Lefthand Madens

1. Biographical info:
Hello! I am Christie of Stitch’N Love Boutique on Etsy and Artfire. I also have Stitch’N Love Pets on both venues that I am currently working on stocking. If that wasn’t enough, I am the proud momma to six kids of a blended family. Yep, call us the Brown Bunch if you want, but we like the Brown Six Pack much better. Before the last two were born, I was a kindergarten teacher but now I am a Work At Home Mom that wants to be taken seriously. So what if my work attire is what I went to sleep in the night before, or that I don’t put on make-up everyday. I bust my booty everyday taking care of my kids and running a tiny business from my home. I sew children’s clothing and starting to work into adult clothing too, I also make all kinds of accessories for children and adults. Every once in a while, I will make a quilt or blanket. I have always been creative but in the last year, I have just let my creativity go wild. I think it’s starting to pay off. Oh yeah, I tend to be scatter-brained.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Sitting in third grade learning how to write in cursive. Back then, we had to do these exercises with the paper and pencil and circles: round and round the paper ‘til all the lead from the pencil is on the paper and the side of your hand was discolored from going over? Well, we had to put the paper in the correct “position” by putting the top corner (left) of the paper to our nose and the bottom (right) to out bellies. Mine was the only one that went in the opposite direction. I knew then that I was special.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Being told in school that I was going to have a hard time learning anything. Whoever came up with this left handed scissors was a moron. They don’t work. I use all scissors with both my hands just fine.

4. Are you left-footed?
You mean, do I have two left feet? Sometimes I think so. And while I am thinking about it, why is having two left feet mean you can’t dance? I have been told that I am an okay dancer, but I have never taken long term formal dancing instruction. But yes, I do start out walking on my left foot.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork?
Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people? When I make my hair bows, I have to think about how I am attaching the bow to be worn, yes. Do I use special tools? Heck no.

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
I knew I always liked Kermit! Miss Piggy can be a little over the top, but then again, she’s a talking pig. I wonder why he made the girl a pig… hmmmmmm

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."

I would have to say B. I don’t know about anyone else, but they only had those in the high school when I grew up. By the time that they were available, I had learned how to adapt and not stand out. I also took much pleasure in seeing right handed people trying to sit in those things.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Most of these people are cool, but I would have to say two of the Presidential candidates. I won’t say which two. I am a Southerner so that may narrow it down for anyone. The only other person up there that truly gives left-handers a bad name is Angelina. Forget about the foreign adoptions, kissing your own BROTHER in public like that? I mean, come on, what you do in your own home is your own business…..

9. Write your own question and I'll answer it. The question must start out like this: Dear LHM Blogstress, ....? Dear LHM Blogstress, which left-hander named in the previous question would you rather take a chance with piranha then be left on a tiny deserted island with?
John McCain. He has untreated PTSD, and he needs help. I don't want to be in any dire situation with him. I also live in the south, lol.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit. Merci, merci, merci!!!! The honor is too great. Who knew that choosing one hand over the other would get me on a blog?

11. Take a bow.
Now, should that be left over right, or right over left? Oops, did my crown tip a bit?

Thanks for that fabulous interview, stitchnlove! Keep stitching!

Southpaw Sighting - Dirt Road South

2009-09-08T08:00:00.002-04:00

Sweet Apple Studs, $5

Southpaw Sighting - Urban Heirloom

2009-09-07T18:01:00.003-04:00

Mi Amore, $48

Southpaw Sighting - Monsters Domesticated

2009-09-07T08:00:00.002-04:00

Horror Within Horror Within Horror, a unique hand-painted set of nesting dolls, $70

Southpaw Sighting - Bailey Bowls

2009-09-06T08:00:00.002-04:00

Tea Set, (Dark Chocolate), $54

Southpaw Sighting - Raggedy Owl

2009-09-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

You pick 3 - Harvest Collection dishcloths, $10

SouthPaw Sighting - CraftyAnna

2009-09-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

Pizza Play Food, $20

Pattern only, $4

Southpaw Sighting - Leah Reynolds

2009-09-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

Innocent Child - Andros Island Bahamas, Woodcarver's Son, 8x10, $10

Southpaw Sighting - Out of the Pink Sky Designs

2009-09-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hot and Spicy Earrings, $15

Lefty Artisan Interview #48-Magic Hands

2009-09-01T08:00:00.002-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #48 is with Jackie McDade of Magic Hands!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
magichands.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
My name is Jackie – my company is Magic Hands Workshop. I live in San Diego currently, and I make soaps and other bath and body products. I’ve been at it for about ten years now. I started with weekly craft fairs, and now I do most of my business online. You can find me at either magichandsworkshop.com or at magichands.etsy.com.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I remember my grandfather, who was very old school, trying to force me to use my right hand. He actually tied my left hand behind my back once, but my grandmother said I cried and he felt so bad that he never did it again. He was wrapped around my little finger. My LEFT little finger, lol.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
That EVERYTHING is set up for right handed people, and they don’t even notice it. Can openers, door handles, rulers, tools, scissors, everything. Plus, I had to teach myself how to do things because my mom could knit and crochet beautifully, but she had a mental block about reversing hand positions and wasn’t able to teach me a thing.

I had some pretty confused teachers, too, trying to figure out how to teach me handwriting without smearing what I just wrote. Most of the time, I ignored them and just improvised around any issues. Fortunately I was brighter than most of them.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I honestly don’t think about it most of the time. Unless I’m at a crowded dinner and I’m stuck in the middle. Left-handed people learn to eat with our elbows glued to our sides, so we don’t bump into anyone. I’ve eaten next to a lot of right handed people who had their elbows straight out to the side. They’ve just never had to worry about it, so they can be pretty oblivious.

The only other issue is that people tend to want to “help” me with things because it looks awkward to them when I’m using my left hand. When I was young I was polite and quietly frustrated. Now, try to help me chop onions and you’ll lose a finger for butting in. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Well, soap doesn’t care which hand you wash with, so no issue there. The only problem is that when I get really overloaded my husband helps me, and everything ends up on the wrong side of the worktable. I have to remember that he’s in there helping because I asked him to help me.

In college, I did some work as a graphic designer – back when you actually pasted up the type, before personal computers – and I had special tools then. A ruler that read the other way, so the numbers weren’t obscured… since they were all special purchases, I had some awesome tools. Much better than the other artists had. I still miss that t-square.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Sure. I’d like to change my hips, a couple of financial decisions, and some unfortunate sections of my love life, but leftiness isn’t a problem. I actually have very very high manual dexterity, and I wonder sometimes if it wasn’t spurred on by overcoming daily small obstacles.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first: a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks c) c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."

Oh, god, item a! Those cords are too short for a lot of right handed people, too – and they use a metal cable to tie the stupid things down! They’re PENS, people. Not money, not gold bricks, they’re lousy low quality scratchy stupid useless PENS.

I can’t believe I trust these yahoos with my money.

Items b and c are really close to my heart, too. I’m pretty quick with a sledgehammer, I bet I could get all three before they stopped me.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Angelina Jolie. I don’t care what my hair looks like and I’ve never wanted children, so from my perspective she’s an alien from the planet Whatwereyouthinking.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
I am in no danger from the knife I am chopping with. You, however, are. Back off.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I’faith, milady, ere now such fancies as blog features were but a passing delight, fading with the morning dew. But in this sinister heart of mine I yearn to surround myself w’others of my ilk, the few witty ones who have in their time prevailed o’er tyranny. That I should find myself in company thus southern-leaning gives a lightness to my heart that shows itself in glad and joyous song.

(I don’t know any foreign languages, so I’m really hoping wildly convoluted and obscure English counts.)

11. Take a bow.
Ta-dah!
Oh, hey, a quarter. Three more and I can buy a soda!

Thank you, Jackie, for that fabulous interview!! #9 is priceless!

~Lori

Southpaw Sighting - Morgansilk

2009-08-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

Pumpkin Colors hand-painted silk crepe scarf, $55

SouthPaw Sighting - Handsfullcreations

2009-08-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

ON SALE-The Peggy Sue Handbag, $30

Southpaw Sighting - UneekDollDesigns

2009-08-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Madame Butterfly, $32.00

SouthPaw Sighting - Peppermint Daydreams

2009-08-28T08:00:00.003-04:00

Little Monster No. 2, Fine Art Print by Christy Zaragoza, $20.00

SouthPaw Sighting - FluffnFlowers

2009-08-27T08:00:00.002-04:00

Hot Cherry Pepper Seeds, $3.00

SouthPaw Sighting - Stumptowncrafts

2009-08-26T15:53:00.004-04:00

Copper Tree Pendant, $30

Lefty Artisan Interview #47-Stephanie Wexler

2009-08-25T15:44:00.004-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #47 is Stephanie Wexler!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
stephaniewexler.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
My name is Stephanie Wexler and I am from Trumbull, Connecticut. I design and make jewelry and headbands. I am currently a college student attending the University of Connecticut.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
My first memories of being left-handed are probably getting blamed for elbowing everyone else at the dinner table. Technically they were elbowing me too.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
My teachers would always assume that I did not have good handwriting. I especially remember one of my art teachers in high school didn’t have much faith in me when we learned calligraphy, and said that I would never be able to do it like everyone else. I ended up being very good at it, and just to get her a little mad I would practice my calligraphy and write sentences like, “Left-handed people are cool.”

4. Are you left-footed?
Well the last time I tried writing with my left foot seemed to have worked well enough.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Being left-handed doesn’t seem to affect the way I work, I still use the right-handed scissors. Corporate America will not be making any extra money off of my left hand.

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
Only that I like them even more!

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Everyone one of those options sounds amazing but letter c would be my choice. I hate when people tell me that they can’t do something just because they’re left-handed. I full mobility of both my hands, so why don’t you? Letter a would really relieve a lot of built up stress, and letter c would finally be justice since I always hate the right-handed people who take those desks.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
I would have to say Bill Clinton because it is a bit embarrassing if you said Bill Clinton is similar to me. People may take that meaning in another direction than just being left-handed, if you know what I mean.

9. Write your own question and I'll answer it. The question must start out like this:
Dear LHM Blogstress, ....?
Dear LHM Blogstress,
Who’s your favorite left-handed celebrity?
Well, to be honest and to piss off the far right, I'll have to say Barack Obama. But I don't just say that because I'm a bleeding heart liberal, I say that because the fact that Obama is a 'celebrity' really gets on the GOP's nerves and, more importantly, Obama is SERIOUSLY left-handed. Watch that man sign a bill 10 times on camera and it's almost painful!

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
It’s pretty much the greatest moment in my life. All us lefties share something that makes us unique and as I already said in my calligraphy class, left-handed people are cool.

11. Take a bow.
Check.

Thank you, Stephanie!!!! You are officially a Lefthand Maden, and you officially Rock!

Lefty Artisan Interview #46-iamalive

2009-08-24T15:24:00.004-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #46 is Amie McCracken from iamalive!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
iamalive.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:

Well, my name is Amie McCracken, although I've never met another Amie spelled like that. I live in Castle Rock, Colorado with my husband. And I'm a photographer.

I'm a lot more than just a photographer...but that is what I do on etsy. I'm a writer, a vet assistant, a dog-walker, an editor, a friend, a wife, an aunt, a daughter, a horse-back rider, and all kinds of other things! The list should go on and on.

I make stationery using my photos, and that business has become my love.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?

My dad had trouble teaching me sports because he's right-handed. So I actually am ambidextrous because I play sports with my right hand.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?

Hmmm, learning to cut things. I swear, even left-handed scissors are made for rightys.

4. Are you left-footed?

Nope. That whole sport thing has made me a partial righty.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?

I don't have to use special tools, but I am sure that being left-handed has caused my right brain to work on overload. I believe my creativity comes just from that.

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?

Nah, many famous people are lefties! And I've always loved those puppets. (I have an obsession with noticing lefties in movies.)

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."

B for sure.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?

Jay Leno, what a sleeze.

9. Write your own question and I'll answer it. The question must start out like this:

Dear LHM Blogstress, do you twist your hand in an odd direction above the paper to avoid getting lead all over your hand?

Why, thank you for asking. Actually, I turn my paper a full 90 degrees most of the time. I don't have the ink-on-hand issue that so many lefties seem to have; I'm not sure why that is though. Now I'm sitting here trying to figure it out!

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.

My eyes completely bugged out when I found this blog. I'm so excited to find something like this. When I was in high school my two best friends and I (all lefties) made every lefty thing a big deal, and here I get to do it again!

תודה רבה
(todah rabah in Hebrew, written right to left, thank you very much)

11. Take a bow.

*Lift of the skirts and gracefully curtsy with my left foot in the back*

Thank you, Amie!!!! Fabulous interview! More to come!

~Lori

A fellow Southpaw - Wordless Wednesay - Jennifer Lambien of StudioPetite

2009-08-19T09:57:00.002-04:00

The World Laughs in Flowers, 8 x 10 print, StudioPetite

Lefty Artisan Interview #45-Scarlet-Impressions from ArtFire

2009-08-18T12:54:00.003-04:00

1. Biographical info:
Scarlet, I'm a housewife, mother. I design and make bespoke wire wrapped and beaded jewellery, I'm also a columnist for the craft trends department on handmadenews.org in general one of those superwoman types. I rush around cooking, cleaning, writing and playing all with wire and beads constantly in my hands and a cup of coffee close by.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
When I was at school we were all given nibbed ink pens and they automatically gave everyone flat nibs my resulting handwriting was dreadful and it took my teacher all year to figure out that it was because I was using the wrong nib. I didn't know any better then at 7 how was I supposed to know there were different nibs, they only just introduced me to ink and blotters.
One of my favourite memories though is confusing restaurants, it was a silver service and when they served my food the waitress was horrored that someone had set my place up wrong. I was laughing as I told them, no I'm left handed I changed it.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
As explained above a whole year of terrible handwriting and getting told off for it to. Silly teachers.

4. Are you left-footed?
Yep I'm entirely left, though not politically, I hate politics I just close my eyes and stab ballot papers.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Thankfully I have learnt to use my tools in both hands as half the time I seem to need more than one pair of hands anyway. I think I've confused a few people with clasps on the opposite side then they are used to though when it comes to necklaces and bracelets Switched a few around in my time.

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
Nope, they are still fantastic. I love Jim Henson's work see his name a lot in sci-fi shows.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) Tin openers
b) My ex
c) The list of banned google base words so I can put nickel free in my listings.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?

I haven't heard of most of these people, I know a few are US presidents, the famous artists are easy to spot and a couple of actors/actresses. out of all of them I'll go for Oprah, I cannot stand those type of shows,

9. Write your own question and I'll answer it. The question must start out like this: Dear LHM Blogstress, ....?
Dear LHM Blogstress, every lefty I have ever met still uses their computer mouse in their right hand, do you? Why yes, I do. Thank you for asking.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I was very impressed to find a lefty's blog, since the whole 'stuff for lefties' in the early 90's I haven't seen anything that is really for us. Now i'm being featured in this all lefty blog I am over the moon. I punched the air in joy and banged my hand on the door (thankfully my right one) and then nearly fell off my chair. Upon re-seating myself, I'll pour a glass of vintage champaign to celebrate.

11. Take a bow.
Thank you, thank you I'll be here till Thursday.

Thank you, Scarlet! More Lefties to come...

~Lori

Peace by Tracey at Redlinc

2009-08-15T11:52:00.002-04:00

Tracey is a fellow southpaw, and I love this piece and the story behind it...

Peace

I was unable to paint, draw or knit for a whole week due to Tendonitis and the frustration inside of me was mounting. That day I was finally able to let go and what I felt was peace.

What a beautiful left hand!

Today is International Left Hander's Day!!

2009-08-13T07:30:00.000-04:00

How are you celebrating southpaws?

I'm having a BOGO sale in my shop, Risky Beads. Buy 1 item and a second item of equal or lesser value FREE!

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iamalive photos is having a 50% off sale!

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craftsbycarer : FREE Shipping Today for this thread, but you must put "LEFTY" in message to seller.

Offer is good in both of my shops.
craftsbycarer.etsy.com
and
carersattic.etsy.com

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ElementsbyJulie FREE shipping (mention Leftys)

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If you're having a sale today, let me know, and I'll add it to the list!

Declare Your House a Lefty-Zone Today!

2009-08-13T07:21:00.003-04:00

Declare your house a lefty zone today and make your right-handed friends do the following:

The kitchen would be a particularly good example. Children, get mum, dad and any other righties to do all daily tasks using their normal equipment, but with their left hand e.g.:

Stir food in pans
Fill & pour kettle
Pour from milk/measuring jugs
Open tins
Peel vegetables/fruit
Open wine bottles
Use microwave/hob controls (often positioned on right of the equipment)
Wash up (draining board is often wrong side if you are holding the brush in other hand, so you have to pass wet dishes across your body to drain.
Using spatulas (angled ones go the wrong way for left hand use)
Cutting bread (wonky slices using right handed knife in left hand)
Eating & drinking - reverse cutlery and have drink in left hand
Cutting - using right-handed scissors in left hand is an excellent example of totally right-biased design that doesn't work well.
Ironing with board & iron reversed - adults & older children only !
Using scissors can be an activity for any room in the house, as it works well.
etc., etc,.

** Please remember any children taking part in the above activities must be supervised by an adult at all times. **

In the playroom/study,

Again using stationery/craft items like scissors
Drawing a measured line with a ruler
Having the computer mouse on the left of the keyboard and try drawing a shape on screen, or clicking and dragging - we usually have to do this with our right hand as the mouse is shared, and always set up for right-handed users
Use the computer keypad to enter lots of numbers - using wrong hand
Draw or write in ring binder / spiral bound notepad with left hand - binding hurts wrist
Using fountain/ink pen or just felts and colour in with left hand - smudged work and ink on side of hand as it follows the work
If you have left handed guitar, give lessons to the right-handers.
Practice recorder or other instruments with hands reversed (top and bottom)

Take part in the quizzes and games on www'lefthandersday.com and find out what makes us lefties so special!

In the garden/sports club

Either informal or organised gamed of left-footed football, or netball shooting with the left hand only. Works for most sports and your teams must all play left-handed (not just the lefties). Referee could penalise anyone not shooting/leading with their left, and may need a few "spotters" to keep watch!
Try cartwheeling leading with left foot and arm
Hopping through hoops, or playing hopscotch on left foot
Hoopla or skittles using left hand

Sometimes we have members who organise displays of left-handed equipment at local fetes, libraries or shopping centres.

On holiday

If you will be relaxing by the pool on your summer holiday, make Left-Handers Day an excuse for a fun game - left-handed volleyball on the beach, or left-hand only drinking at the bar - with forfeits for the losers and possibly a left-handed corkscrew for the winner!

compliments of Left-Hander's Day!

Using Your Left-Handed Brain

2009-08-13T07:17:00.001-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #44-The Mermaids Song on Etsy

2009-07-07T08:45:00.001-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #44 is The Mermaids Song on Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
TheMermaidsSong.etsy.com

1. Biographical info: .
Judy in Riverside Co., California. Jewelry – I try to use recycled elements whenever possible. I like to try new techniques and am always learning something new.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Not being able to cope in ballet class at 3 – they would tell me to move two steps to the right and I would go left. Scarred me for life as to dancing.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Trying to figure out how to tie my shoes. Watching the right handers did not make any sense and the way they tried to teach me made me more confused.

4. Are you left-footed?
I don’t want to talk about being 3 and flunking the dance class anymore, ok?

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I tend to hold a crochet hook very differently than other people do. I cannot use left handed scissors though. I cut using my right hand and it feels normal doing so.

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
I think it just shows that lefties are true geniuses.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first: a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
I’ll take all three please!

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
None, there are no axe murderers on the list.

9. Write your own question and I'll answer it. The question must start out like this: Dear LHM Blogstress, ....?
Dear LHM Blogstress,
Can’t we all just get along?
Hmm, that's a compelling question. Methinks it would have to start with most of shedding on e-dentities and revealing our true selves and wow, I'm already overwhelmed...

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I cannot fully express how thrilled and honored I am. This is like having our own secret society. Maybe we should have a float in the Rose Parade? Could we wear large, flowery hats if we do so?

11. Take a bow.
The red ones clash with my hair.

Judith, fabulous interview!!!! I don't think I could safely sit on a car and wear a hat at the same time, so I'm not sure about #10, lol.

~Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #43-ShinyGoLucky at Etsy!

2009-06-22T14:48:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #43 is with ShinyGoLucky at Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
ShinyGoLucky.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
My name is veiled in mystery, mainly because I’m super neurotic! I’m the Big Sis of the Shiny Go Lucky duo. I live in California, where my favorite thing is the lack of snow. I make jewelry and sell vintage pieces. When I was a little girl I remember how excited I was to buy rings from the quarter machines at the supermarket, and that kind of love doesn’t go away!

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I remember that I had to use the dorky green-handled scissors in kindergarten. I think that they really might have been duller than the other children’s safety scissors.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
I had very poor handwriting, and I think that right-handed adults backed out of trying to help me along because somehow they thought that my handedness meant there was no hope for them to guide me.

4. Are you left-footed?
I don’t think so.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I tend to put clasps onto necklaces the way that I prefer them to be – I like the “lobster clasp” to be in my left hand when I put a necklace on myself, and the other bit in my right hand. When making necklaces to sell, I try to remember to switch that around for right-handed customers.

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
No it doesn’t, but I’ve always loved Kermit and Miss Piggy, way back when I watched Muppet Babies on television. My Mom offered to have it taped while I took swimming lessons during the time it played, and I was thrilled to bits with the thought of having the whole series! Using one VHS over and over, unfortunately, does not produce a full collection.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."

Those stupid anchored ink pens are going down. I hate that!

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Some of the names here are part of the reason I’m upfront about being left-handed – I want people to see the broad spectrum of lefties in all our leftiness, and know that there’s probably a southpaw who you’d get along with wonderfully!

9. Write your own question and I'll answer it. The question must start out like this: Dear LHM Blogstress, ....?
Dear LHM Blogstress, if you could change your handedness to right-handed, thus escaping anchored ink-pens, clumsy doorknobs, and forever smearing pencil lead on your hand, would you do it and become right-handed? Absolutely not. My left-handedness affords me the right to always sit at the end or head of the table, the end of the aisle in a movie theater, and a bunch of other demands I make and just pretend they're because I'm left-handed.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit. I think it’s fantastic! I love being a lefty, and I love making friends with my fellow lefties too. This blog sounds like a great way to showcase the left-handers among us. It is tres bien, a real bon idée!

11. Take a bow.
I will bow left-footed, just for you. * ShinyGoLucky, the Big Sis, copies a bow she saw Mickey Mouse do in that movie where he wore the feathered hat, only left-footed instead * *And falls over * Thanks for having me!

All of you bilingual lefties are making me sick! I can never keep enough extra credit in stock! I love your username, Shinygolucky! It's awesome.
More soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #42-HoneyChildDesigns

2009-06-21T11:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #42 is HoneyChildDesigns from Etsy

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
HoneyChildDesigns.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
After graduating from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Nicole "Honey Child" Parrish moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment arts industry. Later, while enrolled in a Masters Degree program in Directing at UCLA Film School, Parrish picked up an interest in designing jewelry as a hobby. As her artistry flourished, encouragement from friends and family led her to selling her creations to fellow students and coworkers as way to make extra money for film projects.

What once began as a hobby for Honey Child soon became a purpose driven way to create and inspire good feelings amongst friends, loved ones and even perfect strangers for whom she created unique gifts. With continued support and encouragement from friends and faithful customers, and with a tremendous affinity for crystals, gemstones, seashells and other natural elements of nature, Parrish was led to follow her true passion and create Honey Child Designs.

Honey Child Designs specializes in one-of-a-kind adornments, made of crystals, semi-precious gemstones and other magical energies of the earth. Each piece created is uniquely designed to manifest the healing powers of the crystal universe. In turn, each piece has it own "personality" and will meld with your personal energies, to enlighten your spirit and offer guidance along your journey.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I vaguely remember that those darned right-handed scissors felt kinda funny in art class. My mom says I always held everything with my left hand as a baby.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Some people just think your weird. but most people know you're smart.

4. Are you left-footed?
I lead with my left foot when I bowl, does that count?
Survey says...Yes!

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I don't have an special tools or anything for creating my jewelry. Being left handed has always been a natural process for me, I don't even think about it.

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
He was genius! I LOVE The Muppets, are you kidding me??? Does anyone remember Roosevelt Franklin from Sesame Street? This is going back to the early 70s, but he was my hero. I always loved Miss Piggy, the original diva.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Oh those spooky voices are gonna get it good!!!

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Whoa..It's a close tie between John McCain and Ross Perot. Can they duke it out?

9. Write your own question and I'll answer it. The question must start out like this:
Dear LHM Blogstress, ....?
Dear LHM Blogstress, When are us lefties gonna get to rule the world???? I'm waaaaaiiting....
According to my magic 8 ball, we are. Every time Obama has to sign a bill into law, he has to sign it 10 times with 10 different pens or something like that. Once we reaches 10,000 pens, the saints are marching in, honey. Trust me.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
This is great...We Honeylove you for the Leftylove! I do believe that being left-handed sets you apart from the regular people. yeah, I said it! We're cooler and we know it. I'm happy to be featured among such talented geniuses!

Well, HoneyChild, and I say that with every ounce of southern charm in my body, that was interview was sweet as pie. You keep truckin' down Lefty Lane, and you're gonna be just fine.

More lefties soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #41 is stumptowncrafts from Etsy!

2009-06-20T10:23:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #41 is stumptowncrafts from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
stumptowncrafts.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
My name is Lisa (but I LOVE my etsy forum nickname: Stump) I live in Portland, Oregon. I currently make mostly jewelry, but will be getting a sewing machine soon (yay!) and once I master that I would like to make small sewn accessories like wallets and coin purses.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
My dad loves to tell the story of how he discovered that I was left handed. When I was learning to eat on my own he kept putting the spoon in my right hand, and I would just throw it down, until he finally decided to try putting it in my left hand, and I stuck it into my food( upside down, mind you, but still...).

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Smearing my writing and drawings with my hand!

4. Are you left-footed?
I think so.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Fortunately, the pliers that I use for wire work work just as well for lefties as righties. Scissors are always a pain, though.

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
That's cool! As far as Kermit and Miss Piggy, hmm... I think that I still love Gonzo more.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Oh, those chained pens, totally. I can't stand having to maneuver those around.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Haha, Ross Perot, I suppose. I am honored that President Obama is a fellow lefty, though!

9. Write your own question and I'll answer it. The question must start out like this:
Dear LHM Blogstress, ....?
Dear LHM Blogstress, what left handed experience truly inspired you to begin this blog?
Hmm, thank you for asking. Once upon a time, like a year ago or maybe less, there was a thread going in the Etsy forums about having a special tag for left-handed items or something, and SO many people responded just to bond over their left-handedness, and I realized that I, too, had a people that needed a place to call home, and then a long time later, Barack Obama was elected and I saw how horrifically left-handed he is and realized that my time had come.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I have always had a strong sense of lefty pride. Also, I've never been featured in any other blog before. Sadly, I am not multi-lingual, but I can do this little happy dance for you:
;D[-< :D/-< :D]-< :D\-< Me wonders if that's the html version of the hokey pokey???? Me likes it.

11. Take a bow.
*bows*

Thank you for that fabulous interview, Stump!!!! More lefties soon; I'm smoking them out of the woodwork!
~Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #40-MichellesCharmWorld at Etsy!

2009-06-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #40 is Michelle from MichellesCharmWorld at Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
MichellesCharmWorld.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Hi! Thanks so much for featuring me!! I'm Michelle from Middle of Nowhere Rockford, Illinois! I'm a jewelry creator that makes pieces that are a bit different from the norm! I like the 80s, big bright colors and I am obsessed with Disney World!! (I was even married there!!). I'm a stay at home mom to 3 kids (ages 4,3,1).You will notice I am very exciteable and I love to use exclamation marks a little too much!!!

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Ahhh...to be a lefty was always interesting! My babysitter used to force me to write right-handed. (I believe it is thought to somehow be 'evil' if you are left handed! YIKES) So low and behold I didn't see too much more of that sitter! haha!

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
SCHOOL!!! All the darn desks, notebooks and such were all made for righties!!! Trying to write with that darn spiral was next to impossible and left many markings on my hand :)

4. Are you left-footed?
Huh? DOn't think so....hmmm....maybe I am....now this will bother me all day....must research.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I have a problem with being able to use both of my hands for evrything (I was hospitalized at 7 and my left arm was attached to an IV and other junk, so I couldn't use to for anything and got used to doing my homework with my right). so now when i'm working I switch off using hands and notice that I put my necklace clasps on both the left and right side of my pieces. One day all my necklaces will be for left handers and another they will be for right. It's weird!!

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
Hmmm...I like Kermie a little more now :)

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Those DARN ANCHORED PENS!!! Even at the grocery store they are anchored to the right side of that tiny little platform!!

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Ross Perot, but only cause he is a little odd! hahaha! I looove Angelina Jolie and never knew that, so now I learned something too! Hmmm...if only I could get a following like Oprah too!

9. If a drop-dead gorgeous left-handed woman walks into a bar with a drop-dead gorgeous right-handed woman, and they both reach the bar and order their drinks at the same time from a straight, right-handed bartender, who's more likely to get their drink first and why? Think hard; this answer is worth ten points.
The drop dead gorgeous left handed woman of course! Well #1, because she's left handed! Number 2 because the bar tender is right handed, so he will serve her drink first! hahhah!!
+10
10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
Mushicsimas Gracias!!! Me encanta tanto y estoy tan feliz!!!!!!! I'm soo happy and thrilled! Thank you so much, I think this is sooooooo cool! Woot Woot!!

11. Take a bow.
THank you (air kisses) Thank You (Miss America Waves) Thank You!!!!!

Michelle, your enthusiasm is contagious!! I'm all itchy now! Thank you!

More soon!!

Lefty Artisan Interview #39-AnnieKints from Etsy

2009-06-12T11:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #39 is with AnnieKints from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
AnnieKints.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
I am Annie Jensen (nee Lette) I live and work in Spokane, Washington State, USA. I make anything out of yarn. Usually accessories since they are quicker to complete. My mother taught me to knit when I was little, and I taught myself how to crochet.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Having to bring my own green plastic handled scissors from home to use in kindergarten. Since school didn’t have any lefty supplies.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
People always commenting on it, like it is some sort of disease or handicap.

4. Are you left-footed?
Nope! I only eat, write, and bat lefty. Everything else I do right handed or whichever is most convenient.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Knitting is done with 2 hands, so that is ok. I taught myself crocheting - left -handed. So none of my stitches look like the ones in the instructions. Every once in a while, I find a pattern that doesn’t work lefty and I have to turn an opposite way or something to make it work.

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
Nope! I knew they were lefty’s!

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:
a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Definitely A. Some of those things just do NOT stretch that far. I prefer sitting in a righty desk and pulling another righty desk to my left and using it!

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Richard Simmons

9. If a drop-dead gorgeous left-handed woman walks into a bar with a drop-dead gorgeous right-handed woman, and they both reach the bar and order their drinks at the same time from a straight, right-handed bartender, who's more likely to get their drink first and why? Think hard; this answer is worth ten points.
The left handed one, because the bartenders right hand will be serving the drinks, and when she is sitting across from him their right and left hands will be directly in front of the other.
+10

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I think this is a wonderful idea! Only lefty’s know what it is like to be lefty.
(Japanese for extra credit) Watashi wa totemo ureshii desu.
(try being a lefty in Japan where it is considered rude for the left hand to even be seen while eating)

11. Take a bow.
Whew! Never sent a convo this long before!

#10 in Japanese!!! Man, I need to start buying my extra credit wholesale cuz y'all use it up too fast!
More soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #38-scrivenerferret at Etsy

2009-06-11T11:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #38 is scrivenerferret at Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
scrivenerferret.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
My name is Natalie, age 26, and I am currently living in North Las Vegas. I grew up in the Tabasco capital: New Iberia, LA and spent 3 years living in Chicago about 1/2 mile from Wrigley Field.

I make stuffed toys for pets, more specifically ferrets. My items are made out of anti-pill fleece for the most part. I have six ferrets at the moment, and few people realize that ferrets are carnivores. Most of my items are meat and prey that a wild ferret or one with a more health-conscious owner would be eating. I also make stuffed ferrets based on the many colors and patterns of the pet.

For my day job, I work for an apartment complex, and I have a Left-Hander's day to day calendar on my desk, so I always know which lefty celebrity is having a birthday.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I remember coloring with both hands when I was little. I colored and wrote a lot when I was young. At some point I remember a fat, blue crayon in my left hand leaving some wax on a callous that was developing. I used that callous to remind myself which hand I was supposed to write with.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
I think the hardest thing was making crafts in school that were for right-handed people. Like if we were supposed to trace our hands, mine was always the opposite hand. I didn't care for notebooks with spiral binding because it just hurt too much. And those darn erasable ink pens were so smudgy for me. My left pinky knucle smeared a lot of words so much that my teachers begged me not to use that kind of pen.

4. Are you left-footed?
I don't know how I can find out. I can push a car's clutch well enough. I think in sports I can throw and kick farther using my right limbs, and that may be because all the people I played with were right-handed.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I am pretty sure I bought left-handed scissors for cutting fabric. I think I hand-sew in the opposite direction as right-handed people, so it makes following instructions a little difficult. I guess I am used to it. To the left of my sewing machine is a table were all my sewing notions are kept. I used to keep them on a shelf to the right, but that was just too awkward to grab.

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
No, I have always had a crush on Kermit.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
I would demolish all the right-handed desks. When I got to college, I discovered left-handed desks existed, and I always sought one out in a classroom and dragged it to the place I wanted to sit. No one understood how important comfort was to me. And of course, if there were two lefty desks, the right-handed kids were just too cool to sit in them.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
No one would make me want to back out of an interview, but I'm not going to be bragging that McCain is a lefty to anyone. My mom was quite happy to see Barack was a lefty, and she didn't even vote for him. She just thinks of me when she sees him write. Isn't that sweet?

9. If a drop-dead gorgeous left-handed woman walks into a bar with a drop-dead gorgeous right-handed woman, and they both reach the bar and order their drinks at the same time from a straight, right-handed bartender, who's more likely to get their drink first and why? Think hard; this answer is worth ten points.
I guess the right-handed woman because it would look like she's shaking his hand. And the lefty would look like a mirror.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
Je tiens à remercier l'Académie. (I would like to thank the Academy.)

11. Take a bow.
Take a curtsy.

Thank you, Natalie!! Watch out Miss Piggy!! Natalie is gunning for your man!
More soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #37-baileybowls at Etsy

2009-06-10T11:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #37 is with baileybowls from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
baileybowls.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Name: Lisa Wu
Location: SF Bay Area, California
I sew, knit, paint, draw and explore as many crafts as possible. For the past 15 years, I have been focusing on clay because it challenges me and yet relaxes me. :) I think when I'm at home, my clothes and shoes are always covered in clay.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I think my first memories are the ones that haunt me. :( Left handed-ness was considered bad luck to my grandmother's generation. I was slapped on the hand for using chopsticks with my left hand. For that I am now ambidextrous. :) I write and use scissors with my right hand.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Using that stupid can opener.
I need to find a left handed can opener!

4. Are you left-footed?
Hmmm...I must be because when I fell face down on the side walk the other day, it was a step taken on my right foot. It would not have happened on my left!

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I had to get a potter's wheel that can spin in both directions. Early on, learning from a right handed teacher required me to mentally flip the positions of her hands and translate each step. I used to throw left handed but now I do it right handed - forgot why. I still wonder if I did bigger pieces the other way around. :)

6. Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was left-handed. Does this change how you feel about Kermit and/or Miss Piggy?
No, always loved his creations and I do love "The Muppet Movie"! When is it ever going to come out on DVD?

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
I would say (d) - those right handed bread knives - the kind that has a wire. I keep thinking I am going to cut my fingers off using that with my right hand.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, John McCain, Carol Burnett, Ruth
Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, Ross Perot. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
McCain :|

9. If a drop-dead gorgeous left-handed woman walks into a bar with a drop-dead gorgeous right-handed woman, and they both reach the bar and order their drinks at the same time from a straight, right-handed bartender, who's more likely to get their drink first and why? Think hard; this answer is worth ten points.
I would say left handed because we have faster reaction time, we take the drink with the left hand and do that Jackie Chan kung-fu punch to the other woman's face with the right hand.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I am ecstatic and can barely contain myself. "woof woof!!!" says Bailey!

11. Take a bow.

Thanks for a fabulous interview, Lisa!! We needed to hear from our potter-iffic lefties!! And I know there are more of you out there!!

Lefty Artisan Interview #36-WindyLou on Etsy

2009-06-09T11:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #36 is with Windy from WindyLou on Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
windylou.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Hey! My name is Windy. Yep, it's really spelled like that. I blame my mother's hippie-dippy ways. Right now I live in Michigan but my heart will always be in Memphis, TN, where I grew up. I moved to Michigan for a man and his kids. We get along pretty darn well considering, and I love being here with them although the cold weather sucks!

I started windylou gifts for baby in an attempt to offer something a little different that baby gifts from the mall - boring snoring. My shop also offers gifts for toddlers and the increasingly popular Cutey Booty training pants. I'm thinking of new things to make everyday but my husband has put a moratorium on spending.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Being left-handed was always something special for me. My grandfather was a very intelligent left-handed man and I thought it was cool to be like him.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Hmmm...I don't recall anything being that hard. It was confusing having my school desk open the "wrong" way though. I think I adapted rather well because now I find "lefty" products more trouble that they are worth.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
Oops! Sort of answered that one in the last question. I love the innate creativity that seems to come with being left-handed, but there aren't many practical negatives to being a lefty for me. Overall, I'd say being left--handed makes me feel unique.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Nope, Nope, and Nope! My husband asked me about this just the other day. He asked if there was such thing as a left-handed sewing machine and if there was, would I want one. It honestly never occurred to me that there might be such an invention and that I would ever seek one out. So, IS there a left-handed sewing machine out there?

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Absolutely. I don't like being just like everyone else. (Sometimes I even try a little too hard to be different)

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."

Um, none of the above! I'd smash the h-e-double- hockey- sticks out of all those $%&^%#@ spiral notebooks bound on the left side. That stuff hurts, man!

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
None, really. To each his own. I don't really care enough about any of them to let it affect my interests.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
You have to let leftys sit at the end of the table. You just do if you don't want elbows in your ribs the whole time. We aren't trying to put ourselves at the head of the table, we just want to be able to eat without doing a gymnastics routine!

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I think I might have had an accident I'm so happy to be chosen....be right back.

11. Take a bow.
OW! (My head just hit the floor. Gues that bow was a little too low.)

Lefty Artisan Interview #35-Angela's Adornments from ArtFire

2009-06-08T11:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #35 is with Angie from Angela's Adornments at Artfire!

1. Biographical info:
My Name is Angie, I live in Wichita Kansas, I make and design jewelry using precious and semi precious gemstones, glass beads, and Sterling silver and gold filled wire and findings. I also dabble a bit in water color painting and occasionally list my paintings in my ArtFire studio.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
When I was in Kindergarten (back in ancient times) My teacher would smack my hand with a ruler when she saw me using my left hand. Boy did she get an earfull from my Mom !!!

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Using scissors !!! That can be very frustrating when you don’t have a pair of lefty scissors handy! I eventually taught myself to cut with my right hand and also when doing most things except writing.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I guess I’m kinda neutral. It is a pain being a lefty in a mostly righty world, but I think it’s offset by the uniqueness of being left handed.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I don’t find that I have to adjust any tools or anything for me, but you just gave me an idea. I should ask if a customer is left or right handed so that I can put the clasp of a necklace on the correct side for them. Thanks!

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Absolutely!!! I like the uniqueness, being different from the pack

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Wow a tough one. I guess I have to say those darn school desks. You get a crick in the neck cause you gotta sit sideways to write, and look toward the front of the room to see the teacher. Also the Teach thinks you’re not paying attention or talking to your neighbor (No I wouldn’t do that…LOL) if you’re not facing forward.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
LOL None of them I guess, they are all very creative and /or very intelligent people, it’s cool to belong to such a group

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
That Lefties are the ONLY ones in their right minds.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
10. OMG you don’t even KNOW how wonderful it is to be featured in your TOTALLY wonderful blog. It’s just so wonderful you can’t EVEN imagine how excited I am!! I know all of your WONDERFUL FOLLOWERS will all go to check out my ArtFire studio Angelas Adornments.

Thank you, Angie! You're exactly right on #7... people always think you're looking the wrong way!

Lefty Artisan Interview #34-CeeJay60 at Etsy

2009-06-07T11:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #34 is with Carol from CeeJay60 at Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
ceejay60.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Hi! My name is Carol Phipps. I live in the Beautiful Mountains of North Carolina. I am a photographer and also have some macrame in my shop. (a talent from the seventies!)

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I don't remember anything unusual. I have just also felt special because I was allowed to be left handed!

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Writing in those stupid notebooks. I would start from the back and my teachers would get really mad. I also had to put a blank paper under my hand because I smeared the ink. I don't think all lefties have this problem. I kinda write upside down!

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
As I said before, I feel very special being left handed. It doesn't really cause me any problems. (except for shaking hands, that's kind of embarrassing)

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
No. I have no problem there!

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Definitely!!!

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."

A

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, a Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
I have respect, (more for some) for all of these people!

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
That my world is much better than theirs and I feel really sorry for them!

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I am so thrilled I can't find the words!!! Lefties Unite!!!

Thank you, Carol!! I was amazed at her modesty and then I read number 9 and realized she is a legitimate lefty after all! LOL!

More soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #33-UrbanHeirloom from Etsy!

2009-06-06T11:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #33 is UrbanHeirloom from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
urbanheirloom.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
**My name is Kate Enes. I live about 5 miles from the beautiful southern california shore in Long Beach, CA with my loving husband Mike and our two rescued dogs, Figo and Sam. I started making jewelry as a hobby and slowly got into doing craft fairs and now have a shop on Etsy. I still work full time as a computer analyst, but spend all my spare time on my labor of love - Urban Heirloom.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
**I remember being labeled "different" as a lefty. Back when you are a child, it's not always a good thing to be labeled "different". Sometimes I hated having to sit in a different desk, or tilt my paper in the opposite direction as everyone else. I also remember it being difficult to learn sports related things because the person teaching me was most often right handed. One positive memory was how active my imagination was (and still is!). I think this is a lefty characteristic.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
**Smudging the ink when I wrote essays! The side of my habnd was constatly stained blue.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
**I feel totally blessed to be a lefty. I mean, come on, we secretly rule the world! As I have grown older, I have come to know all the awesome things that make lefties stand apart from eveyrone else. We possess the unique balance of intelligence AND creativity. Those two attributes combined allow us to excel at critical thinking, artistry, and open mindedness. I LOVE that I stand out as a lefty these days. So many wonderful and influential figures in the world are lefties - I don't think this is an accident!

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
**It's funny that you ask this because I have to think about how my handedness effects my jewelry all the time. I always tend to put my clasps for necklaces on the side for lefties...I have to stop and think about this when I'm finishing a peice. As for my tools, the only thing I have to purchase special are my scissors. I've had to do that since I was 5!

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
**Of course! I wouldn't want to be a boring righty. I don't think I would be as creative or have the unqiue intuitive intelligence that I have.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
**Deinfitely C. I've heard that so many times and it only serves to stiffle growth. I overcame this by learning how to adapt. I took what I could and taught myself.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
**Maybe Marilyn Monroe?!? She doesn't strike me as a typical lefty.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
**That we are the great adapters. We live in a right handed world and we adapt and THRIVE. Our brains work differently, and that's a great thing. We see things differently and we should be valued for that.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
**Eu então seria animado ser caracterizado numa esquerda passada só blog. Sou tão orgulhoso ser deixado passado, e amaria compartilhar minha história com outros.

11. Take a bow.
**“Left-handers are wired into the artistic half of the brain, which makes them imaginative, creative, surprising, ambiguous, exasperating, stubborn, emotional, witty, obsessive, infuriating, delightful, original, but never, never, dull.”
James T deKay and Sandy Huffaker from The World’s Greatest Left-Handers: Why Left-Handers are Just Plain Better than Everybody Else

Thank you, Kate!! How many languages do you lefties speak? Dang!
More soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #32-CraftyAnna from Etsy!

2009-06-05T13:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #32 is CraftyAnna from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CraftyAnna.etsy.com

1. Biographical Info:
My name is Anna and I am from Independence, Ohio, a small suburb of Cleveland. I make crocheted play food and other stuffed toys and also sell the patterns for my items. I have been crocheting for about 24 years and am totally addicted to it!

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Hmm, I never really thought about this. My mom and sister are also left-handed (as are several other people in my family) so I didn't think there was anything special or different about it.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Once I started school I didn't like how it would make smears across the paper when I wrote with a pencil, the right-handed desks or how I had to turn my paper at a 90 degree angle so that I didn't have to contort my hand and wrist in order to write. People were always amazed that I had nice handwriting because I was left handed, but they also thought it was weird that I turned my paper sideways to write.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
A plus. I like being different than the majority of the population!

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
My grandma (who was right handed) taught me to crochet so I hold the crochet hook with my right hand but use my left hand to work the yarn a lot more than other people. That's why I never teach people how to crochet because I'm sure that I wouldn't teach them the "right" way.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Yes, I can't imagine it any other way.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
I don't know but I was surprised when I first started working for a law firm how many of my fellow lawyers (who are pretty darned smart) are left handed. It was the first time I was surrounded by so many lefties, but now I see I'm in good company on Etsy too! Okay, now we can start the lawyer jokes :)

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
None, but I did have to Google Ruth Buzzi and David Cook to find out who they were.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
I think school is the hardest part of being a lefty because you do so much writing. It would be nice if school's had some 3-ring binders or spiral bound notebooks that open the other way and at least some left handed desks.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I think it is AWESOME! We lefties are special and creative and I thank you so much for starting a blog to celebrate lefties :)

Thanks, Anna! I loved the answer about your grandma!!
More soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #31-Morgansilk from Etsy!

2009-06-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #31 is Morgansilk from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
morgansilk.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Morgan, just Morgan! I'm in Richmond, VA, previously of upstate NY, a retired high school teacher and (now) full time artist. I paint on natural fabric, mostly silks, and have been selling my work for three years but working up to it for thirty. I'm getting older, but keep getting better at what I do because I work constantly.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
My mother tried to make me use my right hand with crayons, and teachers kept it up until grade two, when they finally gave up on me. I do remember the teacher walking around the room, tugging on everyone's pencil, and when she came to me I had a death grip on it. She tried, but I had been drawing for years before first grade, so it was hopeless of her to try. That, and I am very opinionated and always have been. Not to give up my age, but I was pre-keyboard, so my left middle finger is bent from all that writing right through my thirties.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
I do not remember anything being hard; I don't think that way. I remember being different and proud of it!

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
It doesn't matter physically at all to me, but I do think that there is a creative aspect with all southpaws and that's a positive. Every left handed person I have known experiences that.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
If you have always used your left, it's not an adjustment it's just the way it is.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
sure.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
None! I play the piano too. No biggie.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton*, Barack Obama*, Benjamin Franklin*, Pablo Picasso*, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo*, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn*, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe*, David Cook*. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
I starred the ones I have already read biographies etc about. David Cook is the author, right? I didn't know about Cloris Leachman, but I am certainly not surprised.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
We're better than you!

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
C'est magnifique, parce que les gens donnés gauches utilisent des parties de leur cerveau que d'autres ont tendance à ignorer ou réprimer.

Thank you, Morgan!! You extra credit people are killing me here!!!

More soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #30-Kymsart777 from Etsy!

2009-06-03T13:00:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #30 is Kymsart777 from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
Kymsart777.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
I am a 47 year old wife and mom of 4. I have been a business owner / crafter for over 30 years. I just earned my black belt in the Korean art of Hapkido. I live in Southern California in the United States. Anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask me :)

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I clearly remember my father going up to my school when I was in first grade to fight for my right to use my left hand for writing. It was common practice to force kids to use their right hand for writing. We won, my dad is a lefty too!

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
It seems that the world is set up for right handed people. I remember being in school and having to hold my pen kind of inverted with my wrist upside down...we didn't have quick drying inks and if you were a left handed person, chances are that your papers would always be smeared from the ink. No laptops then!

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I've never thought about it much, and have learned to adapt. It makes some things more difficult, for example in my martial art, we use strikes, joint locking, etc and they are taught as a right handed person would use them...I had to become adept at using my right hand but for me it is a plus. It is the same with learning to crochet and just about everything...I just adapt to it.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
It has not affected my crafting. With tools, etc, I find that most are easily adaptable.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Yes I would! There is a quote something like this:
If the right side of the brain, controls the left side of the body, then only left handed people are in their right minds! LOL. It does bother me though that left handed people have more accidents and die earlier.
I never thought about it until just now, but my finger was crushed when trying to close a window which was stuck. If I were right handed...I am sure that the outcome would have been different as I would not have grasped the window in the same manner.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:
a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Wow...I don't know, but they would be monuments to hate, prejudice, or racism.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
We really do have to adapt quite a bit, and for some things it would be nice to have a choice in the matter. And NEVER force a child to use his/her right hand.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.

LOL...I think it is fantastic! If I am featured, I will give you a great big
Gam Si Ham Ni Da! Korean for Thank you!

Lefty Artisan Interview #29-AMIdesigns from Etsy!

2009-06-02T13:00:00.001-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #29 is AMIdesigns from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
AMIdesigns.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
My name is Alison Irving and I live in a wee village just outside Belfast in Northern Ireland. I made beaded jewellery, mainly bracelets that I sell on Etsy and a UK website Folksy. I'm a physiotherapist who specialises in working with people with respiratory disease. Not very useful when trying to run a jewellery making business :)

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I remember my Mum going out and buying left handed scissors. I have 3 sisters and 1 brother and of the 5 of us 3 are lefties, even though Mum and Dad are right handed.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Being made use right handed scissors in school and needing to swap my knife and fork and getting shouted at by the dinner ladies in school

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I love being a leftie, even swapping my cutlery and wearing my watch on my right arm! The only problem is when right handed people won't take the time to think things through and teach things me things like a leftie. I had a senior physio who's job it was to teach me suction (clearing the chest of someone on a ventilator) and he made me do it like a right handed person because he couldn't be bothered taking a couple of extra minutes to think it through

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
It generally doesn't affect my jewelry making, probably because I'm self taught so any mistakes are all my own doing!

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Absolutely

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:
a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Total immunity - then (c)

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Angelina Jolie

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
I would teach my MIL that as a leftie I simply cannot use her fish knife the right way - I have to hold it upside down and back to front - stop looking at me like I'm a numptie!

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
C'est tres tres fantastic! Je suis tres honoured!
also if you could teach me how to write with a fountain pen without smearing it as I go, I'd be forever grateful :D

Thank you, Alison!! I'm so with you on #5!

More lefties soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #28-Genevive from Etsy!

2009-06-01T18:54:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #28 is Genevive from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
Genevive.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Genevive Hunter
Palm Coast, Florida
Crocheted and Knitted Bath & Kitchen cleaning products
Patterns
Crocheted Slippers

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
My first memory of being left-handed is when I copied my older brother when he was teaching my how to write. He was left-handed and I was actually born right-handed. So I grew up writing left-handed and I still do everything left-handed!

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
I learn by watching others and it was very hard to have to transpose techniques of right-handers into left-handed.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
Definitely a plus! Always loved being different!

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I do have to adjust my patterns. I write them for both left and right-handed people. My work always looks different to right handed people, but they can never figure out why!

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Yes. I am one of those who never think about "what if?". So much in the now that I need to accomplish - can't wasted time thinking about "what if?".

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."

a. I have actually accidentally ripped them out! (;

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Wow! None of them!

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
Lefties are sexier!

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
This totally makes my year! Excuse me - looking for my French dictionary!

11. Take a bow.
Thank you!

Thank you, Genevive!! I'm so thrilled with your answer to #7! I usually just give them a dirty look!
More soon, Lefty Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #27-TheGraceWithin

2009-05-30T13:00:00.000-04:00

Today's Lefty Artisan Interview with TheGraceWithin from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
TheGraceWithin.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Hi. My name is Erika (Gracie) Imhoof and I live in Wheaton, Maryland, which is part of the DC Metro area. I primarily make decorated paper gift boxes, although I love to do almost anything with paper and like to believe (incorrectly) that I can make almost anything I see, given enough time and money. Except painting or drawing. Just never got the knack. Besides, I always drag the paint or pencil across the paper with my left hand. I am a full-time manager for a company that provide internet technology consulting for large non-profit organizations, a part-time actress, and a passionate believer in no more homeless animals.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
My first memories of being left-handed involve those dumb, left-handed safety scissors we were forced to use in school. They never worked. Of course I took it personally and thought it was some flaw in me, rather than the fact that the scissors were just a piece of junk. I eventually taught myself to cut right-handed and still do, to this day.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
The hardest thing about growing up left-handed was that it was difficult for people to teach you how to do things. Like knit. I always wanted to knit, but no one could show me how to do it left-handed. I learned how to bat right-handed for softball because no one could teach me otherwise.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I generally think of being left-handed a plus now. It did force me to learn how to do things differently sometimes, or forced me to learn how to do it both right-handed or left. I now think of myself as somewhat ambidextrous.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Being left-handed doesn't generally affect my craft and I don't have special tools. I also don't have to adjust my products, because they're more about top and bottom than right and left. It takes two hands to open them anyway. However, that would be different if I were working with paints or charcoals and sometimes using something like glitter glue takes concentration so that I don't wind up dragging my hand through it and gluing myself all sparkly silver.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
I'd still want to be a lefty. We're a special bunch.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Oh, that's a good one. A toss up between B and C. I guess now that I'm grown up, I'd have to go with C, although the desk thing really did use to make me mad. I'm sure all of that twisting in my seat is the cause of my back problems (at least that's my theory and I'm sticking to it).

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Jay Leno. (You thought I was going to say Richard Simmons, didn't you?)

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
Lefties are used to looking at things from a different angle and figuring out how to make things work that aren't supposed to. That can be a great asset to any team.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I'm so super thrilled I can hardly stand it. It's like a dream come true for me, to be recognized among my peers in such an amazing and well-known venue. I never thought I'd be picked. It's probably the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me. Merci.

11. Take a bow.
Bowing profusely as we speak.

Great interview, Erika! I'm totally with you on #3! More lefties soon!

Lefty Artisan Interview #26-PeppermintDayDreams from Etsy!

2009-05-29T13:30:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #26 is Christy from PeppermintDayDreams at Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
PeppermintDaydreams.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Greetings earthlings. Christy Zaragoza here to share the Peppermint Daydreams universe with you. *cues the waterfall music that you hear at your dentist office* Here at Peppermint Daydreams, I use art to feed your brain, walk-in closet, and home. I draw, paint, and take photographs simply because I cannot stop, and I like it that way.
I'm from Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, but now my body lives in San Diego CA, and my mind lives on planet Peppermint.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
My first memory would have to be when I was in the womb giving high fives to my twin. I realized how strange it was that I was using my left hand and they were using their right.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
I'd have to say getting used to right-handed scissors. It seemed every classroom in school had 20 million pairs of right-handed scissors and one pair of left-handed...and they had gone missing.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain and show your work.
It's a plus. When I get into fist fights, no one ever expects an uppercut from the left.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Luckily, the inventor of the pen and paper didn't take any bribes from a rightie.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Definitely.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
d) none of the above.
If that were actually possible, and I had total immunity, I would go to the zoo and liberate the animals (not the ostriches though, they are pure evil). We need more wildlife in the city.
Then, I'd go down to the Walmart and get me a new flat-screen tv.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Actually all of them make me proud. In fact, I'm wearing glittery striped dolphin shorts and white high tops now, just like my hero Richard Simmons.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
We're going to take over the world.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
Kital handala ractamo podo antila-galine! Kessetoun!!!
(The divine language spoken by Leeloo in The Fifth Element. I learned it in high school.)

11. Take a bow.
Ok.

Well, Christy, make sure you get 2 flat screen TVs when you go to Wal-Mart, okay? That was hilarious!!
More lefties soon!! Lori

Word Find--Lefties Featured in Round 1

2009-05-28T15:13:00.000-04:00

What better way to remember those that have gone first? Have fun!

codyscreations
countrywindows
cradleforall
creativeapples
dancingwinddesigns
daupo
elenamary
fluffnflowers
handsfullcreations
ilovebetty
joyousworld
libertyoriginals
maram
minibuilder
nanjodogz
ohbyjingo
outofthepinkshydesigns
paperrosedesigns
phineaousandlou
quiltish
swiekysiggies
textstyletextures
theposhpalace
uneekdolldesigns

Lefty Artisan Interview #25-Textstyle Textures from Etsy

2009-05-28T14:27:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #25 is Ann from Textstyle Textures on Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
TexstyleTextures.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Ann Pittman
Central Mississippi
Making mostly bags and pillows for Etsy and window treatments locally. At one time I was a member of a thre person team at work. All 3 of us were/are lefthanded. And two of the spouses were. My husband was the odd man out.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
My mother telling my first grade teacher to NOT try and change me and to not left me write "backhanded" but to keep my hand off the paper to keep from smudging. Something I still work at.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Playing softball and finding a decent glove. I ahven't played ball in years and still have the glove. Just in case.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
Neither really. Sometimes it is a minus but after almost 50 years it doesn't really matter. I am what I am.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
No special tools. My mother taught me to sew and since she is right-handed I do a lot of things the way she did. On customer orders I try to ask which side of the body you carry a bag on. It helps with pocket placement.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Wouldn't change a thing.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first: B

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
(I learned to crochet sitting in front of, not beside, my mother, the previously mentioned righthander. I do it "backwards" but it was the easiest way to learn.)

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
None really, all quite interesting in their own right (left). Don't know who David Cook is though.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
That we are not backwards.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I think it is great. For you to go out of your way to find a different focus for your blog is commendable.

11. Take a bow.
*curtsy*

Ann, great interview! Thank you!! So glad your mother stood up for you to your teacher!

More lefties soon! Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #24-Maram from Etsy

2009-05-26T19:08:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #24 is with Maram from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
maram.etsy.com

1. Biographical info: Please include your name, location, what you make, and any other data that helps the reader get to know you.
Mara Marcom, Columbus, Ohio. I make purses, bags, and fun accessories out of upcycled materials! See my work at maram.etsy.com

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I don’t really have first memories of being left-handed, because it was all just so natural. It would be like having first memories of breathing.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Right-handed desks. Grrrrrr (shaking fist at universe). I also hate spiral side-bound notebooks, and three-ring notebooks, but I learned to just start at the back, so that the binding was on the right side.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I think that being left-handed is a plus – maybe the reason left-handed people are more creative is that we are forced to come up with our own ways of doing routine tasks.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I’m ambi enough that I use right-handed scissors, so my ‘sellable’ work isn’t affected. I just have to be careful not to smear my work when drawing or painting!

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Yup – I’d still be a lefty. I like who I am, and being lefthanded is part of that unique silly-ness.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."

b). Without a doubt. I once took the SAT test at a right-handed desk. (Shudders)

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Richard Simmons. His energy level is a little scary.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
I would send them to read the work of another very talented and very funny lefty – Dave Barry. There’s a great column in his book Dave Barry is Not Making This Up, titled “A Left-Handed Compliment.” You should google it.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
Hurrah for leftie love! Me gusta mucho!

11. Take a bow.
Thank you, thank you – you’re too kind.

Excellent interview! Love #9! More lefties soon, Lori :-)

Lefty Artisan Interview #23-Daupo from Etsy

2009-05-25T10:39:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #24 is Daupo from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
MonstersDomesticated.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
I'm Daupo, I live in fabulous Ridgewood, Queens, New York, and I make all kinds of things. I'm primarily a draughtsman and painter, but at Etsy I'm offering a lot of sculpted things, and I dally in other arts as well. My work is general around narratives, although not generally explicitly so. I like story.

I have two-and-a-half Etsy shops: One is devoted to my fine art stylings, one to all things monster-related, and I share a card shop with my lovely and talented girlfriend, fglass. Something for everyone!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
lefthandmadens.etsy.com

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Those evil, useless, frustrating "lefty" scissors, with the green rubber rings around the handles. There were never enough, they were always broken, and they just plain didn't work. Jesse Beer Elementary school, Mansfield, Ohio, 1976.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
I was lucky, in that my left-handed father had been tortured into temporary, imperfect, unnatural dexterity as a kid, and so I was thoroughly spared.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I'm pretty pro-sinister. I like that we're smarter than the norm, more creative, and I accept that we're a little crazier too. Sometimes I even use my left-ness to avoid unpleasant things, like using a chain saw or playing Guitar Hero, that aren't designed for us.

Of course, it's a little inconvenient to be backward to the dominant culture, but what's so great about that culture anyway?

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Except for the excellent left-handed shears my girlfriend bought me, I have no special implements. I'm more prone to re-purpose or gerry-rig things anyway, and I'm not at all a stickler for most of these process questions. I don't blame the brush when I screw up, in other words.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
You bet. I would change a few initial conditions if I could, but I wouldn't be me turned around like that.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."

d) It's the universality of right-handed kitchen gear that I'd swing at first, in fact. It's the little things that drive us mad, after all.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
I think you could make a pretty good jerk sandwich by putting Ronald Reagan between Jay Leno and Paul McCartney...

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
We are going to win.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
Es freut mich voll sehr in einem links-händige Supersite zu sein. Wir sind einem unglaubliche Kind des Leutes, kraftig und toll, und wir natürlich einem Spezial-Platz haben sollen.

And my German is pretty rusty.

11. Take a bow.
Thank you very much, I'll be here all week. Try the special.

Terrifying fantastic interview, Daupo, and EXTRA CREDIT! #3 and #9 make me laugh aloud!

More soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #22-CreativeApples from Etsy

2009-05-23T10:02:00.000-04:00

Today's Lefty Artisan Interview is April from CreativeApples Photography on Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
creativeapples.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Hi! I’m April and I live in Chicago with my boyfriend, two special parakeets (and by “special” I mean slightly disabled) and a toad named Turtle. I’m a crafter with a serious case C.A.D.D. (crafting attention deficit disorder) Primarily; I draw, paint, and am a rabid photographer. I also scrapbook (paper and digital) and recently, I’ve been learning how to knit and crochet. I would LOVE to learn how to sew eventually (when I can get over the not-so-irrational fear of sewing my hand to the project…)

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Oh gosh! I can’t recall any first memories!! My mom tells me that when I was a baby, I picked up everything with my left hand and she just knew I was going to be left handed.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Seriously—desks. Desks that were made for righties (can I call them wrongies?) Oh, and spiral bound notebooks and writing in pencils or smudgy ink.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
Definitely a PLUS. I love that I’m a leftie and that I get to mess with the righties when we’re eating. There’s nothing that amuses me more than happening to “bump” them while they are just about to take a bite…

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
The only think I have to do differently is to remember to start painting or drawing on the right side of the canvas/drawing lest I smudge it beyond recognition.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty? YES!

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:.
a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Definitely C.
no doubt about it.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Richard Simmons’ short shorts make me want to back out of this interview!

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
I’d love to make the world understand the concept of designing products/furniture/spaces with the potential lefties in mind.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
Jestem bardzo podekscytowany do umieszczenia na swoim blogu! Jest to najlepszy blog kiedykolwiek. Jesteś wspaniałą za poinformowanie mnie uczestniczyć. Dziękuję bardzo!!!

Dang! Look at ALL that extra credit April got in #10! I'm just about out of extra credit now. I'll have to go to the Extra Credit Store this afternoon and stock up again!

I have so many more lefties coming soon! All your righties need to start getting very nervous, lol!

Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #20-The Posh Palace

2009-05-22T10:17:00.000-04:00

Our 20th Lefty Artisan Interview is with The Posh Palace at Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
ThePoshPalace.etsy.com

1. Biographical Info:
My name is Debbie and I'm a lefty living in historic Appomattox, VA with my right handed hubby and son. I also have a right handed daughter who brought 4 beautiful granddaughters into my life, with the oldest 2 being left handed just like me, very awesome. I have always had a love for creating as some of my most beloved memories are of my grandmother and me as a child having fun cutting, painting, gluing, stringing and so much more. These memories inspired me to begin creating my own artisan jewelry and business, thus The Posh Palace was born. My studio is on the "left" side of the house, {giggle}.

2.What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Let me take you back to the 60's for this memory. My first day of kindergarten, I left for school so excited and proud that I already knew how to write and couldn't wait to show my teacher. The time finally comes when I get to show off my skills, I begin to write and my teacher stops me after the first sentence and says, "YOUR WRITING BACKWARDS"! My heart just sank while looking at my paper, trying to figure out which part or word was backwards. I simply didn't get it. So my 5 year old little self just couldn't help but let a BIG "Not Awww", I'm not writing backwards! The year long ordeal had begun. After several attempts throughout the year of trying to force me to write with my right hand, my teacher gave up. Us lefties don't go down that easy, {evil laugh}.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
One of the hardest things about being left-handed was finding another lefty to teach me certain things. My lefty Dad did a pretty good job with most things, but he wasn't really into crochet, knitting and other things of the like to help out. OH and that annoying ink and lead stain on the side of your left hand from writing or drawing. You lefties know what I'm talking about, I had to learn to write almost upside down to avoid that dreaded stain.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
Definitely a plus. I like uniqueness, and lefties are indeed unique. I love to watch lefties in the pro sport arenas, they always get more publicity based on the fact that they are left handed it seems. When I played softball as a kid, I found it hilarious that pitchers had a tough time pitching to a left handed batter, and the hitters had a hard time hitting with my left handed pitches, It was great!! I also think it's great that society had to give in to us lefties and produce usable items for left-handers. Like I said, us lefties don't go down easy :o)

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Being left handed doesn't really affect my jewelry making that much. The only adjustments that I have to be aware of is what side of the necklace or bracelet should I put the clasp? As a lefty, I like my clasp on a certain side, but the righties like the clasp on the opposite side of where my brain is trying to tell me to put it. So I have to really pay attention to those minor details.

6.If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Absolutely! Lefties are unique, creative and down right clever.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
I have to say A, I so want to just jerk those chains right out of their holder, hehe.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
I'm going to go with Marilyn Monroe, I don't even want to think about what she may have done with her left hand {naughty giggles}.

9.If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
That is takes extreme talent to write upside down and that we have so much to offer with our creativity, and we are here to stay :o)

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured?
I am extremely thrilled to be amoung my fellow lefties in this blog, and many MANY PROPS to the owner of this blog for making all of us lefties shine so bright :o)

Very interesting interview, Debbie!! Thanks for #8, bwahahaa!

More lefties coming soon!

Lefty Artisan Interview #19-DancingWindDesigns

2009-05-21T13:18:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #19 is Sue Lovett from DancingWindDesigns on ArtFire and Etsy!

Visit DancingWindDesigns's ArtFire Shop

1. Biographical Info:

My name is Sue and I live in southeast coastal Georgia-hurricane country pretty soon. I live in the woods with my husband and a really goofy bichon named Sparky. We have one son and recently became first time grandparents to the most adorable little baby boy in the world. I've been messing around with seed beads off and on since I was about 9 and got my first loom.

2.What are your first memories of being left-handed?

I have a couple of "first" memories about being a lefty because they occured around the same time. One was my mom kept buying me these lefty scissors that I could not have cut my way out of a wet paper bag with. I would throw them away-she would buy another pair. I am a righty when it comes to using scissors. The other memory is having to have one of my cousins teach me how to tie my shoes. Once she showed me, it was the proverbial "AHA" moment. When my right handed parents were trying to show me, it was more like "HUH?" Out of 44 grandkids my grandma had, only 2 of us are lefties. I couldn't teach our right handed son how to tie his shoes either-his dad had to do it.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
The hardest thing about growing up a lefty was adapting to the right handed school desks. Those things were so uncomfortable for me-and trying to write on them was a real trip.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.

I have gotten so used to adapting to a right handed world, I hardly think about it anymore.. I do prefer the outside seat in a resataurant booth becasue it's more comfortable for me and I don't have to worry about elbowing somebody while I eat. Being lefthanded is a plus for me, because it's just another one of the little quirks I have. LOL!

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Oh yes!!! Most beaded stitch tutorials out there are written for right handed people. I had quite a learning curve with some of the stitches. I learned though, to just take out the "left-right" part of them and just bead and the stitch would fall into place. I also learned to subsitute the word "next" for right/left. I tried the "mirror" trick when I tried to learn to crochet, so I knew that wouldn't work with beading, either. I don't need too many tools for seed beading, but if I do, I just use right handed ones. Happily, I make a product that left handed/right handed doesn't apply to.

6.If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Of course I would. Leftie6.s are special and really creative.

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
It would be A. Those pens on those short chains are a real pain.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
It's a toss up between Ronald Reagan amd Richard Simmons. Both of them are like nails on a chalkboard to me-doesn't matter if they are left handed nails or right handed ones, either.

9.If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
That being left handed is not the same as being dyslexic for crying out loud. Just because we use our left hands predominately doesn't mean that there is a problem of some kind. I had a woman ask me once if I was dyslexic because I was left handed. I guess she thought that since I was "backwads" one way, I would be backwards in other ways.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured?

I think it ROCKS and is totally COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's about time right handed people realize that the world does not revolve round them. Besides, nobody would do a blog on right handed people-they are a dime a dozen. We lefties are a little bit rarer to find.

Fabulous interview, Sue! Thanks for #5! People need to feel our pain, dang it!

More lefties soon, and if you know any, send them to my office!

Lefty Artisan Interview #18-Liberty Originals at 1000Markets

2009-05-07T20:56:00.000-04:00

Our 18th Lefty Artisan Interview is with Cheryl of Liberty Originals from 1000Markets!

1. Biographical info:
Liberty Originals Jewelry Design, Liberty Hill, TX in the beautiful hill country, designer jewelry showcasing artisan lampwork combined with stones, pearls, sterling

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
My grandmother was left-handed. As her first grandchild, she instantly favored and encouraged my left-handedness. When my grandmother was growing up, she was forced to write with her right hand. I remember being shocked at such a thing.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
I was a tom-boy all the way. I somehow felt more comfortable in softball batting right-handed. I still pitched and caught left-handed, so I’m not so sure there was any challenge about batting right-handed!

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain and show your work.
Big plus. My grandmother praised my unique and artistic and free-spirited thinking and accredited it to my being left-handed. I always felt special and my brain worked better that way.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
No effect. Other than my own perception in my own mind! I do have a couple of pairs of left-handed scissors laying about, but I probably have more tools that work for all artists. Uh oh, I need more “special” tools!

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty? Absolutely!

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:
a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
Oh, that’s funny. I forget about all that stuff. I did confuse the wire-wrap instructor come to think of it… But as far as the rest of the world being slanted to right-handed thinking—
My son picked up and complained about a pair of my scissors the other day. (He didn’t inherit my special-ness.) I told him to step away from my craft supplies!

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Absolutely none of them! I’m proud to be associated with ALL left-handers. The more unique and creative, the better testimonial to the great diversity of the lefties.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
The world is filled with extraordinary left-handed people. Embrace and rejoice in our difference!

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
I am ecstatic about being featured along with my fellow lefties. We are many, we are creative, we are men and women who are not afraid to stand up and be counted. "Hello, I’m Cheryl, I’m Liberty Originals, I’m a jewelry designer who has ideas and colors ever swirling and combining in the right side of my brain, coming to fruition with my left-hand. I’m left-handed and damn proud of it!"

11. Take a bow.
Bow taken—Thankyouverymuch!!

Thanks for a great interview, Cheryl! Your grandmother sounds like an awesome lady!

More lefties soon, and if you know some, send them over!!

-Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #17-PhineasandLou from Etsy

2009-05-04T01:07:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #17 is PhineasandLou from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
PhineasandLou.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Hey there! I'm Jennifer Price Davis. I live in sunny (today) Cleveland Hts, OH...I'm a mom to the best 6 yo ever. I know that everyone says this, but I have a certificate to prove it (ok, I don't but I think I'll print one up, LOL). I also have an amazing husband who I adore. If you were to meet me in person, you'd find that I'm a little quiet at first, but I warm up fast and love to make people laugh.

I make all sorts of things, but on Etsy I'm focusing on my crocheted items. I do have an art shop as well because I also love to paint, but I don't update as often, only when inspired:)

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
My whole life I've been aware of being left-handed because, as my mom would say, I do everything backwards. For instance, back when you had to get up to change the channel, instead of dialing from 3 to five, I would turn the dial the opposite way. I think it got on everyone else's nerves, but it just came naturally to me.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
I think holding scissors and writing in those terrible spiral notebooks were the hardest things. To this day, I write with my paper almost completely horizontally. It often starts conversations so that's fun!

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
It's definitely a plus! Once people know I'm left-handed they interpret my craziness as creativity!

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
When I was learning to knit and crochet I had to do the opposite of what I saw. Even now, if I'm watching a video I have to tune out the way the person is holding their needles or hook in some instances.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
For sure. Lefties have more fun...I think if I were blonde and a lefty I'd be DANGEROUS!

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
I'll spare the readers my deep scientific knowledge of the subject :) Instead, I 'll say that I think that being a lefty is an adjustment because we're different from most people in the world. I think anytime you face life (in big or small ways) aware that you're a little different it makes you smarter. You sometimes feel like you have to prove yourself so you work a little harder. (OK, no left-handers do anything stupid now that I've said this!)

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now? Oh gosh, I don't know Ruth Buzzi to well and this list doesn't scare me too much, so I'm still in!

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
That it is SO awesome to be left-handed and we should all be given crowns or something else grand.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate.
Hold on a second, I need a kleenex to wipe away these happy tears...OK, I must say that it is a unique honor to be featured, nay, celebrated for my leftiness among other fabulous lefties! Thank you so much *gives best Miss America wave and blows kisses*:)

Jennifer, Thanks for this FABULOUS interview!!! I appreciate the depth of answer #7, and am amazed that anyone can actually do the answer to #5 and make it work. I so can't do that!

I need more lefties, people. Don't force me to interview myself!!!

~Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #16-outofthepinkskydesigns at Etsy

2009-04-28T08:52:00.000-04:00

Today's Lefty Artisan Interview is with Jill from outofthepinkskydesigns from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
outofthepinksky.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
I'm Jill Brown of Out of the Pink Sky Designs. I make jewelry of many kinds, but I focus more on wirework and shrink plastic than anything else. I grew up in Louisville, KY, and I currently reside in Columbus Ohio with my husband, Matt, who's an English transplant, and our pug, Xander, and cat, Sushi. I have a day job managing brain cancer research.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I'm not strictly left-handed. I write and eat with my left hand, but do everything else right-handed. However, as I child, since I knew I was left-handed, so I would always take the left-handed scissors. Then, I would try to cut paper with my right hand. Of course, the scissors wouldn't work, but I couldn't figure out why. I mean, I was left-handed, so what was the problem?? I remember when it finally occurred to me that I was using left-handed scissors with my right hand. It was like an epiphany!

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Smudging the pencil lead all over my hand as my hand would slide over my writing. I always had a black smudge from my pinky downward. Then, it would get on my clothes or face. Annoying!

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain and show your work.
Overall, I think it's a plus, if for no other reason than it makes me a little more unique. I have no work to show for that....except maybe "ME <----special" 5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I'm pretty lucky in that I can use my tools with either hand so it hasn't caused me many problems. In fact, I can't remember it causing me any problems.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Definitely

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:
a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that..."
b, definitely b. UGH! I hate those stupid right-handed desks.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Obama. How can I compete?? Seriously though, I had no idea that he's left-handed. That's really cool!

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
In restaurants, sit on my right...always sit on my right.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit.
Ooo la la! Tres magnifique! I think a blog for left-handed crafters and artists is a really fab idea!

11. Take a bow
Thank you!

Jill, this is a kick a$$ interview EXCEPT how can you NOT know that our fearless leader is left handed??? You've now compelled me to resurrect the video that launched this blog in which President Obama displays his Southpaw Cred so severely that I almost cringe. I tried to hold a pen and write like he does, and I can't come close. The man has mad skillz! But I forgive you because I'm so with you on #9. Nobody sits on my left and lives to talk about it, lol!

More lefties soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #15-elenamary from 1000Markets

2009-04-24T15:59:00.000-04:00

Today we interview our first lefty from 1000Markets! Elenamary will be the first of many, I promise! Enjoy...

1. Biographical info:
Elena Mary Siff, Santa Monica, CA. I create assemblage jewelry, unique book objects and ACEOs among many other things.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Have no specific memories..it has never been a problem for me.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
The desks in school when I was really young...nothing else really.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
A plus I guess as I do not know anything different. My work is not at all affected by being left handed.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people? No special tools, etc. Nothing I make is affected by being left-handed.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty? Yes!

7. If you had a sledgehammer, sixty seconds and total immunity, which of the three things would you demolish first:

a) all of the ink pens anchored to the right side of every bank teller's window
b) every left-handed school desk per thirty-five right-handed school desks
c) all of the spooky voices in your head that sound like this, "Well, I'd love to teach you how crochet, knit, stitch, play the piano, hop scotch, but you're a lefty, and I'm not, and I just don't know to do that...
Without a doubt B. all school desks for right-handed people only!

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
None.. More power to them!

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
Lefties have been known to be creative, eccentric and sometimes downright loony..I fit right in and am very pleased to be left-handed...Actually I read somewhere that there is a link to left-handedness and mental illness and creativity..the mad genius...very thought provoking indeed.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate profusely, and if you can do it in a foreign language, I'll give you extra credit. Delighted to be among lefties...lots of raw talent overflowing here no doubt! Merci beaucoup! Grazie Mille and Mozel Tov!

11. Take a bow. Hope I got it right now...Cheers! Elena

Thank you, Elena! Re #9...mental illness?? I have no clue what you're talking about. No clue. Wait...are those beads or my meds?...crap.

Stay tuned for more lefties and scroll down to see the ones you missed!!

~Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #14--codyscreations at Etsy

2009-04-23T10:29:00.000-04:00

Morning all! Our 14th Lefty Artisan Interview features Kerrie from codyscreations at Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
codyscreations.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Kerrie, Natick MA, my shop has accessories for our beloved pets and their people. I have three beagle mixes (all rescues) so our house can be quite rowdy at times, but I wouldn’t change it at all!

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I broke my left wrist the summer going into 1st grade and the cast was still on my first day of school. The teacher couldn’t understand why I was trying to write with my left hand since it had a cast on it. She told me that now would be a good time to learn how to write with my right hand. I told my mom when I came home from school and she ended up going to the school to talk to my teacher. Both of my parents are lefties, and my mom had a lot of issues in school with teachers trying to get her to switch, she didn’t want me to go through the same thing.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
School desks and the complete lack of the left handed desk! Both of my parents are lefties, my brother is not, so I grew up thinking being a lefty was special. In my extended family, the lefties outnumber the righties, so I kind of lived in a skewed world.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
Definitely a plus. In school sports lefties were sought after, we learn to overcome little challenges daily (like how to write in a spiral notebook without bodily harm, how to use an erasable pen without erasing as you write). I honestly think that lefties think differently because we have to be more creative with everyday life.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I do not use different items because I think it is sad that you have to pay extra when it is marked lefty. I never realized how different I worked until I had a friend comment about how I cut material, measure it, etc. I just work the way that feel most comfortable, and yes, I realize it may not be the right way, but it’s my way, and it works.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Yes, without a doubt

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
We have to be more creative in everyday living. We have to think before we use a vegetable peeler! Righties just do things and take it for granted, we have to engage our brain more, I go with the use it or lose it motto.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
None, maybe one day I will be on a list like that

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
I don’t think I would want to. I think the best part of what makes us lefties is the process that we go through to do everyday things. If the entire world understood they may attempt to make left handed items more accessible, therefore we end up becoming more right handed in our thinking.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate.
It would be the greatest thing that ever happened to me! I think I would have to take my wedding picture out of its frame and replace it with a print out of the interview ;0)

Thank you, Kerrie for this fabulous interview! #7 is so, so true.

More lefties to come!
~Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #13--CradleAndAll at Etsy

2009-04-22T08:46:00.000-04:00

Morning all! Our 13th Lefty Artisan Interview features Laine CradleAndAll from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
CradleAndAll.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Laine, Fort Worth, Texas. I make cuddly stuff for babies - soft and cute playpen sheets(play yard, pack n play, etc), blankets like my mom made me as a baby, and fun funky 3D star plushies. Pretty soon I will be listing my hand embroidered shirts for babies.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I remember as a little kid getting a left-handed spiral (spine at the top), and feeling very special. My family compared me a lot to my mom's sister who is also left handed. She is also my godmother, so I have always felt a special leftie connection with her :)

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Scissors always hurt (I didn't usually get the leftie scissors - do they even make them for kids?)

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
Definitely a plus - it is different and attention getting, and it's like being part of a secret club! Other lefties notice much quicker.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Left handed scissors have changed my world, so I love my leftie sewing shears.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Without a doubt!

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
Well, we have to get a little creative from the start since we are forced to use our non-dominant hand for things like opening doors, can openers, etc. So, we must get more thinking practice :D

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Hmm. I'm a big Ronald Reagan fan, but Judy Garland is very tempting too, since I'm a musician.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be? Actually, I prefer the mystery surrounding the leftyness.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate. Oh my gosh - this is so super cool! It's about time that lefties are given our proper place front and center! Here's a virtual hand shake - with the *correct* hand, and a high left five for all of you ♥

Thank you, Laine!! Great interview! We are all high-fiving you back with our south paws as well!
More soon! ~Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #12-OhByJingo from Etsy

2009-04-21T12:23:00.000-04:00

Our 12th Lefty Artisan Interview features Germaine from OhByJingo from Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
OhByJingo.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
My name is Germaine and I live together with my boyfriend Thomas in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I'm working as a graphic designer and in my sparetime I like to create things. Most of the time it's a mixture of my fleamarket finds and give them a new purpose. That means I'm not so consistent in my makings, it could be softies made out of vintage textiles or vinyls. Or when I have enough plastic keychains I transform them into a charm bracelet or earrings. My main goal is to make myself happy with my little creations.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
When I got my first writing lessons at school my teacher asked my parents if they wanted me to become righ-thanded. Hmm, back in the days they forced you to write with your right hand.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
My mom didn't let me iron, she thought it looked clumsy. But I wasn't really sad about it. LOL

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
PLUS! I can do loads of things with both hands. I think lefties are more capable to do things both handed than righties.
And I like that I'm unique and different than most people.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I noticed that in my work as a graphic designer I rotate tekst in the opposite direction than righ-handies.
Once I tried left-handed siscors but that didn't work. I'm so used to regular tools.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Sure, somehow it gives me a special feeling.

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
Are they? Even blonde lefties? Ha, ha. (Or is this only a funny joke if you're Dutch??)
Smart, I don't know but I'm sure that lefties are more creative. When I was in art school there were suddenly all these lefties in my class. Before that I was a rarity.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Oh, I better not tell... But nice to see some cool people are lefthanded. Only you forgot Lefty Frizzell in your list, I'm a huge fan.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
Life is great being a lefty. But just adjust those righthanded plastic fork-and-knifes-in-one (in Holland you have these in cafeteria's) I just can't handle those. It's not a big problem since I'm not a regular visitor of cafeteria's.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate.
I'm in extacy off course being featured in a lefty blog! I hope there is a huge response because it's fun reading other lefties stories and see the similarities.

Fabulous interview, Germaine! I want more details regarding the 'special feeling' referenced in question 6. Can you bottle it and sell it? Can we market it and sell it as snake oil to right-handed people and make a fortune? Be sure to scroll back and check the fabulous work of other lefties!!

More soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #11-swiekysiggies at ArtFire

2009-04-20T12:15:00.000-04:00

Behold our first Lefty Artisan Interview from ArtFire! Meet Erin of swiekysiggies!

1. Biographical info:
My name is Erin and I live in Aurora, Colorado just outside of Denver. I love the Mile High City and have lived here most of my life. I specialize in Graphic Design, all sorts! I started creating for fellow message board members (i.e., signatures, blinkies, etc.) and my business blossomed from there. I used to own a well-known Parenting Board, called “The Family Garden.” I love doing custom work, but also offer an abundance of premade creations, helping those along who aren’t quite sure what they are looking for as far as designs for their business. Business cards, Logos, banners, web ads, web design – so much more, I never limit myself to just one style of design.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
In sixth grade, I remember going up to the chalkboard, and I started writing with my right hand. I stopped and said to myself “Wait, I’m LEFT handed, what am I doing!” At least at that point, I realized I was ambidextrious.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Being the youngest of 7 children, I wondered why I was the only one, and thought that people looked at me weird when I would write or something. But they say 1 in 7 people are left-handed so I got the prize!

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
It’s definitely a plus in my mind. There are more right-handed people, so being left-handed makes you feel unique. It is a right-handers world (i.e., using scissors, writing a check at the grocery store counter, school desks) but I’ve adjusted. The only thing I do with my left hand is write, eat, and play tennis. Everything else I do with my right hand – cut with scissors, bowl, throw a ball, etc.) There are some things I get confused on because both hands feel comfortable, such as golfing, batting at baseball, etc.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Using a computer for my work doesn’t affect my work at all, since you use both hands to type, etc. BUT, do use my right hand frequently to navigate the mousepad.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Absolutely! After all, only lefties are in their right minds…..:)

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
Well, maybe not all, but have you ever noticed that a lot of celebrities are left-handed? I have heard that left handers are inherently more creative. Perhaps this means we’re more intuitive, not necessarily smarter.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
Not a one!

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
I think just inherently, we think differently as far as the process of solving problems, thinking through things – not necessarily better, just different. We are in a different mindset, perhaps?

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate.
IT’S WONDERFUL! I want to SHOUT IT TO THE ENTIRE WORLD! Lefties UNITE! United we stand, divided we fall!!!!

Thanks for a fabulous interview, Erin!! Stay tuned for more lefties and be sure to scroll down to see any that you missed because we are everywhere!!!

Everyday Life

2009-04-15T10:37:00.000-04:00

So, what aspect of your every life is most affected because you're a lefty? For me, it's always having to have the outside seat in a booth or at a table in a restaurant. I stand back and wait until everyone else sits down so I can be on the edge. It drives me bonkers to be pinned in and poking people with my elbow, lol.

Lefty Artisan Interview #10-quiltish (aka allisajacobs) at Etsy

2009-04-15T09:27:00.000-04:00

Good morning! Here's Lefty Artisan Interview #10 with quiltish (aka) at Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
allisajacobs.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
Please include your name, location, what you make, and any other data that helps the reader get to know you: Allisa Jacobs in Portland, Oregon. I create handbags, baby items & little treasures for the home.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
When I was in second grade we lived in a very small rural town. I brought my 'special' left handed scissors that my mom had bought me. The teacher took them away & forced me to use the ones created for rightys...she also discouraged my left handed writing. I felt so awkward & singled out. I remember trying to smuggle in my lefty scissors during art time. The crazy part is that this happened in the late 1980's!

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Trying to learn things "opposite" like throwing, shooting a basketball, play guitar, knitting, etc..

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
A plus definitely. It can be an exclusive little club & it's a challenge to try & reverse instructions to something new.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I don't think it affects me too much, though I do try to be aware of how I position snaps & zippers.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Heck ya!

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss. That's one of the perks of the exclusive club isn't it?
Ha! Well, I have a theory- thought probably not a unique- one that is has to do with brain hemispheres & activity in both sides of the brain.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now? Ummm, Richard Simmons is a lefty?!

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
Oh, I don't know, I guess I'd rather have them understand something else about life- but maybe encourage them to go about the world as a lefty for a day....the littlest things can be a bit tricky!

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate.
Yay! What a clever topic and I think it will interesting to see a bunch of lefty artists compiled together. Plus, I've notice there seems to be a lefty phenomenon with Barack Obama in office- now everyone wants to be left-handed! Glad my rural school didn't succeed in turning me 'right,' or wrong as it were...

Hope you enjoyed the intervew and took at look at Quiltish! Alissa has gorgeous products!! More lefties soon!!
~Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #9-minibuilder at Etsy!

2009-04-14T13:44:00.000-04:00

Lefties do some amazing work! Check out minibuilder, our 9th featured artisan. Ray has a shop on Etsy and he is one talented southpaw!!

Etsy
Buy Handmade
minibuilder

1. Biographical info:
Hi! My name is Ray Haake. I am a 38 year old male, and I have lived my whole life in north-western Indiana. I live in Monticello, with my wife, Alina, my daughter, Hannah, and my step-son, Robbie. I make miniatures. Specifically, I like to deal with 1/12th scale furniture, and 1/24th scale barns and log cabins. I am lucky enough to have a shop in etsy, thanks to my wife for seeing it on CNN, and have been successful in selling a few of my creations to those who share my love of mini's. I am a member of a great team of talented artiasns, team MIDS (Miniatures in dollhouse scales). I am a huge fan of NASCAR, and have traveled accross the US and visited most of the tracks on its schedule. Besides mini making and racing, I LOVE to read. Stephen King is my favorite author, and I collect his work diligently. My "real" job is a structural steel fitter/welder for a leading fabricator in the US. At work, I build very large "erector set" types of things for skyscrapers, hospitals and the like, so I build things all the time whether they are huge at work, or tiny in my workshop. I just love to create!

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
I think my very first memory of being left handed and "different" from righty's was in kindergarten because I had to have a "special" pair of scissors, with bright green handles, which seemed to me to scream "He's different" whenever they were seen. This didn't upset me, it only made me think I was special.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Growing up, the only thing I had a problem with, (and still do, to a degree) is writing on a regular kind of spiral notebook, and using a pen whose ink smears, because my hand wipes it as I write. Even if I use pencil to write for a time, my left hand bears smudges on it before long, as it is always sliding over what was just written, so it's difficult for me to write anything without it being smeared a bit.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I think being left handed is a plus! We are out numbered and that makes me know we're special! I always say that we southpaws are "in our right mind" since people use the opposite sides of their brains to function, so when you get down to it, right-handed people are "left-brained" LOL!

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
My miniature work is not affected by my lefthandedness, and I do not think about it as I create stuff. I have learned to use my right hand, like with scissors, but naturally use my left without a thought. I never really thought it was a big deal, so I do not alter my creations one way or the other. The only thing I have to do is write things down slowly, so ink doesn't smear, like I said above.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
If I could start life over, I wouldn't change my lefthandedness. Being different creates challenges, and conquering them successfully is what life is all about. I'm the type of person who relishes a challenge, and doesn't want sympathy or special treatment because of being left handed. It's all mind over matter: If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
There are a lot of intelligent people in the world, but if there are more lefty's who are, I think it's because they think and act "in their right mind"

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
The list of lefties is interesting, but B.O., or new president, makes me cringe. I'd rather see Dale Earnhardt Jr. (the NASCAR driver) on that list than him.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
One thing the world needs to know about lefties is that we may be out numbered and discriminated against to certain degrees, but we are mostly strong willed and capable of overcoming challenges easier!

Ray, thanks for a great interview and for showing us your amazing work!

More interviews soon!!
~Lori

Why didn't I know this?

2009-04-08T09:45:00.001-04:00

Okay, this is cool. Now, I want to preface this by saying that I now understand why I suck at cards. What I don't understand is why no one in family every figured this out. I mean, seriously? This was the answer all along!

Watch this!

Lefty Artisan Interview #8-Joyousworld at Etsy

2009-04-07T13:29:00.000-04:00

Lefty Artisan Interview #8 is with Joyousworld at Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
Joyousworld.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:

My name is Joyce Schmaltz , I will be 50 yr old in May I've been married for 26 years. I have 2 kids a son 22 and daughter 19 . I am a native of Salem OR and am still living here. I make jewelry and have been off and on for about 30 years. I've been self employed working from my home for 20 years with my hubby. He's a contractor and I manage our business. When things slowed way down for us last Oct-Nov. after going to a craft show and talking to a few vendors I decided to try and sell on Etsy. and here I am about one month into it.... no sales yet.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?

My first memories of being a lefty was in first grade. The teacher briefly tried to get me change to right handedness,why I don't know but it didn't work and only made me feel like a freak.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
There weren't too many difficulties that I can remember. When I was younger I held my utensils,pen ,pencils, paint brushes.. every thing basically between my index and middle fingers. I eventually stopped doing that with everything, except I still write in that way. The one thing that is annoying is smearing ink on a page when I'm writing.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
Being a lefty is a plus definitely. I believe we are special. As I said in the earlier post. It has been documented, we are more creative in every way !

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?

I have lefty scissors, but other than that I don't have anything special.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Of course ! I love being a lefty, it adds to my uniqueness. When someone says " oh your left handed" I always say "yes aren't you?"

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
We are special and creative... I think it come with using the right side of our brains.

Wow David Cook is a lefty? I love him! All creative ,original people.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?

We are all basically the same.... just a little better.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate.

I am really excited to be a part of this blog. It seems to have taken an everyday thing ,often over looked and regarded as something of an oddity and elevated it to a special status. We lefty's all know that there is something special about us and by giving the way that we see the world some attention will create a positive bond for the many, many of us.

Joyce, thanks for a great interview and I'm totally with you on #6!

More lefties coming soon, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #7-PaperRoseDesigns at Etsy

2009-04-06T06:58:00.000-04:00

Morning all!! Here's interview #7--PaperRoseDesigns at Etsy!! My great aunt always swore that 7 was a lucky number!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
PaperRoseDesigns.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
I was born on the hottest day of the year in 1979…too far back? Okay.

My name is Erin, and my business name is Paper Rose Designs. I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but am moving to Laramie, Wyoming next month, which will be an interesting change of scenery. I’m an enamel artist: I kiln-fire glass onto copper using a variety of techniques—my favorite being cloisonné—based on my own one-of-a-kind paintings and illustrations. Mostly, these pieces become jewelry, but I’ve done some larger-scale panels, too. I also love to sew, embroider, bake, and make stationary. Current obsessions include: folk tales from around the world, medical history, tattoo art (always), and tiny things.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
The graphite smudges on my paper, as my left hand dragged over freshly-written words. Having to hold my calligraphy pen awkwardly to avoid turning my haikus into a Rorschach test. Using the special “left-handed” scissors (which were, as far as I could tell, no different than standard scissors). The stories about adults whose parents had tried to force them to write with their right hands.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
I don’t recall anything particularly trying about it. I made adaptations without noticing, until it was pointed out to me, that things like school desks certainly do favor the right-handed. I’m tempted to say that hearing those stories about kids whose parents didn’t want them to be left-handed was the most troubling thing, but I don’t know if I really interpreted that as anything other than an archaic practice. As an adult, I do find it very sad and utterly pointless.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I think that there are advantages to being left-handed: I’m fairly ambidextrous, which has no doubt come from living in a righty-centric world. Actually, I knit ambidextrously rather than flip my work.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have to adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Loading pieces into my kiln is trickier as a lefty. I need to hold my firing fork and enameled piece very steadily, so I use my left hand. But the kiln door swings out in a direction that favors our right-handed friends. So I have to do this awkward crossing-over of my arms as I load the kiln. It’s a dangerous moment, because the kiln is 1500 degrees Fahrenheit, and the powdered glass can move easily.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Yes! It fosters a fun sense of uniqueness and community—some people get excited when they see that I’m a lefty, too. It’s one more thing that I have in common with my husband. It also is indicative of my right-brained nature, which I wouldn’t change for the world.

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
Well, I wouldn’t say all the smart people. According to some studies of questionable validity, lefties are quicker thinkers, more independent, and more adaptable. Those are traits that can lend themselves to innovation, I think.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
In the interest of maintaining an apolitical stance, I will say “none of the above.”

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
It’s not that hard! Some well-meaning people marvel over what they think would be the difficulties (the computer mouse is noted frequently). If you’ve grown up with these things, it’s not a problem.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate.
It’s a great idea, and I am excited to be featured! I feel like a guest in a VIP party. It will be fun to see what members of our ilk have to say!

Why is it that interviewee #7 doesn't believe the validity of question #7?? LOL! Like I didn't research these questions for minutes and minutes and minutes!! Thank you, Erin. Great interview! Love the info on #5. I did not know that valuable information. That's good to know!!

More lefties to come! -- Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #6-NanjoDogz at Etsy

2009-04-05T18:42:00.000-04:00

And now, here's our 6th interview with a crafty lefty!! It's Nancy from nanjonogz on Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
nanjodogz.etsy.com

1_Biographical info:
NanjoDogz (Nancy)
Chicago, IL
I create polymer clay/mixed media sculptures, collectibles, jewelry and tiles revolving around animals most notably the dog.

2_What are your first memories of being left-handed?
Other than remembering like when people would see me using my left-hand they would go to my mother “oh, I didn’t know she was left-handed” like I’m some kind of oddity.

3_What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
I didn’t really have any problem with it other than like I said people commenting on it and making me feel like there was something a little bit odd about me, something just a bit different.

4_Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I really don’t find it to be a plus or a minus, the only thing that you have to watch out for is supplies, sometimes you need a left-handed scissors or something like that although even though I am left-handed I do seem to use my right hand for a lot of things too.

5_How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Well, like I stated above I really don’t use any special tools except for maybe a scissors I just need to have a scissors for lefties.

6_If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you
still want to be a lefty?
For scheezie -- lefties are very creative people and not only that way smarter ;)

7_Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
Why are all smart people left-handed -- why are lefties so creative? Who knows the answers to these questions, it just is -- as my nephew says it is what it is.

8_The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack
Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy
Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol
Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn
Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
I don’t think any of them would make me want to back out of the interview, maybe step aside for a few minutes.

9_ If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
Lefties rule! I’m not too sure it’s a big thing now, but when I was growing up lefties were made to feel different, like they should not be using the left hand, they should only use the right hand. I don’t think it makes a difference except being left or right-handed, but when I go out to eat I have to make sure where I sit because I don’t want to be bumping elbows with a rightie.

10_ How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured?
Totally thrilled -- it’s about time lefties get some recognition. We have always been made to feel like the odd man out, now it feels like an exclusive club where we can trade all of our lefty secrets and pearls of wisdom and talk about how awesome we truly are!

See how awesome it is to be in such an awesome little club that you were just born into and didn't even know? That's us lefties...dafty and crafty!

Killer content coming tomorrow--Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #5-Uneekdolldesigns at Etsy

2009-04-05T09:12:00.000-04:00

Our 5th Lefty Artisan Interview is with Debbie at Uneekdolldesigns at Etsy! Again, I'm so glad I unleashed this little enterprise because I'm discovering all of these new shops that I've never ever seen before! Look at her work; it's amazing!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
UneekDollDesigns.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
My name is Debbie Ritter and I reside in Fisher, Illinois. I am a mother of four teenagers and have been married to my husband for over 20 years. I make a lot of different types of art, but my specialty is character dolls made from wooden clothespins. (I can make a clothespin look like just about anybody!)

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
My earliest memory of being left handed is in first grade when learning to write. It seemed like I had to learn everything backwards!

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
Nothing seemed especially hard about being left handed to me, but I do remember the class laughing at how I made my number twos because I wrote them differently from others, and I also held my pencil differently so I got a lot of funny looks.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
I guess there is a plus in that I have heard that lefties tend to be more artistic, but whether that is true remains to be a subject of debate! As far as a minus, I will say that eating at a table next to a right handed person can cause some elbow bumping, and there are more products and situations geared towards the right handed than left handed people. But I haven't shed any tears over any trials of being left handed....

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
I really haven't noticed anything affecting my art work as far as being a leftie...but I do know that scissors can be a little bit of a problem sometimes because the ones I like to use are not always geared towards a lefty. Luckily, my art product really has no effect on whether a customer is a leftie, or right handed!

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Oh sure! I believe in being what you are meant to be and I don't mind being a left handed person at all. It's a part of who and what I am, and I would gladly be that way again!

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
I didn't know that, is that so? LOL! I don't know if I believe that one, because I have seen smart lefties and smart right handed people...and some pretty dumb ones in both categories too! I will say that I have read that lefties tend to be more artistic, and that we tend to use the right side of our brain. I always tell my husband that left handed people are the only ones in their "right" mind! But that's debateable too!

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
OOOh, I had better not say- I am using the smart side of my brain to plead the fifth on this one!

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
We are the same as anyone else, being a lefty doesn't make us different, really. (Except we may make our numbers and letters a different way! And make sure you don't sit on our left side at a dinner table...unless you like getting poked! :)

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate.
Well it brought tears of joy to my eyes... I mean,think of it- after a lifetime of receiving "left-handed" compliments, it is a proud honor to finally get our moment to shine and be recognized in spite of our handicap in a right handed world. Thank you so much! :)

Debbie, Thanks for a fabulous interview!! And Richard Simmons thanks you for not making him the sacrificial lamb YET AGAIN on #8, lol!!! Please visit Debbie's shop; you won't be sorry! You must pay a visit to Lucy at the Tropicana!

More lefties to come, Lori

Lefty Artisan Interview #4-fluffnflowers at Etsy!

2009-04-04T15:16:00.000-04:00

The funnest thing about this interviews is that I haven't seen about 50% of the shops waiting in my 60+ queue of favorite sellers at Lefthand Madens! If you are a left-handed crafter/artisan and want to be featured, please see the shop announcement there. All of the details are there. You may also comment in this forum thread. And this blog isn't limited to Etsy sellers, I have a thread going at ArtFire as well and will expand to other venues as I start catching up!

And now it's time for Lefty Artisan Interview #4, featuring Stacy from fluffnflowers at Etsy!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
fluffnflowers.etsy.com

1. Biographical info:
My name is Stacy, and I live in what's called the greater Atlanta metro area. My primary crafts are seedsaving and plant propogation, but I also dabble in resuscitating plastics (my fluffnfixings.etsy.com has all of that fun stuff) and knitting. I'm disabled, so my hands and brain must be busy when my body can't be.

2. What are your first memories of being left-handed?
The first time I remember being distinguished as a leftie was by my great grandmother when I was about three. I always had a very crafty nature, and I loved visiting my great grandmother. She was an amazing craftswoman, artist, artisan, and could dabble convincingly at almost everything she tried. She said she was going to teach me some fun, exciting project, but noticed that I was lefthanded at the lunch table and sent me out to collect eggs instead.

3. What was the hardest thing about growing up left-handed?
The hardest thing about growing up left handed has always been scissors. By the time I got to 4th grade, the school I was at had embraced left handedness and was proudly providing left-handed scissors to all of its leftie students. I have YET to meet a leftie who can use those things! My projects, unless I stole a pair of scissors from another classmate, always looked like I'd chewed them out rather than cut them out.

Second place would go to those terrible school desks that wrapped around on the right side. You practically have to stand on your head to work those.

4. Do you find being left-handed a plus or a minus? Explain.
Being left handed is definitely a plus! There's a strong familial left handed trend on my mother's side, so I always felt part of some secret society at family gatherings. Then, when I grew up and was let out of my cage occasionally, I found that that little secret society is actually a huge cult. If you meet a left handed person in public, you've always got something to talk about, even if that's all you have in common. Heck, I've had sign language conversations about being left handed with people who didn't speak the same language.

5. How does being left-handed affect your craft or artwork? Do you have to use special tools, different brushes, etc.? Do you have adjust your product for right or left-handed people?
Luckily, digging in the dirt is something that isn't particularly handed, but I did have one heartbreaking birthday because of it. I asked for this lovely, hand turned garden implement, and was gifted it by my very right handed father. He told me he'd gone to the shop, discussed my height with the creator so it was sized correctly, and made sure the grip was comfortable.

My right handed husband confirmed this comfortable grip and wonderful craftmanship, but I didn't have the heart to tell my dad. I was able to have the handle returned (and re-turned), but it was harrowing (pun intended) there for awhile.

I won't even go into knitting issues. I still can't knit properly using the left handed methods, and it's taken me years to morph right and left handed techniques into something that can actually be recognized as knitting.

6. If you could start your life over and choose your handedness, would you still want to be a lefty?
Of course! Why would I want to be anything other than sinister?

7. Why are all the smart people left-handed? Discuss.
My bet is lefties tend toward the smarter end of the spectrum because of effort and profanity. Right handed kids have their tools provided at birth and don't require any/much adaptation. They finish their homework quickly because they don't have to copy it twice (or more) to ensure its legibility, and they get to go out and play, watch TV, or whatever their recreational activity of choice happens to be.

The lefthanded kid learns to curse early and spends three hours copying the same piece of work over and over again, swearing like a sailor. By the time they have something that's not cramped, crooked, and covered with smudges and smears, they've read the material fifteen times and have it cemented in their brains. And there begins a lifetime of overachieving.

There's also the argument that left handed people are the only ones in their right minds, but I definitely think that expletives lead to increased cognitive abilities. Most kids don't start using those until high school when their parents all of a sudden are the worst people in the world.

8. The following people are left-handed: Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pablo Picasso, Jay Leno, Richard Simmons, Judy Garland, Paul McCartney, Michelangelo, Oprah Winfrey, Marie Curie, Carol Burnett, Ruth Buzzi, Goldie Hawn, Angelina Jolie, Cloris Leachman, Marilyn Monroe, David Cook. Which one of these people makes you most want to back out of this interview right now?
I'm afraid the winner is Oprah. I just can't get past her book club picks.

9. If you could make the world understand just one thing about life as a lefty, what would it be?
That putting the occasional doorknob on the left side is cruel and unusual. Using one left handed door screws me up for weeks and I end up holding my groceries and keys in the wrong hand. Just be kind and put them all on the left.

10. How thrilled are you to be featured in a blog where only other lefties will be featured? Please exaggerate.
I am totally STOKED to be on a left handed blog! All of my life I have craved justification and communion with my fellow southpaws, only to be denied time and time again by the right handed masses. This blog is a celebration of a subculture that's been long ignored and oppressed, and it's truly an honor to be with you all tonight. *sniff* Thank you, thank you, thank you, kind friends for your support.

~~~~~~~~~

Now boys & girls, THAT's how you celebrate being a Southpaw! And #9 is so straight up true...don't even go there with me! I have to go up some serious stairs with the groceries and the keys and keep a cat from darting out once I get the dang door open! I will bring you more of your peoples real soon!

--Lori