You know that feeling, when you know exactly what would be perfect to make your life easier but you have neither the time or the know how to make it yourself, & you wonder if you can even find it for sale if you go searching? When I started scouring Etsy for the perfect little pouches to store my knitting/crochet needles while traveling, Jessy Austin from Knotted Strings…and Beady Things seemed to be reading my mind.
Aren’t these just darling? Not to mention practical! I was so stoked when I contacted Jessy & she was able to ship these to me in Canada. When received they did not disappoint; exactly what I wanted & they accompany me on our frequent trips. No more misplaced needles/hooks, nor the need to bring the entire needle/crochet case.
I thought this was such a brilliant idea, I asked Jessy if she would do an artist spotlight for the blog. Not only did she agree, she generously offered to do a giveaway, as well. 🙂 Intrigued? Read on…
How long have you been creating?
Honestly, as long as I can remember! My mom always claims she isn’t “artsy-craftsy,” but I have clear memories of her encouraging my sister and I in our creations and being a great teacher for basic crafting skills. My dad has always written poetry, my grandad was a musician, and both of my grandmothers dabbled in crafty pursuits….I guess it’s in my blood! =}
What made you start creating?
My first crafting memory is of making salt dough ornaments for Christmas gifts for our family….mainly because we had no money to buy anything! =} Most of my creative passions have started as necessity. I wanted new, trendy clothes in high school, but couldn’t afford them, so I worked on my sewing skills. I needed gift bags and cards for gifts after I moved out on my own, but didn’t have any money (this was before there was a Dollar Tree on every corner) so I started making them. I wanted special gifts for the new babies in our family, so I learned to crochet and, much later, to knit. I also love to give gifts and am very thrifty, so making the things I give is both fun and, usually, affordable.
What inspires your designs?
Everything! It can be something as simple as a flower or color. Other times, it’s the feeling inspired by a song or person. I’ve learned the most important part of retaining that idea is to write it down!! There have been too many lines of poetry or knitting chart designs that have just fallen out of my brain when I didn’t jot them down.
What are your favorite pieces to make/creations you have made?
Most of my craft projects are gifts, so there have been only a few that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy making and giving. For myself, I love making shawls, scarves, socks…in fact, I have a pair of socks on my needles right now! For sale, I enjoy pairing fabrics for my needles/hook travel cases and creating beaded stitch markers and earrings…there are must so many possibilities!
Where do you sell your work?
Most of my sales are from my etsy shop, Knotted Strings and Beady Things. I also have a few knit & crochet patterns available on Ravelry – with many more just waiting to be made presentable to the crafting community! =}
Do you accept custom work?
I certainly do! I’m always happy to talk to someone about their idea and help bring it to life!
***GIVEAWAY***
Leave a comment on this post, and we’ll randomly draw for a winner to choose a product of their choice from Jessy’s shop (up to $10 value BUT – if we can get 50 comments, as in 50 unique visitors I’ll be happy to make up the difference for any item you want in her shop if over $10). Note that like most blogs I get my share of spam, so moderation may be on when you comment, but rest assured I will approve them tout de suite. 🙂
We’ll take entries until March 12th, 2014…so feel free to share far & wide to get those comment up there to qualify for the bigger prize. 🙂
A sincere thanks to Jessy, and be sure to check her work out on:
Ravelry – Rav ID: brighteyesjessy
***UPDATE MARCH 13TH, 2014***AND THE WINNER IS…
CONGRATULATIONS SHIRLEY!
You can watch the video of the drawing here:
Thanks again all! I had a lot of fun doing this and enjoyed all your comments. I hope to host more giveaways on the blog in the future. 🙂
Are you an artist inspired? I’m looking to share your story here and in my monthly newsletter. Inspire me; inspire others! E-mail me or leave a comment below to be considered. All you need is an online presence (blog, website, Etsy shop, etc.) so that the international audience the internet attracts can get to know you & your product better. This is my contribution to the handmade/artist community, & I am honored to do so! Look forward to hearing from you…
Would you like to host a giveaway on creativity inspired? I’d love to hear from you for your very own post, or feel free to leave your giveaway in the comments here if you are hosting your very own, & I’d be happy to repost it for you. Every little bit helps to get your art/handmade goods in front of admirers, and it is my pleasure to lend a hand.
comment test…is this thing on? 🙂
Jessy is the most creative, kind and generous person I’ve ever met…I admire her beyond measure!!! 🙂
Jessy is just the best! She has a great eye for color and color combinations! Truly a unique and creative lady!
I really love her stitch markers – so pretty, but without being too feminine!
Thanks again for this, Leilani! =} I’m excited to see who wins…
So cute! I love the simple string and bead stitch markers.
wahoomerryf on Ravelry
Very pretty stuff! I would love to win. Thanks!
Lovely creations, and what a nice giveaway! Thank you 🙂
I love jessy’s things.I’m still using mine from over a year ago and adore it. She even did a fabulous special order for me..and so quickly too. Highly recommend her to all!
Love the cases! i was thinking this style was what i needed to travel, takes up minimum space but keeps what i need together.
Hi!
I would like to enter, if international knitters are welcome 🙂
It is a really nice giveaway.
I’m happy to ship international if you’re the lucky winner! =}
That’s our Jessy!
I would love to win anything made by Jessy; she is so amazingly talented and creative. How do I know this?
I have a set of just-right-for-me beautiful stitch markers that she made, and, I have been lucky enough to test two of her patterns: “Taniqua” and “Arm in Arm on the One Road”.
I’m really glad to have “met” her on Ravelry.
What a lovely giveaway. Jessy certainly is a talented artist.
Love her fabric needle cases!
Jessy, I love your things, especially the idea of the knitting needle bags. Those earrings I saw were darling. Way to go to get your stuff and name out there.
Those pouches are cute and useful. What a great idea!
Don’t let this fall out of your brain, Jessy, you are an amazing girl! Always have been, always will be!!
Really nice stuff would love some new handmade stitch markers.
I love the Natural Sea Glass Charms. Being from Nova Scotia and have gone looking for sea glass, it feels close to my heart !
I had the extreme pleasure of meeting this very crafty lady during the South Sound Yarn Crawl one year. I love how the folks I have met and gotten to “know” via our Ravelry group have branched out to their own little shops on Etsy. I wish Jessy all the very best in this endeavor. When you love to craft and everyone in your family already has one of everything, it’s nice to know others in the world will welcome your work into their lives/homes. Crafty on, my friend!
Oh such pretty knotty beady things!! I love to hear when someone enjoys making as much as I do!!
So many CLEVER & beautiful items. I appreciate clever & practical.
Love her shop! Wow! Thx so much for the spotlight on a new artist! She is added to my favs for future shopping!
[…] You can read the artist spotlight and enter here! […]
Her work is gorgeous! I’d love to take home a shiny thing or two from her shop!
Awesome GIveaway! I’d love some stitch markers!
I love the products in her shop! Thanks for the chance to win
Lots of pretty things here, love the needle cases.
I love the Go Natural stitch markers with the blue beads.
I may (cough,cough) have just favorited a few items on the Etsy site. Thanks for spotlighting this creative crafter!
Such pretty things! You’re right, those needle pouches are totally something I’d make myself and love to bits, but just don’t have the motivation/time.
The needle cases are such a good idea!
CONGRATULATIONS SHIRLEY! Your name was drawn as the winner (see the edited post photo above & video). I’ll inform Jessy that you won, and you can always contact her thru her etsy shop. Best wishes & congratz again! 🙂
What a lovely surprise! Thank you so much for having the giveaway.
You are a super star!
***CONTEST CLOSED***
Entries for the giveaway is official over. I’m out of town but will draw for a winner shortly. Thanks to all who participated, it was nice to see so much sincere support for this designer!
~ Leilani 🙂
In case you missed it, Shirley’s name was drawn as the winner of the giveaway. 🙂 I’ve updated this post with a photo & video of the actual drawing. Many thanks again everyone. 🙂