Name: Kate, tinywarbler designs
Website links: Etsy, Blog
What do you make?
I make small, soft animals made from my original patterns. They are made from melton wool, cashmere blends and I use cotton fabric and Japanese cottons as accents. They are stitched entirely by hand and are now being stuffed with soft (local) lambswool. I also make some limited edition items during special holidays. There will be bats in the shop again soon, just in time for Halloween.
(and for fun, I am teaching myself how to make quilts.)
What or who inspires you?
I can find inspiration in almost anything! Obviously I am inspired by nature (I love watching animal planet!) but sometimes all it takes is a song, or a color. My creative husband is a constant source of inspiration for me as well.
How did you get started?
I’ve been creating and making things since I was little. Drawing, coloring, ceramics, collages- I loved it all. There was then a long period where I didn’t make anything, then
I started to work for a local designer couple making their jewelry as production work. That got my hands moving again and inspired me to create something of my own.
I had the urge to use some the fabric I had started collecting, so I picked up a pencil and started sketching. One thing lead to another and next thing I knew I had made an elephant. It all happened within a few hours. I was hooked. (and shocked!)
What are your favourite materials to work with?
I love working with textiles.(meaning, I have a slight fabric addiction!) Wool, linen, cotton fabric. It’s a nice contrast to the silver and bronze I had been working with in the jewelry studio.
What is the hardest and most favourite part of crafting?
I think there is nothing more satisfying then the process of having an idea and seeing it through to the end so you have a tangible, finished product. Although it can be frustrating when an idea doesn’t translate as smoothly as you’d like it and you are left with a tangled mass of fabric, thread and wool that doesn’t look anything like what you had in mind. (can you tell this just happened recently?)
List 5 of your favourite links and why you like them
Etsy: so great for finding unique, handmade items, great fabrics and supplies. Plus my shop is there!
Flickr: so many amazing and beautiful photos here. I have spent many an hour here.
This American life: I love listening to ira glass while I’m sewing. I’ve laughed out loud and been moved to tears.
Whip up: a great place to get some tips on a new sewing technique, check out some patterns or just enjoy the eye candy.
A Cup of Jo: Joanna always has such pretty eye candy there, fashion, art, music, video clips.
Do you have any advice for those in the biz?
Oh, I don’t think I’m qualified to be offering up advice! I just try to keep an open mind, do everything to the best of my ability and treat people the way I would like to be treated in return. For me, I always try to remember that I started doing this because I like to make stuff. If it stops being fun, then I think it’s time to move on.
Do you consider yourself an artist or a crafter?
I think these terms have become interchangeable. The craft movement has become so pervasive that I think it really blurs the lines between the two. I’m really not too fussy about it, I don’t mind if people consider my work art or craft, perhaps it’s a bit of both.
(photo images courtesy of Kate, tinywarbler designs)
If you are interested in being featured, please send us an email at info(at)gotcraft(dot)com.
Check out our past features...
telly designs - feature #18
Cabin + Cub - feature #17
Rachel Hobson - feature #16
Green Couch Designs - feature #15
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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