Dori Fulk/ Home Crafts

Dori has a special talent and affinity for crafts and craft traditions. Her work is wide ranging, practical, and beautiful. We asked her to share a bit about her creativity and how it fits her life.


This is what she wrote:

Creation Journeys

“Many of the activities in my spirituality group, Stepping Stones, call upon us to be “co-creators”, interacting with the world around us through word, paint, pencil, natural, and crafted materials to birth something new into existence.

Looking back, I have always found pleasure and reward in the creative experience, whether it was crafting seasonal harnesses for my toy horses, knitting sweaters with my mother, or writing poetry sitting in the magnolia tree in our front yard.

I was introduced to drawing in my junior high art class, but I did not get another chance for formal training until I attempted to major in art at Middlebury. I was inspired both by my Middlebury Union High School teacher of Humanities, Frank Kelly, and by my exposure to the incredible muralists of Mexico City when I spent 3 months there after high school graduation.

My original college choice was a major in interior design at UVM, but I returned from Mexico too late to matriculate there. (I had tried – and failed – to enroll at the University of the Americas in Mexico City, but I had inadvertently rented an apartment that was “not approved” by that University, so I had to return to Vermont.) The appeal of interior design was using creativity to enhance the home living environment. I think this has actually been the, albeit circuitous, path I have followed.

Discovering that I didn’t have enough talent in fine arts to make up for my lack of training, I soon changed my major to Anthropology. In this way, I could still study the creative process, but in its cultural context. The anthropological approach has been invaluable to be as an educator, and it has enriched my understanding of the range of human creativity. It helped me develop an appreciation for color, pattern, and crafting as a means of the communication and expression of culture.

When my house was destroyed by a fire, I replaced everything from socks to quilts with handmade items that enhanced the colors and patterns we had selected for our new home. This was my introduction to the world of quilting, guided by wonderful mentors from nearby quilt shops. As I became more involved in quilting through our local guild, I became more aware of its historical and cultural context. I’m fascinated by the role that quilting has played in the history of America and of other cultures, as well. As an anthropologist, the role of patterns and symbols used by quilters around the world is almost as fascinating as the significance of the quilters themselves and the role of the quilting process. I have yet to see an academic analysis of the role of quilting in the history of American women of the past and including the resurgence of quilting and other handwork in modern times.

In addition to fiber crafts, I also enjoy growing herbs, especially those that heal, and have learned much from attending indigenous workshops offered by local organizations. I can then apply fiber arts skills to package these for myself and others (ex. lavender wands, sleep pillows, herbal sachets, tinctures, etc.).

Now that my children are grown and my career in formal educational systems has ended, I have had more time to expand my skills and experiences in creativity. I continually expand and explore through membership and participation in guilds, knitting groups and classes (online and in person), etc.

I also use crafting skills for presents to be given to friends and family. In that way, I can tailor these to the colors and themes that have meaning to them. My focus continues to be on art to enhance the home environment and to create meaningful gifts for those around me.”