Masters of their craft

  "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." — Maya Angelou

    Each Monday morning, the Ardenwoods Craft and Chat group gathers for fellowship. They practice various forms of crafting, including diamond painting, knitting, crocheting and sewing. Residents are welcome to bring any craft of their choice to the meetups.

    “It’s a great group of ladies. Everyone is talented and creative in their own ways,” said attendee Diane Nutty. “The group, many of whom are widows, is a wonderful support system as well.”

    A regular at Craft and Chat for four years, Diane first learned to knit, sew and embroider at a young age, both at home and during her time as a Girl Scout. By age 5, she had her own non-electric sewing machine, which she used to make clothes for her dolls. Now, she continues to enjoy crafts like knitting and cross-stitching with friends at Ardenwoods.

    In addition to Craft and Chat, she is a member of the Dogwood Crafters Co-op in Dillsboro, where a few of her pieces are available for purchase, and she even won Best of Show at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair for her knitted stuffed animals in the last two years.

    Residents often stop by the Ardenwoods craft room during Craft and Chat meetup hours to say hello and see the latest creations of the participants. Some residents ask crafters for items to gift their grandchildren or friends. Craft and Chat participants also donate knit toboggans, blankets and other handmade items to local charities.

    “Making pieces for others always means a lot — it makes the work very rewarding,” said Diane.

    Diane said she adores the friends she has made through this group. During the summer months, when Craft and Chat takes a break from regular meetups, several of the women still meet up to work on projects.

    These crafters take great pride in their work, and so does Ardenwoods. In 2024, Ardenwoods put on a craft show showcasing some of their work. Residents were ecstatic to show off their talents.

    “My goodness. The clubhouse rooms were just full to the brim,” Diane said. “There were paintings, quilts, pillows, a sloth that I knitted and just about anything else you could imagine.”

    The women of Craft and Chat are always on the lookout for new members. When a new resident arrives, they read up on their interests and reach out to anyone they think might be interested.

    Ardenwoods is thankful for the creativity and talent the women of this group bring to its campus. New or existing residents are always welcome to join!

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