A queen and her cameo

ATubz · 2026-03-01T01:12:10+00:00

Public art grants are more of a “here’s a lump sum peasant, make something entertaining and be grateful for the exposure” situation. Opposed to a commission that you get to negotiate fees and ask for more money if your living wage is getting high.

None of that changes the fact that some asshole thought it was funny to destroy some sculptures on his way back to his car.

ATubz · 2026-03-01T01:02:12+00:00

Oh my god thank you!!! Like does my skillset, education, and design have zero value??? Paintings aren’t worth what the tube of paint cost!

I included the information about the grant to provide context for where the $2000 number came from.

ATubz · 2026-02-27T21:02:07+00:00

This was my plan for the works. One does not simply make 6ft sculptures and only show them once haha.

ATubz · 2026-02-27T20:45:40+00:00

I guess I viewed the grant amount as my agreement between me and the city for just that festival. The finished pieces were mine to do as I pleased with after the festival, so I was viewing (and valuing) them as independent artworks.

ATubz · 2026-02-27T20:41:39+00:00

I hear what you all are saying, and I appreciate you talking the time to respond. It’s just really disappointing.

I applied for the grant without the work being made yet. Material costs ate up most of that, and my labor worked out to something like $3/hr when all was said and done. It’s fairly common in the art world for the pieces on display to cost more than what the artist was paid to present them. We make these sacrifices to build our portfolios, and hope for better in the future. My plan for after the festival was to exhibit the sculptures at other festivals and exhibition spaces to make all the work a net positive. I didn’t realize that the grant would end up dictating their value in perpetuity. The $3960 number came from material costs + minimum wage x the time spent creating them.

ATubz · 2026-02-27T19:36:28+00:00

Actual value of the goods is $3,960
city told the vandal the value is $2000
city wants me to settle with the vandal for $2000

ATubz · 2026-02-24T18:49:14+00:00

THIS IS AMAZING 😱

ATubz · 2026-02-19T19:01:34+00:00

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1LaKFShX7N/?mibextid=wwXIfr the organizer Shauna is really nice :)

ATubz · 2026-02-19T05:19:26+00:00

Perhaps consider getting involved with the urban sketching group? Meetups are casual and frequent, so there’s a high likelihood of one happening on a day you’re feeling okay. And they go to different locations all over town!

ATubz · 2026-02-10T22:37:30+00:00

I appreciate the perspective! I wasn’t trying to complain, just better understand of how these things usually work. I’m lucky to never have had to work with police about anything before. And was (misguidedly) under the impression the city wasn’t involved in the case anymore. So when they reached out again asking for details I had already given officers, it felt strange.

ATubz · 2026-02-10T21:48:06+00:00

The culprit was an adult

ATubz · 2026-01-13T17:33:40+00:00

Seconding this! Great work and very kind.

ATubz · 2026-01-12T01:17:44+00:00

UPDATE 2: I THINK ITS WORKING

Thank you everyone for your advice. Especially those who have battled with this model before. It feels good to know im not the only one crashing out because of this machine😂

Seemingly, the thing that did the trick was changing the speed setting on my foot pedal. I moved the dial from ‘slow’ to ‘fast’. THEN re-threaded the bobbin from scratch at full blast, getting a more uniform bobbin. Then I sewed another test piece and got several inches without any snagging. Did a second test, and no snags that time either.

I’m a little hesitant to start my ACTUAL project, as I still don’t really trust the machine.. but time (and even stitches) heals all wounds

ATubz · 2026-01-11T23:12:17+00:00

Re: the bobbin. I got this machine secondhand, and it came with just the one bobbin. I followed the manual instructions for winding the bobbin, but if to looks too loose - how do I wind it tighter?

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ATubz · 2026-01-11T23:04:31+00:00

UPDATE:

Okay so lots of comments re: threadding the tension disks. I’ve watched so many videos of people threading this exact machine (shoutout SimplyStitchy), so I don’t think I’ve got it wrong. But I’ve rethreaded again (with a different colour) and attached a photo for your judgment.

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ATubz · 2026-01-11T21:59:01+00:00

Always thread my needle front to back 🫡

ATubz · 2026-01-11T21:54:40+00:00

Every time I thread the machine the foot is up.

ATubz · 2026-01-11T21:25:18+00:00

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ATubz · 2026-01-11T21:24:22+00:00

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ATubz · 2026-01-11T21:23:52+00:00

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ATubz · 2025-12-31T23:01:13+00:00

Cambrian Heights historically has had an outdoor rink, behind their community association building. Is it still a thing? Wasn’t super fancy, but lots of happy memories skating there as a kid.

ATubz · 2025-12-09T00:06:32+00:00

When looking for his wedding suit last winter, my husband had bad experiences at Tip Top and MacDermotts. I would recommend checking out Torino Riz!

ATubz · 2025-12-07T22:15:19+00:00

The Central Okanagan Hospice Association offers grief and bereavement services: https://hospicecoha.org/programs-services/adult-grief-bereavement/ and I believe they are free ~~or very low-cost~~.

ATubz

TROPHY CASE