Crochet Cabin Interview

Today, we're kicking off the 2nd summer season of Etsy Interviews! Hoooray!  I'm thrilled to have Shelle or Shelleden as she is known on her Etsy Shop, Crochet Cabin, here at knit1fortheroad.  You'll be in awe of her passion for knitting and crochet, and swept away by the variety of patterns and items in her shop.  Gather around the knitting lawn chair, grab your lemonade and let's get started, shall we? 

Q. Shelle, welcome to knit1fortheroad. Which came first for you, crochet or knitting?

A. Crochet. Most of my designs are crochet, but I love to knit, too!


Q. Do you find that knowing how to knit and crochet enriches your patterns and which yarns inspire you the most?



A. Knowing how to knit and crochet enriches my whole life! Period. ;) I love textured yarns with rich, earthy colors.



Q. What made you decide to take the Etsy leap?



A. My friend, Jodi, told me about Etsy a few years ago, and it appealed to me as being user-friendly and a very effective way to promote my designs.


Q. Do you have any hopes, dreams, or goals for your knitting and crochet that you would like to share with us?


A. I would love to have another book published! I’d also love to see one of my designs in “Interweave Crochet” magazine. My goal is to submit a couple of my more unusual designs - something nobody has ever seen before - and have them accepted for publication!


Q. Shelle, I can’t help but notice your colorful creations and excellent feedback. Do you have any tips for new Etsy shop owners?


A. The main thing is be patient, give good customer service, and keep things re-listed as soon as something sells! Also, it doesn’t hurt to network - Facebook is great. You can post pictures and links to your shop.


Joining crochet/knit forums online is a wonderful way to get your name out there, too, not to mention making lots of friends along the way!


The crochet/knit community is a wonderful group of people who will support and encourage you all the way!


That is excellent advice, Shelle.  Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and taking time away from your creative life to share some valuable insight with us.   Here's to continued success to you and your knit and crochet adventures.

You can find Shelle and her work on the following links:
http://crochetcabin.bravehost.com/
http://shelleden.etsy.com/
http://queeniescabin.blogspot.com/

 

What's on your needles?

Yarnie items of the past.  Pic taken in MD last weekend.

Today has been a busy one.  I've been working on book editing, and going over photos, etc.  I haven't had any new projects on my needles that I can share at the moment with you, but I would like to know what you've been working on.  Please comment if you have a knit, crochet, or crafty project you are currently working on, and would like to share with the readers.  I love hearing from you.  As usual, the no spam rule applies here as the readers already have a phone plan, local friends and good mortgage rates... you get where I'm going. 

Calling all Etsians! If you have an Etsy shop and would like an interview, please see The Summer of Etsy Love.  This is a great opportunity to share your crafts, promote your shop, and give the readers some insight into you and your creative process.  All good!

Click click, knit knit...

Marg (zipping through the Monday to do list)

Start Spinning: Everything You Need to Know to Make Great Yarn

Madbird Interview Day!

Knitting Needle Organizers

DPN/Crochet Organizer

Project Tote and Project Bag

Grab your coffe or tea mug and snuggle in on the knitting couch for today's interview with Alecia Miller of Madbird on Etsy.com.  I first heard of Alecia's products in the Jan/Feb issue of Crochet Today! magazine and I was immediately taken in by her style and colorful knitting accessories.  You will be too!


Q. Welcome Alecia! When I was reading your profile, it seemed that art, design, crafting and love for the earth have been major influences in your life. Who are some of the people who have influenced you the most?

A. Nature in itself is very inspiring to me. I work so much better, and with more energy, if I can spend some of my day outside in the sun. Of course, living in New England, part of the year it's freezing, so that's not always possible!



In college, I had a painting teacher who encouraged us to take breaks from our art and spend time outside in nature. I never forgot that advice, and I'm grateful to her for that! Of course, my children inspire me. We have four boys, and it's amazing to hear them say "My mama is an artist. She makes things and people buy them." They think I'm cool, and that in itself, is pretty inspiring to continue! In terms of support, I couldn't ask for a better family. Honestly, I'm so fortunate to have them, and they're always helping me in so many ways.



Q. I think it’s so wonderful that you share your love of art and the earth with your children. Are there any activities that you share with them that mother’s reading this might find helpful in their own family lives?

A. I share everything with them. Two of my boys are in school during the day, but our third is often working side by side with me in the afternoon. I sew, and he works on his art projects. Our boys are always asking me about my work. They're very interested and amazed that someone will actually pay for something I make with my hands! I love that I'm showing them that - yes, you can make a living being creative. They are all little artists - and we encourage and foster their creativity - because we're both artists too.


Q. That's wonderful!  I noticed that your Etsy shop, Madbird, has fantasticl feedback, as well as very colorful and functional items. How do you balance customer service along with time creating your wonderful bags, organizers, binders, and wallets?



A. Customer service is probably the most important aspect of running my business. Without satisfied customers, I could not be nearly as successful as I am. The first thing I do every morning, is check emails and convos. I answer them as soon as I get them, so hopefully my customers feel as though I'm always around to help. A large portion of my business is custom work, and I have had the pleasure of working with some wonderful people to create something special just for them. Customer service isn't a chore for me, I enjoy the interaction! It's that special one-on-one service that's missing from large corporations.

Q. Alecia, do you find that learning as much as you can about each craft that you try has helped you grow as a designer? You have an excellent foundation and it shows in your work and craftsmanship.


A. I'm a relentless researcher. Thankfully, I have the internet, otherwise we'd be buried in books! If I need to learn something, I spend hours researching and collecting information. I take books out at the library, read online forums and watch how-to videos. That's how I taught myself to knit. If I want to learn how to make something, I'm fairly confident I can. I do think it's very important - since I create tools for the knit and crochet community - to be able to knit and crochet myself. Having that experience has helped me incorporate features into the design of my organizers and project bags that I feel are essential.

Q. Recently, your products were mentioned in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Crochet Today! Magazine. How exciting! What did it feel like to see your product in that issue?



A. It was awesome! I was very excited to hear that my organizers were selected, and very grateful to the editor! I was very proud to show my family, and of course, have a very precious copy in my possession. I hope it is not the last time my products appear in a publication!

I'm sure this is only the beginnng of features and success for you and Madbird.  Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to share with us your inspiring story, Alecia. 

Visit Alecia's group, madbird, on Ravlery.com
Blog: http://4madbirds.blogspot.com/
Follow Madbird on twitter: http://twitter.com/4madbird

Become a fan on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/4madbird

Madbird on Etsy.com

Featured in Crochet Today! Jan/Feb-10 issue

http://www.crochettoday.com/issues/janfeb-10

Ateliermarla Brings You Sunshine and Vibrant colors!

Leaf and Flower Coffee cup







Frutatta Coffee Cup







Blue Majolica Bowl









Grab your frozen mocha, herbal tea or bottled water and join us for another Summer Etsy Interview with the very creative ceramic artist, Marlene Gill or Marla as she is known on Etsy. Marla's shop Ateliermarla first caught my eye when I was searching for a Majolica style and colorful addition to my cup collection and I'm honored today to share this interview with you. Enjoy!

Q. Welcome Marla! The first thing that I notice when I visit your shop is vibrant color. Where do you get your inspiration for the color in your Majolica style pottery?

A. I guess it is from growing up in the Caribbean, surrounded by so much sunshine and vibrant colors. Vivid turquoise ocean, bright reds and oranges of the fruit and flowers - color is in my blood. When I started to paint, I had a hard time keeping my pallet subdued, so I just gave in and let my self go. The colors and style of my paintings were well suited to my majolica style of pottery, although it is a constant challenge to keep the reds and oranges from burning out in the kiln when I fire the porcelain and stoneware to cone 6. I mix the pigments with my clay slurry making a smooth slip which I paint directly onto the greenware prior to bisque firing. Then I cover with a clear shiny glaze and fire to cone six. So it is not the traditional majolica technique that I follow, but the finished style is similar as it is loose and expressive.


Q. I love that you decided to "let go" with your creative process. When did you first begin to become interested in making pottery?

A. About eight years ago I saw an advertisement for a pottery course given by Clay Crafters in Point Claire, West of Montreal. I always admired the skill of professional potters, but had no idea how difficult it was to master. I went through many disasters, and still do. For anyone who loves a challenge, I recommend pottery as a hobby. It took me months just to learn to center the clay!

Q. Yes, disasters seem to a part of any successful artist's exploration and it's inspiring to all of us that you accepted the challenge. How long does it usually take for you to create, say, a coffe cup with porcelain slips that you formulate yourself and are your items microwave safe?

A. . Generally, it takes me about 15 to 20 minutes to throw a cup. Trimming and attaching the handle might be another 10 to 15 minutes. Most of my designs are drawn free hand right on to the green ware. I have over 60 test tiles of colors that I have formulated from the pigments. I like to go through them, holding them and feeling the smoothness of the surface,then I place one next to the other until I have decided on the colors that I will be featuring on the particular piece. Then I start painting. This can take anywhere up to several hours. The final firing and glazing is done when I have enough pieces to fill my kiln. I am really trying not to be obsessive about the production aspect of the work...I do not wish to be constrained by the cost effectiveness of the time it takes to produce a piece - when I am happy with it, , it is finished. My glazes are food safe, and I favor stoneware and pottery over ceramic ware so that my work can be truly functional, and used without worrying about chips and breakage. They can be washed in the dishwasher, and put in the microwave. However, I have been lately persuaded to try a very good earthenware body so that I can explore a more vivid pallet of reds, and occasionally will work on very high fire china using china paints which I fire at a much lower temperature.

Q. Marla, you are such a talented artist, potter and business woman. I know we would all like to know your hopes and dreams for you shop and any new events or new items you have coming soon.

A. Thank you for your kind words, but you know, I still think of myself as a beginner. Since I am still working full time in the aviation industry, I "steal" my time in my studio. Right now I am having the greatest fun getting used to this new world of internet marketing and networking. It is wonderful, and I have met so many talented people from all over the world. However, I yearn for the day when I am fully retired and can devote all my time to developing my talent and my craft. My art is what really feeds my soul, and will always remain my first love. My goal is to keep learning, and to keep producing and to keep sharing. If my work can brighten a small corner of someone's home and they can share in my joy that I felt while producing it, then I consider that a very rewarding way to live.


Thanks so much for taking the time for this interview,Marla. We can all be inspired by your devotion to your craft and artitstic soul.




Visit the links below for more information on Ateliermarla and Marla's pottery.

Ateliermarla on Etsy.com
Become a fan of Atelier Marla on Facebook
Follow Marla! Atelier Marla on Twitter