This is the second in a series on Ada artist and artisans showing original works for sale at Gallery for the Arts, 115 S. Main St., Ada.

Darlene Bowers is a devoted crafter and crocheter who strives to fill each and every day with the creativity that feeds her soul.

Her unique sense of style is illustrated by her insatiable interest in vintage brooches, lace, doilies, buttons, and linens, and her zany affection for leaves, birds and swirls.

MORE PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM -

Darlene has crocheted since elementary school, but added knitting to her repertoire at the urging of her husband’s grandmother.

Naturally, the art of felting those knitted projects soon followed. Darlene crafts beautiful handmade totes, hats, scarves, brooches, baskets, jewelry, home décor, and accessories. Combining her talents with a passion for upcycling materials lends an eclectic feel to many of her items, including a collection of bags made from plarn.

To otherwise occupy her time, Darlene works as a desktop publisher by editing scientific articles and producing documents for a non-profit assisted living community. She also freelance writes for The Ada Icon.

Darlene has worked as a legal assistant for a major chemical corporation and held various positions in the registrar’s office at Ohio Northern University. Darlene lived on a farm in Auglaize County, Ohio, for most of her childhood, and she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University).

She and her husband, Chris, lived on the East Coast for 13 years before relocating to Ada. They have two children: Bailey, a junior chemistry major at the College of Wooster, and Ben, an Ada High School senior who is hoping to finalize his college choice very soon.

Darlene opened delightfulandbrave, her online Etsy store (www.delightfulandbrave.etsy.com) in 2014.

Her handiwork is also available at the Inn at ONU gift shop in addition to the Gallery for the Arts, 115 S. Main St., Ada. Darlene looks forward to expanding her offerings to include other types of crafts, original crochet patterns, and digital art and continuing to feed her soul with creativity.

Gallery for the Arts is located at 115 S. Main St., Ada. It is open Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is also open by appointment. Ruth Roider of Ada owns the gallery.

PHOTOS:

• Multicolor striped plarn tote
• Hand knit hand felt polar bear bags charcoal deep orange
• Ivory cream lace boho scarf
• Display at Gallery for the Arts