A Conversation with Kya from Clutch Creations

Meet Kya, our Blog Mistress as well as a creative knitter and crochette! Her creations are must haves for the winter wardrobe. As for the other "useful things" she makes, her beautiful little bags are perfect for the indie woman about town....

Meet Kya..... and her gorgeous daughter Boudicca wearing Clutch Creations.

Who is Clutch Creations?
I'm a knitter and crocheter in my spare time, which means at night after my two daughters go to sleep. I've been knitting avidly since before my first daughter was born 7 years ago. Last year I decided to try selling some of my creations to raise money for my sister-in-law, Lisa, who was battling breast cancer and the numerous financial costs associated with the disease. I moved to New Zealand from the US a year and a half ago, and I'm loving it!

What’s your “handmade” groove ?
I love making useful items. Scarves and sweaters and socks that keep you warm. Bags that hold your things. Rugs to cover your floor. Most of my creating is done for gifts these days. But I have so many plans to make stuff for myself, I just need the time!

What’s on your bedside table right now?
Clothes. I don't have enough dresser space.

Who are your creative role models? What music, books, images, poetry spark your creative fire?
I love reading and try to be as diverse as possible in my book selections. I'll read sci-fi, then non-fiction, then classical, then romance. Everything that takes me to another world influences my creative ideas. The music I listen to tends to be just what my girls are into at any moment. Right now it's Lady Gaga, and her style is certainly inspiring.

What could you talk late into the night about with like minded people?
Education, parenting, TV shows and movies, and the differences between the US and New Zealand. :)

If you could go to three workshops/creative events this year which ones would
they be? What are they about?
I totally wish I could be browsing at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's Fair in Sunapee, New Hampshire. It's an amazing crafts fair they hold every year for 9 whole days, with the most amazing art and handcrafted items for sale, and it's going on right now! Growing up I would go most years for at least a day to have a poke around and I think that fair is in large part responsible for my love of the handmade.

How do you balance your creative life with your family, life commitments?
By not getting enough sleep.

What is your favourite creative screw-up?
Well, I posted on my blog recently about how I messed up a pair of socks I was knitting for my sister-in-law. They turned out too small, so I've turned them into leg warmers for my 7 year old, and I think they're even better that way!

Kitchen table or studio?
Couch in the lounge. Though really, I'll knit anywhere. I bring my knitting with me everywhere I go, and if I've got more than 30 seconds of free time I'll whip it out and start knitting. People make fun of me. But if my hands aren't knitting, I feel unproductive.

Do you have a wish list? Can you tell us what’s on it?
I wish I could knit faster, because I have so many ideas, and not enough time to work on them. And I wish there was a way to get from New Zealand to the east coast of the US in 2 hours so I could pop over for a weekend visit with my family and friends.

In the upcoming weeks we will be featuring our New Zealand Handmade friends in the Thursday interview space. If you haven't joined us yet, come on in, you are most welcome to apply. Look on the left hand side of this interview and follow the prompts.