A Girl, A Pair of Scissors, & A Legacy of Joy

I’ve been collecting, cutting, and creating for as long as I can remember. And, my pair of Fiskars scissors have been with me since nearly the beginning of my crafting tenure—no, really. I still use the Fiskar scissors I used in elementary school, and they’ve never let me down. For over 30 years (and counting), this little pair of scissors has cut everything from yarn, fabric, thread, embroidery floss, and Aida cloth to paper, vinyl, and various substrates.

I'm very protective of these high-quality scissors and the history of creating that they represent. I, too, cherish being a part of and continuing family traditions of various fiber crafts, including crochet, sewing, and needlework. I learned these skills from women on both sides of my family. I found my true life’s joy sitting next to MaMaw Taylor, a maternal great-grandmother, crocheting basic circles while she crocheted furniture for my Barbies and while Nana, my paternal grandmother, very patiently taught me to sew on my first sewing machine. I watched with wonder and curiosity as my Mimi, maternal grandmother, and mother carefully embroidered beautiful baby blankets and wall art. MaMaw Avis, a paternal great-grandmother, was a jack-of-all-fiber-crafts, much like myself. I have an insatiable need to try them all and never miss a day without crocheting, cross stitching, or sewing.

Long ago, I took up MaMaw Taylor’s tradition of crocheting baby blankets for new arrivals. I also made sure all of my many cousins who were born before I took up the tradition received a blanket. There is something about the love stitched into a handmade blanket that makes it exponentially more cozy and comforting—you feel connected with the crafter and their loving effort made just for you.

I can’t stop myself from making. This passion has kept me going during some of the most desperate times in my life, especially my daily journey with chronic illness. I have learned by way of 20+ years of lived experience that participating in your true joy is healing for both body and mind. There’s something about working with your hands that allows you to mindfully and freely engage in the moment. I can be present with myself and my joy instead of getting lost in flare-ups. Crocheting custom market bags, ascot scarves that benefit a local animal shelter, and, of course, lush baby blankets keeps me moving and keeps my brain focused on joy when I feel most frustrated with physical pain, fatigue, and neuropathy. Narrowing in on touch sensations and textures that not only don’t bother my chronic illness symptoms but also offer satisfaction through pleasant textures allows me to envision and experience a prognosis beyond the limits of what modern medicine has told me is possible.

Additionally, the challenge of designing original and custom cross stitch patterns keeps me inspired and excited for my day ahead. I’m proud to hold an exclusive license with artist Andy Bauch, selling cross stitch patterns based on his incredible artwork made of LEGOs, including portraits of Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash. The cross-county collaboration facilitates invaluable connection with other artists, designers, and crafters.

All along the way, my dependable, trusty 30+-year-old Fiskars are by my side. Of all the tools I use—both my own and those inherited from family crafters—those scissors remain at the top of the pile. Actually, scratch that. The idea of putting such a special object on top of a pile makes me nervous—I keep them safe in a little zipper pouch by my sofa, aka my end-of-the-day crafting oasis.

As I reflect on the years those scissors have served in my life, I feel they hold my legacy. And not just my history of crafting, but the legacy I’m building with my brand new craft business, BrianneCrafts. Over the past year, I’ve realized that now is the time to change my life dramatically. A crafting career is not pie in the sky. I have the passion and the skills to put my best self forward and share the joy of creating and making. The purpose of my business is to share beauty, connection, and opportunities for making. The many years spent cutting with my Fiskars and creating anew has enriched my spirit in ways nothing else ever could, and I want to share and facilitate such experiences with and for others with my patterns and kits.

Humans create, and we share stories with our creations. This is how we connect and thrive as individuals and communities of all types. Science has proven that humans need to share stories to connect, and connection is vital to our well-being and survival (Brene Brown, anyone?). Storytelling isn’t limited to words. Collaging with scrap paper and materials, beyond a personal aesthetic, tells the story of valuing upcycle making and seeing possibility in just about anything. The hours spent carefully stitching a scarf tells the story of quality care and dedication to another’s enjoyment (and warmth). I am thrilled beyond measure to be a part of making that happen.

I must run now. It’s time to grab my trusty Fiskars and curate some craft kits.