JuBella.com – Get Your Creative Dose

Don’t you just love the DIY Network? I do and one of my favorite shows within their crafty line up which includes Knitty Gritty, Craft Lab, and Uncommon Threads is a spunky show called Creative Juice! Hosted by Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza, Creative Juice offers up some of the cutest, kitschy, affordable, easy, and delicious projects to do in your own home. I really do enjoy watching their show so I was elated when Cathie agreed to share a bit of her time to offer up some creative inspiration! As a youngster, Cathie spent most of her time designing elaborate homes for Barbie dolls, sewing her own clothes and baking cookies; and for eight years, Cathie worked in the film business creating costumes for movies like Vanilla Sky, Rushmore, Heartbreakers, Twister and Bottle Rocket.

So, with that said..here’s Cathie…Enjoy & don’t forget to “Make It, Bake It, and Cocktail Shake It”! (ok, you have to watch the show to get it)

JuBella: Why is creativity important to you?

Cathie: Creative is who I am. Long before Creative Juice, I had an old saying… I wake up in the morning creative, I create all day long and I dream what I’ll make next. I doesn’t matter if I am making a dessert, balancing my check book or sewing a new dress – I am always thinking and acting creatively. I look at my day as one big creative journey.

JuBella: How would you describe your most creative spot/atmosphere?

Cathie: It’s a buzz…. I am in a unique situation because I craft at home and at work. At work I am juggling many different hats, Producer, Writer, Crafter and Host. We have a crew of about 35 amazing people on the show and a typical day at work is really a buzz, it is a very creative environment. At home I really get my creative juices going. I can get lost in my projects and the quiet/calm of home.

Jubella: Favorite Craft magazine?

Cathie:Vintage, I love vintage craft magazine and books. I draw inspiration from the color pallets and pattern choices. I also love the old ad’s – they have wonderful fonts in them.

JuBella: How would you describe the character/decor of your studio/design space?Cathie:

Cathie: I call my work space organized chaos. I know where everything is – it really is about being able to reach all my supplies. I am short so a step ladder is my friend. My space has tons of character – I like color and vintage collectables.

JuBella: What have been some of the biggest challenges with being an artist, starting your own business, and promoting your work all at the same time…what advice would you give to others in the same boat?

Cathie: Stay with your ideas and dreams and realize that some people won’t “get you”. The biggest challenge was convincing people that young people were interested in being creative – crafting, sewing, cooking, etc.

JuBella: What is your favorite craft product thus far and what have you enjoyed making with it the most?

Cathie: Hands down – decoupage medium. I use this glue for so many projects…. My favorite project I make with decoupage is the candle luminaries.

JuBella: What crafting tools could you not live without?

Cathie: My scissors, I have a collection of about 100 different pairs. Some of my scissors I’ve had for over 20 years. Round nosed pliers and glue run a close second to scissors.

JuBella: Most unique gift that you have given to someone?
Cathie: I made a quilt for my husband made from all of his old sports tee shorts. He just about flipped out!

When you need a daily pick me up that is filled with cheerful colors, insightful stories of everyday living, beautiful photography, cozy quilts & crochet, glimpses of cute Cardigan Corgis at play, crafty ideas and patterns, and some sweet and indulging recipes to top it all off, then you head on over and grab up a bundle of Rosy Little Things with Alicia Paulson! I am always amazed at Alicia’s incredible amount of creativity and how she seems to literally make her daily creations and experiences come to life through her blog. If you are no newbie to blog land, then you probably are a permanent fixture in her part of the web so I am sure that you can all concur when I say that she is such an inspiration. She took some time to share a bit of her cozy love with us here on JuBella and she shares some great tips on marketing your work as well as a brief peek into her transition from having a 9-5 to capturing her dreams of creating her online boutique where she sales some of the cutest handmade gifts and home decor. And be sure to pre-order her new book “Stitched In Time” that is set to release in November 2008.

Thanks so much Alicia for a wonderful interview….and here she is folks:

JuBella: Why is creativity important to you?

Alicia: Creativity is important to me because it’s something I take for granted, like electricity, breathing, reading: I don’t think about it as something special, I think about it as something that is automatic. Of course, it’s no more automatic than electricity, breathing, or reading, which in their own ways are pretty miraculous – but I am lucky enough to get to live as if all of those things were unremarkable, and that is an enormous gift!

JuBella: What are your top 5 craft books that you have purchased?

Alicia: I buy a lot of Japanese craft books, but not a lot of craft books written in English, I must admit. I mostly buy lifestyle and decorating books. My favorites are Flea Market Style, Style on a Budget, Vintage Style, From a House to a Home, and Country Style.

JuBella: Why is it important for you to keep doing what you do, and what do you love most about your job?

Alicia: I’d love to keep doing what I do because I’m afraid I’d be useless at having a “regular” job anymore. I’ve come to really rely on the flexibility and independence that being self-employed has given me, though there are a lot of stressful, challenging things about being your own boss as well. What I love most about my job is getting to design whatever I want – more than anything else, I find it incredibly rewarding to have a “job” where I am able to flesh out any idea I have and call it “work.” That is definitely the best, easiest, most fun part, and the part that makes all the rest of it worth it. I’m always most interested and most inspired by the crafts and products and techniques themselves. All the other stuff, the paperwork, the packing and shipping, the computer stuff – those are the necessary chores that allow me to make the crafts, but I don’t love them. But I’m incredibly grateful that I have an audience that collects my work. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to do any of it.

JuBella: If you had to give 3 marketing/selling tips to an aspiring designer/crafter, what would be your top 3 points of advice be…also can you offer any advice on photographing your work?

Alicia: Well, I mostly think that the items themselves – whatever it is that you’re making – are absolutely the most important thing. Your work has to be wonderful, and you have to have confidence in what you’re offering. Your techniques have to be as good as they can be, and the materials you use have to be of great quality. I want everyone who buys my products to receive more than they expect. My worst fear is to have people disappointed by something that they’ve purchased. I work really hard to make sure that when people open that package, they feel like they are receiving a very special present.

As far as photography goes, I would get a camera that captures light in a way that is pleasing to you. Never use a flash, and always use a tripod, and a two-second delay so your focus is as crisp as possible. Think of what kind of environment you imagine your product living most happily in, and try to set that up, to convey it to someone else.

JuBella: We’re you nervous about leaving your job as an Editor in 2000…what was that transition like for you, and what was the biggest challenge of starting your own business?

Alicia: Well, there were lots of life changes going on at that time, so starting the business was precipitated by major upheaval, which made the decision conveniently easy to make: I was desperate to start my life over. That said, I never feel comfortable encouraging people to quit their jobs and start their own businesses – I hope they don’t see my example as a good one for anyone but me. I have absolutely no idea if anyone should quit her job and start an indie business. I’ve certainly found it very challenging, and I think there is a whole lot to be said for having a regular job that you love, and keeping crafting as a hobby. But in my life, with the challenges and skills that I have, it works for me, most days. But my husband brings home most of the bacon, and the health insurance, and the retirement plan, and all that good stuff, so his employment is an absolute factor in my being able to do this.

The biggest challenge has been having to not only invent all the products, but invent all the plans. I had no business experience before I started, so I’ve just made it up as I’ve gone along, and made a lot of mistakes. But I’ve learned a lot and had constant support along the way. Things that I thought were mistakes get re-framed by my husband as just part-and-parcel of the cumulative experience of becoming a working designer, so I try to listen to him when I feel like I’ve really messed something up. He always says, “You get paid in lifestyle, not necessarily dollars,” and I think that’s totally true.

JuBella: Could you share with us your favorites of the following items:

Flower: Peony
Tea/coffee: Chai
Dessert: Vanilla custard
Travel Destination: Wales
Novel/Book: The Element of Lavishness, a book of letters between a writer and her New Yorker editor over a forty-year span.

JuBella: How did you go about planning your studio design…did you just dive right in, or did you sketch it all out first?

Alicia: Total dive right in. There are very few ways that room can be configured because of the windows, the plugs, etc. As it is I still have more stuff than fits in that room, so some of it lives in two big cabinets in my husband’s office. It needs constant upkeep that room. At the end of the day it totally looks like a tornado hit it and I have to do a total clean-up every morning. I have too much stuff. I’m troubled by it all the time.

JuBella: Craft/Design magazines you could not live without?

Alicia: Marie Claire Idees, Martha Stewart Living

JuBella: What is an average day/week for you like as far as crafting, planning, maintaining your website, living, etc.?

Alicia: An average day always starts with coffee, and writing my blog post. That’s my quiet, Alicia-time. I find writing the blog easy and relaxing, so I always make time for it. Then I go into my studio around 9 a.m. and figure out whether it’s going to be an order-shipping day or a making-day or a shopping/errand-running day. Usually it’s a combo making-orders-to-ship day. I’m never ahead of schedule with anything. In between all that stuff I am usually working on a bunch of behind-the-scenes stuff, commissioned crochet patterns or projects for books or magazines, answering emails (takes me forever), photographing new products and Photoshopping stuff to load onto the web shop, developing new products, thrifting for new fabrics or stuff for my antique booth. I usually quit at 5 or 6, then make dinner, and watch TV at night while working on a project for myself. I used to work on products at night, but now I only do things for myself after dinner. Otherwise you just feel like you have no life at all. I used to work through weekends, but now I do stuff like regular people – work in the garden, go out with friends, go shopping, see movies. I’m trying hard to separate work and life a bit more.

JuBella: Who are some of your favorite textile designers & fellow Crafters?

Alicia: I love Liberty fabrics, and Cath Kidston’s style, and the super talented folks at Martha Stewart. The community of craft bloggers are incredibly inspiring. I hardly buy magazines anymore, I must say!

JuBella: What could someone catch you listening to and/or watching when working in your studio?

Alicia: Modest Mouse, Lucinda Williams, Old 97s, and Wilco.

The super crafty, cool, and colorful Jennifer Perkins took out a bit of time quite some time ago to chat a bit with us about all things crafty, and inspiring, and she also shares some handy dandy business tips as well! Just in case you are not familiar with Jennifers work: she is the host of the DIY’s Network Craft Lab, the founder of The Naughty Secretarys Club, and Co-founder of the fabulous Austin Craft Mafia. Jennifer screams all things creative and as you can see from her studio below, she engulfs herself with creative inspiration to create her own designs. She also has a new book out on the bookshelves called “The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl’s Guide to Handmade Jewelry” which is “packed with more than 50 kitschy-secretary-themed jewelry projects, plus lots of quirky sidebars covering hot topics such as office romance and the best secretary theme songs to listen to on your lunch break. You’ll learn how to use your office supplies in a whole new way – did you know standard office fare, like binder folders and shredded junk mail, makes craftalicious jewelry? Plus, author Jennifer Perkins will teach you how to turn almost anything into a charm, including plastic gnome cake toppers, doll furniture and cast-off hotel keys.” Now how cool is that! So I hope you enjoy this kitschy crafty goodness! Here’s Jennifer (psst, don’t forget to check out her blog):

JuBella: Why is creativity important to you?

Jennifer: Creativity is very important to me because it is an expression of who I am.  Individuality is something that has always been so important to me.  Even as a child unlike most of the other little girls who really wanted to fit in and have the latest styles, I was always insistent that I not look like everyone else.  Sometimes that would be augmented by early attempts at jewelry making or decorating a T-shirt with some splatter paint.  Creativity is something I can’t live with out.  When I am in Los Angeles 5 weeks out of the year filming Craft Lab, the nights and weekends are hard for me because I want to be creating, and doing, and making.  Even though I spend all day making crafts with guests on set, at night I am feeling so inspired and excited about whatever new crafty skill I learned that day & I want to try it out.  If I did soldering that day on the show I want to come home to my studio and get out my soldering iron and play.  Sadly I can’t take that stuff with me to LA.  So it’s not that creativity is important to me, creativity is crucial to me.  I can’t survive without it, I wouldn’t know how.  I was always encouraged to make and create by my super crafty mother so it is all I really know.

 
Jubella: How would you describe your most creative spot/atmosphere?

Jennifer: I get inspiration from so many different things it is hard to pick just one.  I really love going to flea markets and antique malls and digging through all the dusty goodies looking for an overlooked treasure that to me beckons to be made into a bauble.  It may have started life as a baby rattle in the 1940’s shaped like a monkey, but I see it as a necklace.  I love living in Austin.  It is a very eclectic college town with a very arty music and creativity driven scene.  The girls dress up and I get inspired seeing all the different looks.  My best friends are my fellow Austin Craft Mafia members so it is hard not to look at their outfits, homes and general beaming creativity and not be inspired.

JuBella: Favorite Craft magazine?

Jennifer: I really loved Adorn [no longer in print] and thought it was a great looking magazine with a lot of really hip and fun ideas.  Craft Magazine has some really cute ideas inside & Ready Made is the old stand by for crafty types!

JuBella: How would you describe the character/decor of your studio/design space?

Jennifer: Well my studio use to be the master bedroom in our home & we slept in one of the smaller guest bedrooms.  Now my studio is located in our newly converted 500 square foot garage! I have shelving everywhere holding beads, baubles and various other crafty goodies. I have large pieces of peg board hanging on several walls dripping with jewelry.  There is also an old 1950’s kitchen piece in the office that has doors that I keep stuffed full of various bits ranging from printer paper to fishing lures (for jewelry of course not fishing).

 
JuBella: What have been some of the biggest challenges with being an artist, starting your own business, and promoting your work all at the same time…what advice would you give to others in the same boat?

Jennifer: Just getting started can be tricky.  Taking that initial leap is always intimidating.  Once you get started, the more successful your business becomes the more stressful it is too.  When you just get started it is fun to send out a few orders a month and there is not a lot of drama.  Naughty Secretary Club has been my full time business for 5 plus years now so there are all kinds of new concerns.  Payroll taxes, incorporation filings, website redesigns, hiring employees, lawyer bills and more.  You just need to make sure to not try and micro manage too much or you are never going to have time for you or time to create.  The other important thing for people getting started in their own crafty business to remember is that there is no sense in reinventing the wheel.  When I got started with Naughty Secretary Club I teamed up with Tina Sparkles from Sparkle Craft and Jenny Hart from Sublime Stitching.  We were all starting our companies at the same time so it was easy for us to bounce ideas off of each other and if one had a new shopping cart that worked great we all used it, if another one was getting a great response from an ad in Bust magazine we all took one out.  There are lots of great resource sites online that you can look at like the Austin Craft Mafia and Craftster.  Not to mention there are a million great books out there, grab starting a small business for dummies to learn the fundamentals.  The creative design end of starting a crafty business is the easy part, so get help for the harder parts.

 
JuBella: What is your favorite craft product thus far and what have you enjoyed making with it the most?

Jennifer: I got my start making jewelry with casting resin.  I would use square molds and clear resin and embed images inside.  The versatility of the stuff is really cool.  Not only can you embed images but you can embed stuff, like small trinkets or glitter.  You can also use pigments to die resin and almost anything can be used as a mold.  I don’t use resin anymore in my jewelry mainly because it is super messy and stinky.  I was offering like 20 different styles of jewelry and was being forced to make the same thing over and over again and I found it really limiting.  Resin is fun, but time consuming so there was never a free minute to work on my one of a kind revamped vintage designs which is my true passion.
 
JuBella: What crafting tools could you not live without?

Jennifer: There are several.  I love my Dremmel tool.  I have 3.  I can use this little baby to drill holes in things that were not originally a charm, but after they get a hole in them they are.  It has a sanding bit for getting rid of rough edges.  There is a bit for about anything you can think of: engraving, cutting and more!  I use enough E600 glue to put together an entire house, it is the best glue ever for jewelry design. My ergonomic jewelry pliers.  They are puffy and don’t hurt my hands.

Ok, I hope you enjoyed this interview. You can read more about Jennifers crafty studio here on Modish. I have another one coming up this week..she’s another crafty lady, that makes the coziest things and inspires us all daily..can you guess who she is? I know, I practically gave it away!

Do you still play with dolls and stuffed animals? Well, should someone ever give me one of these darling creations from artist and doll maker Jhoanna Aranez of One Red Robin, I would surely be on cloud nine! Jhoannas pieces are overflowing with color, pattern, patchwork, and most of all her pieces carry their own unique character that just comes to life. I was stoked to have Jhoanna chat with us a bit about her creative inspiration and the story behind One Red Robin. So sit back and soak up the creative inspiration of One “creative” Red Robin…Jhoanna Aranez:

JuBella: Why is creativity important to you?

Jhoanna: Needing to exercise creativity has always been a part of me. My earliest childhood memories are of taking scrap pieces of paper, any pencils I could find, and spending hours drawing things. I also remember spending my days sticking discarded household objects together with glue & sticky tape to make a ‘gizmo’ of some sort, and using whatever I had to make something I needed. I always felt (and still do feel) a great sense of satisfaction and joy upon seeing my completed projects.  Being creative with my hands not only kept me out of trouble, but helped my self-esteem, and exercised my mind to think in new ways and to take different approaches to daily life. I do believe that everyone has a creative side but it needs to be exercised often as it certainly contributes to making life fun, balanced and beautiful.

JuBella: What do you love most about designing and crafting plush toys?

Jhoanna: The possibilities with plush toys are just endless! I love the fact that I can create each one to have a unique character, quirks, and look-and-feel. There is the freedom to create conventional versus unconventional soft toys and dolls. There is much scope to play with fabrics – combining clashing or complimentary colours, prints & textures. For example, my quilted patchwork soft toys include a variety of different types of fabric, colours and fabric prints, with some quilting for added texture.  I don’t spend hours figuring out what colours or prints should go together – when I start a patchwork, I just sit down with my stash, pick out what I think will work and just go with it. My favourite part is after I’ve sewn the toy together and turning it out to see what the finished product looks like (before it gets stuffed).  I love the surprise element. The great thing about soft toys is that both adults and kids enjoy them.

JuBella: How did you come up with the name of your company?

Jhoanna: Robins are my favourite type of bird.  I remember reading somewhere that one of the behaviours that characterize a robin is that they run then stop, then run then stop, and admittedly, that pretty much sums up how I approach life at the moment! ‘Red’ is a little reference to my birthmark, which, over many years, I’ve come to accept is really a part of who I am, a unique stamp that God has included in His creation of me.

JuBella: Where do you like to find your fabrics and embellishments for your toys, and what other artists inspire you to stay creative?

Jhoanna: My fabrics & embellishments are sourced from the local fabric store, my 2 favourite online fabric shops (Cia’s Palette & Reprodepot ), and the local thrift store. I have also been blessed with some wonderful fabric and notions from generous blog buddies! In terms of soft toys, my greatest inspirations are fellow bloggers:

1) Dawn of Look What I Can Do , she has an amazing eye for transforming fabric into the perfect little Love Creatures.

2) Abby of While She Naps: I love the way she experiments with different animal/doll forms and fabric/yarn/buttons

3) Ricardo of Wishes & Heros: I adore the way he uses colour and embellishment in his little pocket dolls, cat-lover dolls, and his illustrations

4) Hillary of Wee Wonderfuls: she is simply prolific; incredible vision and imagination

I would have to add that my 2 girls remain my greatest inspiration.  If it weren’t for them, I would never had had the urge to make soft toys to begin with, and their great response to what I create certainly motivates me to keep creating.

JuBella: Favorite Craft magazines or shows?

Jhoanna: I find inspiration and ideas in a number of magazines and craft books. Anything from quilt & patchwork magazines to home decor magazines.  My favourite Aussie magazine is InsideOut. Like much of the craft community, I adore Japanese Craft books and magazines.  Although they are written in Japanese, I pick-up a lot of ideas on colour, fabric combinations, themes and form.  Plus I adore the way they photograph the items.

JuBella: How would you describe your most creative spot/atmosphere & the character of your studio/design space?

Jhoanna: I am most creative after I’ve had a good cup of coffee, my 2 girls are tucked into their beds and sleeping peacefully, the dishes have been done, and I have my favourite CDs in the player!

My ’studio’ occupies a small corner in my home.  At the moment, it really is just organized chaos! I use a small computer desk to house my sewing machine and notions. On a narrow wall hang a few bits and pieces of inspiration and favourite things. Against another wall, I’ve got a few of my earlier pieces of work on display to remind me of where I have come from and to inspire me to keep trying new things or to try something different with existing patterns. I’ve got a small stack of craft books on a side table.  My most-used fabrics are stacked on the floor, which is where I do all my fabric-cutting.  I find it very relaxing to sit on the floor and cut fabric, trying different combinations for some of my patchwork.  I also have a beanbag nearby where I do my hand-sewing.  It’s a small studio – cozy and intimate – but I always look forward to spending some ‘me’ time there, whenever I have a chance.

JuBella: Do you have any favorite books on soft toys?

Jhoanna: I adore all my Japanese craft books – I have learned so much from trying to decode their diagrams! I also recently picked up “The Complete Doll Maker” by Alice Weiner.  It’s proven to be an invaluable resource on doll-making techniques, from the basic to the advanced.  I haven’t had the chance to take classes in doll/soft toy-making (or any sewing classes for that matter) so I highly value craft books.
 
JuBella: What crafting tools could you not live without?

Jhoanna: I love my sewing machine! It’s a Janome and it’s been extremely reliable and easy to use.  I definitely couldn’t live without it.  A good pair of fabric scissors also make a huge difference!  I don’t think I could survive without my handy sketchbook and an always-sharp pencil, so that I can jot down ideas and sketch patterns whenever and wherever inspiration hits. And finally, I’d have to say my laptop – not a crafting tool per se but it keeps me linked to the crafting community.
 
JuBella: Most unique gift that you have given to someone?

Jhoanna: This was a tough question to find an answer for – I’ve given many handmade gifts and most are unique in the sense that they are one-of-a-kind, but I’m going to go with my gut reaction and say that my 2 girls are the most unique gift I’ve had the privilege of ‘giving’ to my family.

Australian born Crafter and writer Allison Whitlock has probably made her way to the screens of all of our crafty homes. The lovely host of the DIY’s Network “Uncommon Threads” chats a bit with us about all things creative and she shares a sneak peek into her fabulous sewing and design studio located in her home. Allison is no newby to the design and craft world. She has worked as a writer and Stylist for Sheila Bridges: Designer Living, A Swell Holiday, and Dwell, and you can catch some of her work in Vickie Howells popular book “Knitty Gritty” & Vickies upcoming book “Catwalk Crochet”. I look forward to her upcoming home decor line “Home Made Modern” as well! Heres Allison

JuBella: Why is creativity important to you?

Allison: To me, being creative is like breathing. It’s the very expression of who I am. It helps me to stay centered, expressive and happy. I also believe that by being creative, I’m able to understand myself, my culture, and my environment.

JuBella: How would you describe your most creative spot/atmosphere?

Allison: There’s no one place that I go to be creative. I think inspiration is all around and sometimes you can take a fresh look at something you pass by every day and see something new. But the ultimate environment for creativity to me is a new one – so travel is important. Every culture or city expresses itself aesthetically in a different way. Even the way that light falls on a building or the way colors look so different from one hemisphere to the next or one city to another. I always travel with my digital camera a snap a shot of images that make me stop and take a second look. They’re a constant inspiration for my designs.

JuBella: Favorite Craft magazine or show?

Allison: I have to say being a knitter among other things – I love to watch Knitty Gritty. It’s great to learn from those amazing knit designers – and Vickie Howell is one of my favorite crafty chicks! Also, I’m completely obsessed with modern design and I’m very impressed with DIY’s Free-form Furniture – it’s not classic craft but it’s great design and that’s what excites me.

JuBella: How would you describe the character/decor of your studio/design space?

Allison: Allison: My studio is my home, and rather than dedicating a room to craft – I just let it take over my space whenever I’m feeling creative. I’d describe the style femme modern – classic clean lines but always with a curve or soft edge. My favorite piece is my 1950’s Saarinen tulip dining table and chairs. I bought it on ebay for a steal and have been in love with it ever since. It’s fantastic as a work desk, to cut on, sew at or wipe clean and have friends over for cocktails. My second favorite piece is a Womb chair and ottoman also by Saarinen…and it’s called a womb for a reason – it’s one of the most comfortable curvy chairs I’ve ever sat in. I use this one for knitting,crochet or any hand sewing or embroidery. I can get lost in my own thoughts in that chair. For inspiration I keep a library of craft, design, architecture and photography books.

JuBella: What have been some of the biggest challenges with being an artist,starting your own business, and promoting your work all at the same time…what advice would you give to others in the same boat?

Allison: The hardest thing is taking the leap! Like many women who start their own creative enterprises, I had a career outside of craft and design first – directing and producing television. I had to bite the bullet eventually -throw caution to the wind and just create/design full time. It’s still early days for me – but so far, it’s the best thing I could have done. Whatever you put 100% of your time and effort into – I truly believe you’ll be most successful at. And you’ll also be happiest doing what you love. Aside from that – it’s just about creating and maintaining your own momentum…not taking two hour lunch breaks or catching up on Oprah too much.

My most recent purchase is Florence Broadhurst: Her Secret and Extraordinary Lives by Helen O’Neill. Florence Broadhurst was one of Australia’s most prolific wallpaper and textile designers. I love looking at and appreciating the creativity of others and I’m particularly inspired by creative women.

JuBella: What is your favorite craft product thus far and what have you enjoyed making with it the most?

Allison: I’m definitely a fiber addict, so fabric and yarn are my favorite things for sure. I love making interior products and it’s hard for me to go past a good vinyl fabric without wondering of it’s capabilities and possibilities. Recently i made a western style saddle for a plastic stool. The brown vinyl fabric I used was challenging to sew with- but gave me a prefect result.

JuBella: What crafting tools could you not live without?

Allison: Hmmm…so many to choose from, it’s hard to pick one. But if I must play favorites – I wouldn’t be without my Bernina sewing machine. For years I sewed using my mothers old 1960’s Lemair Helvetia sewing machine. It was a fabulous light green cast iron model that did little else than straight stitching and a capable zig zag. I eventually decided to face my fear of digital and buy a machine with more functions – and I’m loving it. it has opened up new avenues for my designs. We also use them on my show Uncommon Threads. It’s interesting to watch guests who were like me – using the machines for th first time. At first they were trepidacious and by the end of the show, completely in love.

JuBella: Most unique gift that you have given to someone?

Allison: I recently found some old slide film of my mum when she was a teenager. There was a great photograph of her sitting on the bonnet (hood) of her car with her ‘P’ plates – in Australia this is your provisional license,it means you can drive alone for the first time. I loved the photograph because my mum looks so excited and ready to take on life. I had the photo scanned and then printed the image onto fabric. I created a pillow for her with the photo in the center with a slim white border – much like a postcard. it’s a nice way to take a memory and make something beautiful and functional out of it. I’m so excited to be a part of the community of creative women.

JuBella: Any additional comments for our readers:

Allison: My greatest desire is that we share our ideas and techniques with one another to ensure that they are passed on and live on. It’s through this sharing that we stay connected to one another and to creative women of our past. The best thing about working on my show Uncommon Threads is meeting groups of creative women (and men) and helping them share their ideas with a world of seasoned crafters and newbys. They all inspire me!