What?Why? Wednesday - Episode 1

The Boucle is a lie

***This post is also published on my website blog. I will be cross posting for the foreseeable future.***

When one thinks of boucle yarn, one thinks of soft, elegant, feminine. Nothing but sugar, spice, and everything nice. "The soft texture of boucle yarn adds a feminine touch to career wear without the need for ruffles or bows." -Appleseed's

This boucle yarn, however is none of those things, despite the characteristic loops.

While dreaming up this yarn, I began to think of everything it meant to be 'woman'. Our expectations are to be soft, elegant, and we are often pressured into being those things. Often we mask ourselves as those things by wearing prettier clothes, doing our hair just right, adding either a little or a lot of makeup. We further this facade through a lot of our behaviours as well. We smile and nod. We take a deep breath when interrupted, and allow the other person to finish their thought, sometimes allowing the conversation to veer and completely loose our place and therefore our voice in the matter. We apologize for taking up space. All of these things to be "perfectly feminine."

Using the coarsest top(likely lincoln long wool) in my fibre stash, I spun the loop singles. Using one of the coarser fibres (a corriedale - yes, that's a coarser one ;) ) I had in my stash I spun both the core and the wrapping yarn. Yes, this yarn is properly constructed as a boucle. This yarn, while it looks perfectly feminine, is harsh, and wiry, and scratchy, and not something you want to cuddle up to.

Speaking for myself (as truly I can only do that) I know more often than not by combination of my stature and soft features, people find it odd when I present in a way that they "just don't see in me." I'm cute, and dainty, and sweet. When I choose heavier makeup, and when I want to wear something a little out of the box for a fine boned, gentle girl. I wanted a sharp faux hawk for my wedding day, but was convinced a "softer look" was more feminine. I wanted a side shave hair cut, and the hair dresser softened it. Because someone like me is soft, and feminine... I've been dress shopping and when I choose something a little more out there, I'm greeted with that "look," the one that says "what the hell are you even trying to prove?" All of this experience has made me a bit rigid, a bit abrasive, a bit harsh. But I hide it behind a facade of soft femininity so the world is more comfortable. If you get really close you will know, but from a far you can't see it.

~Kara

Opportunity

**This post is also published on my website blog at https://www.spinheartspin.ca/blog-1 **

It's easy to bloom where you're planted if the soil is fertile, and your roots do not need to stretch great distances for sustenance.

In the summer (2019) we moved from Goodsoil (ironically named in this case) to Saskatoon. Our reasons were many but one reason, above the others, was opportunity. When you are so far removed from the greater population, the opportunities are scarce, and you have to travel frequently and often great distances to take advantage of the few that check off enough of the boxes on the rather long list of how to make the opportunity viable and not costly.

In the 2 months we have been in Saskatoon, opportunity has knocked and knocked again. I've gone and "pounded the pavement" more than once, and have multiple opportunities ahead of me to choose from. One I'm relatively excited about is the Community Arts and Artisanship Program offered at the University of Saskatchewan. Yes, more education, but one is never truly done learning, right? There was an open house this past Friday, and I was able to talk to many artist who are already on the path I'd love to follow as well. I have connections now that would not have occurred had we not decided to relocate.

I've also become a member of AKA Artist Run Gallery, and now have access to a fantastic library, as well as access to event space. Oh the things I can do with all that! There's also the chance next summer to use the gallery space as a launch pad for an idea of been sitting on for years. Hopefully I can work through my trepidations and make it happen!

A few other fantastic opportunities I've had - being able to place my fibres on the shelves of The Wool Emporium, and making a contact at the Creative Haven and lining up two felting classes for October and November!

I'm also going to be moonlighting as an aesthetician for the foreseeable future, mostly just until all these balls begin to roll quickly. I'll probably stick with it for quite a while, as it's enjoyable work! Back to the grind of mani, pedi, wax, repeat! lol Come see me at Definitely You Spa, if you need those services! Opportunity. It's plenty in the big city. I can bloom fully here.

Still Happily Spinning,

~Kara