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!

Karen Pugh

Name: Karen Pugh

Age: 55

Location: Crystal River, Fl

Profession: Artist/Crafter

Craft(s) of Choice: Painting and Primitive

Blog: “http://missmessycrocker.blogspot.com/

A corporate downsizing allowed me the opportunity to take a hobby and go full-time. My husband and I live in our motorhome and travel the eastern US selling our products at Art and craft shows and festivals. This isn’t work; It’s the life!

Krysten G

Name: Krysten G

Age: 24

Location: Colorado

Profession: College studen

Craft(s) of Choice: Knitting, Crochet, Sewing, Embroidery, Quilting, Jewlery, Drawing, Painting, Scrapbooking

Blog: http://littledevil-666.blogspot.com/

My Grandmother taught me to knit and crochet when I was 10 as another craft to try. I was always a crafty child and loved to try new things and she never said no. The first major thing that I made was at her house it was a cross made of burned matches, i think it was about 200 of them.

Lauren Foust

Name: Lauren Foust

Age: 29

Location: Phenix City, AL

Profession: Fulltime Mother and Army Wife, Off-and-On College Student

Craft(s) (s) of Choice: Sewing, Painting and the occasional Knitting or Crochet Jag

Blog: http://bananasforbreakfast.wordpress.com

I can’t think of any interesting stories involving crafting (maybe I haven’t found my creative sense of adventure yet?) I’ve always felt a strong need to create though, it’s my therapy. Sewing is my hobby of choice but I’m better described as a Chronic Repurposer, anything I can get my hands on is considered raw material. My grandmother and mother passed down to me a very eclectic sense of style, a hatred of being ordinary and a fear of overpaying (with some expensive taste on top of all that). My father is a contractor who can build anything (as far as I’m concerned!), so my house was a very creative and resourceful one. As a result, no project or hobby or skill has ever seemed too big to tackle. Except playing musical instruments, we’re all inept in that department.

I don’t know where the creative drive came from but I’m thankful that it’s always been encouraged, and I’ll continue to do the same with my kids. And there you have it, my crafty-ness in a nutshell

- Lauren

Jennifer L Nilsson

Name: Jennifer L Nilsson

Age: 38

Location: Avis, PA USA

Profession: Artist/ Illustrator

Craft(s) of Choice:: painting, drawing, crocheting

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

I am a girl who was taught early on that our gifts (skills) are given to us at birth and should never be wasted. I love so many things I can’t do just ONE, but narrowed it down to 2 – illustrating and crocheting. There is never a time when I am without a brush, pencil or hook ! But the most rewarding part of it all is the smile on another’s face when I share my gifts with them.

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.

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!

Claudia Dunitz

Name: Claudia Dunitz

Age: 55

Location: Santa Fe, NM

Profession: Maker (of Natural Skin Care Products and Graphic Design)

Craft(s) of Choice: Knitting, Freeform Crochet, Art Quilting, Baking, Mosaics, Beading, Sewing, Embroidery, Surface Design, Painting, Printing, Fusing, Burning, Yikes – I can go on and on!

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

I don’t think there was a time when I didn’t make things with my hands.  In those days we “played outside” until it was time for supper.  We made forts and mud pies and played games with balls and sticks.  As I got older, I made cloths for my dolls, then clothes for myself.   As a young wife, I made clothes for my children to stretch the family budget.  I learned to knit and quilt.  My daughters learned to make what they didn’t have by watching me.  I was the Brownie Leader and we crafted constantly, at our meetings and at home.  We fed ourselves and warmed ourselves.  We baked, canned sewed and quilted by hand.  They made quilts for their dolls’ beds while I made quilts for our beds.

Today, both my daughters are makers.  My eldest daughter designs knitwear for children in addition to raising three, holding down a full time job, baking from scratch and knitting constantly.  She has just taught my youngest granddaughter, who is five, to knit.  My youngest daughter knits, sews, gardens and is a graphic artist.  Making has always been more than a crafty afternoon for us.  It has defined us as women and as a family.  It’s what we talk about on the phone.  What we share.  The first question always is: “So what are you making?”

Finn Sonniksen

Name: Finn Sonniksen

Age: 9

Location: Austin, Texas

Profession: 4th Grader

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

Craft(s) of Choice: Drawing, painting, making comic books

I sort of like drawing because I can memorize stuff with it and I can draw out stuff that I am thinking in my head. It is also fun. Right now I like to draw maps and stuff from my video games, and just random creatures I create.

Riley Jordan

Name: Riley Jordan (submitted by mom, Lisa)

Age: 10

Location: Brainerd, MN

Profession: 5th grader

Craft(s) of Choice: Painting and making tiny bird’s nests

Crafting is a good job over the summer. It passes the time when I’m bored. It’s pretty cool. I like making nests, it’s kind of hard, but it’s rewarding. (his actual words)