Maria Adamczak

Name: Maria Adamczak

Age: 55

Location: Adelaide, South Australia

Profession: Retired

Craft(s) of Choice: Knitting, Papercraft, Jewelry and Sewing

I have become a craft addict since retiring. I am finding so much joy in making things for others. Although only a beginner, there is no greater satisfaction than completing a project that is 100% from the heart – imperfections and all.

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.

Tonya Sloan

Name: Tonya Sloan

Age: 30

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Profession: Housewife

Craft(s) of Choice: Crochet, Cross stitch, Jewelry, Candle making, scrapbooking

I started out making floss bracelets, and beeding. Then a friend introduced me to candle making. A dear friend of mine taught me the basics of Crochet, to take her mind off the death of a relative, and I’ve been “hooked” ever since. I’ve made baby blankets, hats booties and toys, each of my family members has a handmade blanket, and have made scarves for friends. It’s a great way to deal with my anxiety.

Kandis Horton

Name: Kandis Horton

Age: 48 (how did that happen?)

Location: Chico, CA

Profession: High School English Teacher

Craft(s) of Choice: Jewelry from repurposed, recycled, and found objects

Blog: http://www.girlonabikedesigns.com

I’ve always made things, but lost that a bit when a real job and my son entered the picture. Two years ago, there was a gunman on campus and we were in lockdown for four hours. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but I was “spun”. Shortly after, a dear friend and artist visited. I usually sit and watch her work, but this time I dove in. I was able to create something that I had control over, unlike the vicissitudes of teaching. I tentatively sold at my first fair, was met with amazing enthusiasm, and Girl on a Bike was born.

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

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.

Tanya McCulloch

Name: Tanya McCulloch

Age: 31

Location: Alpharetta, GA

Profession: Interior Designer

Craft(s) of Choice:: Making jewelry using both new and vintage findings, and art using decoupage, felt, acrylic paints, etc……

I love all things art! I can’t even remember when I first started creating art, I have been creating art ever since I was a wee one! I have dabbled in everything from charcoal, to pastels, to oil painting, to watercolor, to paper mache, to ………you name it! I was born in New Orleans and grew up in a suburb near there, so art and colorful people were all around me. Art was very much in my blood. My grandfather was an artist as well as his children. My father and aunt were both very artistic and created paintings, jewelry, ceramics, etc….. Unfortunately my grandfather passed away before I was born, so I did not have the pleasure of meeting him, but I know I would have adored him. I have a few of his paintings, but they got a little damaged from hurricane Katrina as well as all of my art from my past. Now, I just focus on creating new things and know that my grandfather would have been proud.

Halina Bojarski

Name: Halina Bojarski

Age: 52

Location: Bellevue, WA

Profession: Now disabled, Used to work as International Consultant for Export Business Development

Craft(s) of Choice: Jewelry Making, sterling silver, gemstones

It was 7 years ago when I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and later Rheumatoid Arthritis. The physical
challenges were difficult, and my mental struggle came twofold: first I had my identity tied into being an active part of the working community, a productive contributor, and I had to restructure my self-identity; and second I had no activity that felt like an accomplishment anymore.

I decided to take a short class one day just wanting to know how to fix a pair of earrings. It was a wire working class, using sterling silver wire. I fell in love with working with my hands, learning new designs, and creating something wearable from bits and pieces of metal. My husband encouraged me saying it was good therapy for me. I got lots of compliments, but felt genuine appreciation for my work when perfect strangers were interested in buying my work. Now that was validation! I do what I can, when I can. My hands can only work for short periods, but I am so happy when they do.

Vanessa Coppola

Name: Vanessa Coppola

Age: 26

Location: Peoria, AZ

Profession: Family Counselor, Crafter Extraordinaire, Amateur Wanna-Be Photographer, Wanna-Be Writer

Craft(s) of Choice: Jewelry, Paper Arts, Sewing, Scrapbooking

Blog: http://designsbyvanessa.blogspot.com/

My love for all things crafty comes from a long line of crafters in my family. As a young child I can remember sitting down to color with my dad but in addition to the typical crayola crayons, he would bring out water colors, tile pieces for mosaics and other supplies to fuel my creativity. Creating is how I have learned to express happiness, sadness and all other in between emotions-it is my outlet.

Age: 40

Location: NorCAL

Profession: Mixed-Media Artist

Craft(s) of Choice: Mixed-Media, Polymer Clay, Sculpture, Dolls, Jewelry, Collage, Handmade Natural Soap, and more

Blog: http://redwoodcoastcreativearts.typepad.com/

I can never just stick to one thing, one art form, one medium, one job, one home. I am a wanderer with a wild, gypsy heart. However, I do return to certain themes in my artwork over and over again.

Art is the one and only constant in my life. Over the past 10 years I have become somewhat obsessed with polymer clay. I joined a guild and have learned so much from fellow members and artist-instructors that we have hired to teach.

I first started making polymer clay dolls and figurines 25 years ago but for more that 10 years I did not do anything else with it.

Since Joining the guild, Clayville California, I have branched out in so many directions. There were times, whole years, that I did nothing but explore new techniques. I am happy to say that I finally feel like I have enough “practice” under my belt that I can actually complete some projects that I am happy with. It’s been a long time coming.