Skip to main content

Crochet is my Bliss

Monday, July 18, 2011
Ya know how sometimes a word whose complete meaning you're not sure of pops into your head just when you need to use it? I knew "bliss" was the right choice for today's post, but had to look it up just to be sure before sending this message out into cyber-space! "Complete happiness, paradise, heaven": Yep these words fit the bill and describe what my crochet means to me.

Most days crochet engages me in conversations with others. Today while being tested for allergies, I was asked what my job is. Designer/author; it led to conversation about patience, beauty bedspreads in fine thread and my favorite thing to crochet. I told the nurse that crochet art and covering rocks in crochet pique my interest. When I told her that I also covered a frying pan in wire crochet, her reaction was less surprise and more awe that I would have the patience for such things!












"Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fire!"


She also asked if I could think about other things while crocheting and I assured her that I can multi-task and also float into the relaxation zone with my crochet.

I had made a note to my self to talk about crochet as art and in particular my crochet art this week, so we'll segue down that road here. I was very pleased with an interview about me done by Marie at the undergroundcrafter this week. She did a superb job of weaving my answers to her questions and many links skillfully to give me some great exposure. Marie described me as a "crochet artist." I was pleased by that, but I would say I've been more of an advocate for crochet as art.Since 1994 I have promoted crochet as art, not only by juried exhibits at the annual Crochet Guild conferences but in other venues as well. My crowing glory, I have to say, was the traveling crochet art exhibit, "Rhythm of Crochet," that traveled the country as part of the Tenth Anniversary celebration of CGOA!
"Rhythm of Crochet" traveling juried art exhibit



You can read Marie's interview of me here: Marie stressed my art and it got me to thinking that I haven't written much lately about my art or shared my latest wacky creations. Think of this as a pictorial essay:
"Memories of Honduras" Mixed Media: Cloisonne cabochon, yarn, metallic thread, beads. Bead-Crochet CAL at cro-Kween Designs
"Aunt Mary & Me" Mixed Media: ceramic mask, crochet, jelly yarn.


Mixed Media: Grapevine Basket





Crocheting with Porcelain: business card holder.


Famous Face Series: Frida Kahlo










If I get through the measuring for new granite countertops tomorrow morning, I will feel like I am home free to sit back with a blank calendar and wait for baby grandboy to arrive. His due date is 7/22, just 4 days from now. Just this minute Nicole called to report that she had some strong contractions last night and they started up again just now!! Things are happening. The contractions are erratic, 7 minute, 10 minutes apart, but it is surely a sign that he's on his way!

I have my crochet bag packed should there be time and another bag is half started. Hmm, better get on that tonight!

Comments

Anonymous said…
WOW! Your slideshow is beyond words. Stunning, very, very, creative and I was in awe. I want to learn how to crochet!!
Sylvia

Popular posts from this blog

Craft vs. Fine Art: How is Crochet Blurring the Lines

I was awakening to the world of crochet in 1972,a time of immense artistic expression through fiber arts; and crochet was not the “ugly stepchild” at the time. In fact, Ferne Cone Gellar who I admire as a successful fiber artist said in “Knitting: The Stepchild of the Fiber Arts?” ( Fibercraft Newsletter 1978), “Has knitting been slighted among the areas of the fiber arts? The very word ‘knitting’ evokes images of the little old lady in tennis shoes. Over the years, I’ve learned to ignore all those jokes.” Cone Gellar went on to publish Crazy Crocheting in 1981 and encouraged her readers to create more than bedspreads, providing ideas such as “things to play with or to display on a shelf or hang on a wall.” A photo of single crochet from bread wrappers served as inspiration.  In 1972 in her book, Creating Art from Fibers & Fabrics , Dona Meilach wrote: “Why are fibers and fabrics becoming increasingly appealing to artists? Most artists ag...

Wartime Crochet With Attitude, Part I

Wednesday, October 30, 2013 Karen Ballard and I have a mutual love of free form crochet. We met for the first time in a class taught by Prudence Mapstone of Australia at the Chain Link Crochet Conference 2011. I admire Karen's vast knowledge of needle work history and am grateful for her willingness to share with us as my guest blogger this week. Karen wearing a World War II-era knitting hat with stubby needles on top Karen's Heritage Heart,  with flowers symbolic of her heritage, is currently on tour with Prudence Mapstone's traveling "Hearts & Flowers Exhibition" in Australia and New Zealand   World War 1 Attitudes About Crochet by Karen Ballard In 2008, I coined that term, "Workbasket Campaigns" to describe the organized efforts during World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII) coordinated through the American Red Cross {ARC} and the Navy League to create needle crafted items.  These items were mostly knitted but also sewn, qu...

Crochet and Society: How Crochet has Contributed

Wednesday, September 4, 2013 Because I am passionate about crochet and because it plays such an important role in my life. I am constantly “thinking crochet.” I want to bring awareness about crochet to everyone in the world. They don’t necessarily need to achieve the level of passion that I have for the craft, but my dream is that our society in general would come to recognize crochet as a valuable art and craft.  I also want to see the entire genre of crochet planted firmly on a continuum with all the other needle arts as a valuable pastime and art, and for the day to come when society stops confusing it with knitting! I have often joked that I am “covering my world in crochet” and that’s because I think crochet can beautify nature as well as contribute to many aspects of my community. I have been covering rocks for years and I turn them into sculptures or decorative o bjects. Claire Zeisler:  Fragments & Dashes , Threads magazine, Oct/Nov 1985 My fi...