I have chosen Makaalohilohi to be our June Spotlight Banger of the Month! She has posted amazing projects, such as her moss garden in a bottle, and some amazing wire work.
Her awesome tutorial on her beautiful reversible circle scarf and techniques on crocheting are just what Threadheads like us need!






INTERVIEW

Gothictany: Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Makaalohilohi: My name is Carlyn, but I’m known on the forums as Makaalohilohi, or Makaa for short. I’m a full time biology student at the University of Puget Sound, and the rest of my time I craft like mad. My blog is called Makaalohilohi Misconcepts and can be found at snugglebunnygoescamping.blogspot.com. There I post about projects I’m working on, awesome pictures I’ve taken, and various other happenings.





Gothictany: What first made you become an artist?
Makaalohilohi: Probably boredom. As a kid I really liked having little craft kits that gave you supplies and instructions for a sand sculpture or color changing jewelry. Now I like to go to the library and borrow any remotely interesting how-to book and read it like a novel, just to pick up on some new ideas. It’s thrilling to learn new skills and develop my own vision.



Gothictany: What inspires you?
Makaalohilohi: I’m inspired a lot by movies and books, despite not watching or reading very many. I particularly like medieval to Victorian era European styles, as well as some Western mysticism and fantasy. I’m also inspired by my Chinese ancestry, and so I like to incorporate knot buttons and frog closures in my work.



Gothictany: How would you describe your true style?
Makaalohilohi: It’s a mix between influences from fantasy novels, historic movies, botany, and Gothic couture, where applicable.



Gothictany: What are your ultimate favorite websites, besides Threadbanger? LOL...
Makaalohilohi: Honestly, Threadbanger is my ultimate favorite website. I suppose JSTOR and PubMed!



Gothictany: What attracted you to Threadbanger?
Makaalohilohi: Just the wealth of knowledge and ideas harbored within the site, between the show’s creators and everyone who participates in the forums. There’s so much to gain, despite what some may say, from surfing the forums for hours a day.



Gothictany: What made you start your own Etsy shop?
Makaalohilohi: I started my shop to challenge myself to make and finish projects with greater complexity and technical detail, as well as to help me develop my style. It also saves my friends from showers of handmade gifts that they don’t have space for.



Gothictany: What are some of the items in your shop that you absolutely LOVE?
Makaalohilohi: I really like the stretchy gold beaded necklace with the marbled blue faux cabochon. I poured a lot of time into it and I’m proud of the result. The giant hair bow was a lot of fun to make as well, and it’s so gorgeous when you wear it.



Gothictany: What materials do you love to work with?
Makaalohilohi: I love sewing, especially with color changing thread. I also like to use a lot of beading in any accessories. I also like to work with polymer clay, yarn, and paper.



Gothictany: What advice do you have for other ThreadBanger artists like yourself?
Makaalohilohi: Never stop learning or picking up new ideas. Teach yourself, read from books, watch tutorials, and practice using technical skills and your creativity. The more balance there is between your ideas and you’re ability, the more enjoyable it will be to pursue challenges.

Here are some of Makaalohilohi's items for sale on her Etsy shop!







Thank you to Makaalohilohi for this amazing interview and for your inspiration to all of us, Threadheads!!