We’re so excited to share the very first installment of Aurifil’s The Maker Series: Conversations. It started as a simple idea: to create space for makers to share their stories in their own words. For years, we’ve featured interviews based on a series of questions that we direct to designers/artisans/educators in our industry. We still love this idea and will continue to feature these posts, but we also started to wonder if we would always know the right questions to ask… if we were really always the right ones to conduct the interview. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could partner two makers within the industry– no questions from Aurifil– for a simple conversation that could include upcoming projects or ideas, but might also cover struggles, inspirations, and creative drive.
These posts may be written interviews… they may end up as an audio interview, podcast style… or they might end up as a video. We’ll share the the conversation, unedited, and follow with a series of project images so that the featured maker has solid artistic platform.
Through this, we hope that you’ll discover someone new… perhaps you’ll relate to a particular story that will help propel your own creative process forward. Maybe you’ll find someone who inspires you to try something new, or to throw yourself into the creative pool because they’ve already told you that the water is fine and it’s safe to just dive in.
We are delighted that this first installment features Shannon & Jason Mullett-Bowlsby of the Shibaguyz in conversation with an exciting young voice on the scene, Quayln Stark. Much of the refining of this series and our goals for pushing it forward grew from a string of wonderful conversations that we had with Shannon & Jason. So, allow us to say a simple thank you. We are grateful for your partnership!
Quayln Stark is a fresh new voice on the scene who is quickly making a name for himself. He is a Bernina Ambassador, a contributor for Clover USA, and is diving into some creative exploration with Aurifil thread. Over the years, Quayln has grown his craft to include hand sewing, machine sewing, felting, drop spinning, beadwork, digital/traditional design, knitting, and crochet. In his career as a crochet and knitwear designer, he has established himself as a strong presence in the fiber arts scene, designing for companies such as Red Heart Yarns, Clover Needlecraft, Interweave, Annie’s, and Knit Picks, as well as celebrities like Tierra Whack.
The mission statement of QUOE, Quayln’s maker fashion brand, has always been to “BREAK THE STATUS”. Quayln is ever evolving in his craft and expanding the definition of what it means to be a crafter in the social age. QUOE embraces everyone who is not scared to step outside the established parameters of crafting and fashion.
Find Quayln Online–
Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook
Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby are the dynamic DIY duo known as the Shibaguyz, the inspired creators of the Shibaguyz studio. Shannon’s pronouns are They/Them and Jason’s pronouns are He/Him.
Their award-winning crochet, knit, and sewing designs have been featured in and on the covers of dozens of domestic and international publications. Together, the Shibaguyz team currently has over 300 published patterns and 11 books credited to their name since their first design was featured on a magazine cover in 2010.
Their designs and photography work can be seen in four of their books, as they are sought-after freelance book-packaging designers having crafted books and photography for major publishing companies like Sterling Publishing, Leisure Arts, and Creative Publishing. They just finished work on their new book Boro & Sashiko – Harmonious Imperfection with C&T Publishing.
The Shibaguyz have been teaching adults for 30+ years. Their enthusiasm, quirky sense of humor, and relatable teaching style have made them sought after teachers in both local and national venues like STITCHES Events, Sew Expo, BARN, and Pacific International Quilt Festival Online, and Houston Quilt Festival. They also have a wide range of online classes available.
Find the Shibaguyz online: Website — Blog — Facebook — Instagram