Laurie Jacobi Design

I had one of those incredible experiences yesterday...you know, the kind that shapes who you are just a little bit...and it all came about through beading!

Backstory: I was at our nephew's wedding and ran into this beautiful woman with a stunning, bold, collarlike necklace that looked like a string of river rocks. On further inspection I realized it was made with wool. I'm not sure how often I "squee", but I definitely squeed that night.

Always the beader, I did the beader's handshake (brazenly inspected her necklace) and asked how she strung it. She told me she was having a difficult time keeping the crimps crimped, so of course I invited her to come over to get a quick crimping demonstration.

What I found out is that the person I'd just met was none other than Laurie Jacobi, a sensational designer who specializes in wool. She works with Pendleton to make gorgeous blanket designs, then receives bolts of the fabric to work with in her studio. Her long-time business partner, Mary Jane Miller, helps design and sew the blankets into beautiful garments, working with customers to achieve a unique, perfect look.

Yesterday Laurie and Mary Jane came over for a quick visit. As I've found all craftswomen do, we gabbed about family and health and art and how to keep all of our many supplies contained in one (or two) rooms. They brought absolutely drop-dead gorgeous pieces over to show me and I knew right then and there I need to start saving up for one of their incredible coat designs like this Gingko Leaves Coat.

I showed them a few pieces I've been working on, too, then gave them a quick crimping how-to with suggestions on how to specifically work with those beautiful wool rocks. Then, out of the blue, these lovely ladies handed me this!

I was flabbergasted! Isn't it incredible? It was one of those experiences that makes you feel so humbled by the generosity of others. So grateful for being in a community of creative people. So connected to the pulse of the universe.

So thank you, Laurie and Mary Jane. Thank you for the sweet visit, the beautiful necklace, but most of all, the wonderful experience. I'm so grateful for our new friendship.