Interview: Michelle Giacobello

The other month I stumbled across a beautiful blog, Read Thread. The blog’s owner is Michelle Giacobello, and not only is she creative, friendly and inspiring, but she has a pretty awesome job too! Have a read of the interview here…

Michelle, how did you get started with crafting?

I can’t remember when I was ever not crafting to be honest. I was making things out of the scraps that fell to the floor from my mothers sewing table for my Barbie doll and Santa brought me a toy sewing machine when I was about 6. I was good at recycling junk into toys and always, always had sketchbooks close by.

As a teenager I made my own clothes because I couldn’t afford to buy what I liked, and the thrill of design for its own sake bit me along the way. I started knitting in earnest when my children came along and crafted with them to keep them busy and inspired.

I have crafted from necessity, for relaxation, for the pure pleasure of it, and for gifts. It’s wonderful to get something made with love and passion don’t you think! It’s a big part of my daily life.

You’re the Creative Director at Lincraft, how did you get started in that job?

I’ve actually been here for less than a year. My background is as a Graphic Artist and copywriter, and in the past 5 years as an exhibiting artist (oil painter). I have also been blogging for a fair few years now, and when this job came up I applied for it.

This job combines a lot of my interests – design, writing, and crafting on a very broad base. I knit, sew, embroider, sculpt, paint, and make patterns. I’m not really afraid of anything craftwise. There is also public interaction –getting feedback from a customer who is pleased with the result and feels empowered by that keeps me smiling.

What’s your favourite part about this position?

I should say going shopping – because it’s still a bit special to me to walk into the store, leave with all the supplies for a project and have a chat with the girls (who know so much), but actually it’s the moment when I sit at my desk with everything spread out and a firm idea of what I want to achieve and then being able to just let loose.

You must get to sort through a lot of different projects and craft supplies, do you ever get sick of it?

There are times, when I’m presented with raw materials and can’t think of a stylish or simple solution which is frustrating. I wouldn’t say I get sick of it, but when there seems to be no solution but the very obvious one I do feel like I’ve failed. When that happens I put the project to one side and go on with something else and come back to it hopefully with a fresh take or a way to repurpose the materials and invent something totally new.

Your blog, Read Thread, is full of great tutorials and craft ideas. Where do you get your inspiration?

Thanks! I wish I had more time for it, but our publications schedule gets in the way and keeps me very busy. My aim is to post a new project weekly, or at least once a month. The projects are often things that I have explored out of working hours or things that will become free projects in the store and on our website that I feel the need to share immediately. They are usually my own design – or a credit is linked.

Do you read many craft blogs? What are some of your favourites?

I love reading craft blogs, but have not had a lot of time to cruise lately, I am fortunate to have friends who are bloggers and I tend to keep up with those ones because I care about them and admire what they do. I find Whipup a great way to get an overview of new crafty blogs and see what’s going on in the world outside my door. I also love design blogs like Decor8 to get an idea of the palette for seasons coming up and viral interests (like owls. Owls are EVERYWHERE, and have been steadily taking over for the past 3 years). Daily pleasures are flickr, and ravelry.

What’s one craft you are DEFINITELY doing this Christmas?

My desk at the moment is full of Easter projects. Eeeep! I’m still getting into the swing of having to prepare so far in advance, so it feels surreal to be surrounded by Christmas in the stores and the media when I finished preparing months ago.

We will be making some presents however: I’m planning on teaching my son some macramé skills so he can make keyrings as a gifts. He is very excited about that.

We will also be making some carved eraser stamped Christmas cards and wrapping paper, which is going to be very fun and hopefully not too messy…

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