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Leisa McCord

Visual Artist: Crafts

About the artist: <p>I learned to crochet at age 8. My grandmother taught me, starting me with a wooden hook she whittled herself. Over time, as I scaled up my interest, I scaled down my dimensions. Because I am interested in preserving the disappearing needlecraft of thread crochet – the patterns and the technique – my goal is to promote its appreciation by displaying it in new ways.</p>
<p>For inspiration, I use my growing collection of patterns from several thread manufacturers from the 30s, 40s and 50s. These vintage patterns are a starting point, and though the thread and hooks called for are quite fine to begin with, I have in most cases scaled them down even further to make them small enough to be wearable as jewelry. Some styles use my own original patterns.</p>
<p>I use silk beading cord or white cotton crochet thread, and a vintage steel crochet hook. All color thread is dyed by hand, and in some cases painted in a variegated colorway. All the jewelry components are high quality sterling silver, quite suitable for sensitive ears and skin.</p>
<p>I also love making full-scale doilies, and I have hundreds of vintage patterns. Framing these under glass accentuates their perfect geometry. The latest additions to my inventory are hand-dyed silk scarves embellished with silk doilies. I am honored to be able to pay tribute to the fine needlecraft practiced by our mothers and grandmothers.</p>