Craftzine.com blog: Interviews Archives

Archive: Interviews

February 5, 2010

Crafty Biz Spotlight: Bell and Trunk Flowers

One afternoon in sunny Potero Hill in San Francisco, this small shop Bell and Trunk Flowers caught my eye. I couldn't help myself when I walked in to see the vintage decor filled with crocheted and knitted baby clothing and blankets that peppered the front area. Upon chatting with the owner Vanessa, I found out that most of the items were handmade by her mom and 11 year-old daughter. You can see a photo of grandma and granddaughter knitting away in the picture frame inside the trunk. Most of the goods that decorate the space inside her shop are all handmade or from indie designers. The former newspaper journalist decided to open up the shop a few years ago and shares with us her creative life as proprietor of Bell and Trunk Flowers.

Bellandtrunk Knitting

Bell and Trunk Flowers
1411 18th Street
San Francisco, Ca 94107
(415) 648-0519
www.bellandtrunk.com
Become a fan of Bell and Trunk on Facebook

Read on after the jump for my Q&A with Vanessa and more photos!

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January 7, 2010

Winter Olympian Does It with Yarn

Freestyle skier (moguls) Hannah Kearney enjoys knitting as a "soothing pastime." (Photo by NBC Sports / USOC)

With just over a month until the Winter Olympics begin in Vancouver, it was neat to find out that some of the Olympians are crafters as well as world class athletes. Take skier Hannah Kearney (pictured above), for instance.

A skier since the age of 2, Hannah was introduced to knitting in the 3rd grade. She's hooked on it now, pardon the pun, and carries knitting supplies with her on the road, along with photos of family and friends.

Here's a short interview I did with her as she prepares for what will hopefully be her second Olympic appearance. You can learn more about Hannah Kearney and other Winter Olympics athletes at NBCOlympics.com and the Team USA site. Be sure to look for the skier in the hand knit hats!

Olympian Hannah Kearney knit this sweater for her dog. (Photo by Hannah Kearney)

How long have you been knitting?
Hannah Kearney: I have officially been knitting since 2003, but I learned the basics when a 3rd grade project required me to carve my own knitting needles out of the twigs on an apple tree.

How did you learn to knit?
I learned to knit when a friend -- who is like an aunt to me -- was just learning herself and encouraged me to take a class at the yarn shop in my hometown of Norwich, VT.

What do you get out of knitting, why do you like doing it?
I love the fact that knitting is a productive, yet soothing pastime. I can be making gifts for my family while stuck on an airplane or knitting a hat for a charity while watching a baseball game on television.

What's the best thing you've made, the biggest, the worst, your favorite?
The first thing I ever knit was a terrible baby blanket that was supposed to be a perfect square, but I managed to add several dozen stitches while I was knitting and it ended up looking a lot like a trapezoid. Next, I knit a red wool sweater that took me 76 hours. It has since been donated to an orphanage in Russia. Some of my favorite items to knit are hats because they are quick, satisfying and useful in the New England winters. I really enjoy hats with cables in them.

Do you do any other crafts?
I own a sewing machine and would love to develop my skills, but for now, I mostly use it for hemming.

Has knitting helped you with your skiing, or vice versa?
Knitting has a rhythmic, calming effect and I clearly remember finishing an elaborate sweater-vest before my final run at the 2005 World Championships. I won, so maybe it was a result of my knitting.

October 22, 2009

Shoe Repair Tips + Interview with Vince Pacheo

Shoes. We all love them and covet more of them. Am I right or am I right? But in this economy, shoe repair shops have flourished as many choose to get their worn or broken shoes repaired, rather than shelling out dough for a new pair. No one is busier than Vince Pacheo, owner of Vinny's A-1 Shoe Repair in Sonoma, CA. Trained by his father in the craft of being a cobbler, I talked to Vince about his work and he graciously shares with us tips on how to fix our old shoes.

Vinny's A-1 Shoe Repair
500 West Napa St Ste. 516
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 996-6877
vinnytheshoe.blogspot.com

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October 6, 2009

Book Review + Interview: AwareKnits by Vickie Howell & Adrienne Armstrong

Header Awareknits

AwareKnits: Knit & Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher by Vickie Howell and Adrienne Armstrong

Our favorite knitter and crocheter Vickie Howell teams up with fellow knitter and environmentalist Adrienne Armstrong to create a unique book for us stitchers. (Adrienne also a sustainable living shop in Oakland, CA called The Atomic Garden and is wife of Green Day's Billie Joe.) AwareKnits: Knit & Crochet Projects for the Eco-Conscious Stitcher incorporates important facts and tidbits on sustainable living among a showcase of 31 eco-friendly patterns you can make. Their style is fun and conversational; it's not about pushing their ideas on you. It's a way for all of us busy crafters (and moms) to become more informed on the choices we make each day. I actually read this book cover to cover when I received it just to soak up all the informative tidbits! Learn everything about sustainable yarns to the carcinogenic dangers of dry cleaning. The two authors together bring a wonderful perspective on how we can become more green through our love of knitting and crochet.

Awareknits Images

I got a chance to talk to Vickie and Adrienne about AwareKnits and other fun stuff. Today is also Adrienne's birthday so Happy Birthday! Read on after the jump!

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September 24, 2009

Talking Yarn With Kim Werker

Kim Werker is a master of crochet, an advocate for community-building, and an accomplished author. Her new book, Crocheted Gifts: Irresitable Projects to Make and Give, was released last month. I recently caught up with Kim to talk about her favorite craft medium: yarn.

When did you start working with yarn, and what was the first yarn project that you completed?
I first started working with yarn when I was in my third year of university and my dorm director's wife taught me how to crochet (for the second time - I'd learned the first time when I was in high school, but that was for a thread project, so not as cozy). I picked up a giant batch of this hideous variegated acrylic yarn and started in on a huge blanket. I didn't get very far. I think the first yarn project I actually completed was a felted knitted bag I made in the class I took to learn how to knit when I was in my mid-20s.

Why did you gravitate to yarn as opposed to other craft materials?
You know, I've never even thought about this. It's just the way it is. When a friend mentioned that knitting class when I was 26 and had just moved to Vancouver, my ears pricked up and I nearly pounced on her (literally) for more info. Now that crafting is such an important part of my life, I do find I'm drawn to other types of materials, too. I'm digging embroidering, and I learned how to make beaded earrings a couple of weeks ago. I was surprised by how meditative and fun that was (and gratifying! I had a pair done in just one evening).

I enjoy the practical side to yarn crafts - I like that I can make clothes and blankets and toques and scarves. And I think it's the practicality of it that leads to my love of doll-making. Dolls - at least the kinds I make - are totally absurd and impractical. Their only purpose is to make me happy, and hopefully they make other people happy too.

What is your family's history with yarn (mom, grandmother, etc.)?
After I started knitting avidly, my mom took an interest in it. One day when she was visiting us with my grandmother, we sat down and quickly realized she already knew how to knit (a clue: after I made her cast on, pull it out and cast on again about a hundred times, she started knitting continental style, and I knit English. After that, it was the quickest lesson ever). Turns out she'd learned when she was in high school. That wee reminder all she needed; she's spent the last few years knitting her heart out. My grandmother used to crochet a lot. Arthritis prevents her from working much with her hands now, but for a while after that visit she got back into it, too. So amongst the women in my family, it's been a reverse of the expected generational passing-down of yarn craft; with us it's sort of passed up.

How do you feel when you are working with yarn?
I feel like I'm home, you know? Like no matter where I am, I'm grounded. Like I not only have something to keep myself busy, and something to create, but also something that's useful - and specifically something useful (well, or not that useful) that can be used to create great whimsy and therefore great fun and joy.

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September 10, 2009

Tiny Tangerines' Crochet Baby Hats

CRAFT: Cozy Up to Yarn

Head on over to the Etsy shop Tiny Tangerines and you'll be in cute heaven. Crafter Kelly Burghardt designs and crochets the most adorable baby hats shaped like owls, cupcakes, cows, and more. I got a chance to catch up with this busy designer and mom to find out more about her new crafy biz.

Please tell us what you make.
Custom crochet hats sold at tinytangerines.etsy.com.

How long have you been crocheting and how did you get started?
I've been crocheting for about a year now. A friend of mine taught me the basic stitch needed to make straight lines, but you can only make so many scarfs before it's time to learn something new. About two months ago I taught myself how to crochet hats by watching youtube videos and I fell in love!

Your crochet hats for babies are adorable. What was your inspiration for creating them?
My daughter (born via emergency c-section) was blessed with a rather large head. All of the cute little baby headbands and hats we would buy for her looked too tight and seemed rather uncomfortable, so I decided to start making my own. When I posted pictures of them on my livejournal all of my mommy friends wanted some for their little ones too, some even suggested I open and etsy shop. I had no idea my hats would be so popular. I am so lucky to have found a way to help with the bills, while staying home with my daughter and doing something I really love.

How do you come up with your patterns?
It started with the owls and cupcakes, two of my favorite things! Now whenever I see something that makes me "awwww" my next thought is "how can I translate this into a hat?"

Do you have a crochet tip you can share?
Play with your stitches! Some of my favorite tricks have come from what I thought was a mistake.

Are there any other crafts you like to do?
I try to put a crafty spin on everything I do. I'm known for bringing theme cupcakes to every event I'm invited to. I reconstruct all of my clothes, paint silly patterns on my nails, and I've had my hair every color of the rainbow! I also love sketching, painting, sculpting, and any art project I can get my hands on. It feels so good to create something you can be proud of.

September 4, 2009

The Little Friends of Printmaking Interview

Grain Edit features a nice interview with Melissa and JW Buchanan of The Little Friends Printmaking. It's a great look into how the couple met, set up shop and work together every day. One of my favorite parts of the interview is an example of the process the pair goes through when designing a poster. They also discuss the importance of research when starting a project. Says Melissa:

Research is so important. You can't operate in a vacuum. And that extra time you put into researching something pays off tenfold in nuance and smart little details that people remember.

It's these nuances and smart details that help give such depth and great character to their work. Enjoy!

August 14, 2009

Top 5 Home Decor Picks by Victoria Smith, sfgirlbybay

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Top5 Sfgirlbybay
Victoria Smith's blog, sfgirlbybay is near to my heart since I'm an SF girl too. Her bohemian modern style can be seen in the beautiful photographs of her home and the inspiring photographs she takes all over the Bay Area. You can also take a visit to her Etsy shop where she sells our favorite print, "Keep Calm and Carry On".

Top 5 Home Decor Picks by Victoria Smith, sfgirlbybay

Sf Eames-Rar-Rocker
I love my Eames Rocker. Most of what's in my apartment in second-hand, found at the flea market, or on craigslist, but my Eames RAR Rocker I bought new at Velocity Art & Design, and I love it. It's really comfortable, and I love the modern touch it adds to the vintage-inspired, eclectic mix I have going on in my living room. And it comes in so many amazing colors.

Sf Alameda-Flea-Market
It's not really a 'thing' but I adore the flea market for all things home decor related. The big one here in the bay area is the Alameda Flea Market in the east bay, and I am usually found wandering around there the first Sunday of the month when it's held. It's definitely where I find most of my favorite 'things'!

Sfgirl Amy-Butler
I love Amy Butler fabrics, and just her website in general. She's got amazing an inspirational lifestyle photography section on the site, with wonderful ideas for home decor and mixing up vintage pieces with bright, modern fabrics. Amy's design books, Found Style and MidWest Modern are great sources of design inspiration, as well.

I love Poppytalk Handmade for great crafted home wares. Jan of the blog Poppytalk, does all the hard work for us, curating the best of the best from Etsy and her Poppytalk Handmade shop features some wonderful craft artists.

Sf-Kitchens-Paumes
I love Paumes books. I head over to the Kinokuniya Bookstore in San Francisco's Japantown and stock up every few months. I just love all the different Paumes titles, from London Ateliers, to San Francisco Kitchens. They're amazing books for inspiring a new look.

August 13, 2009

Book Interview & Giveaway: Crochet Adorned by Linda Permann

Header Crochetadorned

Cover Crochetadorned
Crochet Adorned:Reinvent Your Wardrobe with Crocheted Accents, Embellishments, and Trims by Linda Permann
Web Site: LindaMade

We are so excited to be a part of Linda Perman's blog tour for her new book Crochet Adorned! I'd like to call myself a natural born knitter but in the last few years while working at CRAFT, I've been hit with the crochet bug. So when I got my copy of Crochet Adorned, let's just say I did my own happy dance in my head. As a fashion lover, I can't resist all the projects in the book because opening it is like reading the Anthropologie catalog. And here's the great part, you can use these patterns in the book to update your wardrobe at a budget! We all have old cardigans, shirts, and dresses that could use a bit more love, don't we? As a bonus, the Stitch Dictionary in the back is really like it's own little book. In there you'll find 100 stitches for trims, flowers, geometric shapes, as well as basic and popular crochet stitches. It's such a handy reference to have that I'll know I'll be able to refer to the pages in this book again and again.

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(photo via CraftyPod)

My dream project from Crochet Adorned is this Breezy Tunic above. I love how the crochet trim that embellishes the sleeve is in perfect harmony with flowered print of the shirt.

Book Giveaway Time!
One lucky CRAFT winner will win a copy of Crochet Adorned! Just leave a comment to this post and tell us why you want this book. Make sure you enter in your email address in the form field (won't be published). All comments will be closed on Monday, August 17 at Noon PST. The winner will be announced next week on CRAFT. Good luck!

Read on for my interview with Linda Permann and find out more about Crochet Adorned and her tips for crochet and fashion.

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August 11, 2009

Top 5 Home Decor Picks by Jessica Jones, How About Orange

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Top5 Howaboutorange
Jessica Jones of How About Orange doesn't hide her love of the color orange which inspires many of the posts on her blog. Whether she's designing her own fabric or writing up her crafty DIY tutorials, Jessica always has the eye for finding colorful pieces with bold designs.

Jessica Rebootesc
1. Reboot and Escape Coasters for computer geeks.

Jessica Orangejuice1
2. This recycled plastic Juice Clock is recycled and cool.

Jessica Dinnerpillow
3. Graphic and fabulous dinner pillow.

Jessica Oxprint
4. I proudly own this Year of the Ox print.

Jessica Bluestripeteacup
5. I wish I owned this Jonathan Adler stripes cup and saucer in blue.

August 10, 2009

Creative Kid: Interview with Holden Lee

Check out this great interview with 7-year-old Holden Lee over at Build/Make/Craft/Bake. Holden draws these fantastic creatures that his mom silkscreens onto shirts and sells on Etsy. The bios he writes for each creature are hilarious, and he has a great take on why making art is cool ("I like to draw because whenever I'm bored I have something to do, I can draw whatever I want").

As a new mom, it's really awesome for me to see how many people are crafting with their kids, for their kids, or inspired by their kids. What do you think? Do your kids affect what you craft?

Top 5 Home Decor Picks from Jen Wallace, Indie Fixx

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Top5 Indiefixx Jen
Indie Fixx is a haven for featuring goods made by indie artists and crafters. The blog covers a unique mix of art, jewelry, design, crafts, food, decor and more on the site. Today Indie Fixx creator Jen Wallace shares with us where she finds inspiration for the home and kitchen.

Indiefixx Molas
1. I love Latin American crafts, especially Molas made by the Kuna Indians of Panama. I have about 1/2 dozen in my living room. I love the colors, the themes & motifs (often nature, abstracts or even references to modern culture) and the texture of the reverse appliquè technique.

Indiefixx Resurrectionfern
2. I check out the blog, Resurrection Fern for a reminder to be inspired by nature in my home decor and for other crafty projects.

Indiefixx Mayamade
3. Maya*Made is a good resource for crafty projects to decorate the home with simple materials you probably already have on hand.

Indiefixx Coconutlime
4. I love the Lime & Coconut blog for good food inspiration. I regularly find recipes to share with my family & friends, like these Red Velvet Beet Cupcakes I made for my hubby for his birthday and shared on Indie Fixx.

Indiefixx Pencilshavings
5. Art is very important to me and I have prints all over my home from indie artists including: Pencil Shavings, The Black Apple, Stephanie Fizer, Brainstorm Print & Design, Jill Bliss, Michele Maule, Creative Thursday, INK + WIT, Jen Oaks, Yellena and more.

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