Sheri McNeil turns wood into wands, writing instruments and bowls. She began making them this summer after watching her father do it. It sparked her interest when he bought a lathe after handcrafting furniture and other items from wood for many years. She also knits, crochets and sews. “ I first started knitting when I was 6 and my Grandmother tried to teach me, however I grew frustrated with it and didn't knit again until last year. I have been crocheting and sewing for several years now and began when I had my first son who is now 20!”
When asked what the most difficult part of the process is for her, Sheri said “Sometimes while working on a project there are times where I have to wait for glue/finishes to dry or when I run out of something and have to get more, the waiting drives me crazy!” Sheri creates items as often as she can, since she finds it inspiring and relaxing. The knitted, crocheted and sewn items Sheri works on at home while listening to a movie or music. She uses her Dad's workshop for the handturned items.
The items she has most fun making are the wands. “I am a huge Harry Potter geek so I love making the wands!” She also has had a great deal of fun making bearded beanies. “I first made them for my kids and it snowballed from there. For my youngest son I also made a uni-brow to go with the hat and we all had a good laugh when he put it on Christmas morning.”
“I love to make things that are practical and useful, so as the saying goes ‘necessity is the mother of invention’. Sometimes, however, things just catch my attention and I love the challenge to try and figure out how to make them. I work hard to try and make a good quality product and don't settle for a substandard one.”
Sheri is a single mom with two boys, works full time and loves spending time with family and being outdoors. Meet her at 30 Craft Market on Tuesday, December 16, between 3:30 and 8 pm at the Peterborough Public Library!
Sheri is a single mom with two boys, works full time and loves spending time with family and being outdoors. Meet her at 30 Craft Market on Tuesday, December 16, between 3:30 and 8 pm at the Peterborough Public Library!