At 57 years of age, I still think of myself as a student. I would say I am a naturally curious person. I LOVE learning new things, which is handy when the computer crashes or when I’m taking on a new interest in watercolor painting. However, my son in law would agree there is a dangerous down side to my natural curiosity. He remembers our first meeting so much differently than I do. I remember that I was simply delightful and charming, but he recalls the event as akin to an inquisition. Rest assured I have since tried to reign in my curiosity in social settings. Lol

But my curiosity is fully engaged when it comes to anything artistic and creative. I’d say I’m happiest when I’m creating. I can’t get enough of it. I pin ideas with reckless abandon. I fill journal books full of creative ideas I want to try. Most loved ones have received handmade gifts from me. My favorite chair looks like a workshop because it’s where I so often try out my ideas. I work on creative projects daily and until late into the evening. You will rarely find me without a creative project in my hands or in my purse. In fact, my hands are rarely idle.

How did you become known as Stoneybrooke?

I have a name that is so common that using my name on the internet wasn’t an option. So creating an online name was like a fresh start. It was a unique new way to describe the creative side of myself. I also dreamed of opening an Etsy store some day, so I wanted my name to be something I’d like to see on my handmade product tags.

After a lot of thought, I came up with the name Stoneybrooke Cottage. It’s an imaginary place, but it evokes the feeling I have when I create. I see it as a cozy English country cottage with a garden, and a comfy crafting chair snuggled up next to a charming fireplace. It has the best well stocked art supply closet ever! And it’s nestled alongside a stoney brook where I can look out the window and and be inspired by panoramic views of mountains, trees and wildlife. Silly perhaps, but it makes me happy and some things in life should exist just because they make us happy.

How did you first get started with fiber arts?

These days I am knee deep in fiber!  Sheep, alpaca, rabbit, silk, bamboo. You name it, I want to dye it, spin it, and knit it. And I blame it all on my oldest daughter, Brianne!

I’m sure everyone is familiar with “Comfort Eating.” Well Brianne taught me about “Comfort Crafting.” I was there the day my sweet Brianne heard the hardest words a Mom will ever hear… “There is no heartbeat.” This loss was another in series of losses that broke our heart and challenged our faith. In my determination to walk with her through this, I asked her “what can we do that would feel comforting right now?” She said she wanted to go look around our local yarn shop.

A local yarn shop? I had never been to one. Didn’t know they existed and frankly I couldn’t imagine why yarn would be preferable to Haagen Daas but I went along just to be supportive. When we entered the store, it was awash in an array of gorgeous colors, comfy seating, and friendly people. Everything was soooo soft and they encouraged you to touch. I left that day with beautiful yarn, knitting needles and a passion that hasn’t waned in 9 years.