I often say that ISK has taken on a life of its own — like a seed released into the wind. Once it's out there, it can land anywhere, and if the conditions are right, it will take root, grow, and eventually sow seeds of its own.
Some stories about where ISK has traveled, I may never hear. Others I stumble upon by chance — and some, like today's, I get to know because of people like Amy McDowell from Texas USA, that stumbled upon my work online and in her kindness decided to connect with me and in her generosity share it forward.
I'm excited to share the interview she gave me, where she answers the questions I was most curious to ask.
Personal Background & Connection to Africa
Q: Can you tell me a little about yourself? Where did you grow up, what is your occupation, and what other crafts do you master?
A: I’m a self-taught artist who “failed” at retirement! I spent most of my career as a lawyer, but I’ve always had a creative streak — knitting, crocheting, making jewelry, sketching animals. I love working with my hands, and I think that creative energy was just waiting for more space once I stepped away from full-time legal work.
Q: How did you first become connected with Uganda and the Boomu Women’s Group?
A: My connection to Uganda started through my husband, Mark, who founded a nonprofit
called Books for Development that establishes libraries in developing countries. We’ve been to Uganda together several times (he’s been more than 30!), and on one of those visits I spent time with the Boomu Women’s Group near Murchison Falls. It wasn’t planned — I just wandered in and ended up staying much longer than expected. The women’s artistry and warmth drew me in immediately, and we’ve kept in touch ever since.
Q: What originally brought you to Africa — was it work, travel, or a deeper personal
connection?
A: At first, it was travel connected to Mark’s nonprofit work, but it quickly became much more personal. The sense of community, creativity, and resilience I found there really resonated with me. It’s hard not to feel a deep connection once you’ve spent time with people who are so open, talented, and generous in spirit.
You and ISK
Q: How did you first discover the ISK wire crochet technique?
A: I came across the ISK wire crochet technique on Domestika and was immediately intrigued. It’s delicate and portable, but also wonderfully adaptable — you can create something beautiful with very simple tools. I thought it might be fun to experiment with alongside the Boomu women, to see how it could blend with their own style and materials.
Q: The Boomu Women’s Group already has a strong tradition of crafting with natural fibers. Why did you feel wire crochet could be a good fit?
A: The women at Boomu are incredibly talented — their basketry and fiber work are stunning. I didn’t see wire crochet as something to “teach” but as something we could play with together. They already have such mastery over texture, rhythm, and form, so I thought it might be interesting to see how those same instincts translated to a new material. My role was really just to share a different tool and watch what they did with it.
Teaching Experience
Q: What was it like walking into the group that day, knowing you’d be introducing a brand- new material and technique to them?
A: I felt more like a guest joining a workshop than a teacher arriving with a lesson plan. I
brought the wire and the tools, but once we started, it quickly became a shared process — lots of curiosity, laughter, and problem-solving. The energy in the room was so warm and
collaborative that it felt less like instruction and more like discovery.
Q: How did the women respond the first time they saw and tried working with the wire?
A: There was some hesitation at first — wire feels different from the fibers they usually use — but everyone was game to try. Once they saw that it could bend and shape in beautiful ways, they were all in. The best part was how quickly they started helping one another. Someone would figure out a little trick, and before long the whole group was using it.
Q: You mentioned that the students quickly became teachers themselves. Can you share a
moment or story that really stuck with you from that experience?
A: One woman had trouble getting started and looked so frustrated. About an hour later, she was showing two others how to hold the wire differently to keep it smooth. That moment — watching confidence turn into generosity — was one of the most touching parts of the whole experience.
Q: Were there any surprises in how the women adapted or approached it?
A: I think the surprises are on the way – I’m returning in December, and I’m excited to see what they’ve developed and “made their own.”
Impact & Future
Q: How do you imagine wire crochet might influence or blend into their craft?
A: I think it’ll simply add another dimension to what they already do so beautifully. They might combine wire crochet with beads, paper, or natural fibers — things that reflect their
environment and style.
Q: What do you hope the women will do with the technique in the future?
A: My hope is that they’ll keep experimenting, sharing, and adapting it in their own way —
maybe developing pieces that feel distinctly Boomu. I’d love to see them mix wire crochet with their existing crafts in ways that are uniquely theirs, whether it’s jewelry, home décor, or something completely unexpected.
Q: What role do you think creative skills like wire crochet can play in empowering women’s
groups like Boomu?
A: Creative work gives space for expression and confidence, and it builds community. The
group’s founder and principal, Edinah ____, knew that when she began the group more than 25 years ago. It’s not just about what you make — it’s about working together, solving problems, and realizing that your ideas matter. The energy I felt with those women was proof that creativity is already a form of strength.
Personal Reflections
Q: What did teaching the group teach you about creativity, resilience, or community?
A: It reminded me that creativity thrives on collaboration and humility. The Boomu women
approach art with patience and faith — they keep experimenting until something works. That kind of resilience is a lesson I’ll carry with me.
Q: Looking back, what has been the most rewarding part of this experience for you
personally?
A: Watching the spark of discovery — that moment when someone looks up, grinning, because they’ve figured something out — that’s the best part. Knowing the technique will continue to grow and evolve in their hands feels incredibly special. It’s their story now, not mine, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Now that you’ve read the story and seen the photos, you can probably imagine how thankful I felt realizing how far — both geographically and culturally — my ISK seed has traveled, and how much joy it continues to spread. This is just the beginning, and I hope to share more with you after Amy’s next trip to Uganda, so stay tuned…
And if you, too, have a story to tell about your own journey with ISK, I’d be delighted to hear it!
Love,
Yoola
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If you landed here by chance and want to get hooked on wire crochet with the ISK technique, hop over HERE to choose the best way to get started. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop me a note through the Contact Us link — it’s the best way to make sure your message doesn’t end up in the spam folder!
