Hall of Fame {Knot Original}

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. . .
Ok, ok. I won't start that again :) We got some snow here in NC this week. How about you? I'm hoping we get some more for Christmas!

Well, wherever you are, it's probably cold outside. So grab a cup of hot cocoa and keep reading. This is sure to warm you up!

Meet Sharon, the lovely lady behind the shop Knot Original. Her shop is filled with unconventional, handknit accessories which are sure to help you stand out of the crowd.

Sharon divulges a bit about herself below. You even get to meet her adorable dog, Francis! And of course, enter for a chance to win something to keep you warm and toasty this winter.

What inspires you?
I can't imagine anything that doesn't inspire me.

Where do you call home? Are you from there originally?
For the past 2 years home has been a small peninsula on the Puget Sound of Washington. I grew up in South Jersey, followed by detours through Boston, Florida, Cancun, Philadelphia, and then Arizona before arriving in Gig Harbor.

Name something unique to where you live.
Unusually clean clear air
Share an interesting fact about yourself.
I'm blind in one eye all thanks to following my neighbor Fred right through a sliding glass door. Boys were trouble even at 5 years old!

If you had to describe yourself in a word, what would that word be?
sarcastic

What made you decide to open up shop?
I don't remember coming to a decision, one day I had no shop and then I did.

How did you come up with your shop name? Any special significance?
I had a long list of about 20 names written out. Knot Original was the first one I came to that hadn't already been appropriated by the 12 other sellers/buyers who I have yet to run across and swear don't exist.
Who taught you to knit?
I taught myself with the help of Knitty Gritty on the DIY channel and the freeze frame feature on the dvr.

Name your favorite thing about selling handmade.
There's an appealing charm about objects that don't have to be, or aren't even supposed to be machine-looking perfect. I like the thought of on any given day there could be someone walking around different parts of the world wearing something that began as an idea in my head and was created with my hands.

Do you have a day job or sell on Etsy full-time?
Not a full time day job but I do freelance medical illustrations for law firms and paintings for fine art gallery shows.

Give us a little glimpse into what a typical day in your life looks like.
I no longer have anything resembling a typical day. We recently adopted a 180lb mastiff from the rescue shelter. After driving my husband to catch his bus at 5:30am, much of my time is spent teaching Francis (he came with the name) that I am not a squeaky toy, he needs to share the couch and that his new full time people aren't going to abandon him. I get spare blocks of time in to knit and do other things when the overgrown baby is napping!

Share with us a favorite Etsy purchase or shop.
I could spend days in christopherpines looking through all the pretty colored ribbons and trims and I just discovered the most delightful tea stained hand printed muslin ribbons from homesteadtreasures today. I can't wait until they arrive!

List a few of your most favorite pastimes.
playing volleyball, rockclimbing, and snapping the suspenders of strange men

Read any good books lately?
I just got the cutest 2010 calendar of baby pigs called Pretty in Pink, there is a bit of type involved
What is your most prized possession?
My husband, getting that clingy exgirlfriend to disappear was a lot of work!

What are three of your favorite foods?
bacon on the verge of being burnt, grilled mozzarella, tomato and basil sandwiches, and ruby grapefruits with honey

What would you like to learn to do?
Iron so that when I'm finished the wrinkles don't mockingly reappear in a matter of minutes
What are you listening to right now?
my ocd neighbor in yet another attempt to blow every last pine needle from his driveway

Name one place you must visit in your lifetime and why.
I would love to spend some time at the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda to study the gorillas.

Anything else you'd like to share?
If you put a candycane in a ziplock bag and smash it to dust with a hammer it makes for an amazing taste sensation when added to chocolate chip cookie dough.

***

Sharon, thank you so much for stopping by to share with us. It was a pleasure getting to know you better.

Please stop by and give her shop a heart while perusing her lovely things!

Time for a Giveaway!
Sharon has so generously made a special pair of fingerless gloves for this contest! The winner will receive the colorful pair pictured over there to the right!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post with your favorite piece from Sharon's shop. Don't forget to include your name and email address or Etsy username!

Good luck!

For extra entries you can:
Tweet this giveaway: 2 additional entries
Follow my blog: 5 additional entries
Blog about this interview/contest: 7 additional entries
Purchase from Knot Original : 10 additional entries

(Please include this info, if applicable, with your comment for additional entries. You do not need to leave separate comments for additional entries. Important: Don't forget to include your name and contact info!)

Contest ends Sunday, December 27th at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be chosen by traditional drawing and will be announced the following day.