I like for everything that I make to be a little bit different or slightly off from what you’d expect- (and for it to include corduroy if at all possible). I like to alter shapes (if I’m going to make a wallet, I want it to be round, if I’m making a fabric covered box I want it to be a triangle box rather than square, if I’m embroidering I want to use a rough wool yarn instead of the typical smooth & satiny DMC floss).
Stephanie Troutner
Random Facts About You?1. I like my cat and corduroy way too much.
2. I majored in French horn performance in college.
3. I’m an obsessive baker.
4. I was a Toastmaster for 4 years although I’m still better at talking to dogs & cats than people.
What got you started crafting?
I got started crafting as a kid out of boredom- needing to find something to do & something to make with my hands. In Jr. high home Ec. class I took it one step further by learning to sew a hiddious & ill-fitting blue polyester A-line skirt.
Later on I would go to the craft store in search of modern & unique projects and it was very difficult or impossible to find what I was looking for (mainly in embroidery & cross stitch patterns) so I finally decided to come up with my own designs. Now when I can't find a very specific or obscure item, I just figure out how to make it myself. I love the freedom that that gives me.
What is your source of inspiration?
Living, breathing things like microorganisms, plants of all sorts, colorful things like butterflies and interesting foods like cake & eggplant.
What have you made recently?
I recently made myself an iPhone cozy. I needed something to hold and protect my iPhone & I thought "Why spend $35 on a mass produced piece of plastic if I could store my phone in a soft gray corduroy sleeve adorned with a hand embroidered, yellow polka dot appliqué and lined in turquoise?".
Hand stitching is involved in everything that I make. If I made it, it's going to be full of color and texture (& corduroy if I can possibly squeeze it in somewhere!).
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
I sell my work on my Etsy shop- WeirdWoollyDesigns.Etsy.com. I am also starting to sell in local boutiques such as the shop at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft in Louisiville.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
I love to Make things with my hands and I like to buy handmade so that I can support other artists in being able to do what they love. To have an object that was made by someone who absolutely loves what they are doing is always going to be so much better than having an impersonal mass produced item.
Find Me
LocationLouisville, KY
Email Address
Stephanie Troutner
Personal Website
http://weirdwoollydesigns.pullfolio.com
Store Website
http://weirdwoollydesigns.etsy.com
@WeirdandWoolly
