What first inspired you to become an artist?
I’ve always loved to create. When I was growing up, we didn’t have a living room, instead, we had a work room. The work room had a sewing machine, an ironing board, and a huge (handmade) table that was a magnet for projects in progress. Sharp scissors and tape were always on hand!

Even though the house was a very organized, minimalist sort of place, tucked in cupboards all around were baskets of fabric scraps and drawers of paper and other raw materials. The stuff in the garbage cans was very interesting! One thing I remember is my parents’ passion for design and efficiency. They were very good at mass producing things like the annual elaborate Christmas cards. They did things in batches using creativity mixed with functionality.

What do you do when you are not creating things?
Mostly I am a full-time mother, but I also work as a writer and editor. Sometimes I write for popular publications like Mothering magazine (a lead feature I authored can be found here ), and I also proofread and edit various publications from books to blurbs. On occasion, I consult for an environmental firm. I round out my “spare” time working in the garden, visiting with friends via hiking, volleyball, and biking, and going on road trips. Though I love it all, I feel most at home in my studio, expressing myself through objects, colors, textiles, and pictures.

Infinity necklace by TrueJune

Where do your ideas come from?
I like parameters: I often come up with new ideas when I see a practical problem that needs to be solved.

For example, the crocheted jewelry I create should not only be beautiful and express something about you, your moods, and your desires, but it also needs to fit seamlessly into your active, busy lifestyle.

To meet this challenge, my first creations focused on jewelry that was light and effortless and never needed to be taken off. I created simple, durable designs that could go from work to the pool to the garden. I change my clothes more than I change my jewelry. I even test my jewelry by running it through the dishwasher and wearing it in the hot tub (ahhhh!). I wear it everywhere, even when camping. The simple designs include a lot of thought and testing and are meant to work in a variety of situations!

Camping in NM with my son and my Bronze Flower necklace

I have since developed a variety of styles that I see as solving other “problems” including:

• finding the right look in the right length with designs that are short, long, and in between
• creating hypoallergenic jewelry that has no metal parts
• designing jewelry that moves and changes and is not static
• inventing clasp-less jewelry that has nothing to hide

If you have a “problem” that keeps you from wearing jewelry, let me know, I’d love to help you solve it!

What is your most inspired time of day?
I find that I can be productive at almost any time of the day—especially if I know I have a chunk time—but at night, in bed, when I am just falling asleep, that is when I can really put the pieces together for a design. While I am just drifting off, I invent new techniques, envision shapes and connections, and solve a lot of problems! Sleep is a fundamental part of my creativity!

Blue Moon necklace

What do you consider a successful piece?
My biggest reward is seeing people actually wear my creations. If I can make something that looks and feels natural, like it belongs—as if it has always been there—then I know it will be worn again and again. I strive to create “everyday jewelry” that helps make life both simple and beautiful.

What is so special about handmade?
For me, handmade captures natural energy. I love the idea that the “life force” in the materials and the maker are transferred into the product. Handmade items have stories behind them that are filled with creativity and love. Not that all mass produced items are dead, but they just don’t carry as much beautiful energy to me as handmade.

Handmade can also be easily personalized and one of a kind. I love making custom orders because they always push me in new directions. It’s a fruitful kind of collaboration that just can’t be bought.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to create more?
Give yourself the space and time. Make it a priority. Then let yourself go and experiment. Don’t worry if you feel like you’ve failed. There will be times when you feel like nothing is working out, but that is a part of the natural process. Try to be true to yourself and keep going. Remember the joy in creating, the nourishment you receive from it. Then put your work out there and don’t apologize!

Where can we learn more about TrueJune?
I sell my creations online in my Etsy shop at truejune.etsy.com and I have a public Facebook page that explains more about my process and has chronological photo albums of my designs. Become a fan to learn more and participate in discussions, or just browse around to get some ideas of your own.

Thanks to the wonderful people at the Handmade Artists Forum for all their help and support in promoting handmade! I learn so much from you and I’m proud to be part of such a talented team!

This is not a quick item but it is very relaxing to do

Submitted by CalcedoniaDesign.

Knitting is not my specialty-my mom can knit up a storm-I would rather crochet. Knitting patterns were a little difficult to read and no matter how hard I tried (sigh) the item always came out wider, then long enough. So it was always rip and redo. When my son was born (many moons ago) I decided to knit him a sweater. I think about it now and still I laugh my head off-you’d have to see this picture in your mind to understand. When my son was young I always had to buy him Sears ‘super super slim’  shirts and pants. The sweater I knitted him turned out to be a midriff, which could have fit a baby elephant. Now I leave the knitted items to my mom who has just turned 86.

Here are some interesting links about how knitting originated, taken from Wikipedia:

• 1 Early origins of knitting
• 2 Early European Knitting
• 3 Importance in Scottish history
• 4 Industrial revolution
• 5 1920s: the Russian Civil Wars and China
• 6 1939-1945: Knitting for Victory
• 7 1950s and 60s: Haute Couture
• 8 1980s: A Decline
• 9 Early 21st Century Revival
• 10 References
• 11 Notes
• 12 See also
• 13 External links

Visit Tamdoll on Etsy

As a Christian, it is heartwarming to see the warmth and joy coming from other Christians on the Etsy site. I have met some special people there.

Before reading the history here is my little history. My grandmother (I called her nanna) she crochet up a storm with the thin threads and small hooks. (I tried this method and can’t do it to save my life) She crocheted doilies (I framed one and is hanging in my hallway) and bedspreads and decorated handkerchiefs.  My mom crocheted and knitted as well. My mom tried to teach me I guess when i was about nine years old or so. I could not learn to save my life.  My aunt had to show me cause even though I am righty I do a lot of stuff like a lefty.  So I learned.  When I was first married I crochet gifts for all of my nieces and nephews. Then dropped it for a long time and now I just love it you can find how I got started at Calcecondia on my etsy shop by reading my profile.

Little is known of the early history of crocheting. Some ancient cords are thought to have been made by finger crocheting. During the Renaissance, both peasant women and ladies of the court executed crochet work and also knotted work using several strands of thread (macrame), often producing lacelike fabrics. Much early crochet was made with fine, thin thread, producing imitations of European lace; one example is Irish lace, a variety of “crochet lace” introduced into Ireland about 1820 but also made throughout Europe, particularly in the Balkan states. Much modern crochet is executed with soft yarns and used to make garments and bed coverings. Although crochet can be made by machine, it has traditionally been, and continues to be, a home handcraft. In addition, contemporary fiber artists employ crochet along with other techniques to create large wall hangings and fiber sculptures.

Hope you enjoyed my little story.
Dora
Calcedoniadesign

Baby Girl’s Summer Dress
I used an I hook and worsted weight yarn
I used caron simply soft
Gauge: 12 tr and 3 rows = 4in
Size: 6-9 mo

Skirt:
chain 60 join with slip st
Row 1: ch 2, sk st, ch 1, *hdc, ch 1, sk st. Repeat from * around join to top of ch 2 with slip st
Row 2-7: ch 4 tr each st around join with slip st to top of ch 4

Ruffle:
Row 1: ch 1 sc around join with slip st to top of ch1
Row 2: *hdc, 2hdc in next st, repeat from * around, join
Row 3: 2 tr in each st around join and fasten off.

Top:
start in any stitch at top of skirt join with slip st.
Row 1: ch 3, *dc next 2 st tog, dc in next st, repeat from * around join. 40 st remaining
Row 2-3: ch 3 dc in each st around join.
Row 4: slip st 8 st, ch 3 dc next 3 st, *ch 2, sk next 2 st, dc next 4 st, repeat from star once more, turn
Row 5: ch 5, sk 2 st, * dc next st, 2dc in ch2-sp, dc next st, ch 2, sk 2 st, repeat from star once more, ch 2, sk 2 st, dc in last st, turn
Row 6: ch 3, 2dc in ch2-sp, dc next st, *ch 2, sk 2 st, dc, 2dc in ch2-sp, dc, repeat from star once more, turn
Row 7: same as row 5 fasten off repeat rows 4-7 omitting slp st in row four. I just put 4 st between front and back same as for top

Straps:
ch40 attaching to each corner of top

Belt:
ch 103, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc across fasten off and weave through row 1 of skirt