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)