Here are 5 things that interested me this week:
1. An article by Clare Hunter, author of Threads of Life: a History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle, in The Guardian. She writes about the mental health benefits of sewing. She describes a charitable project, called Fine Cell Work, which teaches inmates in prisons around the UK embroidery. Their creations are sold online, earning them a little money, but the bigger benefit seems to be the peace and comfort their stitching afforts them. I am a bit surprised by this claim, since I think things like a tangled threads, running out of bobbin, and threading a serger, seem to undo any serenity I might enjoy from sewing.
3. Healthline weighs in on the mental benefits of not just sewing, but all handicrafts. They credit hobbies and crafts with reducing depression and anxiety, improving mood, and creating a greater sense of well-being. It doesn't seem to matter what the craft is--knitting, painting, sewing, cake decorating, photography, playing an instrument, or even coloring in a coloring book; it's all good. Jeez, have we ever needed crafts more than now???
4. An article in the Daily Mail claims that quilting improves your health even more than exercise!!! Whoa. Now there's a claim that grabs my attention. I don't think I'll give up exercise, but when I occasional skip a workout to finish a piece, I won't feel so guilty!
Harkening back to the days I made purses and pillows with marine invertebrates, I made some small pieces--around 10x15-ish--featuring marine critters. These will go to Creative Minds Gallery tomorrow. I like having some small, affordable pieces, and making things like this gives me a place to try new ideas and play around a bit without the huge risk or expense of a large piece.
