There are advantages to being an instructor of the fiber arts, but there is a downside as well. Agreeing to teach a class on a certain technique or art puts me through alllll sorts of emotional stress.
A typical conversation with our local arts place starts innocently enough- “Lyn, do you have any ideas for some upcoming classes for this spring?” Ideas? Do I have any ideas? Clutching my pearls, darling I am the queen of Pinterest and all the rabbit holes that come with it. Do I have ideas, psh! I whip out my ever present electronic device – with a quick smile for facial recognition and a few swipes of a finger we are entering the land of endless hours of pixie dust and creative lust. Pinterest, for those not familiar is a place to save or “pin” links to websites and videos to virtual bulletin boards in your account. The subjects are endless, find your interests and pin away.
Anyway, after a frenzied tour through my digital archives we find the perfect project- locker hooking. It’s cool looking, it’s inexpensive (if you recycle), and it’s a great way to use up those ugly fabrics that you got on clearance. So locker hooking it is. Next task, make samples.
Well. it’s been a hot minute since I did this, I needed to reacquaint myself with the technique. I pulled out the rug I started and never finished (probably never will) and a couple of halfway half-hearted little pieces. The class would be a small basket, easy enough to get done and end with something cute. I got to work. One sample to figure out the size/form, one to try a different kind of fiber, and one to time myself to see if it would fit the time constrains. Once that was settled I prepared canvas pieces for the class. Might as well cut the remaining canvas into pieces, too.
Long story short, class came and went, everyone was happy with their project and I came home with leftovers. Now, I could just put everything away til next time, but I stashed my bag next to my living room chair. It took a couple days, but I finished up the pieces. I now have 24 baskets, and 12 table mats. Just kidding. I do have enough to use for the spring sale though, so it’s a win!
