Worldwide Artist Blog Hop and four questions about Kokopelli Design

My wonderful blogging friend Nicole Campanella of Beadwright invited me to join the Worldwide Artist Blog Hop and answer 4 questions about my art. Thank you so much, Nicole, for inviting me. So here we go!

 

Bead embroidered pendant winning People's Choice Award in the Margie & Me Challenge 2010

Why do I do what I do?

Because I have to. Being creative is not a hobby, but a way of life, at least for me. It is necessary for me to exist. Maybe a quote hanging on my studio wall explains it best:

“Why did she make things? Well, she enjoyed it, of course; but it also somehow helped her remember who she was and where she came from." -Anonymous.

Yes, I guess that hits the nail on the head.

 

Arrow quiver

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

That’s a tricky question, as I’m sure that my work does not fit into a single genre. I dabble in so many art forms and work with so many media, that the difference is always.........yes, different. Maybe there is one element, that returns in many of my pieces. I often ask myself:  “Did my ancestors already do this and if yes, how did they do it? What tools did they use? How did they get the materials without craft stores and discounters?” For example spinning wool. I buy the wool and maybe have to card it before spinning. That’s all. But I do not have to breed sheep, shear them, wash the wool etc. Or chainmaille. I buy wire, coil it and cut it into rings. And sometimes I even buy pre-cut rings. But where did my ancestors get their wire? And how did they make chainmaille armors before wire could be made? Interesting to think about it, right? And sometimes, many times, I try my hand on old crafts with the tools my ancestors used way back. How skilled they must have been!

 

Chainmaille bezel for a glass cabochon made from sterling silver rings and embellished with Swarovski crystals

How does my creative process work?

When I find out I’ll tell you. *LOL* No, just kidding. Sometimes it can be described as jumping in followed by trial and error in the making process. No planning ahead, no sketches, working with what I have on hand. And sometimes it starts with an idea, a photo or an inspiration I saw somewhere followed by a sketch in what I call my scrapbook, collecting possible colorways, gathering materials and tools and thinking about the best way to make a certain project.

 

Crochet afghan with square and strip motifs

What am I working on now?
 
Oh, I hope I can post more than one item. ;) So there are several crochet items, like a blanket, a shawl, a set of coasters etc. Then there are two knife sheaths for knives BF and me made during a knifemaking class we took last weekend. We even forged the blades ourselves, so these sheaths got to be special. And the latest addition to my list is making/sewing my own garments. I started and finished one shirt and working on another. I work on and off on all of these items, so that explains the long answer.

 

Knife sheath for handforged knife

So these were my answers. I invited the following artists to join the Worldwide Blog Hop. Both are SA based and are avid and talented crocheters:

Zelna Olivier  http://zootyowlcards.blogspot.com/
Anneke Wiese http://crochetinpaternoster.wordpress.com/

Zelna and Anneke will post their answers on August 18th.

 

Denim Rag Quilt made from recycled jeans