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Yesterday was the last Church of Craft meeting in Portland. I’ve decided to shut the group down.
There are many reasons for this, but mostly: a) attendance has been dwindling over the last ten months, and b) after organizing this group for five and a half years, I need to stop.
My emotions have been all over the place about this transition. I’ll certainly spare you my careening angst, but suffice to say, starting a Church of Craft chapter in Portland was the first step I ever took toward building a craft-centered life for myself. So there are ways in which this feels like losing a treasured friend.
Still, Portland is in an interesting moment: the crafty culture here has exploded, and we may be beginning to reach a saturation point. It seems to me that events that happen regularly can get forgotten, what with all the shiny new events crowding the scene. It’s a good problem to have, but it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.
Anyway, our last meeting was lovely. Susan taught everyone to make Solo Earrings from Bead Simple, and there was lots of nice hanging out and chatting. It warmed my heart to see so many good friends, and a lot of them brought cards and gifts, so it felt like a kind of Bon Voyage/Christmas party. A good wrap-up for a project that has enriched my life immeasurably. If you were there, thank you so much.
(Up above is a cute card the PDX Crafty Vixens brought. Perfect illustration of a Church of Craft!)
Wow, this is big news. Congrats on your decision, it must have been a hard one to make. Have you already decided what you’ll do with that free time? :) (I suggest lounging.)
Wow, this is big news. Congrats on your decision, it must have been a hard one to make. Have you already decided what you’ll do with that free time? :) (I suggest lounging.)
Oh! How bittersweet that must’ve been. Not quite sure what the appropriate thing to say is, sorry doesn’t feel quite right, since it seems to be the best decision for the moment, but I’m thinking of you! That sorta works I guess!
Oh! How bittersweet that must’ve been. Not quite sure what the appropriate thing to say is, sorry doesn’t feel quite right, since it seems to be the best decision for the moment, but I’m thinking of you! That sorta works I guess!
Aw, I can understand how hard it is to let go of this part of your life. I was in a gospel choir and it was really hard for us to disband but we had to. Be proud of what you have done over the past years and remember how many lives you have touched.
As for your free time, I suggest *lounge singing.* :o) hehe! If you need a large brandy snifter for tips, then try this one: http://www.thekitchenstore.com/ov25brsn.html
Aw, I can understand how hard it is to let go of this part of your life. I was in a gospel choir and it was really hard for us to disband but we had to. Be proud of what you have done over the past years and remember how many lives you have touched.
As for your free time, I suggest *lounge singing.* :o) hehe! If you need a large brandy snifter for tips, then try this one: http://www.thekitchenstore.com/ov25brsn.html
aw. i’m disappointed, as I’m moving to pdx next month and was looking forward to joining. BUT, that said, I can completely understand when an endeavor has run it’s course, and how hard it is to let it go. After reading for quite some time, I am sure you will find many other rewarding outlets for all your talent and inspiration!
aw. i’m disappointed, as I’m moving to pdx next month and was looking forward to joining. BUT, that said, I can completely understand when an endeavor has run it’s course, and how hard it is to let it go. After reading for quite some time, I am sure you will find many other rewarding outlets for all your talent and inspiration!
Friendship has it’s own pace, sometimes you need to say farewell to say hello again.. You did marvelous work and that’s what counts!
Friendship has it’s own pace, sometimes you need to say farewell to say hello again.. You did marvelous work and that’s what counts!
[...] also posted more about Church of Craft over at craftypod today, and I loved her description of the meeting: “a good wrap-up for a project that has enriched [...]
Yesterday was lovely! Thank you again, for everything.
xo
Yesterday was lovely! Thank you again, for everything.
xo
Thank you!
Church of Craft has been awesome. I think you are right about the timing, really. We shall meet again in some crafty endeavor.
Thank you!
Church of Craft has been awesome. I think you are right about the timing, really. We shall meet again in some crafty endeavor.
Oh that really is bittersweet. I’m sure it was hard! You’ve done so much for the craft community in general not to mention Portland, so I understand your need to rest. :)
Oh that really is bittersweet. I’m sure it was hard! You’ve done so much for the craft community in general not to mention Portland, so I understand your need to rest. :)
Oh, Diane! I know this has to be difficult. I haven’t been keeping up with blogs lately because summer is wild, but it made me tear up a bit to read this post. I hope you are doing great. You have given such a wonderful thing to us all, and to Portland!
xo
aw! I wondered what you were talking about! That’s really sad- but you certainly gave craft a leg-up, which will last longer than 5 years.
Oh, Diane! I know this has to be difficult. I haven’t been keeping up with blogs lately because summer is wild, but it made me tear up a bit to read this post. I hope you are doing great. You have given such a wonderful thing to us all, and to Portland!
xo
aw! I wondered what you were talking about! That’s really sad- but you certainly gave craft a leg-up, which will last longer than 5 years.
you done good, diane. i’m sure you were a big part of getting portland’s “craft craft revolution” going, and now it can continue forward on the momentum you’ve helped build. now it’s time for YOUR projects to take center stage.
so long and thanks for all the fish!
you done good, diane. i’m sure you were a big part of getting portland’s “craft craft revolution” going, and now it can continue forward on the momentum you’ve helped build. now it’s time for YOUR projects to take center stage.
so long and thanks for all the fish!
Are you still going to be Sister Diane??? Sad when things come to their natural end but it sounds like it was an amazing journey :-)
Are you still going to be Sister Diane??? Sad when things come to their natural end but it sounds like it was an amazing journey :-)
That must have been such a tough decision! I feel for you. Perhaps craft has grown to the point where a special time/place is no longer needed because it is everywhere??
By the way, I met your doppelganger (sp?) this weekend.. she was ALMOST as adorable as you… she was teaching the make-and-take for a bead project at CHA. :)
xoxox
Lain
That must have been such a tough decision! I feel for you. Perhaps craft has grown to the point where a special time/place is no longer needed because it is everywhere??
By the way, I met your doppelganger (sp?) this weekend.. she was ALMOST as adorable as you… she was teaching the make-and-take for a bead project at CHA. :)
xoxox
Lain
sigh. And I never did get to come, since services conflicted with my band’s practice. I always did enjoy it vicariously, though, and envy you and your congregation.
But where will we find you now? You will tell us, won’t you? Please?
sigh. And I never did get to come, since services conflicted with my band’s practice. I always did enjoy it vicariously, though, and envy you and your congregation.
But where will we find you now? You will tell us, won’t you? Please?