One of the things I’ve enjoyed about the Gift-A-Long is meeting new designers (and queing their patterns 😉 Maya of Little Treasures blog can be found on Etsy, Pinterest and Facebook. I find the photos of her crochet jewelry cheering.
What is your usual process on a fiber project, for instance, do you start with a yarn, a cute pattern, a need you’ve noticed, something exciting you saw in a movie you want to copy, or a technique you want to learn – then what do you do next and then what?
It is never the same- sometimes I see a quite attractive yarn and imagine what I could use it for, other times I start with an idea and then work with yarns and different techniques to see which would give the best result. Often I get ideas while working on a current project and that’s why I always have a pad next to me to dot down the idea, and more often than not that idea turns out to be the stepping-stone and as I start working it evolves into something completely different than I originally imagined, which think is the best part of the designing process.
Do you usually finish projects? If not, does it bother you?
I have several projects still waiting to be finished, but I am certainly not bothered by that because they are projects I started to make for myself and that’s why I don’t get upset. I have my hands full of orders and they understandably get to be finished in time 🙂
How do you choose a pattern when you are going to make someone else’s design?
First I always think about the person I am going to make it for – would the style fit and if she/he really needs it and would love having it. And those are the things that help me choose someone else’s design.
What makes you feel you’ve gotten you money’s worth when you buy someone else’s pattern?
When it doesn’t give me headaches 🙂
I love when the pattern is intelligible and clearly explained and the progress goes smooth which make the making time quite enjoyable. And if I feel great wearing that particular piece.
What have you learned from being part of the GAL and if this is your first year, what made the GAL look cool to you?
Well, I learned about the GAL through lovely Kimberly of 80 Skeins (http://www.arounttheworldin80skeins.com) and so far I’ve learned and felt that it is a superb, warm, kind community of designers ready to help and share love and knowledge. I’ve met many new incredible designers I didn’t know they existed and I know that others learnt about me too. I love the aspect of unselfish promotion throughout the social media – which in the GAL case is extremely well-organized, thorough and overwhelming! Just what every indie knit / crochet designer needs!
What about designing and producing patterns are you most adept at, what parts are you most fond of, and what parts are challenging?
My step by step photo tutorials are perfect for all, starting from beginner – to seasoned crocheters and that’s my forte – I am good at explaining things – that’s why I work as a teacher 🙂
I am most fond of taking the final, featuring photos of the item and setting / design the background for it.