I got my first sewing machne when I was 11. Of course I didn't get to use it, my Mom thought I would sew my fingers together so she loaned it to an Aunt until she thought I was ready. My first outfit was made by hand, which I look back on as a great experience, I learned a lot of hand stitches that weren't taught in school from my Great Aunt, needless to say, the fabric rotted long before the seams fell apart and the buttons came off.
I started using a sewing machine at 14, in home economics. My second year of high school I took a class (a shop) titled Fashion Tailoring. I didn't learn a thing except to use every factory machine there was. There was no Fashioning or Tailoring. I was being trained to work in a factory, which I did for a very short period of my life upon graduation. I decided that wasn't for me after sitting across from a lady that had done this line of work for twenty years. I couldn't understand. I would rather spend twenty years humped over a machine, with a hump in my back and crooked fingers for myself and not earning piece work prices.
I started crocheting at 17. I would crochet during my bus ride to and from school and in study hall. I've been and artsy craftsy person as long as I could remember. My mother always strived to keep my hands busy and it paid off. I love it.
I am the mother of 7 living children. Three boys and four girls, most of whom I've managed to pass the artistic gene to.
I've always wanted to start my own business. A girlfriend and I had promised to go into business together after high school but it never happened. The timing was wrong when she started and I was employed at the time.
I started my online store this past September on a site called ETSY. I showcase items I've created for men women and children. There isn't a distinct format I use, the items are inspired through dreams or other median. I strive not to do many of the same items. I have had request for some of my things to be done in a different color. My shop is New Day Crochet.
All my work is hand made, it takes quite a bit of time. Some are done in a day, some in a week or two.
The fact of the matter is that I enjoy what I do. It's an extension of me.