Ronnies
Originally uploaded by Jam_mam.
Here is a closer view of Ronnies works of art - I am sure you will agree that they are just stunning. Thank you so much for this precious gift.
Ronnie says the "names of the flowers - all being Australian Natives. The Red Bottlebrush - common here, the Flowering Gum - orange flower and the National Flower of Australia the Golden Wattle. Reading somewhere the other day I note that the Golden Wattle is described as a weed in Sth Africa. Each State of Australia also has an emblem flower but there was not enough space or time..... "
Another thing which has struck me repeatedly thoughout this project is the modesty and humility of the participants. Many of them, Ronnie included, underestimate their abilities, IMHO, and I hope reading about other people's reactions to their work will help them to raise their opions and recognise their abilities.
Why do we put ourselves and our achievements down? What is it that we were taught as girls that makes it so hard for us to see that we have done something well, and to be able to say so.
I was certainly taught that it was boastful and would make other people feel bad if I did well and acknowledged it. That pride was a character failing and that I should strive to be self effacing. Not taught overtly or intentionally but via the 'social programming' we all pass on to our children as we received it from our parents. My own mum has always discussed her own knitting with disparaging remarks - 'not clever enough to do anything differnet' 'never try anything new' 'sew up too tight', never, 'i do knit with very even tension which makes the knitting so very neat', 'i like the finished item' 'I'm happy with the way that one turned out', 'I can knit quickly and always finish my projects'.
Is it because other people don't value our crafts that we don't value them? Or, is it because we don't value them that other people don't either!
Say it loud, ladies - we are good at what we do and we get huge satisfaction from it. Thank you for coming on this journey with me, it is always a pleasure to have such generous travelling companions :)VBG
2 comments:
....and whilst you continue the journey of the maiden's wrap,we'll all have warm and fuzzy feelings of self worth J!
Possibly having parents that made us feel that if we were enjoying something(i.e. various forms of needlework) instilled hidden feelings of guilt in our psyches.
I was always spoken of as"fiddling again" but NOW........hey I love what I do ,and my extended family(especially my DiL) are great in supporting me.
I can remember being shamed badly as a 7yr old, a teacher ripping my stitches out, and calling them 'filthy dog's teeth', I still feel myself cringe at the thought of putting my work on display.
On a positive note - all my g/kids - boy included - do handwork of some kind. They are waldorf homeschooled and it's a part of their day every day, to work at something,they all started at 2/3 yrs with finger knitting and all love making things. I often receive little oferings in the mail, and all their efforts are celebrated, so a new generation is on a pleasurable creative and crafting journey.
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