Over at *dAKnitters I am one of the Admin's (*DragonKissses) for the knitting and crocheting community. As part of making some changes and developments to the club we held our very first fiber art contest. The theme for the contest was voted on by the club members and the overall winning vote was for a contest involving plushies. Why not! Who doesn't love to snuggle up to a handcrafted work of art, work of love and an expression of one's own personality.

As a rule, contests have prizes and as a new venture for the club we started with the following prizes:
First prize was awarded to ~Sparrow-dream It was a handmade scarf donated by =MuseSusan

Second place winner was awarded a one-month sub on dA and a feature on club member's journal. Second place was tied: winners were: *DekeNicki which was donated by *evil-yuffie and *WenchFaery which was donated by *DragonKissses journal feature: [link]

Third place was awarded a journal feature from *DragonKissses which was an interview to get to know the Fiber Artist. Third place also was a tie between *DekeNicki journal entry can be found here: ([link]) and ~Money-Tree journal entry can be found here: ([link])

So why not shine some more light on Fiber Art and post the interview as a news article. A way to build a community and to show others other forms of art that some might not think as of art. This art may not be produced with a brush on a canvas, a computer tablet, a pen to paper or with the use of photography equipment but it is made with needles, hooks, yarns of various kinds, patience, skill, an eye for detail and above all imagination.

Sit back as I introduce you to: ~Money-Tree

Looking through your gallery on dA ([link]). I see your gallery has a great deal of fiber art pieces! Ranging from knit items to sewn pieces and I do have a fondness for photography and you certainly have some stunning pieces in your gallery.

Money-Tree, how long have you been creating and making your fiber beauties?

I have been creating various things with fibers and fabrics since I was about 5 years old. So that is 18 years of crafting... and counting!

What inspires you to make your pieces?

I get most of my inspiration from music, websites and raiding through my supplies. Most of the time though, I will either have an idea and I run with it, or I make something up because it is useful, as I hate making things up only for them to gather dust.

How did you get started in knitting and sewing?

My mother taught me how to knit and sew from an early age, so all of my teddy bears had the best fashion you know... dresses, ties, hats... everything! She also tried to teach me to knit when I was about 5 years old or so, but it took many frustrating attempts until it all clicked into place. I also broke an awful lot of knitting needles in the process as my tension was so tight! After the teething problems though, I was addicted to knitting and would regularly borrow Jean Greenhowe booklets from my grandma.

If you were to pick three of your own pieces as your favorite what ones would they be?

In no particular order, I would pick Daisy Dust ([link]) as she is just too cute, my knitting needle wrap ([link]) as it is uber useful and pretty, and Mr. Ted ([link]) as he deserves a double mention in this interview.

I have chosen three of your pieces that I just adore!


And of course I need to mention your piece that was in the first official contest held by *dAKnitters “ Plushies are Our Friends Contest” which tied for third place.


What was it like for you to place so high in this first ever contest held by *dAKnitters?

Strange, but good! I was sat in front of my laptop nosing through e-mails and DA, and there was Ted on a tie for 3rd place. I almost choked on my coffee mind, and had to check about 20 times that I really had won.

If they have more contests would you enter if they were not plushie related? And what would you like to see as a contest theme?

I most certainly will. As for themes... how about a recycling themed contest where all items have to made from re-used/recyclable products such as string, plastic bags, old sweaters... that kind of thing? The other idea I had was for a fruit and vegetable theme, which I guess strays into the world of amigurumi.

Fun Facts about you:

I am a 23 year old British ex-pat living in Malta (Europe), who has a love for Eddie Izzard, arts and crafts, photography and martial arts. So be good, or else I will use my knitting needles as nunchucks, ok?

Five adjectives that you would use to describe yourself:

Creative, flexible, strong, caring, helpful

Besides dA, what is your most visited website?

I have a HUGE list of websites that I visit, but these are my all time favourites when it comes to craftiness... and yes, I know I know.. I'm cheating and giving you three.

[link] Adorn Mag
[link] Knitty
[link] Crochet Me

What is your next knitted project? And is it in the works?

I am currently working on an afghan. It is made up of 99 knitted squares and uses texture rather than colour for the detail. It is very purdy, and with 44 squares left to go, it will soon be on DA. I also have plans to unravel a now oversized cardigan and recycle the yarn, but I have no idea what that will end up as yet.

What other projects interest you?

I would love to learn how to make jewellery using silversmithing techniques and enamelling, but I've yet to find out where you can buy the tools and equipment from.