Tuesday's Treasures - Andrea Designs

Andrea Wagner is an accomplished knitter and crocheter. I love her use of color and texture in her designs!

Let's get to know Andrea better....

1. If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?

 Being positive.

2. What role does your family play in your art?

My husband is really supportive of what I do. Sometimes he could be the hardest critique. That helps me to really put my feet on the ground. But he lets me be. We just moved to Indiana. This is a new house and it has a basement the size of the house( 3 bed, 2 bath) minus the 2 car garage. The whole thing is my studio, that I am preparing, including the floor and walls, to my liking.

3. Where do you live and what is it like?

A month ago we moved from El Paso, Texas to Batesville, Indiana. Love the place. It's a small town with about 6,000 people (El Paso is about 600,000 inhabitants) 60 miles away from Indianapolis ( El Paso was to the East  800 miles about 8-10 hours driving to Dallas, driving to the West about 4 hours to Albuquerque, NM, and about 5 hours to Phoenix, AZ), and 50 miles away from Cincinnati, OH. It is a lot of green. Across our cul-de-sac is the woods. I am in love with the place.

4. Where did you learn to craft or are you self taught? 

I learned to knit in High School using two needles and crochet. When I was in my  first year of college my cousin gave me  classes on the knitting machine. I started making a sweater. From the basics I was able to self teach how to make skirts, dresses, pants. Later on I got a job as a Singer machine instructor. I was trained to use the different tools the knitting machine has and how to use them when preparing a garment. I provide that information to my students for them to create sweaters, baby dresses etc.

 When I got married and came to the States, my husband got for me as a  wedding present, a knitting machine. The thing was so simple. I could not work with it. That was 22 years ago. During the time I did not work I still  crocheted some dollies, but I was missing my knitting machine until I got a new one like I used to have. I was already working in my daily job as a Call Center supervisor, and I was dreaming to have a small business to run from home using my knitting machine to create shawls, baby clothing, and scarves. The first scarf I made using the knitting machine I did not like at all. I was looking for a product that will be good looking and soft to the touch. I bought several yarns in the internet that I liked, but they were not to be used in my knitting machine. Then I started to use my two needles again and I was able to create amazing scarves and ponchos for  my customers. Unfortunately I never took a photo of them. Now I am able to dare to try new thing like painting, love to making greeting and business cards, jewelry, and always open to learn new things.

5. How long have you been working at your craft?

More than 10 years.

6. Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?

I receive my inspiration from everything that is around me, nature, people, situations, places, the nature in general.

7. What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?

Never  give up. The first time you fail doing or creating something, keep trying. That is not a  failure, that’s called  experience, if we learn from it.

 I have three step I always follow if I don’t get  things right the first time:

1. 5 minutes of feeling sorry for myself or probably getting upset

2.Thinking what I could change. If not possible, look for new alternatives

3. Chin up and continue working in the new project

 

8. If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?

Yarn, Yarn and more Yarn, some beads, probably another knitting machine, I have already two, and more yarn…

 

Here are some links where you can find Andrea's wonderful products:

ArtFire

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