The thing about crafting is it takes time. Sewing, knitting, crochet, weaving, whatever your craft of choice is, these are not activities that are done in a jiffy. Non-crafty folks often don't understand. I have heard "couldn't you just buy that?" or "that must have taken forever to make, hope it's worth it" so many times while sitting at the playground as my hands work away and I keep my eyes on my child, that I keep my internal eye-rolling to myself and try not to let that sigh of exasperation escape my lips. The thought that just because something may be a large investment of my time to create means it's not worth it, or simply a waste of my time, makes me sad. I'm not into building ships in bottles, but I certainly appreciate the effort that went into it. Everyone has their thing that they love and no matter if it takes a few minutes or a few decades, we do what we need to do to make that creation a reality, regardless of the time investment. That being said, I read about Susanna Bauer recently and her amazing and intricate crocheted leaf sculptures. I imagine a lot of people think her craft of choice is a waste of time (and a friend said just that when I sent her a link), but using some pretty simple tools, she creates incredible beauty. I couldn't wait to share it with you, dear readers. Original article here.
Delicate Crocheted Leaf Sculptures By Susanna Bauer
Delicate leaves and other natural objects decorated with fine crocheting are Susanna Bauer’s specialty. She was taught how to crochet as a small child in Germany, but was more interested in making tiny items instead of blankets and covers. These skills led Bauer into a career in model-making, but her love of nature drew her back.
“There is a fine balance in my work between fragility and strength,” Bauer writes on her website. “…the tenderness and tension in human connections, the transient yet enduring beauty of nature that can be found in the smallest detail, vulnerability and resilience that could be transferred to nature as a whole.”
Bauer now lives in Cornwall, England. An exhibition of her work will be on display at the Lemon Street Gallery through June 27th.
Image credits: Susanna Bauer