When I was 8 years
old, my family started attending a church that had a Wednesday afternoon
youth program. Attendees ranging from ages 6 to 12 were divided into
groups by age and rotated through 5 sections: Bible study, choir, recreation,
dinner and crafts. It was all new to me and overwhelming. At the end
of the first evening, I rotated into the crafts section. An adult told
me I could pick out a craft and make something. My brother was just
finishing his crafts section and showed me a box he was making out of
popsicle sticks. Then he pointed to a box someone else had just finished
-- it was decorated with sea shells and colored rocks. I told the adult
I'd like to make one of those. She smiled, patted me on the shoulder
and told me that was a boys' craft -- the girls' crafts were on the
other side of the room. She guided me over to another woman who showed
me a lacey thing she was making and asked if I'd like to learn to crochet.
I did not know what that was and made no association between the question
and the item she was making. But I was still compliant in those days
and said yes. She taught me how to crochet, a potholder out of yarn
first, then a doily out of thread. I was mesmerized by the idea of creating
something beautiful. And thus began my creative journey.
Since then I have
tried many crafts. Some were fads whose popularity (and availability
of supplies) came and went. Many are traditional crafts and variations
on them. Among my favorites: crochet, counted cross stich, needlepoint
(including on plastic canvas), macrame, jewelry making, quilling, decoupage,
and Christmas ornaments and decorations. Lately I have started Hardangar
embroidery, a Norwegian needlework craft because my son has been exploring
his genealogy. I am self taught in all methods. Come back next week
to see pictures of some of my projects.