I crocheted my Barbie Doll clothes when I was 9 or ten. Grandma Forbes tried teaching me to knit at the same time, but I couldn’t seem to wrap my head around the two needles until I was in my early 40’s and a dear friend of mine, Jae Dennis, sat me down and showed me - and showed me - and yelled - and then showed me yet again. There was much more yelling - especially when she would ask me what the
rules were. Ummmmm.
“Do not do anything while you are knitting. So she wasn’t the most positive and uplifting teacher, but I did get really good at knitting! So basically I spent most my life being creative - in the way I looked at things, and people. I always wanted to know how things worked. ****Images of my 7 year-old self surrounded by bicycle parts dance through my head.**** I played the flute. I loved to cook and bake! I painted - even if it was with water on a tree in the back yard (thanks Aunt Rene for knowing how to keep us occupied). Aunt Rene would help us make homemade play dough. Not the good eating kind from the company - I’m talking about the gritty salty kind. I think it was she, that really introduced me to the wonderful world of gemstones, crystals, turquoise, geodes, and other neat things you find along the trail - as well as my love of jewelry. The handmade/handcrafted items that you found in little shops, flea markets, and across the border. I have fond memories of “Wonderful Wednesday” which was our weekly fun day to go and do and spend our allowance. There were so many artistic influences in my life. My Goger (Teddy Jo Anderson) was a painter in acrylics. My Grandaddy (Thomas Jefferson Anderson Sr) was good at everything - but he was a singer and musician. Well all his family were. Some were even famous. From my mom’s side I received even more talent. Uncle AC and Uncle Doug both played the guitar. They were also 300 bowlers along with Grandad Forbes. I dabbled in bowling but my throw was too straight to go pro. Aunt Pat taught me to macramé. Mary Elise and Andrea introduced me to The Beattles and the Hari Krishna’s. Aunt Loyce taught us all that “stupid” was a “four-letter word” and would get your mouth washed out with soap. Aunt Jane taught us the epitome of what it was to keep a house and home. She has the most wonderful backyard and antiques that she has personally restored. So when people ask me what I do - what I make - well, it’s not that easy. I do a little bit of everything! Knowledgeable about many - Master of none. I am also a little ADHD - before it was really diagnosed as such. I always have at least 10 projects going at once. All in differing stages of completion. Some I will complete right away. Some it may take years to complete. But each one is a labor of love and of course - perfection. You won’t find a hundred of one item. You would probably be hard pressed to find two of my creations - even using the same pattern - that are exactly alike. I rarely follow a pattern, or recipe - except for inspiration. I create to see if I can. I create to bring a smile to someone’s face. I create to remember. I create to provoke thought. I JUST CREATE!! So if you ever wondered what a cancer cap with a Mullet and Horns would look like - yes, my cousin has commissioned one - and you are willing to allow my creative crabbiness to shine - you will get something truly beyond your imagination. Thank you for learning more about me and what I do. I welcome feedback and comments.
