ArtFire Artisan Spotlight: Kare WaterHawk-Sorenson

I think that while on Earth, our entire life is a work of art. The world is a giant canvas, yes! That I am alive here and now means I am part of that beautiful expression. Breathing, walking, laughter, it is all art. So everything I do is an expression, see? My nose is my favorite art object! I have been told I can smell the type of honey on a bee a mile away.

If there's one thing that defines you, what is it?
I believe what does define me and will continue to define me is the expression of all interaction and the accumulation of my life experience. But if I were to offer one thing of many it would be scent. Like I can close my eyes and smell even subtle differences in air, water, storms, woods, and soils.

What role does your family play in your art?
My family, wow wee, you know I have just in this area alone over 60 members! They are my product testers and most honest critics. If they don't like something I hear about it! I learned early and fast to use the family as a testing ground before putting a formula to the market.

Where do you live and what is it like?
I live in what others call a compound as there are so many privacy fences and walkways. Folks can't seem to find a way into my house which I find quite odd. I live on an acre and the back half is a certified organic mini farm. Well, now that I think about it there are a lot of gates that lead nowhere. I have many gardens and live in a very small cottage. There is always laughter, something yummy cooking up, and a project or two scattered about. The neighborhood kids knock on my door daily asking for garden work, now that they found the way to it!

Where did you learn to craft?
In relation to perfumes and soaps, my earliest memory at 7 years old is of Grandma teaching me about plants and the usage of herbs. She raised skunks and had extensive gardens, specializing in cacti. I was forever asking her questions and forever getting good explanations. I was a sponge and it seemed I could never get enough information about plants.

If there is a new craft you could learn, what would it be and why?
If I could learn a new skill it would be pottery - I love pottery. I love the whole idea of getting my hand into something so earth like, just nice and dirty. I also love the idea of taking a lump of nothing and making it into something useful. Also, I would love to specialize in making Japanese herbal tea cups.

What are your goals with your ArtFire studio?
My goals with my ArtFire Studio at this time are to provide the best quality products I can, offer excellent customer service and just have fun. It is a place I can express myself and enjoy the expression of others.

Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?
My inspiration to create comes from nature, food, and dreams.

Who are your other favorite ArtFire artists?
I love so many other ArtFire Artists that if I mentioned one I would have to mention 100. There is such a beautiful mix of souls here.

What is the best piece of advice you can give other crafters?
I don't like to give advice, but I can say with heart that you shouldn’t ever listen to anyone negative. Don't let anyone suck your energy from you. You can find a way to do anything, yes, you can! Don't look for approval outside yourself; go with your own guts and heart.

What is the most treasured thing in your craft stash?
My antique teeny weenie wood measuring spoons are my most treasured craft stash. I just love these little girls.

If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?
If I won a thousand dollar shopping spree I would spend it on supplies, supplies and more supplies. I might spend a hunk of it buying things I see I want.

Why do you think that buying and selling handmade products benefits society?
Well, a few reasons I think buying and selling handmade products benefits society is that it keeps it real and at a ground level which directly benefits the home unit. Buying handmade puts food directly on tables. It supports expression of the soul.

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Artisan Spotlight: Lanee Dotson, LaneesCrochet

Where do you live and what is it like?
I live in Las Vegas, which is known to be "Sin City." It's a pretty big city with lots of hustle and bustle and never ending growth. It's a rare thing to walk outside your home and not be able to see bright lights and busy people. Crocheting gives me a way to revert to simplicity in a complicated town.

Where did you learn to craft?
My aunt taught me the very basics of crocheting when I was about 10 or so. All she knew about it was chains and double crochets, but that little knowledge sent my mind flying with potential and endless possibilities of what can be made with a couple basic tools- A hook and yarn, that is.

If there is a new craft you could learn, what would it be and why?
For a while now, I've wanted to learn to spin my own yarn. I've recently purchased a drop spindle and am looking forward to learning the art. With the guilds here on Artfire along with all of the endless info that can be found on the web, there's no way that one can resist learning something new. World of spinning, here I come!

What are your goals with your ArtFire studio?
I'd like to get my work out there to start- networking and advertising are my 2 main things I need to work on. Hopefully, in the near future, I will have a signature style and brand in my shop.

How did you come to find a home on ArtFire?
I joined shortly after getting an account on Twitter. After seeing how 'all for' individual shop growth, and how caring the staff is, It was a no brainer to stay here on ArtFire.

What is the best piece of advice you can give other crafters?
Everything isn't for everybody, and everything you make isn't for YOU. I mean, some people will like your stuff, and some won't. And that's fine.

You may make things that you'd wear or use yourself- but would others? Try stepping a small toe outside of your box, you may come up with something that's really funky by your tastes, but loved my lots.

If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?
Yarn and buttons! Oh- and things to make purses with. Along with other supplies that would help me with spinning.

Why do you think that buying and selling handmade products benefits society?
When a person crafts something with their own 2 hands, it adds a bit of the fundamental goodness that comes along with being a human to the piece. We craft from our beautiful minds and hearts. I think that being surrounded by, and being willing to offer handmade goods will help us get back to being a people who know how to appreciate one another's time, effort, and uniqueness.

Visit LaneesCrochet’s ArtFire Studio

Featured Artisan - Cherie L Moses, ChermoDesigns

Art to me is the expression of the soul. It provides challenge, happiness and peace in my life. I started designing jewelry as a way to relax after a hectic day. I cherish the time that I spend with my "rocks" and bead board.

If there's one thing that defines you, what is it?
The ability to see beauty in everyday life.

What role does your family play in your art?
My daughter is a professionally trained artist, focusing on the fiber arts. She provides a sounding board suggesting ideas that may not have entered into consideration without her prompting.

Where did you learn to craft?
I am self taught, I started creating jewelry 4-5 years ago and during each new step in my evolution I have learned either what to do or what not to do. My motto through this learning process has been "wire is cheap" and "anything that can be done can be undone.”

What is your favorite craft supplier?
My favorite supplier is Arizona Gemstone and Bead. They really know what they are talking about and help newcomers to the craft.

If there is a new craft you could learn, what would it be and why?
Silver smithing, I would like the opportunity to bring to fruition some of the designs that I have imagined.

What are your goals with your ArtFire studio?
To gain exposure for my work and become part of an artisan community. I believe community is essential. Everyone should feel that they are a part of something bigger than themselves.

Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?
My inspiration is from nature and the beautiful colors of the rock that the earth creates.

How did you come to selling crafts?
I wanted others to enjoy my creations.

How did you come to find a home on ArtFire?
As I was poring over bead magazines, I found several ads for ArtFire. I like the concept, I like the community and I like the fact that ArtFire is actively doing something to give back to the earth.

What is the best piece of advice you can give other crafters?
My best piece of advice is to create every day.

What is the most treasured thing in your craft stash?
A strand of Petoskey stones. I filled my pockets with them as a small child and now cherish their presence in my collection.

If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?
I would spend it on gemstones. I could purchase all the beautiful stones that I have imagined creating pieces with over the years.

Why do you think that buying and selling handmade products benefits society?
In this "big box" "hurry up and get it" world, very few of the purchases made today are as personal as purchasing a handmade item. I bought handmade before I entered the cause myself. I enjoyed getting to know the creator and understanding who they were and what motivated them to create. I believe if more people realized the importance of handmade over mass production the world would be a better and more stable place.

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