Delores Chamblin
Delores Chamblin (born 1955) is a self taught crochet designer of unique and functional items, some with positive African symbols or other positive symbols. Her original handmade creations have been in museum gift shops or at museum events, including the African American Museum in Hempstead, New York (1992-1993), Brooklyn Museum (1997), and Polk Museum of Art (November 2010). Some of her crocheted wall hangings with afrocentric, nature, or other themes and other creations have appeared in publications (1986, 1992, 1993), at events, stores or expos (1970's to present on and off), and on a public access television show in New York (1993).
To showcase African history and culture, Ms. Chamblin created unique crocheted wall hangings, including a rendition of King Tut in a mixture of brown yarns and gold metallic yarn, a door size hanging of Queen Nefertiti's bust, the Egyptian Pyramids at Giza, African adinkra symbols and other African centered items including beaded wooden jewelry and crocheted pendants. These afrocentric creations were featured in a month long exhibit in the main showcase windows at the Wyandanch Public Library, Long Island, New York in 1992. Ms. Chamblin's first published works (swan and robin crocheted wall hangings) appeared in Family Circle Fashions and Crafts magazine in 1986.
Delores Chamblin, a mother of three, is a graduate of the famous Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and a graduate of Tufts University. She is an award winning designer and poet, a crochet business owner (AfriCreations), a member of The Crochet Guild of America and a former member of 100 Black Women of Long Island (1993-1994). She briefly taught a continuing education class in crochet (1992) and has worked in a variety of other jobs while designing and crafting.
Her volunteer endeavors included hosting her own internet radio show "AfriCreations Positive and Informative Radio Show" (2006-2007 on NBBTA Radio). To highlight positive black role models, on the show Ms. Chamblin interviewed famous people, including Booker T Washington's great grand daughter Sara Washington O'Neal Rush and also everyday people (primarily black youths and adults) who had accomplished great things, but were unsung heroes.
References
1. "Swan" and "Robin" Wall Hangings, Delores Chamblin (Designer)
Family Circle Great Ideas (ISSN 0163-1306) July 1986 issue Family Circle Fashions & Crafts pages 57, 93-94
2. "Holiday Baby Bibs To Crochet" Delores Chamblin (Author), Leisure Arts (Publisher) 1993
3. "Bathroom Tissue Toppers To Crochet" Delores Chamblin (Author), Leisure Arts (Publisher) 1993
4. Noel Hanging," Delores Chamblin (Designer)
Women's Circle Crochet (ISSN 0279-1978) (House of White Birches, publisher) Autumn 1992 pages 28 & 39
5. "Country Road" Wall Hanging Delores Chamblin (Designer)
Women's Circle Crochet (ISSN 0279-1978) (House of White Birches, publisher) Summer 1993, pages 42–43
6. Polk Arts (Gems & Jewels Artist Market)
http://www.polkarts.org/2010/11/03/nov-18-holiday-luncheon-and-gems-jewels-artist-market/
7. News Chief (Gems & Jewels Artist Market)
http://www.newschief.com/article/20101118/NEWS/11185060?p=2&tc=pg
8. West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings (Sankofa)
http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra/sank.htm
http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra/sank2.htm
http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra/sank3.htm
9. West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings (Nkyinkyim)
http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra/nkyi.htm
10. West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings (Hwemudua)
http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra/hwem.htm
11. West African Wisdom: Adinkra Symbols & Meanings (Duafe)
http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra/duafe.htm
12. "As We Pledge Allegiance" Delores Chamblin (Poet) The Best Poems and Poetry of 2004 (page 3)
Howard Ely (Editor), International Library of Poetry (Publisher) 2005
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0028J14E2/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&condition=all
13. Baron Series - 2007 Archived Events & Appearances with Wealth Coach William R. Patterson
(Africreations - Positive and Informative Radio with Delores Chamblin)
http://www.baronseries.com/event_archive_07.htm
14. MOBE (Innovators and Influencers of the Internet and Technology IT Awardees)
http://web.archive.org/web/20020601135412/http://www.mobe.com/2001/2001.htm
15. Black Excel
http://www.blackexcel.org/africreations-youth-page-website.html
16. Black Women Host Innovative Internet Radio Programs That Educate, Motivate, Inspire & Inform
http://www.blacknews.com/pr/womenradio101.html
17. NBBTA Radio
http://web.archive.org/web/20060413165547/http://www.nbbta.org/series.htm
18. Dr. Farrah Gray
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=172659578351&share_id=113993755322158&comments=1
External links
- AfriCreations.com
- Crochet Guild of America
- Family Circle
- Leisure Arts
- Polk Museum of Art
- Brooklyn Museum
- African American Museum
- Booker T. Washington Empowerment Network, BTWEN (Sara Washington O'Neal Rush)
- Dr. Farrah Gray
- National Coalition of 100 Black Women - Long Island Chapter