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Happy Blog-o-versary to Me!

4/24/2018

 
On 24 April, 2014
I took a deep breath,
gritted my teeth
and pressed "post"
on an image of a tapestry house by the sea. 

It was my very first blog entry
on a brand new website,
and it was terrifying.
Picture
What will the neighbors think? Handwoven Tapestry; Hand spun linen and wool; natural dye; 3" x 3"; four selvedge warping
You'd think I'd be used to such things
as my work  has been in cyberspace since the mid 1990s.
My husband-- code writer and web builder--
had thought it'd be a good idea.


"WHY would I want such a weird and public thing?"
I cried.
"And anyway, who would ever look?"
After all, I only checked my email every couple of weeks.

By 2014, however,
web construction (and my attitude) had changed just a tad,
It was time to tackle the newest iteration on my own.
Picture
Comic Diary # 3, March 2014
My wonderful web-savvy sister
pointed me toward  Weebly
(a relatively friendly website builder),
and after a few shitty first drafts
and much angst,
the thing came together-- 
though committing to a blog took a little longer.
​
"What is the point?"
"Will I be able to sustain it?"
"Will I be able to stop if I want to?"

"Will I have anything to say?" 
"Won't the stuff I do seem boring and repetitive?" 
"Will it change my relationship to the work if I talk about process?"
"Will the ideas get shy and stay away?"
Picture
Well yes, it has changed my relationship to my work --
at least I think so.
Having taken the blogging path
I can't exactly do the experiment of what would have been happening had I chosen the other.
Picture
And NO, there has been a shortage of ideas. ​
Picture
Comic Diary # 7
Yes, my life is repetitive. 
And probably sometimes boring. 
But in a compelling way.
A wide open way.
​At least to me.
You know --
the freedom of limitation.
Picture
Emergency Comic Diary #1 (between actual Diaries #10 and #11)
Or maybe I just easily amused
​ since four years on, 
not only am I still entranced by weaving tiny tapestry houses, 
but I also seem to have had something or other to say
about my boring, repetitive and oh-so-satisfying work
almost every Tuesday since.
​
 I learn something every time I write--
and if not always from the actual words,
then absolutely from the bliss of all of you coming to read,
and from your shared thoughts and experiences.
Picture
Comic Diary # 17
The last three blog-o-versary's 
have slipped right by me.
I guess it's  hard to notice the big picture when I write every week.
​
But this year I noticed 
and thought it would be a grand time  to try something new,
something I've been meaning to do since I started selling 
 "How To Weave A Bag On A Box" comic instruction zines on Etsy.
It was time to move the store
RIGHT HERE!
Picture
Alas, however, I am still just as much of a scaredy cat
about new web-based enterprises
as I was four years ago.
Picture
Apparently, I'll tackle a new tune,
a new fiber,
a new pair of shoes,
refurbish an old spinning tool,

make paint,
tackle an unfamiliar comic-diary-binding-method
embrace a plastic spindle,
 embark a giant secret project that I'll tell you a little bit about in my next newsletter,
and even do the laundry--

rather than commit to pushing that 'publish' button.
Picture
But I'm getting closer.  REALLY.
And if you think of it,
​you might check back later in the week,
because honestly,
I have  both physical and PDF versions of my comic instructions
(How to Weave a Bag on a Box and Backstrap Dialogues for now),
all loaded up
and once I know how the system works
I plan to also make a tapestry gallery too
(need a tiny house anyone? a large colorful tapestry?),
and my plan is to have free shipping to celebrate.
​So stay tuned! 

Indeed, I  feel myself getting braver by the minute.
​
But maybe some lunch first.
And a little weaving in the sun.
OH yes, but first I'll push the "POST" button.
Janine
4/24/2018 02:02:42 pm

I, for one, are so very grateful that you chose to blog! From the practical (low-water fleece scouring!) to imaginative you’ve been a wonderful companion! And now your own shop! Excellent and not so difficult, trust me.

sandy
4/24/2018 02:23:24 pm

So exciting....can’ wait!!

Velma Bolyard
4/24/2018 03:13:22 pm

Your words brought back my utter terror from that moment when I pressed the post button for the first time. I was so clueless, I think I thought that some sort of e-attack might poof at me through the Mac. Sigh. I love visiting here, it's a good blog.

Sari Peterson
4/24/2018 03:30:05 pm

I am so very glad you took that leap 4 years ago. I always enjoy your writing. Whether it's practical advice or flights of whimsy, you never fail to inspire me. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with all of us.

Julia link
4/24/2018 04:07:34 pm

Of course you will succeed at having your own webstore. No problem.

And Oh yes! I need a tiny house!

Dee Jochen
4/24/2018 04:27:17 pm

I’m so glad you began, and even more, that you carry on. Every piece not only inspires me, somehow I come away feeling encouraged about myself and what I do. Can’t wait to hear about your web shop.

Valerie
4/24/2018 04:43:27 pm

Thank you for taking that step four years ago and for all that you share with us. I look forward to your posts and appreciate how they encourage me to push myself a little bit more creatively, when my inclination is to go the other way.

pat cooper
4/24/2018 04:54:32 pm

I like your blog - thanks for pushing the post button

Giuliana
4/24/2018 05:19:48 pm

I'm looking forward to your online tapestry school.

Love your blog it makes a cheerful start to my day

Jennifer Edwards link
4/24/2018 05:44:04 pm

This is wonderful! You inspire me to be more regular with my blog! And I love your sketches and weavings! Do you also handstitch? The name of this blog -a field guide to needlework- sounds like maybe you do! All the best to you Sarah!

Eileen VanB
4/24/2018 06:19:22 pm

Sarah, I am so glad you share your ideas and your creations on this blog. They all are so inspiring and so interesting. You are very Brave!!!

Lyn link
4/24/2018 06:24:05 pm

So glad I could inspire you, Sarah. While I still meander from one Blog concept to the next, you have forged ahead and created a most entertaining series of reflections. I love Tuesdays. When I get around to actually blogging on a regular basis as well, perhaps I'll pick Thursdays for my posting day...But that will have to be next week...

Linda Mullins
4/24/2018 06:48:14 pm

THANK YOU for your many posts. I love Tuesdays and today was the best yet. A new class. Sign me up:) You inspire me with your art, weaving and the many other things you do. I took a class a few years back and knowing your personality makes it all better. Keep up the good work.

Nanci Cartwright
4/24/2018 08:15:26 pm

You have the most unique voice of any blogger I follow so I’m definitely happy that you made the decision to blog. I’m really looking forward to whatever you and Rebecca are cooking up. An online class? That would be fantastic!

Martina Müller
4/25/2018 12:34:29 am

Not only have you brought joy, but tons of inspiration. Between you and Rebecca a world has opened up that is sheer delight! So, yes, there is a whole host of people reading about your ‘boring’ life. Please don’t stop.

Ida
4/25/2018 01:29:28 am

I found your Blog when googl-ing for "weaving" and tapestry" Your tiny houses gave me courage to warp a small loom again after a long hiatus and make my hands recognize the feeling of weaving. I admire your paintings and the story they tell. So glad you decided to step into the blogging world.
Ida

Karen Rafferty
4/25/2018 04:46:40 am

Love your blog posts, crazy about your comic/zine tutorials, and super pumped for your store and gallery!
"The smallest event unfolds like a fate." - Rainer Maria Rilke

Patricia
4/25/2018 05:20:16 am

Ditto about you and Rebecca. Her classes are great. I’m looking forward to your joint project :-) I love your weaving, your drawings, your writing. Thank you!

Donna Mattison-Earls
4/25/2018 05:23:18 am

This was a wonderful anniversary post. I enjoy your weekly missives and look forward to your store and collaboration with Rebecca.

Nancy Kramer
4/25/2018 05:47:18 am

You always make me smile. What better gift ???

Barb
4/25/2018 09:25:52 am

I enjoy your posts, whimsy and sketching. Plus lots of information and entertainment! Thanks for being part of my day that I look forward to.

Bonnie Klatt link
4/25/2018 01:19:56 pm

It's been wonderful to watch your blog evolve and blossom over these past years! Your four selvedge technique inspired me to try it (since Susan's instructions weren't as clear as I thought they might be). I love your focus on story telling, no matter what medium - or technique - you choose to be using at the moment. And your honesty about yourself is priceless. So thank you, Sarah, for your commitment to blog. It is one that I enjoy reading. So much more can be shared via this venue than on social media. Which reminds me, I've got a blog that needs resurrecting! It is time to re-commit to it!

Judy
4/26/2018 02:18:52 am

Happy Blog-o-versary Sarah. As a newcomer to your blog I am happily looking back on your last 4 years with delight. You have a writing and sharing style that draws your reader in, making me (us) feel included. So happy you're sharing your creative life here.
PS - my non blog loving husband is a big fan. He's planning his bag on a box all because of your tiny tapestries.


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    ​Sarah C Swett 
    tells stories
    with
    ​ and about

     hand spun yarn. 


    Picture
    Click for info on
    my four selvedge
    warping class
    with
    ​ Rebecca Mezoff  
    fringeless


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