One of our beloved artisans, Kathy Dries (who lives right in our town of Emmaus!) has created a stand-out collection of children’s accessories that truly belongs in fashion magazines. These gorgeous floral items (hats, pins, hair clips, headbands) compliment her adorable vintage pillowcase dresses, and their brilliant colors and textures are certainly appropriate for the upcoming spring weather! We’re happy to present this artist interview to show just what inspires Kathy’s line of beautifully crafted accessories. Stop by to see them in person…they are a delight!

OOOH:  How would you describe the craft you work in? What sets your items apart from other artisans?

KD: I do several types of crafts mostly needle arts and floral to decorate my home. Right now I am continuing to do knitting – something my grandmother taught me when I was a girl. I resumed my interest in knitting about 10 years ago when all the beautiful Italian yarns became available and I made many scarves. Since then I have followed the trends and have quite a stash of yarn. I love to add beads to my work. I also had an aunt who taught me to sew as a girl and I have made clothes, learning to smock when my own girls were little. I think I also made every Disney Princess costume for Halloween. Although my girls are grown and I am not yet a grandmother, I still love to make fancy things for little girls – hence the vintage pillowcase dresses and fabric roses.

OOOH:  How long have you been crafting? Have your interests and materials changed over the years?

KD: I have always loved to make things and be creative – my friends tell me I am all right brain. I have been “making things” since I was little and recently came across all the handmade gifts for my mother I made as a toddler and she will get another this year. I always have to be doing something and cannot just “sit” somewhere – knitting is very portable.

OOOH:  Your handcrafted accessories often include vintage elements. Where do you find these treasures?

KD: I love the thrill of the treasure hunt (and a good bargain). I have kept many of my grandmother’s things and like her, love the make things and be creative. I go to flea markets and antique malls and shops for vintage scaves, hankies, buttons, laces, pillowcases etc. I cruise through thrift shops as well.

OOOH:  Where do you find inspiration and how do you keep up with the latest trends?

KD: I love to go to craft festivals and read craft magazines for inspiration and then adapt the idea to put my own spin on it. The internet has great ideas and one website leads to another and I can get lost.

OOOH:  Do you have any plans for future work? What would you like to accomplish?

KD: I always have plans and usually have more ideas than time. I have a closet full of things “to do” . I see something that inspires me and I decide I can do it myself and make it my own.

OOOH:  What would be your best advice for someone interested in creating handcrafted accessories and clothing?

KD: Just do it – it is a great way to relieve stress – knitting is very relaxing and helps keep the brain in shape. It gives me an outlet to be creative and feel like I have accomplished something. My hand made gifts are always appreciated.

I obtain much of my yarn from Halycon Yarn in Bath, Maine. I am always looking in knitting shops to find that “extra special” skein that I cannot do without. With all of the new colors and textures that are available, it is sometimes difficult to limit my selections.

All of my hats should be hand-washed and gently squeezed dry. You can reshape them by stuffing them with paper towels and letting them air dry.

The silk painting techniques I use originated in France and Japan. I work with 100% silk (crepe de chine, habotai, and chiffon), hand stitch the hems, and use top quality French fabric dyes, resists and setting agents. When working in the French serti technique, the design is drawn four times before painting begins. The Japanese technique, called shibori, is an intuitive and abstract process. Silk is bound very tightly to large poles and compressed before painting. The result is an intricate one of a kind pattern of color and shading that can never be re-created. All of the silks I create are one of a kind, hand washable and colorfast.

The portability of knitting projects is a bonus for a busy mother and social worker. Kathy is an adoption supervisor for a special needs adoption program. She has two daughters who are both musicians, so she spends a lot of time waiting while her daughters are in lessons or rehearsals. Kathy and her family have lived in Emmaus for the past 25 years.