Newfoundland is a wonderful and inspiring place, and in keeping with my goal of staying connected I am going to try to do a post once a month that is directly related to the Island. Some will be interviews, some descriptions of places I have visited, and others will be bits and pieces of fun Island information.
Today we have a very special interview! From Shawn who has been a part of the crafting community for longer than I have been alive. She is a pretty amazing person, and her yarns are simply beautiful.
How long have you lived in Newfoundland?
What is your favourite thing about living where you do?
I moved to Newfoundland from Toronto in 1975. My then
husband got a job teaching English at the new Grenfell Campus of MUN University
in Corner Brook. Our plan was to stay for 2 years...
My love affair with Newfoundland was not immediate. Newfoundland
is a hard place. It is hard to penetrate. But bit by bit it seeps into your
blood. And now, almost 40 years later, it is the only home I have. What I love
most about living here is the freedom to be and do what you want. I have
re-invented myself many times – as a painter, a teacher, a children’s book
illustrator, a barrista, an animal rights activist, a
craftsperson. And with each change, I’ve
been accepted. What is looked for , and honoured in this place, is honesty.
When did you become part of the crafting community, and how did it begin?
When did you become part of the crafting community, and how did it begin?
I have been involved in craft (professionally) for about 12
years. My background is in fine art (I hold a master’s degree in painting). In
2000 I decided I didn’t want to paint anymore. I accepted an artist residency
at Terra Nova National Park and took only fabric and needles and thread. I
began making small textile pieces. That lead to larger “comforters”, children’s clothes made out of vintage
chenille bedspreads, rug hooking and most recently dyeing and spinning yarn. I
have always knit and wanted to be able to knit with my own yarn.
What do you create on a regular basis?
What do you create on a regular basis?
My hand spun yarn is how I support myself now. It is how I fill my days. Dyeing, carding,
spinning. Each skein is one-of-kind (and titled to show what the inspiration
was). I also make knitting kits –( for hats, fingerless gloves, scarflettes and
shawl scarves) that include a skein of hand spun yarn, a pattern card and
handmade wooden needles that I paint to match
the colours in the yarn. My company is Island
Sweet Fibre Arts. I sell retail on
etsy (www.islandsweet.etsy.com)
and wholesale to about 25 shops – mostly in the Maritimes but also across
Canada and in the USA.
What is your favourite thing to create? Or are there many?
What is your favourite thing to create? Or are there many?
Last year I switched from retail to wholesale. This makes it
easier to plan my days. And gives me more freedom to pursue other things. My evenings used to be spent knitting
product to sell . Now in the evenings I’m back to making small textile
pieces. I usually start with some vintage textile and work into and onto it
embroidery, stitching, appliqué, beading etc.
This work is what I’m most excited about right now.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from my life. I’m over 60 now so there
is a lot to draw on! I’m inspired by the beauty of where I live. I’m inspired
by my own personal history. By my travels. By other art – both historical and
contemporary.
What does your workspace look like?
What does your workspace look like?
I have a studio in my home but it’s mostly for storage of
materials. I dye in the kitchen (or out of doors when the weather is warm
enough). I spin in the living room. In
the evening I'm on the couch watching movies or TV as I work on my textile
pieces.
Where can we find you on the internet?
I have a blog that I write on a few times a week – mostly about my creative inspiration and
adventures. I have a web site
where I show my process and my product, and then my etsy shop. I live in a very
small community. The internet has made it possible for me to reach out.
Thanks so much Shawn! I hope everyone takes a minute to wander over to one of Shawn's internet locations - you might just get totally sucked in by the beauty of her handspun yarn - I know I have!
