I have been so lucky to receive support for my writing, especially my newest book, from a great array of amazing people. I am so truly grateful to everyone who has said kind things, given me good press and just supported my work in any way. Today I wanted to highlight five of the amazing women who have supported my writing recently.
1. Sylvia Browder, Founder of National Association of Women on the Rise
Sylvia Browder is the founder of NAWR, a membership association for the female entrepreneurs. The mission of this organization is “to provide professional and personal resources while uplifting and empowering women entrepreneurs through collaboration, education, mentoring, spiritual and peer support, leadership and networking.” Sylvia is also the CEO of Browder Consulting Group, a virtual consulting firm for small businesses. Additional Sylvia has served as a SCORE business counselor, a writer for leading women’s business sites, and a project director at The Women’s Business Center in Alabama. I was so happy to be interviewed about the writing business by Sylvia Browder and to have that interview featured on her site.
2. CLF and Hookey Founder Laurie Wheeler
Laurie Wheeler is a cornerstone in the foundation of the crochet community. She is the founder of the Crochet Liberation Front through which she provides valuable information and resources to people interested in crochet and also serves as a smart voice supporting the craft in the broader community. I loved that she let me guest post on the CLF blog. Laurie also founded Hookey,org., a social networking site and business support service for crocheters.
Laurie has supported my work in so many ways in the past year. She shared her personal story with me an interview for my book, Crochet Saved My Life, and she has gone on to support the book with reviews and by representing the book in the CLF booth at a craft convention. The community she’s created has provided me with additional support, feedback, marketing ideas and more. And Laurie has given me personal support through her emails.
I was especially touched that she said about my new book:
“Kathryn Vercillo did something very courageous and extremely significant in writing this book. She gave voice to the many thousands (if not more) women (and men) who turn to crochet to make it through one more moment, one more hour and yes just one more day. At the same time she bore witness to the stories of some two dozen women who have used crochet to cope, heal and stay present as they deal with mental health issues, chronic disease, and mind bending grief. The bravest thing Kathryn did was to share her own journey with severe depression and then shower each page with the hope that each of us who has ever turned to crochet to keep our minds off the pain, the anguish, the fear of looking inside our own heads one more moment; she offers research and evidence that crochet can and does serve as a life saver. Thank you Kathryn for penning one of the most poignant, powerful and intrepid tomes on the subject crochet that I have ever had the pleasure to read.”
3. CGOA Founder Gwen Blakley Kinsler
Gwen Blakley Kinsler is a writer, teacher, artist and crafter who founded the Crochet Guild of America, a professional national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the art of crochet. One of the things that really stands out for me in her work is that she insisted from the beginning that the CGOA support crochet art. She has also helped to curate large crochet art exhibits and constantly shows support for artists working in this medium.
Gwen is also the founder of her own business, Fiber Impressions, a member of the National Needlework Assocation and a crochet retreat leader. I have been especially inspired by Gwen’s freeform crochet work. Gwen has supported my work recently with several articles (for Crochet World, her own site and Chicago Examiner). She’s also offered me a great crafty conversation and just general support. I was especially touched when she wrote in the introduction to an interview with me:
“Sometimes a stand-out person comes along in an online version of a cocktail party and the sharing of our interests/passions and knowledge creates a sort of click that resonates with the heart. Kathryn Vercillo is that “click” for me.”
4. Therapist and Mental Health Blogger Jennifer Bingaman
Jennifer Bingaman, M.A. LMHCA is a communications professional and mental health therapist who helps others through her counseling work as well as through her writing. I first found her blog, Pursuit of Happiness, from a link in an article she wrote for the American Counseling Association for which she blogs regularly. One of my favorite series that Jen writes on her blog is The Case Files where she explores the possible mental health issues in the histories of various famous people.
I was especially touched that Jen said about Crochet Saved My Life:
“This book written by Kathryn Vercillo is a labor of love and expertise. I feel a kindred spirit with Kathryn because she’s wrestled with deep depression and I feel even closer to her because she’s just brazen enough to talk about it, write about it, and be about it.”
5. Diane Gilleland, Craftypod Founder
Diane Gilleland, AKA Sister Diane, is a strong businesswoman who brings resources and information to the craft community. In addition to being a writer, teacher and speaker, Diane is a Church of Craft chapter founder, the voice behind the Craftypod craft business podcast series, the creator of Craftypod Publishing and an all around cool woman. My favorite thing about her work is that she’s always pushing the boundaries to try new things that capture the attention of crafters and entrepreneurs.
I was so excited when Diane interviewed me about my writing, crafting and life for her terrific Craftypod Podcast. I was also lucky enough to be one of the first people interviewed on her blog in her awesome image-only interview series.
I am honored to have my work supported by these amazing women!
