Knots & Stitches - Introduction

Over 15 years ago, I was overwhelmed with motherhood and the physical and mental load of caring for my family. I have three wonderful kids - all within 15 months of each other - a singleton and twins and a supportive husband who was dealing with debilitating chronic pain.
 
As you may imagine, I felt lost in my roles. I searched for solutions and recalled a Bucket List I created when I turned 30. It included several craft disciplines, one in which I had not yet tried – wheel throwing on the potters’ wheel. My goal was to commit to an activity that would get me out of my normal surroundings.
 
I soon embarked on a creative journey into ceramics and it grew into my primary creative outlet. I now have my own kiln and sell my handcrafted ceramics online through the Gardiner Museum Gallery Shop and my own website. This practice grounds me and fills me with joy and satisfies my need to set and reach goals.
 
But then in March, I was paralyzed with inertia. I found the only crafts I was able to focus on were short-term fibre projects, attempting 20-30 minutes a-day. This led me to experiment with several fibre techniques: punch needle, sewing felt craft, and embroidery to name a few. Sewing and embroidery have brought me calm, peace, and the joy of small accomplishments.
 
Schools were closed but the learning continued online. I pivoted my delivery and adjusted projects to meet student needs by providing step-by-step instructions, How-To-Videos, and one-on-one coaching. Through that experience, I’ve cracked the code for creating projects that build the necessary skills to ensure success.
 
Building an online course felt right to me and so I started to create one for adults. We are spending more time than ever in our homes and many of us are looking to spend our downtime with more intention. I am proud to bring my 30 years of teaching experience and my love of craft to others.
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