Wool, Hands & Heart

My name is Erin Bruchet. I am a self-taught artisan who shares my offerings where love and renewal are needed.

I live with my family in Vancouver, BC but spend as much time as possible in the stunning and remote Bridge River Valley.

For 15+ years as a clinical counsellor I helped children, youth and families as they moved through life’s transitions, hurts and trials. Prior to this, I dabbled briefly in the world of doula and midwifery care. I have a big heart for the healing journey generally as well as the arc of pregnancy & birth & new parenting/post-partum time.

As a former counsellor, I bring a special care to art-making and to my creativity gatherings.

2020: Like so many, I found myself adrift from complicated pandemic policy impacts on my life. With my family, we moved into a unique opportunity to live remotely for a year at our cabin and committed to alternative education for our kids. See my blog.

It was during this pandemic chapter of retreat and quiet that I began needle-felting: ‘poking’ wool with a specially designed needle to transform it into shaped felt. It was first introduced to me by Dr. Marie José Dhaese as a therapeutic method for work with young clients. But in 2020, it was my turn to learn that the repetitive movement and sensory power were deeply self-regulating and supportive. My intensive making whirlwind and my gift giving to others in 2020 and 2021 was my action against separation and distress, and following the Heart led me to a new world.

Now tenderwoods has blossomed into fabulous fibre arts outreach: exciting customized making & lovely creativity circles.