The finished work of art will be a tangible memory of shared family moments. Use basic weaving technique and various materials to capture a walk on the beach, a hike through the woods, a family vacation or even your child's early years (if you use strips of cloth from a favorite baby outfit).

She has come to understand the importance of 'giving kids space to experiment with all sorts of materials and textures.' When possible, she creates projects that can be completed in one sitting so that children can see very quickly that they can learn new skills and make beautiful art. When her son, Jacob, was younger, she noticed that when he was engaged in fiber arts, the rhythm of his breathing 'became deep and slow, similar to yoga breathing.' She volunteers at her children's classrooms at Shelburne Community School, teaching students to weave, knit, prepare wool and spin yarn. Hansen grew up surrounded by female artists and handcrafters, and her work evolved from knitting to crocheting to spinning wool and, now, weaving. Weaving is accessible for most and can help build hand-eye coordination, strengthen fine motor skills and boost mood.īradie Hansen, a Burlington-based therapist and fiber artist/handcrafter, says that mindfulness and weaving are intrinsically connected. Together, your family can use weaving skills to create wall-worthy art on a budget.

Thousands of years ago, our ancestors wove clothing, baskets, blankets and sails. Try weaving, a process that involves interlacing yarn, fiber, and even leaves and sticks to create a decorative textile. While March in Vermont means fluctuating weather, there's something your family can do to bring consistency, calm and creativity to this fickle month.

The weaving of a dream by marilee heyer