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Around the World with 80 Artists: An Interview with the Author

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Crafting traditions can be found across the world. No matter where you live there is sure to be a tradition of creating and crafting. Creativity and art have the ability to bring people together and inspire harmony. This very tradition was the driving force behind the upcoming collection, Around the World in 80 Artists.

This collection of projects from international artists and designers was compiled by Mahe Zehra Husain of the Creative Art Academy as a way to celebrate diversity in art as well as raise money for the Malala Fund to educate girls around the world. This book contains 80 projects from 80 artists from 22 different countries across the world. This project highlights a love for creativity as something that holds us together. To help fun this project, check out the kickstarter fund here.

Around the World in 80 Projects

Mahe Zehra HusainTell us a bit about your project (Around the World in 80 Artists) and what inspired you to create it.

I was so tired of seeing sad stories in my Facebook news feed, it seemed as if the world was falling apart over small differences in color, religion and lifestyle. The crafting community was so different in comparison. There was such a feeling of friendship and appreciation among the artists I knew, I felt it was super important to highlight that positive and show the world that creativity can hold us together.

Your book focuses on projects from around the world. What crafting traditions inspire you?

I am influenced by my South Asian heritage. I love bright colors and mixed media and am known to incorporate a lot of bright fabrics in my work.

Out of the 80 projects in your book, which projects are your favorites?

That’s a hard question! I am super into watercolors and coloring pages and so I really like the tutorial I am sharing with you and I also love the coloring pages included in the book.

Can you tell us a bit about your process for this project? What sort of challenges did you face?

It was hard to get 80 artists together but Facebook helped me a lot there. I set up a group and invited a few artists I knew and then they started inviting others they admired and so slowly we made our way to 80 artists from 22 countries.

If you could only craft with 3 materials for the rest of your life, what three would you choose?

Paper, Glue and Scissors

What country or region do you take crafting inspiration from?

Craft Wars: Interview with Nikki McGonigal

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I can’t think of a better way to get ready to watch Craft Wars tonight than to meet one of the contestants! The FaveCrafts team would like you to meet Nikki McGonigal, from Nikki, In Stitches! We interviewed her about her crafting style and what it was like to craft with cameras all around. There are two episodes this week, 8pm EST and 11pm EST, so be sure to watch the second one to see Nikki.

Nikki McGonigal

Who is your partner on the show?
My partner in Craft Wars crime is Jen from Passion-For-Parties.com. The minute I found out I would need to bring someone with me, I instantly thought of Jen. She is the perfect compliment to my crafting style and techniques. Together, I knew we could tackle anything they threw at us.

How would you describe your crafting style?
My crafting style is classic, with a modern twist. My favorite projects are simple, basic ideas that have been around forever, but with my fresh ideas thrown in. I think that’s what makes them favorites with my readers, too. They can see their foundation and it reminds them of a project they may have seen their mother or grandmother do, but they also appreciate and enjoy how it’s been reworked to fit today’s styles and trends.

What was running through your mind when you started the competition?
Oh my goodness…you don’t want to know what was going through my mind when we got started! Everything from “where do we even start” to “ugh, I should have worn a cuter outfit!” But in all seriousness, I just kept thinking that I wanted to have a finished project. I knew I would be so disappointed in myself, and the judges would have a field day on me, if I didn’t put a complete piece in front of them.

Was it hard to handle the pressure?
I’d like to say no, but let’s be honest. Crafting with a camera crew in your face and a gigantic red clock counting down to zero on the wall would be hard to handle for anyone. I think Jen and I handled it the best we could. And really, you’d be surprised at how you just kind of kick into an extra gear when the going gets tough.

Nikki McGonigal on Craft Wars

Photo courtesy of TLC

What crafting tool was your lifesaver?
I lost track of how many hot glue gun glue sticks we went through! And we definitely showed off our skills with the power tools! Like I said, we really tried to show a variety of techniques, so we didn’t rely solely on any one tool. But, the Michael’s craft closet was amazing, and I wish I could have stayed in there for days playing with all that was in there!

What was your favorite part of the show?
The end! But not because it was over! My favorite part of the show was the end because I couldn’t have been prouder of the work that Jen and I put out there. I think viewers will be inspired by what we made and want to recreate our work at home. And for me, considering that’s exactly what I do on NikkiInStitches.com, that was my goal. I wanted to craft pieces that viewers would not only love, but watch and say “I can make that. I’m going to make that!” And I think we did just that.

Nikki McGonigal on Craft Wars
Photo courtesy of TLC

What did you learn from being on Craft Wars?
I learned that everyone crafts so differently. Everyone works at different paces. Everyone sees supplies differently and naturally gravitates towards very different styles. I also learned that everyone judges crafts differently. Even though the judges didn’t love everything I put out there, I appreciate all of their criticism. It’s helped me see my work differently now, and I feel like my projects and tutorials have improved since being on the show.

Do you have any advice for crafters out there?
My advice for crafters is to stay true to your style and what you love to create, and don’t be afraid to try something new. I did both on Craft Wars. I stayed true to what I love and my style. And I tried something very new by putting myself out there on the show. I couldn’t be happier with the entire experience. The crew, the judges, and the other contestants were some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Jen was the best partner I ever could have asked for. And just the experience of being on reality TV has been so much fun!

Want to learn more about Nikki? Be sure to go to www.nikkiinstitches.com.

Can’t get enough of Craft Wars? You can read all our interviews with past contestants and listen to this month’s FaveCrafts Radio Show below for behind the scenes secrets you can’t get anywhere else!

Listen to internet radio with FaveCrafts on Blog Talk Radio

Are you watching Craft Wars? What has been your favorite challenge so far?

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

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