Take a class with Amy!

Interview with a Teaching Artist: Amy Marcoux

How old were you when you started with textile marbling, making bling, etc.? How did you learn? Who taught you? My dad caught me using his soldering wire to make jewelry in our garage around age 8. While he was not terribly pleased at the time, he's since told me he admires my love of non-traditional art materials. I've tried my hand at many different mediums, my favorites being fibers, glass, and metal. While I've taken classes over the years, I tend to make my best creative discoveries when left to my own devices.

What's your favorite project? Why? That's like picking a favorite child! I'm really happy with my exhibition pair of scarves that are currently at Craft Studies.

Where do you most like to work? Or where would you love to work if you could? I love working in my studio office and my basement during messy projects. I really enjoy working in the studios at CraftStudies when I'm feeling collaborative. There's such a great energy when you work and learn with others.

Amy punching out buttons at CraftStudies’ 2023 Grand Opening of the WRJ studios

Image of a silk scarf with marble-like swirls in shades of pink, blue, yellow, mint green, lavender, and white.

A close-up of one of amy’s marbled silk scarves

Where do you get your materials? I get my materials everywhere! If it's not something specialty like anodized rings for maille work (I highly recommend The Ring Lord for those!) I try to use what's at hand. During my craft camps over the summer, I try to use as many household or dollar store items for tools as I can. I like to teach that tools don't always have to be expensive or fancy to be useful. 

Tell us about your favorite tool to use. I love a giant bucket. Weird, but true. I prep fabric in buckets, do cellulose dyeing in buckets, carry random tools or materials in buckets, make marbling size in buckets.... never underestimate the power of a 5 gallon bucket. Especially if it has a lid!

Any artists, books, places, etc. that you'd recommend new craftspeople to check out? I highly encourage people to visit artist open houses. My favorite is the Portsmouth open house tour, typically in November. It's so inspirational!

What are you currently listening to? I'm currently listening to Fairy Tale by Stephen King. It's a great story that is reminiscent of his early work.

What's in the trunk of your car? My trunk currently houses my hiking poles and two giant crates of psychology references that I'm moving to my new job in a few months.

Finish this sentence: If there were more hours in the day, I'd... Make art of course! Unless sleep is an option, then I'd definitely try to get more sleep.