Of course there is!

Aside from all the peeps talking in my brain, there is an "us." Blackberry Patchworks IS everybody.
Although I can't tell you about you, I can tell you a wee bit about what brought me to this point.

I am phyllis meiring, the owner of Blackberry Patchworks Ltd. & in the Patch designs. I believe each life experience gives you the tools necessary for a future experience. Some experiences make sense & stand alone, while others make no sense in that moment. Our experiences seem fragmented and unrelated until we can objectively step back & see a bigger picture...much like a patchwork quilt. In a patchwork quilt, pieces of fabric are fragmented. Some are small and irregular while others scream, "I'm a star!" Put the pieces together & they become whole. My life's experiences, education, training, and difficulties have equipped me to be in this place at this time.

Where did the name originate? I come from a long line of strong creative women who did more than just survive. They thrived. They were not rich, capitalistically speaking. They were rich in creativity, resourcefulness, endurance, determination, and love. My paternal grandmother, from south eastern Ohio, taught dozens of women to knit & crochet. I had the honor of learning those crafts from her. She could sew and cook wonderful meals but I didn't get to learn those things from her. Thanks Grandma Robison! My maternal grandmother taught me to sew then quilt during one of the summers I spent with she & Papow. I spent several summers with them in Zag, Kentucky on their 18 acre farm. Mamow was also a very good cook. She was a hard-working determined woman who was loved much by Papow. Papow was a gentle very loving man who made me feel very loved and special. He had the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen. One night, Mamow fixed the best spaghetti I'd ever tasted and I ate like a piglet. For dessert, she fixed my favorite: blackberry dumplins. Nummmm...I said to her as I leaned back in my chair with my stomach swollen, "Oh I wish I hadn't eaten so much supper so I could eat a plateful of dumplings!" I never heard her laugh much but she nearly blew her apron off laughing that evening.

I didn't grow up dreaming of becoming a shop owner. I always wanted to be of some help to people. So I chose a path. I earned a M.Div from United Theological Seminary & a BA in Communications Studies from Wright State University, both in Dayton, Ohio. I worked in lots of jobs/careers ranging from library page to retail management, seamstress, clergy, DJ, bus driver, to adjunct professor -- just to name a few. I chose a path that lead me on a journey that had lots of curves & detours. I found myself having to re-navigate a course when doors closed so I decided to get back in touch with my roots -- creativity & love. And with a basket full, the love & support of my new family, my friend Jules, my mother-in-law, Marcia, and my hubby, I opened Blackberry Patchworks, Ltd. The Patch remains open with your love and support and I'm humbled & grateful. Thank you!