The Cocoon Index is a social practice art project by fiber artist Susan Allred that explores emotional labor—especially the unseen, often unreciprocated work women do to care for family, friends, and communities. In the project, participants bring emotionally meaningful objects to workshops, wrap them in yarn, and embroider protective coverings around them to create “cocoons.”

Before the workshop, you’ll choose a small personal object (or bring a short written note if you don’t have one), then at the workshop, you’ll wrap it in yarn, and embroider around it to create your cocoon. The process is meditative and collaborative, and we share stories about our objects. After the workshop, Susan collects the cocoons and narratives to create fiber artworks for the exhibition.

Bring a small object that fits in the palm of your hand and that has emotional significance to you. It could be a memento from a special moment, something you want to protect, or an object that holds emotional weight you’d like to set aside. If you don’t have an object, bring a few sentences you’ve written on a small piece of paper and folded up. Susan will bring all the tools and supplies you need to make your cocoon.

No experience needed. All skill levels are welcome, and Susan guides you through the wrapping and embroidery. The focus is on reflection and care, not perfection.

The cocoons are collected by Susan to create the fiber artworks for the Outsourced exhibition.

Yes. You can say as little or as much as you want about your object during the workshop. When you’re finished with your cocoon, you’ll fill out a form that includes your name and the story of your cocoon. And you can share your story with your name, anonymously, or not at all.

Right now, the public workshops are in Phoenix, but the project will grow. After the exhibition opens, the website will have a “Make Your Own Cocoon” section so remote makers can learn to create cocoons and submit them to Susan for future artworks.

Check the Workshops page on CocoonIndex.org for upcoming dates. You can also email Susan at susan@cocoonindex.org.

Yes! Susan offers private workshops for organizations, communities, and workplaces. Email her at susan@cocoonindex.org to talk about dates, space, and group size.

Outsourced is presented by The Eye Lounge Collective at Modified Arts in Phoenix, Arizona, in September 2026. Check the exhibition page for specific dates and opening details.

The exhibition looks at emotional labor through fiber artworks made from cocoons and maker stories. Some pieces come from participants’ cocoons; others come from Susan’s own experiences with care, pregnancy, returning to work, and managing others’ emotions.

Email Susan at susan@cocoonindex.org or use the contact form on the website.