Yarn Shop Hop

While we were on our business retreat we had to feed our yarn addiction.  We stop at several yarn shops and craft supply stores to fill up our stashes.  There are several between the beach and the mountains so we stopped at a few of them.

Our first stop was the yarn Mecca Friends and Fiberworks in Candler.  I was in overwhelm with all of my favorite yarns and accessories.  I found some great novelty yarn to make a summer shawl project from.  I am addicted to the polymer clay buttons they sale.  They are like candy.

Next I had to go to Earth Guild the craft supply store in downtown Asheville with all the unique products for handcrafted fiber projects.  Weaving, basketry, knitting, surface design, batik, etc.  I had to get supplies for my upcoming basket workshops I am teaching.

Next we went to the Knitting Diva yarn shop and teaching center in North Asheville.  The owner is a fellow UpLeveler and we got to chat about the healing properties of knitting and yarn. I got some wonderful bulky yarns and books and a handcrafted mug with my favorite phrase 'knitting is cheaper than therapy'.

  

Finally, on our layover in Chapel Hill due to the storm on super bowl Sunday we stopped at Downtown knits in Apex, NC.  Tad a 🎉  I was in heaven!  A yarn shop and a sewing center with all latest and trendy yarns and fabrics.  The owner and her teaching staff were warm and friendly.  A nice cozy place to take classes and just sit and stitch.

I am so happy that I was able to connect with other crafters as well as learn new business concepts at the retreat.  It was a perfect balance for me and I enjoyed getting out and about with my fellow 'Crafty Diva's.'

Click Business Retreat

Clickster's, Hipsters and my creative Sisters! We are ready to Uplevel

I am having such a great time with my business peeps at Uplevel You 'Click' event sponsored by Christine Kane, Inc. in Asheville. We are networking with other business owners and focusing on growing our businesses in a way that is in alignment with our Souls. I'm wearing @arttowearhouse designed by my favorite art to wear designer Suzanne Armstrong. My jewelry I'm wearing is made by my friend and gallery owner/artist Jennifer Johnson @obxbluepelican. Check out their websites for more gorgeous whimsical wearable art. ‪#‎arttowearhouse‬ ‪#‎obxbluepelican‬ ‪#‎clickasheville‬ ‪#‎christinekane‬‪#‎Craftydivacottage‬

old negative mindsets in the trash and replacing them with positive empowered ones.  ‪#‎clickasheville‬ ‪#‎christinekane‬

Last day in Asheville. Here is a photo of the Dream wall where people put their bucket list. Very creative

Crafting while traveling

Part of my traveling adventures is checking out art galleries and working studios.  I love making arts & crafts and trying new techniques while on a trip.  I learn so much when I do this and I get so inspired.  While in Asheville last month I stopped at a paint your pottery studio that also had fused glass. I love making fused glass pendants and was ready for the next level of making plates.  I wanted my plate to have a neon outer space feel.   Random pops of color with not a lot of definition spiraling through the universe.  I definitely achieved my goal and I love the results.  My collection of fused glass plates is beginning.

Exploring Asheville

After a nice trip I am now sitting peacefully in my colorful island cocoon.  A few weeks ago, after searching high and low (north, south, east & west) for the last 21 years, I finally found my 'Shangri La' in Asheville, NC.   I have been on a quest for a town that my heart and soul resonated with.  I experimented with Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado.  Looking for areas that were creative, artistic, spiritual, mountain living, Native American influence, culturally diverse, free thinking, environmental, wellness centers, hippie dippy, still elegant and sophisticated and a days drive to the ocean.  I'm an adventurer an explorer by nature.  Growing up as a military brat turned me into a restless modern day gypsy.  I've never felt grounded or at home anywhere.  I've had immediate connections to places, but not a sense of 'Ahhh!'  I'm now ready to explore the possibilities that Asheville could provide.  I'm not going to hop right in and make something happen.  I'm going to let God and my inner wise voice (my heart) guide me.  Not my head.  I'm in my second half of life and time is moving rapidly.  The moments are to be savored and enjoyed.   No longer plowing and trailblazing through life.  I don't have to plant the flowers, I can take time to smell the roses already there and finally enjoy the journey.  It doesn't have to be home, it could just be....