I have borrowed these words from Nancy Stewart who is a champion of young children as ‘be-ers and becomers’. She has reminded educators to celebrate children for who they are now as well as helping them to be ready for future school years. Whilst early childhood involves a huge amount of change and growth, I see times of transition and growth as an adult when I am both a be-er and becomer. I wonder if you recognise these times in your life, too?
I have been preparing for the Stitching, Sewing and Hobbycrafts show in Manchester for some time, and last week saw me arriving in the car park with a car packed full of artwork, a large driftwood branch, some scratty feathers, enough teabag paper to make the whole of Denmark a brew and several packs of emergency Freddos. It took a little while to feel settled into my space for the next few days, but it was slowly transformed into something I felt pleased with.
The next few days were just such a wonderful time – folk who stopped to talk about work or the samples that I was demonstrating were delightful. Most of my junior school reports contained the phrase ‘Rachael would do better if she stopped talking so much’. Well, I didn’t stop talking for hours on end and loved every minute. Ha, ha! If I met you there, thank you for taking the time to visit and chat. This was a real time of being and becoming for me.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to talk to other exhibitors and demonstrators. I learned so much about their inspirational practice and business organisation. I do just have to mention the meal a colleague and I had one evening where the waiters kept clearing everything away before we had finished, including the tablecloth. We could have understood a little more if we weren’t practically the only ones in the restaurant. My companion rightly pointed out that you can judge an establishment by the quality of the mint you are offered at the end. It was conspicuous by its absence. However, a glass pot of Mint Imperials was noticed upon exit and following a hasty dive to retrieve a couple on principle, we went off into the evening rather bemused.
Half way through the show, my daughter disobeyed strict instructions not to give birth whilst I was away. From Friday afternoon, baby was busy with her own becoming and my head was just turned to mush. Thank goodness for the modern miracle of texting! My work never even caught a sniff of bubble wrap at the finish of the show on Saturday as it was hastily packed into the car. Zoe Isabella arrived an hour after I got home, weighing 5lbs 3 and perfect.. So I have become a grandma!
I am still working on my pod vessels for a group exhibition in May. Most of my ideas will have to stay just that, but I would like to try a large one using a combination of burnt metal cloth and paper. Sometimes my desire to see if something is possible renders me helpless! I think I have recognised that I will never be someone who can remain still for very long – as a ‘be-er’ I am a ‘do-er’ and always will be. I shall not be able to avoid a little tinkering and if I haven’t burnt my fingers or the kitchen down, I shall report in with my experiments in a couple of months. But it’s time to make space and breathe in the new things in my life just at the moment.
Finally, I thought this was something lovely to leave you with from John O’Donohue, along with my favourite view at home:
‘There is a quiet light that shines in every heart. It draws no attention to itself though it is always secretly there. It is what illuminates our minds to see beauty, our desire to seek possibility and our hearts to love life. Without this subtle quickening our days would be empty and wearisome, and no horizon would ever awaken our longing. Our passion for life is quietly sustained from somewhere in us that is wedded to the energy and excitement of life. This shy inner light is what enables us to recognize and receive our very presence here as blessing’
Rachael Singleton 
Stunning work. X
Well done Rachael, another great write up and stunning work xx
Beautiful work , sorry I missed it in person .
Stunning words and made me shed a tear at end with such a poignant photo and accompanying words . Well done my lovely friend
Thank you xx
Oh Rachael – I felt quite emotional seeing your name above that stand – Congratulations – you made it happen! Lovely blog – really enjoy your writing XX
Thank, Chuck. All began with you guys xxx
Lovely creations and lovely post. Congratulations on becoming a grandma. That is a wonderful thing on its own.
Many congratulations on becoming a grandmother – there’s nothing like it. And Thank you for that wonderful quote from John O’Donohue which I’d never seen before.
I always look forward to your posts, wonderful words and a fantastic exhibition, particularly like the pods and look forward to seeing the metal one when you exhibit with your group.
Triple congratulations: on creating such a stunning display; on creating a sell-out book (I notice you were too modest to mention this in your post); and on your becoming a Grandma!
Thank you. Yes I am having the best time!
I would just like to say that it was lovely to meet you at Manchester. The photos whilst good do not do your work justice. It was stunning. I would just like to add that my sister and I came away with Inspiration and the desire to “have a play”. Thank you.
Thank you, that’s very kind. If it inspired you to play then I’m very happy.
Congratulations on becoming a Granma. I love reading your blog, you have such a wonderful way with words.
Thank you 😊
Lovely post & so many Congratulations!!!!!!!
I’m not allowed to put it on facebook but I will be a grandmother mid April, so hopefully ‘my’ baby won’t come 6 weeks early (when i’m at the Glasgow show) !!! I’m unbelievably excited as you can imagine.
It was good to see pics of your set up & beautiful looking stand – I’ve been planning mine & keep thining & thnking & then even thinking of new things!! I’ve almost compiled all my ‘wristcuff kits’ – kits seem to be a requirement to getting a free demonstrating stand – did you have to do a kit? I’m also making ‘inspiration packs’ to go along side my ‘craft fair’ smalls – textile jewellery etc, along with sketchbooks & ‘exhibition’ work on the walls. What were you demonstrating if you don’t mind me asking? I shall be demonstrating putting lots of little bits of recycled fabric together to make a whole to be turned into, well, whatever they want!!
My school report was ‘could try harder’ (altho I too can talk for England…& Scotland, Wales & Ireland!!) I have tried really hard to make a good stand, having gone to the shows for years but it’s hard to work out what to base ‘success’ on isn’t it? i was told price tags for things must be hidden but i’d like to sell something & will be offering a workshop or two or at least getting interst in them, for up here on the Isle of Skye. Do you mind me asking how you rate the ‘success’ of your show? Any tips & advice much appreciated from one who knows !
Hope you’re getting a ‘rest’ with your lovely new grandchild.
best wishes,
Emma (Siedle-Collins)
Hi Emma.
Thank you for your reply. I will email you if that’s OK?
Congratulations on becoming a Grandma. There is nothing like it. Your stand looked really good. Do you have any books left to sell? Thank you for the quote
Hi Maureen,
Thank you very much. It’s wonderful how a small person can light your life up so much!
Re the books, yes I’m getting some printed next couple of days.
I would be able to send an A5 sized one in the post. They are £10 and £2 postage.
I’m not set up with things like PayPal yet, but a BACS payment or old fashioned cheque would be fine if you were interested?
My email is singleton.rachael@gmail.com.