Today we have a very special interview! From Shawn who has been a part of the crafting community for longer than I have been alive. She is a pretty amazing person, and her yarns are simply beautiful.
How long have you lived in Newfoundland?What is your favorite thing about living where you do? I moved to Newfoundland from Toronto in 1975. My thenhusband got a job teaching English at the new Grenfell Campus of MUN Universityin Corner Brook. Our plan was to stay for 2 years...My love affair with Newfoundland was not immediate. Newfoundlandis a hard place. It is hard to penetrate. But bit by bit it seeps into yourblood. And now, almost 40 years later, it is the only home I have. What I lovemost about living here is the freedom to be and do what you want. I havere-invented myself many times – as a painter, a teacher, a children’s bookillustrator, a barrista, an animal rights activist, acraftsperson. And with each change, I’vebeen accepted. What is looked for , and honoured in this place, is honesty.
When did you become part of the crafting community, and how did it begin? I have been involved in craft (professionally) for about 12years. My background is in fine art (I hold a master’s degree in painting). In2000 I decided I didn’t want to paint anymore. I accepted an artist residencyat Terra Nova National Park and took only fabric and needles and thread. Ibegan making small textile pieces. That lead to larger “comforters”, children’s clothes made out of vintagechenille bedspreads, rug hooking and most recently dyeing and spinning yarn. Ihave always knit and wanted to be able to knit with my own yarn.
What do you create on a regular basis? My hand spun yarn is how I support myself now. It is how I fill my days. Dyeing, carding,spinning. Each skein is one-of-kind (and titled to show what the inspirationwas). I also make knitting kits –( for hats, fingerless gloves, scarflettes andshawl scarves) that include a skein of hand spun yarn, a pattern card andhandmade wooden needles that I paint to matchthe colours in the yarn. My company is IslandSweet Fibre Arts. I sell retail onetsy (www.islandsweet.etsy.com)and wholesale to about 25 shops – mostly in the Maritimes but also acrossCanada and in the USA.
What is your favorite thing to create? Or are there many? Last year I switched from retail to wholesale. This makes iteasier to plan my days. And gives me more freedom to pursue other things. My evenings used to be spent knitting product to sell . Now in the evenings I’m back to making small textilepieces. I usually start with some vintage textile and work into and onto itembroidery, stitching, appliqué, beading etc. This work is what I’m most excited about right now.
Where do you get your inspiration from? My inspiration comes from my life. I’m over 60 now so thereis a lot to draw on! I’m inspired by the beauty of where I live. I’m inspiredby my own personal history. By my travels. By other art – both historical andcontemporary.
What does your workspace look like?I have a studio in my home but it’s mostly for storage ofmaterials. I dye in the kitchen (or out of doors when the weather is warmenough). I spin in the living room. Inthe evening I'm on the couch watching movies or TV as I work on my textilepieces.
Where can we find you on the internet?I have a blog that I write on a few times a week – mostly about my creative inspiration andadventures. I have a web sitewhere I show my process and my product, and then my etsy shop. I live in a verysmall community. The internet has made it possible for me to reach out.
Thanks so much Shawn! I hope everyone takes a minute to wander over to one of Shawn's internet locations - you might just get totally sucked in by the beauty of her handspun yarn - I know I have!
