[Nfb-krafters-korner] please answer the Wednesday question in order to help others

Wed Nov 1 21:56:52 UTC 2017

Tammy, what wonderful memories to have of your Grandmother.

Nella

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Tammy via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2017 3:24 PM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
Cc: Tammy
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] please answer the Wednesday question in
order to help others

Cathy,
I agree with you.  We need to encourage members to give crafts a try.  If we
try some of the smaller crafts like the pony bead projects, which are fun by
the way, that success builds confidence.  

I have been visually impaired all my life too.  I am thankful for parents
that encouraged the independence by expecting me to do things.  I was first
introduced to crocheting by my neighbor.  She was an older lady that had
very large suitcases of beautiful wool yarns.  She made Granny Square
Afghans.  I fell in love with them and was eager to learn how to do that.
She seemed tickled to teach me.  I remember sitting in the floor at her feet
and soaking in every stitch she made.

My grandmother had wonderful handmade quilts.  Yep, she wanted to teach me
how to make my own quilt.  She cut squares and I made many 9 patch squares.
I remember putting that quilt top together by hand then stretching it on the
quilting frames.  We sewed together for hours.  There was so much love
poured into that project.  I still have that treasure.

I have tried embroidery but didn't care as much for that.  I did a latchhook
pillow top but wasn't drawn to that one either.

As I get older and the vision continues to decline, the love of crochet
continues to live on.  It is something I can do which allows me plenty of
room for creativity.  I have made 9 aphgans and am working on the 10th.  I
guess I have turned into that older lady with the crochet projects because I
am now teaching my 10 year old niece how to crochet.  I am glad I found this
group.  We can teach each other and./or learn something new.  Growing
friendships is the extra bonus.  

Crafting is fun and very therapeutic.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Cathy Flesher via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Wednesday, November 1, 2017 2:05 PM
To: 'krafters korner ' <Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cathy Flesher <flowersandherbs at gmail.com>
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] please answer the Wednesday question in order
to help others

Hi all,

I love the idea of encouraging a newly blinded person to have the confidence
to try something new. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to share
our own experiences with someone who has "been there, done that."

So, my story is that I was born with low vision so it was my life. I had
parents who encouraged by natural desire to be independent. I first  became
interested in crafts as a teenager when my sister decided to learn how to
crochet a blanket. I tried to learn from her, but was not successful at that
time. so I tried knitting instead. For whatever reason I was able to master
the knit stitch and created a patchwork blanket from small knitted squares.

My personal feeling is that there are a few things that combine to allow
someone the ability to learn a new craft. First is the desire to want to
learn. That motivation is very important. The second component is having a
good teacher. By this, I mean a teacher who is able to communicate how to
create the craft with words and encouragement. The third component is
physical dexterity. Folks have this to different degrees, so some crafts
might be better for one person and other crafts for another. for example, I
have tried to make jewelry and have come to the conclusion after giving it a
trial period and have decided it is not the craft for me. Those little beads
are just too small for me to handle without dropping them. the beading
needle is always poking my fingers which I do not like. but some folks don't
have these issues and love jewelry making without their sight. Me, I'm a
yarnaholic," as we like to say. <<smile> I take crochet, needle knitting and
loom knitting classes and am constantly learning more and more about the
crafts I love. 

I hope that my post has been of encouragement to someone on this list.

Have a great day!!

Cathy F

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