#sparkchamber 072318 — Ayeala Beck

In honor of National Hammock Day yesterday, #sparkchamber today welcomes fiber artist Ayeala Beck. A 30-something homeschooling mother to two children under seven — one with CP — has precious little time for rest, on a hammock or otherwise. But, she could probably handcraft a beauty! “When I do have time to create, I love working on all things string, and I’m hyper focused on macramé at the moment.”

Ayeala brought her passion to the public earlier this year, starting her own business [with Ryan Beck]. Artist collective Sierra Stitchcraft creates handmade fashion accessories and décor for home and business, infused with the essence of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Working primarily with cotton and other natural fibers, and incorporating reclaimed wood, driftwood, mixed metals, and up-cycled materials, the resultant pieces are vibrant, textural, and a bit rustic — the perfect modern boho mash-up. Check out the shop and, at the very least, get a hammock for your plants! Retro-cool and hipster-chic, plant hangers are made to order and ship out in under a week.

1.] Where do ideas come from?

I wish I knew!

2.] What is the itch you are scratching?

It’s my “self care”

3.] Early bird or night owl, tortoise or hare? 

Before kids: night owl. Post-motherhood: whenever I can. I’m working on carving out regular hours for creation, which will be in the day. I have a habit of cleaning before I work, to clear the psychic space but I’m trying to get over that. Once I start I find it hard to stop and function normally again. 

4.] How do you know when you are done?

Not sure, I guess it’s obvious to me in each piece. Sometimes maybe I am excited to start the next piece and that inspires completion in the current one.