Meet participants from the 52 Weeks Challenge: Week 5

If you have been following along with me as I complete my UFOs (Unfinished Objects), then you know I am participating in the 52 Weeks Challenge started by Kym of Fabric Fascination.

I started a week late, so though the challenge is now in its 5th week, this is my fourth completed project, a felted silk wool crochet Treasure Book that features four special-purpose pages: a pocket page for special treasures, two acid-free clear vinyl pages for photos or artist trading cards, and one double-sided felt page with pockets that can hold business or “Moo” mini business cards, credit cards or discount shopping cards. One of my buyers tells me she uses her Treasure Book as a wallet, tucking a spare house key in the book “just in case.” I imagine you can use the book as a mending kit or a portable beading kit as well, depending on your interests.

This post, however, is less about me and more about some of my fellow participants of the 52 Weeks Challenge, whom I would like to introduce over the next few weeks.

You’ll find Jan Beane‘s blog at Life Lessons, where she writes about her dollmaking adventures and her Nigerian goats. Jan is a wife, mother, grandmother, former flock manager and retired census taker. She introduces her custom-made dolls on her blog first, then lists then in her Etsy shop, Jan’s Studio. Each of her special dolls has its own personality. George, for example (see photo), has a sister named Mary Margaret, and the two of them like to run and play together. Jan also sews doll clothes.

Pamela sews beautifully quilted items such as bags, checkbook covers, wallets, quilts and table coverings. She blogs about her quilting at Pamelaquilts. “I’ve been quilting for over 20 years now, and it really is an addiction,” says Pamela. “Just ask my family. I get really cranky if I can’t sew for a few days! I’ve accumulated a stack of quilts, quilt tops, and more than a few ribbons to attest to my skills.” You can find examples of Pamela’s work, including her patterns, in her Etsy shop, Pamela Quilts.

Pam Daley, an avid fiber artist who likes to crochet until the wee hours of the morning, writes about her creative journey at Playing With Fiber. She and her husband are both retired-but-busy RVers who live and travel full-time in their motor home. Three years ago, Pam began developing her own patterns. After her granddaughter was born, she got hooked on crocheting baby hats. You can find Pam’s patterns for adorable baby hats and booties in her Etsy shop, Playing With Fiber, as well as on Ravelry at Pam Daley Designs. (Note that though you do need to be a Ravelry member to see Pam’s designs, Ravelry membership is free.)

Meaghan Louise Chiltern describes herself as a compulsive crafter who is surviving the arts and crafts industry in Australia. This 30-something visual artist, illustrator and gallerist says she has “a passion for vintage patterns and an obsession with all things ‘Alice’ and twisted fairy tales.” Meaghan’s diverse interests are apparent as you read her blog, Meaghan Makes. She participates in the Sketchbook Project (different from the Sketchbook Challenge described in my previous post), in which thousands of sketchbooks from around the world tour galleries and museums across the U.S., finishing their journey with a permanent spot at The Brooklyn Art Library. Meaghan is a member of Knit4Charities, a Yahoo-based Australian charity group dedicated to knitting and crocheting items for the needy. She recently joined crochet designer Maggie Weldon’s 365 Dishcloths Challenge, and has been destashing her yarn supplies as she whips up one dishcloth after another. You can find Meaghan’s portraits and paintings, as well her fiber creations, in her Etsy shop, Meaghan Art, or her ArtFire shop of the same name.

I first became acquainted with Kym of Fabric Fascination (the originator of the 52 Weeks Challenge) through BBEST (Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team), since we are both members. At that time Kym was known by all of us as the creative designer behind Kimbuktu, a shop specializing in quilted items using beautiful batik and hand-dyed fabrics. Especially notable are her quilted bags and felted wool pin cushions. More recently, Kym’s love of color, texture and design led her to open a shop for beautiful fabrics called Fabric Fascination on Etsy. For every purchase in Kym’s fabric shop that you make, you earn points toward a $10 gift card. Besides her Fabric Fascination blog, you can find Kym on her Kimbuktu Web site.

You’ll enjoy getting to know each of these artisans as you visit their blogs, shops and Web sites.

© 2011 Judy Nolan. All rights reserved. Please note that the images in this post are owned by the artists and may not be used without permission.