For the Love of. . .

Susan Shildmyer falls in love easily and often.  Her husband doesn’t mind.  Susan sees a fiber, a color, or maybe even a button and her heart beats faster.  Her mind joins the rhythm of her heart and creation begins.  “On occasion,” Susan says, “ it’s not love at first sight; then I must become acquainted, pet it, listen to its voice before we bond and join forces in creation.”  As a designer, Susan often makes one-of-a-kind items and has created for such well known names as Bobby Jones, Talbots, The Gap, J. Crew, and more.  She’s well known in knitting circles across the country through her contributions to Vogue Knitting on the Go, Knit ‘n’ Style, and Creative Knitting.  Susan Shildmyer knows her way around fiber!

            Design isn’t the only love of Susan’s life.  She is deeply committed to keeping the fiber arts alive to current and future generations.  “Knitting satisfies two of life’s deepest needs:  functionality and adornment.  As with all crafts, knitting originated from a functional need—to produce warm garments from readily available materials.”  Functionality satisfied, a human’s natural need to express oneself artistically rises to the forefront.  Susan believes “the human spirit requires expression of creativity to preserve its essence and to maintain harmony and balance.”

            This balance made itself known in Susan’s life.  As her demanding corporate job required more of her energy and time, knitting became her saving grace.  Here she could let go of pragmatic demands and let her imagination soar.  The steady click and clack of her needles became the balm at the end of her day.  Today, in her “retirement”, Susan tilts the scale decidedly to the creative side.

            Susan takes her organizational and creative talents to the Board of the Heritage Craft Center in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.  “Unfortunately, in today’s fast paced, throw away society, people do not have the time nor need to ‘make it yourself.’  We purchase.  Thus, functionality is satisfied with little personal investment.”  Susan wonders what will happen to these age old production techniques that fuel the spirit as well if we don’t find a way to pass them on to new generations.  Heritage Craft Center strives to teach youngsters and oldsters how to create functional items; and how to find joy in completion of a project.  The soul shall be fed. 

           

     You can take advantage of Susan Shildmyer’s many talents by attending one or two of her classes at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival, October 25^th and 26^th, in Berryville, VA.  She offers a way to use up your old swatches:  Making a Sampler Tote.  Or, for newer knitters, you can learn basic stranded knitting by joining Susan in her Stranded Knitting class.  More information is available on these opportunities at www.shenandoahvalleyfiberfest.com

            Susan has her own studio in Gerrardstown, WV, where she takes an occasional private student.  Her goal is to become a national teacher so seize these local opportunities while she still has time to spare.  For more information on her creations, visit her website www.esysknits.com .

 

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From Russia With Love. . .

      Until three and a half years ago, Tatyana Chambers lived in the old city of Astrakhan in Russia. In this home along the beautiful Volga River, Tatyana studied art and became a graphic designer. A firm believer in technology, Tatyana explored the internet. In so doing, she met a wonderful man. They became cyber pals with the results of two visits to Russia to meet her family and a marriage proposal.

      Tatyana now lives in Alexandria, Virginia. She found a great deal of competition in her professional field and was unable to find a job. She put her design skills to knitting and hand felting. She began to make fiber gifts for friends and family with the same result each time: “You’ve got to find a way to sell these beautiful works of art!”

      Tatyana began marketing at art shows and festivals where the visitors were as delighted as her friends at the quality and style of her work. Today she has been accepted into the prestigious Gilmore Classics (art craft guild) and has her work displayed in Show of Hands, an Alexandria gallery.

      Tatyana’s work combines whimsy with classic style for both elegance and a confident sense of chic. Her pieces range from wearable art to utilitarian vessels. She works in all fibers and color palettes; in both needle and wet felting. One of her most striking examples is a nunofelted stole. This technique fuses wool fiber into silk. While she works mostly with hand felting she does an occasional piece by knitting and fulling.

      Fiber art is deep in Tatyana’s being. She notes that felting is the oldest form of producing fabric known to humankind being noted in Turkey prior to 6500 BC. “Felt is the only natural fiber fabric that can be cut without fraying,” Tatyana quickly shares. She would like to teach others from her knowledge and experience, hoping to open her own studio in the near future. In the meantime, you can partake of her talent by visiting her website www.woolthumb.com . 

      Need a tactile fix? Come visit her booth at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival, October 25^th and 26^th in Berryville, Virginia.

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From an Historic Farm in Back Creek Valley. . .

 

             Tucked into pristine Back Creek Valley sits a lovely old, yellow, farm house filled with fiber art from the hands of Evelyne Fischer.  Born in Switzerland and raised in France, Evelyne brings a European charm to her extensive talents.

            A language teacher in the US for much of her adult life, Evelyne has used her art talents to enhance students’ learning experiences.  Teaching AP French she looked for a creative way to build in relaxed, comfortable conversation.  Evelyne initiated the monthly quilting bee.  Students gathered around cutting, placing, stitching a beautiful quilt all the while speaking only French.  Her technique produced dual results—improved vocabulary and an appreciation for the fiber arts.

            In “retirement”, Evelyne and her husband, Michael fish in Back Creek that defines the eastern edge of their farm.  Their gardens seem fresh out of southern France and her table boasts of lush, local produce.  The Fischers support both safe environmental practices and community involvement.  This is truly a “twosome” family.  Evelyne does not drive so Michael plays chauffeur.  This provides him a certain proprietary knowledge of the fiber arts as Evelyne interacts with other artisans.

            Evelyne’s vivacious enthusiasm for all things beautiful comes through in her teaching.  She will be leading two classes at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival in Berryville, Virginia, October 25^th and 26^th.  Her class, aptly entitled Felted Flowers for Embellishment, will be held both Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 2 until 5 o’clock.  Cost of these classes is $20 including all supplies.  Students go home with at least one finished felted flower.