What happens when you sign up for something you might turn out to be bad at? In this episode of Your Creative Midlife, I'm exploring embroidery on Nantucket, in its different forms. It's the part of this island the influencers aren't telling you about.

What I didn't expect was how much this experience would end up being about limits. I learned that I am not good at everything (and how to be ok with that).

In This Episode You'll Learn

→ On being a beginner in midlife

→ The history of The Nantucket School of Needlery

→ The legacy of Erica Wilson, the Julia Child of needlework

→ The surprising health benefits of participating in the arts

→ Richard Saja's avant-garde needlework

If you’re interested in learning about needlework and how to manage a creative project when you meet your limit, this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and needlekeep

02:38 – RIchard Saja and avant-garde toile

04:47 – Erica Wilson, the Julia Child of Needlework

06:00 – The Nantucket School of Needlery

08:00 – Sip and Stitch at Erica Wilson

09:20 – The story of Nantucket’s Airport code, why it is ACK

10:30 – Resources from the 1800 House

Learn More About Needlework

• Listen to The GAM episode on needlework https://thenantucketgam.podbean.com/e/11/

• Visit Erica Wilson’s store for a class on Nantucket https://ericawilson.com/pages/60years

- Connect with Richard Saja

• https://www.instagram.com/richardsaja/

About Your Creative Midlife

Your Creative Midlife is a podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Betsy Bush, featuring inspiring conversations with artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and makers who discovered new creative paths after 50. Whether you're retired, an empty nester, or simply ready to explore a new passion, you'll find practical advice, encouragement, and real stories that prove it's never too late to create.

🌐 Website: https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com

📩 Share Your Creative Story: https://www.yourcreativemidlife.com/contact

Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com. Are you on your own artistic or creative journey? We want to know about you! Please contact us through the website. Dare to follow your muse!