Covid-19 Update: Finding Community and Comfort in Craft
It’s been a while since my last blog post, and whoa, a lot has changed!
Just over two weeks ago I got the keys to a new studio, and was very excited about the new beginning. However, my partner and I developed symptoms that were akin to those of Covid-19, and had to go into 14 day quarantine, leaving the new space empty and all work on hold. Since then, the whole of the UK has gone into lockdown, and I have been trying to navigate working within these limitations, and developing new ways to create and teach.
Now I am out of quarantine I feel like I am playing catch up, please bear with me as I work on safely setting up working in the new studio. All workshops are postponed or on hold for now, until the information becomes clearer.
In line with government advice, I will be posting orders of in stock items safely and contactlessly once a week. Made to order items have a longer than usual lead time for the time being, and all workshops are postponed until further notice.
In this blog post I’m focussing on some reasons to be cheerful - how I have been finding community and comfort in these distanced, yet connected times.
Ria :)
Get Up and Craft
An online craftalong from 9-10am every weekday, hosted virtually on Zoom.
It's a great way to start your day with positive, relaxing crafting with like-minded friends. In this group I have found community, comfort and new friends (plus a reason to get dressed in the morning!).
All crafts welcome - join us in the Facebook group for the meeting details.
Shetland Wool Week Patron and Hat Pattern Announced
The folk at Shetland Wool Week have been preparing for whatever this years event may look like, and have virtually launched this year's patron - Wilma Malcolmson, and her accompanying hat design.
You can read the interview with this year's patron and download the free hat pattern here - use the hashtag #katieskep on Instagram for colour and yarn inspiration!
Natural Yarn Dyeing Facebook Group
As you might have guessed - all workshops are currently postponed until further notice. Workshops form a considerable part of my income, and are something I truly love to do, so it is devastating to have to do this.
I am working behind the scenes to bring my natural yarn dyeing course online, so that it is accessible for everyone. In the meantime, I have made a Facebook group for past and future students to share ideas, ask questions and show projects made with their naturally dyed yarn. I hope this group will provide the support and community feel of a face-to-face workshop, virtually.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this blog and found it helpful, why not buy me a virtual coffee on Ko-Fi? There’s no obligation, but your support will help me continue to write these blogs and help my journey to become a self sufficient natural dye grower and knitwear designer. Ria :)