Tamarack!!

I am quite pleased to announce that on 08/11/2011 

I was successfully juried into Tamarack!!

I couldn't be more pleased to be a participating Tamarack artisan and now considered

part of "the best of West Virginia." I invite you all to visit Tamarack (Beckley, WV) to see not only my work but the work of all the fine artisans whose work is displayed and sold there.

Below you can read about what I believe is at the heart of Cranberry Ridge Design!!

Artisan Statement - Connie Ridgeway

The support Connie receives from family and friends has empowered her passion for creating memories. Whether it is a personal item like the "Oh Wow Bag", a quilt, or clothing for her grandchildren, it brings a heartwarming delight to her soul.

The reality of Cranberry Ridge Design (CRD) finally came to fruition with the creation of the "Oh Wow Bag". The first bag was made for her daughter Debra, and the next bags were made for daughters’ Jennifer, Elizabeth, and Rebecca! CRD was on the way to becoming a lifelong dream!

As a child, Connie was lovingly influenced by her maternal grandmother Iona Diamond, her mother Madge Diamond, and her older sisters. The love of sewing had begun in a young girl’s heart! Through their tutelage, the skills Connie attained became the bedrock for her creation of Cranberry Ridge Design.

It takes more than skills to foster one's craft. You need the tools for those crafts to flourish. Her father, the Rev. Amon Diamond, always kept the old family Singer sewing machine in good repair. She now uses a Janome 6600 sewing machine along with a Singer serger sewing machine to create her designs. She devotes over 30 hours a week to her passion of sewing. Her hand crafted creations reflect the values she treasures from her Appalachian heritage.

Connie frequently visits "The Quilt Shop" owned by Mrs. Vickie Fleer of Summersville, WV. Vickie provides immense guidance by inspiring creative design. She has afforded Connie the opportunity to work with customers and assist in this exquisite shop. Connie has assisted seamstresses in choosing the right fabrics and color choices that fit the color schemes of their project. Connie derives enjoyment from her sewing and quilting and uses that enthusiasm to encourage new seamstresses who come into the shop to take up the craft of quilting and in keeping that craft alive.

"May the warmth of love always surround you!" This self-authored phrase is placed on a hand created label that is added to every quilt Connie makes and presents to newlyweds. It conveys the joy and blessing she gets while stitching each quilt and her wish that the quilt will be treasured for years to come.

Connie’s goals are to be admitted into Tamarack and to participate in other ventures that feature West Virginia artisans. To have the opportunity to showcase her skills and talent in the textile medium would be a wish come true for Connie. Connie also plans to continue to provide mentoring to beginning students who have a keen interest in textiles.

Cranberry Ridge Design: "One of a kind design…one at a time!"

Connie Ridgeway Bio

Connie was born and raised in eastern Kentucky. It was there she learned the art of creating and sewing from her grandmother, mother and sisters. She was asked in high school to assist others in learning the art of sewing. She creates for family and friends.

In the late eighties Connie chose to pursue a degree in nursing. She attended a branch of the University of Kentucky and graduated with a degree as a Registered Nurse. Connie has provided care from the east coast to the west coast in top ten medical centers. Her passion in nursing has been in the oncology population.

Connie moved to Nicholas County, West Virginia in 2000. Connie is the biological mother of one daughter and one son. When she married Roger Ridgeway in 2007 she became a mother to three more daughters and a son. They now have one granddaughter and two grandsons. Of course, lets not forget her extended family - her Yorkie brood!

Thanks for learning a bit about CRD and for visting my blog today!
I am glad you stopped by and hope you will visit me here again soon.

Connie