Domesticraft Loves . . . Saturday Shout-Out! #2

SATURDAY SHOUT-OUT

[EPISODE 2]

 

I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Jenny!  She is a master crocheter ( there is probably a fancier name for that, but being a non-crocheter, I don't know it.  And even though I don't crochet, I own a boatload of yarn and every size of crochet hook imaginable, that I can imagine anyway since, again, I don't know how to crochet.

I first met Jenny when I had commented on a post she had written and then wrote my own blog post (click here to visit) about it.  We had watched a Creative Live course (given by Kari Chapin and it was awesome) and were in a Facebook group together that was a bonus of the course if you wanted to join.  We did!

It was my first favorite blog post.  It pretty much opened up a whole new world for me, of experiences and knowledge and mostly, of friends.  That was 7 months ago as of tomorrow!  Happy Anniversary, Jen!!  I adore this young woman and admire her so much.  She has what my Grandma would have called, "moxie".  My Grandma was a wicked crocheter and did teach me and alas, I have forgotten how.  My Grandma would have so loved to have Jenny teach me again.  So, I'm kinda gonna let Jenny to the talking now cause she wrote a bunch of notes for me and they are way better that what I had! :) Take it a away Jenny!

(Isn't she adorable?  She told me how to make this little stop motion thingy and I forgot.  Jen, will you tell me again, please!!)

HI!

I learned to craft from my mom when I was just a little kid.  She loved cross-stitch, sewing, and especially crochet.  She's left-handed, but she learned to crochet right-handed so she could teach me.  Thanks,  mom!  I crocheted berets for my friend's My Little Ponies, and after working my way through her entire collection, I was hooked (ha ha!)  (See, I told you she was funny!)  Here is a link to a lovely blogpost she wrote about her crafty mama!  

I now write crochet patterns, including instructions for crochet letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and banners.  I work to create things with as few ends to weave in as possible (my least favorite part of any project) and let makers use their own creativity to embellish their projects.  There is nothing better than seeing a finished project from one of my patterns on Ravelry or Instagram or in my inbox.  I sell on Etsy and Ravelry  and am nearing 1,000 patterns sold.  (Woot!)

I'm also interested in helping folks who have never crocheted (That's kinda me!) learn the skills they need without feeling judged or frustrated, and that will be a reoccurring theme on my blog this year.  I'm so lucky to do this kind of work and meet so many wonderful crafters! (That's kinda me, again!)

 


Hi, Jenny Brown would be nowhere without my wonderful photographer and best friend, Erin Markan.  


You can find her on Instagram at fcollected.  She's the reason we won the Crochet Concupiscence's 2014 Awesome Blog Award for Best Crochet Blog Photos.  We live together in Northern New Jersey with her husband, her two kids (Mr. A and the Babes), and my husband (AKA "Craft Husband").  It's a fun modern commune with lots of crafting.  Erin and I went to college together, our husbands were in the Marines together, and we all consider ourselves lucky to have met each other. 


 
Bonus for me - her kiddos are excellent crochet models and work for M&Ms or quarters (a fair wage for the under-6 set). Tips I would give to folks who want to use their kiddos in photos: plan ahead!  There are plenty of times where we've done spontaneous photos, but those shots don't always turn out.  

Have a general concept for the photos (including picking outfits for the kids, making sure their hands are clean, having all your props ready at the location, and cleaning their hands again).  Explain why you're taking these pictures - Mr. A and Babes love the idea that other people are going to make what they're modeling.  Get a few shots of them doing what you had planned, then let them play.  



I do a lot of wincing because I'm convinced they're about to ruin something I worked so hard on, but I let it go because I know from experience that those are usually the best photos. OK, I don't completely let it go.  If these pictures had audio, it would be me repeating the word "Gentle!" over and over. 

I love things that are a little weird, quirky, funny, odd - however you want to say it. I think that's why I fell for yarnbombing (that and having a 6'3" architect husband who could reach tall places and take accurate measurements). 

I've done small projects by myself and been a member of larger installations, like Knit the Bridge.  When I lived in West Virginia, I led a crew in decorating a then-vacant historic building in downtown Wheeling, and that helped catch the eye of its current owner.  We were so glad he took on the rehabilitation that we went back to decorate it for a second time. 

 

Moving forward, I plan to release a lot more patterns, do a lot more yarn bombing, and teach more adults and kids about yarn crafts (especially crochet).  I'm also hoping to do more with crochet charity - my recent series "Hooking for Good" was an amazing opportunity to connect with organizations that use handmade items to help those in need.  It was one of the best things I ever did.

This title cracks me up too!

Bye,
Jenny :)


Okay, Jen's done, but she didn't mention my favorite post!  This one I would love to see go viral!!  If you are ANY kind of crafty person, you will be able to relate to this post and will be rolling on the floor laughing!  The look on her face is exactly what I've felt many, many times over my crafty career!  I like to think I hid "the look", but probably not.  You'll find out in the post that those people wouldn't get "the look" anyway!  The following photo is now going to be referred to as "the look".  Pin it, share it, post it . . .  social media the crap  craft out of it!!  Wouldn't that be so cool if it went viral?  Wow!  Here's the link to that Hi-larious post! You know what you should make?

Okay, one more!  I mean seriously!  I had no idea how witty crocheters were!  I mean my Grandma was funny, but I never saw her do anything like this!  Hahahahahahhahah! :)  Now I'm done.

The above photo I dedicate to a lovely reader having a rough time of it and I would just say to her, "Stop, collaborate and listen"  and I would add, smile. :) Sending you lots of good thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for stopping by.  Send Jen some love in the comments below and go visit her website and shops!  Thanks Jen, for helping me spread the happy!  Think viral guys and the not the stupid flu kind!!

CRAFT HAPPY!
 
NANCY 
xoxoxo