Meet Artemis
I designed this stole and finished knitting it the night before Rhinebeck. I'm really pleased with how it came out... so pleased that I got right to work on the pattern. The pattern is now completed and I'm this close to getting it up on this blog for sale - check back in a couple of days. And I'm also much closer to having my very own website with even more of my patterns for sale.
It's been a really interesting couple of weeks. A couple people had recommended Barbara Sher's book Wishcraft to me, which is all about figuring out what you really want to do for a living and how to get there. It's a fantastic book, and I've also been reading her book I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was.
And the upshot is, I think I need to give knit design a real shot, as well as go back to some other artistic pursuits that have fallen by the wayside. (One of these is mask making. Anyone know of any mask makers in the Northeast that I should apprentice myself to?)
All my life, I imagined that I would be some kind of artist or artisan when I grew up. But somewhere along the way, I internalized the message that I would never be able to make a living at artistic pursuits, and that I should be doing something more "worthwhile." Where did I get those messages? My parents were always supportive of my dreams of a life in the theater, and kept me well-stocked with art supplies.
I'm not quitting my day job - yet. But I do plan to get a different day job, some work that I can actually leave at work. (Temping is actually looking pretty appealing right now.)
Life is too short not to do what you love, right?
It's beautiful, Alison.
Posted by: Kathy | November 03, 2007 at 05:49 PM
Oh hooray!!! I love the sound of this plan and can't wait to see where you go with it.
Posted by: The Feminist Mafia | November 03, 2007 at 07:27 PM
Oh wow oh wow oh wow! Sign me up for a copy--it's absolutely gorgeous! :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | November 03, 2007 at 09:56 PM
yay! ::lining up along the parade route to cheer you on:: n
Posted by: julia fc | November 03, 2007 at 11:44 PM
Beautiful stole! Good luck with sorting out the job stuff.
Posted by: Danielle | November 04, 2007 at 12:07 PM
That is *gorgeous*!
Posted by: Romi | November 06, 2007 at 12:04 PM
You're right, life is too short. I should get a copy of that book too.
Posted by: Cheryl | November 08, 2007 at 10:34 AM
You Go Girl! Yea to you for having the guts to give it a go. Gorgeous shawl, makes me wish I knit lace.
Posted by: Knitting Bandit | November 13, 2007 at 11:44 PM