by Cindy Knight of cksilver

Introducing: Joy Maloney
(aka JoyfulHandKnits)
Joy from JoyfulHandKnits

Please take a moment and visit Joy's shop, and give her some love!

Joy is hosting a give away!
hat from joyfulhandknits
A hat of your choice goes to the lucky winner of Joy's giveaway. To be entered to win, please comment on this blog posting with your favorite item in her shop. The winner will be announced on next Wednesday's Featured Artist post.

Introduction
I live in a small town (7500) in the beautiful state of Oregon. We always say that we love the rain, because that’s what makes Oregon green. I am married (33 years in March) to a wonderful man, and we have 3 grown daughters, two of whom are on Etsy too (desertrose0601.etsy.com and stitchinmommy.etsy.com). We have one grandchild, Luke, who lives WAY too far away, in Southern California.

I've crafted most of my life (crocheting, cross-stitch, sewing, plastic canvas etc.), but have narrowed it down at this stage of my life, to exclusively knitting and spinning. With the kids out of the house, and not working full-time, I can now really enjoy these two crafts. I love buying yarn AND fiber, to create very unique items. I love that Etsy exists and is growing more visible each year. The thrill of selling and mailing my Hand Knit items all over the US and around the world never wears thin.

How did you get your start on Etsy?
My sister-in-law (Kathy from CreativeHandknits.etsy.com) and I made a website for our knitted things. Virtually no one found us.

A few months later, we were doing a Christmas craft bazaar in our local area when a gal buying two of my Little Girl Ponchos asked us if we had our things on Etsy. We’d never heard of it. She sold purses on Etsy and said she was doing great!

We researched it and in February 2008 we started Creative Handknits, listing both our items in the same shop. By October of that year, I realized that we would really benefit from each having our own shop. So on October 21, 2008 I opened Joyful HandKnits.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I usually spend 4-5 hours knitting each day. I do get housework done (sometimes!) and have other outside interests (reading, playing the cello, church librarian, etc.), but my greatest enjoyment is from knitting. I usually knit while watching TV – Crime Dramas and HGTV are my favorites. However, I also knit in the car, while visiting, during meetings and any other time I have a few minutes.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?
A small village in rural England or Ireland. I loved the settings in the several Miss Marple series aired on PBS – don’t know if they still exist, but I always wanted to be there too.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature?
Photobucket
I think my favorite items are my Hand Spun Adult Cabled Beanies. Each one is so unique. They each have so much of me in them, because I pick out the fiber, I spin it, I ply it and then I knit it into a hat.


The winner from Stephanie's drawing last week selected using the random.org number generator is... (drum roll please...) buttonwillow!

Congratulations! Stephanie will be in contact with you for more details.

Comments (18)

On February 17, 2010 at 11:51 AM , Stephanie said...

Congrats Button! I sent you a convo!

Oh man I want to win this one so bad! I have been eyeing the wool/soy hats for so long, unable to decide on a color! I <3 them all! :::my fingers are crossed big time:::

Wonderful feature too!
I love these getting to know you Wednesdays!

 
On February 17, 2010 at 12:07 PM , Sue Runyon said...

This is so awesome. I love these features on our CAST artists. I learn so much.

 
On February 17, 2010 at 12:10 PM , Debi said...

Congrats Button! It's a blessed day for you today! I have also looked at & hearted some of Joy's soy hats already too. Very hard to pick my favorite from the great selection of colors and patterns but I think it is this pretty plum one http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24703871 Many blessings all!

 
On February 17, 2010 at 12:13 PM , AngelPups said...

First, congrats to Button!

Second, what a great featured artist and wonderful interview ;-)

I have to say it's a tough call between those scrumptiously warm socks and the beanies, but if I have to choose then this beanie is my favorite: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38342277

God Bless~
Kelly

 
On February 17, 2010 at 12:30 PM , My 7th Heaven said...

I love this pretty pink one:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40548950

Great feature!

 
On February 17, 2010 at 2:22 PM , Julie Riisnaes said...

I like the turquoise beannie!

Thank you for introducing us to Joy, Cindy. Joy, really nice to meet you and read how you started out. Hope it continues to go well for you.

Love Julie
www.julieriis.etsy.com
Julies Silk N Style

 
On February 17, 2010 at 4:20 PM , Joyful HandKnits said...

Thank you so much for featuring me and my shop. I love to knit and create mostly one of a kind hats and socks.
Also, so fun to read all the comments and see which hats people heart.
Thanks again,
Joy from JoyfulHandKnits.etsy.com

 
On February 17, 2010 at 5:18 PM , Sarah said...

Yea, Mom! It's fun to read about you on here. :)

If I had to choose a favorite hat of yours that's currently in your shop, I would probably have to go with the Cashmere Antique Pink one - soft and pretty!

Sarah the Stitchin' Mommy
www.StitchinMommy.etsy.com

 
On February 17, 2010 at 5:22 PM , Donna said...

It's so much fun to read about everyone :)

This is my favorite:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16605596

I love the all the blues in it.

Donna @ DHElegance.etsy.com

 
On February 17, 2010 at 5:58 PM , J Honda said...

WOW! I am so excited to enter these giveaways!! my favorite - so hard to choose - is Pale Antique Rose Cashmere Cabled adult beanie, listing #40548950!

 
On February 17, 2010 at 8:52 PM , sacra vim said...

I love getting to know our teammates! Great feature!

 
On February 17, 2010 at 11:09 PM , pfd said...

Wonderful to see/meet you Joy. This is such a wonderful feature. I love all your work. May God bless the work of your hands.

 
On February 18, 2010 at 5:01 AM , circleinthesand said...

What fun to read about a teammate, it's so good to see a face to put with the name. Joy - I wish you continued success here on Etsy, you are a super lady!!
xxoo
duckie
http://www.etsy.com/shop/circleinthesand

 
On February 18, 2010 at 7:03 AM , DelightedHands3113 said...

Lovely feature on such a talented lady! The cabled hats are beautiful, but these socks are just gorgeous and jumped out at me:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22840211

 
On February 18, 2010 at 10:35 PM , shopgirl said...

I love this poncho!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30047476

shopgirl @ mccanncann.etsy.com

 
On February 21, 2010 at 12:38 PM , button said...

I am so excited! Thank you so much! Lovely shop with lovely items! Bless you ! :o) button

 
On February 21, 2010 at 3:46 PM , Warm Hugs Design said...

I just came across this lovely blog and am so excited! Joy your creations are great and what fun it was reading about you. Now I feel like I have a new friend on Etsy. Best wishes for continued success and have a blessed week.

Warm hugs,
Pam

www.WarmHugsDesign.etsy.com

 
On February 22, 2010 at 12:16 PM , Princess Daffy said...

Congratulations Joy! Your work is lovely, and you are an awesome team member at CAST!

xoxo, Daff