August's Feature Artist
KnittingGuru
KnittingGuru
Fiber Artist: Veena
Veena started knitting and crocheting when she was taught by her mom at the tender age of four. Her philosophy is to create beautiful and flattering garments in wonderful, rich colors.
She almost never repeats her creations, which makes them one-of-a-kind. She likes working with her customers to create custom orders.
She always uses the highest quality natural yarns and her finishing is meticulous so that all her garments will be perfect and last for a lifetime.
She almost never repeats her creations, which makes them one-of-a-kind. She likes working with her customers to create custom orders.
She always uses the highest quality natural yarns and her finishing is meticulous so that all her garments will be perfect and last for a lifetime.
Veena likes combining knitting with crochet in inventive ways. She has won awards, been exhibited in museums, and has been published.
She knits for adults but her passion is knitting for babies. She also has a couple of shops devoted to baby garments.
She knits for adults but her passion is knitting for babies. She also has a couple of shops devoted to baby garments.
Green Victorian Ruffled Bolero
Parisian Gray Crocheted Wool Cape
Red Victorian Lace Cowl
Red Crocheted Hat-Greta Garbo
French Marigold Crocheted Ring
http://knittingguru.etsy.com
http://BurryBabies.etsy.com
Sunshine Newborn Sweater & Hat Set
Interview
-Do you do other types of crafts? If you do What are they?
Fiber arts are the thread that runs through my life. Knitting, crochet, weaving, embroidery,
quilting, applique, braiding, basket making-these are my perennial interests. I do use bead-
work embellishments too.
-What do you do in your spare time?
Ummm, knitting and crochet! I'm also an avid reader and gardener.
-If you had to choose what would you consider the best thing you ever made and why?
The best thing I ever made was a the Brooklyn Bridge Bolero, I made to celebrate the
bicentennial of the bridge. It was exhibited in the Brooklyn Museum. What I love about it is
that it began with cloth I wove, and is a sculptural crocheted and embroidered piece too.
-How long have you been in the fiber arts business?
I've been selling my work since college and have been engaged in fiber arts since early child-
hood.
-What are your future dreams as far as your business is concerned?
I'd like to work more on my websites- http://www.KnittingGuru.com and
http://www.BurryBabies.com . I'm also expanding the pattern part of my business because I
know that in difficult economic times people are always looking for ways to make things for
themselves. As a former teacher, I emphasize the educational aspects in my patterns,
including tutorials to assist the readers.
-How has social media improved your business?
Social media and the Internet have dramatically improved my business. I always hated selling
to boutiques and doing shows. Now I don't have to do those things any more. I have many
Friends, Fans and Followers on Facebook and Twitter.
-What or who inspires you artistically?
I'm very inspired by the natural world especially flowers and the sea. You can see those
themes in much of my work. I started college as a music major and am very influenced by
classical music. Beginning in junior high school, I spent almost every Saturday morning at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. There are far too many artists who influenced my
work for me to list them all, but the impressionists are very significant to me in terms of my
own work.
-What awards have you won and for what?
I won many awards for my hand weaving and was widely exhibited in NYC. I won Best of
Show at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade Art Show and had my knitting, crochet and weaving included in many
juried shows.
-What museums has your work been exhibited at, and what was exhibited?
My Brooklyn Bridge Bolero was in the Brooklyn Museum's Brooklyn Bridge/Brooklyn Artists
Show. I also had a woven and crocheted jacket included in a show of NYC artists' work at the
same museum.
-Where were you published and what was published?
I also have work chosen for inclusion in two books- Lark Books Jewelry With a Hook, has two
of my crocheted chokers in it. I also have six other crocheted jewelry pieces in 1000 Jewelry
Inspirations.
Fiber arts are the thread that runs through my life. Knitting, crochet, weaving, embroidery,
quilting, applique, braiding, basket making-these are my perennial interests. I do use bead-
work embellishments too.
-What do you do in your spare time?
Ummm, knitting and crochet! I'm also an avid reader and gardener.
-If you had to choose what would you consider the best thing you ever made and why?
The best thing I ever made was a the Brooklyn Bridge Bolero, I made to celebrate the
bicentennial of the bridge. It was exhibited in the Brooklyn Museum. What I love about it is
that it began with cloth I wove, and is a sculptural crocheted and embroidered piece too.
-How long have you been in the fiber arts business?
I've been selling my work since college and have been engaged in fiber arts since early child-
hood.
-What are your future dreams as far as your business is concerned?
I'd like to work more on my websites- http://www.KnittingGuru.com and
http://www.BurryBabies.com . I'm also expanding the pattern part of my business because I
know that in difficult economic times people are always looking for ways to make things for
themselves. As a former teacher, I emphasize the educational aspects in my patterns,
including tutorials to assist the readers.
-How has social media improved your business?
Social media and the Internet have dramatically improved my business. I always hated selling
to boutiques and doing shows. Now I don't have to do those things any more. I have many
Friends, Fans and Followers on Facebook and Twitter.
-What or who inspires you artistically?
I'm very inspired by the natural world especially flowers and the sea. You can see those
themes in much of my work. I started college as a music major and am very influenced by
classical music. Beginning in junior high school, I spent almost every Saturday morning at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. There are far too many artists who influenced my
work for me to list them all, but the impressionists are very significant to me in terms of my
own work.
-What awards have you won and for what?
I won many awards for my hand weaving and was widely exhibited in NYC. I won Best of
Show at the Brooklyn Heights Promenade Art Show and had my knitting, crochet and weaving included in many
juried shows.
-What museums has your work been exhibited at, and what was exhibited?
My Brooklyn Bridge Bolero was in the Brooklyn Museum's Brooklyn Bridge/Brooklyn Artists
Show. I also had a woven and crocheted jacket included in a show of NYC artists' work at the
same museum.
-Where were you published and what was published?
I also have work chosen for inclusion in two books- Lark Books Jewelry With a Hook, has two
of my crocheted chokers in it. I also have six other crocheted jewelry pieces in 1000 Jewelry
Inspirations.
Pearls of Wisdom
Romantic Red Lace Hand Knitted Shawl
Leaf Green Handknit and Crocheted Shawl Cape Wrap Cowl
Romantic Red Lace Crocheted Necklace with Vintage Button
What would be your advice to other artists who are just starting out in the art business?
The 1980's when artists made big money are definitely over. The economic times are such that
discretionary spending is dwindling. Artists starting out now face a daunting future.
However, people make art for many reasons and finance isn't high on the list. That's why there
are so many artists/waiters/waitresses! If making art is in you, you will do it no matter what. The
Internet opens up connections that were previously unavailable. When I think of the people I know
of wearing my clothing and jewelry in Scotland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, England and so on, it really excites me. I make things for people to collect and enjoy now and to
have for many years, so I think it's important to keep the long range view in sight whether you're just starting out or have been doing this work for a long time.
The 1980's when artists made big money are definitely over. The economic times are such that
discretionary spending is dwindling. Artists starting out now face a daunting future.
However, people make art for many reasons and finance isn't high on the list. That's why there
are so many artists/waiters/waitresses! If making art is in you, you will do it no matter what. The
Internet opens up connections that were previously unavailable. When I think of the people I know
of wearing my clothing and jewelry in Scotland, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, England and so on, it really excites me. I make things for people to collect and enjoy now and to
have for many years, so I think it's important to keep the long range view in sight whether you're just starting out or have been doing this work for a long time.
Links
Website: http://www.KnittingGuru.com
Shop: http://www.BurryBabies.com
Website: http://burrybabies.etsy.com/
Shop: http://www.KnittingGuru.etsy.com
Shop: http://www.Knittingguru.artfire.com/
Blog: http://KnittingGuruDesigns.blogspot.com
Shop: http://www.BurryBabies.com
Website: http://burrybabies.etsy.com/
Shop: http://www.KnittingGuru.etsy.com
Shop: http://www.Knittingguru.artfire.com/
Blog: http://KnittingGuruDesigns.blogspot.com
We'd like to thank Veena, for allowing us to feature her and her beautiful work on our site.
Custom-Made Baby Pixie Hat
Custom-Made Baby Pixie Hat