From Ashes to Blogs

Maybe it's the changing of the season, or maybe its just because I'm ready, but I'm finally getting around to creating this blog! This blog has been in the back of my mind for about 2 years now. I have young children (twins to be precise) and finding the time to blog has always seemed a bit of a challenge. I feel like my kids watch my every move just waiting for a moment when I sit down. :)Things are about to change however, they are enrolled in Pre-K for the fall and I'm actually going to get a few precious hours, a few days a week, to work on my passions! (Although I should probably be cleaning!) I'm not sure what this blog will do, or where it will take me, it just seems like the right thing to do. I want a place to post my projects, and to share new things I'm learning or doing. I'm yearning for feedback, and fellow fiber artist chatter. I have learned the majority of my art online. I don't have any knitter friends, and pretty much everyone thinks it's strange that I own a spinning wheel (or two). Without sources like blogs, and YouTube, I would not be doing what I love today. So this blog is giving back in a sense, and also opening up the doors to communicate with other fiber artists like me, that are just doing what they love. I guess I'll end this post with the explanation of how Phoenix Fiber Arts was created.

In 2011 a few important things happened in my life:

• I ran a half marathon. I am one of those strange people who just love to run. I struggle with my weight, I gave birth to twins, I don't run fast (more like turtle speed). I in no way look like a runner. I just love how it makes me feel. I love what it gives me mentally and spiritually. I feel connected with the earth, connected with my thoughts. It is like mediation and a spiritual renewal each time I hit the pavement. The training it took for me to run 13.1 miles without stopping was intense and took a long time.
• I read the entire Harry Potter series for the first time. How does this relate to a half marathon? I'll tie it up in the end. :)
• I became very serious about my "hobby" which then was knitting and crocheting, and has now grown into dyeing and spinning as well (and basically everything fiber related I can get my hands on.)

So how do these things tie together?? Well one image sums it up.

Credit to:  http://clipart-for-free.blogspot.com/2008/05/phoenix-bird-clipart.html

 

 

The Phoenix. I guess it's my mantra. It is a symbol that perhaps started as a beloved Harry Potter character (Fawkes), but has turned into so much more. When I was training I used to reach several moments in my longer runs where I wanted to stop. There is this thing my brain does, where it says, "STOP! You can't go on. You can't take another step! This is too hard!" It's just a mind game. Much of what makes running difficult is mental. It's mind over matter in the simplest way. It was on accident that I first thought of it, but somehow the image of a Phoenix entered my mind. I pictured it dying and bursting into flames, just like how my lungs felt. Burning. What makes this mythical bird so appealing though, is it's rebirth. When it dies in the flames it is reborn from its ashes. I'm sure you can follow my symbolism here. In my mind I pictured the rebirth, and found some mental strength to renew my brain and to focus. It worked. From there on out, I took the phoenix with me on every run. It has been with me through many many miles.

 

So how does this relate to Fiber Arts? Well, perhaps its just the sheer stamina or determination it takes to see through a full knitted blanket, or yards of yarn still waiting to be plied. But I like to see it as a rebirth of the fiber. For example, we sheer a sheep, or alpaca, and in ways it is done. It has served its purpose for that animal. We, the artists, take that discarded fiber and turn it into something beautiful. It's rebirth. Thus, Phoenix Fiber Arts found its way into my life. It is welcome here, as I have longed to share my passion with others, and perhaps learn some new things along the way.