Featured Artisan Chaco Creations

Meet our Featured Artisan Kathi of Chaco Creations.

I started Chaco Creations almost 3 years ago. I have been sewing for about 10 years and knitting for longer. I was creating mostly quilts until a friend wanted a knitting project bag. I designed and made her one and she really liked it. I did some adjustments on the original design and decided to start selling them. I've added in other knitting/crocheting items after that and expanded into messenger bags and purses.
I work full-time outside the house as an Archaeologist and EMT. I also have a wonderful, understanding husband and two great kids. So needless to say I don't get as much sewing done as I would like. Sewing, for me, is my "away time" or destressor. I'm happy if I can get a couple of uninterrupted hours in on the weekends!

Who taught you how to sew?

My mom sewed when I was young but didn't really teach any of us. I remember sewing a skirt when I was in Girl Scouts but that was about it until a friend asked if I wanted to take a quilting class with her. I took the class and loved it. So I have been "really" sewing since about 2000. Started with mostly quilting projects and taking classes and slowly worked into making knitting bags and other items. 

Where did the name Chaco Creations come from?
I decided on Chaco Creations as a name because it reminds me of home. I am an archaeologist, by profession, and worked mainly in the Southwestern US before moving to Missouri a few years ago. Chaco Canyon in one of the major Southwestern sites in New Mexico. I worked in that area for years. Also, my cat that I had for 18 years was named Chaco, so the name has multiple meanings for me. When I was trying to think of a name for my business I decided on Chaco Creations because of the meanings the name has for me.

What is your favorite item to make?
Now...I have just discovered making upcycled dresses and shirts! I'm just totally having a great time collecting older shirts and combining them and making new dresses and shirts! This is a new obsession - LOL...so before this I would have to say making my knitting bags. I love digging through my stash (which is quite large) and picking coordinating fabrics. The only part I don't like is the hand sewing to finish off the draw strings...that would classify as my least favorite thing! 

If you were going to pick up another craft what would it be?
Another craft? Well actually, I have been fixated on learning to weave for a couple of years. There are no resources or teachers in my immediate area so I've been looking online and have bought a couple of books on weaving. I don't see learning any time soon as 1) the lack of close-by resources and 2) I have no room to house the craft supplies I have now for sewing, knitting and scrapbooking! LOL!!
 

All my gallery photos are in flickr. I've picked out a few - but if you want to look in the gallery to see if there are better ones have at it!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15280318@N04/sets/72157603915097382/with/2960246170/

Give away:
Knitting/Crocheting Project Bag
(I have all the fabric cut out but need to get it sewn up today so I don't have photos of it yet)
Info:
These bags are great for all your knitting/crocheting projects, or anything else you can think of to use it for!
This bag is larger than the usual sock project bag. Will hold more than 4oz of yarn plus project and supplies.
Base of bag is 5 inches in diameter.
Opens to 24 inches circumference.
Bag is 10 inches tall, 9 inches from base to bottom of drawstrings.
There is a pocket inside with three (3) small pockets and one (1) larger pocket to carry extra needles, hooks, pencils or what every you want to use them for!

To enter, post a comment to this blog post what you would use your bag from Chaco Creations for. (required).

For additional entries:
* Visit Chaco Creations and post your favorite item as a comment on this post
* Follow the team blog and leave a separate comment telling us you are a follower
* Fan the team on Facebook and leave a separate comment telling us you did so 

Please make sure to leave each comment in a separate post, and be sure to give us a way to get in touch with you in case you win! Winner will be picked using random.org on Monday, September 20th.