Willena's Corner

The Sculptural Crochet Day was a magnificent and wonderful experience for me. It was truly an honor to have my mask designs used for the workshop that followed Norma Minkowitz’s fabulous presentation. She had beautiful crocheted sculptures, human figures and wearable art. She is an innovator that has used crochet as her medium to create museum and gallery quality sculptures.

After this day, it has encouraged me to continue to think outside of the normal crochet realm. Thus, crocheters should learn to take a challenge and create something that will be out of the norm for them. This way you learn to show the versatility of crochet and that it can continue to grow as long as people continue to learn and think outside of the box. Crochet has not always been accepted and I think that this is definitely a positive step.

For me personally, I had not returned to the Museum of Art and Design (formerly The American Craft Museum) since 1996 because I was sent home on the day of a Quilting Show after receiving prior approval to showcase my afghans and crochet dolls. I found it difficult to forgive the Museum--until now. I am glad that I was able to be a participant in the day that honored Sculptural Crochet.

Crocheted Mask Sighting

Fiberarts Magazine, Mar/April 2004 Issue, page 55. The mask/hat and dress is designed by Vishna Collins, and is titled Masquerade. The dress and mask use half double crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, bobble stitch and picot stitch.