Shannon Downey
@badasscrossstitch.bsky.social
Art activist. Craftivist. Chicagoan. Educator. President of the Joyful Menace Society. My book, Let’s Move The Needle, is out now. 🖖🏼. Big fan of libraries and dogs. Super 🏳️🌈. Gen X
Pinned
Let's Move the Needle: An Activism Handbook for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers; Build Community and Make Change! a book by Shannon Downey
Create change in the world with this inspiring guide to social activism, from the artist and craftivist behind Badass Cross Stitch. Craftivism, or the space where art and activism meet, is a powerful...
bookshop.org
It’s so weird spending 5 years working on something in service to others and then it’s out in the world and you have to spend all your time being like “hey will you buy this and read it bc it’s the biggest thing I’ve ever done and I would hate for it to go to waste” 😂
bookshop.org/p/books/let-...
bookshop.org/p/books/let-...
LOOK AT YOU!!!!!!!!
I was having a rough time with lettering on these samplers I started months ago that I just stopped doing them all together. Then yesterday @badasscrossstitch.bsky.social taught me that the key was smaller stitches on curved letters. Progress has been made
December 7, 2025 at 5:47 PM
LOOK AT YOU!!!!!!!!
Reposted by Shannon Downey
Pantone really said MORE WHITE in trumps America
pantone just named landlord white the color of the year 2026, WE NEED TO BUILD HOUSES
December 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Pantone really said MORE WHITE in trumps America
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should and it definitely doesn’t mean you have to.
December 3, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should and it definitely doesn’t mean you have to.
I don’t understand calling podcasts podcasts when they are video recordings that you are meant to watch.
It’s like an endless circle of reinventing things we have already invented and tried to abandon.
It’s like an endless circle of reinventing things we have already invented and tried to abandon.
December 1, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I don’t understand calling podcasts podcasts when they are video recordings that you are meant to watch.
It’s like an endless circle of reinventing things we have already invented and tried to abandon.
It’s like an endless circle of reinventing things we have already invented and tried to abandon.
Last zoom workshop of the year! Make your holiday gifts.
Pay-what-you-can
12/6 at 1pm ct
www.eventbrite.com/e/1975114061...
Pay-what-you-can
12/6 at 1pm ct
www.eventbrite.com/e/1975114061...
Intro to Embroidery with Badass Cross Stitch
Learn to embroider, stitch something brilliant, have a laugh, try something new! Just in time to make all your holiday gifts!
www.eventbrite.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Last zoom workshop of the year! Make your holiday gifts.
Pay-what-you-can
12/6 at 1pm ct
www.eventbrite.com/e/1975114061...
Pay-what-you-can
12/6 at 1pm ct
www.eventbrite.com/e/1975114061...
Hey that’s me! This was a super fun chat.
Catch the latest pod with @badasscrossstitch.bsky.social. They unpack why power grows one person at a time, why activism isn’t instant gratification, and how a crafternoon and curiosity can open doors that judgment slams shut.
beyondresistancepod.com
#craftavism #activism #curiosity.
beyondresistancepod.com
#craftavism #activism #curiosity.
November 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Hey that’s me! This was a super fun chat.
I was so excited that Illinois was launching its own ACA program bc I had Mass Health for a year and it was AMAZING.
It is THE WORST health insurance options I have ever seen. I’m basically paying so that if I get a horrible disease I only go partially bankrupt.
Fail.
It is THE WORST health insurance options I have ever seen. I’m basically paying so that if I get a horrible disease I only go partially bankrupt.
Fail.
November 25, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I was so excited that Illinois was launching its own ACA program bc I had Mass Health for a year and it was AMAZING.
It is THE WORST health insurance options I have ever seen. I’m basically paying so that if I get a horrible disease I only go partially bankrupt.
Fail.
It is THE WORST health insurance options I have ever seen. I’m basically paying so that if I get a horrible disease I only go partially bankrupt.
Fail.
Community isn’t something you show up to consume. It requires you to contribute, collaborate, and commit-create.
If you want community, you have to be community.
#craftivism
If you want community, you have to be community.
#craftivism
November 22, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Community isn’t something you show up to consume. It requires you to contribute, collaborate, and commit-create.
If you want community, you have to be community.
#craftivism
If you want community, you have to be community.
#craftivism
Welp, it’s happening
Washington state resident believed to be first to die from rare strain of bird flu #nationalnews
Washington state resident believed to be first to die from rare strain of bird flu
The person lived with a backyard flock of domestic poultry that had been exposed to wild birds.
www.12onyourside.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Welp, it’s happening
Reposted by Shannon Downey
Zohran flip your hair again we need healthcare get him to give us healthcare.
November 21, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Zohran flip your hair again we need healthcare get him to give us healthcare.
Watch it if you can stomach it.
November 21, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Watch it if you can stomach it.
Reposted by Shannon Downey
This craftivism idea-book-cum-manifesto by @badasscrossstitch.bsky.social makes a great gift for yourself or other stitchers you love!
Just a reminder that if you want some help figuring out what to do right now, I wrote a book for you. It’s basically organizing 101 with a creative twist!
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/shann...
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/shann...
November 19, 2025 at 2:06 PM
This craftivism idea-book-cum-manifesto by @badasscrossstitch.bsky.social makes a great gift for yourself or other stitchers you love!
Just a reminder that if you want some help figuring out what to do right now, I wrote a book for you. It’s basically organizing 101 with a creative twist!
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/shann...
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/shann...
November 17, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Just a reminder that if you want some help figuring out what to do right now, I wrote a book for you. It’s basically organizing 101 with a creative twist!
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/shann...
www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/shann...
Reposted by Shannon Downey
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Reposted by Shannon Downey
Humans need other human beings to survive. I'm sorry that this makes some people lose their shit but it's one of the key truths of life.
November 15, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Humans need other human beings to survive. I'm sorry that this makes some people lose their shit but it's one of the key truths of life.
Reposted by Shannon Downey
Delighted to find out my dear friend Greta Johnson, creator of the much missed Nerdette and even MORE missed (by me) Nerdette Recaps GoT with Peter Sagal, has a brand new podcast debuting next month!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
Introducing Happy To Be Here!
Podcast Episode · Happy To Be Here · Ep1 Trailer · 1m
podcasts.apple.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Delighted to find out my dear friend Greta Johnson, creator of the much missed Nerdette and even MORE missed (by me) Nerdette Recaps GoT with Peter Sagal, has a brand new podcast debuting next month!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...
Reposted by Shannon Downey
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
Reposted by Shannon Downey
Right, this event needs $1500 to happen. There are 600 participating bookstores & for most it’s their busiest sales day of the year, or is second only to Indie Bookstore Day / Small Business Saturday.
Editors/publishers, this is a no-brainer of an opportunity for your imprint. Romancelandia: pls RT
Editors/publishers, this is a no-brainer of an opportunity for your imprint. Romancelandia: pls RT
I'm gonna be real-real here: Bookstore Romance Day may not happen in 2026. By this time of year, I've usually secured at least a handful of sponsors & their backing helps pay for things like newsletter services & Canva & Zoom & internet, all of which are needed for planning & off-season events.
November 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Right, this event needs $1500 to happen. There are 600 participating bookstores & for most it’s their busiest sales day of the year, or is second only to Indie Bookstore Day / Small Business Saturday.
Editors/publishers, this is a no-brainer of an opportunity for your imprint. Romancelandia: pls RT
Editors/publishers, this is a no-brainer of an opportunity for your imprint. Romancelandia: pls RT
Reposted by Shannon Downey
the only thing democrats should be saying today is “the entire republican party is engaged in a coverup of the most notorious child sex trafficking ring in world history”
November 12, 2025 at 2:08 PM
the only thing democrats should be saying today is “the entire republican party is engaged in a coverup of the most notorious child sex trafficking ring in world history”
Reposted by Shannon Downey
Cavers. Turncoats. Chickenshits. Fuckers.
November 10, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Cavers. Turncoats. Chickenshits. Fuckers.
Can’t wait!!! See you in Columbus!
We’re hosting @badasscrossstitch.bsky.social with Craft Raccoon & Queer Craft Society next Tuesday at @twodollarradiohq.bsky.social! Come craft with us and talk about what crafting, activism, and resisting the current regime looks like. 8pm!
November 6, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Can’t wait!!! See you in Columbus!
Long live Ms Rachel!
No matter how hard people try to convince us having empathy is wrong,
it is right.
No matter how hard people try to convince us that diversity is a weakness,
it is a strength.
No matter how hard people try to convince us that love is limited,
it is unlimited.
it is right.
No matter how hard people try to convince us that diversity is a weakness,
it is a strength.
No matter how hard people try to convince us that love is limited,
it is unlimited.
November 5, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Long live Ms Rachel!
Timeline cleanse for you.
November 5, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Timeline cleanse for you.
Reposted by Shannon Downey
If you’re wondering what the future of the Democratic Party looks like, watch the young, brown democratic socialist on the TV right now.
November 5, 2025 at 4:41 AM
If you’re wondering what the future of the Democratic Party looks like, watch the young, brown democratic socialist on the TV right now.
Reposted by Shannon Downey
I keep thinking about Zohran on some podcast being like “these billionaires are spending more money to defeat me than I would tax them” lmfao
November 5, 2025 at 2:54 AM
I keep thinking about Zohran on some podcast being like “these billionaires are spending more money to defeat me than I would tax them” lmfao