In 2003, after many years sewing unique fibers into soft sculpture designs, Miss Chickpea was born.

It really made sense. It was an evolution from my Softies line, where I was continually manipulating store bought fabrics by way of my own pattern line. I found myself desiring more natural fibers and desperately wanted to make myself some really fun accessories. I loved hunting the most unique fabrics, which became increasingly difficult due to synthetic fibers becoming more common. I also has a love affair for unique purses, which was a difficult find for my tastes. I didn't want a bag with someone else's name on it, rather art I could uniquely call my own.

Playing on the fiber nickname, "Chickpea," that I was earning for myself, I would sit for hours at local bookstores scouring the ads for crafty supplies. I came across some British suppliers selling felting supplies and quickly joined their organization. It was before the internet was so easy to use, so I remember having to get money exchanged for British pounds and buying the money order they required by snail mail! I really loved felting with wool; however, making enough wool that had the proper thickness for durability was no small task. It was very time consuming and somewhat costly.

At the same time, I would go visit my Aunt Karen for lunch, nearly an hour away, every time I needed my hair dyed. She tried to teach me crochet, but to no avail. I did; however, semi take a liking to knitting. With only the basic stitches needed for a primitive scarf intro project, I started hunting down fibers at local yarn stores. I came across one in Beachwood, Ohio, that I loved. I would buy everything they had in their hand dyed yarn clearance. I learned that I could combine these fibers with fancier wools, and eventually create my own process. This process led to me creating one-of-a-kind fabric blends, in a process that was somewhat like I learned from my UK friends. It was highly unpredictable, so a lot of practice was needed to figure out how to create what I needed, without wasting the expensive threads I was weaving.

I would buy everything they had in their hand dyed yarn clearance. I learned that I could combine these fibers with fancier wools, and eventually create my own process.

Rounding out the designs, I learned how to mold and form metal handles made from aluminum and copper. This was such a tedious process and my arms would go numb after hours of metworking. The effect was amazing for the fibers! It merged the soft, natural fibers with the smooth curves of the metals. Eventually, I learned polymer clay to make unique button clasps and started hunting denim pockets for upcycled use inside the bags. Each bag was truly one-of-a-kind and carried a unique name for their eventual owner, helping further showcase what an art piece they had acquired.

It was this line that won attention in the art show circuits of NE Ohio, gathering enough support to become Miss Chickpea's Funky Fibers. It was a time in my life I will never forget. It was everything wonderful about art and creativity.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME as I embark on a quest to enjoy, learn from, and raise my little bamBEANos, in the best way this Mama Chickpea can. Art is my "balance" to life and I enjoy all the DIY therapy I can handle!

Artwork © copyright Shelly Arroyo, A.k.a. Mama Chickpea.