Hi, I’m GInger and the curator of Wild GInger Living. I started this website because I saw a need to be filled. I am a fiber artist of over 40 years and have taught classes for about 30 of them. My lifestyle also includes anything to do with sustainable living and the natural world. Here, you can find information about local classes that I teach around the Ashland and Mansfield, Ohio area and special events where you can find me. I also plan to bring you information about various crafts and art-related topics, as well as my unique perspective about life and living it to the fullest . Come along and join me!
A Passion for the Simple Life
I am what could be considered a multi-passionate person. One of my passions is organic gardening and sustainable living. I spent my early years on a farm living close to the earth. I had relatives who used conventional, chemical-based farming methods. I also saw them suffer a plethora of diseases all linked directly to using those chemicals. Now, I have a small plot in a wonderful community in Northeast Ohio that is lovingly called “The Burg.” l have 44 garden plots on a quarter acre and a happy flock of 12 chickens. I share this space with my wonderful husband, a calico cat named Cleo, five spinning wheels, and an entire upstairs floor of fiber arts equipment in my studio.
On this home on the Internet, I like to share some of my how-tos, tips, and tricks to get the most from your space, even if it is small. You don’t have to do a lot to do your part. You can find many of the items I create and that we produce right across the street at the Olivesburg General Store, which is the oldest general store in the State of Ohio. If you are in the area, I encourage you to stop in. They are really friendly people.
My other passion is fiber arts of all kinds. I began my journey at eight years old when I first picked up a pair of knitting needles and learned to create a pair of slippers for my first 4-H project. Before that, I was always that little girl was making daisy chains and creating things in any way she could. Since that time, I have been drawn to, and pursued, many fiber arts and related mediums. That is the focus of my artwork and the items that I sell at fine art shows and other markets throughout the year. My current list includes:
- Knitting
- Crochet
- Spinning my own art yarn, both with hand spindles and spinning wheels
- Rigid heddle weaving
- Tapestry weaving
- Pin loom and zoom loom weaving
- Frame loom weaving
- Shibori dyeing
- Needle felt
- Macrame
- Dyeing with natural dyes
- I dabble in broomstick lace, slo-stitching, shashiko stitching, and traditional embroidery
- In the future, I plan to learn sprang lace and nalbinding
- I also love upcycled and recycled projects
My third major passion in life is creating natural soaps, cosmetics, and bath and body products. I currently teach some quite-popular classes in the local area where you can learn, too. My journey down this path began with 25 years as a chemist running my own lab. When I started reading labels on the foods that I consumed and the products that I used on my body, I was shocked. I knew what these things were, and I started doing some research. At that time, I had a plethora of health issues, and wondered if there was a connection, so I started making drastic changes by clean eating to the extent possible and moving away from products that I felt I no longer wanted to use. Fast forward to today, and I am much healthier at 60 than I was at 35. I continue to go deeper into this lifestyle so that I can enjoy the energy and health to pursue my other passions.
In talking to people, I found that there is an entire community that is concerned about what they are putting into and on their bodies. I have the background in chemistry, and decided to use what I know from working in that field to help others create their own natural products and move closer to an earth-centric and more natural lifestyle. Check out my current class offerings on my EVENTS page.
Also, if you are interested in having me teach a fiber art, natural soap making, or other class for your group or business, feel free to contact me. I am willing to travel, in some cases. Feel free to reach out!