DO’ing something different
In our third DO’ing something different feature, we meet three dispensing opticians with a love for craft.
Inspired by nature
Debbie Gregory
Dispensing optician Debbie Gregory has been qualified for 35 years. She works for Kelly Eyecare as the practice manager in the market town of Ringwood in Hampshire.
For as long as Debbie can remember, she has been fascinated with – and passionate about – colour.
“I studied art all through school and college, taking inspiration for my projects mainly from nature,” says Debbie. “I then began crocheting several years ago.
“This was a new outlet for my creativity and I found it mindful and relaxing too.”
Debbie loves creating new fabrics with yarn. She used yarn from blankets to begin with then began incorporating other media such as wet felting, embroidery, punch needle and rag rugging. She’s current focusing on up-cycling products.
One of Debbie’s bags
“I can often be found in charity shops looking for interesting fabrics and yarn to add to my ever-increasing stash,” she explains.
“I’m never happier than when I am in my studio at home pulling items for my latest project from baskets and boxes that are overflowing with colourful treasures. I’m a magpie.”
Debbie has sold some of her up-cycled items, mainly bags, at craft markets or as commissions. “This always surprises and delights me!”
Continuing her passion for sustainability, Debbie says: “If I do treat myself to new yarn for a cardigan or jumper, I always look for something that is sustainably sourced and of natural content.
“I found being creative so important during the first lockdown and since then, switching the news off and turning my attention to something full of colour is uplifting and – for me – essential.”
Scarves for all seasons
Dawn Wieloch creates her own scarves and matches them with frames in practice
Dispensing optician Dawn Wieloch works mainly at Murgatroyd Holmes Opticians in Staveley Chesterfield, along with one day a month at Victoria J. Smith Opticians in Millhouses, Sheffield.
Dawn loves colour and uses seasonal colour analysis in her patient frame selection at work.
She explains: “I have enjoyed many creative hobbies over the years. I also like scarves, the way they just brighten up your outfit and you too. It reflects all the nice colour tones up to your face.”
Dawn now creates her own scarves.
She says: “It’s wonderful putting the colours on shiny silk. I got much of my inspiration from my photographs while out walking in the ever-changing countryside; a sunset design and a meadow flower medley being favourites.
“One of my scarves also matched a Johann von Goisern frame. The lady loved it and so did JVG Austria, which gave me the idea of scarves to match spectacles – two of my favourite things combined.”
As well as appearing at a selection of craft fairs, Dawn now has a website with a shop up and running at dew.uk.com
She adds: “Later this year, I hope to appear on the JVG club site. My scarves are available at one of the practices I work. And I would like to help other opticians who want to offer that something different to their patients.”
Art of crochet
Sarah Parker practises mindfulness through crochet
Sarah Parker is a dispensing optician and practice manager for Brown and White Opticians in Hampshire.
Sarah’s colourful yarn
Sarah learnt to crochet as a child. “When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I took it up again. It’s very mindful and helps with my pain management strategies.
“Gradually, I found out about dyeing yarn and other fibre arts. Spinning wool turned out to be very much my thing; it’s very creative and appealed to my love of colour and design.
“I love the whole process, I buy a raw – unwashed – fleece from different breeds of sheep, goats and alpaca, wash it, dye it and prepare it for spinning,” Sarah continues.
“It’s is very therapeutic to turn a muddy, dirty fleece into something beautiful.”
If anyone is interested, then a good place to start is the British Fibre Art community at www.britishfibreartmagazine.co.uk