Dear Reader,

First of all let me start with some newsletter housekeeping. Last week after publishing my newsletter I realized that there were some typos. Usually, I write whenever I have time throughout the week and edit as I go. Last week, I was so busy that I wrote only one draft of my newsletter about an hour before I published it. For those of you who are new around here, I wanted to let you know that typos are not the norm for a final draft.

I had high hopes to have multiple drafts complete for the newsletter this week. And, I even managed to complete a rough draft at a very slow show on Saturday. But, alas, I seemed to have lost my notebook. So here I sit, writing my one and only draft hours before I publish it. This week I will guarantee no typos though.

My last show for 2025 was on Sunday the 14th at Thistle Finch Distillery. I was asked to do the show, and I’m so glad that I did. Thanks to everyone who came out to show their support for the local art community. It was a lovely show, and I hope to do it again next year.

I still have so much to do for the holidays, but after the dust settles, I am ready to hibernate for the winter. Unlike the bears who hunker down until spring, my winter is spent in more of a creative hibernation. This is the time of year for me when things slow down, and I can really explore my creativity. Winter is not my favorite season, but it is my most creative time of the year. Even though I get outside every day to walk or hike no matter how cold it is, it’s nice to know that I can stay inside for the rest of the day in my cozy studio making things all day. Since I won’t have another show until April, I use this downtime to do the things I don’t have time to do throughout the year. This is when I explore new ideas and try out different mediums. Last year I delved into the world of making paper clay, working mostly with jewelry. This year, I plan on experimenting with the clay to make lamps, home goods, and sculptures. Something else I plan to do this winter is machine tufting. I was on the fence about getting a tufting gun, since everyone seems to be tufting these days. My husband bought me a tufting gun for my birthday a couple of years ago, and after one not so great experience, mostly because I didn’t have it set up properly, I lost interest. I’m going to give it another go this year, because I really want to make art, sculptural objects, and furniture.

While summer has always been my favorite season for many reasons and winter has always been my least favorite, I have learned to embrace what each season has to offer. So, instead of complaining about being cold (there’s still a bit of that) and waiting for the light to return. I bundle myself up and go outside and create my own light from within. May you find your light in whatever ways you can during the dark days of winter.

I appreciate all of you who choose to be here and read my newsletter. Have a wonderful week.

xo,

Christa

To Know the Dark

To go in the dark
with a light
is to know the light.

To know the dark,
go dark.

Go without sight,
and find that the dark,
too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet
and dark wings.

-Wendell Berry

Last week at a glance

• I made myself a skirt.

• I vended at my last shows for 2025.

• After my last show my family and I ate Chinese takeout and hot fudge sundaes to celebrate. Homemade whipped cream is always the way to go.

• All of my inventory is now back in my studio.

• My husband made delicious treats and canned goods for holiday packages that are going out in the next couple of days.

• We went to a bonfire at Landis Valley Museum with friends, and we were able to donate a box of canned goods to Lancaster Food Hub.

  

• I’ve really been enjoying watching Gilmore Girls with my family. It’s one of my favorite shows, and sharing it with my kids has been so much fun. Maybe now they’ll understand some of my references.

• I ordered two pairs of tights for myself from Snag Tights and I’m very happy with them.

• I’ve been studying Spanish pretty diligently. The other day when I was walking my dog, I said good morning to a woman. She then started talking to me in Spanish and I was able to have a conversation with her. My hope in learning Spanish was for moments just like this, and it made me so happy.

  Studio Sale

  To show my gratitude for the continued support of my amazing local community, I am having a big studio sale this week. All of my inventory is buy one and get the second item (of equal or lesser value) for 50% off.

• If you’d like to stop by, then make an appointment or just email me directly. All the links are at the bottom of the page.

  Links

  Email: wildchildfibers@gmail.com

  Website: https://www.wildchildfibers.com

  Gallery: here

  Book a shopping appointment: here

  Anytime 20% off discount in the online store for subscribers