I've been way too busy with the holidays.

Zanna From Ohio

What is your craft?
-I dabble in a little of everything, from sewing, to crocheting and knitting, even some jewelry and soap making. I’ve been crafting since I was a wee baby, so I’ve tried a few different thangs in my life.

Why do you craft?
-I craft to relieve stress, to relieve boredom, and to feel good about making something and being productive. I craft, therefore, I am. Yeah, I went there.

What are your sources of inspiration?
- I’m inspired by a huge range of things. I love horror, gore and zombies, tattoo flash, punk and rockabilly culture, Dia de Los Muertos, pin-ups, culture of past eras, beauty queens and drag queens, Greek mythology, pop culture, music, fairy tales, the Golden Girls and John Waters. But mostly, I’m usually inspired by random flavor of the week stuff. Whatever catches my eye.

What is your favorite beverage?
-Odwalla Superfood juice (holysweetbabyjesus) or Sweet Tea.

Where do you buy your favorite beverage?
-I get the juice at Ye Olde Grocery Store; I get my sweet tea at my Nanny’s house. Gold Star Chili also has some bomb ass tea.

How did you come up with your business name?
-My name is Zanna and I like Star Wars. Ya dig?

What is your weapon of choice?
-Support hose filled with pennies and tied off. The support hose are firm yet have a little give, and the pennies are surprisingly heavy and wont rip the hose like gravel does. Also, an old fashioned crochet hook up the nose works. Egyptian style. And don’t underestimate my Force Grip.

What would you be doing otherwise?
-If I weren’t artistically inclined, I would be a plastic surgeon or a mortician.

Do you have any advice for other crafters?
- Craft while listening to metal. Trust me here.

Any final last words?
- Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.

Check her out on Etsy!

Laura From Wyoming

What is your craft?
I am a Jill of all Trades. I dabble in sculpting, painting, sewing, crocheting, beadwork (especially french beading), baking, cooking, make-up artistry, writing, designing, plus I am extremely business minded so I invent new businesses everyday practically. I think it drives my husband crazy! I love trying everything crafty and creative especially if its wearable. I specialize in jewelry and accessories but am venturing into home decor. I really love being able to take something and make it unique and fabulous. I am always researching new ways to create something especially in old Ladies home Journal magazines they are brilliant with ideas!
Why do you craft?
Since I was little I was always designing and cutting up things (sorry Mom!) I have had this natural instinct to make things unique and original. I would color my shoes, cut my doll's hair and clothes, I even took a very expensive dress of my younger sisters and reconstructed it into a fairy costume. I think I was like 8 and my sister never lets me live that down! Crafting and designing is such a passion for me. I feel so happy and content when I'm making something. Even if it turns out like yack I still feel accomplished that I at least tried! I'm not an insomniac though so it hampers my creative ability sometimes. I love my sleep!
What are your sources of inspiration?
I love old and new school tattoo art. But my true inspiration comes from books, movies and music. I use my imagination and create something tangible from those works. Of course I put my own twist on it. I am inspired by kitschy, retro, vintage, obscure, pulp and low-brow art, japanese subculture, Alice in Wonderland, The Last Unicorn, victorian, steampunk, Tim Burton, Marie Antionette, costume, 1980's cartoons, color and textures. This is a shortened list but I truly believe everything is inspiring. My family and friends inspire me by supporting my crazy whirlwind ideas. My son inspires me to keep motivated. You can draw inspiration from anything you just have to open your eyes and especially your mind.
What is your favorite beverage?
I do love Crown and Red Bull but I'm a huge fan of tea. Hot, cold, herbal, green, red, black....whatever it is I love it. I would love to open a kitschy tea shop one day. My mother owned one when I was 18 and I helped her run it. It was the most amazing memories I have. I believe all your problems can be solved over a fabulous pot of tea and good conversation.
Where do you buy your favorite beverage?
I am always buying new tea every place I go, my favorite store right now is Cost's World Market. Its fabulous and so fun to explore. I am way picky about premade drinks. Anyone who knows me has heard me bitch about bottled tea being too sweet. They lose the essence of the tea when they pile in all that sugary crap. Ok the end. For my Crown and Red Bull I enjoy a good shady smokey dive bar. It sets the ambiance and makes me feel like I'm back in good ol Wyoming.
How did you come up with your business name?
I have so many names I have came up with! Lux Foote just stuck. I really wanted to use something that could be identified as a person instead of as a company. I think people relate more to a person's name at least thats what I learned in Communications classes. I'm obsessed with human psyche in consumer marketing. I really love the whole concept of being able to identify with a large consumer base purely through marketing. Ok, I'll stop now, my geek side is shining through.
What is your weapon of choice?
Fists of fury but mostly my brain. I believe that you can accomplish so much more by using all of your intellectual powers. You can be the most creative person in the world but if you have no social skills or empathy (not sympathy) you will never be truly successful.
What would you be doing otherwise?
Like I said I'm a Jill of all trades. I am a Business Law major with a focus in Intellectual property protection and a full time mother. I can't imagine a world without crafting or creating. I love what I do and hopefully others do too!
Do you have any advice for other crafters?
Never give up, try lots of new things, take lots of pictures and for Gods sake BE CREATIVE! As designers we work too hard to have some bored person copy our ideas and try to sell it. You can take the basis of the craft and alter it to make it your own. You have no idea unless it has happened to you when you stumble upon your pirated design. It really makes you feel violated and in all honesty there is not much you can do legally. Thats why I am going to law school to protect designers like us from being pirated. If you ever feel that your idea is not completely original Google it. Lots of pictures show up or even search Etsy. Be aware of designs and fads it really will help you grow as a designer too. The End.
Any final last words?
We have such sights to show you! No tears please its a waste of good suffering.

 

 Miss Hell From Texas

What is your craft?
Making jewelry out of doll house accessories, revamping furniture, snazzing up eyeglasses, stenciling, making purses, doing things with animal bones, I do a lot more but I will keep this list short.
Why do you craft?
I have always done crafts, I can remember ripping up my osh kosh begoshes and trying to make them into stuff when I was like 5 years old, and my mom beating my ass, they were all ugly and all turned out atrociously slutty for a kiddo but it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, I craft now for the same reason as before because Im bored and stores don’t make what I want.
What are your sources of inspiration?
My first source of inspiration would have to be horror movies, Im obsessed so my crafts reflect that, second my husband whos a seriously sick individual he gives me a lot of gross ideas, also my son because I want him to be the coolest baby on the block. I'm also inspired by music, especially punk and classic country, old school tattoos, mid century modern designs, comics of course, run on sentences, and drug addicts.
What is your favorite beverage?
My favorite beverage is shiner bock beer and sierra Nevada porter Im a beer snob sometimes, but Ill also will drink a vintage 211, box wine, or old E
Where do you buy your favorite beverage?
H.E.B central market grocery stores and whole foods.
How did you come up with your business name?
N/A Ive never got around to setting up my etsy now that I have a 5 month old squirming all over the place, but soon I hope.
What is your weapon of choice?
Id probably be an accountant I think if I hadnt been day dreaming in school so much about things I could make later at home, I would have done a lot better in school, Id be bored I'm sure, without crafts what’s the point of living.
What would you be doing otherwise?
Id probably be an accountant I think if I hadnt been day dreaming in school so much about things I could make later at home, I would have done a lot better in school, Id be bored Im sure, without crafts whats the point of living.
Do you have any advice for other crafters?
If at first your crafts suck try and try again, and dont do it so that you can be good at something, or to impress someone, do it because its fun, also I keep a notebook to jot all my ideas down in so when I thinkof a good idea when I'm drunk or on the spur of the moment I don’t forget it later. Also if you need further inspiration check out http://bitchessewstitches.proboards.com. Craft the motha up!
Any final last words?
The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. I try to think about that while crafting.

Meggers From Illinois

What is your craft?

I mostlymake jewelry and what not. My big thing is sweater clips right now. Ialso dabble in sewing, knitting, crocheting, and all sorts of generalcrafts.

Why do you craft?

I craft because that's what I do. It's who I am. And you know what they say, "Idle hands are the devils playground"

What are your sources of inspiration?

Everythingaround me. I'm a big fan of people watching and just pick up thingsfrom everyone. I also take a lot from classic old movies, comic books,horror movies, and all kinds of stuff from the past. A big inspirationis the 1950s.

What is your favorite beverage?

Vanilla coke I am so happy they brought it back. I've always been known to enjoy me some King Cobra. Hahha!

Where do you buy your favorite beverage?

Jewel usually. Or the random shady liquor store for the King Cobra.

How did you come up with your business name?

I'vealways been a fan of the word swindle, and well it just kicks ass as abusiness name. It's a shame a lot of people don't get it though.

What is your weapon of choice?

I've found a knitting needle to the eye can take even the burliest man down.

What would you be doing otherwise?

Beinga mindless zombie. Eating brains and the like. No but really I can'tthink of what I would be doing. Crafting is such a part of my life, Idon't go a day without it.

Do you have any advice for other crafters?

Keepon truckin'. Don't let the man get you down. You know the usual lines.No but seriously keep at it, the worst thing you can do is stopcrafting. The world needs more DIY.

Any final last words?

Sometimes I wish I could boldly go where no man has gone before... but I'll probably stay in Chicago.

Brooke From Illinois

What is your craft?

I haveto pick one? I sew, make jewelry, and cast resin for CrossbonesCouture. I also have training in lost wax casting and jewelry making,and pottery.

Why do you craft?

Icraft because I love it. If I am not doing something creative, I feellost. It also helps that it pays the bills! (well, most of the timeanyways!)

What are your sources of inspiration?

Itry to find inspiration everywhere. It is mostly in colors, when I amout and about, I keep a notebook in my purse, and write down colorcombinations or shapes that grab my attention. If I see someone bendingdown to grab a bag of soil at the garden center, and their shirt fallsa certain way that looks interesting to me, I jot down a quick drawing.If I see a shirt, or shape that looks cool to me, I will turn that intothe inspiration for a line of bags or purses. The inspiration for thenewest line of purses, the rock and roll line, came from my love ofmusic combines with my need for function in a bag as a mom of 2!Function for me always comes first, no matter what the design, it HASto function well for the person using it.

What is your favorite beverage?

Pabst Blue Ribbon, or if I am feeling tame, good old Coke Classic.

Where do you buy your favorite beverage?

PBR is hard to find, so I have to go to the specialty liquor store, or the one in ghetto town! LOL!

How did you come up with your business name?

Ineeded to find a word that rhymed with skull, and I couldn?t, so Ifound one that rhymes with Crossbones. Plus, I am intrigued by couturein general.

What is your weapon of choice?

Words, followed by my fist. I have found my knee can also do some pretty hefty damage.

What would you be doing otherwise?

IfI did not craft, I would most likely be sitting in an office job,sucking at my life. I actually went to college to be a drug and alcoholaddictions counselor. Go figure.

Do you have any advice for other crafters?

Dowhat you love, and do not let anyone else tell you that what you aredoing is wrong. When I first started Crossbones Couture, I was makingitems that I thought OTHER people would like. Yeah, they sold, but Iwas MISERABLE with my creative process. I decided to start making stuffthat I would actually wear or use, and trying to break the mold. I ammuch happier, and my sales have started taking off!

Any final last words?

Sometimes, all you need is a large garbage can, some lye, and a place to dump the remains.

Bad Girl, SuperVixenBadGirl

What is your craft?

Mainly, I make cigar box purses. But, I have been known to make house wares, clothing, jewelry, hair bows, and a scene.

Why do you craft?

Itkeeps me off the streets and alleviates pent up fury. Sadly, I have notbeen able to finish the numerous projects that are in various states ofcompletion in my home due to the evils of formal education. I am nowable to shoot fire out of my eyes because of this.

What are your sources of inspiration?

Pop culture of the past.

What is your favorite beverage?

Frappio Light Latte tall boys, with Tanqueray and tonic coming in at a close second.

Where do you buy your favorite beverage?

Icruise the Big Lots in the area until they have it on their shelves andthen I buy their entire stock out. Tanqueray can be acquired at anydive, but finding Frappio at $0.60 a can is an adventure.

How did you come up with your business name?

Iwrote a letter to someone using the tried and true ransom-style ofcutting words out of magazines. I glued those 4 words side-by-side asmy signature, and the rest is history.

What is your weapon of choice?

Sarcasm. But these fire shooting eyes are starting to come in handy.

What would you be doing otherwise?

Living the life of a Real Housewife of New York City.

Do you have any advice for other crafters?

Gorilla Glue expands 60x more than its original size when drying.

Any final last words?

If I live through this semester, a new line of purses will be out in June.

Tague From Illinois

What is your craft?

latelyit's been building shelving out of milk and soda crates. i sew a lottoo, try to take things that would otherwise be trash and make theminto something useful, crochet, and i used to make a lot of jewelry.

Why do you craft?

becausei feel like i'm worthless if i'm not creating something at almost alltimes. lately crafting has taken a bit of a backseat to writing but i'mplanning on making some little hand bound books here soon.

What are your sources of inspiration?

anything that makes me stop and think or makes my heart skip a beat.

What is your favorite beverage?

ARNOLDPALMERS. the black tea ones over the green tea ones. oh and whiskey.but i'm afraid of what the results of mixing the two would be.

Where do you buy your favorite beverage?

thepalmers at whatever gas station or convenience marts seem to have them.i usually buy my booze at jewel or strack and van til.

How did you come up with your business name?

myfriend jake used to randomly ask all the time "what if tague was apterodactyl. and thus the moniker ptagueodactyl was born. i wish i hadthe time/funds to run the etsy right now.

What is your weapon of choice?

wit.

What would you be doing otherwise?

i don't even know what i would do if i could never craft. living in a padded cell maybe?

Do you have any advice for other crafters?

don'tget all butthurt if someone doesn't like what you made. will it last?do you like it? if the answer to both of those questions is yes, it'sall good.

Any final last words?

ummmm SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!

Bean From New York

What is your craft?

I do a little bit of a lot, I'm a photographerby trade, and I find myself playing with and manipulating picturesoften. But, I also love melting plastic and am getting into meltingglass and metal. I make sock monkeys, vases out of melted plastic,wooden charms, felt animals, shrink plastic everything. I like toscreen print as well. I haven't met a craft I didn't like since countedcross stitch. I don't like following directions, so I make a lot ofhappy, messy accidents.

Why do you craft?

I have said thismany times, about my music, my writing and my crafting, but it is thetruth. It is what I do because it is who I am, and it is who I ambecause it is what I do. I can't not craft, I can't not alter things, Ihave to do it. Perhaps its a compulsion, perhaps it is passion. So muchof life is impersonal and fake and crafting is my rebellion, it makesmy world more me and more real. I also meet cool people and learn alot. Some people see crafting as a way to pass time, but for me it is away of learning more about myself. There also is a sense ofaccomplishment and pride you get from having an idea and then making ithappen. I get cranky if I am unable to create for long periods of time.I get crafter's block, I don't know if other people get that, but itsucks as hard as writer's block. My mom is super crafty, so I've kindaalways been around "arts and crap" as my brother calls it.

What are your sources of inspiration?

I'mhonestly a really critical person, so I look at things as they are andthink how could it be better. I read a lot of books, craft and others.I am on PunkRockDomestics a lot. Most of my friends are either artists,musicians or crafters on some level. I listen to a lot of music. Thestatus of the world is my problem, crafting and DIY is my solution andPRD, craftbooks, art classes and ecetera are the tools. Or, perhaps Iam the tool. Craft books piss me off, someone seriously awesome needsto write one, because the craft books that are out there are all flawedor lacking. It is like the writers are pulling punches, not giving youeverything you need to do whatever it is. I never follow thedirections, so maybe that is it.

What is your favorite beverage?

DietCoke with Splenda. Seriously, I have an addiction. I'm also a big fanof Jack Daniels. That is pretty tacky of me, I know. Hell, they tastefantastic together. My favorite cocktail is Vanilla Coke and CaptainMorgan's Special Reserve, its tastes like birthday cake. Although, thisweek I was introduced to Ice T and Rum, it was a good thing. I wish Iliked water more.

Where do you buy your favorite beverage?

Meijer. Although, I'd really like to buy a mini soda fountain for my house, it would be way more eco friendly.

What is your weapon of choice?

Ilearned the correct way to punch a few weeks ago, so right now I'm abig fan of hitting people. I didn't actually know there was a wrong wayto punch. Here is the key, keep your fist loose until impact, tightenon impact.

Do you have any advice for other crafters?

Craft every day. Even if it is just a small little nothing, or a part of a project. Make crafting a habit.

Organize your supplies, it prevents you from losing things, buying duplicates and it can help you stay inspired.

Thesuper glue Future Glue Gel, is far superior to the old school superglue, it holds better but dries slower, so you have more room to makeit perfect and you don't glue your fingers together as often.

Take pictures and keep them, create a digital portfolio of your past work.

Any final last words?

Coloringinside the lines is the worst thing you can make a child do. Thinkabout what you are really teaching a child by telling them that theircoloring is only good if it stays inside someone else's parameters. Whynot teach children to draw their own pictures, and create their ownlines? Why do people teach their children to fall in line so early?

Brook From Indiana

What is your craft? Mostly sewing, and lots of felt appliqués, but I've also been known to stencil or bead or melt things.

Why do you craft? Itmight be trite, but it's really a part of who I am at my most basiclevel. I need to use my hands to create things. I'll start to feelreally antsy and I know I just need to make something.

What are your sources of inspiration? Tattoos, music, cats. Or tattoos of cats playing musical instruments.

What is your favorite beverage? Boozey- dirty grey goose martini. Non-boozey- Arizona Lite Arnold Palmer

Where do you buy your favorite beverage? There is only one gas staion that carries it in my area, and it's a Murphy station.

How did you come up with your business name?When I had my little girl (Viv, who's now 2), my husband and I weretrying to think of the most obnoxious nicknames we could give her. LikeItsyBitsyBreath and Stinky Wizzleteets and things like that. So wecalled her "Poodlekins" for about a week and when it lost it's novelty,I thought it was an appropriately annoying but memorable name for myEtsy venture.

What is your weapon of choice? Craft-wise,a good ol' needle and thread are my faves, but I couldn't functionwithout my sewing machine. Violence-wise, knuckle-dusters make itpersonal.

What would you be doing otherwise? Otherthan crafting, I actually do lots of stuff. I foster orphaned kittens,do home-school preschool with Viv, and I'm an official glove-weraing,case-carrying Avon Lady. I also like to bake, cook, get tattooed, watchhorror movies, and hang out with fam, including all of the cats anddogs.

Do you have any advice for other crafters? Makesure that you create SOMETHING every week. Even if it's just an instantgratification thing like a simple beaded bracelet or decoupaged tin. Ifyou don't make sure you keep sharp, you'll be more likely to put downyour pinking shears and get lazy.

Any final last words? I'm glad that BSS is giving it another go. I love to craft within a community, and sometimes that gets bogged down in personalities and politics and just plain bullshit. Getting back to showing our craftwork and inspiring each other is really what this whole thing should beabout.

Check out her shop