Creative Q&A with Lena Sloan

WASILLA — Local artist and small business owner, Lena Sloan recently participated in a question and answer interview to discuss her new Macrame workshop at Tracy’s Treasures and how much creativity means in her life.

Q: How long have you been doing these workshops at Tracy’s Treasures?“This is my first workshop here. I’ve been doing macrame since 2018 and Tracy has a great space here to give classes. It’s been super positive. I’ve had so much wonderful, encouraging feedback.”

Q: How did you get into macrame in the first place?“My first two kids were about a year apart, so I was a stay-at-home mom and I needed a creative outlet. I started during a really dark winter, 2018. I do a lot of different creative things, a lot of art. But, there’s something about macrame,” she said with a laugh. “It’s really popular right now. It’s something a lot of people enjoy. It’s something that I really enjoy. It’s been such a great hobby for me, honestly. It’s something I can do as a stay-at-home that is creative therapy. But now, I get to share it with other people which is great. Recreational therapy is what I went to college for, so I’m bringing some of that into my stuff. There’s just something therapeutic about making something artist and making something with your hands.”

Q: Did you make a lot of art growing up?

“I was in 4-H and I made all sorts of arts and crafts for the fair and things like that. I was always in an art class. My parents were always encouraging of art. I quit. I sew. I used to compete making clothing out of wool in Washington State. That was really fun. I’ve always been creative. I’ve always needed art. I’ve always needed some creative outlet just to help me get through.”

Q: What are some of your long-term goals from here?“I think, definitely more workshops, getting to know more people in the community who want to learn how to macrame. I would love it if I could do a beginner, intermediate, and advanced class. I would love to be able to do that and have enough people return to my classes. Other than night, my goals are to keep staying at home with my kids and still enjoy myself and enjoy doing macrame for me and my business.

Q: How long have you lived in the Valley?“I’ve been here eight years.”

Q: What’s it been like getting to know the local small business owners and different kinds of creators across the community?“It’s been really fun. There are so many stay-at-home moms who run their own businesses… I had no idea there were so many. It’s incredibly encouraging.”

Q: What’s your advice to your fellow stay-at-home moms looking for ways to channel their creativity?“Find something that helps you feel creative, feel productive, and feel calm, all at the same time; and do it during nap time. Put a movie on if you have to. Do it at night time. Wake up early… It’s good for my own mental health, my emotional health, and my creative health. I highly recommend it. Find something that scratches that itch for creativity. Get together. Invite people to get coffee. Ask questions. Share your information and ask for advice.”

Sloan offers recurring macrame workshops at Tracy’s Treasures and her wares are available within the store. For more information about Tracy’s Treasures or their cycle of locally sourced goods or updates on other types of workshops offered by local experts, call 907-715-4181 or visit their official Facebook page.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com