Fun, Funky and Functional Christmas!

Random Facts About You?

I love Clint Eastwood movies.

I have a thing for birds.

I love anything sparkly.

I caught my first fish this year.

What got you started crafting?

I was born crafting. I used to make construction paper pop-up cards for my mom when I was a kid. I was taught to sew by my Grammy and Great Aunt Mabel. I love all kinds of needlework and switch up as my mood changes. My parents taught me to macrame when I was a kid and I loved it! I'm not sure why people don't do it anymore, to be honest. Now I make items that I love and sell them. I find that if you make things you love you don't get burned out...and if they don't sell, you don't mind keeping them!

What is your source of inspiration?

Color and texture is a big one. I love simple designs and simple shapes. I think that you can go wild with color and texture and keep the design simple. I also like to think things will be around for a while. When I was around 20 I realized that people had all kinds of things from their grandmothers, and great grandmothers--things like quilts, framed needlepoint flowers and samplers, needleworked tablecloths. We cherished these things and would be among the first things we saved in a fire, along with people, pets, and photo albums. It occurred to me that there would be nothing like that from my generation and I thought that was really quite sad. I learned to quilt because of that and I try to give handmade gifts as often as I can.

What have you made recently?

I've been making a lot of Christmas ornaments lately. I was lucky enough to come across a lot of designer home decor fabric samples and have been having the best time with them! I thought it would be great to have Christmas decorations that were fun and funky, yet still traditional. I like the twist. Most of the stockings I've made so far are two sided. Each side a different, yet coordinating fabric. They look great by themselves, but also in groups or hung as a garland from a stair banister or fireplace mantle.

Where do you sell your crafts presently?

I sell my items at local craft shows and on Etsy.

Why are handmade crafts important to you?

Handmade items mean more. They mean more to both the person who creates them and to the person who chose to make them a part of their lives. I'm so flattered when someone likes something I've made enough to purchase it. I also know that when I buy something handmade that it was made with more care and devotion than something mass produced. I might pay a little more, but I get something that is one of a kind, something that had a lot of thought and care put into it.

Find Me

Location
Traverse City, MI

Email Address
Julie Wilson

Personal Website
http://www.thenoddingpincushion.etsy.com

Store Website
http://www.thenoddingpincushion.etsy.com