Alan Luna

Name: Alan Luna

Age: 14

Location: San Diego, California

Profession: 9th grader (high school)

Craft(s) of Choice: Sewing, sketching, drawing, writing, nature crafts, knitting

I got into crafting after my aunt from San Fransisco came to visit. She introduced me to this crafting movement, and showed me sites like Makezine, Craftzine, Threadbanger, and other stuff like that. She told me that crafts were not gender-specific. So I did all these crafts and I really like to make stuff. It’s my passion, besides writing. So I really liked this website that shows other crafters around the world.

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 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.

Amanda Suzzi

Name: Amanda Suzzi

Age: 24

Location: Providence, RI

Profession: momma, web designer, indie extraordinaire

Craft(s) of Choice: Sewing

Blog: http://www.funkepunkemonke.com

tarted little by little. I made the website first, and got a few clothing designers on board to let me put products up before I had them on hand. As customers ordered, I filled the minimum order for these designers. Soon, I had so much merchandise in my tiny office that I opened a retail location. Customers spread the word on the shop opening and I did great. I had a second child in August 2008 and closed the shop in order to travel more and do craft fairs. Traveling is more my style and allows me to work at a slower pace with spurts of energy scattered throughout the year.

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

Anabel Sousa

Name: Anabel Sousa

Age: 33

Location: Paris

Profession: Free lance artisan

Craft(s) of Choice: Weaving, crocheting, knitting, and a little bit of sewing

Blog: http://crearescreer.wordpress.com

I started when I was a little girl. My mother knitted and crocheted and she passed me the first tips. Then I went to an art school and not many years ago I went into weaving. Now I’m fascinated by the possibility of create everything starting for a simple thread.

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.

Anna Attard

Name: Anna Attard

Age: 36

Location: Detroit, Michigan

Profession: Altered Couture Artist and Stay at Home Mom

Craft(s) of Choice: altered couture

Blog: http://ameliejo.blogspot.com

The beginning of my journey into the handmade world began, literally, at the beginning. The renewal of my spirit and creative self, as Amelie Jo, began with the birth of my daughter. I did not know it at the time, but my connection to my true self had been stifled, almost wiped out. I was constantly searching for answers and a purpose. Something that made me feel like a whole person.

Motherhood seemed to unlock something inside. A journal came spilling out onto the floor, exposing all of its pages, chocked full of ideas and abilities that had been stored and tucked away for a sunny day.

Anna Marasco

Name: Anna Marasco

Age: 37

Location: Omaha

Profession: QA Engineer

Craft(s) of Choice: Knitting, Crochet, Sewing, paperCraft(s)

Blog: http://dyedinthewoolbluestocking.blogspot.com

Whenever life feels out of control, making something with my hands and simple materials is tremendously comforting. I define the scope and the success of the endeavor and I have a tangible thing to show for my efforts.

I prefer things with a small scope and a portable nature. King sized quilts– right out. Knitted dishrags– totally, completely in.

Anne Cox-Espenlaub

Name: Anne Cox-Espenlaub

Age: 63

Location: Golf Manor, OH

Profession: Library Services Assistant

Craft(s) of Choice: Crochet, Sewing, Design

I taught myself to Crochet at 26 and am now teaching people in the neighborhood where I work to crochet. I was a costume designer for many years. I see my crochet as a way of expressing myself and sharing with others.