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Posted on: August 14, 2008

She's Crafty

West Coast DIY maven, Kristen Rask, refines plush projects

By Melanie Wanzek
CTW Features


Image courtesy “Plush You!”

For some, crafting is more than a hobby – it's a passion.

"If I don't make stuff for awhile – when I do make something, I get rejuvenated," says 33-year-old Kristen Rask, owner of Schmancy, a quirky toy store in Seattle. "I get that energy and motivation and start getting more and more ideas – it's like an addicting feeling. I don't have to sleep as much, I have a lot more energy, it gets really exciting."

Rask says her love for do-it-yourself crafts began back at a camp in elementary school, making little bracelets and selling them with friends. But she didn't consider crafting as a career option until later – she began making custom rings made with black elastic and vintage buttons for Fancy, a jewelry store in Seattle. Then, when a space opened next door, Fancy owner Sally Brock suggested Rask open her own store.

Rask began making urban vinyl toys but soon wanted to incorporate her love for crafting into the store, too. She started her exploration in plush, and Schmancy now includes small, offbeat toys with names such as Wee Ninja and Pocket Stache, designed both by Rask and other contributing artists. Pumped about plush, Rask then created "Plush You," an annual show to feature other plush artists from all over the world.

"After the first show I realized that's the focus I wanted to have just as much as the urban vinyl, so now that's what my store is about," Rask says.

The show brought offers to publish "Plush You!" (North Light Books, 2008), a book featuring designs from the show. She says she loves to look through the pictures and see the people's personalities come out in their projects.

"I think a lot of people put too much stress on finding a creative outlet instead of letting it happen organically," Rask says. "But when you find it, it's just something that becomes a part of you, and there's no way to not do it."

DIY 101

Ready to give it a try? "The do-it-yourself movement is so big right now, so many different classes being offered," says Kristen Rask, DIY author and owner of Schmancy, a quirky toy store in Seattle. "And you know making that plunge and just signing up for a class is going to start your passion for it for sure." Here are Rask's top tips as you get started.

1. Make mistakes. You're going to make mistakes – don't freak out about it, Rask says. When you do make mistakes, you're also learning. "I've often gotten really annoyed when sewing something and I make a mistake, but in end I realize learned a lot. The good thing about doing stuff yourself is it doesn't have to be perfect. Something you're making that's a part of you shouldn't be perfect."

2. Don't get hung up in small details. "Have fun with it," Rask says. "If you feel like it's a chore, maybe you shouldn't be doing it."

3. Build a community with people. "If you want to learn something, there are so many ways to start your own club, build your own community and learn new crafts," Rask says.

4. Don't be intimidated. Just get started and see what happens, Rask says.

5. Make the time. "A lot of people want to do stuff but then sit and watch TV or do the normal routine," Rask says. "Even if you just took an hour or so to work on something new, you'd be surprised."

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