by Cindy Knight of cksilver
Introducing: Helen Orombi
(aka elegantcrochets) and a GIVEAWAY!
Helen is hosting a giveaway!
This beautiful Promise of Spring lacy skinny scarf goes to the lucky winner of Helen'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
My name is Helen Orombi, I live in Wynnewood, PA very close to Philly, PA. I am originally from Uganda, Africa.
My name is Helen Orombi, I live in Wynnewood, PA very close to Philly, PA. I am originally from Uganda, Africa.
I have been crocheting for 26 years I was taught by my mom back in Uganda and its something that I absolutely love to do! I create most of my own designs and very rarely use patterns.I am currently studying to become a marriage and family therapist, and crocheting is one of my creative outlets that I find very restorative.
How did you get your start on Etsy?
Well I have always loved to crochet, my mother taught me when I was 10 years old. I would make stuff to sell to people I knew or give away to friends. In the summer of July 07 I got serious about my stuff, started making and going to boutiques to see if they would carry my stuff. That wasn't successful, but one of the owners of the shop told me about Etsy. I checked it out and signed up Oct 2007, but was still self- conscious about my work so I didn’t post anything up until valentine’s day of 2008.
Ever since, I have been creating like crazy. Didn’t do much last year because I was working on my doctoral dissertation I would crochet once in a while to take a break. This year I feel like all this creativity just burst out of me… when I'm done I think wow, did I make that. I think every piece I make is the best, then I amaze myself with the next piece ☺What does a typical day look like for you?
I typically wake up around 5-6AM, do my devotional for about an hour or so depending on what kind of bone I have to pick with God or whatever He needs to say to me for the day. During my devotional I get ideas and insight about my next design… my journal is full of sketches of what I want to create. My spiritual director suggested that maybe when I crochet I am responding to God through creating... I think its true because I feel like I have said some beautiful things through my crochet.
I crochet for about an hour or so depending on when I need to leave for work. You see I have another life, I'm also a therapist in the inner city of Philadelphia for kids with emotional and behavioral problems. I typically see kids and some adults between 6-9 hours a day 4days a week. I'm typically home by 6 or 7 then I crochet until about 10 or 11PM, or at the latest 11:30. This helps replenish my soul after a day of hearing a lot of horror stories.Crocheting is that time when I feel most connected to God and where my pieces typically come out the way I envision them.. Not so with the kids I work with. Right now crochet is more of an outlet because I haven’t made a lot of sales on etsy. I really hope that it can become an additional and consistent source of income to fill in the gaps of when clients do not show... which happens a lot!
Weekends, especially Saturdays I crochet for 12-15 hours straight... watching tons of Murder She Wrote, Matlock, Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot.
If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?
TUSCANY ITALY!!!!!!
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Psalm 121
What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature?
Right now it’s a piece called exquisite
URLs to where else we can find you on the internet:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Crochetgonechic
Congratulations to Jenni Alasimi, winner of Adriana's giveaway! Please work with Adriana to redeem your prize!
6:39 PM |
Category:
cksilver,
elegantcrochets,
Featured Artist,
helen orombi,
Wednesday
|
10
comments
Comments (10)
Hi Helen,
It was a treat to hear about your life, love for Christ and your knitting. There were many beautiful items in your shop but I think the Marilyn Bolero was darling.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/30232607/marilyn-bolero
Helen, it's so fun to "meet" you! Your work is gorgeous!
Shannon from Baruch's Lullaby
Oh, wow! The Lord gives me lots of inspiration during my prayer time, too =) Great to get to know you - what a lovely shop you have! It was hard to pick one thing ;-) but this caught my eye right away!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/30963901/bohemian-flowing-flared-romantic
So nice to get to know you. Love your work! You have great models -so cheerful!
I especially like this one:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/45168173/sunkissed-shrug-made-using-hairpin-lace
I love your story! Your crocheting is so colorful and creative. I love that you say that you are inspired by the Lord.
My favorite in your shop is this messanger bag - the colors are fabulous.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/27491537/messenger-bag-colors-of-uganda-the-pearl
Sue
MYSAVIOR.etsy.com
I didn't know you were from Uganda. You are such an interesting and hard working lady. Nice to learn more about you.
How wonderful to meet you!
I think the Diana bolero is beautiful!
So nice to meet you, Helen! Your work is beautiful!
Helen, your work is amazing. You are your Father's child.
I love that you work in central city Phila, assisting those less fortunate. Never underestimate your work there. Philly is my hometown. Been gone from there since teen age though. Great city. Philly cheese steaks and pretzels with mustard.
I also enjoyed learning about your dialog with Abba in the morning.
Oh Helen!! How great to see you featured!!! And it is wonderful to hear about you and your relationship with Our Father and crocheting - that is wonderful ~ thank you so for sharing!!
Hard to choose a favorite from Helen's shop :D but I will try...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/30963901/bohemian-flowing-flared-romantic
my favorite - it is featured as one of her items in this blog post :D
I have purchased two items from her and I highly recommend her work - it is beautiful, OOAK and exceptionally priced !