A Day Out At Bittersweet Farms

Contemplating the beauty of nature during

this wonderful season of fall

On Saturday, Stephen and I headed out to Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse, Ohio, for their fall festival. Bittersweet Farms is a residential program for adults with autism, but is a very special and unique program that provides a balanced lifestyle for its residents, who tend a small farm and have several creative workshops where the residents make income producing products, such as woven rugs and place mats, ceramic ware, bird houses, wind chimes, dried flower arrangements and canned goods, just to name a few. 

The fall festival was wonderful. There were lots of crafts and baked goods for sale, as well as pony and horse drawn cart rides, performances by local talent, carnival style games, and simply the chance to be "on the farm" on a gloriously crisp but sunny, autumn day, walking through the fields and communing with the farm critters.

We got talking to one of the mothers of one of the Bittersweet Farms residents, and she expressed profound gratitude for this alternative living and working environment for her adult daughter. Her daughter did not appear to us to be very verbal, but apparently she is, according to her mother, passionately interested in art, and has found, in creating things, a real sense of pride, purpose and peace about herself. Her mother said that prior to entering Bittersweet Farms, her daughter had been employed in a subsidized sheltered workshop where she expressed frustration and boredom with the tasks given to her. Now, when her daughter comes home to visit her, she is eager to get back to Bittersweet Farms, and eager to get back to her work. I can't think of a better testimony for a residential program for the disabled than this sort of enthusiasm. 

Everything produced at Bittersweet Farms is lovely, colorful and professionally made. The farm itself is on a rural setting that is peaceful and beautiful. I found it deeply touching that many creative and hard-working people have given birth to, and sustained, this dream of a holistic, balanced and creative lifestyle for adults with disabilities, who are so often given so little in our society. 

But the visit also caused me to reflect on my own lifestyle. Am I living a balanced life, in a sustaining community, doing work of which I am proud and which serve a sacred purpose? Putting beauty and creativity into the world is, I believe, a sacred purpose, and a source of strength and inspiration to the greater community. 

My little community of two (me and Stephen) is a tiny one, but my "greater community" continues to grow as I settle in here more and more. And I continue to find having time to create art and do my writing, cook meals from scratch, participate in spiritually caring for the sick and dying as well as being of service in other small ways to the community, to write this blog, and to create a warm and welcoming home for my "little community" is well worth the cut in pay! Stephen and I don't have lots of "things"and have to be careful with how we spend money, but we have a lifestyle that, I'm beginning to see, I wouldn't change for anything. It is slow and full and rich, and I am thankful for it. It allows me to prioritize for the important stuff--like a day out at Bittersweet Farms!--and to support the dreams, visions and creative endeavors that are life sustaining for others, especially the poor, the oppressed and those whom society so often overlooks.

I invite you to check out their website at www.bittersweetfarms.org . 

New Beginnings in a Season Full of Endings

Out walking on a weekend trip in southern Ontario, as autumn begins to unfold...

A monarch butterfly stops off besides Lake Erie in southern Ontario, 

on its way to Mexico...another long journey in progress...

Back in late August, I made the decision to end this blog. I felt it had run its course and served its purpose. I saw myself as off on a new and different journey. Now, at the request of some of my friends and readers (thank you for your support and feedback!)--as well as having reconsidered my stance on what this blog might be about (and what it appears to mean to many others who are on a similar journey)--I've decided to begin again, in this lovely season full of endings...

When I came to northeastern Ohio, I was immediately struck by the many organizations available here to get women in touch with creating, purchasing or supporting the arts and crafts, both locally and globally. Right here in town we have two wonderful and extensive fair trade organizations. We have quilting organizations that quilt for charity purposes and fundraising, and charity organizations that have extensive arts and crafts programs. We also have thriving arts organizations and community centers with extensive adult learning programs focusing on the arts and spiritual development. In fact, I found so much going on here that at first I thought, "There's no need for my individual efforts here--why not just sign on with some of these organizations and help THEM out? They're older, bigger and more experienced at what they're doing. Why try and re-invent the wheel as they say with my own tiny blog and efforts?"

Happily intrigued by all I was finding, I dove in head first, signing up for a work shop in traditional rug hooking, as well as  taking a quilting course and signing on for a ceramics class as the prerequisite for having studio privileges at a local community center. I volunteered to work at a quilting organization's annual fundraiser that raises money for developmentally disabled kids, and I volunteered, along with my husband, to demonstrate "pioneer era crafts" at our local metroparks. 

Soon I was also taking courses in organic gardening and food preservation, Chinese cooking, and much more. I also started frequenting local farm stands, and learned how to can and store the various delicious seasonal foods. I was kind of like the proverbial kid in a candy store that didn't know when to stop popping chocolates into her mouth! I found I was learning all sorts of new life skills--and loving it!

But something more is going on here for me...Now that I am only working part time--and VERY part time at that--I have had a lot more time to pursue, vocationally, my art and writing. I have set up my own studio and am getting back to illustration, painting and mosaic work. Currently I am working with a publisher on a book, as well as still freelancing articles for various publications. I also have established a bit more of a routine for prayer, exercise and meditation, and am looking into affiliation with various spiritual and faith-based organizations, realizing that, realistically, I can probably only affiliate myself with one of them effectively...but this is a time for checking each other out, not yet for making commitments... 

And to top it all off, Stephen and I have been simply mesmerized with the changing of the seasons, which we have missed for several years now, and have been out taking advantage of the many lovely metroparks that abound in this area. Being in nature is feeding my soul, both artistically and spiritually, at a new and deeper level. I've been fascinated to find almost all the birds we knew around our pond during Florida winters to be here in Ohio during the summer (heron, egrets, they're all here--except for the roseate spoonbill and the anhinga) and we are enjoying our "new birds", like the hummingbirds, indigo bunting and the gold finch which we see in abundance in this area. 

Can you see where all this is going? Lots of new beginnings and great discoveries, all right in the middle of one of the most beautiful times of the year up north...

But then I got thinking, "Why not simply document for people what it is you're doing and discovering, especially in terms of all the new arts organizations and crafting activities you're involved with, and your own spiritual journey through it all?" Surely, some of this stuff will interest some of your readers. And the whole purpose of this blog isn't to highlight my accomplishments per se, if there were any! The purpose of this blog is to be a vehicle to network with other "crafty" women about what myself and other women are doing in the area of the arts and crafts to help build creative and spiritual community, and build a better world, right? And believe me, there's plenty going on up here to share with you all.

So my dear friends and readers, if you'll bear with me during this wonderful time of new beginnings and transitions, and if you don't mind the fact that I might be posting entries a bit more sporadically than before, let's begin again in our mutual quest to craft a better world through fair trade networking, participating in crafting communities and through our modest but sincere attempts to build a better world in small but important steps. 

You'll notice my blog has a new name: The Artisan's Retreat. There's two reasons for that. First of all, I was beginning to feel that "Global Women's Artisan Alliance" was a rather grandiose title for such a modest little effort. Second, I am hoping you will find, or continue to find, this little blog to be a place of "retreat", where you, fellow artisan, can take a moment to rest, perhaps over a cup of coffee, and connect with me and with the efforts of other kindred spirits out there in a manner that will inspire and energize you. I want this blog to continue to be a little haven and network for all women artisans who see crafting and creating things not only as a way to make stuff, build community and create a better world, but as an important part of their own spiritual journey. The feedback I'm getting from nearly everyone who contacts me about this blog is that for them, as well as me, making things is an important part of who they are spiritually, and an important part of their own unfolding journey.

So, my friends, are you ready for a new beginning during this autumnal season full of glorious and brilliant finales? Then let's begin!

Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village

ll right, so I have been a terrible blog host these last two months, but do know that I am running around like a kid in a candy store, checking out all the riches of northwestern Ohio which, it turns out, is a arts and craft lover's paradise. I'm investigating quilt classes, checking out arts centers, looking for a studio out of which to do my ceramics and meeting all kinds of interesting women artisans. Have some patience and stay posted, because eventually I'll be sharing it all with you...And don't think I've given up on our global women--things continue to brew there too, and I will be sharing updates with you shortly...

Last week I went out to Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio and attended their 13th Annual Rug Hooking Week. I have always wanted to learn how to hook rugs, and took an introductory course with Nancy Blair of Tomorrow's Heirlooms in Allendale, Michigan. I cannot say enough about Nancy--she was a fabulous teacher and a wealth of knowledge. I have tried rug hooking before and wasn't happy with what I wound up with. (I figured I just didn't have the touch.) But Nancy was able to recommend what kind of fabric I should use as well as what type of hook might make rug hooking easier and more satisfying for me and my style of working, and she was able to help me learn to space my hooking for better results. 

I plan on attending next year's Rug Hooking Retreat, scheduled for August 16-21, 2010. Check out www.saudervillage.org for details. You can also reach Nancy Blair via email regarding her products, patterns and teaching schedule at thhkrugs@altelco.net .

On the Journey to a New Beginning...

Beautiful handmade, extra thick but ultra soft wool socks, knitted by a North Carolina craftswoman in her eighties! I purchased them at Dogwood Crafters Cooperative in Dillsboro, North Carolina, just south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can special order a pair to your specifications for $40. www.dogwoodcrafters.com

Not only are these soaps molded into gorgeous patterns, but they are about the best smelling guests soaps I've ever encountered! (The blue oval soap has a piece of genuine sponge from Tarpon Springs, Florida, set in it, so of course I couldn't resist buying it!) At three for $10, these soaps would make lovely gifts, and your purchase supports the work of of Franciscan Sisters of Sylvania, Ohio, who make them. holyaromasoaps@sistersosf.org . 

Beautiful Boleslawiec ceramic ware for my new home. Handcrafted in Poland; each piece is unique. The Polish Art Center in Hamtramck (Detroit) Michigan has about the most extensive inventory I've ever seen, among all sorts of other folk art items, books and Polish crafting supplies. www.polartcenter.ocm

The owner of The Polish Art Center (left) and an assistant pose proudly in front of an autographed picture of Clint Eastwood, who starred in and directed "Grand Torino". The crew came by the Polish Art Center to buy authentic Polish crafts and "knickknacks" to give main character Walt Kowlaski's Detroit home that little bit of Polish flare!

As Stephen and I continue to settle into our new home and our new lives, we're happy to see all sorts of opportunities here for connecting with other artists and craftspeople, especially those who love to create things while trying to use their skills to make a better world. I will continue to be posting our discoveries, so stay tuned, and blessings on your own journeys!

The Things I'm Most Grateful For From Our Time in Florida

Mazzaro's--the best cappucino bar/Italian butcher/deli/wine cellar/bakery and 

grocery store in Florida, if not in the United States!

The little green heron and the roseate spoonbill--just two of our feathered friends who are "frequent flyers" around our home in Feather Sound...

All those afternoons and evenings, crafting for charity...what fun!

"My moorhen"...this duck "adopted" me, and we had coffee on my front porch every morning (actually, I drank the coffee, while my moorhen nibbled on toast...)

Steve just loves a beach--any beach!--that's for sure!

Some critters are cuter than others...but I still have a lot of respect for gators of any size!

A critter convention on our front lawn 

(must have been something tasty going on in the pond!)

Stephen at Carillon Center, one of our favorite locations

 for walking and watching the critters...

This past St. Patrick's Day...Floridian style...

Steve takes it easy after becoming a CPE associate in Orlando

Kayaking with the manatees

Our cruises to the western Caribbean...

St. Augustine, Florida

Picking juice oranges at Carol Mitchell's...

Some friends--and remarkable women--turned out for a fundraising 

dinner at Audrey's for Ethiopian women suffering obstetric fistulas. 

My top ten list of what I'm most grateful for from 

our time in Florida

10. Saturday morning cappucinos at Mazzaro's Italian market

9. Fresh squeezed orange juice and the best marmalade in the world--made from the left over oranges from people's backyards

8. Swimming in the heated pool in the middle of winter 

7. Swimming--and kayaking--with the manatees!

6. The two Caribbean cruises we got to take out of Tampa (although we wouldn't be tripping over ourselves to go on another; guess we're just not "cruise people"...)

5. Cheese grits, blue crabs and boiled peanuts

4. Long weekends in Naples, Miami and St. Augustine

3. All our birds and critters on the pond, at the nature preserves, and beaches, beaches and more beaches!

2. The opportunity for Stephen to train to become a clinical pastoral education supervisor! (That's the person who trains others to be hospital and hospice chaplains) and for me to do respite work and spirituality programming with our medical staff for three years and...

1. All the wonderful people we met and the friends we made! We will miss you!

All good things must come to an end--or at least be given a rest! As Stephen and I make our way back north to our new home and lives, this blog will be "going on vacation" for the month of July. I plan to resume writing again in early August. See you then, and thanks for following our adventures in crafting a better world!

Craft Hope

When I found out about Craft Hope, I just had to share! See this link below to see their recent doll making project for orphans in Nicaragua. You can get more information about Craft Hope at www.crafthope.com .

Craft Hope: Final Count

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The Lazy Days of Summer...

Here's Stephen and I at the end of our week long retreat at Marywood Center in Jacksonville, Florida. We took a course in icon painting with Peter Pearson; Steve's first and my second. We really enjoyed it as it gave us a chance to relax and re-center our lives. Of course, everyone asked us what we were going to do with two identical icons--one is going to my parents for their anniversary present (hopefully they don't read my blog!--smile...)

Here's hoping each of you is entering into the lazy days of summer. Reading, journaling, painting maybe, or off on a vacation, near or far, with family or friends. Summer slips by quickly, and while here in Florida, summer can often be so hot and humid that staying indoors curled up with a good book is the best alternative on any given afternoon, I know many of my friends up north are probably enjoying those gorgeous, sunny days summer is known for... Don't let them slip away!