Emma Connelly is a self-taught mender and laundry nerd specializing in hand-sewn patches, sweater darning, and vintage restoration. This journey began in 2018 with a uniquely threadbare, pre-1962 Levis Trucker jacket. With a “semi-visible” approach to mending, Emma strives to celebrate the idiosyncratic life and wear-pattern of each object while accommodating the style and needs of its current owner. This often translates to monochromatic, semi-visible repairs or playful color and pattern combinations.
Emma shares their skills through 1) teaching classes to groups and individuals as well as 2) commissions for money or trade. Specialties include patching T-shirts and narrow or 3D areas as well as multiple styles of darning: Swiss / invisible / mimic, Scotch / honeycomb, and straight / needle-woven. If they do not have the availability or skills to suit your project, they will do their best to recommend a mender who can.
No holes or rips? Emma also offers restoration laundering for vintage and woolens, button replacement / swaps, minor beading repair, (re)dying, and other customization requests. Reach out for consultations by email or Instagram (@ rococobasilisk). Please note they are not a tailor or alterations specialist.
Solo Show at the Clark Chateau
7 July - 20 August 2023
2022; Paper collage, acrylic paint, paint pen, sequins
20” x 13.5” ; Frame approx 26” x 20”
Available
2022; Paper collage
17.5” x 12” ; Frame approx 26” x 20”
Available
2023; Recycled box, paint pen, found photo, paper, brass binder clip
7.5” x 2” x 3.75”
2022; Paper, foiled brass brad
Variable approx. 8" x 11.5"; Frame approx 14” x 18”
Available
2022; Paper collage, sequins, paint pen, acrylic paint
9” x 12”; Frame approx 14” x 18”
Available
2023; paper collage, paint pen
7.25” x 10.5”; Frame approx. 14” x 18”
Available
2021; paper collage, paint pen
8.5" x 10.5"; Frame approx. 14” x 18” in Brown
Available
2022; paper collage
15” x 11.75”; Frame approx 22” x 18”
Available
2021; paper collage, glitter, sticker, ink
10" x 10"; Frame approx 14” x 18”
Available
2022; paper collage, paint pen
9” x 11”; Frame approx. 14” x 18”
Available
2023; paper collage, fortune fish
9.5” x 11.5”
Not available
2023; nylon underwear, scrap fur, thread
Dimensions variable, approx. 14 1/2" x 12”
Not available
(from L to R)
A Rainbow zine: Cover
2022; paper collage, ink
8.5” x 11”
Available
A Rainbow zine: Butte (page 2)
2022; paper collage, paint pen
8” x 10.5”
Available
A Rainbow zine: Tub Trip (page 3)
2022; paper collage, paint pen
11.25” x 13.5”
Available
A Rainbow zine: Zip Up Hug (page 4)
2022; paper collage, paint pen
10” x 13.5”
Available
A Rainbow zine: Walk Together (page 5)
2022; paper collage, paint pen, sequin, inkjet photograph
10” x 13.5”
Available
2022; paper collage
9.75” x 10.5”
Not available
2022; Paper collage
8.25" x 11"; Frame approx. 12” x 16”
Available
2021; paper collage with sequins, cellophane tape, stickers
9” x 12”
Not available
2022; Paper collage, water color, ink pen, paint pen, stickers, washi tape, foam packaging
19.5” x 14.5”; Frame approx 20” x 26”
Available
2022; paper collage, cellophane, paint pen
8” x 11”
Not available
2021; paper collage
8.5” x 11.75”
Not available
Works completed in 2021 through the end of 2022. Includes collage and drawings.
2021; paper, glue, paint pen
Not available
2021-2023; inkjet print
24” x 24”
Available
2022; paper collage
13” x 13”
Available
2021; recycled cardboard mailer, paint pens
After Yoshitomo Nara’s scrap paper drawings
Not available
2021; paper, glue, stickers, glitter, acrylic paint pen, ink
10" x 10"
Available
2021
Paper, water color, stickers, recycled foam, paint pen, glue
2022; paper, glue
Not available
2021
Paper, paillettes, sequins, stickers, plastic tape
2022; paper collage, sequins
Not available
2022; Paper collage, paint pen
8” x 10.5”
Available
2022; paper collage, inkjet photo, paillette
10” x 13.5”
Available
Raku-fired ceramic, artist’s blood
Pit-fired ceramic, artist’s blood
Raku-fired ceramic, artist’s blood
Pit-fired ceramic, artist’s blood, finishing wax
Raku-fired ceramic, artist’s blood
Pit-fired ceramic, artist’s blood
Works completed mostly while completing BA at Occidental College, 2018 - 2020. Includes sculpture, digital video, and collage.
2020
Plaster, red earthenware stain
Negative mold created from red earthenware
2018
Raku-fired ceramic, gold paint, adhesive
Early experiment with ceramic. Piece was broken in shared studio space then repaired.
2018
Found dollhouse, acrylic paint, paper, plaster strips, air-dry clay, plastic, perfume, animal bone, seashell, coral, hair, glue, skin, stickers, yarn, paillettes, cotton fabrics
Detail - Level 1, Right
Detail - Level 1, Left
Detail - Level 2, Right
Detail - Level 2, Left
Detail - Level 3
2018
Paper, glue
