Featured Artist - The Spinning Hand

Who are you?
Kari Kaefer

What is your Etsy Shop Name/link? www.thespinninghand.etsy.com

What tag categories do you specialize in?
Knitting

Do you create for children or adults, women or men?
Mainly women and children…I am considering a men’s line for 2008!


What do you like about Etsy?
You can have a super-professional site for next to no $ put out; you can get loads of free advice from professional, friendly artisans; you can be inspired by others’ creations…what’s NOT to like??

Where do you find inspiration for your products?
Fashion magazines, catalogs, people-watching in Manhattan. While I don’t want to sound too mystical, I truly think the yarn itself will indicate what it is meant to become. A combination of where I am in my own knitting practice and where my interests lie will also affect what I’m producing.

The seasons, obviously, are a source of inspiration. In the summertime I will knit with cottons and microfiber – I made the nautical-inspired “Young Man About Town” in the summertime – and as autumn draws near I will move toward earthier tones and fuzzy yarns. For some reason, I cannot get enough of Rowan Big Wool, year-round. It is so satisfying to work with.




What do you love about your business?
Unlike some of my other pursuits – music and teaching among them – no one ever told me I ought to be a knitter. It is something that comes entirely from me. I sought out my great-aunt and asked her to teach me; I wanted to be just like Julia Roberts, and my goal was to make a super-long, gray scarf to wear when I moved to Manhattan. (I did it, too…from Red Heart acrylic, of course).

What is your favorite product right now?
The cashmere camisole. It’s just so sexy and sweet. And a normal-sized woman can wear it.


What makes you unique at Etsy?
I don’t see a lot of handknit items at my price point…mostly I see them costing hundreds of dollars because they are made from hand-dyed, handspun wool from knitter-owned animals. I’m not afraid to make something that takes a lot of time and wait for the right customer to find it. (That’s why I also have a day job!!)

What other street teams are you a member of?
I’m sticking with etsynj for now, because I don’t want to spread myself too thin. If space permits, someday I might like to join fast (fiber arts street team).

What are some other sites to find out more about you and what you love to create?
Etsy is it…I’m trying to keep it simple.

I perused Kari's shop, and I love this christening blanket:


And this scarf is sure to keep you warm all winter long:


Be sure to visit Kari's shop at http://thespinninghand.etsy.com and check out the rest of the EtsyNJ shops by searching EtsyNJ at Etsy.com or by clicking here.

Happy Shopping!