But….here I sit working on my website.  At least I can sort of do it when the migraine wanes…. I don’t dare put needle to cloth until it is over.

Back in the fall when I decided NOT to have a website anymore (read previous blog for the sad details), I could not really come up with a good reason to put in all of the work. 

Fast forward to the New Year and having many new opportunities come my way to live the Creative Life, more than once a potential collaborator wanted to see my website.  Urgh…. I had to explain the whole thing and even to me it sounded weak.

I know that social media is THE way to go these days.  Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are essential tools.  Don’t be too quick to put the common, lowly website in the past though.  How many times have YOU googled something just today? 

Happy creating.  (p.s. – if you need help with that website of yours…..)

I didn’t panic at first, because there is always a backup.  Right?  Always a backup.  Except when there isn’t.

I reachout out to my provider and was informed that my “basic” package did not include automatic backups and how lucky I was that it took 12 years to crash and burn.  Somehow I didn’t feel so lucky.

My blog was more like a memory keeper for me, so I wasn’t really that concerned and new that I could start over. 

At the first of the year, I applied to teach out a popular retreat/exhibition.  One of the requests was proof of my prior work.  All of that was locked away in my memory blog.

While I still had pictures and could reframe by posts, I became very discouraged and didn’t even want to touch it.  But…I really want to teach.  What to do?

It took a while to put my pics and information and memories together again.  I will admit to a few tears, some of them memories rolling down my cheeks.  In May 2023 I earnestly began reconstruction.  It’s not perfect, it’s not even completed, but it feels good to have a place to store my craft again.

Welcome to the new, revived and WELL backed up…JustPlainLaine.

Creative Orkney brings together traditional and contemporary professional craft makers in the region to promote, support and develop high quality design-led creative work.

Founded in 1991, Creative Orkney is run by its members each of whom produce quality crafts: from artwork to jewellery, ceramics to furniture – all designed and made here in the county. Many have studied their art, craft or design to a high level and several have over twenty five years experience of working and exhibiting their pieces within the art, craft and design sector.

Back in 1995 Creative Orkney created the Creative Orkney Trail. Following the Trail leads visitors to workshops where they have the chance to talk directly to makers and find out how their products are made. It is also a great opportunity to discuss commissioning bespoke work.

Download the latest Creative Trail brochure here or pick up a copy at main tourist points on the islands. We hope you enjoy browsing our website and don’t forget that many members have on-line shops on their own websites where you can purchase that special handmade gift. Visit our members page to find out more.

If you are a professional creative worker based in Orkney and are interested in becoming a member, please complete our membership application form.

To keep up-to-date with us, follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

During the period 2014-2020 Creative Orkney received funding from the European LEADER programme for a number of activities. More detail can be found here.
 

Why is knitting good for you and your brain and why is it so therapeutic?

Have you heard the phrase: Knit your way to happiness?!! It is said that knitting every day has good effects on calmness and happiness!

Knitting is said to be one of the most relaxing and calming activities you can do, and it reduce stress and is good for anxiety. Knitting helps stimulate the brain and to keep tuhe focus, and improve your memory. Knitting in a social setting and reduced loneliness and isolation. When you keep your hands busy with knitting you can break your unhealthy patterns as; to reach for temptations like crisps, cigarettes, or your phone. And at last, the important mental health benefit of knitting is to knit gifts for loved ones and to give back to their community as it gives the sense of well-being and makes you feel good.

Here is a list of five key health benefits of knitting and crocheting and why you should start knitting and crochet your way to a healthier and happier mind.

1. THE ACT OF KNITTING REDUCES STRESS AND ANXIETY

This is one of the greatest health benefits of knitting. The relaxing effects of knitting can help to deal with stress, anxiety and depression. The act of knitting is proven to help to calm and still the mind, as the concentration required is a distraction and the yarn’s texture and color impact the mood. The rhythmic motions and sense of focus can help distract from mental symptoms. When knitting your mind can easily escape to calm places while providing the hands with something to do.
Being able to ‘switch off’ the mind for a short time every day is beneficial to well-being. The relaxed motions the yarn between the knitting needles is very soothing and helps to calm the body as well as the brain. While knitting people tend to ease into a state of mindfulness and often without even noticing. Sitting still to knit reduces your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure.

2. KNITTING IS GOOD FOR YOUR MEMORY AND ABILITY TO FOCUS

Does knitting help with focus and to improve memory? Knitting helps to use the brain with the attention it takes, the memory it requires and the processing speed. It is scientifically proved that knitting keeps the brain sharp and stimulates it to keep it healthy. Knitting forces your brain to use its memory actively as it can include a lot of counting, multiplying, and measuring.

3. KNITTING IMPROVES SOCIAL SKILLS AND BOOSTS SELF-CONFIDENCE

Knitting in a social setting, both in real life and online, and promotes social connection, reduces loneliness and isolation, and therefor offers great mental health benefits. You can f.ex. combine knitting with meeting your friends. It is so easy to take the knitting project with you and share your work and be inspired by someone else’s work. You can even make new friends with the knitting as you have the common interest to talk about and having knitting needles in your hands can overcome shyness. Mastering the knitting techniques, following a pattern or instructions, and completing a knitting project, and making something should make you feel proud of yourself.

4. KNITTING CAN BREAK YOUR UNHEALTHY PATTERNS AND KEEPS YOU BUSY

It is true to say that if you have knitting in your hands and keep your fingers busy by knitting or crocheting, you will be less likely to reach for crisps, cigarettes, your phone, or a glass of wine. Knitting can break your unhealthy patterns. It’s also a great way to keep yourself busy when you feel like spending some time on your own. Not everyone is super social, so it’s nice to have an activity you can enjoy when you want a little quiet time. You can also use the time to listen to audiobooks and let the mind take you to the wonderful worlds the authors created while knitting.

5. KNITTING IS A WAY TO GIVE BACK

One more important mental health benefit of knitting is knitting for others, whether it is a gift to loved ones or to give back to their community, it gives the sense of well-being and makes you feel good to give. You can be generous and give your time and skills to make something for a loved one, teaching someone how to make, or making items for charity. Here are some gift ideas you can start knitting to give others.

So … let´s continue with the healing process of knitting
Knitting and crocheting are one of the most popular yarncrafts amongst men and women of all ages and many people find so much joy in these yarn activities. The potential mental health benefits of picking up a knitting habit are endless. There’s proof that knitting can be a great tool for your self-care.
If you are an advanced knitter, you can find the yarn you need here and lots of knitting patterns for both advanced knitter and other simpler free knitting patterns. But for the first timer of knitting, you can get free and very simple knitting patterns to start with here in the online store and then buy the yarn you need as well.

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Robert Smith

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Robert Smith

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Robert Smith

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