Are you a fiber enthusiast... a fiber geek like me?

Welcome to the Fiber Art Studio...

Where your creative genius can play!

Whether you are brand new to making with textiles or you've been crafting for years.

I hope by sharing my own fiber journey and life here in the studio. You, too, can experience the joyful process of transforming fiber into finished projects and create art you'll share with family and friends.

There is nothing like the feeling of making gifts they'll cherish for years.

Maybe you have heard the news...

I suppose it's time to share the secret. And who knows you might want to help spread the word.

But first, I need to back up a bit and reflect. Imagine it is pre-COVID-19; we entered the new year with a 20/20 vision, full focus on getting back into Life-in-the-Studio.

Super excited!

And fully recovered from double Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery; it's now been seven months, living gluten-free since getting my Celiac Disease diagnosis.

We (Brad, my husband & I) just arrived back from a week of visiting in the sunshine.

A new stretch project... A Sweater for Carol awaits me in the studio.

And then, as much as I've often prayed time would stand still and give me a moment to catch up, I certainly never thought the whole world would come to a screeching halt as it did in March of 2020.

Then the pregnant pause... the regroup... and the pivot.

It's true...

I've decided it's time to embrace virtual life. With all events canceled... no face-to-face classes.

And it's honestly been a challenge. I'll admit I was surprised even with decades in office administration and business management. There are times this digital life has me reeling.

It's not the ever-changing, constantly learning new automation tools and productivity systems that trouble me.

Because I know the tech stuff is all figure-out-able.

My struggle is with empathy...

Longing for the times of engaged collaboration and compassion to return to our community.

It's been over 15 years since my first time joining a spinning circle as a newbie hand spinner and an outsider. After all, I was from across the river and didn't come to the craft in the usual way as a knitter.

That evening I was accepted by this good-hearted and genuinely caring craft community. And you know, what really impacted me was this unique circle of people from all walks of life. To them, my Heinz 57 pedigree didn't matter any more than the fact I married my high school sweetheart, and that family has always been important even though I've always been a working momma.

Grateful The Lord is my shepherd!

Sitting in this circle, I am Brenda, a hand spinner, a fiber artist, and an all-around fiber-obsessed junkie, which I come by honestly with a cosmetology background. It's part of my DNA.

The common denominator in these circles is we gather and appreciate fiber arts and textile crafts. Our cultural differences and backgrounds are the glue that brings us together as the cloth's diverse threads from fibers grown, raised, and produced by people worldwide.

It's my hope you'll join me one day in the circle. Or for a Sit-n-Spin Pick-n-Grin when I'm joined by Brad, my husband, to bring together our passions for fiber art and music... did you know he's a performing songwriter?

Nourishing and inspiring like fertile garden soil.

The Fiber Art Studio is like my garden. It's my place to let my creative genius play. And like a child, it needs a nurturing, safe place to be inspired and grow, much like a tender seed laid in dark rich soils to sprouts with rain and sunshine.

Taking the concept of sowing and reaping, I'd like to build a community of fiber friends who can grow together, nurturing one another. And it's going to take communication to form a group that can actively listen to one another and respects each person's individual talents and gifts.

It is taking a huge leap of faith and vulnerability.

Now, after great thought and deliberation, I'm making this announcement today. It was not a decision I come to lightly. I've decided it's time to share my Fiber Art Studio Journal.

This is a deeply personal decision, as you can imagine. It's with the hope of building community... and the need to have a safe place to share my studio life and business experience.

Yes, I'm talking about the journal I use to sketch out projects, study notes, and things I find fascinating—helpful tips to make life easier. And with a purposeful focus on living a fulfilling life well. You can be sure there are life hacks to help with the work-life balance struggle for families.

I'll be sharing all this in newsletter form. And it's the best way to stay in the know of what's happening here in the studio too.

It will give you a really good run-down on what's going on around here. Think of it as your program guide. It gives you an overview of the classes/events, new projects in the works, and the backstory of my new favorite fiber... you probably guessed (shhh, it's the one I'm currently working on),

and more…

Oh, and the best part is the community... when you sign-up, you'll get access to our Fiber Arts Creative Conversations group too!

You can learn all about the Fiber Art Studio Journal right here.

Well, I guess you can tell I'm really excited you stopped by today.

Hi, I'm Brenda.

I'm a fiber artist, teacher, and writer.

And I really wish we were meeting face-to-face right now.

And I could hand you a big 'ole steamy mug of your favorite beverage, and as the scent wafts, maybe you start feeling all hygge: you know that trendy word for a comfortable feeling of contentment.

It's like being wrapped in a snuggly blanket. Well, I think it's somehow the same as when you're surrounded by yummy, squishy fiber, scrumptious yarn, and best of all, good friends.

It's all about our community.

Maybe you are curious and brand new to textile arts, years of experience as a crafter, or maybe you are interested in learning how to make the exact yarn you need for a specific project—those who know me and for those just getting to.

You need to know I'm a fiber geek. And every project starts with learning about fiber.

It's the characteristics and the quality of a fiber that determines how they're best used and how you use this knowledge to create your best projects.

• Are you fascinated by fiber structure?
• Eager to learn all about the ancient textile craft of hand spinning.
• Or have a passion for making fiber arts.

This is why I go to great lengths to get to know the fibers I'm working with, often working with the fiber producers and learning the fibers' back story.

And this is why lambing season is an important time here in the studio. It often starts with the raw fiber, watching it develop into fun projects, wearable art, or collectible fiber art.

It's making a difference.

My work is about making a positive difference in others' lives with textile crafts and fiber art. And it includes collaborating with small growers, indie dyers, and craftspeople, providing our community with tools and equipment to support our work.

And the people… I love meeting and sharing my processing fiber techniques into finished products with existing and soon-to-be fiber friends. There is a true joy in teaching tips and helping fiber enthusiasts discover a fiber for the first time. It's like a journey where we all gain from each other's experiences in our educational classes.

Now, we're gathering Live on Zoom!

• Classes & Events
• Fiber Art
• Writing
• Let's Talk