Olde Rowan Fiber Guild Program

I had the privilege of presenting a program for the Olde Rowan Fiber Guild this week about felting, in particular wet-felting wool beads to make earrings, key chains, and other items. We had such a good time, what a fun, lively group! They did a fantastic job of wet-felting their wool beads, some of them had not tried their hand at this technique before and did such a great job. A large group, I didn't have time to take many pictures as I cruised the room helping folks during our time together. But we did manage a "selfie" towards the end (notice Pamela in front modeling her beautiful earrings she made!), and I grabbed a couple of shots of  wool beads and finished earrings here and there. All in all, I think everyone enjoyed it, and will have some special new accessories to wear for the holidays.

 Love the rich blue hues of these beads!

 What a fun group, we all had a great time felting! Pamela modeling her gorgeous earrings.

Felted wool beads in various sizes.

Healing in Art

What a crazy ride this week: between the unexpected results of the election and the resulting marches and riots on the street, folks unfriending each other on Facebook because of who they voted for, and all the surrounding drama, I am ready to take a sabbatical from the world and just crawl back into my little space and stitch! Today's sunrise celebrates a crisp, clean autumn morning, and I am thankful for the peace and serenity I feel today; not every day is like that for me.

  But I did take time this week to stitch. I believe there is healing in art, and therapy in using one's hands to create. Whether you are a quilter repetitively passing a needle up and down through warm  layers of fabric, a knitter/crocheter using needles to repetitively stitch your creation from yarn, a painter/artist utilizing brushes and other media to express your inner thoughts and feelings, or a beader, passing your needle through lustrous folds of silk and sparkling beads, this process has been scientifically proven to be healthy and good for you. If you can get together with friends or take a class and peacefully chat and share creative thoughts and energies, even better! Today I plan on taking the time to create with my hands, even for just a few moments, and thank God for the friends I have, the talent He has gifted me with, and the multitude of blessings He has showered on me. I hope you, too, are willing and able to find comfort and thankfulness in this tumultuous time.

Silk shibori beaded brooch I finished this week.