Tell us a bit about yourself..
I am 38 years old. As long as I can remember, I have had my hands on anything arts and craft related! I am a self-taught crochet artist and have been crocheting for about 15 years now. In the last 5 years, knitting was added to my mix and I love to combine the two, whenever possible. I have taught many to crochet, with the requirement that "Each one, teach one". It is important to me to change the thought that crochet is just "that old granny blanket"or that "crochet is for older people". Like many of my students, crochet opened a whole new world of relaxation for me, as I find the craft very calming and therapeutic. Among my favorite things to create, I love anything that has a touch of vintage flair; something that I could see ladies of the Roaring Twenties wearing. My pieces emphasize being confident, unique, with a little nostalgia.
Apart from creating things, what do you do? I work in the insurance industry. I do a lot of problem solving and education to customers, helping them to protect what is theirs.
Where do you get your creativity from?
My creativity is sparked in many ways. Most often, color and seasons are my muses. I may see an odd combination of colors and think of how the colors will work together, experimenting with several textures. Nature also plays a big part in inspiring my works. Fall is my favorite time of year, so as I am walking under trees that are changing colors, my creative thoughts run completely wild, thinking of ways to translate what I see into yarn!
What got you into the craft hobby?
A break up from my fiance originally got me started. I needed a distraction and when I began helping out a dear neighbor who'd been diagnosed with cancer, I found one of her crochet books and figured I would try it out.
How would you describe your creative process?
Ideas happen at all times, so I may take a picture of a tree or the sky, or I may scribble the incomplete thought on paper to work on it later. Sometimes I keep a little book with me to record the ideas for reference. Then comes the box of crayons and sketching it out. All that is left is to find just the right shades that look good together and crocheting it. Sometimes the color part comes first and then, finding the right project to embody the mood of the shades is chosen.
What is your most favorite item that you have ever produced?
Wow. I think that one of my most memorable items was the accent pieces for a Donald Duck costume for a coworker's son. Store bought costumes are so expensive. I was able to come up with a real-looking beak, bow tie, beret with a flexible flap, and even the webbed feet pieces to go on top of tennis shoes. I think I had more fun making it than he had trick-or-treating in it!
How did you get your business off the ground?
I have been selling items for the last 10 years. That part started when a coworker came to me and asked me to reproduce a hat she had at home. I was able to make the item and improve it by making it flexible. From there, my crocheting really took off!
What are your goals with your business?
My goal is to create items that make the wearer feel empowered, special and unique. I would like to continue to share this craft with many others, use it to bring together people of all walks of life, sharing a common bond.
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I teach crochet, and I enjoy working on projects for charity. I love animals, so this year I will probably work on some blankets for the animal shelters. I enjoy coming up with ways to incorporate crochet all around the house.
What's the message behind your work?
Individuality, enhancing the beauty that is already within.
Check out Yarn Candy by Cherie this fall at the Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature 67 of the areas most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the North East Ohio Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Avant-Garde Fall Art & Craft Show
Sunday, October 23, 2011, 10:00am-5:00pm
Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church
5500 West 54th St.
Parma, OH 44129.
For more information, contact Becki Cooper, at info@avantgardeshows.com.
