Artist Profile: Andi Stern

Marilyn, 2008, 62″ x 76″ patchwork, applique, beads and sequins

Artist: Andrea L. Stern
Business name: The Embellishment Cafe

Website & Blog:
Embellishment Cafe
Andi Beads blog

How do you describe your work, Andi?
I work in a multitude of media but the main focus is always fiber. Each piece is made of discrete parts, whether it is an embroidery (individual stitches), quilt (individual patches) or beadwork (individual beads). I think I’ve always liked mosaics, the look of millions of tiny parts making a whole image. The Embellishment Cafe was named because at the time (1998) there were lots of “internet cafes” starting, and I liked the idea of a cafe with beads and parts. The focus at the time was on beads for embellishing, but has morphed over the years to where the main focus is on completed work with a side of beads.

What is your creative process like?
Cleaning the studio leads to some works, as with my beaded baby dress Back to School where finding a yellow and black striped button while cleaning led to a whole dialogue of yellows like first day of school pencils, etc. Usually it is that I want to do a specific process, like feel a needle moving through fabric, or making specific hand motions (weaving beads or knitting). I am constantly working, except when I am not. There is no real routine yet. I would like there to be, it is one of my intentions for 2009. I also work to the current situation: when my children were small I had to make smaller works, or chose to make smaller works, I suppose, because then I could see progress more quickly. Now that two of them are grown and the other two are housebroken and fairly self-sufficient in terms of most things I am making larger work again. It also helps that they can work on their own work in the studio while I am working on mine, the need to facilitate their creativity has dropped off with time as their skills have grown.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I grew up with artists and women who made crafts, and I have a BFA in Art History. I am primarily self-taught with the beads and knitting/crochet, though I took a workshop with Joyce Scott in 1997 that helped me become more bold with my beads and a Turtle Art Camp with Susan Shie that helped me be more bold with the quilting. Lots of that old writer’s question “What if”.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
Pen and paper if I could have nothing else.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
That old show Grace Under Fire, the main character was trying to paint and she talked to her friend Wade. He told her the story of a zen master who was sitting meditation when a fly landed on his nose. No matter how much the master swatted, the fly did not budge. He said “Be the fly.” When life gets crazy, I remind myself to “Be the fly.”

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
You learn from everything. If you are wanting to get better with a specific skill, like knitting or making a plush animal, it is ok to learn by using someone else’s pattern first (not for sale or show, just for your own skill building). Be persistent. Don’t give up.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
My kids.

What’s your favorite comfort food?
Homemade banana pudding with Nilla Wafers and Cool Whip.