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Top: Hera
Above: Hera's hairless cat models his latest merino sweater
Bottom: Hera on stage
Check out other Sounds Crafty showcases on Felt:
• Ruth Carr, Minuit
• Flip Grater
• Fleur Jack, The Twitch
• Nathan King
• Hannah Curwood
• The Phoenix Foundation
• Hera
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Christchurch-based singer/songwriter Hera has been living, writing and performing in New Zealand for 12 years whilst carving out a very successful career in her native country of Iceland. Named Best Female Artist at the 2003 Icelandic Music Awards, a category dominated for the previous 10 years by global superstar Bjork, Hera has creative talents beyond her music, and shared some of her crafty thoughts and Felt favourites with us...
Did you make stuff when you were a kid?
Yes, I've made things for as long as I can remember. My grandmother taught me to knit and crochet at a very early age. My mum is an artist, and my dad used to be a printer so I had access to lots of paper and did a lot of drawing too when I was young.
What's your earliest or most vivid craft-related memory?
Crocheting long thin pieces, going backwards and forwards and being taught how to do it better by my grandma on her couch.
Are you crafty or do you make stuff now, and if so, what do you make?
I'm quite a manic crafter, when I start something, I feel like I have to finish it right away. I knit and crochet jerseys, hats, mittens, scarves, even some merino sweaters for my cat (he has no hair). I make jewellery, stencils, paint/draw and sew (I'm not very good at the sewing but I love doing it..) and I used to do a bit of cross stitch but it's been a long time. I get teased by my family and friends for knitting/crocheting over TV, they call me an old lady.
Hot glue gun, needle and thread or hammer and nails?
All of the above..
Do you think craft suffers from pre-conceived notions of lace covered coat hangers and toilet roll covers? If yes, any suggestions for how craft can improve its image?
Yes it does a little bit, but things are changing so fast with sites like this one and Ravelry.com. If you haven't been to Ravelry it's a place to find patterns, and just to share images of things you've created. Not a shop, but a place where you can literally see hundreds of versions of a particular pattern (knitting and crochet) and you can see what a huge difference a different type of yarn, or a different color makes.. I love modifying patterns, and it's great to be able to share and see ideas..
It's so nice to have these communities getting together through websites, and being able to see what other people are doing, it breathes some fresh air into the crafting community..
Also it's just amazing how many new and wonderful things are popping up everywhere..
What's the best handmade thing you've ever been given?
My Taonga. It was a gift on my 21st, made by my friend's dad.
Have you ever worn something you've made on stage or in public?
Yes all the time :) In the Feels So Good music video, I'm wearing a crochet necklace I made - you can see it 47 seconds in.
Why would you buy something handmade?
I love supporting local artists and creative people, it's nice to see how quickly the community here is growing.
I have two favorite guitar straps that were hand made for me by an Icelandic artist called Ágústa. She makes
and designs handbags in reindeer leather and fish skin. My guitar straps are Catfish, and Redfish.. her site is http://www.gustadesign.is/
I love always having something from home with me, and the same in Iceland when I wear my Taonga.
Is it really the thought that counts or do you think people who make gifts are just cheap?
Definitely the thought that counts! Handmade things are so special...
In addition to her musical career, Hera is establishing a crafty one - check out her line of crocheted and felted 1920s style cloche hats and beaded jewellery in her Felt shop, www.herasings.felt.co.nz, and visit her stall at Craft2.0 at Our City O-Tautahi in Christchurch on Saturday 6 June.
www.herasings.com
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