Featured Artist: Whimsical Monkey

 

o Tell us a little about yourself
I am a wife and mom to an 8 year old little girl and 2 year old little boy. My husband is a cyclist and works as a bicycle mechanic in a bicycle shop. We live in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado. I started on my home business adventure 8 years ago with henna body art. I grew from doing parties and festivals to contracts with entertainment companies. Last Christmas, I decided to hand make all of my gifts. I made jewelry for all of the women in my family and they absolutely loved it, so I reopened my Etsy shop in February and it has taken off.

 
o Where does your inspiration come from?
My friends! I have some amazingly talented friends who are photographers, models, body painters, makeup artists, performance artists, painters, sculptors, etc. Also, where I live. I live in a beautiful area and can see the mountains by just looking out of my window.

 


 o Who has influenced you the most in your creations?

Wire artists such as Nurrgula, Twisted Sister Arts, Lirimaer, Cook on Strike, and Nix Creations.

o How would you describe your creative process?

Sometimes I will pick a color scheme and it will determine how my piece comes together. Other times I will see a shape, make the shape in wire,   and then build around that shape.

o How do you get out of creative ruts?

By visiting the local bead shops. There is one I go to regularly where the owner has traveled around the world and brought back several kinds of stone beads and metal components. Each piece I have found in there seems to have its own personality and I know just what to do with it.
 
o What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Don't give up! There is a whole world of supportive artists, groups, youtube videos, tutorials, books, blogs, and websites out there to help you on your path. I don't think I would be where I am at today without them. Never stop learning! Jewelry has this snowball effect. Once you learn one technique, you can apply it to several styles of jewelry and sometimes learn another new technique in the process and it builds on itself.

Links:

Blog: http://whimsicalweavings.blogspot.com/

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WhimsicalMonkey

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/whimsicalmonkey

Project Wednesday

So I have a group of girls I meet with every Wednesday to knit.  Since Wednesday is knitting day, I figured I would use Wednesdays here to share some fun knitting projects.  I'll be sharing things I have on the needles as well as past knits, patterns we like and maybe some projects my group are working on.

Fall is here!  That means break out those sweaters you knit last year to show them off and finish the one you started!  I have been working for some time on the Pinwheel Sweater.  Not that I am a slow knitter, I just have been so busy the knitting time is getting less and less.  This is such a fun knit.  You start in the middle of the sweater and work out.  It does get a little tedious once you get to those outer rows as there are A LOT of stitches.

 I am using Noro Transitions for the body and cuff and a Berroco Bulk for the sleeves.  As you can see it is close to being done!  I just need to finish the sleeve and enjoy it this fall.

What are you working on?  Feel free to share your projects past and present on our Facebook page.

Featured Artist: Ewe and Yoors

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Eric, I'm 30 years old and got into crafting at an early age. I've always enjoyed working with my hands (it kinda runs in the family) and as time went on I also got into historical reenacting. I taught myself how to knit several years ago, and have since also taught myself how to spin on drop spindle, supported spindle as well as using an Ashford Traditional spinning wheel. I also taught myself how to card, comb, and clean, and dye wool. Stacy (who happens to be my cousin on my Mother side) has asked me to put some of my spinning up on her site. We had joked about opening up our own yarn shop and I said we should call it EWE & YOOR'S.

EWE & YOOR'S? What Kind of name is that?  My mother and Stacy's mother are sisters from a good Polish family by Judzientowicz (pronouned YOUDS-en-tovich) when our family moved to the US, it was shortened to YOOR. So in honor of that you get EWE & YOOR'S

Where does your inspiration come from?

How do I decide what to work with?  I typically will just open my stash bin for spinning and rummage around until something jumps our and says, “SPIN ME!” I love working with a variety of fibers, primarily wool, but have also enjoyed working with mohair, alpaca, and most recently, Great Pyrenees from the dog of one of my neighbors. From there, I'll either spin it on the wheel, or if it really says that it needs some love, I'll use one my 10+ spindles. 

As far as color goes, I typically will work with cooler colors, blues, greens etc. love also spinning the more firey colors. I really try to look for colors that blend well together when they are being spun and plied. I take the view of are these colors going to detract from the pattern? Or accentuate it? Will the pattern get lost in a morass of color or enhance it?

Who has influenced you the most in your creations?

Honestly, I would have to say that History itself would be my biggest inspiration.  Spinning is one of the most important anthropological steps forward in human history that we have taken.  Historically, it has been so important that it was called an eternal task.  The act of spinning fiber has made it's way into myth, legends, and even fairy tales.  There have been archeological findings from every culture around the world of clay, stone and bead whorls, which is indication that they were as or more important that say, a hatchet or spear. 

How do you get out of creative ruts?

Climb over it, dig under it, or go around it. I choose not to let any blocks get in my way. Being an Aries, I like to “ram” my way through it.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Find your passion and go for it.  Figure out what calls to you and learn what wisdom there is to learn from it. Whether it's spinning wool, sewing, or even making leather masks, find what ignites the passion of creativity and nurture it.

Website:  My yarns can be found on sale through Trinity's Trinkets at Etsy.  Trinity's Trinkets

I can also be reached by email at:     ecrouse82@gmail.com

Featured Artist: Trinity's Trinkets

So I figured if I am going to ask others to put themselves out there I better be ready to do it myself!  So here is my about me.  We should have a few more featured artist coming soon!

·         Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello everyone!  My name is Stacy and I have been crafting for as long as I can remember.  My extremely supportive husband and I live on a nice piece of land settled in the woods.  Our quaint little farm house has been in his family for over 100 years.  We will soon have a new addition to our family as we are expecting our first baby in August.  Having grown up in a family that encouraged creativity it has always been a passion of mine.  When I am not making things for the shop I am usually knitting, spinning yarn or making Renaissance outfits for my husband and I.  I have a spoiled rotten cat Blackbeard, a noisy and stubborn Senegal Parrot Mindy and 3 sweet Sugar Gliders Fizzgig, Ludo and Stitch. 

 Where does your inspiration come from?

Colors and patterns.  I find fabric calls out to me.  I usually don’t have to look to hard because fabrics tend to scream at me when I am on the hunt.  I like mixing patterns that people would not normally place together.  

·     Who has influenced you the most in your creations?

I’m not sure if I have people who have influenced me so much as encouraged me in my creativity.  My mother growing up was very crafty and was always encouraging of me.  Even when I was getting in trouble in elementary school when I was making things and selling them to friends.  Yes I started peddling my wears at a very young age.  In my most recent endeavors my husband has been my driving force.  For starters he built me a BEAUTIFUL studio in which I could work in.  Since then he is always asking what are you working on today?  Shouldn’t you be sewing?  He also plays the important role of seeing that my packages make it to the post office in a timely manner!  He is also pushing me to quit my day job and pursue my passion full time.  There is support and inspiration!

 How would you describe your creative process?

My creative process is a bit of a ritual for me.  Each time I step into the studio to work I always light a candle, turn on my machines, turn on that little table lamp that serves no purpose but warmth and beauty, then I pick my music for the day.  If I have in mind already what I am going to work on I find upbeat music like country to just get me to it.  When I am sitting down to create something new I tend to lean toward slower more relaxing music usually Lorenna McKennitt.  What I am working on usually is a reflection of my mind state at the time.

·       
    How do you get out of creative ruts?

Creative ruts.  We all have them.  I have to say when I am in a rut I usually go to the fabric or beading store.  I find inspiration in new fabrics and beads.  There appears to always be something new available.  When I look at my stash and say I have used all that before I find new things to throw in and make a splash.  Sometimes you also need to just walk away.  I have had so many times that I said I have to get some work done today even though I don’t feel like it.  Those days tend to be very unproductive and frustrating.  I have found it is usually better to take a break and give your creativity a rest.  It will not take long for the itch to return and you are right back at it in full swing.  

·         What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

Just do it!  Tacky I know but it is true.  Some of my biggest fears when I started Trinity’s Trinkets was my stuff was not good enough to sell.  I was always worried someone would pick apart my work, those seams are not straight or that fabric is ugly or I don’t like that design.  Since starting my shop I feel I have grown so much as an artisan and a business person.  Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.  The Etsy community is a great source of supportive artists.  There are lots of forums for you to ask questions and get feedback from fellow artists.  Don’t undersell yourself either.  Make sure you are getting your time and materials worth out of your art.  Last but not least it takes time, don’t get discouraged.  

I have an Etsy Shop which can be found here:  The Trinity's Trinkets 

You have already found my blog here:  The Trinity's Trinkets Blog 

You can also follow us on facebook here:  The Trinity's Trinkets on facebook