Lorri Courtney...rock 'n' roll!

Below are some thoughts from Lorri Courtney on her creations: octopus dolls and bowls made of long playing records and journals with theircover!! Indiecool in Fort Wayne!

What inspires

you?

First, I consider myself a crafter not an artist. I

don't presume to have any vision or

viewpoint with my work. I just like

making things. I mostly knit and crochet and work with paper. I

like manipulating

yarn to make textures and patterns. I've made many sweaters over the years but

lately find that I do

better with smaller projects that I can finish quickly and move on. I started making the

little octopus dolls a few years ago and

they've really caught on. I sell

them locally

but also on-line at my Etsy shop. Etsy's a crafter's website that

has worldwide

appeal. I've sold to Austria, Wales, and Canada as well as all over the USA. My site is

www.llcourtney.etsy.com.

I grew up with a very creativ

e

mother. She was an expert seamstress, she liked to knit and crochet, and did beautiful crewel work. My sister and I

were always busy. We always has a jigsaw puzzle or a latch hook rug out to work on. I remember we had a

papercutter and I loved using it. It

seems I always had something to do.

How did you start?

My

crafting "career" started when I went to my first indie craft show

in Columbus, Ohio. I saw hip, talented people making

unusual things

that I absolutely loved. The indie movement seems to attract young, creative, free-thinkers

who want to create

unique pieces that represent their point of view. After that

show I decided

to start making things that I could sell. It's been fun experimenting and especially

exciting when

others like what I make.

I started making bowls out of

discarded long

playing records which lead to using the cardboard covers to make journals. Both of these

items are fun to make and share. I love the reaction when

someone finds their favorite recording

artist or an album from their past.

Cat Voors and her Cat's Creations!

Here is another artist of our Artlink holiday sale, check out the interview and her works at Artlink!
What inspires you?
What inspires me is a particular piece of stone or other element that becomes a focal point and the otherparts of the piece come together organically. Sometimes a piece never gets finished.
What medium do you primarily work in? Why did you select this medium?I primarily work in stone and glass and some silver.I love natural elements – stones, pearls, even wood. I want to get more involved with creating silver projects.
What do you put in your art that represents you?
I need my pieces to be unique. I will make several like pieces of costume jewelry on occasion, but the better pieces are one of a kind.
Do you try to make a statement with your art?
I don't try to make a statement. If I finish a piece and put it up for sale it is because I like it and wouldwear it and hope someone else will as well.

What is your favorite aspect of art?
My favorite aspectofart is to see it come together without my forcing it. That is why I call my jewelry art – because I am the one with the tools but the pieces come together on their own.

Who inspired you to be an artist and who are your favorite artists?I was inspired by a gal I met and whose name I never knew. She made lovely jewelry and made me want to get involved with that mixed medium. I have so enjoyed this creative outlet and meeting so many lovely people who stop to look at what I've made.