WIP: hangin' out with a bunch of like minded women...

... renamed: culturing a meaningful relationship with creative women

I need more fabric like I need...

Last week, I visited one of my favourite women, Jocelyn, of "Jocelyn & Co." in Gimli, Manitoba. Unfortunately (for me) she is retiring. Fortunately (for me and other fabric fiends (I mean this in a craving-sense and not in the devilish way; if you haven't noticed, I like alliteration)), Jocelyn has found what I hear is an excellent group of women to fill her store when she moves on. Although I'm happy to know that Jocelyn is moving on to something else, her not being in that store will leave some emptiness in my life.

For me, it takes a lot of energy and time to find a good match with other creative people. I blame myself and my selfishness. Saying that, life is short and I'm pretty sure that half of mine is over. Am I wrong to be selfish? I certainly don't mean to offend others, but if I have only a handful of decades (or less!) left, I'm going to make the most of them.

Part of what attracts me to a creative person is... my Mom. (Hello Dr Freud!) Seriously though, my Mom encouraged and cultured me in my relationship with fabric and creating textile things. Sure, Dad was there too, but, to my recollection, Dad saw the finished product and wasn't part of the planning and problems... THAT was Mom. Dad knows the fashion show. But Mom knows the tears and frustration. (And yes, I know I'm very lucky to have both of them.)

So, meaning no offence to all of the wonderfully creative people I meet in stores, guilds, and classes; when I meet you, I'm looking for a unique combination of my Mom, other women I love (like my good friend Lillian), and women who help me push my boundaries (like my good friend Louise). I also seek out women who can help me answer the questions I haven't yet figured out how to answer myself (thank you, Judy), and women who are so bold in what they do as their follow their seam line in life, that they inspire me to rethink a lot of my opinions and things I take for granted (thank you, Andrea).

Other than at Jocelyn & Company in Gimli, MB, I have felt that sense of kinship in The Yarn Bank in Taylors Falls, MN, and the Periwinkle in Saskatoon, SK. I know there are many, many other small businesses that provide a welcoming cocoon for creative types like me... I simply haven't spent enough time in them yet. I mention the businesses above, because to me, they are more than simply a business. These organizations create a fun, witty, and creatively challenging and educational environment. And, Dr Freud, I have found a bit of my Mom in some of the people who spend their days there.

I don't mean to exclude men in this short story. I know there are creative men with whom I can culture an excellent creative relationship. I have found that they don't come my way very often and they leave way too soon.

Oh, by the way, that fabric pictured at the top of my post is what I found while chatting with Jocelyn (more WIP!).

I have more embarrassments of richness. Ain't life grand!