Artisan of the Week, Diane of Cymberrain

Morning all! Sunday has come around again and that means I get to show you another amazing artisans work and give them a chance to tell you a little bit about themselves and their work. Today I'm very happy to introduce you to Diane of Cymbarrain. This ladies talents are so apparent when you look at her work. Her colour sense and her obvious delight for fabrics and textures shine out. I was mainly attracted by the bright colours, but the more I looked the more the details grabbed my attention. Let me hand over to Diane so she can tell you about it all.

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
I am a former reweaver who had my own reweaving business in down town Seattle for over ten years. It was an extremely exhausting job. I closed my shop and moved to France two years ago when I met and fell in love with my husband who is French. I now spend my days doing what I have been wanting to do for years, my art. I am especially interested in pencil art, fiber arts and dyeing. I also dabble in glass painting, acrylics and needle felting among other things. I am particularly drawn to bright vibrant colors and things of a celestial theme.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
I have always been interested in fabrics and sewing. My mother bought me a tiny sewing machine when I was just a young girl and I spent many an hour making doll clothes on it. I have also always been interested in fine arts. My sister taught me to draw in church when I was little to keep me occupied. I went on to take graphic arts in the vocational high school in my area and then onto college for fine arts. Life caught up with me though and I put art on hold for a long time.

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
I love spending my evenings stitching. Nothing better than working some wonderful thread into cloth, creating something beautiful from bits and pieces. Actually I enjoy any creating process, drawing a picture or painting one, forming a shape with felt, anything using my hands.

4. Which part do you find hardest?
Well, I used to love photography but since I started to sell online I have found it to be an unwelcome task. It's not the same as taking photos for fun that's for sure. Also the tediousness of listing items. Anything business related drags me down quickly.

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
Hopefully somewhere doing what I love near the one I love. I want to keep exploring new avenues of manipulating fiber and grow as an artist. I plan on expanding my dyeing and make it a major part of my business, while continuing to make my fiber pieces. One of the great things about what I do is, I can pick up and go anywhere on earth and continue it. My husband and I are both great lovers of travel and plan to see much more of this world in the future. As long as I'm with him I don't really care where we end up!

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Two things I think. Chose happiness over money and always follow your heart.

7. Could you name artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
Oh my! I know so many talented people out there. Two of my absolute favorites are Arlee Barr and Karen Ruane.
Arlee is a wonderful fiber artist living in Canada who does the most amazing things with cloth.
Karen lives in England and embroiders the most beautiful pieces.

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
How can a person have just ONE favorite? Hmmm, The Blue Heron in Seattle makes these wonderful sandwiches with hot turkey, bacon and avocado that are divine. Perhaps they are my favorite...

Thank you Diane for Joining in with our blog. I love your work so much. It has inspired me to have a go at embroidery myself. The Small World, Sleeping Moon piece in your Flickr account is one of my favourite of your pieces. I love the whole feel of the sun. It is so joyful and exuberant. Although I think I more associate myself with the sleeping moon, I've been so tired lately. Dear readers, if you want to see more of Diane's beautiful work do visit her flickr account and you can keep up to date with her world on her blog.

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops