Laura Bray

Name: Laura Bray

Age: 40

Location: Aliso Viejo, CA

Profession: Professional Designer

Craft(s) of Choice: Sewing, Embroidery, Paper Crafts

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

I wanted to be a hairdresser and drive a Trans Am. That was my first childhood dream. After receiving a set of Fashion Plates ® for my tenth birthday, I changed my mind and wanted to be a fashion designer. That dream stuck with me until a very mean high school teacher informed me that I had no artistic talent. I ended up getting an MBA and owning a Human Resources firm instead.

In 2005, I had my daughter and my life completely changed. At 35, I was forced to take a hard look at what I was doing with my life and realized that I still wanted to do something artistic. I worked through the damage that was done by my wicked art teacher (and my own misconceptions about what I was capable of) and have been painting and crafting ever since.

Since embarking on my career as an artist, I’ve been published in several magazines, sell my artwork online and in retail stores, and have won awards for my artwork. My artwork is collected worldwide. Since I am an “artist with an MBA” I also publish a free, monthly electronic newsletter geared towards helping other artists make money from their work.

Rachel Johnson

Name: Rachel Johnson

Age: 28

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Profession: Website manager (I run Swap-bot.com) and freelance graphic designer

Craft(s) of Choice: Paper crafts, crochet, digital design

Blog: http://www.rljart.com/blog

I think I have always been dreaming of being creative – as in creating original things that are all my own. I went to college for graphic design and painting, and then went on to get a graduate degree in Arts Management. My thesis covered internet marketing by indie crafters – it was a lot of fun to research! I studied Etsy while it was still just starting out in 2006, went to many craft shows, and interviewed dozens of crafters.

During all of my schooling, my husband and I were continuously creating websites. Some were personal, some were just for fun, and some we hoped might grow into something special. In 2005 we created Swap-bot.com, a site that helps facilitate group craft swaps. We have been slowly improving the site ever since and it has grown and grown! We currently have over 25,000 members and the site has over 500 active swaps going on at any given time. It has also become a really fun and supportive community of artists, crafters, and writers.

Professionally, I have been a publisher, a graphic designer, a museum administrator, an editor, and a struggling artist, but running Swap-bot is by far the most rewarding job I have had and I am very happy to report that I now manage Swap-bot full time. It is my largest craft project ever!

Lindsey Bailey

Name: Lindsey Bailey

Age: 35

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Profession: Masters Candidate at MICA

Craft(s) of Choice: Sewing, knitting, paper crafts, anything with felt

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

I use craft and craft-related techniques and materials in my artwork. As an artist, I create large installations inspired by childhood imagination, pomp, and baked goods . . . I enjoy color and texture, and love creating environments where the hard and soft can mingle. I use commercial felt and bright colored yarns, because the color is so saturated in these products. I hand sew large stitches in my work to show the hand work. Additionally, I love the way bright-colored spray paint looks on clay, and how the surface contrasts with the felt objects.

Originally from Austin, I recently moved to Baltimore to begin my masters program in Community Arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Marleah Augustine

Name: Marleah Augustine

Age: 24

Location: Ellis, Kansas

Profession: Librarian Assistant / Graduate Student

Craft(s) of Choice: Crochet, paper crafts

Blog: http://marleah.wordpress.com

My earliest memory of crafting, besides the macaroni “art” that only a mother can love, is of my grandmother grasping yarn and hook, attempting to teach me to crochet. At the time, I put up with it because I loved my Nana and the attention she lavished on me. I never did get past making chains—my six-year-old mind had trouble grasping any more than that. Eventually, Nana gave up on me, letting me run around the yard catching toads instead. Later, as a high school sophomore, I rediscovered crochet. I made my first scarf and proudly displayed it for Nana, who was at this time living in a nursing home. Her arthritis had left her unable to crochet anymore, and I could see the delight in her eyes telling me that—even though I had struggled with chain stitches—she was so proud that her beloved craft had finally come full circle.  Now my Nana is gone, her long and full journey finally ended. I still crochet, more now, and I think of her with every stitch—especially when I run into a pattern’s foggy instructions or a fresh idea with yet-unknown construction. My Nana was an amazing resource of information, which I neglected to use when it was possible. I’m left with the vivid memories, the regret that there are so many unanswered questions I have for her, and the hope that someday I will get to sit with her again, laughing over our hooks and yarn.

Age: 31

Location: Utica, N.Y.

Profession: Newspaper Reporter

Crafts of Choice: Crochet (#1 Love), Loom Knitting, Knitting, Paper Crafts, Jewelry Making, Scrapbooking and whatever inspires me at any given moment.

I was 8 or 9 when I remember my grandmother asking me what I wanted for Christmas. I told her I wanted a sewing machine because when I grew up and got a job, I was taking sewing lessons. Well almost seven years out of journalism school and on the job at a local paper, I looked down on my bedroom floor and found a knitting loom I bought a few years before. I had just gotten a new job and I was suppose to be moving up in the world, but I was never more unhappy. I still didn’t have the time to give to myself to learn and do new things. I thought back to that promise I made, and no it wasn’t sewing, but it was a craft I wanted to learn more about. I craved knowledge in the ability to make something with my own hands. I started knitting a baby blanket for an expecting friend, and that led me to finding a teacher at a local craft store. Well all eventually evolved in a learning and great love (obsession as my boyfriend would say) of not only loom knitting, but also traditional knitting and crochet. Now if I can’t be home playing with yarn I’m looking online to find patterns and read whatever I can about the crafts. And just when I thought I’d have enough to fill my crafty appetite — I did just tell my grandmother, “Grandma, I think I’m taking a sewing lesson.”

Jenna Zeidler

Name: Jenna Zeidler

Age: 27

Location: Champaign, IL USA

Profession: Assistant Librarian at a software company

Craft(s) of Choice: Oh, I dabble in so many things!  Knitting, thread crochet, sewing/quilting (So much faster than knitting!  Knitting is like making your own fabric and then creating something out of it while sewing seems one step ahead of the game to me!), polymer clay, paper crafts/origami, miniatures, jewelry, spinning, embroidery,

Blog: http://corgipants.blogspot.com 

Crafting to me is about learning different and varied skills. I was brought up crafting and it shaped my learning style.  I learn by doing, creating and thinking about the process, not just the end product.  It is also about being more self-reliant and prepared for the worst.  If push came to shove and I was forced to rely on myself to create my own shelter, food, clothing, shoes, etc., I feel secure in my ability to take on the challenge with all the knowledge I have amassed from the variety of projects I have tackled and the heritage skills and work ethic my parents instilled in me!

But let’s just say that major civilization meltdown never comes.  I’ll be a very happy, active senior! My degree is in Leisure Studies and one thing I really took to heart was the fact that the more recreational options you explore early on in life, the more choices you will be open to when you’re older. I am dedicated to trying new things not just for fun and enrichment now but to broaden my recreational opportunities once I’m AARP-age.  

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.

Jessica Okui

Name:  Jessica Okui

Age: 30

Location: California, Bay Area

Profession: SAHM

Craft(s) of Choice: knitting, recycled crafts, paper crafts, zakka

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

I have a vivid memory of making my Mother earrings at the age of six. I crafted them out of paper clips and macramé beads (my original design). And from that point forward I’ve been crafting things out of whatever I could get my hands on.

Gabriela Delworth

Name: Gabriela Delworth

Profession: Crafts Designer – Instructor {have a diploma in Graphic Design}

Location: Toronto, Canada

Crafts: Paper Crafts and Gift Wrapping

Blog: http://gabrieladelworth.com

Before I started talking {and I do talk a lot now} I was already making drawings with crayons on walls, floors and papers…I grew up making stuff, collaging, painting things with my Mom which we gave as gifts, we also made paper hats, crowns and decorated my birthday and my friends parties. We recycled a lot as we didn’t have much money to spare on craft goodies and the funny thing is that most of my projects today are also around recycling. Life is funny!”