June Flowers…

Yeah, I know, I said I would be back in May but sometimes my timeouts last longer than I would prefer. Even the best laid plans…c’est la vie.

On a positive note, I have been able to keep up the writing, designing, and creating, despite my silence on social media so before diving back into writing, I figured I would share what I have been up to.

SHOUT OUT TO BLACK OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES! 🗣

2020 was not completely hell, there were small positives here and there and I really am thankful for those moments. One of those positives was finding more voices of Color in the Fiber community. I cannot believe how many different Black owned yarn dyers I have been missing out on over the years and it is a bittersweet mix of sad and excited to get to learn about and try so much new all at once.

Black Owned Yarn Brands shown: Neighborhood Fiber Co., The Crochet Cove, Lolabean Yarn, Bzy Peach, and Lady Dye Yarns
Rainbow and Canvas Clutches, llama key fob: Broke and Crafty
Knitting needles: Hiya Hiya
Leather Project Bag: Joji Designs
Stitch Markers: DK Graham LBYC & Lady Dye collabs
Ball winder: The Knit Store (Etsy)

I don’t think I have ever considered how heavily not having a safe fiber community has affected me over time. I have taught myself how to do everything I know how to do today with no assistance. I did not have women in the family who passed on their stitching wisdom to me like a lot of girls did. Most of my teachings were to help me work through whatever trauma or life event that I was going through at the time so when I look at what I create now, in times of doubt, I try to remind myself “hey, you’re pretty okay, you took trauma and made it into something beautiful and functional.”

In lieu of social media, I’ve kept my mind busy being inspired by some amazing Black/BIPOC folks creating their fiber crafts, whatever it may be. I’ve also been keeping my hands busy getting to try new, STUNNING yarns from some of those amazingly talented women. While I’ve been creating from patterns, It’s been mostly swatching and designing my own for the first time in a very long time, and it feels really good. I am usually not a huge fan of my designs but it never hurts to try if it brings you joy.