Artist Series -- Lady Lina

I would like to introduce you to Katarina from Dubrovnik, Croatia. I met Katarina when she used some of my cuffs in her treasuries. During that time we exchanged emails discussing our crafts. Katrarina is such a lovely person and I have enjoyed making her acquantance and wanted to share her love of crafts and art with you. Katarina has two Etsy shops, Lady Lina and PerfectCut. I love both and her work is perfection defined!

1.When did you become interested in crafting and did you choose it, or did it choose you?

Handcrafting has always held an important place in my family. My grandmother was a couturier (seamstress), and she taught me how to sew. I remember my mother being fascinated by different fabrics and magnitude of their colors, lace, wool, while she was also intrigued by nails, pliers, screwdrivers... So there was constant handmaking going on in my house, knitting, crocheting, coloring, fixing... I feel that in such a home atmosphere it would have been difficult not to adopt handcrafting as another personal challenge.

2. You get to spend one weekend each with three historical figures, an artist, a writer and one of your choice. Who are they and what will you talk about or do?

The artist would have to be Chopin. His music absolutely fascinates me. I feel it would be a gathering of two soul mates.

The writer would be Milan Kundera. His books have played a significant part in my maturing. I would love to be able to sit now, as a mature person, and have a conversation with the old shrewd. This question has inspired me to revisit some of his books!

The great scientist and visionary Nikola Tesla enabled today's ways of communication with his ingenious inventions. Many of his ideas have not been implemented yet. It would be very interesting to hear from such a grand mind what the future holds! I believe he would also like visiting his native land.

3. How has the popularity of the Internet affected your work?

Internet has opened so many doors in my life, into the world. I met a vast array of great and talented people, and have acquired many new friends. An abundance of opportunities have presented themselves to me, and I have been able to learn many new crafts and much more.

4. Have you discovered any new technique to creating your work that you can share? How do you come up with your ideas?

I recently discovered a method of cutting through wood and plexiglas with a laser cutter.
A completely new technology to me, that I am slowly adopting. My husband uses the laser cutter in his work, and I simply have to try everything that is new!




5. If I walked into your crafting area this moment what would you show me first? What would you want to hide?

Since my work area is mainly my living room, the first thing you would see would be the table cloth on the living room table, embroidered by my husband's grandma. The pattern of it is specific to Dubrovnik region. I think you would find it very interesting! Needlepoint/embroidery is an area I want to perfect; therefore I always keep this table cloth in my sight.
And I would not hide anything. Most of working areas are a creative mess, aren't they?

6. Describe something that comes up in your work because of a life experience?

My husband is an advertisement and billboard designer. He mostly works with Plexiglas. Until recently, to me Plexiglas was just another plastic material. Then I discovered that this material is a rather interesting medium that can turn into an unusual piece of jewelery. So now, besides fabric, wool and thread, Plexiglas is my new obsession!

7. Describe what you do or who you are in a haiku

Embroidered dreams
become shaped fabric of colors
singing an adorned tale

8. Is there anything else that you would like to share?

I would like to thank you for including me in your blog; among all these wonderful artists...I am grateful for your support and for the opportunity to share my humble work with the world.