“Are you looking for a new hobby?” the Sponsored Post in Instagram asked. The picture showed a group of smiling 30-something blond women. They were gathered around a table filled with crafting supplies, ready to dig in.

For some time now, I've been thinking about creativity, and the process of making things. Lots of people have been. I've even been writing about it a bit. Lots of people have been. I think it's in the air, or water, or something.

But then Liz Gilbert wrote this…

Where does the creative process begin? For me, I find it can come from either a thought, or a thing.

So try this. Some cool, clear evening, gather around a fire, outside, under the stars, with friends. Find someone who is a really good story teller, and have him - or her - tell the story of Genesis, from chapter 1, verse 1 through chapter 2, verse 2. Resist the temptation to read it silently, or aloud in stentorian, scriptural tones. This is a story that is meant to be “told.”

Sometimes I demonstrate spinning in public places. It might be part of an historical reenactment, or a craft fair or some other public event.

When I do, inevitably at least one child will come up and ask “can I try?”

I have to admit, I’m not really sure about this “Maker Movement” business (and it really has become big business, which is ironic, considering its origins). All of a sudden I’m hearing the word “maker” everywhere, and reading about “maker fairs” - and I’m like “making what?” So I Google the term, and I get this…

It’s been hot this summer. Really, really hot. And muggy. It’s this El Nino condition that’s doing it, but it doesn’t really matter why. What does matter Is the utter lack of ambition that accompanies this condition. But then it doesn’t matter - and that’s “ennui.”

For me this journey started over 25 years ago. I had just taken my first weaving class, and was at a fiber play date at a friend’s house. An experienced weaver was there, and she brought the handwoven Christmas gifts she’d made for her family - she had a stack of beautiful shawls and throws…

Some people thrive on chaos. I am not one of them. I like order - everything in it's place. I also enjoy creating order out of chaos. That, in a fundamental way, is what weaving is about.