Name: Cynthia
Website links: Green Couch Designs, Blog, Etsy Shop
What do you make?
I make a little bit of quite a few things, right now I'm into Christmas (eep!) ornaments-I've been making little prom dresses, birdies and shoes from recycled beer cans!-, funky pillows, little quilty blocks, and paintings. I tend to go by what technique or media I want to try, then see what I can do with it. In the past I've done crochet amigurumi kitties, paper mache angels, mosaic'd frames, sewn tote bags, clothing, the list goes on. I guess i like to switch it up a lot!
What or who inspires you?
Vintage and thrifty finds, fashion, tattoos (I have several myself!), my husband and my pup and kitty, pinup girlies, 50's/60's record album covers, fabric prints, home decor, books and magazines of pretty much any variety (I'm a true magazine junkie), flowers, retro anything especially lamps- the gaudier the better!- and just crafty cool people who are into doing their own thing and are out there doing it for themselves, their own way! I love to see other artists' or crafters' workspaces and see how they set up, where they work and what they keep on their desks, what music they listen to and what kind of work they do and how they do it. I also like to watch what goes on behind the actors on the sets of fave tv shows or movies- MadMen, Ugly Betty (wicked cool lamps, colours and textiles in her living room!) are some current faves!
How did you get started?
I've been a crafter and artist since I was able to hold a pencil. Ask my mum about painting on my bedroom walls and my custom handsewn new wave Barbie wardrobes!
I'm a graphic designer and illustrator by trade and own my own company: Green Couch Designs, with my husband Norm, also our web guy!
Over the years of honing my design-y craft and staring at the computer screen all day, I really enjoy my crafty time and over the years just kept at it, trying new techniques, with some spectacular crafty "fails" in there (stained glass- argh!)!
I've participated in a few craft fairs, sold my mosaic'd frames at Circle Craft on Granville Island, even done crafty swaps online, and now just started my own little Etsy shop!
What are your favourite materials to work with?
I love glitter and sparkly things - ok you had me at glitter!- buttons, faux jewels, fabric (I've even started designing and printing my own fabric to suit my projects), paint, the computer- as much as I hate to admit it, is a great tool for testing layouts and colours before going live on a piece, and any funky doodads, charms, pretty paper, or ephemera finds....!
What is the hardest and most favourite part of crafting?
The hardest is finding, or making, the time to do it. Especially when you own your own business besides doing crafty stuff, work always seems to come first. But I'm getting better at finding the time.
My fave parts are learning more about what technique I'm using as I go and the end result, if it makes me smile then I know it's just right!
List 5 of your favourite links and why you like them
Craftster: Love it for all the inspiration, the great supportive people and fun stuff that happens there like swaps and galleries on all the different crafty topics you can ever imagine.
Green Couch Designs: Of course, it's my company, I gotta love it! :)
Etsy: I resisted for a while but now I am loving Etsy, it's a wonderful place for selling and finding unique treasures.
Knitty: I'm a knitter (and crocheter too) and I love all the great patterns and help you can find on Knitty, all for free.
Whip Up: A great source for new ideas and new sites to check out for all things crafty!
My Artistic Life: By the owner of ArtChixStudio (one of my fave places to buy funky supplies), tons of inspiration, contests and challenges, and cool creative project ideas.
Do you have any advice for those in the biz?
Follow your heart. Do what you love and what makes you giggle, smile, feel happy and excited inside, and you are on your way!
Art vs. Craft – Are these terms different? Do you consider yourself an artist or a crafter?
I think I am both, literally, as I do both paint and make crafty things, but also I think art and craft all melds together. You can be a crafty artist or an artistic crafter, it's all the same to me really.... just make stuff!
(photo images courtesy of Cynthia Frenette / Green Couch Designs
If you are interested in being featured, please send us an email at info(at)gotcraft(dot)com.
Check out our past features...
Tanis Alexis - feature #14
Sweetie Pie Press - feature #13
Fibre Manipulator - feature #12
Sam Made - feature #11
All Things Paper - feature #10
Owl + Pussycat - feature #9
Bliss in a teacup - feature #8
It's Your Life - feature #7
Faythe Levine - feature #6
Coco Cake Cupcakes - feature #5
pomomama design - feature #4
GroovyGlassGirl - feature #3
Bueno Style - feature #2
The Beautiful Project - feature #1
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