HappyGenny

I don't think of myself as a crafter at all, maybe because that word it conjures images of my ex-sister-in-law making monstrosities with pine cones & gold paint. It also makes me think of paint-by-numbers tole painting and really heavy handed, velvet Eivis level stuff. (Yeah, I know - I got hang-ups!) Instead I just think of myself as a person who likes to make stuff. (laughs) When choosing projects I think of my Mother's saying:"Never have ... Read Full Bio »

I don't think of myself as a crafter at all, maybe because that word it conjures images of my ex-sister-in-law making monstrosities with pine cones & gold paint. It also makes me think of paint-by-numbers tole painting and really heavy handed, velvet Eivis level stuff. (Yeah, I know - I got hang-ups!) Instead I just think of myself as a person who likes to make stuff. (laughs) When choosing projects I think of my Mother's saying:"Never have anything in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." Maybe it's my practical Buddhist nature, or maybe I just hate clutter, but I prefer them to be both. My current job is a form of IT design, but I create to make my hungry real-world senses happy. I play with wool and fabric, (and have been caught fondling it), sometimes throwing other stuff in for fun. I really enjoy wearable art, and really appreciate the interplay of textures, colours and lines. The simple drape of a fabric can make me tail-waggingly happy. I'm ADD, and I keep my buzz by learning new things, especially from people with extraordinary skills. I call it "sitting at the feet of the Masters" and find it delightfully humbling. I'm happiest when I see connections between their teachings and ideas, and when one deepens my understanding of another. To that end my other activities have included art history studies at a Canadian art school, a degree in language & communications, professional work as a ghost writer in the TV industry, research & editing, designing sales materials, helping to design community education programs, teaching ESL and professional chef training. (If that sounds excessive, note that I needed some of these skills to support some of the others, I pop books like candy and I'm old.) The medical community says that our brains cells start to die off when we don't stimulate them. I'd add that there is a true joy that comes from being inspired. An open, hungry and active mind is something to be profoundly grateful for, and the more I learn the more I realize I don't know very much at all. Since I come from a slightly eccentric and artistic media family, I think creative people provide enrichment of a very unique kind. People at Craftsy have so many things to teach and offer, even the ones who aren't labelled "instructors.' (Yeah, that means YOU, Sweetie!) I'm also a bit insecure about my work, so it really is great to see you all 'go for it.' I think all creative work communicates in as real a way as painting or writing, and it's so awesome to look at all your projects and see the layers of meaning and message. Maybe you put them there, or maybe my imagination did, but it doesn't really matter. The joy is in discovering and being inspired by them. Several pieces here will stay in my head and heart for a long time, enriching my creativity in ways that may have had nothing to do with the original artist's intent. In sum, I'm truly grateful to all of you in this community and am honoured to be a member of it. Hugs!