Sue Hughes, a local crochet artist and board member of the Ventura County Library Foundation, speaks with Our Ventura TV host, Monique Nowlin, about how fiber art can be used for community service and how modern libraries serve as creative hubs.
Sue Hughes shares her lifelong journey with fiber arts, which began at age five when her mother taught her to sew and later crochet. Today, she uses these skills to give back to her community in meaningful ways. One of her primary projects involves crocheting “graduation caps” for infants leaving the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a project she started after being approached by the Ventura County Health Care Foundation.
The interview also emphasizes the evolving role of libraries. Beyond books, Ventura County libraries now feature “maker centers” and “STEAM centers.” Sue points out that some branches, like the Ojai Library, even allow patrons to check out sewing machines, while others, like the Prueter Library, host monthly craft lessons where community members can learn or share skills. Sue reflects on the emotional impact of her work, recounting a moving story of a mother who still treasures the handmade hats her twin preemie babies wore 36 years ago.
She encourages others to “pay it forward” through kindness and by utilizing the resources available at their local libraries.
TV broadcast week beginning 03/15/26
Producer: George Alger
Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org
Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com