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 I
have learned over the years that there is a meditative quality to a repetitive
craft which can be nourishing to the spirit and be deeply relaxing. As
a pediatric occupational therapist, I often spend my professional time
helping to nurture the uniqueness, creativity, and independence in children
with developmental challenges as they learn to play, go to school, and
care for themselves. One of the tenets of my profession is the importance
of creating balance between work, self-care, and leisure. While I have
the unique opportunity to discuss this concept with the families with
whom I work, I am deeply committed to achieving a healthy balance of
activities in my own life. Craft has always been replenishing for me.
My love of hand crafts was cultivated growing up among the artist culture
on the coast of Maine. I have dabbled in traditional and unique basketry,
beading, pottery, knitting, figure drawing, and quilting; always excited
to discover a new medium! When I learned to felt, in an attempt to create
a vessel with structural integrity, it seemed only natural to find a
way to incorporate my favorite elements from other media. The functional
potential in using a natural and renewable resource such as wool excites
me! It is a material that offers an appreciation of Nature, centuries
of functional and primitive uses, and the opportunity for unique design.
The mountain peoples of Mongolia who fashion their yurt homes and syrmak
carpets from wool, as well as the Turkish traditions of multi-color knitting
designs are an inspiration!
Most recently, I have been exploring the joy of color! I am addicted
to experimenting with different vibrant color combinations and their
effects on my emotion, especially with the changing of the seasons. I
am attracted to forms that resemble pottery, and detail that draws the
eye in for a second look. My goal is to use the strength in felted wool
to make a durable, yet beautiful container for frequently used or treasured
objects. More recently, I am dabbling in whimsical hats and wool textiles
for jewelry! "As you begin your life in the world, intertwining the past
and weaving one future, may your fabric be especially strong. May your
pattern be unusually beautiful."
Sincerely,
Heather Kerner
SpiralWorks
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