Meet Our Featured ArtFire Artisans: Lime Tea

LimeTree by joannstores

Copper and Brass Earrings with Freshwater Pearls Handmade | LimeTea -..., $25
Far Off Places Leaf Batik Fabric Box and Candy Dish Set | LimeTea -..., $45
Wood Coyote and Moon Clock and Gauges | LimeTea - Woodworking on..., $40
Copper Wire Earrings | LimeTea - Jewelry on ArtFire, $25
Balancing Wine Bottle Holder in Cream/Natural | LimeTea - Woodworking..., $18

Artisan Name: Lime Tea
LimeTea is Michael, Camilla, and Cara, a father, mother, and daughter team. If it's wood, Michael made it. A fabric bowl or box? That's Camilla's work. If you're looking at jewelry or anything beads, that'll be Cara's doing.

Artfire Studio (Name/URL):  www.limetea.artfire.com
Other website or blog name: www.limetea.etsy.com  
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Facebook: www.facebook.com/limetea3
Twitter: @limetea3

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself, and what craft you primarily work on?
Michael:  I mainly do small wood working projects.

Camilla:  I started sewing before I started to school. I watched my mother sewing, and she gave me a needle and thread when I was 5 years old. My first project was a doll dress. I've been sewing ever since.

I've experimented with various forms of needlework over the years.  My favorites are sewing,  machine knitting and machine embroidery.

Cara:  I'm an only child, currently living at home. (Sharing the housework leaves more time for making things, you know.) Besides numerous crafts, including sewing and embellishing many of my own clothes and a good sized collection of bags and purses, I also enjoy reading, photography, graphic design,  old movies and listening to music while I work on a project. I just recently took up weaving on a small vintage loom. When I was about 8 years old I got to try weaving and loved it. Then a few months ago I saw a project that rekindled the old fascination and just had to get a loom.

Usually I do more wire and bead jewelry than anything else, but right now I'm spending the most time weaving.

How did you start crafting together?
Michael: Working on fix-up projects around the home.

Cara:  We've always been DIYer's, working on home improvement projects together, and since I was home-schooled, growing up I got to spend a lot of time crafting with Mom. Sometimes I'd sneak into our craft/sewing room and work on a project when I was supposed to be doing my schoolwork. The three of us  get input from each other on colors, finishes, details and if we get stuck on a project.

Who taught you? Or did you each teach yourself?
Michael: I'm self-taught, for the most part.

Camilla: My mom taught me sewing. Machine knitting I learned through classes, books, workshops and on my own. The fabric boxes and bowls started with a book, and then I came up with some of my own patterns and favorite methods.

Cara:  Mom taught me to sew. Some crafts, like wire jewelry and kumihimo, I got the basics with a kit and went from there learning on my own through books and experimenting. I also find the online groups for certain crafts very helpful at times.

Where do you find your inspiration? Who inspires you?
Michael: From magazines and the internet.

Camilla:  Fabrics and embroidery designs, browsing through patterns and magazines and the internet,  looking at and figuring out how a detail on someone's clothing was made, especially if it's used in a way that's new to me.

Cara:  It can be anywhere. The materials I'm working with,  a finished piece that a fellow crafter made, a color combination, an embroidery design, a picture in a book, a garment or piece of jewelry in a movie or advertisement or store or that a someone is wearing. Putting my own spin on a current trend or a classic. Seeing something I like and trying to figure out how to make it myself.

What are some of your favorite tools or materials?
Michael: The scroll saw. 

Camilla:  Fabric, yarn, my sewing and knitting machines.

Cara:  Beads, copper wire, leather, fabric and fibers. Nothing beats a good pair of round nose pliers or wire cutters.

 What is your favorite part of the creative process?
Michael: Making the pattern and prototype.

Camilla:  I enjoy the whole step-by-step process,  unlike Cara and Michael. They tend to get impatient and focus more on the finished product.

Cara:  I love color and texture, so playing with different combinations of those. And seeing the finished product, especially if  it turned out like I thought it would or different but better than I expected.

Least favorite part of the process?
Michael:  Sanding.

Camilla:  A failure. But everyone has them now and then.

Cara:  Having to take it apart and start over if I goof or an idea didn't work.

What advice would you give to others getting started (related to crafting or selling crafts?)
Michael: Don't get discouraged. At times you need to refresh with new designs.

Camilla:  If it appeals, try it. That's the only way to see if you will really like it.

Cara:  Try a variety of crafts. Some you'll enjoy just for a few projects, but there will be some that you'll stick with forever. If you get frustrated, leave it for another day. Crafts are supposed to be fun, not another stress! Make what YOU like.  We've found that our favorite pieces are the ones others gravitate towards, even if it wouldn't normally be their pick of style or color.  And definitely get the best quality tools you can afford. It does make a difference.


Thanks to Lime Tea!
-Kim @ Jo-Ann