Curiosity Welcome

The hand-lettered sign on my front door reads “Abundant Earth Fiber Mill, Curiosity Welcome.” When I hung the sign up two years ago I had no idea just how meaningful those two words would become.  
 
Curiosity, after all, is what led me to imagine owning and operating my own mill in the first place. This space has since become my personal sanctuary, my sacred place of creativity. I am now convinced whether born of necessity or wonder our curiosity is actually what ignites us to create. 

That little sign has welcomed hundreds of people through my door curious about the machines, the fiber, and the process involved in making natural yarn. It's not the sort of thing the average person has ever seen before, and I am thrilled each and every time I have the chance to tell the stories of wool. The flood of questions and curiosity from my guests inspires me, but as my work load has increased I've had fewer and fewer moments available for giving tours. I miss it.  

Beginning on September 1st, 2016 I would like to once again invite your curiosity, but this time in a more intimate way. To be completely honest, I'm not sure I'm entirely comfortable with this idea because I know it will push me well past my comfort zone. Perhaps that's just one more reason to do it. Hear me out. . .

When I entered Kindergarten I didn't know there was a right and wrong way to draw a picture until a well-meaning art teacher came to my classroom and showed us step by step how to draw a dog. I was so disappointed to discover that the dog I wanted to draw was not the dog I was supposed to draw. This unfortunate art lesson left me believing that my imagination was wrong. 

I have since learned to appreciate my imagination, although I still remain a little skittish around teachers from the school of absolutes. Yes, I do realize this story betrays my stubborn nature. The fact is, however, that I have learned to rely on a more autodidactic style of makership which enables me to feel immensely proud of my work, and more importantly of myself. I don't recommend this path for everyone though. It takes a special kind of sisu. You have to be willing to walk to the edge of certainty and wander just a little into the unknown.

It’s in those breathless moments of uncertainty, where you find the precipice of innovation. 

To all my fearless friends out there, I invite you to dive deep with me for an intimate look at this makership. Coming this September, I will reveal to you my whole process and I don't mean just with fiber, although that's certainly part of the story. I will raise questions that will challenge your creative status quo, and offer up a feast for thought on what makes us creative all while sharing my own works in progress. Join me with any of your own projects in mind, and the month of September is guaranteed to shake the ruts right out of your own making. Your questions and comments are most welcome as you follow along through my blog, Instagram,  Ravelry, and newsletter.  No matter what you're working on, you won't want to miss this epic month of makership! 

One day at a time, one project at a time, one question at a time our masterpieces will evolve, the greatest one of all being ourselves.