Focus On: Maggie Estrin

Maggie Estrin

Shop:

http://littlegreycatdesigns.etsy.com/

Blog:

http://littlegreycatdesigns.blogspot.com/

Last fall I developed a yen for fingerless gloves. I settled without much ado on these Iceburg Mitts by littlegreycatdesigns on Etsy. I love them and get tons of compliments every time I wear them! So I'm thrilled that Maggie has agreed to visit my blog!

Tell us about yourself.

What makes you, you? Ooh, the hardest question right off the line! I think there are a few things that account for who I am today: a good education, easy-going parents, extensive travel for work as well as many very different jobs, and exposure to different walks of life. I grew up in Maryland and live north of San Diego now. I’ve got a husband and, yes, a little grey cat (her name is Clio, she’s 15, and enjoys long naps on the sofa). I’ve been a library assistant, a vet tech, a pharmacy tech, an interior designer, a marketing specialist, a daycare worker, and a camp counselor. I’m a vegetarian and eat vegan as often as possible. I love to read, but generally avoid non-fiction books (though I love National Geographic and the Smithsonian magazine). I can’t imagine how empty my life would be with the internet—that sounds lame, but I wouldn’t have my shop, I wouldn’t have met many of my fibery friends, I wouldn’t be able to keep in touch as easily with my cross-country family, and I wouldn’t have been able to teach myself how to knit and spin. I’m pretty darn grateful for the internet, actually!

Do you see yourself as an artist or craftsman or both?

I think both—probably leaning more towards craftsman because my items are functional, though I do think some of my work could possibly be called art. There’s an excellent three part series by PBS called “Craft in America” that talks to craftsmen of all sorts, and I think much of what they show could be called art as well—it’s exceedingly difficult to make a distinction!

What made you want to be a craftsman?

When I was in high school and my first round of college, I never thought of myself as creative. Then I started knitting again (I first learned as a child) as a way to keep myself occupied on a long marketing trip, and that seems to have led to a whole new side of me! I started Little Grey Cat Designs, got a BFA in interior design, and have added handspun yarns to the shop. I can’t imagine not being creative now! I think I love the freedom available to me when I create—that’s why I want to do it. Making things makes me smile.

Why yarn?

I love textiles—I don’t think I many people who can pass by a skein of yarn or bolt of fabric and not touch it! Humans have used textiles of one sort or another just about forever. I love the fact that my decidedly 21st century creations reflect skills our ancestors used on a daily basis. Really, it boggles my mind.

How do you see your style?

Colorful, certainly. Beyond that, it’s hard for me to say. Hmm, maybe free-spirited, uniquely traditional, and fun.

What's the most wonderful thing you've made? The oddest?

The most wonderful…while it’s not my favorite thing I’ve ever made, I’m pretty happy with my T-Shrug. I designed it as I knit and I think it came out pretty darn well and is fairly unique.

The oddest—well, it’s not even made of fiber, but the giant bottle of Viagra I made for a school project. We had to transform a regular sized object into a huge one, and when the teacher said it should be soft and not stiff…

What inspires you?

How colors interact with each other, sunlight, the amazing photographs on Flickr, chatting with other fiber artists (hurray for Ravelry!)

What scares you?

Nerve damage, presenting my work to local yarn shops, and moths (shudder)

Tell us about your creative process.

I think about spinning and knitting pretty much all the time. Sometimes I’ll see a photograph or image that inspires a concept for a particular yarn, sometimes I work from the colors in a roving or yarn, and sometimes I just cast on or begin spinning and see what happens!

How did you get on Etsy and where else do you sell?

A friend at design school told me about Etsy (from a shopping standpoint), and I immediately began thinking of a shop name. I don’t sell anywhere else online, but you can find me at local craft shows and I do wholesale my yarn to Susan Gibbs of http://mvfiberfarm.blogspot.com/. I also plan to approach my local yarn shops soon (wish me luck!).

Describe your shop.

A bit eclectic, leaning towards handspun yarns now more than knits, colorful, and soft—I don’t use any fiber I wouldn’t put next to my own skin!

Make a recommendation.

Fibery things: http://fatcatknits.etsy.com/ – Ginny is wonderful, and does GREAT work.

Non-fibery things: http://cserdan.etsy.com// – Charlene makes *beautiful* jewelry (wish I had more of it!)

Tell us the answer to a question that we didn't ask, but should have. If you can't think of anything, tell us something random.

My favorite color is leaf green (though turquoise seems to be sneaking in), I’m right-handed and I skipped first grade.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------'Don't forget to check out the EBW Team Sale.http://thebeadedlily.blogspot.com/2008/07/announcing-1st-ever-ebw-team-sale.html

15 Things Every Bead Artist Should Remember

I asked beaders what advice they'd offer to experienced bead artists.

This is what they said:

Rainy Lane says: What you have accomplished gives others inspiration to keep moving forward.

Adina Halpern says: Bead what you love. Develop a style you can be proud of. Always enjoy what you're making!

Enchanted Beads says: Get your inspiration from visiting museums, exhibits, art sites on the Internet. Try to take a break from time to time, visit with a friend, spend time with your family, see a good movie or just take a stroll in the favorite area of your city/town.

Lynn Davy says: No matter how good you think your work is, it can always be better -be your own severest and most honest critic, and always try to improve your techniques and learn something new with every piece you make.

TotallyTwisted says: Make sure your finishing and closures are up to par with your bead work. Invest in good, quality findings and take the time to make a sturdy closure for a necklace or bracelet. A closure that can easily be fastened by one person and something that will stay closed.

Silver Dragon says: Push your personal envelope!

Smadars Treasure says: Try creating free form, using as many techniques as you can in one piece. Also try to make your original designs rather than sticking to other's work.

ClaireCreations says: Don't be afraid to think outside the box. Try freeform. Try anything. Expand your horizons.

SalamanderHouse says: Move outside your comfort zone, take risks. Buy better lights.

SquirrelsTale says: Don't stray too far from your own unique style.

JPDesignWorks says: Don't just rest on your laurels. There is *always* something new to learn.

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tenstoreylovesong says: Always be open to learning new skills and passing them onto others.

Grandma Marilyn says: Remember that everyone starts from the bottom. Beginners have great respect for the more experienced beaders. Help them to grow so that they can be as good or better than you someday.

SantiamDesigns says: She who dies with the most beads wins!

My advice? Bore no one.

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'Don't forget to check out the EBW Team Sale.
http://thebeadedlily.blogspot.com/2008/07/announcing-1st-ever-ebw-team-sale.html

So You Want to Bead?

I asked groups of artists-- beaders and non-beaders what suggestions they'd offer a beginning beader. They were a treasure trove of good tips!

What to buy:
CinderellasNemasis says: Buy either a beading mat or one of those plastic jewelry pads/holders so when you are working on a piece, you don't lose where you were at. If the dog hits the table the soon to be creation doesn't fall to the floor.

marynewton says: Buy good tools, take some classes.

bijoutery says: Buy good beads w/ a uniform size - cheap ones are often not uniform in size (often the cheap seed beads), and it will become frustrating real quick when trying to weave something and they don't fit together correctly.

customdiva says: Get every bead mag you can afford, and save all of them.

ArgentTadpole says: If you have friends around who are beaders, have a bead swap party once or twice a year. It's lots of fun and a great way to move out beads that you're not using any more in return for beads that are new and fresh to you.
I just bought a beading tray that has a cover that fits over the top of it. No more cat dancing in the beads incidents and it makes it super easy to take a project along with you.

JPDesignWorks says: Any "bargain" you get by buying "cheap" beads will quickly be lost to the aggravation of working with them. (inexpensive and cheap are not the same thing)


What to watch:
SquirrelsTale says: Be patient. Good beading techniques and skill do not just appear one day, they take time to build.

MikkiFerrugiaro says: Don't give up if the first technique doesn't work for you, there are a ton of different ways to make jewelry and you'll find one you love.

adinahalperndesigns says: Do not be intimidated! Embrace and enjoy each new stitch you learn. Take your time with each one and your skills will build on themselves before you know it!

AnnBurke says: Don't think it's a failure if you have to tear it up and start over a few times. Also, sometimes when you get a start on a project it looks really strange and when you finish it all comes together and looks totally magnificant.

Lynn Davy says: Don't be afraid to experiment - you will learn more by doing beadwork than by reading about it - even if all you learn at first is that you should have done it a different way! You can always recycle the beads into something better.

GrandmaMarilyn says: Don't let beading get you down. We are our own worst critic. Also, keep a pictoral record of everything that you do and date it. That way as you go up the ladder you can see your improvement.

ClaireCreations says: Don't get discouraged. Stick with it.


What to try:
AdornablesByLyn says: Use the internet to learn as much as you can.

TotallyTwisted says: Learn the basics, take some classes, buy instruction books and practice, practice.

tenstoreylovesong says: Always work in good light whether natural, or artificial and in a comfortable chair, your eyes and back will thank you.

EnchantedBeads says: Sign up for a group/team and stay connected!

SilverDragon says: Some learn from reading and studying illustrations. Others learn more effectively by studying with a teacher. In both cases, allow yourself to be inspired and don't just copy patterns.

Rainy Lane says: Allow your skills to develop at your own pace. I believe you will be naturally drawn to what feels best and right for you. Don't give up on yourself.

SmadarsTreasure says: Try not to decide whether you like a technique before you make at least 2 pieces using it. Collect knowledge about beading materials and learn how their characteristics influence the finished work.

adornedbyrobin says:
1) If you are going to wrap beads into dangles or links, practice with inexpensive wire before moving on to sterling silver or gold filled wire.
2) When clipping off extra sterling wire, save it. Those little leftovers can add up to a nice refund if you turn them in to a recycler.
3) Use the correct beading wire. Really strong beading wire is required for large heavy beads.
4) Don't be afraid to ask questions. Most of the employees at bead shops are beaders themselves. They are a great source of information and usually very helpful.

Stormslegacy says: Know your materials, and don't bother with the cheapest wire and findings because the poor quality will show no matter how good a beader you are!

SantiamDesigns says: Take your time, never settle for 'good enough'.

Angelicgems says: Remember to have fun above all else.


To sum up:
SalamanderHouse says: Try anything. Don't give up. Buy better lights.

Who's beading?!

Bow of Burning Gold

Today I got another Etsy Treasury! This one goes out to Triz Tager. I was wondering which EBW member I should tribute in my next treasury and as I read Triz's blog today, I thought it should for sure be her. Due in part to unrest in Israel, she's hit a bit of a rough patch and some things are very uncertain for her right now, but she's trying to focus on good things-- here's something for her to focus on!

I looked through her beautiful works and was really torn about what to feature! I picked several possibilities and then went and looked at her favorite items and her blog. I wanted to feature some of the beauties of Israel and Jerusalem and I found Mystery Street 1 by javax. The burning lights asked to be paired with some of Triz's more neutral colored art and also suggested a title, which I took from William Blake's Jerusalem.

Everything else was built around that. I wanted more of the EBW Team and Natural Stones, Quartz Bead and Beadwoven Necklace by Smadar's Treasure was perfect. She also lives in Israel so it was apt thematically as well.

Triz belongs to the newly formed BAO Team as does thejadedog whose Face Pendant was in Triz's favorites. She has sooooo many shops hearted! I believe that's where I found eringarrisondesign and her Sunset Wishes and artisantmontana and her Oriental Beauty.

Searching 'gold' rendered jenniferdennispotter's shop of stunning shots like Gold and ericburris1215's magnificent split hoop earrings. A search for 'fire' offered iacua's rose palm ring.

The hints of mystery offered by dragonjools' Creature from the Ocean, threebluesnails' ammonite and stilettoheights' The Painted Veil came from my favorite shops.

Oddly Triz was this Treasury's first visitor. She found it before I finished!

You can see it closer here for the next few days.

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'Don't forget to check out the EBW Team Sale.
http://thebeadedlily.blogspot.com/2008/07/announcing-1st-ever-ebw-team-sale.html'

Poetry, Inspiration, Cats and Death

When one has a daily blog and a peaceful life one sometimes feels that there's nothing to say for the day. Like the well has run dry.

That's part of what I like about the treasury, interview and project posts. Those are recurring things. They're in flux and ever fresh without a huge amount of emotional effort involved in writing about them. That is most of the effort involved has been expended before they're posted here. Not so my other posts.

When the well of inspiration runs dry I try to think of things that have inspired me that I could share. Poetry is one of those things. But not everyone is a fan of poetry. I prefer to think that it's because of a lack of proper exposure.

I've found that without fail, when someone says 'I don't like cats' and I say 'Have you ever had one?' they say 'No.' Well, then how do they know? Cats are all different. If you don't like one cat, you may adore another. And most cats aren't easy to know. They tend to be private animals choosing their objects of affection with care. So then I assume that you don't like cats because you've never known the right cat or the right cat has never know you.

Poetry is similar. When someone tells me they don't like poetry I assume that they've never known or been known by the right poem.

And I get the feeling that many of you who kindly come here to read my blog have little to say about poetry. Those posts get the fewest comments. Part of me wants to write about something else. The rest of me wants to find the right poem.

I started out with an exerpt of Smart's 'Jubilate Agno' called 'My Cat Jeoffry' but when I discovered just how well known that is I decided to do something else. If you've never read 'My Cat Jeoffry' never fear, I'll share it later.

Today I want to share another cat poem that I discovered a few years ago. I printed it out and tucked it away and just thought of it again today. It's called 'Cat in an Empty Apartment' by Wislawa Szymborska and this is translated from the Polish by Joanna Maria Trzeciak.

'Cat in an Empty Apartment'

Die—you can't do that to a cat.

Since what can a cat do

in an empty apartment?

Climb the walls?

Rub up against the furniture?

Nothing seems different here,

but nothing is the same.

Nothing has been moved,

but there's more space.

And at nighttime no lamps are lit.

Footsteps on the staircase,

but they're new ones.

The hand that puts fish on the saucer

has changed, too.

Something doesn't start

at its usual time.

Something doesn't happen

as it should.

Someone was always, always here,

then suddenly disappeared

and stubbornly stays disappeared.

Every closet has been examined.

Every shelf has been explored.

Excavations under the carpet turned up nothing.

A commandment was even broken,

papers scattered everywhere.

What remains to be done.

Just sleep and wait.

Just wait till he turns up,

just let him show his face.

Will he ever get a lesson

on what not to do to a cat.

Sidle toward him

as if unwilling

and ever so slow

on visibly offended paws,

and no leaps or squeals at least to start.

by Wislawa Szymborska

There are so many things I love about that poem. I love the precision of the language, and it's simplicity, the way it never rises to an emotional pitch or overplays its hand but how you can sense what lies beneath.

I love how obvious it is that Szymborska knows cats.

I love the sense of disbelief that permeates it. The 'this can't be happening to me, I know this isn't happening to me' when of course all the evidence says it is happening to me.

I love that the poet acknowledges that grief can lead to acting out, breaking rules we normally wouldn't-- whether its because the rules seem less important now or whether we just need someone to see that we don't care anymore, especially since we do.

I love the bits of anger that are tossed in and the 'sleep and wait', because that's often how it is. I love the plaintiveness of 'nothing seems different here, but nothing is the same.' Like sticking your finger in water and pulling it out. No hole is left and the only disturbance is in the ripples in the surrounding water.

I love how I've had this poem for years, and just today, I find that this isn't about cats at all.

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'Don't forget to check out the EBW Team Sale.

http://thebeadedlily.blogspot.com/2008/07/announcing-1st-ever-ebw-team-sale.html'

Bead Art Originals

Something incredible happened to me a few days ago. Even as I write this I can barely believe it. I was asked to join a new street team on Etsy. Bead Art Originals (BAO)

So what?!

The women in this team are a talented, original and successful bunch! These women are published, these women do juried shows, these are business women and artists, women who refuse to spend 5 hours on a piece and sell it for $20, women I look up to. These women are good. Does that mean I'm good?

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I entered a poetry contest once and downplayed the fact that I was a finalist by reasoning that the judges hadn't liked my poetry but they liked my accompanied statement. We all know that's ridiculous.

I feel the same way now. Like there's no way I deserve to be classed with this group.

I'm quite simply blown away to be included.

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So far we have blog and a website. Feel free to visit and get acquainted with more members of BAO. I'm sure you'll recognize some of them. Perhaps the founding trio, Carol Dean Sharpe, aka SandFibers, MaryLou Holvenstot, aka time2cre8 and Regina Jiron, aka BeadJewelryShopgirl.

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The BAO sites are beautifully put together and explain the purpose of the team.

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I quote:

"Bead Art Originals consists of a select group of independent artisans, including both creators of art beads and creators of beadwoven art. Our focus is on the business and artistic growth of our members. We will use this corner of the web to introduce you to the individual artists, keep you informed of our group activities, and perhaps educate you about our art forms a little."

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I have much to learn. I do so hope that the BAO Team is instrumental in the further growth and further success of each of its talented members.

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These Treasuries feature some BAO and EBW members and others. You'll also notice the lovely little BAO badge on my blog page:)

ANNOUNCING: 1st Ever EBW Team Sale! Midsummer Madness! Beginning Tomorrow!

Etsy Beadweavers present the 1st ever EBW Team Midsummer Madness Sale! EBW Team members have gotten together to offer some special incentives for buying Handmade on Etsy.

The sale will run from the 21st to the 27th, so shop now!!

Check out the fabulous beadwoven art jewelry at:

http://adinahalperndesigns.etsy.com/ 20% Off Everything
http://adri33.etsy.com/ Select Items on Sale

http://amberleilani.etsy.com/ Free Shipping

http://arosebyname.etsy.com/ Free Shipping on Beadwoven Jewelry

http://caraway.etsy.com/ 20% Off Pendants-- Excluding Archetypes

http://cielodesign.etsy.com/ 15% Off Everything
http://cigarboxbeads.etsy.com/ SALE Section

http://clairecreations.etsy.com/ Select Items on Sale

http://clinkscalesarts.etsy.com/ 20% Off Select Items

http://conlinscreations.etsy.com/ 20% Off Everything
http://beaddiddy.etsy.com/ 15% Off Everything

http://www.beaderjojo.etsy.com/ Reduced Prices on All Items
http://beadesignsbydale.etsy.com/ Free Shipping + 10% Off Multiple Purchases

http://www.beadsandblooms.etsy.com/ Free Shipping on Jewelry

http://beadshead.etsy.com/ 20% Off Everything + Free Shipping

http://enchantedbeads.etsy.com/ 15% Off Everything

http://farfrumplainjane.etsy.com/ 15% Off Everything

http://fashionsfrome.etsy.com/ 15% Off All Beadwoven Jewelry

http://grandmamarilyns.etsy.com/ 15% Off Everything

http://highdesertbeadscapes.etsy.com/ Free pair of Cactus Bloom Earrings + Free Shipping

http://joyfullyjewels.etsy.com/ SALE Section

http://littlestonedesign.etsy.com/ 20% Off All Bracelets
http://lolos.etsy.com/ Free Shipping on Select Items, 15% Off Select Items
http://mistyridgebeads.etsy.com/ Free Shipping + Gift

http://myfairladyvt4.etsy.com/ SALE Section
http://nemeton.etsy.com/ 10% Everything + Free Shipping

http://njema.etsy.com/ 15% Off Everything + Free Shipping for Multi-item Purchases

http://playnwithbeads.etsy.com/ Free Shipping

http://salamanderhouse.etsy.com/ Free Shipping
http://sandfibers.etsy.com/ Gift with Every $20+ Purchase

http://SilverDragon.etsy.com/ Free Shipping
http://smadarstreasures.etsy.com/ 10-15% Off Select Items

http://strungoutcreations.etsy.com/ 20% Off Beadwoven Items

http://thebeadedlily.etsy.com/ 20% Off All Beadwoven Jewelry
http://time2cre8.etsy.com/ Free Shipping + Gift on All Orders Over $25

http://valhallaforge.etsy.com/ Free Shipping