Spotlight on Fiber Artist MomnMiaQuilts

Fabric Easter Basket/Creative Kids Art Bucket
Originally uploaded by MomNMiaQuilts

Today, we look at another one of our QuiltHeirloom team members, MomnMiaQuilts. She is also a member of the EtsyKids, EtsyBABY, EtsyWMI teams. The picture of her work I selected for today's post, shows a lovely little art bucket or Easter basket. With her love of making items for children, I thought it the perfect example.

Residing in Michigan, with her Etsy shop and two children, one boy and one girl, MomnMiaQuilts is one busy lady. In spite of that, she manages to place wonderful items in her shop, often inspired by her children. Part of that dedication to both children and her craft may be the reason her quilts and baby items can be found in boutiques from Maine to South Carolina and even Malaysia! She does accept custom and wholesale orders so if you don't see what you are looking for, send her a message. She just may be able to match your needs.


I interviewed MomnMiaQuilts yesterday, and I'd like to share it with you.

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

As my husband manages to remind me at least once a week, I'll be 30 in December, so that'd put me in the 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 joined about 3 months ago. I love having a team who shares my passion for quilts and fabric/fiber creations to share and chat with!

3. What do you consider your fiber art passion?

Definitely quilting. And I have a major fabric obsession...I love pretty fabric!

4. Where or when did you learn this art?

I am pretty much a self-taught quilter. My mom taught me to hand and machine sew at a pretty young age, but over the past 12 years I've really gotten into quilting and quilt design. I have never actually taken a quilting or quilt making class, and I hate patterns. If I see something I like I might use the pattern as reference, but I like to do things my own way and with my own touch! Most of what I do is one of a kind or custom designed. I love designing quilts and doing the piecing work - whether by machine or hand. My mom and I usually tag-team on the long arm quilting machine depending on what the project is and who has time to do it. And there is just something really really fulfilling about hand-stitching the binding that gives that wonderful finishing touch to a quilt!

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

Don't be afraid to try doing things your own way! Have fun with color & designs.

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

I really enjoy sewing in general. I love making baby items like my bibs, blankets, and fun creations like my new Creative Kids Art Bucket, which has been a big hit for the Easter season. I also enjoy scrapbooking, but rarely find the time to dedicate to it.

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

I have only been selling on Etsy since March of 2008. I've been making custom quilts and baby items for over 10 years through my business Mom N Mia Quilts. I sell my wares at a select few arts & crafts fairs, but mostly through wholesale venues with fine children's boutiques across the country and world. As of this month, my items can be found in 8 states and 4 other countries! As far as online venues, I have had shops on lollishops and 1000Markets, but find Etsy.com to be my favorite and most successful 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?

In honesty, I hate to part with all of them, but the quilts are what I love the most. It's a great joy to send one on to someone I know will enjoy it, but I'd love to keep them all too!

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

Don't give up! It's hard starting out in any business, and online is no different. Get your name out there - my best advertising is word of mouth. Provide a superior, high quality product, and your customers will want to come back again and again!

Never a dull moment

Sports Wall Pocket
Originally uploaded by starryhomecrafts

The picture I've included with today's post, is a wall pocket by StarryHomeCrafts. I chose this because it shows the variations handmade can bring to our lives. Whether you sew, quilt, crochet, knit, tatt or embroider, the possibilities are endless.

Items we create can be both functional and beautiful. There is creating simply for the artistic side and there is art meets function, where our skill can be used to create items we use daily.

Particularly today, many individuals don't have the money for books or a lot of equipment. Don't let that stop you from trying out various crafts. Your local library is still free and is a resource we can all use. The web is also a great resource for crafts. Below you'll find a few I came across on a quick browse this morning.

Crochet:
http://www.crochetcabana.com/crochet_dictionary.htm
Collecting and Caring for Vintage Heirlooms:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2148140_clean-heirloom-vintage-linens.html
Quilting:
http://quilting.about.com/od/stepbystepquilting/How_to_Make_a_Quilt.htm
Embroidery:
http://www.sublimestitching.com/howto.html
Knitting:
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dkng/0,2044,DIY_18180,00.html
Sewing:
http://www.whatthecraft.com/index.php
Tatting
http://www.wikihow.com/Begin-Tatting

Let your creative side flourish and like us, you'll never have a dull moment again.

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....