daily life of crafter – Page 2

The Therapeutic Magic of Fiber Crafts for Seniors

In this blog post, we explore the wonderful world of fiber crafts and their positive impact on the elderly. Engaging in various fiber crafts, such as knitting, crochet, weaving, and more, can offer numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits for seniors. Let’s delve into the therapeutic magic of fiber crafts and how they can enhance the lives of our beloved elderly community.

I recently visited my parents and my mom who used to crochet when I was younger had asked me to help her get back into crochet. Her oldest sister who is 96 now has been back into knitting the last few years making things like shawls, and now baby blankets. I have friends who all knit or crochet, etc and they have all said the same thing. The medical community also has said these activities are wonderful for so many reasons. As we get older and age takes it’s toll on things anything we can do to prolong that with crafts to help your fine motor skills and mental abilities as well as other things is a great start. Here are some of the benefits.

1. Mental Stimulation and Cognitive Benefits: Fiber crafts require focus and concentration, stimulating the brain and enhancing cognitive abilities in seniors. Learning new patterns, colors, and techniques can keep their minds sharp and agile, reducing the risk of cognitive decline.

2 Physical Dexterity and Motor Skills: The repetitive movements involved in fiber crafts help seniors maintain and improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This can be particularly beneficial for those with arthritis or other age-related conditions.

3. Stress Relief and Emotional Well-being: Crafting with fibers provides a calming and meditative experience, reducing stress and anxiety levels in seniors. It can serve as a creative outlet for expressing emotions, boosting their overall emotional well-being.

4. Social Connection and Community: Joining knitting circles, crochet groups, or weaving workshops to name a few, offer seniors the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and combating feelings of isolation or loneliness.

5. Purpose and Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a fiber craft project gives seniors a sense of achievement and purpose, boosting their self-esteem and confidence. It also allows them to create meaningful gifts for loved ones or contribute to charitable causes.

6. Intergenerational bonding: Fiber crafts provide a unique opportunity for intergenerational bonding. Seniors can pass down their knowledge and skills to younger family members, creating cherished memories and strengthening family ties. As well as integrating it’s you get folks in the groups.

7. Adaptive Techniques and Inclusivity: For seniors with physical limitations, there are adaptive techniques and tools available that enable them to participate in fiber crafts. This inclusivity ensures that everyone can experience the joy of creating with fibers.

In Conclusion: Fiber crafts are more than just hobbies. They hold the power to enrich all our lives whatever the age but for seniors in numerous ways. From improving cognitive function and physical dexterity to promoting emotional well-being and social connections, these crafts offer a holistic approach to healthy aging. So, let’s all embrace the therapeutic magic of the fiber crafts and encourage our elderly loved ones to explore their creativity and passion!

I am thrilled that my mother and my aunt have done so and I personally know how it has benefited me in so many ways. Do you have a loved one or a friend that does any of the fiber crafts? I’d love to hear how it has helped them.

As the seasons change

Hello, so does anyone else feel like we were cheated out of summer? In Montana we get a short summer anyway so this year it feels doubly so with all of June being so wet and cold a lot of it. Now Aug is over and September is here. Everywhere things are transitioning to fall items like pumpkins and fall colors. When you have a handmade business like mine you have to think a few months ahead anyway. As I look to the end of the year for 2022 and starting 2023 I am deciding that I need to make some changes in my business moving forward. I am going to be adding some new products to my shop in the coming weeks and months. Also I have been looking at the option of subscription plans and what that would look like for nexusknits. If I were to offer a subscription type option for people what would it be.

The obvious one people think of is offering a video class exclusively for subscribers. Well, that may be a option in the coming year as I look at what equipment I would need to successfully take that on. I have had people ask me about that. The option though I was looking to start with is a physical product. Since I am a small, one person run business I had to come up a product that I could offer that I knew I could put together in a relatively short period of time and offer multiples of. So I am going with my stitch markers. It will be a special, monthly, exclusive stitch marker set with probably some extra goodies thrown in. The theme will be something happening in each month, whether that is a holiday that falls then or a season, etc. If it is successful then I will look at other ideas for themes. You would have a choice of deciding to buy monthly, three months, or 6, or a year. What do you think? Obviously this is meant for people who knit or crochet. These also make a wonderful gift for that special person who does too. I’m still working on the details and will give more details as it comes available. But for now I would love some feedback. Would you go for something like this? Do you subscribe to anything?

Here are some examples of new products available. The bubble tea stitch markers are in the shop now. The baby hat and bootie set will be available soon. I am also stepping it up a bit and have gotten some custom labels made for my products so to look more professional, and up to date with my brand.

As I’ve said, my goal, mission with my business and craft is to make items that bring about some connection for people. Whether it is a accessory like hats, baby items, kitchen home items, and or the stitch markers and key chain items I offer. With that in mind I am also evaluating what hasn’t been selling and adding new, fresh things. The items that haven’t sold will be donated instead to my local charities that could use them for people in need as they are still very good things just not a interest for people to buy. Yet another way I can build connections. In conclusion, as the seasons change so is my business changing in a good way. Til next time, keep making connections and take care.

Daily life of a fiber lover

Hello, this blog post I thought I would put into words how I go about my day as a lover of everything related to the natural and synthetic fibers. Meaning yarn and wool, etc. With these days of being self quarantined and staying home more, my life has not really changed too dramatically. It just means more time for me to do my craft of knitting and crochet. I have just been using more of my stash of yarn lately. Though I have to say I have still bought more. I have done items for myself and family as well as for my business of nexus knits. With the future of the farmers markets up in the air right now for this summer I have been working to get my items I normally sell at those venues online in the shop in case I am not able to sell in person.

I work part time for MIchaels crafts store here in Bozeman as well in the mornings so am still surrounded by crafts. How do I find inspiration you might ask? Sometimes it comes from the yarn itself and sometimes if I see a pattern or a stitch that someone shows I think, that would be great in a dishcloth or shawl or hat, etc. Lately, Ive just made small items like hats with my own designs but am trying to branch out. If I really like a pattern someone has designed though and want to make it either to use for my shop I will make sure they are ok to sell items I have made from the pattern. I always credit the designer though.

Lately, I will have to say though, with this pandemic it has been really hard to keep my motivation going so I have had to go back to making things that are simple easy items that don’t take much thought like dishcloths and a simple blanket that I am loving just to keep working. The simple process of making the stitches and concentrating on that has helped me to relax and not stress from everything going on in the world right now. I’d love to know what you are doing to de stress. What is helping you. Till next time, be safe, stay well and please be kind to everyone.