I never wanted to be a school teacher. My father wanted me to be one. He thought it would be the perfect job for me "to fall back on." That must have been a common idea in my parent's generation …the idea that a woman should only have to work as a 'fall back' solution to spinsterhood (horrible word, isn't it!) or widowhood, or if her husband was no longer able to be the family's bread winner. The idea of having a career was always secondary to having a family in the home I grew up in. But I wanted to be an artist, so I pursued an art degree much to my father's consternation. But also, to his satisfaction, I became a wife and mother to a large family. I wanted that too, and happily, I loved it!
What I "fell back on", (envision a woman falling flat on her back, picking herself up, dusting herself off, and starting all over again!) when my marriage came to an end after 24 years, turned out to be my creativity, my art, as well my practical sewing skills. The chance that I would put all those skills together into one package was a joyous surprise to me, and sadly, one that my father never saw. He died young…too young…about the age I am now! (That astonishes me to think of it! ) But I know he would have been proud of my artistic accomplishments and equally proud that I could earn money from them, let alone support myself and my family!
Needlepoint has offered me the world. Literally and figuratively. I have been able to travel the world and teach my art to others. (It IS art, but that is a subject for another day...) And while I do not claim to know everything about this art, or that I know it 'properly', I can and do love to teach what I have learned, and what I know how to do. Much of what I have learned is self taught, and much of it comes from other great teachers and mentors in the field. And I would be remiss if I didn't say that I have learned much from my students too. The sharing of ideas, the implementation of suggestions, new materials, viewing the magnificent work of others, (painted canvas designers and teachers and students) has contributed to my education and my own level of expertise in the needle arts, both as a designer and a teacher.
2013 is presenting me with so many wonderful teaching opportunities. I am excited beyond words. So, here is a little summary of my teaching schedule, as it now stands. There is always room for flexibility, and maybe some of these dates and places will change. But for now...this is what I have on my calendar. I hope that I will meet many familiar as well as new faces in my upcoming classes this year!
Beginning January 19, 2013--an ongoing 12 month project/class
BeStitched, Scottsdale, AZ
contact: 480-991-0706
A Princess Chandelier
February 22-25, 2013
The Nimble Needle, Atlanta, GA
404-843-8687
Sparkles Workshop; and Embellishment Class
April 19-21, 2013
Nashville Needleworks, Brentwood, TN
615-377-6336
Sculptural Pumpkin, Sparkles Workshop
May 5, 2013
San Diego ANG, San Diego, CA
Sparkles Workshop (See photo above of Sparkes, a unique tubular metallic and nylon material that can be used in many different ways on needlepoint canvas.)
contact:....to be announced
June 20-21, 2013
ANG Mile High Chapter, Cherry Hills, CO
contact: scottie385@yahoo.com
Las Flores de la Noche
July 18-20, 2013
The NeedleBug, Montgomery AL
334-270-0064
info@theneedlebug.com
Painted Threads/Las Flores de la Noche
Sparkles Workshop
See Las Flores de la Noche photo above!
Sept 27-29, 2013
In Stitches, Atlanta, GA
contact: 404-816-4612
projects to be determined…
October 19-20, 2013
ANG Natural State Stitchers chapter, North Little Rock, AR
contact: lizettet@comcast.net
Santa Rita Prickly Pear,
Sparkles Workshop
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