Adina

Name: Adina

Age: 25

Location: Bucharest, Romania

Profession: Marketing Coordinator

Craft(s) of Choice: Jewelry, particularly earrings

Blog: http://www.allabala.blogspot.com

I got into the handcrafting movement after buying several amazing items on Etsy. I started wondering if I could use my imagination and love of handwork to make something wearable and desirable for total strangers.
I followed that idea and recently opened a shop on etsy (allabala.etsy.com), where I seem to be getting appreciations for my work.
Looking forward to the first sale and more free time to dedicate to my new passion.

Alicia Hanson

Name: Alicia Hanson

Age: 35

Location: Oceanside, CA

Profession: Jewelry Designer | Silversmith

Craft(s) of Choice: Jewelry Making, I also do sewing, cooking, paper creations, and shrines

Blog (if applicable): http://hioctanejewelry.blogspot.com/

Ever since the first time I remember watching my dad weld and use a cutting torch I was mesmerized by those flying blue sparks I wasn’t suppose to be looking at.  I even remember the smell.  Kinda of like after fireworks.  From that moment on I knew I want to play with metal in some form.  I started making beaded jewelry in high school and I would take weird small little toys and make them into earrings.  I always wanted to learn to solder.  Finally that day came when I was about 30,  and then I learned casting.  Now I am always trying to find more ways to spend as much time as I can in my studio creating.  I love learning new things.  I remember just two days ago my 3 year old daughter was watching me solder and she said “Mommy what’s that?”  I explained my soldering torch.  Hopefully she’ll be hooked too.

Amanda Ballard

Name: Amanda Ballard

Age: 18

Location: Simi Valley, CA

Profession: college student

Craft(s) of Choice: knitting, crocheting, jewelry-making, drawing, graphic art

I first learned how to knit when my mother got me this Learn to Knit kit when I was 11. At the time, she was teaching herself how to knit for the first time. From the kit, I learned pretty quickly. After I made 3 small projects, I had myself a knitting hiatus until my 15th birthday. That’s when my mother gave me another knitting kit for older girls. I’ve been knitting non-stop ever since. I’ve learned to crochet when I received a similar kit on my last birthday and learned fast from that too. In the past year, I’ve knitted about 20 beanie caps to donate to chemo patients at a local hospital. I plan to continue knitting and crocheting more items to donate to charities in need.

Amanda Duncan

Name: Amanda Duncan

Age: 25

Location: Richmond, VA

Profession: Crafts/Material Studies Major, Senior

Craft(s) (s) of Choice: Metal/silversmithed jewelry, crochet, knitting, glass working, sewing/quilting

Blog: http://spin-me-a-yarn.blogspot.com

All I ever wanted to be was an artist, I only realize now that my idea of an ‘artist’ was a ‘crafter’. In 2006, I decided to go back and finish my degree, transferring to a school on the east coast with the intent to pursue a BFA in Fashion Design. Less than a semester in, I changed my mind. Time running out on a decision, my professor suggested perhaps Crafts was where I belonged. My response was keen surprise: “Crafts? There’s a major for Crafts?!” Who’d have thunk? Now, finally on the precipice of graduating, I’m in love, completely obsessed. I wake up in the morning with crafting on my mind and I go to sleep with new ideas brewing just waiting to take shape in my dreams. My main focus is metalsmithed jewelry, but I’ve recently acquired an unparalleled obsession (for me) for crochet and have rediscovered my adoration for fabrics and quilting. Being able to create means the world to me.

Amy Jayne

Name: Amy

Age: 21

Location: Madison, WI

Profession: College Student

Craft(s) of Choice: Crochet, Jewelry, Sewing, Drawing

I love to crochet during the school year, it’s rhythmic and soothing, such a great de-stressor. The best part is that all my friends reap the benefits of new scarves every Christmas

Anandi Raman Creath

Name:  Anandi Raman Creath

Age: 33

Location: Redmond, WA, U.S.A.

Profession:  Software Project Manager (currently at Microsoft)

Craft(s) of Choice:  Beaded jewelry and science-themed magnets

Blog:

http://houseofpeanut.blogspot.com

Throughout my childhood, I never thought of myself as artistically inclined.  I was always steered towards academics, and most of my extracurricular activities were either science or music-related.  But one day a few years ago, in Ashland, OR, I wandered into a bead store.  And something just clicked.  That same day I bought a string of gorgeous Czech glass beads, and a book about stringing beads.  I was determined to make a necklace for myself so over the next week, I picked up some tools and taught myself the basics.  I started taking some classes and I was hooked.  Jewelry designs would just pop into my head at random times, and I finally started feeling like I might be just a little bit artistic, after all.

Angela Crook

Name: Angela

Age: 33

Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas

Profession: SAHM

Craft(s) of Choice:: I love all crafts! Painting, sewing and fabric arts, decoupauge, jewelry-making, mixed media

Blog: http://www.moxiemae.com

I HAVE to try it all. I had a candle and soapmaking business for 7 years and sold it shortly after having my first daughter. I also made jewelry for my store. Since then, I’ve learned to knit, sew and make all sorts of childrens clothing and bags, paint, decoupauge, etc… If it sits still long enough, I will do something to it! My head is swimming full of ideas. Crafting is my vice.

Christine

Name: christine

Age: 56

Location: ypsilanti,mi

Profession: teacher

Craft(s) of Choice: mixed media art, jewelry

Blog: timeless-art.blogspot.com

I am on disability due to a chronic illness which I have had a long time. Once I went on disability I needed an outlet for many reasons,always loved art and creating. I love it and need it, and always wanting to learn more techniques and ideas. Art truly enhances my life.

Christine Hmiel

Name: Christine Hmiel

Age: 24

Location: Albany, NY

Profession: I just finished my Masters degree and now work at a nonprofit organization.

Craft(s) of Choice: Sewing, crochet, embroidery, block print… anything new I can learn!  Oh and baking too!

Blog: Unspeakable Visions

Growing up, my mom encouraged creativity at every turn– craft-themed birthday parties, homemade jewelry, DIY projects around the home, etc..  It wasn’t until I started my Masters degree in Public Policy that, ironically, I reclaimed this craftiness and passion for the “domestic arts”.  The more involved I became in the professional world, the more I turned to sewing as a creative outlet and reprieve from daily deadlines and pressures.  In my graduate classes we learned the value of analysis, careful decision making, and thorough planning but in my little world of sewing, I threw all caution to the wind.  I started with simple clothing patterns and soon began tackling every project in sight– no matter how complicated or time-consuming.  In a world that can seem unmanageable and impersonal, sewing allows me to take a few quiet moments and to make things with my own hands and mind.  For many crafters, the creative and professional parts of life can seem contradictory or incompatible.  I don’t see it that way.  I think you can be a strong woman and still adore frilly details on vintage aprons; you can command respect in the board meeting and still return home to decorate cupcakes and cookies; you can have professional ambitions and still take time to enjoy a small herb garden or the warmth of a handmade scarf.  For me, crafting provides the perfect balance to our fast-paced, hectic world.  I am proud to be a new-wave seamstress, crocheter and all around crafty lady.

Christine Terrell

Name: Christine Terrell

Age: 40

Location: Austin, TX

Profession: Jewelry Designer

Craft(s) of Choice: Metalwork

Blog: http://www.adaptivereuser.blogspot.com

Not crafting per se, but I remember as a kid spending hours and hours coloring in those books that were filled with black and white line drawings of kaleidoscopic patterns. I also remember at the time, my family thought I was crazy. How hilarious that I would grow up to be a graphic designer and then move on to creating small, fussily detailed jewelry constructions. Now my family AND friends think I’m crazy.