January 16th 2007:www.knittygritty.etsy.com

1 at what age did you start crafting? Hmmmm... since I was tiny my Mum was really into doing creative things with me and my sister (probably more for her own benfit though;-), and she's always sewed, knitted and spun so I suppose it runs in the family. And then there was school, where all Irish kids of the 80s learnt to knit... yicky variations on acrylic rectangles mainly. I hated school (well my teachers really), and hence hated knitting and as far as I was concerned I'd never pick up needles again... it turns out I was wrong and a few years ago I rediscovered it and worked out that it maybe wasn't so bad after all, and that not all yarn felt like .

2 what do you like about crafting Probably the standard answer, but I like being able to create something out of nothing (or next to nothing). It's very satisfying to start out with a ball of string and two sticks and end up with an actual functional object. I see craft in general as similar to folk music, a kind of continum where ideas and themes develop off one another. Craft is a kind of cyclical process, it's very harmonious, using other people's creations as material (in all senses of the word) and adding your own twist.

3 when did you start selling online I've been selling on etsy.com since October 2005 apparently. I took a look at my credit card bill and thought that maybe I could justify buying so much yarn if I actually sold some of it... In a bid to cut out my hideous other job, I've only really started trying to make something of my shop recently. I've been trying out a few different ideas and they seem to be getting some really positive feedback- onwards and upwards I say.

4 whats the hardest thing about selling online? The hardest thing about selling online is the hardest thing about buying online. Especially with yarn, it's the feel of it that draws you in initially (any yarn shop is full of people touching everything) and buyers kind of have to take a leap of faith when it comes that aspect. The piece can't really sell itself, so you have to; trying to describe the size, shape and feel of things is very subjective and, I think, a skill in itself. It's also a lot more effort than selling through a normal store and needs a constant watch, though you do get to call the shots which is always good

5 what do you think about indie shop interviews? I've been very nosey and read lots... indie shop interviews are making me want to go shopping. I'm a sucker for unique clothes- damn you all with your nice stuff that I can't afford! Seriously though, they're a really great indie clothes resource and it's nice to get to know the person behind the design a little.

You can find here.knittygritty.etsy.com Item to check out .Purple and Green Stripes Knit-Felt Cuff