meet the editor Archives

Meet the Editor: Kelly

September 5, 2012 by AllFreeJewelryMaking

Hello, crafty cats and kittens!

I’m Kelly, the editor of AllFreeJewelryMaking.com and (newly) AllFreeKidsCrafts.com, as well as the resident cat lady of Prime Publishing headquarters. I live in the fair flatland metropolis known as Chicago, where all the essentials are within walking distance, including the craft and hobby store—a fact which never fails to delight my DIY-loving heart. Living in such close proximity to a craft supply store has been a blessing for my crafting habits and a curse on my pocketbook. I love making jewelry, so any time I’m running low on beads or findings, it’s just a hop and a skip over to pick some more up. Of course, once I’m inside the craft store, good luck getting me out. I could spend hours scouring the shelves and have a penchant for anything sparkly (glitter, gems, sequins—if it shimmers, I’m sure to pick it up).

My jewelry-making medium of choice is resin, and pendants are my specialty. My most recent creations have featured the fabulous foursome known as The Beatles (perhaps you’ve heard of them?), David Bowie as Aladdin Sane, and a magical rainbow unicorn (all glitter-fied, of course). Other than making jewelry, I have most recently taken an interest in embroidery, though I’ve yet to really delve into that craft genre, and have dabbled in various other arts and crafts over the years, from hodge podge sewing projects (mostly revamped secondhand store items), to glass painting, to doodling my own handmade cards (I have a fondness for inanimate objects with happy faces).

What with my love for making jewelry and accessories, working on AllFreeJewelryMaking.com has been a dream, but I also adore whimsical kid stuff and have always wanted to write and illustrate children’s literature, so I’m excited to be taking on AllFreeKidsCrafts.com as well! When I’m not talking, writing, or reading about crafts, I can most likely be found dancing unabashedly at one of Chicago’s various local live music venues, perusing one of the city’s many vintage shops, or snuggling my cats to within an inch of their lives.

Get a better sense of my craft style by checking out some of my favorite projects from all our awesome crafting websites! I’ve pulled up some real gems…

Craft Projects:

Crochet Patterns:

Knitting Patterns:

Sewing Tutorials:

Quilt Patterns:

Crochet Afghan Patterns:

Christmas Crafts:

Kids’ Crafts:

Jewelry Projects:

Holiday Crafts:

Meet the Editor: Jessica

July 5, 2012 by FaveQuilts

Hello FaveCrafts readers! I’m Jessica, and I’m the editor of FaveQuilts.com and AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com. Although this misleading picture of me was taken in gorgeous Sedona, I have actually spent the majority of my life in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I studied World Literature and German at the University of Illinois, but since I spent most of my lectures knitting and crocheting, I would appreciate it if the U of I would please award me a minor in Crafting.

I grew up with a mother and grandmother who were DIY superheroes, so crafting has always been second nature to me. Why buy a Halloween costume when you can sew one? Why throw away that coffee table when you can refinish it? I enjoy all crafts, but my true loves are knitting and crocheting. Since becoming the editor of FaveQuilts, I have developed a passionate love-hate relationship with quilting (I can write about it and appreciate it; I just can’t do it).

When I’m not crafting, I fill my hours by reading the TIME magazine cover-to-cover, “biking” on a rusty hunk of metal with wheels, and begging my boyfriend to watch marathons of films all made by the same director.

Now check out some of my favorite projects from our crafty websites! (Seriously read them; I only picked good ones).

Craft Tutorials

Crochet Patterns

Knitting Patterns

Sewing Tutorials

Quilt Patterns:

Crochet Afghan Patterns:

Christmas Crafts:

Kids’ Crafts

Jewelry Projects:

Holiday Crafts

Meet the Editor: Caitlin

May 5, 2012 by FaveCrafts

Hey everyone, Karisa here with a new Meet the Editor post! Today we’re talking to Caitlin, the editor of AllFreeKnitting.com.

Caitlin was born and raised in Kenosha, Wis., where she developed an incredible adoration for cheese and Italian food – but surprisingly not beer and brats, much to her state’s dismay. When she’s not frequenting antique shops and thrift stores, she loves to read and write, listen to live music and to explain the true meaning of the phrase, “How ’bout them apples?” to her husband (he’s British). She loves dabbling in all sorts of crafts, including knitting, scrapbooking and sewing. Narrowing down her interests is near impossible, but she does have a soft spot for any craft projects that are vintage or vintage inspired. If you don’t find her at Starbucks gleefully sipping tea or coffee, you’ll probably find her waiting in line for a Muse concert, complete with a homemade song lyrics t-shirt. She’s a little obsessed with that band.

Learn some more fun facts about Caitlin:

Are you a crafter? What crafts do you like to do?
Yes, and I’m self-diagnosed with Crafting ADD; I tend to get super excited about hundreds of projects, start them all at the same time, and then only finish about 1/4 of them – if I’m lucky. I’m really up to trying any type of craft, but a few of my favorites are knitting, scrapbooking, sewing and pottery.
How long have you been crafting?
Probably as early as 3. I can still remember braiding and gluing dandelions together into headbands with my grandma. To this day, every time I see those flowers I immediately think of her.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five craft supplies or tools would you want with you?
I’d definitely want some knitting needles and yarn with me so I could pass the time knitting. Also maybe some thread, sewing needles and Mod Podge – because that stuff is just magic.
What craft have you always wanted to try?
I’d love to do more woodwork! I like the idea of hacking apart pieces of wood to make something artsy. Not sure what that says about me.
Have you ever had a craft fail? Tell us about it!
Yes, you could say that! Let’s see, aside from super-gluing my fingers together and making myself bleed with a needle felting needle, there is one particular time that stands out. A few months ago, I found this gorgeous tutorial for a wall garden on Pinterest, and immediately went out to buy supplies. After spending nearly a week trying to build my own shadowbox (my husband and I had to buy three different types of nails and even broke a power drill in the process), I happily painted it and planted my succulents. It looked stunning! Fast forward to a few weeks and what was once a gorgeous boxed garden became a shadowbox of death; every single plant had died. I guess I didn’t inherit my grandmother’s green thumb after all.

Check out some of Caitlin’s favorite projects from all of our crafty sites:

Meet the Editor: Melissa

January 5, 2012 by FaveCrafts

Hey! Jenny here interviewing Melissa of FaveCrafts for the first “Meet the Editor” of the year! Crazy to think we’re in 2012 already!

Melissa is one of the newbies here at Prime Publishing. She hasn’t been assigned a site quite yet, but she’s been uploading lots of new projects on FaveCrafts and bringing you a few blog posts here and there.

Melissa was born and raised in Chicago. She graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in English Literature and a double minor in public relations and Native American Studies. During the four years she spent in the freezing Upper Peninsula, Melissa had lots of time for DIY projects and her love for crafting continues to this day! She loves getting inspired and finding new ways to use old things, so send your cans, bottles, and scrap paper her way!

When she’s not crafting, you can usually find Melissa browsing old book stores, watching Mad Men, or fine-tuning her baking skills. In the coming year, Melissa hopes to expand her creative horizons and try some new crafting techniques. She’d love to learn to crochet and can’t wait to dust off her sewing machine!

As she’s been adding projects, Melissa found lots of ideas to try in the coming year and she would love to share them with you! You can find her favorites below.

As we move forward, Melissa would like to wish all of you a year filled with inspiration, creativity, and the drive to keep learning, laughing, and loving. Happy 2012!

Here’s a few Fun Facts about Melissa!:

Are you a crafter? What crafts do you like to do?
Melissa: I am a crafter! I love all kinds of crafts, but I mainly stick to clay, paper, and knitting. I really like finding new ways to use old things, so I’m always browsing thrift stores for new ideas and motivation.
How long have you been crafting?
Melissa: I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember! My love for crafts probably started in kindergarten. We were making picture books about ourselves and I got in trouble for using all the glitter and stickers on my book. I guess it hasn’t stopped since!
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five craft supplies or tools would you want with you?
Melissa: Hmm…scissors, Mod Podge, yarn, knitting needles, and paper.
What craft have you always wanted to try?
Melissa: I really want to learn to make my own clothes! I got a sewing machine for Christmas a few years ago and I’m so intimidated to use it–but that’s going to change this year!
Have you ever had a craft fail? Tell us about it.
Melissa: Let me just say that my first quilting attempt was a disaster. I had this huge plan to make this beautiful quilt for my mom. I even printed photos on fabric to sew onto the quilt. My squares were cut evenly and I was gearing up to start sewing. In my foolishness, and complete ignorance of quilting and sewing, I just figured I’d start sewing squares together randomly…hoping that it would come out evenly since each square was 4”x4”. Um, wrong. Not only did I not consider the seam, but every single square moved in the sewing process, so it was crooked and totally uneven…which I guess fits my family! I eventually just scratched the whole thing…as a matter of fact I think it’s still sitting in my craft box!