I wrote a book for you!!!
I have been working on this sexy beast for five years! Y’all I have never worked harder or longer on anything in my entire life. It was so important to me to create a rich, comprehensive, and fun resource for all creatives who want to use their time and talents in service to creating a more just and beautiful world - or just stave off the apocalypse.
I am THRILLED with the end result of the tremendous amount of labor that went into this book. The tools in this book will meet you where you are at and support you in leveling up your work as a change-maker. It is basically everything I know in one handy spot!
That’s right, for under $20 you can have my entire brain and a bunch of my art…because you know I filled it with amusing and entertaining things to look at too!
The publication date is October 1st but you can - and should - pre-order now. Did you know that all pre-orders count towards your first week of sales? And that an author’s first week of sales determines all sorts of things related to the financial success of the book? Now you know. So do me a solid and pre-order today!
You Can Pre-Order It Right Now!
Obviously I am a huge fan of the local independent bookstore! If that option is available to you, I recommend giving them a call or bopping in to pre-order directly through them. If that’s not an option for you, you can get your copy through any of these online locations. If you want to be extra (be extra!) you can also request a copy through your local library so they know to order a copy for the community!
A Reward For Those Who Pre-Order!
I love gifts, prizes, and rewards. Of course I am rewarding all of you who pre-order my book. Simply take a screen shot of your receipt and use the button below to fill out a simple form. I’ll email you this exclusive embroidery pattern and all of the tutorials you will need to stitch it! It’s one of my book chapter titles and I mean….aren’t we all so fun AND willing to engage in the hard work?!
More About the Book
Create change in the world with this inspiring guide to social activism, using art as a vehicle for creative resistance and community building, written by Shannon Downey – the artist and craftivist behind Badass Cross Stitch.
Art activism, artivism, craftivism, or the space where art and activism meet, is a powerful, ever-evolving social justice movement that continues to grow and diversify as more voices and mediums increasingly take part in it. In Let's Move the Needle, Shannon Downey, an outspoken voice in the craftivist movement for over a decade, meets burgeoning art activists where they are and provides a roadmap and accessible toolkit for every leg of their activist journey. Filled with self-reflective activities, exercises, and prompts, along with practical stories about the work of other art activists across mediums and throughout history, Let's Move the Needle educates and empowers readers to center their art around collective action in service of political, social or community issues they are most passionate about; affirming that everyone can be a changemaker and that change-making can be generative, enjoyable, and a bit sassy!
Save the Date
I’m going to be bouncing around the country doing fun book events (more on that soon). But in true Shannon fashion, I had to plan an EPIC PARTY to celebrate all of this work.
Chicago!
Location: Workshop 4200
Date: October 19th
Times: 5-10pm
Come experience the work of dozens of art activists from across the country, enjoy live tunes, performances, a quilt raffle and many many more surprises!
This event will be a fundraiser for the Chicago Freedom School.
The Tour
We are planning the tour now. It’s going to start in Chicago. I will head to the east coast (New England and NY). In early 2025, I will head to the west coast (Cali baby). You know how this works…I go where I am wanted! So if you have hook ups and want me to come to you, I will. Email me at: BadassCrossStitch@gmail.com.