03.10.08
Posted in Uncategorized, fun, shopping, site promotion, interviews, fiber art, knitting at 7:35 am by KellyM
Meet Shellee, Owner of www.etsy,com/shop.php?user_id=5165141
Where are you located? Minnesota, USA
What do you design? I make recycled yarn and sometimes hand knitted items.
Where/How did you learn this? I first learned (self taught) how to knit about three years ago when I was pregnant with my youngest daughter. I was addicted form the start, but didn’t have enough room in my budget to support my habit, so I started using recycled yarns. I wasn’t happy just doing that, and since I was well versed in dyeing plant fibers (thanks to my love of tie dye) I started dyeing the yarns to my liking, still not perfect, I started respinning the yarn. My yarn can now compete with any new yarn and I love it!
Favorite Artist who inspires you? Honestly, I don’t have a favorite artist, I take inspiration from several fiber artists as well as friends who are very creative. I’ve got 3 little girls at home so I incorporate their likes into my designs a lot.
Where does your inspiration come from? Besides my daughters, it really just comes from inside of myself. I don’t play by the color rules very often, so sometimes my inspiration is simply what yarn on my wall is ready to be spun together. Often times I haphazardly grab two skeins and start spinning away with little thought of how the final product will look.
What do you do to combat creative block? Luckily, I’ve got several facets to my work that can be done at any time, so if I’ve grown sick of dyeing, I deconstruct, when I get sick of deconstructing, I spin, when sick of spinning, I knit etc…I’m always thinking of my next project while I’m working on something else.
Where do you design your creations? I do the original designs in my brain, then I move on to the physical realm and that may be in my living room, kitchen, art room, or several other places I often find myself, like the mall play areas and local family coffee shops.
What does your work space look like right now? Well, I don’t have one specific place I work since I really do so many different things. I store my yarn on a pegboard wall in my family art room and other various knitting/dyeing supplies on a shelf in the art room, or in baskets throughout the house.
How does your family feel about what you do? Well, I’m sure my kids would like it if I did less fiber art, but being a mother of three young homeschoolers, I need to do this to get myself out of my otherwise preschool world and save my sanity. My husband had is reservations at first, but seeing my success and happiness has opened his eyes and he’s now my biggest supporter. He’s also my DIY yarn tool man making me several yarn tools including a spinning wheel!
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Yes, just dive right in and find your own groove, don’t worry about who does what this way or that way, there is not one right way to take a part a sweater, or dye yarn, or knit it up.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Stick with it for 6 months before getting discouraged or quitting.
Favorite part of owning your own business? I can work when and where I want, or not at all if I don’t want to work one particular day. Also, as we homeschool our children, owning a business will be an integral part of their education.
Least favorite? Networking and marketing, anyone wanna do it for me? LOL
How do you realx? I play with yarn or daydream about yarn, or, once in a blue moon, I go out and have drinks with my husband.
Favorite color? This is always such a tough question for me to answer. I truly love all the colors, just in different seasons of my life. Seeing as Spring is on it’s way, I find myself gravitating to bright greens, blues and purples.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Again, my favorites come and go with the seasons.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Playing with yarn.
A sample of Soulful Hues Knits products. For all products, please visit Shellee’s website.
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03.05.08
Posted in Uncategorized, jewelry, fun, hand crafted jewelry, shopping, site promotion, interviews, fiber art at 8:09 am by KellyM
Meet Sara Millis, Owner of www.SarasTextureCrafts.fusiveweb.co.uk
Where are you located? London, UK
What do you design? I design jewellery, bags and accessories inspired by texture…although you will find a lot more in store.
Where/How did you learn this? I learnt most everything I know from my mother, who is a very talented craft artist. Beyond that, I studied at the London College of Fashion and am a member of the Embroiderer’s Guild, where I have the chance to develop my skills further. I am a Fashion Designer by trade, so I also try to pick up new techniques from pattern cutters and machinists. The backbone of any great fashion house!
Favorite Artist who inspires you? This is a difficult one…and is awlays difficult to answer. I guess a process, or thought that an artist/designer has insired me. For example, I love the way Vivienne Westwood cuts a garment and plays with construction processes. I also love Issey Miyake for the fabrication vs. form idea. I enjoy Annemeike Mein’s textile work for the incredible textural detail and I enjoy Alfonse Mucha for the fluidity of his illustrations. And I could go on…!
Where does your inspiration come from? I’m inspired by anything textural, could be something I’ve seen in a book, could be an exhibit, or even something in nature.
What do you do to combat creative block? I usually try to get out and see what is happening in the world. Maybe stroll around a museum, or hit the markets.
Where do you design your creations? At home, surrounded by music and crafty books!
What does your work space look like right now? A bit of a mess! I’m exhibiting at the end of March, so there are various piles of “development stage” work, snowed under in my own production line!
How does your family feel about what you do? They love it. The girlies get to buy stuff and have the odd thing made especially for them and the boys get somewhere to shop for their girlfriends. A limited edition can do wonders I’m told! (Well, if it helps boys?!)
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? My advice would be to experiment with cheaper materials first and don’t be afraid to try something. Once you start to feel more comfortable and you have found your own style, you can substitute for better quality materials and start to finish your work to a higher standard.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Don’t give up easily, a business takes time and energy.
Favorite part of owning your own business? I get to make the decisions that feel right for me. I guess the sense of control of my art is my favorite bit.
Least favorite? Accounting. Creative types just don’t like looking at numbers!!
How do you relax? I spend time with my boyfriend of 12 years, just hanging out and catching up.
Favorite color? Hard to say. At the moment, I’m working with hues of antiqued pinks, greens and blues.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? They will for this season at least, and then maybe adapt slightly for Fall.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Making and promoting!
A sample of Sara’s Texture Crafts products. For all products, please visit Sara’s website.
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02.28.08
Posted in Uncategorized, fun, site promotion, interviews, fiber art, knitting at 8:08 am by KellyM
Meet Jenny Hofer, Owner of www.jennyhoferdesigns.etsy.com and http://icraftblog.blogspot.com
Where are you located? Omaha, NE
What do you design? At the moment I primarily work with fabric and yarn, creating sewn handbags and housewares, and knitwear accessories.
Where/How did you learn this? My mom taught me to sew when I was little, and I remember creating my first purse when I was eight. I sewed it all by myself (it even had a divider panel inside!) and my mom sewed in the zipper. She also taught me to knit when I was about the same age, though she is now quick to say that I have surpassed her in skills. I love how my knitting skills are a direct reflection of how my great-grandmothers practiced the same craft. They taught my mom, who lovingly passed it down to me. I am excited to do the same with my own daughters!
Favorite Artist who inspires you? I love Amy Karol and her work. And who doesn’t love Martha?
Where does your inspiration come from? I’m really drawn to color, pattern, and anything that demonstrates a nice aestetic balance. So, I could be inspired from a piece of fabric, a cool magazine ad, and I always love a reallly good Treasury listing on Etsy.
What do you do to combat creative block? Take a break, read a book, just try to get away for a little while and let ideas percolate on their own.
Where do you design your creations? Several years ago I claimed a tiny walk-in closet as my workspace. It is adjacent to our home offic area as well as my bedroom, so I kind of float between those spaces when designing something.
What does your work space look like right now? Messy! I have been getting better about keeping my sewing area a little neater, but the floor and bottom shelves of my tiny closet are always overflowing the extra “junk” that gets cleared from our office and bedroom. My five year old daughter frequently tells me, “Mom, you should really clean up in here!”
How does your family feel about what you do? My husband loves it. He is the first to mention my business anytime we are with others. And my kids love it too, though I get a lot of requests to make stuff for them-especially from my daughters. They’ve already wizened up to the idea that Mom is pretty crafty and has lots of supplies.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Make what you love. Don’t be afraid to show it off a little and to use your own items-you never know when someone will ask “Where did you get that?”
Best advice you received when starting your own business venture? Keep track of expenses! (from my husband of course)
Favorite part of owning your own business? Creative freedom, and I love the idea that people from all over the world can see what I make (and are willing to pay for it as well!)
Least favorite? Keeping track of expenses!
How do you relax? I love to nap. If only my three year old loved it too, life would be much easier.
Favorite color? I am loving kelly green these days!
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Not yet, but it will.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? I would always get a nap, and then I would make more stuff!
A sample of Jenny Hofer Designs products. For all products, please visit Jenny’s website.
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02.25.08
Posted in Uncategorized, fun, shopping, site promotion, interviews, fiber art, knitting at 9:31 am by KellyM
Meet Zona Sherman, Owner of www.twirlgirlfibers.etsy.com.
Where are you located? Santa Ana, CA (Orange County)
What do you design? Hand dyed and handspun yarn and knit wearables.
Where/How did you learn this? I jumped on the knitting trend 4 years ago and have had wool in my hands ever since. After learning the basics I wasn’t satisfied with knitting 50 scarves before learning something new so my first project was a sweater that still hangs in my closet to this day (inside out arm sewn on and all!). I learned to knit from books and help from others in a knitting group I had found online. I still meet with the same knitting group and now I help others - quite the full circle, huh!
I learned how to dye fiber in a class I took with some fellow knitter friends at a local yarn shop. Shortly there after I bought my first drop spindle, dyed up a little fiber and began spinning according to the directions that came with the spindle. I was instantly hooked on spinning and a few months later, bought my spinning wheel. Now I spin or dye fiber almost every day and I still knit every day.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? When I first started knitting I would search the internet daily to see what others were knitting via blogs. This kept me motivated and inspired. When I dye fiber, I find inspiration for colors in strange things like driving down the freeway on a rainy day and noticing the colors of grey pavement, blue skies and green shrubs along the side of the road. Strangely enough after the fiber is dyed and the yarn is spun, everything is named after songs. I’ll look at the days spinning and some skein of yarn will pop out at me and remind me of a song. As far as being inspired by other spinners, I am! Spinning is like any other art form where everybody has their own style. I am inspired by big chunky and funky yarns that I would never spin myself, but appreciate the artful thought that went into them and try to think about each yarn I make as an individual piece.
Where does your inspiration come from? Music, nature, other artists, experiences, mood.
What do you do to combat creative block? I grab blindly at bottles of color and pour them onto the wool in the dye pot. Sometimes this turns out surprisingly nice when spun later and sometimes it’s a disaster! As far as knitting-I do get knitters block now and then. When that happens, it’s back to the blogs to see what others are working on and I usually get an idea. Sometimes I’m blocked by my own stash. I want to knit something from the yarn in my stash but nothing speaks to me. Next step if that happens: head to the yarn shop! Even if I don’t buy anything, I see yarns that are similar to what I have at home and get the ideas swirling in my head.
Where do you design your creations? I knit EVERYWHERE! I knit in public, on the couch, in bed, in the car (only when parked or I’m not driving of course), in the Drs office, at family functions-everywhere! I spin in my living room while sitting on the couch. I have my wheel on a little rug that slides accross the wood floor easily so I can watch TV and spin. From time to time I take my wheel to events my knitting group hosts like the beach or spinning nights, either at somebodys home or the coffee shop. My wheel isn’t huge so it’s relatively portable.
What does your work space look like right now? Since it’s my living room and I have a 4 year old, there is fiber and toys everywhere! It looks “lived in”.
How does your family feel about what you do? My inability to sit still comes from my mom who is not only constantly on the move but also very creative herself so she supports me whole heartedly. My husband has come around and is very supportive of me making a living at something I love to do. He knows it makes me happy so he puts up with the mess. He’s the best! My four year old daughter thinks I can knit anything! I get asked things like, “Mommy, will you knit me a new ballet dress today?”. I can’t wait until she is old enough for me to teach her.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Experimentation will help you find your own style.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Don’t expect instant success and don’t get in over your head.
Favorite part of owning your own business? I like the fact that everything that has Twirl Girl Fibers on the lable comes from my own 2 hands. My favorite thing is when I see what somebody has made from my yarns. It’s like I get to see the next step in the life of the yarn I created from fluff.
Least favorite? Selling online doesn’t let me personally know my customers.
How do you relax? I knit.
Favorite color? Anything Earthy.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Yes. Earthtones show up a lot in what I knit, dye and spin. You kinda can’t go wrong when you combine colors that mother nature has already put together before.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? I know you’re probably expecting me to say something like knitting or spinning, but honestly - sleeping.
A sample of Twirl Girl Fibers products. For all products, please visit Zona’s website.
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02.13.08
Posted in Uncategorized, style, fun, site promotion, advertising, interviews, fiber art, crochet at 10:08 am by KellyM
Meet Katie Toohil owner of http://dreadlochness.etsy.com.
Where are you located? Currently Gloucester, MA; soon to be Dallas, TX
What do you design? Hats, headgear, bags, and various other fiber arts items.
Where/How did you learn this? I started crocheting as a kid. My grandmother taught me a few stitches, and from there, I just learned by trial and error. Books and the internet have been very helpful to me! I worked at a theatre as wardrobe supervisor, and I learned several handstitching techniques there, but most of my sewing knowledge I’ve come to on my own.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? There are so many, it’s hard to choose! I’m definitely very inspired by tons of different DIYers out there. I’m inspired by anyone who’s looked at something machine made and overpriced and says “Well, I could do that.”
Where does your inspiration come from? Inspiration is everywhere. Sometimes, it’ll be a song. Sometimes, a sunset. Sometimes, it’s a conversation I have with friends. You never know when it’s going to hit, and it’s always fun when it does.
What do you do to combat creative block? It’s important to take a break every now an again and just let yourself recharge.
Where do you design your creations? I design completely out of my home (and when things are slow at my regular job, shhh don’t tell).
What does your work space look like right now? Messy! I have a little corner of the living room that I use to stash my yarn, and my sewing machine is in my bedroom with a pile of fabric just waiting to be attacked. It’s a constant struggle to keep things relatively organized.
How does your family feel about what you do? My family is incredibly supportive of any of the crazy things I decide to undertake. They’ve been wonderful!
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? Practice! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. And try new methods as often as possible!
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Promote yourself. You can be making gorgeous, quality handmade goods, but if no one knows about it, your business won’t be going anywhere.
Favorite part of owning your own business? I like having the freedom to do the things my own way and not answer to a boss or higher up. I also make my own hours and do what I enjoy!
Least favorite? When it’s just you, there’s no slacking. You have to be going all the time, always creating, always getting the word out there, always moving! (I secretly love this.)
How do you relax? Crafting, which is convenient, because that’s also my business! It’s important to love what you do, that way it doesn’t feel so much like work.
Favorite color? Blue!
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Yes, though I often have to control myself at the yarn store and make sure I’m not loaded up only on blue yarn!
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Working. I’m sort of a workaholic and I’d love more hours a day to build my stock and promote!
A sample of Dreadlochness products. For all products, please visit Katies website.
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