Interview Series: Week 8 - luvncrafts

This week brings us a little bit of variety.  I mean I’ve had variety here before, but usually at one end of a spectrum.  This week I bring you someone with what I call “Craft ADD” – Instead of choosing a craft and flying with it, or a medium and flying with it, this artist pools several things, all at once.  Well… okay, one at a time, since I’m sure she doesn’t have octopus arms or something.  But still, this artist’s shop has a beautiful smorgasbord of stuff that it’s hard to know where to begin!!

So without further babble, let me introduce you to Luvincrafts of Zibbet.

 

Name:
Christie
Craft:
Crochet, making greeting cards, dabbling in sewing and beading
Favorite material (or medium, whatever you want to call it!):
cotton and wool yarns, soft yarns, pretty papers and stickers
Most Popular Seller (whether it be online or at shows):
my mini thank you cards for sellers to slip in with their orders, and my crocheted cell phone covers.

 Brown Mini Thank You Cards With Roses and Polka Dots Set of 18
I can see why. I think I may have to bookmark this section of your shop…

What got you into your craft?




I started making cards about 12 years ago. I went with my mother to a "Stamin' Up" party. I didn't really have a craft at the time. Thought the card making looked neat. Mom and I went in together on a set of stamps. Have been making cards since.

For Crochet....My Grandma on Mom's side crocheted. She use to wear sweaters all the time that she made for herself. When I was 11 I asked her to show me how. She taught me how to do a chaing and a single crochet. Grandma gave me some yarn, and a crochet hook. I made a few pot holders. But never did much with it after that.
I kept the hook tho, and about 10 years ago my Mother-in-law gave me a bunch of craft stuff she was destashing. There was a box of yarn in there. I got out the hook Grandma gave me and decided to try again. I got a few "how to" books, and was "hooked" on crochet.

I dabble in other crafts because I like to try new things. I do a LITTLE beading because my daughters are into that and wanted me to do that with them.

How did you learn your craft?

Mostly self taught, and through "how to" books and magazines.

 

Multi Hued Purple Crocheted Flower Appliqués
I could see so many uses for these! Adorable AND handmade!

What about YOU? Who is the artist behind those wonderful items?

I am a stay at home Mom to 6 wonderful Children. Wife for 15 years. Not much to say about me really. I love the simple life, and crafts are my way to relax and create something for someone else. I love to give to others. And there is a special joy is seeing someone else enjoy something I made with my own hands.

Besides crafts, I enjoy gardening and nature, and photography.

 Green Square Beads Mother of Pear Necklace Bracelet and Earring Set
You really do dabble in lots of crafts! This is lovely!

What is a typical "working" day for you? How does it usually start and end? How many hours do you spend crafting? How many hours do you spend on other things? What about distractions? I know we all have them! Do you usually accomplish all you wanted to?

My days are full with taking care of the children. My crafting is usually done in the evenings and on weekends. During the day I am working with and teaching the children. Sometimes we will have a craft day, and all do a craft together. I am constantly distracted....can't help that with 6 children. LOL But I don't mind. :) I never accomplish all I wanted to in a day. LOL But I always get my projects done on time. If there is a dead line. With projects I am doing for putting in my shop, or just because, I take a relaxed approach on those and don't rush myself.

What happens when you Oops? Everyone gets one sometime or another! Do you get frustrated and destroy/start over, or do you go with the flow and see what comes out in the end?

  LOL I oops a lot with crochet. I get and idea, and then set to work. I don't usually use patterns, but get ideas in my mind. Sometimes I will work on something, and it will want to be something entirely different from what I wanted it to be. Sometimes I will let the yarn decide. Other times I will start over. It's not very frustrating with crochet, because usually, it's easy to unravel and start over. With cards it's harder to undo mistakes. But if I make one, and really don't like the way it turned out, I just use it myself.

 Pink Camo Cell Phone Tote or Mini Purse

What is your design process like? How many tries does it take to be happy with the final product?

I usually get an idea in my head. With car making, I make, or get all the different parts for my idea. Then I start working. With cards, I usually stick with my first try. Unless it is a custom order. I want those to be JUST right, and even better than what the customer is expecting. So, I mught try two or three times to get it just right. With crochet, when I get a new idea, sometimes I try one time, then usually I can figure out what I need to change to get it right the second time. There are times when it just doesn't seem to turn out, and I have to try again several times.

 Light Violet Crocheted Cotton Wash Cloth and Soap Saver Set
I love soap savers.  I don't typically use wash cloths, but I love this set!

What is your greatest roadblock, be it government regulation or that little frustrating thing that just likes to sneak up and stop you in your tracks? Broken needle? Jump ring jumping out of your pliers? Thread knots? Cats? Dogs? The family hedgehog rolled about in your yarn basket?

LOL Really, I don't have many road blocks. I have no expectations other than doing my best, and creating something with love that someone else can enjoy. I have no time constraints unless it's a custom order. I work pretty fast, and give myself plenty of time on those. So, barring any natural disasters, or child disasters, my road is pretty clear. I guess the most annoying thing tho is when I am crocheting along at top speed and hit a knot in the yarn. I HATE (yes that strong LOL) pulling knots out of yarn. Thankfully, my husband likes that sort of thing.....so if I get an especially tough knot that is trying my patience, I will hand it over to him.

All important pricing... Do you have a formula? Do you wing it? Do you feel your work justifies your prices?

I think my work is good. My prices are lower than I could make them. I take a lot of things into account when prices. Pricing is the hardest things for me!! I want the prices to be competitive and not force other's prices down. However, I don't often pay full price for my supplies. Hubby works for a printer and is often able to bring me card stock paper home for my cards. He gets the end of jobs, or skids that would be trash. They let him bring a little home. Also, I am pretty easy to please. For Christmas and birthdays, if anyone asks what I want, I just tell them yarn or card stuff. And they listen. I get a lot of my supplies that way, and use any money I get for bdays and Christmas for supplies. Also shop sales, etc. So, Getting supplies lower, I can have lower prices. I don't always count my hours. I know there is a system of adding suppplies+ hours, etc, etc. On some things I take time into effect. But really, this isn't work to me. And I think of my time as a gift I am giving to God and others. I know I need to make a profit, but I am not out to be rich or famous. Being part of a big family, living mostly on one income, I know how difficult it is to afford quality, handmade items. I take that into consideration too. I want to create something beautiful that people like me can afford. I consider all those factors, and then come up with a price.

 Set of Two Crocheted Hair Combs with Pink and Purple Flowers
I adore these.  There are no other words! Perfect for a spring dress or any sunny occasion!

And of course, is there anything else you'd like to say to our "viewers at home"?

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I welcome custom orders. Handmade is best!!

Thank you, Christie, for sharing your beautiful and expansive world with us all.  Your work is truly a gift, and you were truly gifted with many talents with which to craft!  Your love of crafts is another thing to drive home just how different from machines we all are; so much love, so much variety in one place could never be any kind of machine!

Make sure to visit Christie at Luv'n Crafts on Zibbet!