I became a maker by following the example of my mother. She is well-known for making beauty out of what is on hand. Her friends marvel over her knitting, sewing, cooking, gardening and decorating. I love the following quote, because it exemplifies what I think most creative people feel:
“People are creators. But I doubt that many realize this. We are not meant to go out into the world and find flawless things, we are not meant to sit down and have flawless things fall into our laps. But we are creators. We can create a beautiful thing out of what we have. The problem with idealistic people is that they see themselves as receivers instead of creators, they end up hunting for the flaw in everything in order to measure it up to their ideals. Now, when you see yourself as a creator, you can look at a chunk of marble and see the angel within it. Then you carve until you have set that angel free.”
– C. JoyBell C.
The creative process requires us to solve problems, overlook imperfections and visualize success. It requires faith, perseverance and tenacity. I learned all these things from my mom, and I’m still learning them. Watching the persistence she employs to tackle a long term project is inspiring. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her say “I can’t.”
This week, I received a beautiful gift from Mom. She created the rug pictured below from 1/4″ strips of wool, hooked into a backing of burlap. Over the course of the last 8 months, she’s worked on it almost daily. I’ll always treasure it, as a symbol of all the hours of labor and love that she’s invested in it, and in me.
Hand-Hooked Rug
Doesn’t It Look Beautiful?
Mom Giving another Hand-Made Gift
My friend, Margaret Godfrey, made a wonderful hand-painted turntable for her grandkids. You can read about her project here. What is the best hand-made gift you’ve ever made or received?
I learned creativity from my mom, too. She knitted, sewed, made hooked rugs, quilted, embroidered, crocheted, decorated her home in beautiful ways. The only thing she failed to teach me was tatting but that was really my failure, not hers. The last gift she made for me was 5 yards of tatted lace, only six weeks before her death at 87. Our moms would have had a lot to talk about. Your rug is gorgeous.
That is amazing and beautiful! What a talented and wonderful mom you have! My mom shared her gifts of sewing masterpieces with me, and taught me much over the years. I miss her everyday, and cherish her wonderful gifts. Thank you for your wonderful words Ruth, they inspire me, as does your artwork! Congrats on your latest awards at the Newport Visual Art Center! Sincerely, Dyann
I, too, learned creativity and was encouraged in it by my mother— the best gifts she ever gave me. She struggled with severe mental illness most of her life. Her creativity and love of “making” and decorating her environment are healthy and positive things that I can remember about her.