Vote for Frittelli & Lockwood

Cecilia Frittelli is a weaver and ACC show artist in upstate New York who has made the first cut in a Martha Stewart competition that recognizes outstanding work by American artisans. We asked Frittelli to tell us about the contest, the business she runs with her husband, and how ACC members can vote early and often for her.

American Craft: You were just named a finalist for Martha Stewart’s “American Made Awards,” in the Crafts division. What did you have to do to apply?

Cecilia Frittelli: A friend of mine casually mentioned a while ago that our business might be a good fit for this contest. So late one night, I uploaded a short bio and a couple photos and then completely forgot about it till I received a congratulatory email a couple days ago!

AC: Tell us a bit about your business, Frittelli & Lockwood. When did you start, where do you show, and what products are you most proud of?

CF: My husband, Richard Lockwood, and I started our handwoven accessory business in New York City in the 1980s on a part-time basis as we worked regular day jobs. We started by doing low-key street fairs and built a very supportive customer base. Then we started pursuing wholesale business as well from craft galleries and specialty shops and at ACC shows. We’ve been a full-time artisan business since 1990 and now show our work at the major high-end craft shows, including ACC Baltimore, American Craft Exposition Evanston, and the Smithsonian's. Our scarves and shawls are the most popular products we sell and the most enjoyable to produce; there is no sizing to worry about and we can create a beautiful textile that is all about color, pattern, texture, and weave structure.

AC: The Martha Stewart competition is an audience-vote contest, and the deadline is September 24. Where do people need to go to vote for you?

CF: This is the specific link to vote for me. You can also access the link from our Facebook page. You're allowed to vote once per day until September 24, and we would love to have your support! As far as I know, there are no other ACC artists in the finals.

AC: The winner gets $10,000, an appearance in Martha Stewart Living magazine, and some other perks. Any idea what you’d do with that money?

CF: The money is great, and we definitely have some specific ideas for it. But the main reason I’d like to win is the exposure it would bring not just to our studio but to our little Arts District in Saratoga Springs, New York.  As far as our own plans go, we would love to use it to open classroom space upstairs in our building to hold fiber arts workshops and weaving classes.