We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bridget O’Flaherty a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bridget, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Taking risks is inherent to the creative journey. Opportunities often knock at our door, yet, if you’re anything like me, the shadow of imposter syndrome can creep in. Countless times, I’ve talked myself out of pursuing a creative idea, believing I lacked experience, others were already excelling in that field, or it didn’t align with my creative strengths.
In recent years, I’ve made a conscious choice to embrace these risks. I’ve come to understand that this journey is uniquely mine, and regardless of where I stand on it, my personal fulfillment and passions are what truly matter. Launching a podcast was an enormous risk. I had no assurance that anyone would share my interest in sustainability within the realm of textiles and quilting. However, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
It’s become one of the most gratifying undertakings I’ve ever pursued. Through exploring sustainability’s diverse facets and sharing inspiring stories, I’ve cultivated a vibrant community of individuals who share a common goal: advancing sustainability in their creative practices. By taking that initial risk, I’ve not only contributed to positive change but also cultivated a dedicated listener base and a thriving podcast that supports my textile business.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
About Me: I’m Bridget O’Flaherty, and my 30-year journey into the world of textile arts and quilting is a harmonious blend of my lifelong passion for art and my unwavering commitment to sustainability. My path was inspired by a desire to positively impact our environment through creativity and conscious choices.
My Art and Creative Works:
My creative portfolio revolves around sustainable quilts and textile art. I specialize in textile creations that represent the beauty of nature, often incorporating thread painting to capture the intricate details of our natural world. These pieces aren’t just about aesthetics; they’re a testament to the power of merging artistry and eco-consciousness. My raw materials include up-cycled fabrics that are naturally dyed, locally sourced natural materials like wool, and threads that are produced sustainably. The connection to the land and material is evident in the nature scapes I create.
Services and Community:
Beyond my art, I’ve cultivated an online community and resource hub where like-minded individuals come together to share knowledge and enthusiasm for sustainable textile practices. We offer a welcoming space for connections and discussions and provide access to sustainable supplies like locally sourced fabrics, natural dyes, and upcycled materials. My online classes empower aspiring artists to explore sustainable textile techniques, while my guest speaking engagements and articles advocate for sustainability in the creative world.
What Sets Me Apart:
What truly sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to sustainability. I’m not just an artist but an advocate for change in the textile industry. I believe that creativity can coexist with environmental consciousness, and I’ve made it my life’s work to prove this. My dedication to sustainability isn’t a trend but a way of life that I wholeheartedly embrace.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
I take immense pride in the community we’ve built and the awareness we’ve raised about sustainable textile practices. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see individuals from all walks of life coming together to learn, share, and make conscious choices in their creative endeavours. I’m exceptionally proud of the positive impact we’re making, both environmentally and in the lives of our community members.
Key Messages:
I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my brand is more than just quilts and textile art; it’s a movement toward sustainable creativity. Whether through my textile art, online classes, guest speaking engagements, or written articles, I invite everyone to join our community, explore the beauty of sustainable textile practices, and be part of a collective effort to make a positive change in the world of quilting and textiles. Together, we’re weaving a brighter, more sustainable future.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
We all have moments of ups and downs, trials and trauma that shape our lives. My textile life has woven through my personal life, and I would say the most significant part of my journey that shaped who I am today involved three pillar people from my life. As fate would have it, all three needed me to step into a caregiver roll at the same time. My mother, who had been a mentor and friend in my quilt world, was declining with Alzheimer’s disease and I watched as she disappeared over ten years. This took a toll on my father as her primary care person and his physical health declined, eventually landing him in long-term care with my mother. Meanwhile, my love, my partner, father to my children and stalwart supporter of every adventure I took, was having his own battle that I bore witness to. He’d suffered with a life-long, undiagnosed serious illness that came to a head, converging with my parent’s health issues. All the while I was a mother of 2 teens, and the main breadwinner for my family which relied on my art business. It was a bit of chaos if I’m being honest, needless to say, my creativity was quashed, and I went into survival mode. I decided to set my art aside and take a day job working in sustainability which provided me with a paycheque. My quilting and textile work took a back seat for over 10 years. I didn’t realize that this decision would become an integral part of my future endeavours. I always knew that I would come back to my creative journey in textiles and held onto that knowledge as I worked in a different industry and processed my grief. The knowledge gained around sustainable practices have led to a clear understanding of the impacts materials have on the planet through the environment and social issues. As I go forward, I have adopted a mindful practice that allows me to engage with an industry that is rife with issues around toxic production and overconsumption. When I decided to come back to my artwork and creative life, I knew that I had to bring my experience with sustainability into how I approached my work and my business. My work today is still impacted by the losses I have experienced, my expression creatively is always imbued by the love of nature and textiles that I shared with both my mother and partner. The knowledge I gained while stepping aside from my art has come full circle. My interests now blend sourcing sustainable raw materials and packaging, sharing knowledge about sustainable practices through teaching, podcasting and speaking and creatively representing works that embody both nature and sustainability in textiles.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Certainly! In my textile business, my mission is crystal clear: I aim to leave a light footprint on the world of materials while actively advocating for transformation within the quilting and textile industry. It all starts with a simple yet powerful idea: the choices we make and how we use materials can be a catalyst for positive change.
Through a mindful and intentional approach, I place great emphasis on considering the environmental impact and the broader societal costs associated with our practices. This goes beyond just creating beautiful quilts and textile art; it’s about fostering a sustainable ethos that can ripple throughout our industry.
The truth is, every small action we take matters. These actions are like pebbles dropped into a pond, creating ripples that spread far and wide. By consciously selecting materials that align with our values and adopting practices that prioritize sustainability, we not only reduce our own harmful impacts but also set an example for the wider textile community.
In essence, my mission is to be part of a movement that redefines how our industry approaches production. It’s about infusing our creative process with purpose and a commitment to a brighter, more sustainable future—one where the beauty of our craft harmonizes with the well-being of our planet and society at large
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bridgetoflaherty.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bridgetoflahertytextiles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSustainableQuilter
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSustainableQuilterBridgetO’Flaherty
Image Credits
Bridget O’Flaherty