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!

Patti Moore

Name: Patti Moore

Age: 54

Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Profession: Self-Taught Artist, Preschool Teacher

Craft(s) of Choice: Drawing, Digital Art, Paper Arts, Mixed Media, Painting

Blog: http://pholkartblessings.blogspot.com/

I’m a self-taught artist who LOVES creating colorful illustrations and whimsical childrens’ art! I specialize in creating Digital Stamps for
Papercrafting, which I offer in my Etsy shop, PHOLKART*BLESSINGS.

I work during the school year in a preschool as a teacher’s assistant… Last year I had a great time with 3 year olds, especially enjoying their music & art-making! In the summer months, I “put on my Artist’s Hat” & work on new digi stamp designs for my small-but-growing Etsy shop. My “studio buddy” is our rescued black lab, Winnie, who is super-sweet & laid back.

I actually didn’t begin drawing ’til my oldest son went to preschool (I was 28 at the time). He HATED Lunch Bunch, so I started doodling little pictures to put in his lunch box each day. I don’t honestly know if that helped him at all, but I fell in LOVE with drawing! I think of my style as a little bit cartooning, a little bit folk art, & a whole lot of color!

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.

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.

Yoli Manzo

Name: Yoli Manzo

Age: Your Age 42

Location: Your Location Sacramento, CA

Craft(s) of Choice: Mixed Media Crafter

Blog: http://sacredyoli.blogspot.com

I have been a crafter since my pre-school days. Art was my recess, my domain, where I felt most complete. I made art a priority all through school and college before coming a mommy and wife. I ended up putting my art on the back burner till 2006! At that time, I started blogging and dabbling in social networking. Being exposed to so many artists and crafters ignited my fire, and I have been crafting, showing, vending, selling, teaching, ever since! My latest passions are teaching and sharing online tutorials. Nothing gives me greatest pleasure than hearing all the endearing stories on how a simple process inspired someone to pick up a tube of paint or glitter!

I truly believe that social networking has been very influential in bringing the DIY and handmade scene to the forefront of mainstream America. Different styles and mediums are exploding and co mingling. Old rules are being thrown out the door, and new and exciting genres are being born every day. I also believe the creative community as a whole, has become more and more open to sharing and supporting one another. After all, color, encouragement, inspiration and sharing, are true testaments art! Viva La Arte!

Jacqueline Myers

Name: Jacqueline Myers-Cho

Age: ageless

Location: Los Angeles CA

Profession: I am the author of STRANDS: Creating Unexpected Fabrics and Fashionable Projects, mixed media artist and teacher (am working on my second book)

Craft(s) of Choice: I am a mixed media artist so I really like to mix it up. I love to play with fabric, thread and paint. I like to crochet and sew and just pull all of these things together.

Blog: http://myerscho.blogspot.com

I grew up watching my mother create beautiful gowns that she wore to big parties. She also sewed all of my Barbie Doll clothing from the scraps so my dolls always looked like my mom. She taught me to sew and one of my first big projects was my prom gown in 10th grade.
In college I found my way to the Theatre department. I studied props, scene painting and majored in costume design. I think my experience making props is the reason I am a mixed media artist; I use any material and technique that will create the vision. I am always asking my self what if and I wonder. Always exploring.

Cheryl

Name: Cheryl

Age: 38

Location: Las Vegas

Profession: Artist & mom

Craft(s) of Choice: Art Quilts, mixed media, collage

Blog: http://urbancrafter.typepad.com

I love to be create and I love even more to share what I know with others. Teaching and creating are my passions!

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.

Maria Davis

Name: Maria Davis

Age: 40ish

Location: San Antonio TX

Profession: Accounting

Craft(s) of Choice: Mixed Media

Blog: http://mariadcreations@blogspot.com

I get inspiration from crafty kreatures from all walks of life thru the net, craft shows on TV and websites, weblogs, web groups, etc, etc.

I raised three healthy boys the last 19 years and am ready to take on a good crafty challenge, anytime or day of the week.

My mind is constantly going 90 miles an hour on how to deconstruct something and craft it into a beautiful made by hand design.

Being part of the “eco friendly” green movement, my profile has a picture of one of my latest crafty ideas; a clutch made out of repurposed newspaper !!!!

Robyn Coburn

Name: Robyn Coburn   

Age: 46

Location: Playa del Rey, CA

Profession: Homeschooling parent, screenwriter, doll artisan, theater designer – sets, lighting, costume, films – art department.

Craft(s) of Choice: Doll making, textile arts, crochet, mixed media, altered couture, paper crafts, jewelry, loom knitting (does the list really ever stop?)

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

I have made things my whole life and sewn since I was a teenager. Luckily enough I have worked in more than one industry that allowed me to make stuff constantly. Miniatures are a big part of theater set design. I remember one of my proudest moments was recreating a prop antique victrola entirely out of construction paper. I also crafted a fun Bottom’s donkey head (“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”) from styrofoam, plaster bandage and fabrics. His eyes were painted ping pong balls. I swear he winked at me once.

For several years I have enjoyed finding ways to make something special for my family for holiday gifts. I have given beaded evening bags, fleece hats, jewelry and loom knitted beanies. Now I can give art dolls as well.

My eight year old daughter and her love of all things doll drew me into the magical world of art dolls. Doll making brings together all the crafty activities I love doing – sketch, sew, sculpt, paint, and explore surface design, texture and visual narratives. The potential is endless.

My daughter named my crafting enterprise too. Every day we craft and create together. Beads, polymer clay, fabric, illustrations and doll designs. Creative pursuits are the center of our world. Crafting has taken over our whole apartment as a design studio, workshop and lab. My next journey is to cease being surprised when people say they like my art doll work – that and learning how to screen print.