Super cute idea on how to use this ikea fabric. A great project for the kids – fabric city.
{ 0 comments }
softies
For more kids craft, creative ideas and activities go to the Action Pack website
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 – Maritza Soto is featured with her image of her loving softies.
Maritza Soto – also known as soto softies lives in Cambridge, MA (in the US).
Main craft of choice: sewing, specifically sewing softies
Craft hero: there are a few – Lisa Congdon, Hillary Lang (wee wonderfuls), Stephanie Congdon Barnes (little birds), Nicole (craftapalooza), Caro (splityarn)
Fave crafty materials supplier: ReproDepot fabric, Hancock of Paducah’s, A Child’s Dream Come True
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 first started seriously crafting about 3 years ago. I was inspired by all these wonderful crafty blogs. Once I picked up a few Japanese quilting and toy-making books, I started playing and experimenting more with design.
2. What would you say was that light-bulb moment when you discovered your ‘style’ and really hit your making stride?
I’m not sure. I would definitely say that I have a style, but I think it is still developing and growing.
3. Why do you make – what do you get out of it?
I have to admit, I am all about the finished product. I really enjoy photographing and playing with my softies once I finish them. I get tremendous joy from seeing other people appreciate them. I love how people of all ages respond to them at craft fairs; they always manage to bring a smile to someone’s face. That’s a great feeling, knowing that your work can do that.
Find out more about how to get your hands on a copy of the 2010 whipup calendar here.
{ 0 comments }
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 – Our June feature artist is Eva Monleón.
Eva Monleón from Misakomimoko also has an etsy shop where you purchase the cutest things, she lives in Barcelona.
Main craft of choice: Stuffies / handcrafted dolls
Craft hero: Something’s Hiding in Here, Lili Scratchy, Ann Wood, Stephanie Congdon Barnes, Le train Fantôme, Emily Martin…
Fave web site: my fave sites lately are fine little day, mieke willems + Joyville
Fave crafty materials supplier: my local flea market, Els encants vells in Barcelona
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 learned sewing and embroidering at primary school, later I was very influenced by Annette Messager, Tracy Emin, Georgina Starr, Niky de Saint Phalle, Dubuffet (and Art brut)… while studying Fine Arts, so I mostly crafted, made installation and painted/sewn soft sculptures. Then I worked for a long time as a multimedia and graphic designer and after of ten years working with computers I realized that I needed something else. I joined an amigurumi workshop in a lovely gallery shop called Duduà and since then I haven’t stopped making crafts.
2. What would you say was that light-bulb moment when you discovered your ‘style’ and really hit your making stride?
The moment when I finished my first little doll was so exciting… she made me feel very special and I thought that maybe these dolls could make other people feel the same way, so I started doing different little dolls to see what happened.
3. Why do you make – what do you get out of it?
It makes me feel really happy, making them it’s a kind of childish freedom and joy. When I imagine how a car doll, or a little dog, a bird, a table or a carrot doll would look like, I have to began to draw and sew it and then finish it to see how it will turn out. I love playing and allowing myself to be swept away by the process of making them just to feel this kind of peace and make people smile.
All images courtesy Eva Monleón
Find out more about how to get your hands on a copy of the 2010 whipup calendar here.
{ 3 comments }
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.
{ 0 comments }
Softies Only a Mother Could Love: Lovable Friends for You to Sew, Knit, or Crochet
Having seen this book around the traps but not knowing much about it, I was curious about who and what designers and projects were included. Originally published in Australia, the U.S. version of Softies is now out and available worldwide.
Not disappointed, despite the softie frenzy on the blogs, the galleries and the book market, the projects in this book manage to still be fresh and original. There are bunnies, dolls, teddies but also dogs and cats, angels, giraffes, owls and bugs. Sweet softies by your favourite softie designers and bloggers, it is a pretty simply laid out book – clear photos, patterns, templates and illustrations without a lot of extra fluff.
{ 3 comments }
