Remember the days of sitting around the sewing circle
together with family or friends, sewing a quilt or crocheting
sweaters and hats? It was a time for relaxation, conversation
and creativity. Who does this now? We have inexpensive
synthetic clothing. Who needs to crochet, knit, weave or
mend? Handwork for pleasure or out of necessity is on the
decline. We have assorted distractions and no time to relax.
Or at the very least, meaningful activity that uses the
energetic impulses of the individual constructively for
creative openings for our uniqueness in the world. The
creative outlet, I am beginning to believe, is tied to our
inner voice and quite possibly, our souls. Repetition,
rhythm, push and pull hand movements have a therapeutic,
calming effect on a person. The sewing circle was one of
these therapeutic occasions.
Beading Necklaces
Two gifts came to my door recently for the benefit of the
children that I teach. The first gift was a large box of
colored cut shells for necklaces. The box contained large
bags of hundreds of turquoise or shell white, purple, blue,
copper, yellow, pink colored abalone shell pieces to be made
into necklaces. Each had a hole for the necklace string to go
through. The colors were pearly and magnificent, each one
unique and imperfect. In the box were also tiny gold or
silver beads to string between the shells. I added a roll of
fishing line and necklace closures and brought the surprise
to the Special Ed. school for the children.
What a thrill for the children! They had real adult beads to
make necklaces and bracelets for the Purim costumes or to
give as gifts. The girls felt grown up and special. After
they strung the beads, I took them home. My family sat around
the kitchen table and attached necklace fasteners to each
necklace and bracelet. It was too much for the school
children to do themselves. As nature would have it, my family
caught the beading bug and began to hunt through the bags of
shell heads and string their own creations. The repetition of
beading and repeating the sequence of beads by color and size
is very satisfying. We sat around the kitchen table occupied
and satisifed. That evening happened to be the day snow fell.
Everyone was at home. Everyone was busy choosing and
stringing real abalone bead necklaces. It was truly a warm
family evening around the table together.
Nettlepoint
The next day, an unexpected phone call brought a distributor
to our door to show us the joys of a new craft project. After
a demonstration and the full details, he left us a kit to do
ourselves. After all, if we liked it, we would tell others
and pass on the good word. For the next week, this craft
project has kept the kids busy in their free moments and has
actually relaxed them. It is called NETTLEPOINT.
The Nettlepoint kit was designed as an alternative to wall
tapestries that grace hotel lobbies, banks and public
places.
The nettlepoint crafts kit includes: felt cloth 50 by 60
centimeters, three sandwich bags of colored angel- hair-like
fiber, a Styrofoam board to protect your table and cushion
the `nettle.' The nettle is a sticky custom-made needle. We
poke the fibers into the felt with the nettle. The object of
the kit is to have easy and affordable wall hangings for
activities and creative unique decorations. The benefits go
beyond and include therapeutic, relaxing and socializing
time. Who doesn't need this?
Now there is an exciting alternative to the world of computer
games, meaningful activity that uses the energetic impulses
of the individual constructively for creativity.
USE WITH SUPERVISION. Not recommended for small children.
Three points impressed me about this crafts kit:
BRINGS THE FAMILY TOGETHER
All the family can work on different sections of the
nettlepoint wall hanging. Ideas can be shared to include
working out the color scheme together, suggestions of
twisting two colors of fiber together, sewing on buttons,
sequins or ribbons etc.
The best part is sitting around the table together where
everyone is relaxing and is building self esteem as they
watch their own creative impulses actualizing before their
eyes. It is a lot of fun.
The finished wall hanging has the warmth of a cozy blanket or
rug but is considered an offshoot of wall tapestries. The
finished nettlepoint craft wall hanging gives warmth and adds
memories of shared time together for the family.
CREATIVE POTENTIAL
The personal taste and expressive value of nettlepoint is up
to you.
Be as creative or as non-creative as you like. Design your
own picture or use their designs. Follow the coded colors or
choose your own colors.
Overlay different color combinations and refine the colors to
your taste and sensitivity. It's like painting because of the
spontaneity involved but it is actually fiber art. You can
easily undo or redo areas you don't like and begin again.
THERAPEUTIC VALUE
Maybe an Occupational Therapist can explain to us what makes
the poking motions of the nettle needle so satisfying.
Perhaps it activates parts of the brain not normally being
activated. It doesn't require any special skills, yet uses
important small motor muscles in the hands and arms. We all
can use this. A great tension releaser. In fact, once you get
going, the rhythm is compelling and contagious. It seems to
wake up rhythms in the body and puts people in a subtly good
mood. It's a hand exercise activity for hands that have
worked too long on the computer keyboard or have not been
used and puts people in a subtly good mood.
Kids with an abundance of energy sit down and enjoy
themselves producing an original artistic creation. Kids with
low energy are gently woken up and benefit from the
excitement of their own ability to create and express
themselves. People with certain learning or physical
disabilities will feel successful; individuals with long-term
illness or those confined to bed will enjoy this craft and
may even use the visualization technique of popping the cells
of the styrofoam while they, in turn, create beautiful wall
decorations.
Summer camp groups, seniors and institutions can all enjoy
doing this very easy form of tapestry weaving, without the
weaving. Needless to say, the above activities are great for
parties and other special occasions. It is good to know
that we have the option for craft and sewing circles once
again.
Phone: 1-800-450-Craft
In Jerusalem; 02-999-5570.
Devora Piha teaches wonderful afternoon thinking skill
arts and crafts and painting/drawing `chuggim' for children
and offers short-term groups for mothers, teachers and
kindergarten teachers in Ramat Beit Shemesh on How to Teach
Arts and Crafts to your Children. Call 992-0501.
