Maker in 20 Questions : Jade (Sweet Softies)

Maker in 20 Questions : Jade (Sweet Softies)

This week for Maker in 20 Questions we are getting to know Jade from Sweet Softies a little better.  Jade’s amigurumi aren’t the only things that are sweet, she sure is too. Jade is a good friend of mine, fellow Wonder Woolmen and yarn enthusiast.  She has a really cute and whimsical style when it comes to amigurumi, but that is not all she has a softness to her home decor and garments project. She was nominated for a Crafties (Love Craft Awards) in 2019 as crochet blogger of the year. Jade’s designs were even published in Cute & Easy Crochet Magazine. Jade is so talented, kind, creative and lovable, it is now time to get to know her a little bit more. As always here are all of her links , she makes really good quality content on all of her plateform.

Sweet Softies Links:

Website/blog

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Ravelry

Etsy

Pinterest

Youtube

 

1- What is your favourite design that you’ve created?

Gosh, this is a tough one! (Not because I’m big-headed, but because I pour a lot of love and effort into each of my designs!)  I would say that my current favorite design might be Sir Batwington . There’s nothing particularly complex about the design of this little guy — I’m just very pleased with how his chubby form turned out!

 

2- Which of your designs did you have to frog the most while designing it?

This would have to be my Rose Finch Capelet .  I was trying to design a lacy pattern that could work in the round, while looking beautiful and delicate, and I tried out many different variations of stitches together before finally getting it to match what I had in mind.

 

3- Which of your designs had a reception that surprised you the most ?

I think it’d be a cross between my Tea Rose Spa Set  and my Teardrop Hanging Baskets , which are both written patterns with video tutorials.  They’re quite simple and beginner-friendly, yet quickly became two of my most popular designs.

4- Which of your designs do you consider the best example of your style?

My style, particularly with amigurumi, rests heavily with my dolls.  I have a penchant for fantasy, medieval, woodland, free spirit, and prairie-revival types of aesthetics, and I get to play around with that more so with my doll creations!  I also love ethnic and indigenous styles.

 

5- Which of your designs do you use the most/is more evidently displayed for amigurumi?

I sort of rotate my work around, from storage to spots in my room.  Presently, my Petite Floral Dreamcatcher  is hanging on my wall to bring some joy and pops of color!  For apparel, I probably wear my Beach Breeze Kimono Top  the most; it’s surprisingly lounge-friendly, though I feel a bit fancy when wearing it indoors~

6- Which other maker’s pattern do you want to try?

I have a huge list!! The very top at this time is Amanda from Loops and Love Crochet‘s cute Zig Zag Zipper Bag !  It’s such a pretty and whimsical pattern, and I’d love to add a boho-style tassel with beads or maybe even feather appliques to it!

 

7- Makers who inspire you.

The Wonder Woolmen Team inspires me!!  I’ve come to know each of these sweet makers as wonderful friends. Sharing their joys, laughter, sorrows, and daily life happenings is such an experience, and they all inspire me as not only a designer and blogger, but a person in general!

 

8- What is the last thing from another maker that you’ve made ?

I crocheted these adorable little Mary Jane shoes  from 1dogwoof , for my baby girl due this July!

9- Do you have any makers that you admire outside of your craft ?

Outside of crocheting, I really admire admire Chodam_Soo‘s  artwork! Her illustrations often have a whimsical, Mori-girl aesthetic with flowers and forest animals, and give off such a quaint, cozy feel. I love her use of color and patterns as well.

10- Any makers that you think deserves more recognition ?

Everyone in the Wonder Woolmen Team are underrated for their talents and definitely deserve more recognition, pronto!  As a shoddy and beginner knitter, I’d like to highlight one particular member — Modesty by Laura. Laura’s knitting designs are mind-blowingly beautiful and she has such an artistic talent for putting together beautiful stitches on apparel.

 

11- What is your favourite yarn ?

I have soooo many yarns that I love!  I have a certain favorite for amigurumi, a certain favorite for clothing, etc. For amigurumi, I’d say Yarnspirations’ Caron Simply Soft would be my favorite, because they affordable and come in so many different colors that make it perfect for crafting a vivid amigurumi project.  For apparel, I’ve been really into natural fibers like tencel and bamboo lately.  I’d say Yarn Bee Fresh Haven is my favorite tencel yarn and Lion Brand Yarn’s Cotton Bamboo is my favorite bamboo yarn!

 

12- What is your favourite color palette ?

I definitely have an affinity for muted and pastel colors.  I really love the look of soft pink, white, off-white, and light heather grey.  I also adore foresty colors, like all the browns (the siennas, burnt umber, tan, beige, taupe) and natural-looking greens.  Oh, and mustard yellow is a personal fav, too!

 

13- What is your favourite thing to make ?

Amigurumi dolls!! They are so fun to make and design!

 

14- What is your favourite tool ?

I’d say my Clover Amour crochet hooks! Their ergonomic grip feels amazing in my hands, and ever since I purchased them, I never went back to my grip-less hooks again!

 

15- What is your favourite craft beside crochet/knit ?

I actually have a background in fine art.  Aside from the fiber crafts, I love drawing, watercolor painting, and Chinese brush painting.  I have an art Instagram on the side.

16- What is your favourite movie or tv show that you never tire of ?

I don’t indulge in a whole lot of television, but I recently watched the 2019 documentary, “Our Planet” , which featured stunningly beautiful scenes of our natural world.  The film also highlighted the devastating effects of climate change on living creatures and their increasingly fragile ecosystems.  Thus, while being eerily gorgeous, it was also heartbreaking.  There’s a particular scene about walrus on an island of cliffs that really shook me.  However, this film is something I would watch again and again, and remind myself to reduce my carbon footprint as much as possible for the sake of the other sentient beings with whom we share this planet with.

 

17- What is your favourite food?

I have so many… it is hard to choose!  I think a stable favorite of mine is a noodle soup that I like to make with a flavorful broth from bamboo and a variety of mushrooms, packed with vegetables and tofu.  It is utter comfort food!

 

18- Who is your favourite fictional character and why ?

My favorite fictional character is Tod the fox from the Disney movie, Fox and the Hound. He embodies the virtue of friendship and forgiveness when he stands up to save his childhood friend, a hunting dog, from an attacking bear.

 

19- Random fact about yourself.

A random fact about me is that I am a happy vegan!

20- You have the floor, any message you want to get out there ?

Being kind to others around you, to animals, and to the Earth is a gift that keeps on giving.  We are granted this one life, and what an amazing life it would be if we can live it gracefully with kindness, empathy, and a positive attitude in harmony with all sentient beings.

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Jade this week. I sure loved reading all her answers. Jade is always so interesting and it makes me peaceful to read her eloquent words. She really is the sweetest.

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