Melinda’s weaving adventure begins
I started working for Dena in January of 2024. Our first goal was to destash products. Why do this? To open up the necessary space for Dena to create and provide more content to her customers.
I have an extensive background in creative endeavors. I have an assoc. degree in culinary arts and I went to cosmetology school, both right out of high school. I have taken advanced courses in seed bead jewelry and knitting. I love to garden. I am a master craftsmen in felt making and member of The League of NH Craftsmen. I find myself unable to resist new creative outlets.
I don’t know how to weave. Dena and I have been so busy tending to Vermont Weaving we haven’t yet had time for me to learn. I have spent plenty of time learning about weaving from the back end of things. I have found myself questioning what type of loom should I invest in? In every creative pursuit I've done there has been a learning curve. What was the beginner pair of shears for cutting hair, or the first knife in culinary, quickly became tools that weren't the best. So then what do you do? Go for the best and not understand the quality of what you are working with or go somewhere in the middle where the skills match the tools?
My psyche is feeling overloaded with all the supplies I've accumulated over the years. I do have concerns about investing in yet another creative adventure. I have a huge inventory in felt making supplies and a professional 10 x 10 booth currently broken down in my creative space. I have easily invested over $1,000 into my extensive bead collection. But the bead supplies have been in my basement unused for over ten years. Like many, I keep it, in the event someday I will go back to it. I don’t want to have to buy everything all over again. My eyes are not what they used to be and if I am honest ten years is long enough to accept that I really don’t want to do beadwork. I got rid of most of my yarn collection, but kept my Addi needles. There is always plenty of beautiful yarn to buy.
Coming to a place where I am ok with letting my creative outlets go is a process for me. Realizing something that once brought purpose and joy doesn’t have to do so forever. My father is an artist, a dead serious one. Art is his life’s work and I will forever have this internal parent asking me why I am no longer doing x, y and z. I have let go of being a felt maker as a way to make a living. I did so for seven years and found myself burnt out. It is ok that it is not my soul’s calling. Not everything creative has to be. Creativity, for me, is about keeping my mind stimulated while having the serenity these activities bring into my life.
I am making room for weaving. I am selling my booth set up previously used for professional craft shows. I can see myself letting go of the bead supplies and books. I have a beautiful sunroom I imagine myself weaving in while enjoying the change of seasons.
Now I find myself wondering what type of loom to go for. Buy a lap loom, learn the basics and then move to the next? Go for the middle ground and anticipate being happy there indefinitely? Or do I go for a loom that has unlimited potential? All have their plusses and minuses. Time to talk to Dena about what is next.
Stay tuned for more as I start my weaving adventure.