Artist Interview - Tisha Thompson of TTdesigning

Well folks, just a few short hours from now the North Bay contingent of Etsy will kick off its first ever event. We hope you'll join us for what is sure to be a festive evening of refreshments, snacks and, of course, shopping!

Right now, we hope you enjoy this interview with Tisha Thompson of TTdesigning (www.ttdesigning.etsy.com). Tisha's work spans both the functional and the whimsical while remaining true to knitting and crochet's technical roots.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I have been a resident of Mill Valley for 34 years, married to my husband John for all of those and have 2 grown kids. My husband and I now live in a very cute and very small cottage in Blithedale canyon and living here has had quite and influence on what and how I create. 

  

What kind of artist are you? And what first drew you to that particular medium?

What kind? A fun one I hope. OK really, as of the last year or so I have been concentrating on wool. Wool in its rawest form: wool as roving, wool as yarn, wool as a fabric. I felt, knit, crochet and sew wool. I just love wool, always have. Had a sheep once when I lived in Oregon during my formidable 20s (did the hippy thing up there in the 70s) and learned to shear, dye, spin and weave wool.  I have known how to knit and crochet since I was a child. It all seems so natural to me, working with wool and having fun. I have been creating hats, bags, and toys with up-cycled wool sweaters for the past year.  As an avid garage sailor and thrift store enthusiast it seems natural that I would start working with felt as a fabric (i.e. shrunken sweaters).

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

Now really, why would I want to do anything else?

 Who is your greatest creative influence?

My friend Stephanie Green, formerly of Four Finch Custom Sewing. Her perfectionism has had a great deal of influence on my growth as a craftsperson and artist. All the women and men around the world and through the ages who have made beautiful clothing to put on their family’s backs, the jewelry on their necks and hats on their heads, are my influence.

Please describe your creative process.

Fun, time-consuming, exhilarating and necessary to my mental well being.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

A Crazy quilt made by my mother with the names of great musical composers embroidered on it.

What is it about living in the North Bay that most inspires your creativity?  First and foremost is the best art gallery & gift shop in Marin, “Roots Collaborative” of Mill Valley (2 doors down from Peet’s) where my creations are for sale. It is in this shop that I learned that people are willing to spend their hard earned money on my creations.  And, the collaboration with the other artists enriches me.  The weather in southern Marin suites me to a ‘T’! I love the fog.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

70 years old. God willing I will be doing just what I am doing now.  With the help of my friends at Marin Handmade I will have gotten a website and blog together by then and managed to grow the courage to place my work in a few more retail shops.