Shannon Lueskow July 2008 threadanimal artist of the month

SHANNON LUESKOW

Dirt and Sunshine

Beautiful, Whimsical, Thread and Fiber Creatures

Where did you grow up?

Washington State and still live there. LOVE this place!

The great Pacific Northwest can be called a big melting pot of culture. Besides it's obvious beauty, there are so many things to capture your interest and some of the greatest artists in the world can be found here.

What's your place of birth?

Albequerque New Mexico but I was made in Washington State

Do you think that your hobbies/crafts are influenced by where you live or would they look the same if you lived elsewhere?

I cannot say for sure but I do think our enviornment always affects us and that would certainly have an effect on our artwork. I feel that my work would be, in general, the same (whimsical bent) but some of the subtilities are different. I mean, we get so much rain here that all my pieces are waterproof...lol.

Please tell us a little about you and your family. Married?

Yes, happily, to my college sweetheart.
Children? 3 boys ages 9, 7, and 5.

Pets?

Fish keeper with a huge 92 gallon tank filled with fancy Goldfish, two smaller tanks with Tropicals, one sassy cat, a wire Dachshund and her 5 puppies

What other crafts hobbies do you like to do?

Just about anything that requires my hands. Knitting, painting, sculpting, needlepoint, quilling, origami, and restoring Cabbage Patch Dolls, old furniture, upholstering reclaimed furniture. My favorite next to bears and friends is my fish tanks. Goldfish are just like puppies with fins and most all of mine hand feed and hang out where I work. The big tank is right by my work area and gives such a sense of peace.

Any crafts or hobbies you'd like to learn ? Rug Hooking, Glass blowing, any type of metal work. I'd also like to learn how to restore or customize cars. Professional gardening.


Have you had any formal arts & crafts training?

No


When did you start making Thread Animals and what was the occasion? I was on E-Bay looking for yarn and found a gal's store that had patterns and a couple of completed bears. I was INSTANTLY hooked. I hadn't picked up a crochet hook in over 20 yrs but went out that day and bought some supplies and went to work. My first bear took me about thirty hours to complete. Part of the time issue was relearning things I had forgotten and figuring out how to read a pattern (I had never worked a pattern before). I learned to crochet when I was 8 and put the hobby away until three years ago. There was no special occasion but it was very much like a "home coming" for me as I've always been fascinated with art



Do you recollect the first teddy that you made yourself?
Yes. It was this hideous purple thing that looked more like a potato with limbs...lol.

How do you get ideas or inspiration for new bears?

Everything around me gives me inspiration. It sounds so cliche but it's true. I have three boys and love nature. If that doesn't inspire me there's always something I've read in a book that sticks in my head or a vintage toy that intrigues me.

What do like most when making bears or Thread Animals?

I LOVE to put the face on them. I can see what I think they'll look like, in my head, during their making but nine times out of ten they look totally different than what I thought. I LOVE that. It makes each one like a gift that you can't wait to open to see what it is...or in this case, looks like.

Do you have a personal great dream regarding the bear making?

I personally feel I have accomplished what I started out to do with bear making. I really wanted to learn a technique that was different from what most others use. There's a few that can "cro-sculpt" a term applied to using fiber and hook like clay and making intricate bodies. If I could, I'd like to see this particular work become popular and see what a bigger group of artists can accomplish with this particular technique. I'd also LOVE to teach this method in a classroom and have a waiting list...lol.



Tell us about what contests have you entered?
Local fairs, URSAs, and a couple of Berta's challenges Won? Yep.Awards? Yep (really don't look for glory because I LOVE what I do and would make these guys the same way whether people wanted to see them or not...lol).
Publications?

I've had a few in Bears and Buds webzine

How did you get started crocheting, who taught you?

When I was eight my family bought a house that had an attatched cottage that we rented to this sweet older lady. She took the time to teach me ( I bet I was a terrible pest and she got tired of me peering over her shoulder asking a million questions). I would love to return the favor and teach my kids and any other curious eight year old!
What was your first crochet or knitted project?

I made really long chains and squares...nuttin but. I was only 8 years old, ya know. Lol.
Who inspires you?

Honestly, most every accomplished artist. They all have something unique about them that makes me want to get in there too! My mother is artistic and I guess I've always wanted to posess her quiet grace and talents.
Have any tips for beginner Artists ?

If a project is worth doing, it's worth doing right. That means: Rip it out, start over as many times as necessary, and never give up until you get the look you wanted in the first place!!! Take the time to just sit and ramble with your hook (or brush or pencil...whatever it is). That is exactly where I got my ideas for the horses I've made. The first one took me over 6 weeks to complete but it was pretty close to what I was trying to accomplish.
Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs?

Right here with a happy family and little bears to keep me company. I would also like to have some children's books published by then.
What tip would you give someone looking to crochet their first miniature bear?

Try again, practice, take it slow and start with a good and simple pattern.
What skill level would you say that someone needed toembark on their first bear project?

Any skill level will do. The only requirement is a desire.
Which other crocheters work do you admire - either miniature bear makers or makers of other items? S

hoot...Berta, Bobbie, Nadine (miss seeing her works), Angela J. Leith, Marion, Jan, Andrea, Lynn, soooo many others that I can't recall their names.
Do you have a favorite bear or animal that you have made so far?

My set called, "The Sunday Afternoon Nap" and a little guy called a, Head-butt'up ian. The nappers are a Polar bear mamma and cub. The second was a fun little piece I made that I traded for another piece.
Please describe your Thread Animal style with your own words.

Whimsical, serious at times, and something reminescent of "dirt and sunshine" I tell my boys, after a day of playing and being wonderful kids, that they smell like dirt and sunshine. You know that special earthy, outside smell you can only get when you were a kid? The smell that reminds you of the days when you could be anything, do anything, or imagine anything? Those days when you could play all day and had no cares for tomorrow. That's what I hope to capture and put a little of in each of pieces.

BLOG

http://locorosa.diinoweb.com/files/

I wanted to post some pics of my fun visit with Marji and Becca in Utah. They have made so many beautiful bears that they were willing to share with me. Such very nice ladies.



Marji is on the left and Becca is in the middle. Most of the bears are their work and there are a few from my collection.



three bears from the same ThReAdTeDs pattern, berta's, mine,
and marji's.


two pandas from ThReAdTeDs panda pattern.

Let's kick off Summer with a Re-Visit to Mia Svensson. There are so many new people here since Mia was originally chosen as Artist of the Month. We hope you enjoy getting re-aquainted with her.

Wow, what a thrill! Where to begin...

Well, first off, my name is Mia Svensson, and I live in a town called Skurup along with my (oversized) Jack Russell dog - Mulle - in the south of Sweden. I have lived here all my life, and have no plans to leave either! *grin* Most of my family lives here too, or close by: My dad, my brother and his family, grandad and uncles and aunt and a few cousins. I'm kinda the "black sheep" in the family, since I don't drink, smoke, party or have kids or hubby. That way of living isn't for me. I have my dog, and for me, that is a good life! XD

(Me and Mulle and yes, that is a Pooh-cover. What can I say, I love the little bugger...!)


I have a website where I show off my work: http://sitekreator.com/crivens_studio and an etsy-shop where I sell some of my creations: http://crivensstudio.etsy.com/

Mostly I crochet little critters, like bears (I do love that Danby-pattern, as you can tell on my website!), dragons, dodo's, ferrets and so on, and I'm always on the look-out for more interesting patterns! I also like to work in small scale. The smaller the better, I say! That, and it's easier to sneak a little huggable in your pocket than a big stuffed one. *ha, ha* I also make clothes for BJD's (ball joint dolls), photograph, draw, sew dolls and anything else that tickles my fancy. I have a vivid imagination (to much sometimes), and I get ideas from all over the place, be it a colour, a sound, a shape in a tree or even a lamp that sparks my imagination. Guess I'm a magnet for those weird inspiration-particals that floats around! I like to combine and mix (like my dragon-danby), use eye-cathing colours, or just plain play around and have fun!



I've crafted as long as I can remember. It's just something I have to do to keep me sane! My inspiration came from my mom. She is the one who taught me to sew, knit and crochet. I owe a world of thanks to her for giving me that crafty gen! I've made all sorts of things, from small trolls out of clay, to dollhouse-dolls, sewn bears and knitted toys. It wasn't until a few years ago I started to make crocheted bears and other "huggables", when I was browsing the web and came across Berta's Threadted-site, which lead me to Thread Animals, and from then on, I was hooked! I usually try keep the first creation of any pattern I try out, wich means I have a great deal of critters around! I love to make and give away creations I've made to my family, as it shows them how much I care, and they seem to like it too!



In the future, I hope to be able to "design" my own crocheted creatures, and be able to write down and then sell patterns, and have people wanting to buy them! That would be great! To others, I say: Don't be afraid to try something new! Just go for it, and see where it leads you! You might be surprised be the end result... Good Luck!

May Thread Animal Artist of the Month

Threadanimals

Artist of the Month

May 2008

CONGRATULATIONS

Marji Sakievich!!!

Marji has been chosen to be Thread Animals' 2008 FeaturedArtist of the Month for May. Please get to know her better by reading the interview below and looking at her lovely bears. Please leave a comment to let us know you were here.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Hawthorne and Vista, California. One place was in the city and the other in the country.

Please tell us a little about you and your family. Married? Children? Pets?

I am married to a wonderful man, Tom. He
smiles at my bears. We have 6 children. No one is married but they are all growed up.We have 3 boys and 3 girls. Right now we have a 10 year old dog. The vet keeps saying that Abbyis old! We also have a cockatiel and a beta fish. The best petI ever had was a 4 foot iquana. She was a lot of fun.

What other crafts hobbies do you like to do?

I enjoy making bobbin lace, crocheting other things and sewing.Right now I belong to 2 book clubs. I also enjoy taking piano lessons. I'm not sure how much my teacher enjoys my lessons. AsI am starting out "older" it can be interesting. I also really
like to embroider. I once worked for a TV show doing embroiderywork. It was a program about a family that traveled around the country in their trailer. The Grandma quilted and I did the embroidery on "her" quilt.

Any crafts or hobbies you'd like to learn ?

I am working very hard on learning more and more about lace making.It can be very adictive. I would like to learn how to tat and toknit. I really want to learn how to knit a pair of socks!

Have you had any formal arts & crafts training?

No formal training except at the side of my mother. She recentlypassed away and I miss
her. She loved making the bears too. She made fabric mini's for many years and really is the one who got me started. She was a master quilter too. All I know, except forlacing, I learned from her. She had a magic about her and loved totalk to her creations.

When did you start making Thread Animals and what was the occasion?

My mom and I were making doileys and came across a pattern for a miniature crochet bear and got hooked. I think that it might havebeen one of Berta's in a early magazine.

Do you recollect the first teddy that you made yourself?

The first one I made was a doll size bear. My mom taught me how to sculpt the face. When she called me a "bear friend" I thought that I had truly made it.

How do you
get ideas or inspiration for new bears?

Honestly, I see a pattern I like and just try it out. I have onlytried making one crochet bear on my own. That is the one in thepicture with the large brown bear. That bear was mine when I was6 months old. That was a fun challenge. The felted bears are mydesign, except for the rug bear which was from a class with Bobbie.

What do like most when making bears or Thread Animals?

I really like the crochet part. When they are finished I am alwaysamazed that "I did that." You ladies have really supplied me witha fun time.

Do you have a personal great dream regarding the bear making?

I have a new bear making friend and that is the fun of making bears...New friends.

Please tell us
something about the place where you live. What's your place of birth?

I was born in Hawthorne, California in 1953. My dad had his own business repairing TV's and Radios. Those were the days when you could fix things. Mom was always busy sewing us girls clothesor making dolls. Those were her doll days. So, I grew up watchingher create things and give them away! When I was a young teen wemoved to Vista, California. I really didn't start making anythinguntil I was in my early 20's and then it was clothes for babies.Vista was very rural at the time.

Do you think that your hobbies/crafts are influenced by whereyou live/country or would they look the same if you lived elsewhere?

My husband recently retired from the Marine Corps so we have livedin many parts of the US. I think
that has helped me to feel comfortable anywhere. That is important as you feel "safer" to askquestions and learn new things.

Tell us about what contests have you entered? Won? Awards?Publications?

Can't say that I have done too many contest. I did win two blueribbons last summer at the Utah State Fair for my lace.

I have participated in Berta's first challenge and got that picture in a magazine as part of her article. Also, in the strawberry challenge

How did you get started crocheting, who taught you?

As I mentioned, my mom taught me to crochet. She had to teach me mirror image as I am a lefty and she was a righty. She was verypatient. The only thing that I really made,
at first was babyblankets. Then, one summer, while I was awaiting child no. 3, she taught me how to read patterns. We practised with doilies. What was your first crochet or knitted project ? I believe it was a little purse. It was a church girl's project.I don't remember being very happy with doing it, but it was a start.I was somewhat of a Tomboy so didn't like "girl" stuff.Who inspires you?

Have any tips for beginner Artists ?

There are only two things that I would like to tell a beginner. Remember to have patience. You are doing this for fun. Maybe it will turn into
something else later but to start, just have fun.Also, there is nothing wrong with doing some one elses patterns.We can't all be designers but we can all have a good time. Bearsjust love coming to life. Even the grouchy ones! Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs... I hope to be making the bears still. Maybe I will try designing some day. I really hope to have some grand babies to share theselittle guys with.

Do you have a funny or inspiring story about your Thread Animalsyou'd like to share ?

What tip would you give someone looking to crochet their firstminiature bear? Take your time. Don't try to do it with other people in the room.Turn off the TV, maybe even the radio. And mark your rows. Don't be afraid to "fudge." It is your
creation.

What skill level would you say that someone needed to embark on their first bear project?

If you can single crochet and aren't afraid of steel hooks you cando just fine. Start with bigger thread and hook if that helps you get your tension down.

Which other crocheters work do you admire - either miniature bear makers or makers of other items?

I love looking at Berta's, Debby Mc Carthys, Marylou,and Bobbie's work.They are so amazing. I have been previged to attend in person oneof Berta's classes in California and she was so gracious a teacher.

Do you have a favorite bear or animal that you have made so far?

I have made hedgehogs and I love that. Only from the felting. Thelittle one that is crochet is a head "gone wrong!"

Please describe your Thread Animal style with your own words.

I love to use color so I guess that would be my style. I love looking at others creations and thinking, "I want one of those" and thank goodness there are artist out there that will share.

(deBBies Note: Thanks Marji for being so active in the group. I can see from the photos how many things you have participated in . Congrats on being AOM for May. )

April Thread Artist and Mad March Hares

THREADANIMALS GROUP OWNERS AND MODERATORS

Introduce...

April's Artist of the Month

Chantal Emilia Giroux

(pictured here with some of her favorite creations)

Every month we send our Artist a list of questions to help us get to know our artists better. Here is Chantal's interview.

(PEARL)

Do you have a web site ?
I have a website :
http://www.mignonettestitch.ca/chantalbears.htm

A blog :
http://mylaceadventures.blogspot.com/

Where did you grow up?
Big question, I was born in Kolwezi (Congo), yes, you read very well ; Congo was a Belgian Colony in that time ; I spent 17 years of my life there and I left to finish my university studies in Belgium.

Tell us a little about you and your family
I'm married to a wonderful man, Alain and we have 2 daughters, Johannie and Laura, and... grandparents of Darren and Lola.
Laura, Darren, Alain and me are living in Canada, Saint John, NB.
Johannie and Lola are in Belgium.

(Chantal's family)

Pets.
We have 3 cats, Papouille (11 years old), Plume and Kess (5 years old) and I forgot my cockatiel, Arnold. (7 years old)

What other crafts do you do? Any crafts you like to learn to do? Have you had any formal arts & crafts training?
For the moment, I don't do anything else than my teddy bears ; however, I'm always mixing my different hobbies :
ex : tatting, bobbinlace, felting, knitting even painting are hobbies, I like to add to my bears.

(TOMMY)

Tell us about what contests have you entered? Won? Awards? Publications?
2005 ; intermediate category ; Berta Challenge, 1st place. (ANDY, ThReAdTeDs award winner)
It has been a real challenge : as you can see all my bears are totally different ; I create them following the thread or the yarn I'm using.
It's really difficult for me to follow a pattern.
That's why I participated once again in Berta 2007 Round Robin.. I had to follow a pattern and change it for another artist.
2007 : Second Place in Mini Bears, undressed Category, with Valerie Rogers and her URSA contest.
Publications : Teddy Bears Review, Teddy Bear Scene, and Front cover of Bears and Buds Ezine.

(DAWNISHA)

How did you get started crocheting?
When I was a child, during our vacations, my Mom did not like to see us doing nothing ; so she teached us a lot of things, knitting, crocheting,sewing, hairpinlace are among the few things she showed us.


How did you get started making ThreadAnimals ?
When I was pregnant, I crocheted toys for my daughters. I think that Lola my granddaughter is still playing with one I made.

Who inspires you?

I don't know really, but I think I had a boost of creation with the birth of my grandchildren.

Do you think that your bears are influenced by your place of residence/country or would they look the same if you lived elsewhere?

I'm not sure that a place can change the style of the bear, but for sure, the moods can alter the style.
I have a true story happened to me ; in November 2006, I had a denture surgery and now we know that the dentist did a wrong thing, he poked my right eye with a needle and I lost a part of my right eye sight....
Imagine the disaster for someone who is making miniatures.
I decided to continue the teddies without saying anything to anyone, only closed friends and family knew my drama and believe me, they have been very helpful.
In March 2007, Valerie Rogers sent me a message for the contest ; I would like to answer ..No, I can not do it...
Finally I created the 5 inch bear who received the second place...
So my tip for bears makers, beginners and the others : don't let life steal your passion.
If you are not feeling good, continue to create your little dreams.
Believe me, they have been a big part of my therapy.
No medications, nothing could or can help me now recover the lost sight, but my bears, yes they are a great help.
(SEANA)
Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs...
I hope and I wish I will continue to create teddies and have fun with my fellow artists friends ;o)))))

What skill level would you say that someone needed to embark on their first bear project?
Everyone can embark on their first bear project.
We are not alone ; our ThreadAnimals list is full of Artists, very helpful..
look .. I was not very happy with the legs and arms jointing ; I read the files and I found the solution for my bears ; that's the proof that even it's been a lot of years you are making bears, you are still learning every day.
(GRACE)
Which other crocheters work do you admire - either miniature bear makers or makers of other items?

I don't have any preference... for me, an artist is an artist. And I will respect everyone because they are working hard to create their little ones.
Now if you asked who drove me in thread teddies ; it's Berta fault.... ;o)))))
Forgive me Berta, but it's true, you gave me the bears shot..
Without knowing each other, Berta was a neighbour when I was in Belgium and I like to write her some words in Dutch sometimes (but I lost a lot of my real second language)

(NALANI)

Note: Chantal did the lovely photo collages of her favorite creations, family, and first bears. She also has some absolutey fabulous bears pictured at her website, which I hope you will take time to visit.

http://www.mignonettestitch.ca/chantalbears.htm

Thanks Chantal for Sharing your talents.

(POLLY)

~@~@~@~@~@~

Last month we had a Mad March Hare swap. Here is a sampling of the bunnies that were made and traded. Please visit the photo albums in our group to see more. To join our group visit www.groups.yahoo.com/group/threadanimals

Flopsy by Ali (Pictured above with egg)

TrinKet Bunny by Marylou (it opens to hide a treasure)

Maddie by Donna A.

Another darling "Flopsy", 8 inches tall by Karen.

Thanks for visiting the Threadanimals Blog today. Please leave a comment and let us know that you were here. love, deBBie (and the mods)

Winner Bears at Play Collectors contest.

Threadanimals

Bears at Play

Collectors Contest

WINNER!

Afternoon Tea in the Summer Garden

by

Antonina

http://antoninatreadworld.blogspot.com/

Thanks to Everyone who Entered!

March AOM

Threadanimals

Bears and Animals from Thread and Fibers

Sally

Every month or so, the threadanimals group moderators choose one of our members to be Artist of the Month. It has been so fun getting to know the other members and their work. Alison has agreed to be March's artist of the month, and as part of that has answered some questions about herself to help us get to know her better.

Introducing March 2008 Artist of the Month

Alison Farrow

Emily

Do you have a web site ?
Yes, http://www.wonderlandbears.co.uk/. I started this a couple of years ago and its still a work in progressLOL

Where did you grow up?
I was born and grew up in Hertfordshire, England. My childhood was very happy and as an only child my mum had time to teach me her passion which was knitting.

Birthday ?
20th May 1966 but I still feel 26 (just get a shock when I look in the mirror)

Tell us a little about you and your family. Married? Children? Pets?
I live with my Husband Neil, son Jamie 14, daughter Hannah 9 , the cats Psycho & Chloe and Dog Nala
My Hubby is very patient with my wool ect taking over the house and my daughter cant wait to make her first bear. They all come with me to bear fairs too so I'm very lucky.

Any crafts you'd like to learn to do?
I'd love to learn tatting. Maybe I'll try this year.

Have you had any formal arts & crafts training?
No. My mother taught me to knit and my Aunt showed me how to make crochet squares but other than that its just been hit and miss. Although Hubby did surpise me this Christmas with a day at a work shop with Andy West of Westie Bears. It was a wonderfull day and I made a sewn minature bear.

Sarah

How did you get started crocheting? How did you get started making ThreadAnimals ?
My Aunt taught me to crochet small squares one summer when I was about 10 but I didn't try crocheting again untill i saw thread bears on ebay a few years ago. I had been making knitted bears since 1997 and was looking for new patterns. I bought a pattern from Edith Molina and caught the thread bear bug.

ALBERT

Who inspires you?
I'm Inspired by so many people but to name just a few Berta Hesen-Minten ( I am lucky enough to have met Berta at the Hugglets Bear fair in Kensington). Both Berta and her husband are lovely, but my hubby would not let me ask if I could have my picci taken with her :0( Marion Frail is fantastic! I am still trying to master crocheting with eyelash yarn. Karen of GoldCoast Bears makes such lovely bears too. It is one of Karens that I first saw for sale on Ebay.


Have any tips for beginner Artists?
Just keep at it. You don't realise how much you improve untill you look back at your first bear and if you have any problems ask the guys in the group. They are always so helpfull.

Tilly

Of all the bears you have made which is your favorite

I would have to say Tilly is still my favorite bear ( sorry to my other bears) I had such a great time making Tilly and for once I didn;t have to remake parts, even her feet which I usually dread making! I have tried to recreate a bear like Tilly but Just can't seem to.

Do you sell Thread Animals? Where can people purchase them if you do?

I sell some of my bears on Ebay although I haven't done so for a few months now. I also put bears for sale on my website but the majority of bears have been commisons. I'm always so pleased to be asked to make a special bear. Not being the most confident of people I worry they may not be good enough but its lovely to see a persons smiling face when they open the box to take their first look at a new bear.

What does belonging to Thread Animals mean to you ?
Have you benifited from joining this group, partisipating in swaps ..etc.
The Thread Animals group has given me a chance to meet some great people and get honest feedback on my creations. I love joining in with the swaps too. Its exciting waiting for the parcel to arrive and my hug is gaining some fabulous new bears that I otherwise may not have had the chance to buy.

Tom and Michael

Thank you so much for doing this Debbie. It would have been my mothers birthday on the 25th ( she passed away when I was 19 and gave me my love of everything crafty!) she never saw any of the bears I made but Mum was always knitting and I'm sure she would have loved to have seen all the wonderful bears that are being made by the guys in the group Knowing my mum she would probably have made them with me!:0)

_@__@_@_@_@__@_

Threadnimals is currently voting on a Collectors Contest called

Bears at Play.

We have received many wonderful entries. Here is a sampling. I will announce the winner in my next blog.

Follow the Leader by Marjorie

SMILE! for the camera by Gail Teunis

Sunset at the Beach by Donna Barber

It Always Good. (lost...)by Monika

As always there is a Wealth of Wonderful Choices of what to Include each blog. Too many choices, so I try to choose a sampling that shows the wonderful talents of all the members.

Coming up... Mad March Hare swap and Feb highlights.