These two questions were brought to the attention of the Artisans that were selected for the American Craft Council's online marketplace that replaced the Baltimore Show in post pandemic 2021.
This is a great honor to be recognized as a Master in my field and be among the top of the countries Crafters in a nationally recognized American Craft Council. It was even more special due to the fact that I was selected back in 2019 to be an attendee at the Baltimore Craft Show, live. This was a very bittersweet time as, during my move to Santa Fe, my machinery was damaged, and inventory was stolen. Starting all over was what had to happen as I dealt with unscrupulous movers and was engaging in a lawsuit. This was important to walk away from that show. ACC was the show that would catapult the business and put into a class acknowledged for mastery. The timing was off and so was my big break, at least for now.
Acceptance to the virtual online marketplace in 2021 was like a redemption, I got the chance and ability to be seen by my audience, artisan and craft lovers that seek out the caliber of work and fine craftsmanship who support us.
The questions were part of the depth and thought-provoking care and insight that the Craft Council continues to drive about the importance of Craft in our world. I love self-introspection, a little too much. I also loved this question. It needed to be broken down into two questions.
How does craft nourish you as a Maker? (during the pandemic) This was a simple answer for me. It provides a connection to my soul's joy. It allows me to utilize my imagination, which is one of my superpowers. From the imagination, it becomes a set of processes until the final product is tangible. We make many decisions and use various skills. To capture an image from the imagination and transform that image into a tangible piece of craft. The processes involved range from original sketches, pattern making, prototypes (that if you have mastered pattern making takes at least two adjustments), production efficiency, resources that change when it's limited materials like upcycled sweaters and knits have vastly different behaviors...sort of like a mad scientist and when it all works together it's alchemy. A piece of my soul goes into each creation. Something that never existed before and utilized all you have learned and mastered.
During the pandemic it became clear to me that this was my time to create better, express gratitude that I get to do what I love and form more collaborations to be more impactful in community. Creating these whimsical critters that have brought so much love, joy while instilling the need to be stewards of our beautiful planet.