Sewing classes and cool crafty stores are the new thing. Groups of men and women are gathering Nationwide to learn everything from pattern-making to millinery. The recession has clearly forced us to look beyond our maxed-out credit cards and find a way of making, rather than buying what we want. I spent the most wonderful evening at the new and very hip Hands-on-Third in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. Stepping out of a busy street and a stressed-out day, I collapsed on the cozy sofa to find a group of women busy at work. A couple of glasses of organic cucumber lemonade later, I begin leaning how to make a “Fascinator”, which is a very tiny and very fancy little hair accessory – like a mini hat or huge barette, we were taught how to fashion our glamorous head decor out of recycled fabrics and vintage buttons. I also joined a group of girls making trendy totes from old vintage t-shirts. As we all sat sewing, gluing and chattering (iPhones and Blackberries shut down,) the trials of my day melted away leaving me relaxed, focused and at peace. As the evening wore on, our handiwork became secondary to our conversation – let’s face it, when a group of creative women get going, there’s nothing we can’t fix!
In the past year, with a little help from the most amazing sewing and knitting teachers, I have taken up my needle and thread/yarn with renewed passion. It’s an excellent form of meditation – and I get to create something pretty at the same time. Hopefully this holiday season, every single gift will be homemade (if I get a move on), and will involve zero wrapping paper/labels. I just love creating a gift for all my close friends and during the process I get to really think about them and what they might need or just love to have. Time is so much more precious than money, so if you can find a few extra hours to create a gift for someone you love, the holiday season becomes less about stressing around the mall, and more about nurturing one’s soul.
