Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Guest Contributor - My Friend Pam - Crafting Through Pain

I want to introduce my VERY BFF from college, Pam Narveson. Pam and I met at college a LONG time ago and have been best of friends ever since. Pam is one of those friends I don't see often, but rely on none-the-less. Thank goodness for cell phones as our calls can be QUITE lengthy!

Pam swears I was a bad influence on her 'way back when', but I'm not admitting to anything.

Anyway! Pam is a AVID artist/craftswoman. She has cross stitched since before I knew her, knits, and does stunning beadwork. She actually finishes many, many projects a year.

The catch is that Pam suffers from severe rheumatoid arthritis. During our college days she was able to handle her pain with various meds, but over the years certain treatments stopped working. The disease and pain have continued to worsen, causing her to have to change her lifestyle in many ways, and give up many of the things she loves. The damage is especially bad in her hands, and even more-so in her thumbs.

However, during it all she continues to work on her crafts almost daily, although there have been times when this has been difficult or impossible. Pam has been a true inspiration.

Pam has agreed to share some of the tips she has come across over her many years of crafting. Some will be tips you may already know, some may be new to you, and some will be specifically for those of you who may also suffer from arthritis, or otherwise have situations that make it difficult for you to work your favorite craft.

I hope you will enjoy the occasional posts from Pam, and will leave comments and questions for her here at my blog. She will be glad to answer and help if/when able.

If you would like to learn more about rheumatoid arthritis - Click here.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Pam---I so agree with you regarding the Thread Heaven...and I love the idea of the magnet---Thank You !!!
~Peggy~

Anonymous said...

I have to just put my KUDOS in for my favorite (and only) sister! I don't know anything about Thread Heaven but I DO KNOW that my sister, Pam, is a true inspiration to me and all the people she has ever touched in her life. Her creations are PERFECTLY done and like no others I have ever seen! I am VERY proud of her and her determination to keep going each and every day! I love you Pam!!!

Jean (your FAVORITE sister)

Anonymous said...

Pam's Minnesota BFF says that Pam is a true artist and all of her projects are a work of art! If only she would keep more of them for her own walls and give less away to friends and family! But then, I wouldn't have any :-) Love you, Pam, keep up the beautiful work!
--Janet