ReCrafting

Yes, it's Christmas and I have to confess this is my least favorite time of year. Why? because for the most part it's too materialistic and fake. Plus, for me the Christmas season wreaks havoc on my emotional psyche.

These are tough economic times, so a lot of people including myself are looking for work or barely getting by financially. In spite of this, I try to stay up by doing my art craft. I enjoy it immensely, it calms and soothes my soul. Plus, it's part of my new business. I want to be self-sufficient, independent and live through my creative ventures.

This week I took samples of my work to two shops in an effort to sell them on consignment. But both of the store owners want me to sacrifice or spend more money than it was worth to have them sell my items. Many people fail to recognize the skill, time and money it takes to do hand knitting and crocheting.

Other than a few sporadic junctures it's been a slow go. So I continue to re-evaluate my business strategy so I can figure out what will be the best way for me to go. I need to develop items that I like to make and can sell to customers. At the same time I'm not willing to sacrifice my creative ethics or tailor my market by trends. I need to sell the craft items I have on hand, so I need to find a market for them, my niche. All of this is a constant balancing act, but I determined to forge ahead and get my business to grow in this New Year.

Temple of Creativity

Well I've been knitting in red lately. I've fallen in love with the color red, in all it's glorious hues. For me red represents healing. Healing a broken heart rebuilding a crushed spirit. Rekindling the fire of creativity and confidence.

When I'm crafting I take pleasure in watching my projects develop. I love to note stitch definition in patterns and find delight in each well constructed beautiful projects.

As I've said before, for me crafting is a spiritual experience. I can go into another realm when I'm working with my yarn on a project. I have the same feeling when I'm painting or writing. When I'm communing in sync with my Muses I'm on cloud nine. I feel like I'm in a temple of protection and beauty where my unique creativity shines and resonates to the highest rung of Heaven. My own personal symphony of joy, and peace. A refuge from the sorrow and carnage of lives frustrations and worries.

Thank Goddess I'm my own personal artist. Thank Goddess I know how to knit and crochet.

Perception

Perception, the way we see things through our mental processes and experiences shapes what we do, how we interact with others and posit them within collective cultural paradigm. Until recently, other than trying to do the things I need to do I've been a bit of a solitaire.

But, last night I decided to attend an event with one of the tarot guilds I belong too. They were doing a You Tube video presentation about the history of the tarot. Although, there were some parts of the video that were interesting for basic information and novelty value. I found a lot of the information antiquated, biased and ill informing. Why because it had strong overtones of white revisionist history regarding theories about the origin of tarot and contributions made by African people. I said as much during the discussion portion of the presentation, which I surmised offended the main presenter and perhaps confused a couple of others.

I have to get it in my head that people in the esoteric community are not unlike others in the general public when it comes to ignorance and fear, hatred or indifference about the historical reality of African/Black contributions to World History and Culture. For the most part when I speak on these things most people who are not of African/Black decent become very defensive or indignant. Often, silently fuming because something different has been added to the mix that they do not approve of.

In all my years studying pagan history I've found few writer's who have a non-stereotypical multi-cultural perspective. Yet, many self proclaimed pagan scholars insist upon using these tiring perspectives as factual evidence to develop their methodologies of practice. I find this problematic because it continues to perpetuate out worn stereotypes, adds misinformation and is stifling.It's really sad when people try to do this with the tarot because by it's nature it goes beyond the spectrum of one perspective.

True witches and wizards aren't tight asses! The core of the craft reflects nature;its fluid, flexible and adaptable. We draw and learn from everything around us. Yes, it's helpful to have a focal point to develop a foundation for basic information. But if that foundation is weak and we don't re-examine or periodically reconstruct it, then it becomes stagnant. To me tarot is a living esoteric art that thrives with diversity. I try to celebrate and utilize this as a gift for understanding on a broader and deeper level.

Knitting Up Red Confidence and POWER

For me, confidence plays a key role in me being able to execute and complete complicated or daunting projects. Confidence equals power, because it allows you to access the thing inside of you that jumps starts you into new dynamic realities free from the obstacles of mental oppression. At times I can be painfully shy. Crafting has been my main solace from lives oppression and hardships.

Bearing this in mind, today I did something that ended up being really interesting. I went to a seminar on how to use social media networks for growing your business. It was listed as being for CEO's and a couple of months or years ago I would not even have "thought" I belonged in that category. This is the role that psycho neuro-linguistics plays in limiting our reality about who we are or what we do.

I took the courage to step outside of my comfort zone and check out something that I thought might be interesting and beneficial in terms of improving my business plan. Eureka! It worked. I got a lot of really useful information. I did a little networking. Plus, I got a lot of really good ideas to help me develop effective marketing strategies to grow my craft and tarot business.

I had a hankering to finally knit up the red multi-ribbed scarf pattern in Liz Crompton's book Knitter's Bible. The first time I looked at the pattern I really liked it because it has a lot of texture. It's a series of alternating ribs that create a lofty tactile fabric. Plus using the color red really gives it a nice punch. But then I tried to read the pattern instructions and I got frustrated. Most of my crafting life I sight read patterns, meaning I look at a completed sample and figure out how to knit/crochet the pattern. I find most modern written instructions too confusing. But know armed with a newly developed confidence and patience I carefully read the instructions and scope out the finished sample to complete the project.

Being an entrepreneur is a lot of work. Plus, I'm doing this while looking for a job during the worst economy since the Great Depression, worrying about a dying family member and the effects his death will have on another, grieving over a deceased friend, etc. etc. LIFE Lot's of juggling and prioritizing. Am I going to be able to do it? I'm going to have to if I want to keep moving forward with my life and building my dreams into reality.

Even in this difficult time I've been finding any icon, symbol , talisman I can to help me develop a conduit power a support grid to keep me hanging on. The color red; the strength in it, the meaning of it, working with the red yarn, making up the scarf from this pattern, gives me a thread of hope a guide towards light during this difficult time.

Healing with Craft

For many years, I've recognized the fact that for me crafting is healing. When I'm making something whether it be knitting, crocheting or art journaling the process and the completion can be a transformative healing experience.

Lately, this notion has even more resonance because I've been going through some really difficult times. Deaths of friends and distant family members, chronic illness, betrayals by new so called friends and a no good boyfriend. Have all left me feeling angry, lonely and abandoned. Consequently, all of these issues have left my heart raw with pain. But instead of screaming with rage or to paraphrase the title from a Loretta Lynn song going to "Fist City", I make something.

Yet when I take up my knitting needles,crochet hook or pen and paintbrush, I can create a healing salve for my heart through my art craft.

Negotiating Bliss

The main thing I find annoying about being an artist is trying to survive in the real world. How do you neotiate with the world so you can "Follow your Bliss"

I didn't want to resign myself to taking another survival job that is the means to the end. But it's getting down to the wire for me and I might have to do that.

I hate working for corporations, bureaucracies and other people's businesses. maybe it's because as an African American woman I'm uber aware of the relationship of hierarchy and power. I can clearly see how people who are placed or but themselves in a position of authority usually end up trying to manipulate and yield power over others for their own benefit.

As I artist I can control my own destiny by doing something that I love and skilled at for profit. This is the ideal but in today's modern world the concept of art has been warped by the edit of for profit consumerism and materialism.

I've racked my brain to try and figure out what would be the best think to do. yes, I want to follow my Bliss. But doing so requires that I find a means to the ends that will help me to finance and maintain it without burning myself out or living in poverty. I'll let you know how I do with that!

Business of Art

Yes, it's cliche maintaining and growing a new business is not easy. But in many ways I think it might be more difficult for creative people.

When you create your product as opposed to mass production or importing, you have sole responsibility for productivity and profit. The key is how do you create quality innovative items, find a market for those items and produce enough for profit? Who your market is and how to create for them is always a constant balancing act.

The other problem a lot of artist have is finding and maintaining a good place to work i.e. studio. A lot of creative people such as myself have to work out of our home. But this is often not the optimal setup because there are constant inside and outside distractions or interferences. Ideally, I'd love to have a carriage house or a bigger place with a separate room to use for my studio. Years ago, I had a carriage house and this was the ideal place for me to work.

However, one of the major I've found is working with other creative people. Getting people to see eye to eye and to live up to their part of the business bargain can really be a problem. It seems to me that, artistic people are prone to romanticize and personalize their business partnerships.

As a result, I'm leaning towards working solo, because that way I'm in sole executor of the balancing act. Most importantly, I can continue to decide what type of products I want to create and chose my market and hopefully maintain quality with innovation and beauty.

I'm a fiber artist because I love creating with yarn, I love working with my hands and I know knitting/crocheting is a skill and an art. But in this present economy and working with limited resources I need to develop and maintain an optimal way for me to get and keep my business going.

I'm faced with having to work a day job. But I'm determined this time to not let eat me alive and drain me of my creative energy. I'm an artist and I want to "be" an artist.

Crafting Culture and Survival

Crafting for survival has been happening since the millennium. Our ancestors used to barter for goods and services. As a result, skilled crafts people were respected and honored in their communities. Their work was admired for it's beauty and purpose. Many people aspired to follow in their footsteps. seeking apprenticeships from master artisans.


The gold work of the Benin, baskets from Ghana, musical instruments from Mali and Morocco. Today the baskets of the Gullah in SC and the Black potters of Georgia evoke these traditions.


I remember my Mom telling me that when she was a little girl Black people were not allowed to try on clothes or shoes in dept stores. As a result, almost all creative fashionable Black women knew how to sew, knit and crochet. Not only to make garments for themselves and their family but to have a marketable skill that they could use as a financial resource. Jackie Kennedy recognized this. That's why she had African American designer Ann Lowe created her wedding dress.


Rarely is crafting discussed or presented in relation to Black American or African people. Like much of our history and lives it's riddled with the prevailing stereotypes and bigotries. In spite of this, me like other Black artisans have decided to forge ahead in the Spirit of the craft and ancestors.

The Magic of Hand Crafting

Crafting for me is sacred work. I think it's mystical and magical to be able to take a ball of yarn and turn it into an object of art. It doesn't matter if you wear it or display it. The fact that a human hand mind, heart conceived of such a thing is ingenious to me. But now days our current modern society is so machine oriented most people have no concept of the human touch.

Today as I was thumbing through some textiles magazines, It's so clear that most textile fashion designers use knitting machines or other assistance. They rarely, if ever knit by hand or create the entire garment themselves.

On the other hand, I knit and crochet by hand. I'm trying to teach myself how to use a drop whorl spindle to make yarn and I do have a few small hand looms. But I have never used a knitting machine. I have pride and find solace in the feel of the yarn and my stitch work. I like the ebb and flow of a project in progress. For me it's wonderfully fulfilling when a piece comes out as beautiful as I imagined-Magic.

Craft Consciousness

I always have a bunch of fiber projects of various types at difffrent stages of progress. I'm an ultra creative person, so I'm always thinking up new ideas about diffrent things etc.


Yarn is particularly dangerous for me because when I look at a ball of yarn I imagine a new project. I might start it and get frustrated or enthralled with something else which will result in it being but aside. So, I'm working hard to finish new projects before I start them.


I'm begining to understand the importance of doing a gauge swatch. Especially since I constantly do yarn subsitutions. I have to because of my budget. I'd love to use the cashmere,silk or ngora yarn, but right now I can't afford it. As a result, my knitting and crocheting techniques need to be more technical to accomadate this skill.


Patience is something I need to develop with my crafting. But because I lack gratification in so many other areas of my life. So, I try to get instant gratification with crafting.


Just the same as time goes bymy crafting expertise has evolved and I'm proud of the work I have produced. Now I just need to market it successfully and sell

Crafting During Darkness

I love doing my craft work. Knitting, crocheting or doing altered books, and art journals provide me with a artistic spiritual whole. I'm a loner so- oftentimes, crafting is my way to stay connected with myself in the world.

Times have been rough I'm unemployed, need money and I'm trying to balance beginning to start my own business. I've been so frustrated because things have been so very slow.

But, I'm trying to have the courage to continue on even though at times I don't want to.

Beginning

For many years, I've done crafting in the fiber arts. But for the past 3 months I've actively been working on developing and starting my own business. I decided to go professional with my work for several reasons. First of all, I want a new life. 11 years of teaching for very little pay at a community college, I was drained and burnt out. Second, after years of crocheting and knitting I have developed an expertise in stitching and crafting that I feel is suitable to offer for sale. Third, I've taken a gander of some of the other stuff that ' out there and my things are comparable or beyond. Fourth, I want to work independently doing something that I love and skilled at, because I do not want to depend upon a corporation or bureaucracy for income. Most importantly, the sheer delight and joy I get in working with yarn is just about unsurpassed from anything else id do. I think it is absolutely magical to turn a skein of yarn into a accessory or garment.


But, I've been discouraged. Yes, it's really hard having your own craft business. Most people in the USA don't appreciate the skill,work and expenditure involved in creating an art craft object. As a result, they're seldom willing to pay you for your expertise or wares. I'm trying not to stay stuck in frustration and to forge ahead. Many of my fellow artists have told me it takes at least 5 years to finally get a business fully operative. But I'm determined to do this sooner!



In the meantime, I'm trying to do this while looking for a job and keeping a "roof over my head. Currently, my finances are strapped and I have sparse resources. So, it is indeed magical for me to continue to embark on this journey. At times, I get so scared about his that I can't breathe. But I know, for so many reasons that I have to do this now.

I'm a fiber artist who works in the realm of knit and crochet. As a result, I have a huge yarn stash and a large stich vocabulary. Knit kit cables, ribs and basic stockinette/purl stichs. Crochet kit just about stitch too many to name.

After decades of making and giving things away to family or friends. I am now going professional with my work. I have shown at local craft fairs and bazaar's. Currently I am teaching fiber arts classes at the Art Salon Design Studio gallery 2219 E 21st Ave Denver, CO

This blog is under construction...in the future I will be posting pictures of my work.