Tag Archives: #crochet

Joana Vasconcelos

Joana Vasconcelos is a Portuguese artist known for her large-scale installations.  She was born in Paris in 1971 and currently lives and works in Lisbon.  Aside for her installations she has also created a series of wrapped animals blanketed with delicate patterns of handmade cotton crochet and lace.  And as the artist says “are ambiguously imprisoned/protected by a second-skin in crochet-work.”  She has exhibited regularly since the mid-1990s. In 2012 she was the first female artist to have an exhibit at the Chateau de Versailles. On an interview with Wallpaper she says this about artists who influenced her:  

 “I am influenced by any artist that transforms my way of looking at the world. It doesn’t matter if you like it or not, it’s how it affects you and how it will rock your world. That’s what artists do, they give you a perspective, by writing a book, singing a song, by dancing, they create a window so others can look at the world from a different angle. I really like Louise Bourgeois, yes, but then I also like someone that I’d never heard of in Mexico. David Bowie changed my world, but not all music by David Bowie. If I could send a piece of music to the moon it would be Heroes. David was quite right; you can be a hero, even if it’s just for one day.”

More of her work can be viewed here on her website.

Images:  Courtesy of Joana Vasconcelos

Ingthings

With so much left-over yarn we decided to make the stripe pillows shown on top.  They are the creation of Ingrid van Willenswaard, a knitter, crocheter, artist and blogger.  Over the years she has made many things from wool to paper.  She has also included many patterns and descriptions of her homemade projects on her blog. The author of three craft books also contributes to Dutch and English magazines in the form of DIY projects and/or illustrations.  This Dutch maker is so successful that she has foregone a full-time job and concentrates solely on her creativity.  In an article on Cosy Project she says this about her craft:  

“I knit and crochet because it gives me a feeling of peace; it’s a kind of meditation, the counting of the stitches and the focus on your hands leaving little room for worries. I don’t have a special goal doing it – it’s just the fun of it.”

“Because I can’t choose what I like most, I make a lot of different things,” says Ingrid. “I like to crochet, to knit, embroider, draw, make cards and fold paper. I am not a specialist – I like to keep things simple and easy.”

You can follow the maker on her blog and on Instagram.

Images:  Courtesy of Ingthings.

Sweet Softies

We are always looking for handmade gift ideas this time of the year.  Luckily we found this crochet project, Tea Rose Spa Set, on Ravelry created by Jade King an amiguri and crochet enthusiast.  Her background is primarily in fine arts, specifically graphite, water color and Chinese painting.  However, she has always had a particular interests in crafts such as origami, sewing, doll-making and ceramics…any creative activity using her hands.

The pattern for this crochet set (bath pouf, washcloth, scrubbier and soap holder) can be found here on Ravelry.  The crochet artist can be followed on her website, Facebook and Instagram.  You can purchase her crochet patterns in her Etsy shop, Sweet Softies.

Images:  Courtesy of Sweet Softies.

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