Welcome to this week's installment of Friday Features, where this week we meet multi-talented artist Betty of Ball Creative Designs. Read on to see more of her beautiful work...
Hi, I'm Betty of Ball Creative Designs, www.ballcreativedesigns.com. I create a little bit of everything it seems, though if I had to define myself I would call myself a fiber crafter above all else. Really though, I'm a Jane of all trades it seems. I've been known to do some painting (badly), and I design jewelry and stitch markers, which, let's face it, are really jewelry for your knitting.
I got started because from a young age I seemed to attract everyone's grandma and they ALL wanted to teach me something. I learned to crochet when I was in 4th grade, so I think I was 9 at the time. Then I had a history teacher teach me how to spin in 7th grade (Thanks so much Mrs Smith!!), and another teacher introduced me to knitting when I was 16. I picked up needlepointing in there somewhere from an uncle and beadwork from my mum. Crafting has always been a way for me to relax and unwind, which is even more important now then it ever has been. I joke that I should get a perscription from the doctor for the yarn I buy, since knitting and crochet has proven to be the best pain relief I've found yet.
I also weave, tat (it's a form of lace making), have been known to play with chainmaille, pottery and polymer clays, and I'm an amazing chef.
Is there a story behind my shop name? Not really. For a while I sold on etsy under 2 separate stores, Sheeps of Egyptian Cotton and iMaille and finally I just decided to combine them under one roof, so to speak.
My favorite piece would be my brecciated jasper necklace (http://ballcreativedesigns.com/braciated%20jasper3.jpg) because of the colors of the stone (see her jewelry page for purchasing here: http://www.ballcreativedesigns.com/jewelry%20main%20page.html). That's one of the pieces I've promised if it's not swept up by someone in a certain amount of time will become mine for good. Is it wrong to make deals with yourself like that? Best selling thing in my shop would be the Isis and Nile lines of yarn. These are yarns exclusive to my shop and I've converted more than one person who has sworn off of cotton yarns forever. Isis is soft, and squishy, and perfect for heirloom or baby items. Nile is shiny and strong and makes your knitting and crochet stitches pop.
I sell my work online for now, both on etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/BallCreativeDesigns) and on the site I designed (http://ballcreativedesigns.com/index.html). I'm hoping to start selling in the farmer's market this summer, and of course the craft shows in the fall.
I blog for the shop at http://ballcreativedesigns.com/blog. Also, I'm on plurk all the time as fiber_yoda and on facebook http://www.facebook.com/BallCreativeDesigns
I never saw myself doing this when I was growing up. From an early age I knew I wanted to be a chef, and I went to school to do just that. But life interrupted and then moved on. I got sick and working in a kitchen wasn't gonna happen for me anymore. For a while my crafts are what kept me from just giving up totally. Now I wouldn't have it any other way, I love being able to do something that's been a part of my life almost as long as I can remember. I donate a portion of all sales to MS research, since I know just how horrible it can be to live with and a portion of all sales also goes to my "corruption" fund. I have a 9 year old niece who has been helping me with spinning and stitch marker making for the last 3 years, and she decided she wants her own wheel. Now she gets paid for her help, and it all goes into her spinning wheel fund. I'm considering going back to college myself, and getting the credentials to do art therapy with people who are recovering from an illness or injury. I've been known to give lessons in knitting and crochet to people in craft stores, and have given many a spontaneous demonstration as well.
What a great woman with overwhelming talent! Please see her shops for more gorgeous and drool-worthy items here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BallCreativeDesigns and here: http://ballcreativedesigns.com/index.html
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