Kelsey Leib
Random Facts About You?
I can’t pick a favorite color. I always seem to change my mind every couple of months. I was raised vegetarian. At the age of 19 I tried a piece of pepperoni and haven’t looked back. I have a favorite of just about everything. Favorite old man with a cane walking out of McDonalds, favorite flamboyant techno dj, favorite man with epic beard . . . I have a fascination with language and cultures. Among the top on my list of places I will visit someday are Ghana, India, and Italy.
What have you made recently?
Two days ago, my first shipment of winter/fall wool arrived. I always get excited when I have new yarn to play with and started right away. I’m currently working on a bright blue, over sized beret design for the Cozy Wool Collection. My creative process goes something like this: Cast on, rip it out, cast on again, knit a few rows, undo the last row, redo that row, rip it out, drink a cuppa coffee, knit half the hat, rip it out again, then make something entirely different. I tend to work impulsively rather than think about what I’m doing, which is why I typically come up with a design idea, scrap that knitting and use the design again after some measurements/gauge has been taken. It sounds inefficient, but I don’t think I could work any other way.
What got you started crafting?
I taught myself how to knit after finding my mom’s old knitting books around the age of ten. I didn’t have needles back then, so I learned on a pair of chopsticks. It was on and off for years, until in college I found a little shop featuring local artisans. It inspired me to really start creating and showing off my work.
What is your source of inspiration?
Sometimes, I’m inspired by the material itself. I never really know what I’m making until I’m halfway through the piece. Other times I find myself creating work that reflects a person, whether its someone I encounter on a daily basis or someone I met once three years ago.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
While I’ll always have my trusty Etsy shop, I’m currently working on expanding to more local shops. Currently I sell at Geode’s Gallery in Cleveland and Wholly Craft in Columbus.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
Handmade offers something unique and personal. I also find some material, such as wool, gets softer as it is worked with the hands, which is why I use handspun wool for all my projects. It just doesn’t have the same feel coming from a machine.
Find Me.
Location
Cleveland, OH
Email Address
Kelsey Leib
Personal Website
http://www.caffeinatedfrenzy.com
Store Website
http://www.caffeinatedfrenzy.etsy.com
Facebook Profile
http://www.facebook.com/caffeinatedfrenzy
Twitter
@cfrenzy
