Our areas of Expertise

[#1]

Crochetgal started a Techniques and Materials thread which is an excellent idea. So I thought we could have a thread where we just give a hint of what we know. We all know more than we even imagine, as we see questions that we can answer. We're not limited by anything other than time to learn even more!

My sewing experience and fabric knowledge goes back more than 50 years. Technique, a little about machines including sergers, materials from silk and nylon to early rayon and present-day polyester faux fur.
Where to get such things in LA. Lace and ric-rac and all those non-vintage "vintage" buttons. How to make a bound buttonhole. stuff like that.

Of course there's a lot more, but I just thought I'd start with that.

[PugcentricPursuits]

Nothing is cooler than repurposed art - love the idea of altering someone else's discards and giving it new life. I find a lot of great books and patterns at our thrift stores and friends of library sales. I consider them as abandoned gems that need new homes. Can't resist rescuing them.

If I worked at Michaels, I'd basically be doing volunteer work as I don't think I could resist spending every dime!

[Former_Member]

I love this thread! (Hi everyone!)

My areas of knowlege are pretty varied, but here it goes:

- Polymer clay: One of my favorites! I create things large and small and love to add random things to the clay before I bake it and see what happens.

- Jewelry design: I worked in a bead shop for several years, so I'm well versed in the pros and cons of most popular jewelry products, as well as how to repair almost anything. I love to redesign old heirloom jewelry for people so they can actually wear it. If your jewelry isn't laying quite right, I can probably take a look and tell you why.

- Charcoal drawing: Several of my college classes focused on this, and I especially enjoy portraits.

- Acrylic painting

- Sharpies: This one might sound kind of funny, but you'd be surprised at the diverse ways you can use a sharpie. I have pretty expansive knowlege related to solvents that can be used with sharpies to get beautiful effects in your work.



Well, I just woke up...so that's about all my brain can summon up right now :)

-Miniatures painting: I play War Hammer 40,000K, so I'm well versed in painting teeny tiny little miniatures, and all sort of tips to make it easier

[Former_Member]

Yes, pug, most of my paycheck goes right back into the till.

Sharpies & solvents, oooh. I'm intrigued!

[theuglydogranch]

I'm a jewelry metalworker.

[Former_Member]

General sewing and candle making, also good with computers and sciency type things.

[WithinWire]

My area of expertise cover: drilling seaglass, finding beach treasuries, general jewelry techniques,

I also have a wonderful fiance that has graphic arts/photography knowledge. Feel free to ask him questions too.

[lifeartdesigns]

ooh, I love sea glass! I'm joining up from the open invite in the forum thread.

My expertise is silve clay, polymer clay, and resin.

I do more lurking that posting these days, because there's only so much time in a day!

[Former_Member]

i am knowledgeable in many areas of crafting, but only skilled at crochet.

love to make anything and everything!

[Former_Member]

My greatest area of expertise would be in sewing. I’ve been sewing for 46 years so hopefully I’ve accumulated some knowledge in that area that could possibly be helpful to others. I enjoy crocheting and knitting and for a number of years I was obsessed with counted cross-stitch, embroidery and needlepoint. I also designed and painted custom needlepoint canvases.

[bittersweetpunkin]

I'd like to say my area of expertise is vintage but it's not...it's really antiques. Particulary, antique telephones, clocks, and so on. I sell vintage because I can never part with the antiques I buy. :) I do know a thing or two about vintage though..lol.

[Former_Member]

Dabbles in everything, is best at sewing, creating patterns, figuring out solutions for problems and taking ideas and turning them into a reality.

Sucks at computers, seo, blogging, networking,and and anything technologically related in general...wishes she still had a land line phone and that she could have a burial by toilet for her cell.

[DesignCircus]

Hi all!

I am a graphic designer by trade- mostly working for businesses and marketing materials (logos, brochures etc...)

My main shop (designcircus) is geared around wedding invites and my second shop (cashandsam) is for greeting cards, screen printed stuff and paper crafts.

[Gypsymoondesigns]

Customer service
patina-ed metal
jewelry making

[Former_Member]

Once upon a time (four years ago this past December actually), I was a Human Resources Professional specializing in Information System. Now, I'm an expert Play-doh maker, Patty-caker, Story-teller, Boo-boo kisser, Personal Dresser, Chauffer, Teacher, Cook, Mediator, Diaper-Changer (six years and no end in sight - stubborn 2 year old, lol), Personal shopper, couponer and cleaner.

Oh, and I crochet too :)

[SharkysWaters]

Went to college for graphics but wasn't my cup of tea though it's helped me alot in my online ventures and I enjoy playing around with Photoshop and Illustrator. I'm a vintage jewelry collector and have been selling vintage jewelry online for about 11 years now. I'm far from expert though and still wind up doing a lot of reasearch.

As far as my arts and crafts aspect goes I'm still learning most of that.

And as far as 9-5's go I've worked in restaurants, managed a pet store, and worked for a short time as a classified editor for a very small local advertising paper. I've also done a lot of "side jobs" and enjoy learning new things.

[Mulchandmore]

What a nice way to introduce ourselves.
I've been spinning yarn (and weaving a little) since my teen years (and could now be considered an antique:) The wheel that I currently use I bought new about 30 years ago. The last few years I've also been experimenting more with dyeing, have a working knowledge of knitting (mostly sweaters and hats) crocheting, sewing etc. I also do woodburning.
Over the years I have dabbled in many other crafts and still want to learn others.
Thanks to etsy forums I am more computer savy then when I started but still have much to learn.
I do craft shows during the warmer months, and most of my "day jobs" have been related to customer service.

[Former_Member]

I've sewn since I was a girl. I zoned in on purses and bags early on and have always come back to it, especially framed clutch purses. I've had my work featured in magazines and a few are owned by notable people. Health reasons caused me to stop making them except occasionally so I now sell the frames and supplies for others to make them.

[funkomavintage]

I'm happy to see sew many that love sewing. I'm fairly good at punny things to say.....I am a smart-alek and very shy all at the same time.
I sew and I love to design things from scratch....my other shop thatyountvillegirl has a small sample of what I do in my spare me time.
I know vintage and am enjoying immensely that many things I bought new in the 60s and 70s are now "vintage". as if.
I never stopped playing dress up.
I have always bought old crap, now known as vintage, and so, when no one would hire me after I quit my last real job in 1986 (managing 3 JoAnn's), I finished my BA, and when that didn't help my job situation either, I started to take my talents (ha) seriously and sell sell sell.
I've sold to classmates in elementary school and junior high, and managed to never have to babysit or clean houses for $ all thru high school and college, simply by making stuff or picking vintage.
Oh, in my spare time I was a licensed bonded painting contractor for 20 years and ...a landscape designer, and owned an organic mini-farm.
Now I'm tired.

[beesocks]

I'm a dabbler :P
I went to school for painting and printmaking, but haven't done much of either lately :P
I make doll clothes, tiny hats, tiny shoes, tiny corsets, embroidery, sewing, paper dolls, I just like to make stuff :) I'm mostly self-taught, in a "looking at something how can I make that kind of way."
I recently learned to marble paper!
I decorated cookies for a million years.
I have extremely rusty gem faceting skills that I haven't used since college.
er, I was a spelling champion in high school, if that counts as a skill?

Most of my professional life has been in customer service, I seem to have a phone voice that soothes the savage beast and turns them into happy campers.

[miascloset]

I tried wirewrapping.....I'm leaving it to my hubby.
It's way too time consuming and too tedious for me.
My one and only
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65479598/handmade-amethyst-quartz-pendant

I'll never do another one.

[Former_Member]

Hi...I have been sewing forever...started on a treadle machine...now I have 5 machines and one is industrial....I was making leather mukluks,moccasins and mitts but then decided to destash fabric from the quilting bug I have then started selling bonded appliques...trying my hand at paper goods now...I get bored easily...

also made 7 wooden rocking horses,many quilts,potholders,jewellry and whatever sells good at craft shows...now I live in a quiet town so no more craft shows and lots of etsy...passes the winter...

nice to meet you all...

[Former_Member]

Do a wide variety of crafts and collecting.
Most recently working with paper and printer,
fabric and glue, photoshop, wood. Quilting small items. Have also - painted in oils and acrylics. Made dolls. Made paperclay sculptures. And more!!
Yeah, this is what I got a degree in Art History for! :)
Can give advice based on experience and experiments all over the place.

Hello to everyone.

[chicfragments]

I'm not an expert but I'm pretty good at soldering glass art charms. I've taken a few classes on the subject and have created more than a hundred charms. It's attaching the top ring that messes people up most of the time on how to do them cleanly, I have it down pat now. I buy my glass precut and edges already sanded so I can't help there, but I can be helpful with soldering techniques and useful tips I've learned along the way if anyone needs that kind of help:)

((waves to Robin))

[naturepoet]

I have 25 years experience in antiques, vintage and ephemera. Also know how to pour ceramic slip into a mold, extract the item, fire it in a kiln, clean the greenware, fire it to bisque and the many different forms of painting to finish the product to look its best.

Along with that my first love is ephemera, which is the collecting of anything that was NOT made to last, such as postcards, paper items such a calendars, art, lithographs, books and much more.

I love crafting and have tried many different medias. I guess you could call me a tinker and a jack of all trades.

[Former_Member]

So much talent around here.

Let's see, I have my degree in criminology/psychology, which has proven to be worthless and cost me a fortune.

I love gemstones, and have worked in several bead stores and for a jeweler. So I know my way around a stone.

I have a passion for painting and collecting books, but I wouldnt give advice about either...lol