craftygal porch - Interview with Gals de Craft

Sorry, there is no bread for you today... or weblinks either.

Crafting Interpreted: Behind the Craftygal Site

by Charles

One-time Craftygal co-founder and site designer, Charles, returns to ask the Craftygals a few questions about their passion for crafting and what they've learned from the Craftygal experience.

Charles: So, what's your personal philosophy on crafting?

Christy: Crafting is something that can flow through all aspects of someone’s life.

Taryn: I think crafting is the grown-up version of play-time. It's sort of the loophole adults have found to excuse their being adventurous and silly--and if the end result is pleasing, then they can add "See? It was the beautiful product I was after the whole time!" but we all know the truth…

Jan: Creating is part of the natural flow of life. For me, crafting is the way I create. There’s a whole life cycle to crafting from planting the interior seed of an idea for a project, then letting it gestate a bit in a fertile mind, next settling down to work and the birthing process, and finally the moment when your idea becomes an external reality. Then there’s another whole wonderful cycle when you give something you’ve made as a gift--it’s no longer a part of you, but it goes off to its recipient imbued with the love and meaning from its creator.

CB: What interested you and what was your motivation to be involved and develop craftygal.com? What were your personal goals when you started the project?

CJ: I wanted to be involved in something that would expose me to more crafty experiments and experiences than I would have been into if I had just been following my own crafty whims. That I get to write about it all and do it with such a fun group of gals is a bonus!

TC: In high school I was very into zines--reading and making them--and being a part of a website like this seemed like a natural continuation of that. We'd get to brainstorm for issues, collaborate, and write regularly. I also liked the idea of having a forum to share our mutual passions for creativity and DIY-type crafts.

JMC: It just sounded like so much fun! To work with some of my favorite people doing and then writing about all of the things we love--what could be better than that? Also, I loved the idea of sharing our love for crafting, fun, and living creatively with others. There were times in my life when I felt like I was hidden away, crafting in secret. I wanted to tell other closet crafters "You’re not alone! Come on out and bring the glue gun with you!"

CB: What's been the most rewarding moment you've had working on craftygal? Have you learned anything about yourself while working on the site?

CJ: The best moments were in working with friends on the website. I feel most energized after our meetings where we discuss ideas for upcoming issues. I have so much fun planning the site and developing themes for issues and watching how it all comes together month after month. It’s always surprising how things just fall into place with each issue.

TC: I've truly enjoyed being able to tell people about the site, and of course having an excuse to interview some outstanding women I may not have had the opportunity to talk with otherwise. And what I've learned from asking them how they've achieved their dreams is invaluable: to see the vast potential within each person. It's definitely made me look at myself differently.

JMC: Gosh, so many amazing things have happened! I was able to interview some inspiring women like Lisa Miya-Jervis of Bitch magazine and the Hey, Day! girls. We’ve received media attention from some of our favorite places--Bust magazine and NPR. Every time we hit a low spot, it seemed like someone would drop us a note or link to us with nice comments; it’s just been wonderful.

One thing I learned from working on Craftygal is best expressed in an old 38 Special tune (who knew they’d have an influence on my personal development?): "Hold on loosely, but don’t let go." When we first started out, I was really worried about living up to some sort of set guidelines. While having some editorial style and scheduling structure has definitely helped, I learned to relax a bit and not to invest so much in every outcome. It all started out with wanting to have some fun, right? But, even if it’s loosely, I’m still holding on ‘cause producing Craftygal is a pretty wild ride!

CB: What was your favorite Craftygal article over the past 2 years--to write and/or to read?

CJ: My favorite article that I wrote was Fanciful Ribbons Dance in the Wind. I’ve been waiting to use that craft idea for several years, and I’m so happy with the results that it was a real joy to share. One of my favorite articles to read was Taryn’s piece, Thinking Outside the Cube. If you’ve lived the saga, it’s a sidesplitting commentary on the reality of cube life. And then there was Jan’s piece, Shopping for a Little Milk of Human Kindness, a great reminder to slow down, look around, and gain a little perspective.

TC: Ironically a lot of the articles I had fun writing were ones that had to be pulled out of me, like Voodoo That You Do and my essay in defense of picky eaters. My other favorites include Charles' guide to flea markets, Trash or Treasure, Jan's groupie catalog, Band Boys and the Girls Who Love Them, and of course, Christy's classic Screaming Fun in Toronto chronicles--what a trip!

JMC: I had a great time writing my personal "hairstory" in Raising My Hair. My favorite craft article was Taryn’s Let it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine because we had so much fun getting together to make our hanging lanterns. I still have mine hanging up on my porch. And Christy’s Krispy-Kreme-ifesto was just delicious--Charles’ flying doughnuts were a fabulous accompaniment.

CB: What are some of the crafting projects you've totally given up on and never finished?

CJ: I never finished my first cross-stitching project (a little Boston bean jug) because it was a little boring. Although I have a current cross-stitch project and knitting project that have been in the works for ages, I can’t say I’ve given up on them… yet. I will finish them some day.

TC: Oh I have several cross-stitch projects I haven't finished--including a pictorial Psalm 23 and a lovely bunch of grapes. I also have a scrapbook that's been stalled for over a year, despite my having everything I need to finish it. I think what bugs me more than the unfinished projects are the resources that sit around unused because I end up buying things instead of giving myself enough time to make them… I've heard the key to solving this problem is organization, but I have yet to experiment with that!

JMC: My big ol’ paper 3-D head sculpture! I finished the head, with its vacuum pump, and two of the inserts that symbolized different states of mind (the vacuumist and the dodo bird), but I just couldn’t find the inspiration to finish the other two mindsets (passion and headache). I’ve got a pile of cross-stitch projects that aren’t finished yet, but I’ve been picking them up from time to time. Actually, I recently purged my home of half-started projects that just didn’t inspire me anymore. What an amazing relief that was!

CB: It's always great to take some time off, and I realize you've taken a bit of a break from the site for a few months, what were you up to this summer? Any new crafting projects going on?

CJ: Between a few long weekends and a trip to the North Carolina shore for a family vacation, I’ve been gardening and doing some home improvements. I recently acquired my own set of golf clubs, and I’ll be honing my skills. Years of putt-putt have served me well; it’s the rest of the game I need help with.

TC: Well I've moved and changed jobs so that was an adjustment, but I met a lot of new crafty people. And I've been circulating the craft show scene with some marble jewelry I've whipped up, which was a lot of fun. My next big crafting goal is to learn quilting, which is a perfect fall/winter project.

JMC: I relaxed and had some fun! I got to see my hubby’s bands play outside, which is always a treat. Taryn and I hit a few craft shows with some of our crafty wares. And I had some little traveling adventures. My plan was to rejuvenate my crafty juices so I’d be ready to roll again when fall came around. Mission accomplished!