over the next couple of weeks we are going to find out a little more about the wonderful makers featured in the 2010 whipup calendar – April is Shannah Burton (daskaninchen) with her stuffed wool Hare.

Bio:
Shannah Burton (daskaninchen) has an etsy store and flickr site. She lives in Illinois.
Craft of choice: Always sewing and currently felting.
Craft hero: Nicole from www.astulabee.com because she is a hard working mama who creates soft sculpture creatures that are firmly art and craft all in one.

I asked all our participants to answer a few questions about their creative process:

1. When did you start making/crafting, and who or what inspired that first creative burst?
I’ve always been making/crafting but my push came from my textile studies in school while in the art education program. I fell in love with the materials and have been hooked ever since. There was an amazing mix of talented grad students and a nurturing teacher to help me get started. Often, elementary art teachers stop making art because so much creative energy goes into teaching, and I didn’t want that to be my fate. I set up an etsy shop as part of my independent study to help keep me motivated after I graduated and have enjoyed it ever since.

2. What would you say was that light-bulb moment when you discovered your ’style’ and really hit your making stride?
I received a warm welcome from the etsy community. Maritza from sotosofties (her mice are on the December calendar page!) was my very first etsy buyer- thank you Maritza! I was overwhelmed by the response I got from my beuys bunnies and fibonacci rabbits- I sold out of everything I had put in my shop by the next day. That was my vote of confidence.

3. Why do you make – what do you get out of it?
I create/craft for many reasons; as a compulsion (creating is breathing), so that my kiddos have meaningful and beautiful handmade pieces in their lives, and being part of a crafting community helps me to feel part of something bigger than myself. Thank you whipup and fellow crafters for the daily inspiration!

All images courtesy Shannah Burton.

Find out more about how to get your hands on a copy of the 2010 whipup calendar here.