beauty but hold it lightly and don't forget to have fun along the way.
I love the word, "grace." It speaks to things that are lovely. "Digs" is reminiscent of the seventies as in, "Hey cool cat, welcome to my digs!" I added another "g" because I liked the way the word looks this way.
When I look at the things that were trendy in the seventies, I see that tastes change over time and that good taste is a subjective thing. Together, the terms "Grace & Diggs," are a mantra of sorts; pursue beauty but hold it lightly and don't forget to have fun along the way.
