LittleFieldBirch

I grew up surrounded by creative people. My great grandmother, my grandmother, my own parents, my friends' mothers, the neighbors: they all made things. My mother and grandmother were always busy with this or that, a ball of yarn being transformed into a sweater, a blanket or even a doll. My father, being a thrifty hobby farmer, took bits and pieces and tooled around with them, transforming them into something that he needed – upcycling before we called it that.

Embracing this creativity, I tried many different forms of creative expression ranging from sewing and knitting to macramé, basket weaving and even dying cotton muslin using natural ingredients such as beets and goldenrod. As a teenager, I took a break from making things to pursue my studies - a break which took me from a small town in New York State to Maine to Strasbourg and eventually to Amsterdam.

When my maternal grandmother passed away, it triggered a need to rekindle my interest in the skills I picked up in my younger years. My desire to honor her memory inspired me to try my hand at making quilts. It seemed like a good way to get back into creating things and gave me something tangible at the end of the day. Working at a computer all day long didn't provide the same sense of satisfaction and accomplishment as seeing friends and family tucked under a quilt I made. Creating has fueled my respect and awe for objects in our lives that combine beauty with function.

The adventure of becoming a mother sparked a desire to expand my creative endeavors and I started with small projects - baby clothing, small things for the house and toys for my daughter. As I gained confidence, I also started making things for the rest of our family. Starting a shop and making things for other people seems like a natural progression in my creative journey.

My favorite fibers to work with are linen, cotton, and wool, though any natural fiber is fair game. Besides being very interested to natural fiber, I also have grown to love wearing things I've made myself. I hope to help others do the same by making unique and durable items.