Body Spirit Threads

Body Spirit Threads
142 Middle St.
Lowell, MA 01852

Lizzie - 978-455-8191
lizbethup -at- earthlink dot net

Eleni - 978-453-0055
elenifashion -at- comcast dot net

Body Spirit Threads

First Lizzie fell in love with the full wall of windows facing north and overlooking marvelous Middle Street - where the action is! Then she climbed the stairs and saw a matching wall of windows facing south to catch joyful sunlight. It was a perfect place for a textile studio in the northern half and a gathering and sharing space in the light of the southern half. There could be both Gangaji satsangs and weaving in the same space. It was a dream come true.

Then new friend Eleni mentioned that she was interested in sharing a studio space and came to look. A match made on Middle Street!

On December 2, 2004, Lizzie and Eleni celebrated the opening of the studio, classroom, meditation and sales room, of Body Spirit Threads. The Studio provides a space to bring together Lizzie's lifelong interests and passions and gives a venue to share it all with the community.

About the Artists at "The Studio"

Lizbeth "Lizzie" Upitis. I learned to knit while in high school, in a bonding experience with my mother and two of her sisters. In 1970 I began spinning, dying and weaving in formal textile and art studies for the MFA program at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Many tapestries were woven and sold to banks, hospitals and individuals during the 1970's.

In 1979, I began graduate studies in ethnic textiles at the University of Minnesota. The historic and technical study, Latvian Mittens: Traditional Designs and Techniques was published by Dos Tejedoras Publishing in 1981.

I penned the column “Other Places, Other Times” for Knitters magazine from its Premiere issue in 1984 until 1988, designed nearly half the garments in the magazine and was assistant publisher from 1985 to 1988. The second edition of Latvian Mittens was published by Meg Swansen of Schoolhouse Press in 1997.

From 1981 – 2000, I presented many workshops on Latvian mittens and other knitting techniques and have been curator and/or exhibitor for both knitting and weaving exhibits and continue to give workshops across the country. I organized and led a tour of 20 knitters to Latvia in June of 2001 and will lead another knitter tour to Latvia in 2005.

In 1998 I became an instructor of Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM), developed by Deepak Chopra and certified by the Chopra Center for Well Being. I have subsequently taught many groups and individuals to meditate. I have also attended most courses offered through the Chopra Center: Creating Health, Seduction of Spirit, Journey Into Healing, Soul of Healing, Emotional Freedom, Synchrodestiny, Renewal Weekend and the Shadow Process with Debbie Ford. In April 2002, I began work as Educator Coordinator for the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, CA, acting as liaison with the 600 educators certified with the Chopra Center of Well Being. While there I presented the introduction to meditation class every week.

In January of 2004 I moved to the vital arts community of Lowell, MA. and joined the board of directors of the Leadership and Literacy Foundation in February, 2004.

Eleni, born in Amfia, Kalamata, Greece, was educated at the Athens School of Fashion and Design where she was nominated for numerous awards for academic achievement as well as haute couture. As a student, she was chosen to assist in the design and creation of a complete wardrobe for Queen Anna Maria of Greece – one of the highest awards afforded at the Academy. Upon completion of her studies in 1968, Eleni accompanied her parents to the United States where she continued her career in the fashion industry.

In 1984 she was selected a “Rising Young Star Designer” and invited by the Fashion Group of Boston to show five of her exclusive creations before the most prestigious designers of the United States and Europe.

Eleni’s passion for fashion and art has led her into teaching young people at Girls Inc., Greater Lowell Technical High School, the Lowell Middlesex Charter School Academy, Bay State College in Boston and Lasell college in Newton. She has actively contributed to local theater costume and stage design.

She has exhibited her work at the Whistler House Museum of Art, the Brush Art Gallery, and the Ayer Lofts.

Eleni designs for individuals, dance groups, weddings, special occasions and for the American Textile History Museum. Her work evolves out of responses to current and past events, infused with metaphors of her Hellenic and American heritage.

Eleni’s Polartec™ fashions are the current rage among her clients!




Body Spirit Threads 142 Middle St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lizzie - 978-455-8191 lizbethup -at- earthlink dot net Eleni - 978-453-0055 elenifashion -at- comcast dot net		Body Spirit Threads First Lizzie fell in love with the full wall of windows facing north and overlooking marvelous Middle Street - where the action is! Then she climbed the stairs and saw a matching wall of windows facing south to catch joyful sunlight. It was a perfect place for a textile studio in the northern half and a gathering and sharing space in the light of the southern half. There could be both Gangaji satsangs and weaving in the same space. It was a dream come true. Then new friend Eleni mentioned that she was interested in sharing a studio space and came to look. A match made on Middle Street! On December 2, 2004, Lizzie and Eleni celebrated the opening of the studio, classroom, meditation and sales room, of Body Spirit Threads. The Studio provides a space to bring together Lizzie's lifelong interests and passions and gives a venue to share it all with the community. About the Artists at "The Studio" Lizbeth "Lizzie" Upitis. I learned to knit while in high school, in a bonding experience with my mother and two of her sisters. In 1970 I began spinning, dying and weaving in formal textile and art studies for the MFA program at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Many tapestries were woven and sold to banks, hospitals and individuals during the 1970's. In 1979, I began graduate studies in ethnic textiles at the University of Minnesota. The historic and technical study, Latvian Mittens: Traditional Designs and Techniques was published by Dos Tejedoras Publishing in 1981. I penned the column “Other Places, Other Times” for Knitters magazine from its Premiere issue in 1984 until 1988, designed nearly half the garments in the magazine and was assistant publisher from 1985 to 1988. The second edition of Latvian Mittens was published by Meg Swansen of Schoolhouse Press in 1997. From 1981 – 2000, I presented many workshops on Latvian mittens and other knitting techniques and have been curator and/or exhibitor for both knitting and weaving exhibits and continue to give workshops across the country. I organized and led a tour of 20 knitters to Latvia in June of 2001 and will lead another knitter tour to Latvia in 2005. In 1998 I became an instructor of Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM), developed by Deepak Chopra and certified by the Chopra Center for Well Being. I have subsequently taught many groups and individuals to meditate. I have also attended most courses offered through the Chopra Center: Creating Health, Seduction of Spirit, Journey Into Healing, Soul of Healing, Emotional Freedom, Synchrodestiny, Renewal Weekend and the Shadow Process with Debbie Ford. In April 2002, I began work as Educator Coordinator for the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, CA, acting as liaison with the 600 educators certified with the Chopra Center of Well Being. While there I presented the introduction to meditation class every week. In January of 2004 I moved to the vital arts community of Lowell, MA. and joined the board of directors of the Leadership and Literacy Foundation in February, 2004. Eleni, born in Amfia, Kalamata, Greece, was educated at the Athens School of Fashion and Design where she was nominated for numerous awards for academic achievement as well as haute couture. As a student, she was chosen to assist in the design and creation of a complete wardrobe for Queen Anna Maria of Greece – one of the highest awards afforded at the Academy. Upon completion of her studies in 1968, Eleni accompanied her parents to the United States where she continued her career in the fashion industry. In 1984 she was selected a “Rising Young Star Designer” and invited by the Fashion Group of Boston to show five of her exclusive creations before the most prestigious designers of the United States and Europe. Eleni’s passion for fashion and art has led her into teaching young people at Girls Inc., Greater Lowell Technical High School, the Lowell Middlesex Charter School Academy, Bay State College in Boston and Lasell college in Newton. She has actively contributed to local theater costume and stage design. She has exhibited her work at the Whistler House Museum of Art, the Brush Art Gallery, and the Ayer Lofts. Eleni designs for individuals, dance groups, weddings, special occasions and for the American Textile History Museum. Her work evolves out of responses to current and past events, infused with metaphors of her Hellenic and American heritage. Eleni’s Polartec™ fashions are the current rage among her clients!