Courtney Keller

Name: Courtney Keller

Age: 33

Location: Austin, Texas

Profession: Designer

Craft(s) of Choice: Sewing, Screenprinting, Drawing, Design, Animation

Blog: http://peaceboutique.wordpress.com/

I studied printmaking in school, but when I got out realized I didn’t have access to a printing press. I began doing sewing and silkscreening in my home, and selling on eBay. I ended up selling clothing and bags I made to Australia, China, Europe and all over North and South America!

The need to create overcomes the lack of what you might think are the ‘necessary tools’, and in the end, fewer resources might force you to become more creative.

Dede Huchteman

Name: Dede Huchteman (aka Craft Hippie)

Age: 48

Location: Dallas TX currently

Profession: Product Manager/Indie Crafter/Artist

Craft(s) of Choice: knitting, felting, painting, mixed media, PMC, polymer clay, etching and glasswork on old casement windows, screenprinting, sewing, photography, to mention a few

Blog: http://crafthippienews.blogspot.com

My mother taught me to knit when I was 5. My aunt taught me to sew when I was 6. I didn’t do anything until a few years ago when I was unemployed and found that working with my creativity relieved stress and gave me an outlet for calm and expression.

Jessica Serra

Name: Jessica Serra

Age: 20

Location: Wallingford, CT

Profession: College Student

Craft(s) of Choice: jewelry making, scrapbooking, screenprinting, mixed media

Blog: www.jessicasjewelier.com

My earliest crafting memories are from when I was really young and my grandma would teach me how to make butterflies out of magazine/newspaper pages and pipe cleaners, rings from the stoppers to orange juice containers, and purses from scraps of material. I have always been a crafty person, doodling and making all sorts of creations, but it wasn’t until recently that I discovered crafting has been the only constant in my life that makes me feel just plain happy. No matter what I am feeling or going through I can work it out through my art and crafts. Crafting is both my addiction and my drug of Choice, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Mary Helen McNally

Name: Mary Helen McNally

Age: 27

Location: Danbury, CT

Profession: DIY Bath & Body Recipe Formulator and Writer

Craft(s) of Choice: Soapmaking, Handmade Bath & Body Products, Sewing, Upcycling, Kitschy Crafts, Screen & Block Printing

Blog: http://www.scribblenation.typepad.com

In July of 2004 my sister, Sarah McNally (www.Scissorina.com), best friend, Michelle Barney, and I founded a local crafting group called The Hat City Scissor Squad. Every week members get together with their portable crafts in local coffee shops or restaurants to chat, brainstorm, and sip tasty beverages. What started out as a three woman show has now grown into a community of over 40 members. Our members include knitters, jewelry designers, seamstresses, and more! The squad now holds annual events including: craft supply swaps, secret pal swaps, craft challenges, and tutorial parties. Best of all, starting the Scissor Squad has lead me to some of the best friends I could hope for, providing us all with an artistic and social support system. We brainstorm about everything from crafts to parenting. Community crafting is the bomb diggity! To learn more about The Hat City Scissor Squad please feel free to visit our Home Page – Unfortunately the page is in need of an update, something I plan on doing soon. (www.ScissorSquad.com) or our Yahoo Group – where it all began! (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hat_city_scissor_squad/)

Noelle Corcoran

Name: Noelle Corcoran

Age: 33

Location: Austin, TX

Profession: Office Manager for some Commercial Mortgage Bankers

Craft(s) of Choice: Sewing, screen-printing, stenciling, mosaic, painting

Blog: http://www.luckykitty.typepad.com

Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been into crafting. I used to make birthday and Christmas cards for my dad using items we had around the house – those intended for such crafts – markers, crayons, paper – and other items as well – sponges, bits of sandpaper, nuts, bolts, etc.

It wasn’t until high school that I learned how to sew. I took a sewing class – just to fill an elective – and am so glad I did. We learned all the basics and how to read patterns. I didn’t sew much after that until I had my own apartment and needed curtains and placemats and napkins and couldn’t find any in stores that I liked. Same with clothing – I could never find cute skirts in cute fabrics that fit me just right… so, I started making my own!

Year and years went by of me making skirts, tablecloths, pillows, cushion covers, etc. for myself as well as friends when I finally decided that I should open my own Etsy store – which I did in October of 2006.

I was and still am blown away by the love and support for handmade goods that exists on Etsy and in Austin. I am so thankful to be a part of such a great community (online and off) of crafty types and people that support crafty types!

Even though I’m taking a little break this year to have my first baby, I know that when I’m ready to make my return I will be welcomed once again into the fold!

Rachel Bone

Name: Rachel Bone (aka Red Prairie Press)

Age: 26

Location: Baltimore, MD

Profession: Owner, Red Prairie Press (apparel screenprinting & design)

Craft(s) of Choice: Screenprinting!

Blog: redprairiepress.blogspot.com

I have always been first and formost an artist. Too scatterbrained for math, too inconsistent for science. When I went to art school, I thought I’d be a printmaking teacher. When I needed spending money, my boyfriend and I started making t-shirts for bands and selling them at rock shows. We would sneak into the studio at 2am and print entire runs of album covers without anyone knowing but the band we were printing for. Seeing kids around the city wearing our shirts was such a good feeling. and I knew I couldn’t sell my artwork as cheaply and I like that t-shirts are so utilitarian and affordable.

5 years later, I make my living selling my own designs, and I married that boyfriend. We have our own studio and no longer have to break in to print (though, every once in a while, you CAN find us up at 2 am printing), I pack and ship orders every day and send them all over the world, and still, when I’m our and about and spot someone wearing one of our shirts, my stomach does cartwheels, and it’s all I can do to keep the grin on my face from looking creepy. I call my husband and act as if I’ve won the lottery. In a way, I’m not convinced I haven’t.