LJ MEME posted here.

1) What drives you to create? Also, what inspires you and your work?
I enjoy art in general. Fiber arts are where I feel the most accomplished. It is a relaxing and meditative experience when everything works as it should.

2) Were you formally trained in art or self taught?
Do you think it has helped you or hindered you? Self taught mainly, I have been very fortunate to have amazing mentors over the years, but most of my knowledge is from trial and error.

3) Do you have a ritual, quirk or superstition that influences you and the way you create?
Not really, I like to see what other people are creating. It inspires me to want to be better at what I do.

4) What mediums do you work in the most? Do you have a particular brand that you love working with? Why do you use them?
For Costuming – Silk, Linen and Wool.
For Knitting – I love lace work. It just makes me happy. Some of the Estonian and Orenberg laces are just heavenly, I have some favorite designers designers as well.
Fibers - Alpaca is lovely to work with – I tend to stick with wool and other animal fibers, I do prefer soft and luxurious.

5) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And now?
I do not remember wanting to be anything in particular.Now – I would settle for very good at what I do, I am good at keeping people organized.

6) If there was one style of art that you could take up, what would it be? G
rowing up I desperately wanted to play the piano.
I wound up playing the flute for 10 or 12 years.
Currently I am looking into a spinning wheel, the idea of being able to spin my own lace weight and sock weight yarn makes me giddy.

7) Do you think the internet, technology, media, etcetera are helping or destroying the art world?
Helping for the most part, there is some really bad information out there, but knowing how to go back to sources and verify is always a good thing.

8) How do you deal with creator's block?
I leave it alone or focus elsewhere, music and reading always help, looking at other peoples work is also good. If I can spending time with some of my favorite creative people generally fixes creators block.

9) How do you prepare for art shows where your work will be shown?
I do not participate in displays and competitions. I just cannot bring myself to do it.

10) At what point did you realize that creating was going to be a large part of your life?
We were always encouraged to be creative. My Grandmother and Aunts were award winning quilters, seamstresses etc….. Also not having any money growing up forced us to be creative. I am very lucky as I had no idea how poor mommy and daddy really were.

11) What was your worst experience with art?
Just being really bad at something I am excited about. I recently learned the concept of reveling in how bad I am at something and recognizing when I am getting good at it. I try to allow time and resources for the process of “becoming good” at something.

12) What was you best experience with art?
The Crack Gown – that thing was a MoFo to make and the results were worth it.
Also the Estonian Garden Wrap I gave Aldith – her expression made the entire process worth every moment working on that project.
DV~'s Pimp Coat – It was patterned from the ground up and he looks so friggen good in that thing!
All of those were made with love and given in love.

13) How would you define your style?
I am supposed to have a particular style? I simply do what makes me happy.I like clean and elegant, I love simplicity and think that the workmanship should be allowed to dominate a piece.

14) What does your workspace look like?
Cluttered and generally messy. Every now and again I dig out and prep for a new round of creative.

15) Aside from art what do you do with your time? Is there anything else that drives you or that you're passionate about?
I am an Office/Sales Dept Manager so I do a huge amount of administrative work and monkey wrangling.
I read, listen to music relax when I can.