Hello!
My name is Renée, and I am proud to come from a family that makes beautiful items by hand. My mom, grandma ("Nanny"), and aunts began teaching me how to crochet, knit, sew, draw, and paint when I was a little girl. Some years later, I learned how to make jewelry by taking classes, reading books and magazines on the topic (this was pre-WWW), and observing other artists. Throughout the years, I have taught other makers the techniques I learned.
At one point, I sustained severe job-related injuries, which prevented me from doing any crafting. I had constant pain in my hands, neck, and shoulders, and I couldn't even write, much less craft. I was afraid I might never be able to crochet or knit again, which was devastating because those two arts have always been calming, stress-relieving activities. Thankfully, my body healed to the point where, although I still deal with pain, I can engage in many of my favorite crafts, including fiber arts. I am so happy to finally get the opportunity to publish the many patterns I designed.
I love adding beads to crochet and knitting and enjoy showing other makers the techniques. Learning new and possibly unconventional techniques can be challenging, especially for anyone new to a specific art. Therefore, I include additional information in my patterns to help makers become comfortable with the techniques used in my patterns. As a bonus, I often add printable gift tags to my patterns mostly featuring "Snags the Kitty," which I drew in memory of my kitty Maximus (Max), who I miss dearly. Sometimes, the gift tags feature the logo that I designed for a pattern.
I enjoy traveling and meeting new people. I have had the privilege and honor of living abroad, where I met talented makers whom I am proud to call my friends. We often met at local cafes to chat while we worked on our various WIPs. Many friends came from several countries and shared their beautiful cultures and crafts, which inspired me to keep creating.
I love to read; my favorite genres are mystery, suspense, sci-fi, and fantasy. I also enjoy playing cards, board games, and online games with my family and friends.
Contact me with questions or comments, or say, "Hello!" Thank you so much for supporting my creative journey. 💖
