Cr8tive Lefty

Growing up on the Peninsula of Northern California gave me the opportunity to enjoy a range of outdoor activities, sports, and a wide variety of beautiful landscapes by plane, automobile and cruise ship. All of these experiences served to inspired my creative nature. As an adult, I have had the good fortune of traveling, and I have also lived in different areas in the U.S.  This has allowed me to meet many wonderful artisans and broaden my creative horizons.

As a child, my mother taught me the gift of crocheting, knitting, cross stitch, embroidery, etc.   She was a master seamstress and a very gifted crafter.  She was an innovator of many original designs and every year she attended a wide variety of craft shows and fairs.  My mom’s unique challenge was that her daughter was a lefty and she was right handed.  At that time there were no books, videos, or information available for lefties.  Hence the unique quality of Cr8tive Lefty creations was born.  My mom showed me that anything hand made is a gift of love and can never be rushed.  You are creating a gift that is an extension of your heart.

Now before you think that I have always been a full time crafter, I should mention that for 25 years I was a Senior Software Developer creating/designing databases, and teaching executives how to use software.  During that time I would crochet baby blankets and afghans as a means to relax and develop cr8tive gifts for my closest friends, and my family.  Then as time progressed I decided that being a handmade artist was much more enjoyable.  So for the last five years my desire to pass on the passion for crocheting artistic gifts has grown to be my global passion.

As an artist I spend many weeks crocheting unique one of a kind gifts such as afghans, lapghans, scarves, baby blankets and gloves for that special person.  All of my crochet items are designed and created as if I was giving it to my mom.  They are durable and are made of the best material.  Each of my handmade gifts, when taken care of properly, will last a lifetime.  I take great pleasure that no machine can replicate what a “Handmade Artist” already knows.  A machine does not possess the love and passion to create a gift that is unique for every person.  As an artist who crochets, I do so for the love of the art, the smiles, and heartfelt messages I get back from my happy clients.

I love when my clients, friends and family send me a note showing me pictures and sharing the stories of how my crochet baby blanket made an expecting mother smile, or how their friends and family said a collective “ahhhhh… “.  I love it when a sport fan poses with their new team scarf or lapghan and they talk about when they are going to use it.  The best one is when I see an adult wrap themselves in the crochet afghan, as if they are a little kid again and they say “it’s mine!”

Crocheting is not just a means to show my artistry, it is a means to keep my mom’s artistic magic alive.  I still have some of my earlier creations that I made with my mom, and the magic is still there.  The memories bring warmth and a sense of security.  I have been fortunate to be able to hand down similar skills to my daughter.  Now she too can be artist and extend her passion to her family and friends.

So think about your fondest memories of that special person in your life; the expectant mother; the graduate who will be leaving for college; or your own parent who you want to give a unique gift of love; then drop me a line and let us determine together what would the best gift for your special person.

Tags: contributor, crochet, featured artist, Handmade, Handmade Artists, knitting, selling tips

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