Design Wars Interviews Part 2

Did you read last week’s post from Salena Baca of Design Wars? We are excited for part 2 of the feature this week.

This is the second of a two part piece that I’ve had the privilege of sharing about Design Wars, a quarterly crochet design challenge that I created in late 2012. You can read more about Design Wars in part 1 of our piece, to include interviews and inspiration from the first 5 of our 10 challengers, right here.

This forum has become a mecca for us challengers, and we have worked to put our hearts and skills into making this forum a competition worthy of the community we’ve gathered. Design Wars has fast become a challenge for more than the crochet enthusiast to enjoy, as we have proudly received support from various parties in the craft world: Red Heart Yarns, Bust Magazine, Crochet Today, Inside Crochet, Repeat Crafter Me, and Twinkie Chan!

I asked each of our Design Wars 4 Challengers about their workspace: Why they work there, how it inspires them, and the best aspect of it. Here are the final five of our 10, enjoy:

Tara Murray | Mamachee * Crochet Makes Me Happy!

Facebook | Blog | Ravelry

My work space is where my computer is. Yes, I crochet a bunch, but most of my crochet business is completed online: e-mailing, building relationships with others in my field, editing photos, updating followers and searching for inspiration (shout out to my girl, Pinterest)!

We’ve just recently moved to a larger home for our family, and that has been a dream come true. But, with the larger home, another dream came true; I got my very own craft room! My favorite thing about this space is that all of my stuff is in one room. In our old home, I had stuff under my bed, my desk was in the living room, and I had yarn stored all over the house.

I’m feeling very blessed. This room has a door too, which is wonderful considering my four kids and their destructive ways. I still have a lot of work organizing and decorating my craft space, but it’s an area that I can comfortably work in that also inspires me. It’s a large area, and it contains a massive wall shelf that my husband built (I love that handyman!) and I’ve completely stuffed it with yarn. I also have a window that overlooks my lovely Alaskan home! I work in here every single day, and while I don’t get to crochet every day I at least e-mail pattern orders. I’m trying my best to have a healthy balance of work, kids, house, and fun – it’s hard, but I love it!

Charissa Ragsdale | Mad Mad me

Facebook | Blog | Ravelry

This space occupies a corner of a busy room. During the day I can look out the window and hear everything that’s going on with my kiddos and during the evening my husband and I can sit together and listen to music while he does homework. As they say location, location, location!

I’ve set my favorite yarns, some finished projects (my own and a couple from friends and my kids) and all of my tools here. When I sit down at this little desk, and the light in pouring over everything within arm’s reach, I just have to make something! Sometimes I’m inspired to work on my clay hooks, sometimes I’m piling up yarn in batches imagining how I’ll combine the skeins for my next project. And still other times I’m sitting there with pen and notebook just getting my ideas on paper. All of the color, texture and light (even the mess) draw creativity out of me and inspire me to fill notebook after notebook with ideas. Actual crocheting is never performed here though, that is another workspace altogether.

We are a busy family, and we love taking outings all over. We just recently moved to Tennessee from California so every trip out is an adventure, and every lovely day here is full of outdoor play and discovery. So I’m a portable crocheter. At least 90% of every creation is NOT done in my home. The porch, the car, the coffee house, aquarium, zoo or wherever we happen to be as a family becomes my crochet studio. I have several bags ready to go and I can always find a work in progress to bring along on our adventures. Though I use my desk nearly every day for ideas and claywork, I use any and every space for crochet several times a day. When it comes to crochet, wherever I’m sitting is my workspace.

Jonna Ventura | Frayed Knot

Facebook | Blog | Ravelry

My workspace may not seem like much but it really is perfect for me.

I have a small home that I share with 2 wild boys, a loving husband, and a feisty 2yr old Great Dane. Finding ANYWHERE to work in my house can be a chore. My family knows that the end of the couch is reserved for Mommy. The main thing that drew me to crochet as a craft in the first place was the ability to “work” anywhere and still be around my family. I didn’t have to be secluded to the dreaded back room. Although sometimes a room of my own isn’t a bad idea!

Most of my work time is done at night after the kids go to bed. I grab a drink, sit down in my spot, and get started. I usually catch up on some of my favorite TV shows or watch a movie with my husband. My workspace allows me to do both! A lot of my inspiration comes from TV and movies so this really is the perfect spot for me. I’m thankful for my small space and the opportunity it provides to still spend time with those I love the most.

Lisa van Klaveren | Holland Designs

Facebook | Blog | Ravelry

My little office is a quiet place where I can get away from the little ones (I have 3) and relax, listen to music and browse the web while working on a new design or project. I love having sunlight coming in my window and music in the air. Both these things help me relax and focus on whatever I’m working on. I have an entire wall of cube shelving which holds yarn in various colors – part of my stash. The rest is kept in a hall closet.

I love the little desk and chair my husband bought me; they’re just my style. I keep a little board above my desk with pictures which inspire me, deadline reminders, etc.

I use my workspace most days, though not as often as I’d like. I look forward fondly to when my youngest 2 are in school (in a few more years) and I will have a little more quiet time by myself to devote to designing. I know when the kids are in school I will miss them too during the day, so I guess I shouldn’t be in too much of a hurry for the extra “me” time.

Wink Slump | A Creative Being

Facebook | Blog | Ravelry

I crochet where ever and whenever I can, and most of the time that is when I’m at home. I have the luxury of crocheting all day long (most days at least), and all of my crochet supplies are right there when I need them. It depends a little on the project I’m working on where I’m working on it; when I am on a deadline and need photographs of each step, I sit at our dinner table and just crochet and take pictures non-stop until the job is done.

Projects that take up more time are usually done on the sofa, with my ottoman right next to it to hold supplies like yarn, my hook roll, the pattern, my notebook; things like that. I usually watch a movie while I’m sitting there, or listen to records. It’s my favourite way of spending time! And when it gets really hot inside (I live under a flat roof on the top floor of an apartment building, so in summer it can get really warm!) I take my chair outside on the balcony, so I can sit in the shade and crochet. Our home really inspires me a lot because I feel so free when I am at home! My favourite records are right there, my books and my things, and of course my ever growing yarn stash (which is slowly taking over more and more of my office space!). Because I live on the top floor I have a great view and I love just sitting by the window and looking outside. On rainy days I love watching movies while I crochet, and those can be a great source of inspiration
as well, not to mention music!

In my office space I have a little desk, and I mostly use it whenever I need to plan my calendar. I have a big magnetic board on the wall which holds everything from drawings, sketches, old pictures of myself and my family, and notes I get from fans, buyers and other contacts. I love looking at that board; it always lifts my spirits whenever I need it, and it makes me so grateful for all that I get to do and have already accomplished!

My office space is my favourite space to just hang out and feel inspired. It’s full of knick-knacks and little things, and while most people consider it to be way too cluttered, I love being in the middle of it and feeling surrounded by it. To me, that’s when I feel the most at home.

Now that we’ve shared all 10 of our challengers, we hope that you will continue to follow our progress in Design Wars 4. The next challenge will begin on 24 July with a full spread newsletter, weekly giveaways, an impressive prize pack from Red Heart Yarns, and 10 brand new crochet patterns that we’ll ask you to vote for and categorize! Whatever your craft may be, you won’t want to miss it!