22 February 2012

Art was the Connection



In November 2010, I stumbled on to a blog created by a woman from the Netherlands. She was doing a snow dye workshop and I had just done some snow dyeing with friends. I left her a comment telling her so. A few weeks later, I had done shibori dyeing and low and behold, this woman was doing shibori dyeing at the same time. I left her another comment.  This woman was Suus. I started reading her blog entries and through her found many other fiber artists from the Netherlands. I have the power of the internet to thank for bringing us together. This was the beginning of a long and ever expanding connection I have made with many wonderful and warm women from the Netherlands. Many of their blogs are listed on my blog list.
During my second blog anniversary, I received an email from Suus, telling me how generous I was and that she wanted to send me some of her wonderful snow dyes. I said yes, if we could trade. She agreed. I have just received her snow dyes, THREE of them, along with a wonderful artist post card with burnt organza and Tyvek. (above)





Although I was a dental hygienist for 37 years, I also have a bachelors and masters degree in Environmental Science and Policy. I wrote my masters thesis on sustainable communities and part of that was in depth research on what community was and how it was created. At the time, 1997, computers and the internet were still in their infancy especially when compared with today's social media, YouTube and apps. One form of community creation that was mentioned in the literature was the internet. Back then I didn't really see it but I am now part of a large community of quilt and fiber artists, many of whom I "met" on the internet.
I have started to study Dutch and one artist "friend" Nienke, gives me a dutch word a day. It is these kindnesses and thoughtful blog comments from others that make my life so enjoyable. I don't know when I will get to the Netherlands but I WILL go there as soon as I am able and I so look forward to meeting these wonderful generous women. Life is GOOD. Thank you my friends.

9 comments:

  1. Hello Beth,
    Beautiful fabrics have you gotten from Suus.Thank you so much for the lesson in tray dyeing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lucky you, beautifull snow dyes. Thanks for all the lessons you gave us.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So nice that you recieved them. And I hope to welcome you some day in the Netherlands.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am working on my Dutch language slowly but I WILL be there one day. Hopefully soon. Meanwhile, I have you all to share life and art with.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Suus has done a wonderful job! And yes, it would be nice if you could visit the Netherlands. We do have a spare bedroom! Hope to see you soon.
    And the internet is wonderful. So many new friends I have found. Quilting is sharing!
    gr. Marjolijn

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you, Beth, your post brought a smile to my face. I have made many new friends through the internet as well. Isn't it wonderfull? And I would love it if you would come to the Netherlands!

    ReplyDelete
  7. We all enjoy this feeling of being connected. And that makes the word of today: Verbonden. Which means Connected. We are, through our passion for fibres, the world wide web and the kindness in our actions, like your give aways and Suze's gift (thats her original name and you know what, it means sweet in german... Isn't that a good match with her character?).

    ReplyDelete
  8. What beautiful fabrics you've received along with those other, more valuable gifts. :)

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing your comments. Thanks for visiting

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.