Calling all crafters!!

How come your so crafty? because being a person of native desent-crafting is a part of my family and culture-I have been doing it since I was young

2. Why is craft so important to you? What's your craft philosophy? Crafting is a form of visual communication, it is useable, wearable. You can touch, feel and explore it.

3. What, if anything, are you trying to communicate? a part of myself, I belive an artist always leave a bit of theirselves in their work. thats what makes it so good.

4. How do you think the internet plays a part in your craft? Does any other form of technology play a part in your work? How important is it? Technology is a very important aspect of our culture now. I started with paint-moved to photography-then to graphic design.

5. How important is the internet to London's craft scene? I don't live in London- but international- the internet is a communication tool- connecting users

6. What do you think crafted objects do for you? bring joy

7. What purpose would you like them to have? to be used and loved

1. How come you're so crafty?
My mum introduced me to crafts when I was much younger, just stuff like sticking pom poms to lollipop sticks, but I loved it. Now I did it to relax and show people how much I care.
2. Why is craft so important to you? What's your craft philosophy?
I craft because I need more to my life than academic work, and this means I have an escape. It also means that I get to wear things that represent my personality much more purely than anything I could ever throw money at would.
3. What, if anything, are you trying to communicate?
I'm trying to communicate who I am as a person and a sense of eco-friendliness
4. How do you think the internet plays a part in your craft? Does any other form of technology play a part in your work? How important is it?
Well this site is often very important, and I have taken inspiration from websites before. TV also helps. And obviously I like having a printer to print out my ideas and the computer gives me a notepad straight away to write things down.
5. How important is the internet to London's craft scene?
I wouldn't know as I don't live in London. But I found out through the internet about Spitalfields market, which always inspires me.
6. What do you think crafted objects do for you?
They make me feel good about this thing I've done and help me to get away from the real, horrible world for a moment.
7. What purpose would you like them to have?
To make people happy! I know that jewellery I've made for friends has got them compliments.

1. How come your so crafty?
When I was younger I was stuck inside most weekends because my brother's autistic so we couldn't go out anywhere with him. Craft was something that was easy for my mum to organise and both my brother and I enjoyed it, so that was what we spent a lot of time doing. Since then the craft bug has just kind of stuck with me
2. Why is craft so important to you? What's your craft philosophy?
It's relaxing. It also lets me put my own spin on things, and make something that's entirely the way I want it, and it's unique and individual, and more resourceful and environmentally friendly than all the mass produced rubbish in shops.
3. What, if anything, are you trying to communicate?
My personality and my style, and that you don't have to spend a fortune on something to look good when you can just make it yourself.
4. How do you think the internet plays a part in your craft? Does any other form of technology play a part in your work? How important is it?
I use the internet a lot, for ideas, inspiration and tutorials. And instructional videos are really helpful, I use them to learn skills (like soldering, I learnt how to do that by watching videos on Youtube). I use a digital camera to photograph the things I've made, so that I can show other people what I've done, and I've got a record of everything so I can refer back to it if I want to make another item the same as one I've made before.
5. How important is the internet to London's craft scene?
Even though I live in London I haven't really looked at much about the craft scene here >.<. I'm sure there's probably a lot out there on the internet, but it's finding out where it is. I would love to join a London-based craft group or something, and the internet would be a good place to find one.
6. What do you think crafted objects do for you?
They give me a chance to escape from all the other stuff in my life that's bothering me. And they make me feel proud of the things I've done and give me a sense of achievement.
7. What purpose would you like them to have?
I would like them to give other people the same amount of happiness that I get from them.

Thanks so much for that Michelle!
Ester

and Izzy!
and Knittin' Kitten!
It's great to hear from you all!
Ester
x

good luck on your project!!

1. How come you are so crafty?
I need some outlet for the creative part of my personality. Since my father had pounded into my head artists cannot support themselves I went into business majors, the crafting is an outlet, and I think that crafting is an art form unto itself.

2. Why is craft so important to you?
It is am emotional thing. There is something about taking an item and turning it into a useful object, or a beautiful piece of art, or just something unique to wear. That really holds true when you take something destine for the trash bin and turn it into something wonderfully unique and useful.

What is your craft philosophy?
If you want to know a crafter's personality take a look at their work. A tiny bit of our personalities goes into each piece. Colors, textures, current passions, past passions, each item reflect a bit of the artist behind it. It is a truly fascinating way of getting to know a person.

3. What, if anything, are you trying to communicate?
That depends on the project. However, the most of the time I think it is my individuality or quirkiness. For the most part, I really do not give a rat's rear end if someone likes my work or not, I do it for myself. If some of it sells, all the better. (Yep, got a bit of a 'tude and it does show at times )

4. How do you think the internet plays a part in your craft?
Ideas, supplies, ideas. It is the most wonderful place to find unique ideas from around the world. I mean, there are different culture, and ways of doing things, and some items that are made in a particular country and it is commonplace, but to me it is fresh and new and a challenge to combine into my way of doing things. The wealth of knowledge is endless (so is the wealth of..well you know)

Does any other form of technology play a part in your work? Depends on what I am doing at any given moment. I do not do any one particular craft. I am all over the place, from painting, silk-screening, sewing, jewelry making, recycle crafting, digital printing, ect.

How important is it? Again, it depends on what I am doing. Nevertheless, the internet is very important to the gathering of ideas and inspiration, and finding cool supplies.

5. How important is the internet to London's craft scene?
I think it is important to the globes craft scene. Again, the idea gathering, supplies, networking, and it gives a spot to sell your items if you are so inclined.

6. What do you think crafted objects do for you?
Emotional outlet. I don't like getting angry, I have a very, very, very bad temper, I tend to be cruel and heartless when angry to the point of being able to make a Marine the size of a refrigerator, back up and try to hide with a look, if the mouth starts, I can make them cry.

Crafting gives me a chance to just relax, and let my mind process things that bother me with out really thinking about it on a conscious level. By the time I spend a couple of hours crafting. I have realized that what pushed my button was not even worth getting upset over.

I guess you can say it keeps my ying and yang in balance.

7. What purpose would you like them to have?
If it is something I make for someone, I want them to be happy with it, and smile. Bringing smiles to people gives one a really good feeling, and I think a bit of ego goes with that too, I mean, think about it, they like something YOU made.

1. How come your so crafty?
Genetics and necessity.
For me, I really think it's innate. I have absolutely no training (or know-how sometimes) in any of the craft-type stuff I do. Usually, I make things because they're needed for some project I'm working on (theatre or film) and no one else has any idea how to find/make what is needed (necessity). So, foolishly I volunteer. Luckily, everything I've had to do so far has turned out fairly well. Both of my parents are artists and my grandmother did a lot of sewing, but she died before I was old enough to really learn from her (genetics).



2. Why is craft so important to you? What's your craft philosophy?
Craft has become important to me because it's tangible. I work primarily in the performing arts as a fight choreographer and actor and those things exist only in time. When I make a craft, I can hold it and I can look at it whenever I want - and it will always be the same.

I'm not sure I have a craft philosophy yet. I still feel pretty new to this world.



3. What, if anything, are you trying to communicate?
I'm not really to the point where I make crafts just for myself, so I'm not trying to communicate anything specific. I'm happy if a project turns out roughly how I imagined it.



4. How do you think the internet plays a part in your craft? Does any other form of technology play a part in your work? How important is it?
For me, the internet has been an invaluable in terms of research. Some of the things I've had to work on required quite a bit of research and technology has made that a whole lot easier for me. I just recently discovered sites like this - and it seems to be a great place to get inspiration and ideas for new projects.



5. How important is the internet to London's craft scene?
I'm not particularly familiar with London's craft scene, but I imagine it would be an excellent way to network.



6. What do you think crafted objects do for you?
They have helped me feel better about myself. As an actor, I admit I'm a bit insecure - always wondering whether the audience or reviewers will like my performance - or whether a casting director liked my audition and if I'll get cast. With crafts, I don't need anyone else to create a piece of art. I can be completely self-sufficient. And I can look at something tangible and think, "Wow, I made that."



7. What purpose would you like them to have?
I would like my crafts to make people smile... and maybe even say, "Wow."

1. How come your so crafty?
I don't know. I always liked crafting even before I went to school.

2. Why is craft so important to you? What's your craft philosophy?
It's fun and the results are sometimes pretty useful. I don't have any philosophy.

3. What, if anything, are you trying to communicate?
Nothing, sorry. ;)

4. How do you think the internet plays a part in your craft? Does any other form of technology play a part in your work? How important is it?
It is a great source of ideas.

5. How important is the internet to London's craft scene?
I'm from Germany, the only part of the town I've seen is Heathrow bus station. ^^

6. What do you think crafted objects do for you?
Look pretty, are useful and represent my own style. And are often cheaper than buying stuff in a store. ;)

7. What purpose would you like them to have?
See above. That's all.

1. How come your so crafty?
My mom used to be REALLY crafty...crochet, decoupage, painting, etc. and I caught the bug! I used to love to craft anything and everything, and lately I've been doing a lot of yarn crafting (crocheting, looming, knitting badly) and sewing.
2. Why is craft so important to you? What's your craft philosophy?
It keeps my hands busy. But also I love the sentiment of homemade things. Giving someone something that you made with your own two hands, no matter how inexpensive it is, means so much more than getting something bought from a store.
3. What, if anything, are you trying to communicate?
I guess that when I make something for someone, I'm trying to show that I am creative and I care about you enough to make you something ...when I make something for myself its more of a pride thing to say "hey, you made this!? excellent work"
4. How do you think the internet plays a part in your craft? Does any other form of technology play a part in your work? How important is it?
I think it's very important for the purposes of inspiration or stealing patterns (well not really stealing, more like borrowing)... it's also good to learn new techniques and such but also it serves as a community of people who can come together and discuss what they love to do
5. How important is the internet to London's craft scene?
I wouldn't know, as I do not live in London.
6. What do you think crafted objects do for you?
They make me happy and make me feel special, especially when they're one of a kind.
7. What purpose would you like them to have?
Whatever they were meant to be used for

1. How come you're so crafty?
I usually get inspired by beautiful fabrics, it makes me want to make stuff. Also my mother, my grandmother and lots of aunts enjoy crafting.

2. Why is craft so important to you? What's your craft philosophy?
I like crafting because it feels authentic and it makes me feel nostalgic. It seems more natural and essential to me than playing video games or watching tv. It's a nice way to balance my hard day job and private life, like they even each other out. Also, it's nice when people admire what I do, not many people can sew, knit or chrochet nowadays. It makes me feel proud.

3. What, if anything, are you trying to communicate?
Nothing really.

4. How do you think the internet plays a part in your craft? Does any other form of technology play a part in your work? How important is it?
It plays a big part: it gives me inspiration, techniques, fabrics/materials I cannot find in shops and I like talking about crafts with people who are like me.

5. How important is the internet to London's craft scene?
No idea, I live in Holland

6. What do you think crafted objects do for you?
It's better than shopping: I enjoy making things ánd I can keep or give away the result.

7. What purpose would you like them to have?
I like to make things that are useful or beautiful to look at.