How I became The Craft Lady

Recently someone asked me “How I became The Craft Lady.”

It made me think, I’ve been called The Craft Lady for so long, that I’d almost forgotten how and when it happened.

Until my brother said “Linda is the self-proclaimed Craft Lady” and then it hit me.

I didn’t name myself, The Craft Lady the kids and community of Pinole did.

Many moons ago, In the city of Pinole, Pinole Park and Recreation hosted a program call Summer Sounds. Where they played music in the park during the Summer months, each Thursday evening till dust.

On one of those evenings I having some extra craft stuff, from a prior event working with 1^st Five.

Went down to the park and setup at the Picnic Tables, across from the Jungle Gyms and invited the kids to work on a craft project.

I did this for two summers and one year I was sick and didn’t or couldn’t make it out. I received a phone call from the Park & Rec Manager Amy and she asked why I hadn’t been out to the park doing crafts.

I had to let her know “you do know that I’m not employed by the City?” I was just doing it when I had the time and extra craft materials etc.

Amy responded with a shock and said she would get back to me.

After that call we met and came up with a plan for me to donate my time and the City would help with the costs of some of the craft supplies.

I would come out every Thursday evening during the Summer program and do crafts with the kids.

This went on for over 8 years.

The children got so excited and involved, that they would be waiting for me in the Parking Lot when I arrived at the park.

They wanted to help me unload my car, put up the sign for the days craft and be the first to make their craft project and be the helper for the little ones that came up to the tables later. It was the best time ever, for both me, the children and their parents.

When I arrived in the park and started setting up, the kids would yell “The Craft Lady is here.”

That is when the kids changed my name.

I became Miss Linda, The Craft Lady.

After which the News Paper came out and did an article on the Summer Sounds program, that somehow became a story about me with the kids. From then, to now I have been called and hope to always be, The Craft Lady.