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| Olivea Kelly |
The crafting industry is amazing and I love that it gives crafters the opportunity to express themselves. However, sips tea, one thing that I’ve noticed is that the industry I love doesn’t always support diversity and inclusion. There are some amazingly talented BIPOC creators that don’t always get offered the same opportunities their counterparts are offered. You can take a look at some of the collaborations that the bigger yarn companies have put out and you will see very few faces of diversity. I’m not saying that those collaborations shouldn’t have been given out. What I’m saying is that there’s room for all of us. It’s time that we take a look at where we can all improve. I hope you have time to fall down a deep Instagram worm hole, because these accounts are definitely binge worthy!
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Olivea Kelly
What does your crafting practice bring to your life?
My fiber art practice has been incredible for my mental health! As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, I’m drawn to the repetitive process of punch needle because it’s very meditative and grounding for me. Being able to slow down and create something tactile with my hands is also such a welcome change of pace from my day job as a graphic designer.
Do you have any exciting projects coming up? What inspired you to create them?
I’m excited to finally be launching an online store for my fiber art later this Spring! I recently bought a rug tufting gun and I’m currently working on a small collection of hand-tufted rugs and wall hangings inspired by my experiences surrounding identity, illusion, duality, and healing. I used to feel like a lot of my identities, interests, and skills were disparate but recently I see them converging and I’m excited to create a body of work that reflects that!
What do you like to binge watch or listen to while you craft?
Anything mindless and with a lot of seasons! I’m currently re-watching The L Word and it’s sooo bad but so good!
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Nunu
\”Recent events reminded me of a life lesson I learned from knitting: fix your mistakes as soon as you spot them. You can try and convince yourself that there is nothing wrong, but mistakes will not undo themselves for your convenience. In fact, the longer you wait and the more you do after the fact to cover or ignore them, the more work you’ll have to do to fix them. Own them, deal with them, work through them, try to do better. That’s all any of us can do, really.\” -Nunu
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Tina Tse
What does your crafting practice bring to your life?
Knitting gives me a creative design outlet and it’s meditative when I knit as a hobby. I work as a designer in my full time job but has design restrictions and limits to fulfill a particular product. Hand knitting pattern designing gives me freedom to express my creativity, on my own time, with my own color choices and style.
Do you have any exciting projects coming up? What inspired you to create them?
I released my Home Sweet Home formula pattern earlier this year and it’s been really well received! I’m currently hosting a knit-a-long for it and excited to see what other knitters make from it. It took me almost 2 years from start to finish to make this pattern happen. At first, it was just a project I was knitting for myself with no intention of writing a pattern for it. The project was a way for me to get through moving to a new state. It turned into a big appreciation for the knitting community I became apart of, online and offline.
What do you like to binge watch or listen to while you craft?
I watch a lot of TV shows. I love Netflix original series, like Sense 8 and the OA. Shows I like to binge/re-watch are Supernatural, Charmed, How I Met Your Mother. I listen to a lot of podcasts as well, Asian Not Asian Podcast, 699 per pound Podcast, Armchair Expert.
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Denise Bayron
\”My biggest challenge with having textured hair and wanting to wear hats is that I cannot flatten my hair enough to make a hat fit. Nor would I want to. I know I’m not alone in this. Now we have the hatdana, and EVERYONE can wear a beautiful knit hat!\” -Denise Bayron
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Amanda Solomon
What does your crafting practice bring to your life?
My creating practice brings a sense of independence that I consider invaluable. It is a space that is all my own, ideas, colors, creations, the whole thing! It is both a creative safe space as well as a source of income when I need it. It is amazing to see that other people love what I create and want it. I never started out to sell, I started out because I wanted to create.
Do you have any exciting projects coming up? What inspired you to create them?
My most current project is a 4 batt set based off of On The Run 2, Beyoncé and Jay z tour. I am so excited about it! I’ve been talking about the batts on my IG and can’t wait to create more of them. Each batt is based off of an outfit that Beyoncé is wearing on your. People bought into the club not knowing what I would create and only when I’m done, do I post pictures of the batts. I really love selling my batts this way because I don’t burn out. Plus, who doesn’t love some surprise mail?! I’m also joining in on the knit collage knit-a-long and plan to mix my own yarns into the designs!
What do you like to binge watch or listen to while you craft?
Recently it has been laid back folk music for the most part when I’m spinning. If I’m carding, I usually have on the song that inspired it! If I want to watch something it is a comedy on Netflix that I’ve already seen. It allows me to concentrate on my fingers and listen with my ears.
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(Original Post Date April 20th, 2019)
Who should I talk to next? Leave your suggestions in the comments section below. Also, don’t forget to follow along on my Instagram account @bobbleclubhouse for your daily dose of all things fiber. Until next time, happy crafting!
bobbleclubhouse
Elderly Millennial, Knitaholic, and creative director of Bobble Club House.
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