Meet the member - Taffyknits

Please introduce yourself. Who are you, where do you live?

Hello! I am taffyknits, or Stephanie. I live in Lake Wales, Florida, right in the center of the state.

How would you describe your work / style?

I primarily am a knitter who felts. I have a haphazard style - sometimes I want to play with texture, sometimes with color. Felting to me is like a science project, so often a product will develop from something else.

Who, or what, inspires you?

I love nature! And I like to watch children at play and make things for them.

What made you decide to start selling your work?

My friends and family had received too many things from me already. And I thought it would be helpful to support my yarn habit.

Do you have a website or blog address?

Just the Etsy shop for now

How did you learn your craft? How long have you been creating?

I am self-taught. When my children were small and learning to read, I would sit and knit while they struggled with the book. It kept me patient and encouraging while doing something for myself at the same time. This was about 8 years ago.

Is there any other craft skill you would like to learn?

I'd love to learn to spin! And I'm fascinated by glass blowing.
Anything exciting planned that you’d like to share?

I can barely keep up as it is!

Have you had any work featured in magazines/books/galleries?

Yes, Canadian Family Magazine featured my jump ropes in their Summer 2010 issue. It was a thrill.

Has your work won any prizes/competitions?

I haven't entered any.

If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be………

looking for a job

Describe your perfect day.

Working in my husband's plant nursery, sitting on the back porch and knitting, crafting or swimming with the kids. Oh, and eating some chocolate.

Describe your proudest moment.

Wow, I have a few. For the different roles I take on. But I think, finishing a 5K race. When I was a kid, I let my mother talk me out of running a race because I was intimidated by the other kids' times. I always regretted that. So years later I entered a race. I didn't come in first, but not last either, and I thoroughly enjoyed the cameraderie and support from fellow runners.

What do you do to relax?

Knit, sit with my pet pig in the sunshine, take a walk.

What animal would you like to be, and why?

A giraffe. They seem so dignified, graceful and elegant.

What’s your weakness?

Chocolate is a good weakness, but I have a very self-critical voice in my head who gets loud sometimes.