Fiber arts came to me in a quiet subversive manner. A subtle voice that slipped in just when I needed it most. A blanket when I needed comfort and distraction. Like many, I had grandmothers who practiced the art; knitting, crochet and quilting, but I did not have the benefit of a close relationship with either my maternal or paternal grandmothers. Therefore, my education in the art has been largely self taught.
Once upon a time, I was a painter. I graduated from college where I obtained a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts). I studied oil painting and life drawing. Portraits were my favorite, graphite my medium. My mother was then learning how to knit and crochet. She asked me if I wanted to attend a local fiber festival with her and being of a curious nature, I went. At the time, I had no fiber arts skill to be had. I admired the art, but I was not called to it. That was until I attended my first fiber festival. Unbeknownst to me, the trajectory of my creative life was forever changed. My path diverted. My medium would become WOOL! I was astonished by the color. Overwhelmed by the possibilities. I WANTED some of THAT! I had no use for it though...but I revelled in squishing fleeces in bags laid out in everyone’s booths. Indeed, there was an ENTIRE building devoted to fleece! And it smelled amazing! It was an oddly familiar smell but I didn’t know how or why. I was not raised as a farm girl. Yes, a country girl born and raised in a beautiful small lake town in Upstate NY, but no farmers in my immediate family. I didn’t even know what lanolin smelled like. I knew it existed. I knew sheep existed like any other farm animal, however there weren’t any near me.
Thousand and thousands of bright colorful skeins in every booth! I was familiar with yarn at the craft store, but this, this was another world. I didn’t know yarn could do that, be that, FEEL like that! I wasn't aware sheep had breeds ! In my ignorance, I thought sheep were sheep. That’s just what they were. There was one sheep and it was white and fluffy and the wool was warm but scratchy. Oh how i was wrong! Wrong in a most glorious way as their variety would become the impetus for Will Work For Wool.
But let me fast forward...There was a time, roughly ten years ago now (2010), where i was struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. I was a new wife, new mother, new homeowner and overwhelmed. My mother, God and Goddess bless her, suggested to her once frazzled daughter on the phone one day that I try learning to crochet. She said it was soothing, maybe it would help me relax at night before bed? And that as they say, was all folks! My ancestral fiber artists found a way to whisper in my ear the very thing I needed to hear at the exact moment I needed it, from the mouth they knew I'd listen to. I picked up crochet very quickly and easily and I found I LOVED it. My mother was my first mentor, however it wasn't long before my curiosity and desire for more took over. It was challenging, creative, it used my hands! And OH! I then had a reason to go BACK to that fiber festival! I had a use for all that passion, all that possibility, those textures and colors! I started with a store bought acrylic yarn. It worked, it’s what I could afford, it allowed me to create with the resources I had. As time passed, money became more available and I was free to further explore the world of fiber. It was a short distance between acrylics and my love for natural fibers.
Let us come to the present moment. I own a double wide Strauch Finest drum carder, hand carders, three sets of combs of various types and gauges, a blending board and 5 spinning wheels and a 32” rigid heddle loom...that list is growing much like my fiber collection. I have a mounting collection of combed tops, rovings, hand dyed yarns, self dyed yarns, blending fibers, and fleeces! Glorious fleeces! As for fiber festivals, I can’t wait for them to come around every year. Currently (2020) I am exploring weaving, crochet, knitting, spinning, dyeing, fiber prep. I have little doubt that this list will grow. I have never struggled for inspiration. My Muse is by my side flooding my creative mind with divine ideas endlessly. (Sleeping gets difficult…) I find that fiber arts suits me well, but I think She knew that it would.
Sustainability and the welfare of animals and Earth are close to my heart. My choices are therefore guided in this way. I am a grassroots, tree hugging, holistic, slow fashion, vote with your money kind of girl. I believe that as humans we are unique and we have a unique position on Earth. We are all of us shepherds of a kind. We hold a great deal of responsibility in our hands and hearts. We need this Earth as she needs us and in this there is beauty and perfection. Animals rely on us to be kind, compassionate, empathic and caring. They deserve our respect. I am a subscriber of the notion that life is about survival of the cooperative not the fittest. I feel strongly that life works best when we work together to support each other, all of us, the plants, animals, insects and humans. Life on this Earth looks and feels like a beautiful symbiotic dance to me. My head and heart are moved by Life. Alas, this is me and my story in an acorn.
I have found my people, I have found my tribe. I have also found community, purpose and meaning in my life. I think this is the gem we are all seeking in our human lives. I am so blessed to have found my jewel. This story is ongoing and ever changing. Thank you for taking your precious time to come along with me on this journey.
Many Blessings <3
Once upon a time, I was a painter. I graduated from college where I obtained a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts). I studied oil painting and life drawing. Portraits were my favorite, graphite my medium. My mother was then learning how to knit and crochet. She asked me if I wanted to attend a local fiber festival with her and being of a curious nature, I went. At the time, I had no fiber arts skill to be had. I admired the art, but I was not called to it. That was until I attended my first fiber festival. Unbeknownst to me, the trajectory of my creative life was forever changed. My path diverted. My medium would become WOOL! I was astonished by the color. Overwhelmed by the possibilities. I WANTED some of THAT! I had no use for it though...but I revelled in squishing fleeces in bags laid out in everyone’s booths. Indeed, there was an ENTIRE building devoted to fleece! And it smelled amazing! It was an oddly familiar smell but I didn’t know how or why. I was not raised as a farm girl. Yes, a country girl born and raised in a beautiful small lake town in Upstate NY, but no farmers in my immediate family. I didn’t even know what lanolin smelled like. I knew it existed. I knew sheep existed like any other farm animal, however there weren’t any near me.
Thousand and thousands of bright colorful skeins in every booth! I was familiar with yarn at the craft store, but this, this was another world. I didn’t know yarn could do that, be that, FEEL like that! I wasn't aware sheep had breeds ! In my ignorance, I thought sheep were sheep. That’s just what they were. There was one sheep and it was white and fluffy and the wool was warm but scratchy. Oh how i was wrong! Wrong in a most glorious way as their variety would become the impetus for Will Work For Wool.
But let me fast forward...There was a time, roughly ten years ago now (2010), where i was struggling with anxiety and panic attacks. I was a new wife, new mother, new homeowner and overwhelmed. My mother, God and Goddess bless her, suggested to her once frazzled daughter on the phone one day that I try learning to crochet. She said it was soothing, maybe it would help me relax at night before bed? And that as they say, was all folks! My ancestral fiber artists found a way to whisper in my ear the very thing I needed to hear at the exact moment I needed it, from the mouth they knew I'd listen to. I picked up crochet very quickly and easily and I found I LOVED it. My mother was my first mentor, however it wasn't long before my curiosity and desire for more took over. It was challenging, creative, it used my hands! And OH! I then had a reason to go BACK to that fiber festival! I had a use for all that passion, all that possibility, those textures and colors! I started with a store bought acrylic yarn. It worked, it’s what I could afford, it allowed me to create with the resources I had. As time passed, money became more available and I was free to further explore the world of fiber. It was a short distance between acrylics and my love for natural fibers.
Let us come to the present moment. I own a double wide Strauch Finest drum carder, hand carders, three sets of combs of various types and gauges, a blending board and 5 spinning wheels and a 32” rigid heddle loom...that list is growing much like my fiber collection. I have a mounting collection of combed tops, rovings, hand dyed yarns, self dyed yarns, blending fibers, and fleeces! Glorious fleeces! As for fiber festivals, I can’t wait for them to come around every year. Currently (2020) I am exploring weaving, crochet, knitting, spinning, dyeing, fiber prep. I have little doubt that this list will grow. I have never struggled for inspiration. My Muse is by my side flooding my creative mind with divine ideas endlessly. (Sleeping gets difficult…) I find that fiber arts suits me well, but I think She knew that it would.
Sustainability and the welfare of animals and Earth are close to my heart. My choices are therefore guided in this way. I am a grassroots, tree hugging, holistic, slow fashion, vote with your money kind of girl. I believe that as humans we are unique and we have a unique position on Earth. We are all of us shepherds of a kind. We hold a great deal of responsibility in our hands and hearts. We need this Earth as she needs us and in this there is beauty and perfection. Animals rely on us to be kind, compassionate, empathic and caring. They deserve our respect. I am a subscriber of the notion that life is about survival of the cooperative not the fittest. I feel strongly that life works best when we work together to support each other, all of us, the plants, animals, insects and humans. Life on this Earth looks and feels like a beautiful symbiotic dance to me. My head and heart are moved by Life. Alas, this is me and my story in an acorn.
I have found my people, I have found my tribe. I have also found community, purpose and meaning in my life. I think this is the gem we are all seeking in our human lives. I am so blessed to have found my jewel. This story is ongoing and ever changing. Thank you for taking your precious time to come along with me on this journey.
Many Blessings <3