Spotlight on Fiber Artist Twentypoundtabby!

Tiny Doll Demo
Originally uploaded by twentypoundtabby

This tiny, almost 3 and 1/2 inch doll is just one of the marvelous creative endeavors being produced by the talented Denver, Colorado artist, Twentypoundtabby.

This very diverse lady is also a photographer and was kind enough to answer a few questions for me to share with you here.

1.In the range of over 50/under 50, where would you place yourself?

I'm exactly at 50.

2.How long have you been a member of the Quilts and Heirloom team and what made you decide to join this group? Are you in any other groups?

I believe I joined it right at the beginning which was the summer of 2008. I belong to EGADS - Etsy Guild of Doll Artisans, FAE - Fantasty Artists of Etsy, EtsyFAST and the Mile High Club (Denver Etsians). Right from the start this group was friendly and social so I wanted to join.

3.What do you consider your fiber art passion?

That's going to be hard to pin down. I sew, quilt, dye, embroider, felt, lucet chord, and do a little bit of weaving. Sewing Art Dolls is my biggest passion. I don't knit, which some people find strange because I have so much fiber.

4. Where or when did you learn this art?

I learned to sew from my mother at a very early age. My first sewing machine looked like -->this.

5. Do you have any encouraging suggestions or tips for someone new to your skill?

I've met folks who say they can't sew. To those I say anyone can sew if they take the time to take classes and practice. Very few people are going to be great at it right away - anything worth doing well takes study, practice and time.

6. Do you enjoy any other creative endeavors? And if so, could you tell us a little about them?

I paint, draw, sculpt, do calligraphy (SCA scrolls), bead, garden, and play a variety of instruments. I used to dance.

7. What is your shop and do you have other shops at Etsy?

I'm at twentypoundtabby.etsy.com and tabbytoo.etsy.com


8. As you look in your shop(s), what would be your favorite item in the bunch? The one you almost hate to part with?

Probably my dragon. I really like dragons.


9. Do you have any suggestions or advice for someone just starting out on etsy?

Not really. I could use more advice myself.

To see more of her work, in addition to her etsy shops, you can also find Twentypoundtabby on Myspace, Flickr and blogspot:
MySpace:
www.myspace.com/twentypoundtabby
Flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/twentypoundtabby/
Blog:
twentypoundtabby.blogspot.com/

Spotlight on Fiber Artist Julie Harrison!

kindnessback 001
Originally uploaded by jus_creations

Julie Harrison is the talented owner of Ju's Creations and her etsy shop, Rokstudy. Her motto of, "Visual Arts through the eye of a needle" gives you a clue to her favorite passion of embroidery. I was fortunate to be able to ask Julie some questions to let us step a little way into her world.

1. In the range of over 50/under 50, where would you place yourself?

I am over 40 under 50.

2. How long have you been a member of the Quilts and Heirloom team and what made you decide to join this group?

I have been a member of the Quilts and Heirlooms team since July '08. I found them in the Teams section of the forum and I joined because I wanted to continue learning how to quilt, the only other pattern I have ever done is the double wedding ring; and I wanted to be in team treasuries.

3. What do you consider your fiber art passion?

Embroidery.

4. Where or when did you learn this art?

Back when I was five I lived on a remote mission station in Africa and my Mom showed me how to do a few small things; when I was eight I started a Christmas table runner using my grandma's steel embroidery hoop, and I joined an after school girls club where they taught Bible and embroidery and continued my project; after that I was hooked and determined to finish the project. When I was fourteen and a half we moved to the US and at sixteen my best friend from Africa came for Christmas and New Years and she taught me satin stitch. Sylvia, my Mom and I finished the runner that year and I decided I had really honed embroidery as my skill. Since that time all of my friends have received a wedding gift, baby gift,all occasion gift.

5. Do you have any encouraging suggestions for someone new to your skill?

Use the giant beginner patterns so you don't get discouraged and quit. Small areas are challenging for beginners. Find some elderly lady to show you how, she has probably embroidered all her life and knows a lot. Find your own style, create your own stitch. My stitch is the anchor stitch. A stitch I use to secure corners.

6. Do you enjoy any other creative endeavors? And if so, could you tell us a little about them?

I am a published poet. "Kindness" has been published. I love to write, I hope to publish some books someday. I love candlewicking,I finally found another pattern to do, it is on my project "To Do" list. I play violin. Someday I want to try oil painting. [ed. The picture included with this entry shows her lovely poem.]

7. I know about your shop Rokstudy on Etsy. Do you have other shops or venues for your art?

I own Rokstudy as a domain name. Rokstudy.com is my website. I am looking at Artfire, I cannot afford the monthly fee. I am on Myspace, Facebook, and WeloveEtsy. Up until November of last year my inventory was in a consignment shop in Oak Glen, CA. I'm looking for a new brick and Mortar venue.

8. As you look in your shop, what would be your favorite item in the bunch? The one you almost hate to part with?

Cozy Kittens really shows a lot of my skill and it is my favorite vintage pattern. If it sold I don't know if I would make it again this is the second time I have used the pattern. I made a table cloth for my dolls when I was young.

9. Do you have any suggestions or advice for someone just starting out on etsy?

Take a digital photography class. Marketing is marketing even if it is on the internet so success comes with time. Join a team. Create your own brand. Appreciate and utilize Etsy's uniqueness to get your unique products out there don't try to make Etsy into ebay.

Thanks for sharing, Julie!

Quilting for the Embroidery Enthusiast

Crazy Quilt 1
Originally uploaded by Pixie Dust

Recently, I picked up the DVD, "Judith Baker Montano Teaches You Crazy Quilting". This lovely dvd has hooked me into a new hobby. If you love to embroider and are drawn to quilting, crazy quilts can bring you the best of all worlds.

Your favorite fabric scraps, both solid and patterned, silks and satins, velvets and linens, plus scraps of your favorites trims and notions can be assembled with your own embroidery into a phenomenal piece of art.

After watching the dvd I immediately started gathering fabrics, trims and a bit of heavy muslin to try my hand at this art form. It is not quite finished yet, lacking the embroidery stitches but I can't wait to post a picture of it for you to see. In order for you to see just how beautiful a crazy quilt can be, I found this photo on Flicker to show you.

If you are interested in hearing more about crazy quilting, it's history and the look, try the following links:

Crazy Quilt History: A Victorian Craze
Vigo County Historical Society On-Line Exhibit (quilts 3 and 4)
The History of Crazy Quilts, Part I
Crazy Quilt Central

Now, back to my own crazy quilt project....

Spotlight on Fiber Artist Elleellee

Jeweltones Hexagon Afghan 012
Originally uploaded by Elleellee

The beautiful afghan you see here was created by Elleellee, a member of the Quilt Heirloom team at Etsy. Her shop, Elleellee, Handcrafted by the Creek, is filled with warm afghans and slippers, crocheted in gorgeous colors, items in clay, calligraphy, and braided rugs. I recently interviewed her and would like to share a little with you about this wonderful fiber artist.

In the range of over 50/under 50, where would you place yourself?

"If it's age, I'm over 50."

How long have you been a member of the Quilts and Heirloom team and what made you decide to join this group?

"QuiltSALAD invited me to join the Quilts and Heirlooms Team in early November, 2008. I joined to get more exposure for my crafts within Etsy."


What do you consider your fiber art passion?

"Crochet is my passion."


Where or when did you learn this art?

"I wanted to learn to crochet, so when I was 18, I bought a little pamphlet for 29 cents, and taught myself. Today it's the only thing I do right-handed."

Do you have any encouraging suggestions for someone new to your skill?

"Like every other thing you want to learn: don't give up trying. No one is an expert at the start of anything, so rip out, and start over. Again."


Do you enjoy any other creative endeavors? And if so, could you tell us a little about them?

"I taught myself calligraphy with the instructions that came with the pens. I love doing it, but since I'm left-handed, I have to use special setups so that my hand doesn't smear the wet ink.

I love working with clay, and invented my own clay, which I've used for many years.

I've played around with almost everything: woodworking, leathercraft, soaps, candles, paper mache, weaving, painting, and more, but I always come back to crochet, clay, and calligraphy. I hardly ever use patterns; I prefer to invent my own."


As you look in your shop, what would be your favorite item in the bunch? The one you almost hate to part with?


"My favorite thing in my shop is always my newest item -- you know, the one that everyone is going to want one of." [ed. comment: at the time of this writing those would be her wonderful rose colored slippers and her woven ribbon flowers.]


Do you have any suggestions or advice for someone just starting out on etsy?

"For someone just starting on Etsy, I would say to read everything Etsy has to offer, then ask questions. Be honest. Be nice."