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Grace & Diggs was started by me, Linda Mullen, as a retail shop on Salem's "Artists' Row." I have recently moved to a studio-based practice and have re-located to Mills 58 in Peabody, MA.
This photo of me was taken by John Andrews. Many of the photos I'm using on this website are his and I am so grateful for all he does for small businesses like mine. He has created an amazing resource and source of support for artists and makers. |
FAQs
Where did the idea for paper bag hats come from? How long have you been making them?
Twenty-some years ago I was working my way through architecture school and my roommate was Tony "The Rad Hatter" Melendez. Tony would hire me to work at his gigs; running workshops at street festivals and parties across the country where we'd help people make hats out of recycled paper grocery bags. As far as I know, Tony was one of the first people to make a business out of paper bag hats and the credit for that innovation is his.
I graduated from school and practiced architecture until life took a crazy spin and I found myself in Salem, MA needing a job that would provide flexibility and time to go visit my aging parents. I borrowed a page from Tony's playbook, made a few paper bag hats and found they sold very well in Salem's Halloween culture. In 2016, I had the opportunity to be a tenant on Salem's Artists' Row and to take on larger roles in various community art events. These events presented challenges to push hard on sourcing recycled material and to create work that was conceptually driven. My work evolved beyond the hats into something uniquely my own.
I graduated from school and practiced architecture until life took a crazy spin and I found myself in Salem, MA needing a job that would provide flexibility and time to go visit my aging parents. I borrowed a page from Tony's playbook, made a few paper bag hats and found they sold very well in Salem's Halloween culture. In 2016, I had the opportunity to be a tenant on Salem's Artists' Row and to take on larger roles in various community art events. These events presented challenges to push hard on sourcing recycled material and to create work that was conceptually driven. My work evolved beyond the hats into something uniquely my own.
Are you Grace? Who is Diggs? What does the name mean?
As mentioned above, I studied architecture and originally thought I would have more of a design component to this venture so I used "grace" in reference to graceful places. I added "diggs" (with an extra "g") because I've always liked this seventies slang term for home and it reminds me not to take myself too seriously. And also, I found the name fun to say.
And then, the wearable art took over. Of all the items I made and sold in my shop, I discovered the headpieces were not only the most profitable, but also the most fun to make. I watched people of all ages, races, identities try them on and smile, ham it up for the camera. I've watched sick people, elderly, shy and overlooked people stand a little taller with something outrageous on their heads. For me, this reaction is beautiful. For all the ways we get judged, for all the "digs" life dishes us, let there be equal measures of laughter, delight, inclusion, and grace.
And then, the wearable art took over. Of all the items I made and sold in my shop, I discovered the headpieces were not only the most profitable, but also the most fun to make. I watched people of all ages, races, identities try them on and smile, ham it up for the camera. I've watched sick people, elderly, shy and overlooked people stand a little taller with something outrageous on their heads. For me, this reaction is beautiful. For all the ways we get judged, for all the "digs" life dishes us, let there be equal measures of laughter, delight, inclusion, and grace.
Do you sell online?
As of early February 2020, no. Check back in a few months, though! I am working on it.
Do you run workshops for kids?
Sometimes. What I get extra excited about is running workshops for groups of adults to teach ideas that they can use with kids. This is a more cost-efficient option, but I am always willing to write a proposal for kids' events.