Gwen Blakley Kinsler
"This site is a shrine to crochet in which Gwen shares the many joys, and lavish rewards that she, along with many others in her "Queendom", have derived from their passion for crochet. Like anything that stirs one's passion, crochet, a versatile fiber art, has been an all-consuming pasttime for centuries. Enjoyed by women and men alike, its influence on generations is regal and significant. Privileged to have entered a royal space in her life, Gwen's crochet activities include daily doses of doilies and fun-filled fiber frenzy. Whether it is designing, shopping for yarn, teaching another the joys of manipulating hook and fiber or just plain relaxation which is part of the rhythmic process, some aspect of crochet is her daily "ritual."
Gwen is the Founder of the Crochet Guild of America and currently a member of the Past Presidents' nominating committee. A widely published author of articles on needlework and patterns of her crochet designs. Her credits include, such diverse magazines Arts & Crafts, Bead & Button, Beadwork, Piecework, Crochet Fantasy, Women's Day, Workbasket, and the Chain Link Newsletter. She is committed to the importance of sharing her passion for crochet with anyone, especially children. At work on her latest book, The fine Art of Crochet, Gwen co-authored Crocheting published by Kids Can Press (2003) with Jackie Young. It is now in a compendium of Kids Can Books, The Jumbo Book of Crafts (2005). Her first book, Magical Misers Purses: Crochet Patterns with Victorian Inspiration, co-authored with B.J. Licko-Keel, contains dainty beaded purses. Beadwork in any medium is the "hot' technique and Gwen is on the cutting edge of promoting this technique as she teaches nationally, as well as in local yarn and bead stores.
A certified Craft Council of America Instructor and recipient of the "Diploma in Crochet, Part I, "her talents lie in her ability to reach and unite crocheters to sing the praises of the craft. Gwen is an active member of the National Needlework Association. She established her business , Fiber Impressions, in 1992 nd began offereing crochet retreats with Jackie Young, "Get Away with Crochet," in 2000 long before it was fashionable.
Related articles: "Guilds", "Society of Craft Designers Newsletter, May/June 1995", "Love of Crochet Leads to Bigger Things." Society of Craft Designers Newsletter, May/June 1994.
