AI is here to stay, whether you are happy about this or not. So many voices are telling us that we need to stay relevant. We need to be up with the times. I don’t entirely disagree with this, and feel that AI can be an incredible tool for society….
Calming the Mind with Craft
Have you ever found yourself sitting down to do some knitting, crochet, or any of your favorite hobbies, and the hours just seem to slip away? Something interrupts you, or you feel hungry. You look up at the clock and, to your surprise, hours have passed, not the 20 minutes…
Your Brain on ART!
Have you ever picked up a craft like knitting, doodling, drawing, or baking bread and find that you lose track of time? You intended to sit down for just a few minutes, and you realize that it is now time for supper or well past your bedtime. If you have,…
How I Make New Year’s Resolutions
I always enjoy this time of year, but I know many who live in the north do not share my sentiments. Right now, as I am writing this, there is about 12” of snow outside and a temperature of 18 degrees. Don’t get me wrong, I see winter as the…
A Few Thoughts on Fall
I LOVE fall, and I am not particular about whether you like Pumpkin Spice or Apple Pie. I love the leaves falling and the crisp, cool mornings. It is time to dust off my favorite cozy hand-knit scarves, gloves, and winter boots. I love fall, but it is also a…
Why Fiberarts Is Experiencing a Revival
Long before the pandemic, many people were already starting down the path of taking up arts. Crafts like knitting, crochet, weaving, felting, embroidery, and handspinning yarn were already on the rise. The pandemic caused sales in classes and craft supplies of all types to skyrocket by almost 166%. These numbers are only expected to increase, and there are some good reasons why this is so.
The Essential Art of Dabbling as an Artist
Like many, my journey into the world of fiber arts was passed on to me by my grandmother. She taught me to crochet before I started school. At age eight, I learned to knit as my first 4-H project. It did not take me long to learn that fiber arts were like those mystery chocolates we used to get for Valentine’s Day. You just had to keep trying one after another, with each one more delectable than the last. Now, 35 years later, I have an impressive list of different techniques in many mediums, most of which I learned by dabbling…..and there is nothing wrong with that. I still like to dabble, only now it is with purpose, and I think it has made me better as an artist.