Each month I will be interviewing someone from the online world. They could be someone creative, quirky, geeky or a fellow spoonie. I’m really not picky; the whole point of this is to open up dialogue, share with the world and if you wish, bring awareness to your work or a cause. Interviews are open to anyone who wishes to take part so if you’re interested in volunteering please check out the Interview information page.

This month Llinos has volunteered to talk to us about her creative hobbies which include art and crochet!

The Interview

Hi …. please tell us a bit about yourself!

Hello there!  My name’s Llinos, I’m a Welsh girl living in Cardiff, UK, with my boyfriend, Oliver, and my guinea pig, Maggie.  I turned 30 earlier this year.  I’m a blogger and I love to be creative through painting, crochet and papercraft.

How did you get into your creative hobbies?

At school, I was told I wasn’t good at art, so I turned away from it because I thought I didn’t have any kind of creative talent, beyond my love of writing.  However, as an adult I felt a pull towards exploring new creative hobbies and I dabbled in a few things, like candle making and soap making.  When I saw lots of pretty crocheted items online, I knew I had to learn it.  I also began to indulge my love of stationery, and suddenly I was scrapbooking and penpalling!

How many years have you been doing it?

It’s a couple of years now since I really got into crochet and papercraft. Now I can’t imagine my life without it!

What does your crochet and art mean to you?

It means a lot to me that I can express myself in a creative way.  On a bad day, all I want to do is curl up with a project and I feel like myself again.

What was the first time you realised that was what you wanted to do?

I knew I had to learn to crochet because I felt like I couldn’t be happy unless I knew how to create all of these pretty blankets and cushions I saw on Pinterest and Ravelry.

What is your proudest moment?

When I crocheted a unicorn and all of my family and friends loved it.  She’s now one of my prized possessions.

What was the first artwork you ever sold?

I sold a greeting card of a print of a watercolour painting of a fox.  I should make some more!

What are your goals for the future? What do you hope to achieve?

I try to live in the here and now rather than worrying about the future.  I’d love to have a stationery line though!

What was the best advice you were ever given?

To do what you love.  Simple, yet it often gets left by the wayside and life takes over instead.  I try to remember it often.

Any advice for others wanting to get into your hobbies?

Stick with it!  Don’t think that what you produce isn’t good enough.  It’s all progress and part of the journey.  If you’re struggling alone, trying to learn a new skill, consider taking a class in the local community.  That’s what got me to understand crochet, after struggling to read patterns and follow videos.

Now for some random questions…

If you were the god/goddess of anything, what would it be?

Ooh this is a great question!  I would be the goddess of literature.  As much as I love being creative, I am passionate about books.

What would your animal form be?

Something quiet and thoughtful, maybe a badger.

Do you have any fun quirks?

I definitely have some quirks, whether they’re fun or not is something you’d have to ask those around me!  When I’m concentrating, I stick out my tongue.  I’ve always done it, ever since I was a child.  I also have quite a loud, distinctive laugh!

Do you collect anything?

Yes; any items of clothing, stationery or crockery with owls on them!  I have a beautiful owl moneybox.

And finally; time for a shameless plug:

www.thelilaclinnet.com

www.twitter.com/thelilaclinnet