Sam “Jonesy” Goldstein is a very busy young man. When not going to school, writing scripts, playing the guitar, or stenciling tees for a local clothing boutique, this 15-year-old’s making new friends. Friends made of socks.
His Sockyfellers came into being about two years ago, after Goldstein saw another artist’s sock creations. “I had seen a lot of the new art/toy stuff that was happening. It really inspired me to make my own weird things,” he explains. Sewing them up isn’t a problem since Goldstein’s been “vaguely” sewing since he was 6 years old. He incorporates chopsticks as the basis for antlers and buttons for eyes. Often, the sock heels become lips.
Goldstein says his creation process involves the admittedly clichéd act of setting the object free, the way Michelangelo described carving sculptures. “There’s already some form in the marble (or sock). I just set it free.”
Naming his creations follows a similar path. “By the time I’m done, they already kind of have personalities, so I just name them whatever seems
appropriate,” he explains. “Or I just make up something crazy. That works, too.” To date, Samantha, Scrampy, and Skip are among those set free.
Not one to think about the future (“Maybe that’s why I make stuffed animals!”), when pressed Goldstein thinks he’ll pursue a career in graphic design or some other type of art. “I’m really not sure yet exactly, but it will definitely involve art,” he says.
Although his hand-stenciled T-shirts are selling well in an Austin shop, Goldstein hasn’t been able to bring himself to sell any of his Sockyfeller pals. He hopes to be able to soon. His stencil designs favor punk and rock figures — Bob Dylan, Joe Strummer, The Ramones, Lou Reed. But Karl Marx and zombies make guest appearances.
“They’re selling pretty well. Since I have to do school and everything I haven’t been able to replenish the stock as much as I would like. School seems to get in my way a lot, actually …” —Shawn Connally
>> Jonesy’s Art: jonesypop.com, craftzine.com/07/handmade_sock
Photograph by Sam Murphy
References:
Archives