A Fun Interview on Kollabora

I have been very fortunate indeed, to be asked to sell my patterns on a relativity new site called Kollabora.  Free to sign up and post all your hand made goodies, follow others, buy pdf patterns and more!  I did a little interview with them and with your indulgence, I'd like to share it with you....

From explosions of color to cool functionality, Sheila's projects caught our attention right away and we're super excited that she is now offering her Creative Design knit and crochet patterns for sale on Kollabora!

Whether it's a stunning knit shawl or a cool pair or arm warmers, Sheila's patterns and projects are the perfect middle ground between classic and cool! 

My name is Sheila Zachariae, I own and operate Creative Design by sheila and my DIY weapons of choice are knitting needles, crochet hooks and fabric

When I am looking for inspiration I go shopping. I see inspiration for colors and trends in the clothes and jewelry that people of all ages are buying. I also love the big box hardware stores! Paint chips are definitely my friends!

After a long day of making things I like to be with my husband and college age daughter in the kitchen! We are big foodies at my house and as I am half Greek and half Scottish, ethnic cooking is the norm. Plus, we just had our dream kitchen installed a couple of years ago and we relish in all its stainless steel glory!

I got started making when I was a little girl. My mother is quite crafty and I would help with giant flowers made from crepe paper, cover little match boxes (everyone smoked back in the 50ʼs and 60ʼs) with felt and beads andChristmas angels made from cheesecloth and spray painted gold.

When I think about starting a new project I look at my Pinterest boards! I have been with them since the beginning and have a plethora saved goodies! I also look in my clear plastic bins full of yarn. I pull some hanks, look for a pattern and go!

The best part about running my own business is being able to put my daughter through college majoring in Costume Design, so it is well worth the time and effort. Keeping a schedule that works for me is also important. As a knitwear pattern designer there is always work to be done. Patterns to write, photos to take, helping a customer with a question and the actual knitting or crocheting of the next project. I also have custom orders that need to be fulfilled. I can do these at any time I choose. Even if Iʼm on vacation!

(giraffe pattern is from Susan B Andersons book Itty Bitty Toys.  The Lace Baktus scarf pattern is from Ravelry) 

My advice to anyone looking to start their own business is go for it! You will never know unless you try. Take great photos and charge for your time(because YOU are worth it)!

If I wasnʼt a knitwear pattern designer I would love to be a sign language teacher. I have always been fascinated by sign language and communicating with the deaf is the coolest thing ever!

 The first thing I do when I wake up is get a cup of coffee! Then I open my laptop and start working. I read my email, check all my pattern stores and read blogs I follow. My brain is at its best the first half of the day

The movie that can cheer me out of any bad mood is that flick Pitch Perfect, it's my latest feel-good movie. Itʼs about a bunch of college age kids all in Acapella groups competing for a trophy. I love it! Fun, quirky and full of great music!

My favorite artist our daughter, Zoe. She has so much talent in the arts and is the model for my knitwear. Zoeʼs is a gift from heaven and itʼs such a joy watching her find her inner artist and way in the world.

(pattern is from Martina Behm.  Yarn is from Knit Circus on Etsy)

 My favorite thing about making is when my vision becomes reality and it works out! 

The first thing I made was a flower paint by number on felt about 50 years ago! I still have it and I get all warm inside every time I look at it.

Three words that describe me (itʼs actually two words).....aggressively friendly! When we moved into a new neighborhood, some years ago, there was anelderly man living next door. I was warned by some that he was a little “cranky”. I became good friends with his wife, and he said to her.... “that Sheila, sheʼs aggressively friendly”. Now, there are two ways to take that.....I choose to take it as a compliment. In the end, I was the only person he liked in the “hood”!

Best creative advice I ever received is if you donʼt like it, itʼs not finished!

I never leave the house without my cell phone and a project. You never know when you will be stuck in traffic or something.

(Crocodile Stitch Shawl pattern is from Bonita on Craftsy) 

If I could live in any other country it would be Greece. When we were there on vacation a few years ago, I felt like I had been there my entire life.

I believe that there is no such thing as a DIY mistake!

There you have it!  If you have gotten to the end, I thank you very much.  You can find all my patterns by visiting my Craftsy, Etsy, Kollabora or Ravelry stores.  You can also "buy now" just scroll to the top of the page.

Best,

Sheila

Yarn tip:

Buy little snap barrettes and mini rubber bands in the hair care section of the dollar store to keep the loose tails on balls of yarn!

p.s.  I don't know why the interview is in different fonts and sizes.  Try as I might, I couldn't get them all the same.