ECO ETSY ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Meet Andrea from Spinup Yarns

I chose this Eco Etsy Artist because of her wonderful vegan
and renewable creations. Andrea was kind enough to sit down
and answer some fun and insightful questions, so that we can
meet the person behind the art.



Tell us how you start your day:
First coffee, and then Sesame Street with my two boys (one is 4 years old, the other is 20 months)

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in southern Minnesota and now live in Flagstaff Arizona.

Tell us about how you got started in your art/craft?
I've dabbled in lots of crafts...knitting, crochet, soap making, sewing, but was never able to stick to anything. As soon as I discovered this thing called yarn spinning I was obsessed. It now feels like something that had no beginning, like I've always done it. I think its in my blood.

What inspires you?
I'm hugely inspired by the fact that my yarn itself is part of a collaboration, and I'm only half of it. I make yarn so that other people can turn it into their own art. It's something that comes from my head, through my hands, and then is passed on to another artist with an idea that comes from their head, through their hands, and into the same yarn. I never know what my yarn is going to become, and those limitless possibilities keep me trying new things every day.



What would your perfect day be like?
Sunshine, happy and well behaved kids, and lots of spinning. Then at night, TV with hubby, a nice cocktail, and more spinning.

If you had to choose another medium, what would it be?
Wet felting. I love looking at all the wet felted goods on etsy. Amazing stuff.

How is your art/craft Eco friendly?
I decided late last year to make a few changes in my shop. I've shifted my focus a bit to more vegan yarns (about 50% of my yarns are now vegan), and try to buy small farm wools on etsy and locally that I wash and process myself. I think most of the goods on etsy are eco friendly because they're not factory made. But I hope to do my part by supporting small farms when I can and offering a wide variety of animal free fibers.

What makes where you live special?
In Flagstaff we live at an altitude of nearly 7000 feet, and the increase in lung capacity from living here makes me feel like a super hero at sea level. ;)




Do you have a stuido/workspace outside of your home?
Nope, I am a stay at home Mom with a tiny nook converted to a studio. It's about 70 square feet and is usually overflowing with fiber, cats, and kids.

What's the one thing you can't live without?
My family. If that doesn't count as a thing...then my spinning wheel of course!

Tell us a random fact about yourself!
Even though I'm 32 I still talk to my parents nearly every day.





ETSY: Spinup
TWITTER: spinupyarns





If you know of a local or online eco artist that you would love to see reviewed, please contact me via any of the quick links on the right -> or by leaving a comment. I can't promise I will get to everyone's request but I will try!