Etsy Artist Feature 17: creativehook

It is important to show the world the charm of handcrafted items, and we plan to do this one Etsy Artist at a time. Today we feature CreativeHook from Norwood, North Carolina. She has an amazing crochet talent.

Below you will find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

I was about 7. My grandmother had just taught me to knit. I was enthralled that I could create from strands of yarn a swatch of knitted fabric! Some time later, a crotchety great aunt came to visit, and I guess I wanted to show off my "grown up" skills. "What are you making?" she asked of my current work-in-progress. God! I didn't know that I had to have a NAME for it. So I just quickly mumbled: "handkerchiefs", because it was the first square item I could think of. She laughed and laughed. I grabbed my needles and yarn and went outside and wept in total humiliation. (I was a tender hearted soul). I quit knitting for a while, then learned to crochet from my mom. I've been on and off with the fiber arts for many years. Somehow -- in spite of the crotchety old aunt -- I manage to carry on. And in spite of the crotchety aunt, I sometimes have no real "name" or purpose -- other than to create, and hopefully, to give someone else a smile in the process.


2. What do you specialize in?

I am an artist and an art teacher to children grades kindergarten through 8th grade. I did my time in art school, workshops, etc. But nothing speaks to me like the fiber arts. Crochet is my medium of choice these days. I love making market totes and purses more than anything. I love my monsters too, but they're more of a challenge, because I have to be "inspired" to make one. My "Shiddy" doll, who is giving the finger, was born because of a really "shiddy" day I was having. I just wanted to flip off the world. :)


3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

Oh my god! I had given away so many blankets, purses, scarves, totes, etc. to everyone in my family and friends to the point of redundancy! My house started filling up with stacks, piles of crocheted items! I just simply could not stop making things... An art teacher friend of mine told me about Etsy. It was not only love at first sight, but a profitable answer to my "overstock quandry".


4. What are your hopes for the future?

To continue teaching, and to crochet to my heart's delight as relaxation.

5. What are some of your favorite past times?

I like running. Try to keep in shape that way when I don't have injuries. I love to read. And photography has become a new love and obsession. I also paint murals. I painted one last year, which took me most of the 2 months of mu summer vacation to complete, and I have another mural commissioned for this summer. This one is a nursery room mural.

6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

Chaotic, unorganized and colorful.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you!

How can people get in contact with you?

http://www.creativehook.etsy.com



How do you feel about custom orders?

Love 'em!

How did you choose your shop name?

Sort of a play on the phrase "literary hook", I kind of liked the sound of a creative hook.

You can find Creative Hook's lovely creations for sale at her Etsy Shop:

http://creativehook.etsy.com

Thank you so much for reading! We hope you enjoyed it.

Christina
CM Designs
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collages, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, key chains, and more! Customs are accepted.

---

Featured items (as pictured):


Bathtime monster scrubbie mitts for mom and baby
(sold)

Geometry experiment purses
Purple and blue
Tan Octa-Hex

Earth from Space Market Tote/Beach Bag
(sold)

Shiddy, the Monster
(sold)

Wanda Ho - Native Island Beauty

Items can be found at http://creativehook.etsy.com