For many years, B. J. has sent me a lovely and meaningful Christmas gift. After receiving this year's gorgeous installment to the collection, I got to thinking... My usual thank-you note just does not suffice after all these years; I have to do more. Because I love to blog, why not share my love for B.J. here!
We've known each other for 26 years, and met at the first Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) conference in Chicago. The friendship has endured all these years because of our common passion for thread crochet, bead crochet, crochet in general, and our love of working together for CGOA.
Academically, BJ earned degrees in psychology from the U of Illinois, Chicago and photography from Columbia College. When we met, she had just retired as a financial officer and production manager at the ABA Press (the official publishing company of the American Bar Association) in the area of publications.
One year I was the lucky recipient of "Taste of the ABA," a cookbook whose production she oversaw as Project Coordinator, Design and Production. I go to the cookbook often to find interesting recipes. As a matter of fact, it is on my kitchen counter right now waiting until I can get out to buy some eggs! Pennsylvania Apple Bread is calling to me.
The precision with which BJ produced this wonderful cookbook follows through to her crochet and knitting. She is consummately professional, not only in her technical skills, but also as a teacher and designer.
For many, many years BJ has brought new crocheters and knitters into the world through teaching at varied and diverse venues such as Michaels, local adult and continuing education programs and her local yarn shop, "Sheep's Clothing." She brings credentials to these classes as a Certified Craft Yarn Council Teacher.
While exhibiting at a Trade Show to promote CGOA, B.J. and began to see the light at the end of the tunnel for our dream to publish a book together on our common interest: miser's purses. "Magical Misers Purses ~ Crochet Purses with Victorian Inspiration" was published in 1999 by DMC Corporation.
This is most-likely one of the very early miser purses B.J. recreated from an antique find. It is made of boucle yarn and has a little bead inset on the flap.
Together, we very much enjoyed the research and discovery of the history of these purses and the inspiration we both had to create our own set of these small gems. B.J.'s determination to have flawless instructions for the complicated designs in the book was evident in its popularity! While working out designs for the little purses that included beads, we expanded our skills to other projects with beads. It is an interest to this day for both of us.
B. J. was taught to crochet by her mother using fine thread and a steel hook to make a edging on a linen handkerchief. I am sure that her Eastern European heritage contributed to the precision she brings to her needlework. Pride in her culture has kept B.J. interested in creating an on-going compilation of vintage-style edgings which she hopes to publish soon.
Even as a seasoned needlework teacher, BJ has always been eager to supplement her knowledge. Over many years she has participated in annual classes offered by the CGOA, both in crochet and knitting. In order to achieve professional status, she attended many Professional seminars offered at CGOA conferences and is certified to teach by the Craft Yarn Council. While serving on the Education Committee of CGOA, she was certified as a Master of Thread Crochet and consequently served as a reviewer of student portfolios.
When my husband was ill, B.J. kindly knit him a comfort shawl. Her generosity at this very difficult time brought warmth to my heart and to Alan as well. Kindness may be the adjective everyone thinks of first to describe B.J. I know it is my word for her!
I was the recipient of this beautiful shawl another year. She has a knack for choosing colors I love! It is beautiful and adds a "pop" when worn over a winter coat!
Again, B.J.'s bullions are amazing and impressive. I still struggle to make them evenly and she uses fine thread to perfection!
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