Getting Crafty

RHYS BOWEN: At the beginning of an unforeseen length of isolation I assumed I’d use the time well. Not only would I write stellar books but I would take up all those things I planned to do during my life and never had done. I was going to perfect playing my Welsh harp. I was going to take my knowledge of Italian beyond ordering meals and talking about the weather. Ditto with my Welsh. I have both programs downloaded onto my computer. Both untouched to date.

 Also I was going to be really crafty and make all sorts of wonderful things. Well, I did make some masks before you could buy them, including one from a bra! It looked okay but since I couldn’t breathe with it on was hardly a great success. 

 I bought a big cross stitch picture and I actually started it. I’ve done about an inch along the top by now. At this rate I’ll finish it by 2030.

I cut up many lengths of yarn intending to thread my loom and weave a scarf, but they sit, draped over the loom, not threaded, not ready to begin even. But I did knit an outfit for a German doll given to my daughter Clare as a baby by my best friend when we were visiting in Germany. Clare never really took to the doll (it has a carved wooden head) and so it lay there, too dear to throw away. But the doll was dressed as a baby and I thought he ought to be a little German boy. So I’ve made him lederhosen and a traditional green jacket. I’ve decided i can knit doll’s clothes. I like something I can finish in one evening.

 One thing I did do a lot of, especially at the beginning of the pandemic, was watercolor painting. I found it calming and I liked that I was totally absorbed and so did not worry while I was working. Having done landscapes I tried my hand at portraits and painted several of the family for Christmas gifts.

This was a picture of my mother, done from an old black and white photograph. It does look like her!

 But I notice I haven’t picked up my paints since Christmas. IN fact I haven’t done much in the way of creativity except for starting on my next book--and that’s because the word DEADLINE looms. But I think I feel burned out… too much underlying worry for too long, and then adding additional worry about crazy mobs storming the Capitol. Now all I want is for life to return to normal. I want to feel free to pop to the store whenever I feel like it, not just during senior hour, to meet friends for lunch, to go to a theater again. I’m sure you all feel the same.

 So who else has found her artistic and crafty side during this time? I saw a post from Jenn that she had ordered masses of yarn, intending to do great knitting projects.

I know Hallie has been doing jigsaws like crazy. Has anyone else found a hidden artistic bent? A new hobby that will be continued after the pandemic lifts? I think my new hobby will be research for upcoming travel!

And who found they were more creative? Less creative? More inspiration? Less inspiration?   For me it was the latter. I find I have had to drag out the words for my books, force myself to sit at the computer.  Now I have my vaccines maybe I'll be bursting with new creativity--make that cross stitch, weave that scarf, oh, and write a few brilliant books along the way.

AND drum roll please! 
The winner of Ellie Griffith's book is Joan Emerson.  Joan please email me at authorrhysbowen@gmail.com with your street address and I'll see that a copy is sent to you.  Congratulations.