Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Young.
Hi Christine, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstories.
I went to school for art therapy. After graduation, I worked on locked inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry units and provided in-home services for children with severe autism and brain injuries. I would use an array of art forms in both settings to connect with an individual. Whether it was the process of creating art, or the ability to express themselves differently, I enjoyed bringing creativity into their care plan.
In 2013 when my first son was born with an extremely rare condition requiring multiple surgeries, extended hospital stays, and a unique treatment plan, I knew it was in my best interest to be home with him. Over the next few years, we grew into a family of five. Being a stay-at-home mom was simultaneously the most wonderful and isolating experience. I felt like I had lost so much of my identity at that time. That is when I began carving out time in my day to create. It didn’t matter what I made, what medium I was using, or even if it was any good. My goal was to create.
When I was in school, we were required to take various art classes, dabbling in all mediums. This was a requirement so we would have some knowledge of all art forms if we wanted or needed to use them in a future therapy session. That was when I fell in love with fiber art. Remembering that love, I began making macrame plant hangers and wall hangings. The repetition of the knots felt like mediation. I don’t know if, during that time, I needed the knots to help quiet my mind or the finished pieces to bring me joy, but I knew what I was doing was working. After about 2 years, I started an Instagram account to showcase my work and hold myself accountable to continue creating. The intention of my account quickly shifted as I would post pieces, and people would message me to purchase them. With the connections I was making online, I could create pieces that shop owners, greenhouses, and even salons began to carry. Now I have my work in a few shops, I attend farmers markets where I sell my work, and my online shop is always open. What makes me most happy is that I have come full circle in being able to offer classes. In the last two years, I have been able to teach in so many settings, from classes of 100 at conventions to local Girl Scout troops. I am again able to share the gift of art.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
It’s all about perspective. When I took fiber art from a hobby to a business, I did so knowing it came with ups and downs. As difficult as it can be, I see bumps in the road as learning experiences, so I can continue to do this for a long time. One of the biggest challenges has been moving. I started my business when I lived in Massachusetts. In the last five years, we have moved from Massachusetts to Indiana, then Indiana to Missouri. We have been in Saint Louis for just over two years now. The local community has always given my business so much life. I have had to adapt and find a new community twice now. STL has been so welcoming. I am thankful for the community of small business owners in the area.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your business.
I literally can knot a handmade fiber art company. Primarily using recycled cotton cording and foraged branches, I specialize in creating original tapestry-style wall hangings. I combine macrame and weaving to create one-of-a-kind pieces. Online and in-person events, you will find a plethora of plant hangers and smaller wall hangings. I consider these items my bread and butter. These items are universally loved and make great gifts. I keep my prices affordable, so people who appreciate handmade items don’t have to decide between shopping for local or mass-produced items in big box stores. That being said, nothing excites me more than a custom order! It is an honor when someone trusts you to make a piece with a special meaning or to go to an area of their home surrounded by so much love. One thing that sets me apart from similar artists is my fluid approach to creating a piece. I do not use patterns or recreate other people’s work. Instead, I use each piece as an opportunity to create something unique. I am a branch collector, and I love to begin each wall hanging with a hike to find the perfect one. While I have an idea of the shape and feel of a piece (or have been given specific dimensions from a client), I intentionally allow the branch to dictate how I start a piece. Working around notches or color changes on a branch allows so much natural beauty to come through. I strive to create a work environment that will enable me to enter a flow state, so a piece can come from my heart and flow out of my hands.
Do you have any advice for those just starting?
Life bends for the courageous. Find a community of people that build you up, and leap! Having a group of people you trust and respect that you can go to to ask questions, shares stories with, or listen to will help in so many ways. As an independent artist, I wish I had understood the power of community sooner.
Contact Info:
- Website: iliterallycanknot.com
- Instagram: i.literally.can.knot
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/i.literally.can.knot
Image Credits
Victorious STL
