Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness
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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness
@germainehypher.bsky.social
1.1K followers 800 following 210 posts
🧵🧶✍🏻🎨📷🌱🐈‍⬛📚

Author of Crafting A Path Through Illness - exploring creativity while chronically ill. Available worldwide (the book, not me 😆).

Disabled by M.E & fibromyalgia since childhood. Enabled by humour & creativity.
www.germainehypher.weebly.com
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Germaine Hypher - Crafting A Path Through Illness @germainehypher.bsky.social · Jul 1
This was a lovely review to receive from another chronically ill author. Thank you Dr Wendy Bryant!

#Chronicillness #chronicpain #ME/CFS #mecfs #disability #creativity #crafts #art #craftiverse #CraftSky #bookreview #SelfHelp #CreativeSky

💙📚 🧶 🎨 ✍🏻 🎵 🪴 🧑🏼‍🍳 🪡
White words against a teal background say: book review. At the centre, in a white rectangle, is a picture of the book Crafting a Path Through Illness by Germaine Hypher. The review beside this image is as follows: "A fascinating guide to being creative in a life with chronic illness. The author acknowledges the significant challenges and proposes many practical and imaginative strategies. I was inspired by how she explored experiences of living with ongoing symptoms from many new perspectives, seeing her own ill health as a resource as much as a limitation." The review is by Dr Wendy Bryant, occupational therapist, chronic fatigue sufferer and author of Rest-Do Days.
germainehypher.bsky.social
See that gorgeous smile, there? That’s recent birthday girl @annakwood.bsky.social having just opened the 🎁 I made for her big birthday: a cushion inspired by Rennie Macintosh, upcycled from purple fabric I had saved for special use.
#sewing #upcycling #charlesrenniemackintosh #chronicillness #MECFS
A white woman with a big smile and long curly hair is sitting on a sofa holding a cushion in tones of purple. The main fabric of the cushion is a heather coloured herringbone tweedy fabric. On this is an appliquéd design, in purple satin and black cord, inspired by Charles Rennie Macintosh’s Glasgow Rose stained glass piece.
November 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
chronic.market/chronic-illn...

Fiction, self-help, nature, creativity, poetry, memoir, cookery, children’s books… Have a look, put them on your wish list, buy copies as gifts, talk about them, share the link - please lend your support in whatever way you can! 📚 📖

#chronicillness #mecfs #books
Books by Authors with ME/CFS and Related Chronic Illnesses – Chronic Market
chronic.market
November 8, 2025 at 1:07 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
The catnip arrived that I bought to make a new toy for Kiki. I’m not well enough to sew today but seeing her scoot around with a Jiffy bag on her head, literally chasing the high, made up for that! 😸 🐈‍⬛
#mecfs #me/cfs #fibromyalgia #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicfatigue #cat #blackcat #funnycat
Four photos of a small black cat at different stages of chasing a white postal bag around a kitchen floor, with her head inside the bag.
November 5, 2025 at 7:03 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
Overall Amazon star rating: 5/5

Mark, a reader, says:
"An absolute gift for folks trapped in a chronically ill body. It is both a
companion in hard times and a call to creativity."

#creativesky #chronicillness #chronicpain #art #craft #selfhelp
💙📚 📖 🎨 🪡 🧶 🎵 ✍🏻 🎭
An image of the front cover of the book Crafting a Path Through Illness - Exploring Creativity While Chronically Ill by Germaine Hypher is surrounded by the following text: Amazon star rating: 5/5 WHAT PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING ABOUT THE BOOK Over 300 easy to navigate pages. Optional creative exercises and projects. Real life experiences from the chronic illness community. Facts, guidance, understanding and inspiration for anyone wanting to live more creatively. Mark, a reader, says: "An absolute gift for folks trapped in a chronically ill body. It is both a companion in hard times and a call to creativity."
November 2, 2025 at 11:54 AM
germainehypher.bsky.social
Happy Halloween and Samhain Blessings to those who follow the wheel of the year. 🎃

(Pumpkins picked, decorated and brought to my bedroom by family. Thank you!)

#chronicillness #chronicpain #mecfs #me/cfs #migraine #fibromyalgia #Halloween #samhain #pumpkin #CraftSky #creativity
A grinning carved pumpkin is lit from within and sitting in the dark on a textured knitted blanket. White text reads: HALLOWEEN GUARDIAN SCARING AWAY NASTY SYMPTOMS WHILE I REST... @CRAFTINGAPATHTHROUGHILLNESS A grinning carved pumpkin is lit from within and sitting in the dark on a textured knitted blanket next to a tiny uncarved pumpkin, acorns, oak leaves, a conker and a green pumpkin painted like a funny version of Frankenstein’s Monster. White text reads: .. AND WELCOMING AUTUMNAL FUN @CRAFTINGAPATHTHROUGHILLNESS
October 31, 2025 at 11:40 AM
germainehypher.bsky.social
Kali-Ma and ME. Mixed media using paper, pen, lace, fabric and a Nietzsche quote. A black and white reproduction of this artwork features in my book Crafting a Path Through Illness.
#Chronicillness #Chronicpain #me/cfs #mecfs #godessart #mixedmedia #drawing #collage #arttherapy #philosophy #goddess
Mixed media collage on tan-coloured old, textured, torn paper with vintage lace in the corners. At the centre is a white drawing on black paper of the fearsome face of the Hindu goddess Kali-Ma. Below this is a person lying down, created from tiny scraps of green floral fabrics. Detail of mixed media collage on tan-coloured old, textured, torn paper with a person lying down, created from tiny scraps of green floral fabrics. Detail of mixed media collage on tan coloured old, textured, torn paper with vintage lace in the corners, featuring a white drawing on black paper of the fearsome face of the Hindu goddess Kali-Ma. Black typed text on a white background reads: Kali-Ma Is the Hindu goddess of time, change, death and rebirth. A fierce but transformative mother goddess, she dances on her victorious battlefield. In the past, when coming to terms with being severely ill, I imagined my illnesses (ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, orthostatic intolerance) as being Kali-Ma stomping on the battleground of my body, having caused destruction in my life but, hopefully, making way for a joyous rebirth of sorts.
October 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
Watercolour interpretations of one autumn leaf didn’t turn out quite as I’d hoped but I’m pleased with them and had fun loosening up with my line and colour placement. An analogy for days with chronic illness can be found in there, I feel!

#chrinicillness #chronicpain #mecfs #art #painting #leaves
Red and yellow maple leaves depicted in a loose style using watercolour paint with the colours deliberately not kept within the outlines. They are painted on torn paper and placed on a brown background. Red and yellow maple leaf depicted in a loose wash using watercolour paint with the colours deliberately not kept within the sharp red outline. Painted on torn paper and placed on an ochre background. Red and yellow maple leaf depicted in a loose style using watercolour paint with the colours deliberately not kept within the outline. Painted on torn paper and placed on a brown background.
October 25, 2025 at 11:58 AM
germainehypher.bsky.social
I love hearing readers’ responses to the book. Please do let me know if you’ve enjoyed any aspects of it!

#art #craft #chronicillness #chronicpain #mecfs #me/cfs #bookreview #craftsky #creative
🧶 🎨 ✍🏻 🪡 🎵 🎭 💙📚
A cerise background features, in the top right hand corner, the cover image of the book Crafting A Path Through Illness - exploring creativity while chronically ill by Germaine Hypher. Cream coloured text next to this reads: READERS' RESPONSES I was looking for inspiration and I found it. - Jack Cummings This has blown me away. So detailed, well written, humorous and well researched. An accessible and encouraging guide to living well with chronic illness through creativity. It's full of practical advice, showing how arts and crafts can enrich both mental and physical health. - Phil Barnett
October 21, 2025 at 12:42 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
All seasons leaf garland. Wet felted, knitted and machine embroidered. Made in collaboration with my daughter - albeit without her knowing. Let me explain… (explanation in final photo)

#nature #textileart #felting #knitting #sewing #leaves #CraftSky #chronicillness #mecfs #me/cfs
🧶 🍁
A garland of textile leaves, all different shapes and seasonal colours. Most are wet felted with additional machine embroidery detailing, some are knitted and one is a leaf skeleton made by machine embroidering on soluble fabric. Detail of wet felted and machine embroidered leaves, in greens and autumn colours. A brown knitted oak leaf is also creeping into the picture. Detail of textile leaves, all different shapes and autumnal colours. Most are wet felted with additional machine embroidery detailing, some are knitted and one is a leaf skeleton made by machine embroidering on soluble fabric. Black text on a white background reads: My daughter's year with a textiles A-level left behind some spare autumn leaves she'd felted for a project. I couldn't let them go to waste so decided to work with them, adding machine embroidery, reshaping some and making a few of my own to accompany them. The project grew to include some knitted leaves I had been experimenting with and a leaf skeleton I created by machine embroidering on soluble fabric. I couldn't have made all the felted leaves myself - the repetitive motion of wet felting and the overall energy required would have been too much for me. By pilfering my daughter's leftovers I achieved my vision and have a rare (perhaps only) piece of work that we've both contributed to. This was all over a decade ago. The all seasons leaf garland has since been hanging above my patio doors, helping to bring the outside in.
October 18, 2025 at 1:53 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
Andy McLellan lives with M.E and is very understanding of chronic illness, so book your space on this free online Zen and Haiku Writing workshop knowing you’ll be in a safe space.

glasgowzengroup.com/whats-on-gzg/

#haiku #poetry #zen #buddhism #chronicillness #mecfs #freeevent #onlineworkshop
A peachy pink background with an autumn leaf features a Japanese style painting of a seated Buddhist monk with traditional Japanese writing around him. Above and this, black text reads: Zen and Haiku Writing In this writing workshop, explore the history and forms of Haiku and connection to Zen. Join Kokuu Andy McLellan, Soto Zen teacher and Haiku poet, at our friendly event. 8th November 2025, 3-4.30pm GMT Free online event on Zoom https://glasgowzengroup.com/
October 14, 2025 at 12:48 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
My reflexologist knows how I surround myself with items from the outside world as much as possible & brought round some feathers for me. I felt inspired to have a go at drawing one of them using soft pastels - here’s the result.

#art #drawing #pastel #chronicillness #me/cfs #mecfs #nature 🪶
A drawing, using soft pastels on black paper, of a pigeon feather.
October 11, 2025 at 10:38 AM
germainehypher.bsky.social
It brings me such joy to read your appreciative words… and I’m hungry for more! Reviews are so helpful for potential readers so please do share any good thoughts you have about Crafting a Path Through Illness on the platform of your choice.😀
#chronicillness #chronicpain #me/cfs #craftsky #bookreview
The background is two tones of duck egg blue. Up the left hand side are the words: Reader Review. The main image is of the cover of the book Crafting a Path Through Illness - exploring creativity while chronically ill by Germaine Hypher. Under this are 5 stars and the following text: If you would recommend this book, please leave a review (no matter how short) on Amazon, Goodreads, or the platform of your choice. Thank you!
October 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
Can you relate to this piece? The title, “Disconnect”, is both an expression of the feeling and a suggestion of a self-care action to take.

I’m sending love to all who feel the pain of disconnect.

#Chronicillness #invisibleillness #chronicpain #me/cfs #mecfs #drawing #art #blackandwhite
A black and white drawing of a person with a Picasso style face and more anatomically correct heart and stomach. The person is cut in half vertically in a jagged line, which cuts through their head, heart and stomach, with their two halves at slightly different heights. This divide is emphasised by the background being one half white and the other side black. Text on the image reads: “When what you say is not what’s heard And what they say seems quite absurd But still you try to acquiesce For them to blame you for the mess.”
October 4, 2025 at 11:16 AM
germainehypher.bsky.social
“I'm not self-medicating with art supplies. The lady at the store wrote me prescription. Well, she called it a receipt. Whatever.”

Source unknown. If you know who I should credit, please put the details in a comment. Thank you.

#chronicillness #mecfs #me/cfs #chronicpain #art #arttherapy #funny
A white circle over a background of art supplies, including a ring-bound sketchbook, carries black text in a casual font that reads “I'm not self-medicating with art supplies.The lady at the store wrote me a prescription. Well, she called it a receipt. Whatever.”
September 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
I feel inclined to relate the process of my experimentation with painting and collaged composition to that of adapting to the fluctuations of chronic illness. See my final picture for my contemplations and appeal for your responses. #chronicillness #invisibleillness #mecfs #art #natureart #craftsky
A collage incorporating a background of a photographic image of forest with ferns and birch trees. Extra trunks and texture have been added via collage. The centre of the piece is dominated by a pink and purple hibiscus flower created from tissue paper and a torn up watercolour attempt at painting the flower. Along with this are water colour and soft pastel leaves with some elements from the background photo added. Torn up maps of forest area are also included. To the right hand side of the collage are torn pieces of text from vintage magazines. Put together, they read: When Tamed and Untamed Met … That is all the geography you need to know. What I have to tell … had one wrote on the scenery, but with the other I was trying to fit the places I saw to the stories I had heard … This story has, I am afraid, no particular point. A collage incorporating a background of a photographic image of forest with ferns and birch trees. Extra trunks and texture have been added via collage. The centre of the piece is dominated by a pink and purple hibiscus flower created from tissue paper and a torn up watercolour attempt at painting the flower. Along with this are water colour and soft pastel leaves with some elements from the background photo added. Torn up maps of forest area are also included. A collage incorporating a background of a photographic image of forest with ferns and birch trees. Extra trunks and texture have been added via collage. The centre of the piece is dominated by torn up water colour and soft pastel leaves with some elements from the background photo added. Torn up maps of forest area are also included. To the right hand side of the collage are torn pieces of text from vintage magazines. Put together, they read: When Tamed and Untamed Met … That is all the geography you need to know. What I have to tell … had one wrote on the scenery, but with the other I was trying to fit the places I saw to the stories I had heard … This story has, I am afraid, no particular point. Black text on a white background reads: What could we tear up and rearrange with curiosity rather than giving up on entirely? (The hibiscus flower was intended as a lone painting but went wrong so I decided to see if it would prefer to be torn up and rearranged.) What would we do well to remove altogether? (Half the picture?) What might we try adding? (I ended up adding a whole extra shade of olive green to the flower leaves that improved the overall cohesion of the collage.) What feels right initially but perhaps doesn't work well overall? (There were many incarnations of this piece over slowly paced days and weeks.) What (and here's where YOU come in) can those around us contribute? I'm keen to hear which (if any) versions of this piece of art experimentation work for you? Do you prefer it reduced to just the half with the flower? Or the half that has no flower? Or do you like the whole piece left intact? And how have you considered similar questions in navigating chronic illness? I'm curious, so please let me know your thoughts and responses!
September 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
The Power - a poem by Cath Jevon, housebound with M.E. but expressing her inner power.

#chronicillness #chronicpain #mecfs #me/cfs #poetry #nature #art #innerpower #creativity #spooniecommunity #creativewriting
Over a pale background of an aerial view of coloured fields is a poem by Cath Jevon: The Power When untethered from routines in a body that can't keep up our spirits rise free to vision the world we want to live. We see a patchwork field of memories, dreams, wishes with a river of life-force flowing through. Feeding the soul landscape with the inspiring joy of our talents. Like tributaries, our tides find each other, pulsing in recognition increasing our capacities expanding our possibilities collective momentum rolling wild and free, as we commune with clouds and circle with stars Exploring the realms of imagination dancing, laughing, revelling in our creative strength. This how we uphold ourselves. This is how we serve each other. This is how we change the world. This is the power of art.
September 21, 2025 at 12:03 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
‘One Red Leaf at a Time: an international art project’ is still receiving submissions to raise hopeful awareness. This pic is my offering.

🎨 🧶 📷 ✍🏻 🪡
“Strength for today, hope for tomorrow – one leaf at a time.” Dr Jo Greer 🍁
theredtreeandme.substack.com

#mecfs #ME/CFS #chronicillness #CraftSky
A red autumn leaf has been stitched to textured, torn-edged cream paper with cross stitches up the centre of the leaf using variegated brown sari silk thread. The same thread has been used to sew a running stitch spiral extending out from the leaf stem.
September 16, 2025 at 7:05 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
“Beautiful, sensitive book. I'm just blown away. So much deeper than a craft book" Miriam Grace, chronically ill psychotherapist & host of Women of Steel podcast.

320 pages. Tips, hacks, activities, inspiration, solidarity & more.
#chronicillness #chronicpain #me/cfs #mecfs 💙 📚 🧶 🪡 🎨 ✍🏻 🎵 #craftsky
The right of the image shows the front cover of the book Crafting a Path Through Illness lined to a white board. To the left of this there black text on an image of torn white paper reads: 'Beautiful, sensitive book. I'm just blown away. So much deeper than a craft book." Text above the quote says that it is from Miriam Grace, chronically ill psychotherapist and host of Women of Steel podcast, Black text on an image of a white square of paper pinned and taped to a blurred background reads: BOOK DESCRIPTION Are you looking for ways to live well and feel fulfilled amidst ongoing symptoms? Author and artist Germaine Hypher draws on her own long-term experience of illness, chronic fatique and creative pursuits to quide you along your path. Offering ways to achieve meaning and purpose, she also shows how living with the experiences and perspectives of ill health can have a valuable impact on creative output. 320 pages of tips, accessibility hacks, activities, inspiration, and solidarity.
September 13, 2025 at 10:59 AM
germainehypher.bsky.social
3rd attempt at painting in the style of Dufy. I really like this one! Next to try a composition of my own that doesn’t have an existing painting as its guide. Time spent: 1.5 hrs split into 4 sessions over 2 days with lots of pacing in between.
#painting #flowers #art #mecfs #me/cfs #chronicillness
A watercolour painting of a jug of yellow and pale orange flowers. The style is very loose and impressionistic with outlines and details in dark grey that don’t fully coincide with where the patches of colour are.
September 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM
germainehypher.bsky.social
1st attempts at painting in the style of Dufy - a bit hit & miss but cropping down to parts I like makes me happier with my efforts. A reminder to focus on the pleasurable & the glimmers of hope among the imperfect brushstrokes of a chronically ill life.
🌸 🎨 🌼
#mecfs #chronicillness #art #flowers
Detail of a watercolour, gouache and pastel painting, of a bouquet of orange, white and yellow flowers with green foliage in a green bottle. The style is loose and impressionistic with some dark blue outlines. The inspiration for the painting was one of Raoul Dufy’s paintings. Detail of a watercolour, gouache and pastel painting, of a bouquet of blue, purple and pink flowers. The style is loose and impressionistic with dark outlines in slightly different places from the filled in colour. The inspiration for the painting was one of Raoul Dufy’s paintings. Detail of a watercolour, gouache and pastel painting, of a bouquet of blue, purple and red flowers. The style is loose and impressionistic. The inspiration for the painting was one of Raoul Dufy’s paintings.
September 6, 2025 at 11:17 AM
germainehypher.bsky.social
You are invited to join the latest Pillow Writers’ Salon on Thursday, September 18th at 11am PT/2pm ET/7pm UK. Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
This live Salon will feature readings of comic & serious, stories, essays and poems.

#chronicillness #chronicpain #mecfs #me/cfs #poetry #writing
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Pillow Writers Salon 2025. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Join #MEAction for our exciting Pillow Writers’ Salon on Thursday, September 18th at 11am PT/2pm ET/7pm UK. This live Salon will feature readings by the authors of both comic and serious, stories, e...
us06web.zoom.us
September 4, 2025 at 6:39 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
Pastel interpretation of pine bark in sunlight. Inspiration was a photo taken through zoom lens from where I lay. The photo was out of focus but I just wanted a reference for when able to use my soft pastels to recreate the essence of the tree trunk in the golden light.

#art #chronicillness #MECFS
A pastel drawing of a portion of pine tree bark in sunlight. The colours are layers of oranges, greys and browns, with some of the bark ridges defined in darker browns and russets.
September 2, 2025 at 11:15 AM
germainehypher.bsky.social
welldoing.org/article/4-wa...
4 Ways to Craft Comfort When Living with Chronic Illness
Poet and author Germaine Hypher, who has lived with chronic illness for decades, shares the importance of craft and creativity for self-care
welldoing.org
August 27, 2025 at 11:28 AM
germainehypher.bsky.social
4 months since I’d left our home, 6 years since sleeping in the forest just 10 minutes away from us, but here’s evidence that I lay beside big-trunked trees again! Check out the crafty creations decorating our Wendy House on Wheels…

#ME/CFS #mecfs #chronicillness #chronicpain #CreativeSky 🌳🏕️🌲 🚐 🧶
A white woman with short red hair and a green leaf tattoo on her arm is lying, smiling happily on a dark green bed with a knitted blue and green blanket. The bed is in a vintage campervan in a forest. It is decorated with a dream catcher, a woven eye of god, a collection of bottle caps and mandala throw covering the ceiling. The colours are all greens, blues and orange, giving a bohemian 70’s vibe. The inside of a 1975 Dodge camper van is filled with a dark green bed with a knitted blue and green blanket and green/blue tie-dye patchwork cushions. There is a collection of bottle caps over the back doors and mandala throw covering the ceiling. The colours are all greens, blues and orange, giving a bohemian 70’s vibe. A daydream catcher made from recycled multicolour sari silk yarn, predominantly orange and blues, hangs in a green vintage camper van by a pair of windows that show a view into open grass and forest. A bald, white man with a broad smile is leaning into the open door of a camper van and resting good arms on the bed. The view behind him of leafy green trees and grass in a sunlit woodland. Above him hangs a blue and green woven eye of god, also known as a Brigid’s Eye.
August 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
germainehypher.bsky.social
Some recycled sari silk yarn and double-sided sticky tape transformed my bog standard Specsavers glasses case. What practical items and disability aids have you made more aesthetically pleasurable to use?

#craftsky #fiberart #spirals #chronicillness 👓 🧶 #me/cfs
A pair of red-framed reading glasses with tortoise-shell patterned arms sits folded up next to a navy blue box-style rectangular glasses case. The top of the case is decorated with continuously joined spirals made by coiling yarn around and sticking it in place. The yarn changes colour, moving between a very pale blue to a sage green and is slightly shiny and very fibrous, being created from strands of recycled sari silk threads.
August 16, 2025 at 12:06 PM