Makers ~ Angela Allen ~ Newport
Artist’s name: Angela Allen
Shop name: Peace of String!
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/PeaceofString
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WeaverAngelaAllen/
1. Tell us about your work:
Peace of String celebrates the art of textiles. I use new, reclaimed and recycled fabric, fibers, yarns and notions to craft beautiful, usable items for your home, for you to wear, and to support your own creativity. I’m primarily a weaver and hand spinner but I’m not shy about working in any textile or fiber medium that catches my interest. I do a lot of mix-media art as well.
2. Is there a story behind the name of your business?
‘Peace of String’ comes from the slow, quiet process of creating with fiber. The physical actions while working on a piece can be repetitive and it’s incredibly meditative and peaceful.
3. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter/designer?
Like many artists I never came to the creative lifestyle; it’s just always been a part of my daily life. In the act of creating something that interests me, I produce more items than I can use so I list those in an Etsy shop for sale. I also believe that having quality items to use in everyday life adds to the charm and beauty of living. I believe people should use what they love now and not put it away for someday.
4. Where do you draw your inspiration?
Inspiration for me comes from color. I almost always start something based on the color and texture that’s currently intriguing me. I let the fiber suggest what it should be made into.
5. What’s your favorite item to create?
By far my strongest interest is in re-using or ‘up-cycling’ fiber into useable items again. Tons of textiles are thrown away every day – tons! So I do my best to use recycled fibers and fabrics as much as possible while keeping my studio waste to a minimum. To that end, I’d say weaving rag rugs out of discarded plastic grocery bags or recycling bed sheets into rag rugs in my favorite item.
6. What’s your best seller?
Funky handspun art yarns are Peace of Strings! best selling items, followed by the extra-large rag rug style hot pads, and then the big wool mug rugs. Funny that those three items contain recycled fabric or yarn too.
7. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
I moved back here from Maine in 2006, after being away for 23 years, but I was born in Newport.
8. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I’ve lived all over the East Coast and the Southern United States but nothing beats the vibrancy and beauty of Aquidneck Island. I’m a beach bum for sure. There may be other beaches in the world, but they aren’t home. My husband’s family reaches all the way back to a member of the original settlers on Aquidneck Island in 1634. We’re here to stay.
9. Favorite place to take out-of-towners?
Sachuest Beach. The beautiful wildness of Second Beach is awe-inspiring and calming, thrilling and memorable all at once. No one forgets their first visit there.
10. Any advice for new/wannabe makers?
To anyone who wants to create I would say you’re already an artist. Don’t let others decide if your work is worthy, purposeful, or reasonable. Your opinion is the only one that truly counts.
11. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
Selling your work can be challenging. Don’t give up. Join like-minded groups that offer unconditional support and forge ahead. Art is about expression, not acceptance. Just stand up, scribble your own truth, and make waves without explanation. The right people will applaud.
Shop name: Peace of String!
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/PeaceofString
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WeaverAngelaAllen/
1. Tell us about your work:
Peace of String celebrates the art of textiles. I use new, reclaimed and recycled fabric, fibers, yarns and notions to craft beautiful, usable items for your home, for you to wear, and to support your own creativity. I’m primarily a weaver and hand spinner but I’m not shy about working in any textile or fiber medium that catches my interest. I do a lot of mix-media art as well.
2. Is there a story behind the name of your business?
‘Peace of String’ comes from the slow, quiet process of creating with fiber. The physical actions while working on a piece can be repetitive and it’s incredibly meditative and peaceful.
3. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter/designer?
Like many artists I never came to the creative lifestyle; it’s just always been a part of my daily life. In the act of creating something that interests me, I produce more items than I can use so I list those in an Etsy shop for sale. I also believe that having quality items to use in everyday life adds to the charm and beauty of living. I believe people should use what they love now and not put it away for someday.
4. Where do you draw your inspiration?
Inspiration for me comes from color. I almost always start something based on the color and texture that’s currently intriguing me. I let the fiber suggest what it should be made into.
5. What’s your favorite item to create?
By far my strongest interest is in re-using or ‘up-cycling’ fiber into useable items again. Tons of textiles are thrown away every day – tons! So I do my best to use recycled fibers and fabrics as much as possible while keeping my studio waste to a minimum. To that end, I’d say weaving rag rugs out of discarded plastic grocery bags or recycling bed sheets into rag rugs in my favorite item.
6. What’s your best seller?
Funky handspun art yarns are Peace of Strings! best selling items, followed by the extra-large rag rug style hot pads, and then the big wool mug rugs. Funny that those three items contain recycled fabric or yarn too.
7. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
I moved back here from Maine in 2006, after being away for 23 years, but I was born in Newport.
8. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I’ve lived all over the East Coast and the Southern United States but nothing beats the vibrancy and beauty of Aquidneck Island. I’m a beach bum for sure. There may be other beaches in the world, but they aren’t home. My husband’s family reaches all the way back to a member of the original settlers on Aquidneck Island in 1634. We’re here to stay.
9. Favorite place to take out-of-towners?
Sachuest Beach. The beautiful wildness of Second Beach is awe-inspiring and calming, thrilling and memorable all at once. No one forgets their first visit there.
10. Any advice for new/wannabe makers?
To anyone who wants to create I would say you’re already an artist. Don’t let others decide if your work is worthy, purposeful, or reasonable. Your opinion is the only one that truly counts.
11. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
Selling your work can be challenging. Don’t give up. Join like-minded groups that offer unconditional support and forge ahead. Art is about expression, not acceptance. Just stand up, scribble your own truth, and make waves without explanation. The right people will applaud.
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