Name: Nancy Carlzen
Location: North-Central Arizona, USA
Age: Elder and proud of it!
Experience: not as much as I'd like, and working to fix that.
In previous life stages I've gone from timid knitter to fiber artist, left an almost paid-for home and secure job in Las Vegas, Nevada for the chance to create a life in the wilds of northern Arizona, wrote a novel (unpublished, which is probably a good thing...), headed outdoors to watch birds and after-hours celestial events, started, then mostly closed a Press Release/Editing service, dropped the closeted classical guitarist bit to play a whole new tune as an 'out there' dulcimer addict who does jams, open mics and -yikes! - actual performances playing bluegrass with the "Beaver Creek Philharmonic."
Since the above was written (circa 2014) we've moved house and discovered a whole new set of "interesting" complications, most revolving on how to live in the boonies where just about everything is at least an hour away. For many of you this is old hat -- for this raised-in-the suburbs then moved to a 24-hour city kinda gal, it's a whole new learning experience. Which includes working with an entirely different type of band: The "Hilltop Gang" plays mostly 'old' country standards, and is totally electrified. My poor little dulcimer, working off a buskers amp, is having quite a time of it. But we do have an active and engaged fiber arts guild nearby, so that helps... especially as I now have studio space in house for creative play.
What also helps: we're close enough to our previous home to keep in touch with friends. I'm still jammin' with the Philharmonic, which keeps things lively. And looking for somewhere to place my fiber art treasures. An Etsy shop is possible; so is going in with the Guild on occasional sales. I really haven't decided yet.
All I know is, with a whole new set of options place (and restrictions) in place, things will likely stay "interesting" for at least the next little while.
Oh boy!
Location: North-Central Arizona, USA
Age: Elder and proud of it!
Experience: not as much as I'd like, and working to fix that.
In previous life stages I've gone from timid knitter to fiber artist, left an almost paid-for home and secure job in Las Vegas, Nevada for the chance to create a life in the wilds of northern Arizona, wrote a novel (unpublished, which is probably a good thing...), headed outdoors to watch birds and after-hours celestial events, started, then mostly closed a Press Release/Editing service, dropped the closeted classical guitarist bit to play a whole new tune as an 'out there' dulcimer addict who does jams, open mics and -yikes! - actual performances playing bluegrass with the "Beaver Creek Philharmonic."
Since the above was written (circa 2014) we've moved house and discovered a whole new set of "interesting" complications, most revolving on how to live in the boonies where just about everything is at least an hour away. For many of you this is old hat -- for this raised-in-the suburbs then moved to a 24-hour city kinda gal, it's a whole new learning experience. Which includes working with an entirely different type of band: The "Hilltop Gang" plays mostly 'old' country standards, and is totally electrified. My poor little dulcimer, working off a buskers amp, is having quite a time of it. But we do have an active and engaged fiber arts guild nearby, so that helps... especially as I now have studio space in house for creative play.
What also helps: we're close enough to our previous home to keep in touch with friends. I'm still jammin' with the Philharmonic, which keeps things lively. And looking for somewhere to place my fiber art treasures. An Etsy shop is possible; so is going in with the Guild on occasional sales. I really haven't decided yet.
All I know is, with a whole new set of options place (and restrictions) in place, things will likely stay "interesting" for at least the next little while.
Oh boy!