Dreams Do Come True

This year, two of my dreams came true: writing for FOLKLIFE and doing a photoshoot with Jo Concetta. It still feels so surreal that these dreams were woven together into an article that came out in this season’s The Builder Volume. I’ve been working on pausing and celebrating when good things happen, like a ritual of gratitude. Writing is how I process all of life’s biggest moments & this is definitely one of them. It’s also a chance to celebrate & share a bit about why I love FOLKLIFE & Jo so much, along with some of the beautiful photos she captured.

I remember reading my first FOLKLIFE while pregnant with my daughter, curled up on the couch with my cat resting against my (very large) belly. The sense of connection to people I’ve never met, whose stories felt so resonant to my own. The belief that we can slow down, savouring the in-between moments while building something special.

It gave me hope for the world I was about to bring a new life into.

When Jo reached out about collaborating on an article for this beautiful magazine, I got butterflies. It was something I’d been dreaming of, writing for FOLKLIFE and doing a photoshoot with Jo, something that lived in the back of my mind for “one day”.

For years, I’ve admired Jo’s work, how she captures moments in time that tell a story. It was amazing to work with her, so much fun playing with setting up photos that felt like me at my most creative, that encapsulate who I am, what I do, and why. She has a way of seeing people, places and processes that is real, honest, and beautiful, all at the same time. I cried when I saw the photos she took for this project, especially the ones of my daughter and I.

It felt so special, very full circle, to see photos of us together printed in the magazine, for the first time I’ve ever been published.

Reflecting on becoming a mother and artist, I wrote about how life often feels like a garden to me, a journey of planting seeds & dreams with hope, holding both the chaos and beauty of growth (& life). It’s tender, trying to live wholeheartedly, creatively, and moments of comparison and fear can be overwhelming. I share how turning my personal style and botanical dye craft into rituals has helped me ground, connect with myself and my vision for the future, an anchor through all the phases of growth.

You can find the latest issue of FOLKLIFE here. It’s a treat to curl up with your favourite beverage, slow the folk down, and take your time reading it—every word and photo shared in it is a balm for the heart, a seed of inspiration. It’s truly an honour to be included in it, to be a part of this community.

PS: all photos in this article are by Jo, some of my favourites from our project together.