This week's Working Center experience was really different for me. I loved teaching so much last week that I knew this week i had to do something to top it. Something that could help me show the world what I had found up in that back corner. I had to share the joy with someone else!
So I brought my boyfriend, Josh. I was so excited to show him everything that goes on. I found all the materials and I taught him how to make the books that I made last week. Being able to show him what I was working on and working towards was a ton of fun.
We made 3 books, and they all turned out beautifully. We each got lost in our own worlds for a bit while we were making them. hen we were finished for the day we put everything away and then went downstairs to look at some of the things that were for sale. I found the rug that I wove, but I hadn't brought any money with me to buy it. We looked at some of the other beautiful wares that others had created and I think we both felt a great amount of pride for all of teh beauty that we helped to accomplish upstairs with Misha.
After we left the Working Center, Josh started asking me many questions about all the people who work at the center. I couldn't answer all of them, but the ones I did answer I felt confident about. It's funny to think that a few weeks ago I was complaining that i woudl never feel comfortable and that i coudl never learn new skills.
And now here I am. learning, teaching, and loving all at the same time.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The blind leading the blind
March Madness has begun!!
Trying to keep up with the piles of work that I have left to do before the end of term has been difficult to do in the past little bit. But I'm doing okay. I am so excited about some great news i got regarding my commitments for next year!
First, I am social convenor elect for next year's SJU union! This is something that I have been wanting to do for such a long time and I am so excited to have the opportunity to do it. I can't wait to strat planning for my events!
Second, I will be an Off-Campus Don next year! This is something that I never thought that I would be doing. I'm sure that everything will run very smoothly and I look forward to meeting all of my first-years.
Somehow in the midst of all of this, i found the time to go to The Working Center this week. I'm so glad that I did. This week there weren't as many people as there were last time, but we still got a lot accomplished.
The first thing that I did was tie knots in the rugs that had been weaved. I was so excited when I saw the rug that I helped make. It was beautiful! If it's there when I go in next week I might buy it. It would make a great addition to my room.
Next I made these little books that pop open to reveal 3 diamond shaped pieces of hand made paper. Misha showed me how to do one, and then I taught two other people how to make them. the first one I did failed horribly, but the ones that I made after that, and the ones that were made by the two lovely people helping me turned out beautifully.
I was so happy when Misha suggested that I teach the two others how to make the books. Up until that point I think that I was being very reserved in the ArtSpace. I was pushed out of my comfort zone. But when i was given the role of "teacher" I did well. I really started chatting it up to the people around me.
One of the men that was there (a regular) was crocheting a rug. He wanted to know how you would crochet a scarf, and I told him that I would bring my stuff in and show him next week. He seemed really interested and I hope that he will find a love for crocheting like I have.
I can't wait to get back there next week. I think it will be a wonderful break from the hustle of my life right now. As well, a lot of the volunteers won't be coming next week because it's March Break, so I think I'm going to bring my boyfriend, and maybe my brother along with me. I hope that they'll enjoy working in the ArtSpace as much as I do!!
Trying to keep up with the piles of work that I have left to do before the end of term has been difficult to do in the past little bit. But I'm doing okay. I am so excited about some great news i got regarding my commitments for next year!
First, I am social convenor elect for next year's SJU union! This is something that I have been wanting to do for such a long time and I am so excited to have the opportunity to do it. I can't wait to strat planning for my events!
Second, I will be an Off-Campus Don next year! This is something that I never thought that I would be doing. I'm sure that everything will run very smoothly and I look forward to meeting all of my first-years.
Somehow in the midst of all of this, i found the time to go to The Working Center this week. I'm so glad that I did. This week there weren't as many people as there were last time, but we still got a lot accomplished.
The first thing that I did was tie knots in the rugs that had been weaved. I was so excited when I saw the rug that I helped make. It was beautiful! If it's there when I go in next week I might buy it. It would make a great addition to my room.
Next I made these little books that pop open to reveal 3 diamond shaped pieces of hand made paper. Misha showed me how to do one, and then I taught two other people how to make them. the first one I did failed horribly, but the ones that I made after that, and the ones that were made by the two lovely people helping me turned out beautifully.
I was so happy when Misha suggested that I teach the two others how to make the books. Up until that point I think that I was being very reserved in the ArtSpace. I was pushed out of my comfort zone. But when i was given the role of "teacher" I did well. I really started chatting it up to the people around me.
One of the men that was there (a regular) was crocheting a rug. He wanted to know how you would crochet a scarf, and I told him that I would bring my stuff in and show him next week. He seemed really interested and I hope that he will find a love for crocheting like I have.
I can't wait to get back there next week. I think it will be a wonderful break from the hustle of my life right now. As well, a lot of the volunteers won't be coming next week because it's March Break, so I think I'm going to bring my boyfriend, and maybe my brother along with me. I hope that they'll enjoy working in the ArtSpace as much as I do!!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Weaving the Memories
I've been so busy this weekend! I celebrated both of my parents' birthdays (Happy Birthday Mom and Dad!), and worked. But I've been so excited to get a few minutes to update you guys on how things went on Friday at the Working Center!
So, Friday. One thirty rolls around and I'm trying to convince my mother of all the reasons why I should NOT go.
Reasons like :
1) I'm tired
2) I'm cranky
3) They forgot about me before, who says they won't forget about me now?
4) I don't know what I'm doing
5)It's FRIDAY
But all the same I get in the truck and let my mother drive me downtown. "Drive around the block mom... please? Just in case no one is there again? I don't want to look like an idiot. PLEASE mom?" She just kicked me out.
I trudged my way upstairs, secretly hoping no one would remember my face so that when I came down 10 minutes later they wouldn't laugh. i went upstairs and turned the corner, and instantly my spirits lifted.
There were PEOPLE! Like 6!! I couldn't believe it! At last, I had found my colleagues. At last, I could blend in!! I introduced myself to Misha, who apologized for everything, but by that point, I didn't care. I just wanted to DO what all these other people were doing.
I'm gonna take a time-out here and tell the stories of a few of the people who joined Misha last Friday. Names, as always, will not be mentioned.
The first women that I saw was sitting, working the small loom. She was making a scarf. She spoke little English, but had a brilliant smile and was eager to learn every time Misha asked if she could show her something different.
Two younger women were there as well, making cards. It sounded like they were University students, but I could be wrong. I didn't listen too intently to their conversations.
One of the gentlemen that joined us was cutting and sewing together squares with another woman. He acted as a english-spanish translator between that woman and Misha. They worked quietly and diligently, and by the end of the 2 hours had created a beautiful pattern for a quilt. Another man was there as well, working alongside a woman with a broken shoulder. The woman didn't stay for very long. She was in a lot of pain, and she wanted to get time in home to watch the soaps. "There's gonna be gunfire today!" she told me with a smile, "I can't wait to see who gets it!".
We would have had another volunteer, but the woman came in looking very frazzled. She went up to Misha, and started apologizing over and over for being late. "I forgot to day was a P.A. day for my kids! My sitter couldn't watch them. They're staying with a neighbour right now. I should have called. I'm so sorry I'm late!" Misha sent her home to be with her kids. I couldn't believe the dedication that the woman had, wanting so desperately to help.
Okay, so back to me and Misha. So, I hang my coat up and Misha looks me up and down. this is when the panic sets in for me. I go over everything in my head. I'm pretty sure I've read up on everything. I doubt there will be any curve balls. She looks around the room and then smiles. "Can I teach you to weave?" she asks, and walks over to the giant loom. My jaw dropped to the floor. The only thing that I reserved for the VERY experienced volunteers. The only thing I didn't read up on. I'm pretty sure my mouth was still open as I walked over and nodded. Misha must have noticed (it's kinda hard not to, I have a REALLY big mouth), "It's not hard!" she said.
She gave me a series of directions and a couple of demonstrations. I watched carefully, and kept repeating the patterns in my head so that I would remember. I was so nervous. Misha assured me that I wouldn't break it, and I really couldn't mess it up too badly.
I sat down. I took the runner in my hands and fed it through. And instantly I knew that the loom is where I would love to be. She watched over me for a few minutes, and then slipped away so quietly, I didn't even know she was gone. I concentrated for a few minutes, making sure I did everything right, and then I just let myself fall into the rhythm.
Here's where I'll take my second time out, and tell you about the two visitors that we had in the Artspace. the first was a little girl and her mom. Her mom was showing her all of the things that we did. I had just run out of material, and was wrapping my runner, so instead she watch the smaller loom work. She mushed some of the pulp that was sitting in the bucket and then moved on. The next set of visitors were two women in their fifties. Of course, they made a bee-line straight to me. there's something about working a giant machine that just attracts people to you. I ran a couple lines through with them watching. "What a wonderful skill to have" said one. "Oh yes, and how nice to see a young person working it, instead of an old bat" said the other. They watch a little longer. "How long did it take you to get the feel for doing this?" Asked one. I stopped and looked up at her. Glancing at the clock, I told her that I had just learned today, 45 minutes ago. The woman was astounded. "Oh, how wonderful! How eager to learn! Keep going!" she said. And they moved on.
It has always been my experience that when I am working with yarn, I drift into a kind of trace. I don't even realize what I am doing anymore. It's what I do when I need to work out life's problems, or when I'm feeling upset and frustrated. i found this same inner peace sitting at the loom. After awhile, I began to remember old smells and sounds. And before I knew it, I was taking a mental tour of one of my childhood friend's house. I remembered eating dinner at her table and having sleepovers in her basement. I remember watching TV and crocheting doilies with her mom. I couldn't understand why I was tearing up until I realized that the rug that I was weaving was the same style of rug that had adorned almost every floor in her house. The two of us drifted apart after her mom died of cancer. She got pregnant soon afterwards and now has a beautiful son. Sitting there weaving that rug reminded me of how close we had been and how far apart we had drifted.
Part of me didn't want to leave at four. I finished up the last of the ball of fabric that Misha had rolled and slowly stood. I thanked Misha and walked out onto the street, suddenly so much more aware of life, and all of it's challenges. The obstacles that we face, whether they be the death of a parent or teenage pregnancy. And the people that we trust to help get us through those obstacles, our romantic partners, our family, our friends.
Needless to say, I felt wonderful after walking out of the Working Center on Friday, and I can't wait to go back this week.
So, Friday. One thirty rolls around and I'm trying to convince my mother of all the reasons why I should NOT go.
Reasons like :
1) I'm tired
2) I'm cranky
3) They forgot about me before, who says they won't forget about me now?
4) I don't know what I'm doing
5)It's FRIDAY
But all the same I get in the truck and let my mother drive me downtown. "Drive around the block mom... please? Just in case no one is there again? I don't want to look like an idiot. PLEASE mom?" She just kicked me out.
I trudged my way upstairs, secretly hoping no one would remember my face so that when I came down 10 minutes later they wouldn't laugh. i went upstairs and turned the corner, and instantly my spirits lifted.
There were PEOPLE! Like 6!! I couldn't believe it! At last, I had found my colleagues. At last, I could blend in!! I introduced myself to Misha, who apologized for everything, but by that point, I didn't care. I just wanted to DO what all these other people were doing.
I'm gonna take a time-out here and tell the stories of a few of the people who joined Misha last Friday. Names, as always, will not be mentioned.
The first women that I saw was sitting, working the small loom. She was making a scarf. She spoke little English, but had a brilliant smile and was eager to learn every time Misha asked if she could show her something different.
Two younger women were there as well, making cards. It sounded like they were University students, but I could be wrong. I didn't listen too intently to their conversations.
One of the gentlemen that joined us was cutting and sewing together squares with another woman. He acted as a english-spanish translator between that woman and Misha. They worked quietly and diligently, and by the end of the 2 hours had created a beautiful pattern for a quilt. Another man was there as well, working alongside a woman with a broken shoulder. The woman didn't stay for very long. She was in a lot of pain, and she wanted to get time in home to watch the soaps. "There's gonna be gunfire today!" she told me with a smile, "I can't wait to see who gets it!".
We would have had another volunteer, but the woman came in looking very frazzled. She went up to Misha, and started apologizing over and over for being late. "I forgot to day was a P.A. day for my kids! My sitter couldn't watch them. They're staying with a neighbour right now. I should have called. I'm so sorry I'm late!" Misha sent her home to be with her kids. I couldn't believe the dedication that the woman had, wanting so desperately to help.
Okay, so back to me and Misha. So, I hang my coat up and Misha looks me up and down. this is when the panic sets in for me. I go over everything in my head. I'm pretty sure I've read up on everything. I doubt there will be any curve balls. She looks around the room and then smiles. "Can I teach you to weave?" she asks, and walks over to the giant loom. My jaw dropped to the floor. The only thing that I reserved for the VERY experienced volunteers. The only thing I didn't read up on. I'm pretty sure my mouth was still open as I walked over and nodded. Misha must have noticed (it's kinda hard not to, I have a REALLY big mouth), "It's not hard!" she said.
She gave me a series of directions and a couple of demonstrations. I watched carefully, and kept repeating the patterns in my head so that I would remember. I was so nervous. Misha assured me that I wouldn't break it, and I really couldn't mess it up too badly.
I sat down. I took the runner in my hands and fed it through. And instantly I knew that the loom is where I would love to be. She watched over me for a few minutes, and then slipped away so quietly, I didn't even know she was gone. I concentrated for a few minutes, making sure I did everything right, and then I just let myself fall into the rhythm.
Here's where I'll take my second time out, and tell you about the two visitors that we had in the Artspace. the first was a little girl and her mom. Her mom was showing her all of the things that we did. I had just run out of material, and was wrapping my runner, so instead she watch the smaller loom work. She mushed some of the pulp that was sitting in the bucket and then moved on. The next set of visitors were two women in their fifties. Of course, they made a bee-line straight to me. there's something about working a giant machine that just attracts people to you. I ran a couple lines through with them watching. "What a wonderful skill to have" said one. "Oh yes, and how nice to see a young person working it, instead of an old bat" said the other. They watch a little longer. "How long did it take you to get the feel for doing this?" Asked one. I stopped and looked up at her. Glancing at the clock, I told her that I had just learned today, 45 minutes ago. The woman was astounded. "Oh, how wonderful! How eager to learn! Keep going!" she said. And they moved on.
It has always been my experience that when I am working with yarn, I drift into a kind of trace. I don't even realize what I am doing anymore. It's what I do when I need to work out life's problems, or when I'm feeling upset and frustrated. i found this same inner peace sitting at the loom. After awhile, I began to remember old smells and sounds. And before I knew it, I was taking a mental tour of one of my childhood friend's house. I remembered eating dinner at her table and having sleepovers in her basement. I remember watching TV and crocheting doilies with her mom. I couldn't understand why I was tearing up until I realized that the rug that I was weaving was the same style of rug that had adorned almost every floor in her house. The two of us drifted apart after her mom died of cancer. She got pregnant soon afterwards and now has a beautiful son. Sitting there weaving that rug reminded me of how close we had been and how far apart we had drifted.
Part of me didn't want to leave at four. I finished up the last of the ball of fabric that Misha had rolled and slowly stood. I thanked Misha and walked out onto the street, suddenly so much more aware of life, and all of it's challenges. The obstacles that we face, whether they be the death of a parent or teenage pregnancy. And the people that we trust to help get us through those obstacles, our romantic partners, our family, our friends.
Needless to say, I felt wonderful after walking out of the Working Center on Friday, and I can't wait to go back this week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)