During springtime, diligent hands often work in the garden to bring forth fruit and flowers, but a bounty of other handmade pursuits also await discovery. In these heartfelt letters, Victoria readers share the pastimes that have captured their affections even in this modern age—each of which requires a careful eye and tender hand.
1. When my children reached high school age, I enrolled in a continuing education watercolor class. Years later, as an empty nester, I rediscovered my palette of paint and began creating original greeting cards for my family and friends. Each bespoke card is a watercolor that represents the recipient’s birth month flower, hobby, or favorite item. I have created engagement, graduation, wedding, and anniversary cards—and even congratulatory cards for a new pet.
My annual Christmas card has become a favorite of mine to create. When the copies return from the printer, I hand-embellish each one and address its color-coordinated envelope in my own calligraphy. To create a card that distinguishes itself, even while still enclosed in its envelope, is my way of expressing the special gift the recipient is in my life.
Bringing joy to those I love through my conceptual designs is a cherished gift—one I strive to steward faithfully and one for which I will always be grateful.
ELIZABETH TANZOLA CAVALUZZO
Garden City, New York
2. In 1967, my husband was transferred with the military from Connecticut to the Coast Guard Air Station in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. We had been married the previous year and had a two-month-old baby. Having been employed prior to the birth of our son and being a new stay-at-home mom in a new town, I didn’t know anyone and seemed to have a lot of excess time.
There was a nearby college that offered a variety of classes. My husband suggested I see if there might be something of interest. The class in chair caning seemed interesting and was offered in the evening, when he usually would be home to watch our son. I enrolled, and we found an old chair at an antique shop that was missing its seat. After stripping and repainting the chair, I began the class. That course provided me with a new skill and allowed me to meet people in the community.
I went on to cane rockers as well as straight-backed chairs for myself and others and still do them today. It is truly a lost art.
SUSAN GLEN
Warrenton, Oregon
3. Many years ago, I took an interest in calligraphy after a famous calligrapher was featured in Victoria magazine. I went to a class at Wichita State University and began to practice at every chance between tending our seven children. When our first son was to be married, I offered to do the invitations, and in the years that followed, I’ve had the privilege to do this for four of my other children, too. One of our sons and a granddaughter have also taken an interest in this craft. Nowadays, with handwriting not being taught in some schools, I hope some will take up this skill and the joy of writing beautifully with the heart. It has brought me great joy to share this simple gift with others.
SHERRY CATANESE
Wichita, Kansas
4. My story begins with a profound love for lace. I have always been captivated by its intricacies, particularly how such a wide array of patterns and designs can be created using only thread and knots. When I first sought instruction, resources were scarce, as this predated the Internet.
A turning point occurred at a local community festival, where I encountered a skilled tatter. She observed my clear enthusiasm for her finished work and graciously offered me an opportunity: to learn the craft alongside her.
I have now been actively tatting for more than forty years. Throughout this time, I have taken part in countless crafts events, serving various roles as a demonstrator, teacher, and vendor. My primary driving force has always been the connection with people and the chance to visit many beautiful and interesting places.
I consider it a privilege to listen to the wonderful stories shared by customers, often recounting powerful memories triggered by seeing my work. These moments frequently bring beloved people from their past to life vividly. In fact, some customers have become cherished friends; we look forward to seeing each other year after year, eager to share new anecdotes about giving one of my tatted items to a special person and witnessing their emotional reaction: sometimes bringing tears to their eyes.
The people I meet consistently motivate and inspire me to create new, challenging pieces. It is regrettable that the digital landscape, dominated by social media and websites, often diminishes the opportunity for direct, personal interaction with customers. Despite this trend, when I receive a note or a photo from a happy recipient of my work, it remains a deep source of delight and appreciation.
ELAINE O’DONAL
Gorham, Maine
5. Yarn and fiber crafts have always interested me. I remember knitting my first winter beanie in third grade. Over the years I learned many new fiber crafts such as sewing, embroidery, quilting, weaving, crochet, and rug hooking. One skill that was always elusive to me was spinning. I would watch as spinners would calmly transform thick bundles of wool into beautiful skeins of yarn. It looked so peaceful and repetitive—and something my creative spirit would likely enjoy!
I bought a drop spindle and some wool roving. I watched online to see how the experts twisted these fibers magically into beautiful strands of yarn. It proved to be not as easy as it looked. The effort proved fruitless after much experimentation. I had almost given up hope when a friend recommended that I contact Donna, a friend of hers who was an accomplished weaver and spinner. I had hit the jackpot! Not only did she show me how to use her spinning wheel, but she even lent it to me for a couple of months until I became proficient at it.
I could not get enough of spinning, plying, dyeing, and all the wonderful things that come with this new crafting adventure. Not only was I learning a lost art, but I was also able to make any yarn that I desired—any weight, type of sheep, color, or length.
Soon I was spinning enough to knit a sweater. One cannot imagine how rewarding it is to take shorn wool from the back of a sheep and turn it into a wearable object. I realized that my ancestors once knew this skill when I was looking through my grandfather’s tools that I inherited. Among them was an ancient pair of shears made of a single piece of metal.
I am proud to continue this craft and forever grateful to Donna, my mentor. May I too someday pass this knowledge to the next generation of artisans.
SUSAN LOWTHER
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
For more readers’ reflections on their creative pursuits, see “In The Making” on page 11 of the March/April 2026 issue.
