Interview Of The Month

This months interview is with crafter Sam Field from Springs Long Island.

Question 1. Who or what introduced you to the world of crafting?

"My art teacher Mrs. Lawler, she's known me all my life and I had her as my teacher for most of my school years. She would show me her drawings and sketches of her home in New Hampshire which inspired me to draw."

Question 2. Do you remember your first crafting project?

"I made a clay duck in kindergarten. It was made of gray clay and I glazed it green with black accents. I still have him on my bedroom shelf. I was very proud of my green duck. I showed every teacher in my elementary school when it was finished."

Question 3. If you were stranded on a desert island and allowed an endless supply of certain crafting items what would it be and why?

"A sketchbook and a pencil because I love to draw especially nature. It relaxes me like meditation, your in your own little world when you draw."

Question 4. What have you always wanted to learn?

"I want to expand my knowledge in crochet, not just doing rows, which is kind of boring. I like Red Heart wool, it's not too thick or thin, it's just right and it comes in so many colors."

Question 5. What project do you have going on right now and what is the next one?

"A crochet baby blanket for my nephew Gavin, who was born March 17, 2010. For my next project I want to make a really big over sized blanket using Red Heart wool in the color camouflage."

Interview Of The Month

This months interview is with writer Jonathan Neary from East Hampton New York.

Question 1. Who or what introduced you to the world of writing?

"As far as poetry and songwriting goes, Gavin Rossdale of the band Bush was always an inspiration, and my mom first introduced me to the band when they debuted in the ‘90s. As far as other genres, the first book I really got into was S.E. Hinton’s “The Outsiders,” which was probably what inspired me to write about things I saw in high school. As far as nature writing goes, “Into Thin Air” and “Into The Wild” by John Krakaur were two excellent examples of how to keep my work straight forward and somewhat simple to maintain the focus of the audience while finding other ways to be creative and descriptive. I feel that learning how to be descriptive is the first start to good writing, learning how to use it tastefully and modestly is what leads to great writing. Lastly I’d have to pay homage to my high school teachers and my college professors Jim Reed and Tom Jaques."

Question 2. Do you remember your first writing project?

"Technically my first project was when I was nine-years-old, when I wrote a chiller style short story, however my first real fictional work other than poetry and song lyrics was when I was 15. It started out as a four page assignment for an English class, but later turned into a 57 page story named “My Indian Summer,” which was based on some of the darker events in my town. It addressed alcoholism and death as is typical in some high schools, along with the drama it brings. I thought this was more realistic for my high school than those television shows where the only drama is who dumped who, and this darker style has since been found in a lot of my other work."

Question 3. If you were stranded on a desert island and allowed an endless supply of certain writing supplies what would it be and why?

"First and foremost I would need endless stacks of loose leaf paper, preferably the ones with light blue lines as I’m not a fan of the cheap navy, it clashes with the ink too much. I’d also need a couple of good ballpoint pens. To perfect my writing techniques I’d bring “Making Shapely Fiction” by Jerome Stern, which is honestly one of the best guides to creative writing I’ve ever found. It was recommended to me by a writing professor I had, and it doesn’t just show you the proper ways to do things, but it also helps to inspire you and get you started on new topics and how to develop all aspects of your work, which is useful for both beginners and veterans alike. Oh, and I can’t forget the stapler, all that paper blowing around would be a hassle for written work!"

Question 4. What have you always wanted to learn?

"One thing I’ve always wanted to learn is how to write sci-fi or suspense. I think this taps into a very imaginative part of the brain and would like to learn how to effectively use mine. Although since even the most creative original thought comes from experiences (whether in real life or observed on television, as we typically can’t write about something that we’ve never been exposed to) I’d like to learn how to twist my own knowledge creatively for such things."

Question 5. What project do you have going on right now and what is the next one?

"Currently I’m working on the hardest project, finding inspiration for my next plot. I don’t have any direction yet but what I hope to work on soon is a flash fiction piece, which is a glimpse of a story that has a much larger picture behind it yet can stand alone in under 500 words. I’ve written a couple of these before and I’m currently thinking of what the subject of my next work will be."

Interview Of The Month

This months interview is with photographer Stefan Neary from Los angeles California.

Question 1. Who or what introduced you to the world of photography?

"I think my interest started back in St. Albans when Brian built his own dark room to develop his black and white photos, I remember helping him with it's construction a bit and then was amazed at how the image slowly appeared in the chemicals. I also remember running to town to buy film for him and thought it was a pretty important job to get the right roll. I also remember a photo Brian took of a swan and it's reflection, I really liked that photo."

Question 2. Do you remember your first project?

"I was out at the motocross track with a racer friend of mine and was just snapping some fun photos of him riding etc, some of the pictures were decent, but one in particular stood out, he was rounding a corner pretty fast and was throwing a lot of dirt from his back tire, it just looked especially cool and was action packed! Unfortunately the photo was out of focus and pretty much unusable, I started messing around with it in Photoshop and ended up with an amazing image, highly stylized with saturated color and modern edge.....to me anyway:) I showed it around here and there and received a lot of compliments, it was then that I realized that I could do more than just take a picture, I could take it even further with my imagination and some creative editing. Since then I've taken thousands of photos!"

Question 3. If you were stranded on a desert island and allowed an endless supply of a certain photography item, what would it be and why?

"I think I would need two things.....batteries for my camera and my Macbook pro.....and Chopper!"

Question 4. Is there something you have always wanted to learn?

"I would love to be an expert in Photoshop, takes a good photo to the next level and then on from there.....I love that."

Question 5. What project do have going on right now and what is the next one?

"Well, I just put a new website for all my photo and media work http://www.agrmedia.net/, I am working on some equestrian stuff right now and doing some car/hot rod shots too. But everyday is a new photo opportunity around here, so I always have my camera with me, if I come up with anything you'll be the first to know."

Interview Of The Month

This months interview is with sentimental needle crafter Suzy Neary from Long Island New York.

Question 1. Who or what introduced you to the world of sewing?

"My introduction to sewing was in primary school in England where there were classes that taught a variety of sewing projects. I remember making a yellow Humpty Dumpty pajama case, an applique collage where I chose to put in my favorite animal a horse, working on a hexagon quilt and learning how to knit. Going to school in America I made a stuffed heart for my parents that I still have. I remember wanting to do a good job because it was a gift. A couple of years later I made a skirt in Home Economics class, this stressed me out because sewing machines scare me! In my teens I would buy little inexpensive needlepoint and cross stitch kits from Woolworths. As an adult I enjoyed exploring many other sewing mediums like silk ribbon embroidery, quilting and applique with felt. I also love to crochet."

Question 2. If you were stranded on a desert island and allowed an endless supply of a certain sewing item, what would it be and why?

"Everyone is picking clever and creative things to help them survive. I'm hoping my desert island is not too deserty so I would choose something that I will never grow bored with and that is cross stitch. I would bring an endless supply of floss, aida cloth, needles, scissors and the largest book of patterns on the planet! My grass hut will not be very strong but will look very pretty decorated with all of my projects."

Question 3. Is there something you have always wanted to learn?

"I would love to learn how to use a long arm quilting machine, owning one would be nice too. The women I've seen who use them make it look so easy and relaxing, but I'm sure it takes a lot of practice. It would be the ultimate experience in helping me get over my fear of the sewing machine!"

Question 4. What project do you have going on right now and what is the next one?

"My current project is crocheting a blanket with the wool my brother Jonathan gave me for Christmas. I finished the crochet part last night and will now be chain stitching a floral design on top of the blanket. My next project is to complete a special quilt I started last year. It is made with some floral cotton material my mother bought for me many years ago that I didn't know what to do with. I have been looking forward to finishing it, I was just undecided on what design to use when stitching all the layers together. Now that I know I can happily get back to work on it."

Interview Of The Month

This months interview is with the craft maven Betty McCreadie from Basingstoke, England.

Question 1. Tell us a little bit about your craft history.

"I love knitting and crochet, in fact I love all kinds of craft. I started knitting when I was 13 years old with two sticks and a ball of wool my Mum gave me. We did not have the money to buy needles but I made myself a scarf. At 17 I bought my first sewing machine, I saved up every penny I earned to buy it. I made my two young sisters dresses. Then when I had my own three daughters I made their clothes as well. Forty five years later I still have that very machine and still going strong. I also love paper craft, cross stitch, paper mache and I make my own cards. Every day you will find me doing something as I love all kinds of craft."

Question 2. If you were stranded on a desert island what would you bring and why?

"If I was left on a desert island this is what I would take with me. My sister Christine for company and we can knit together as like me she loves to knit. Lots and lots of wool, all size needles and crochet hooks, scissors, darning needle, as you can make things to help you survive. A big thick book that I can read in my hammock that I knitted. Couple of big packets of rice to eat with the fish that I catch with my knitted net. Sun cream as I will be sunbathing in my knitted bikini. I will knit or crochet blankets and a pillow case and stuff leaves into it to make a pillow. There is so much you can do with wool. I would also take a wok, wooden spoon, matches, we will drink water from the stream. And I must not forget my hair brush or I will look like Girl Friday by the time I leave the island!"

Interview Of The Month

This months interview is with the multi talented John Neary from Long Island, New York.

Question 1. Who or what introduced you to the world of woodworking?

"My Dad introduced me to woodworking. We lived three floors up in a tenement building in Glasgow, Scotland but my Dad had an allotment where I would help him in and around the shed with small woodworking jobs."

Question 2. Do you remember your first project?

"My first woodworking experience was when my brother Tommy and me as teenagers built from scrap lumber we salvaged from the dump and parts we got from flea markets, a table saw in our bedroom. That was also our first near death experience. But we loved it."

Question 3. If you were stranded on a desert island and allowed an endless supply of a certain woodworking item, what would it be and why?

"A hand saw. I can cut trees to make a shelter, cut firewood to keep me warm and cook the fish I will catch with the spears I will make. And I can make chairs for me and Man Friday when he comes to visit."

Question 4. Is there something you have always wanted to learn?

"I always wanted to learn large scale joinery so that I can build a barn. I plan to build a barn when I retire to my small farm in the beautiful state of North Carolina, but I will probably start with a chicken coop."

Question 5. What project do you have going on right now and what is the next one?

"My current project is building shelves in the garage, to help organize the clutter. My next project will be to build more shelves, because we have a lot of clutter."

Interview Of The Month

This months interview is with the renowned crafter Christine Neary of New York.

Question 1. Who or what introduced you to the world of crafting?

"What introduced me to the world of crafting, well when I was about 7 years old I got taught how to knit when I was in school, it was one of our lessons, I knitted slippers and a Teddy Bear and I really enjoyed it, then as I got older 12 years and up we were taught how to sew in one of our lessons, I made my own cooking apron then I made my first seersucker nightdress, it was really cool back then and when I was about 16 years I started making some of my own clothes and to this day I continue to knit teddy bears and blankets etc, I still enjoy it."

Question 2. Do you remember your first crafting project?

"My first knitting project was the teddy bear I knitted at school when I was about 7 years old and my slippers, both a biege colour, I always remember them and with the slippers I had to use 4 needles, that was a challenge then."

Question 3. If you were stranded on a desert island and allowed an endless supply of a certain craft item, what would it be and why?

"If I was stranded on a desert island and I wanted craft supplies I would like lots of wool, any colours and lots of different size needles and also crochet hooks, a pair of scissors and some darning needles. The reason I would like that is simple, not all desert islands are warm so I would knit or crochet some big blankets to keep me warm, I could also knit a couple of bags to hold the fruit that I would pick and I could crochet a blanket with bigger holes to use as a net to catch fish, so you see they would come in very handy."

Question 4. Is there something you have always wanted to learn?

"I have always wanted to learn how to knit one of those beautiful thick Arran sweaters, maybe they are easy but I never really looked into it, maybe I should."

Question 5. What project do you have going on right now and what is the next one?

"The project I have going on now is a beautiful bright yellow sunshine blanket for a friend for Christmas but I may knit this one with a new pattern and if it doesn't look nice then I will crochet it instead. I am also going to knit a couple of hats and some slippers for friends too. Will post photos when they are done."