Customer Spotlight: Carole Bournias
Welcome to the very first Created by Elsie B customer spotlight! Today we are thrilled to be featuring Carole Bournias, a long-time member and contributor to the Elsie B community. She regularly shares her spins and participates in challenges and SALs in our Facebook group. We feel like our entire community benefits from her cheerfulness and wisdom, and we hope you enjoy getting to know Carole as much as we have!
How long have you been a fiber artist? How did you get started?
I’ve been knitting, crocheting and sewing from when I was a young girl, thanks to a crafty mom and older sisters! I started spinning in the early 1990s while I was working for a lady who ran a cottage industry in the fiber field. She took me to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, and the rest is history!
What inspires you?
The beautiful color combos in braids make me want to buy everything!
What is your favorite Elsie B fiber of all time?
Definitely the Merino/rose blend that I got from you a year or so ago when you had the spinning challenge with the Carnations & Daisies colorway. (I think that’s what it was called?) I remember it being an effortless spin that draped beautifully!
Do you have other hobbies/interests?
Nothing out of the ordinary. I like to bowl, try new recipes and garden.
[Side note from LeAndra - you know I love random trivia & I completely went down a 'the history of bowling' rabbit hole as a result of this answer.]
Do you have a favorite fiber type to work with and why?
I love how Polwarth puffs up when setting the twist! I’ve learned to spin it a bit finer than I normally would so that it ends up what I want it to be.
Tell us about a project that stands out to you and made you particularly proud.
My favorite project was a sweater I made with two coordinating Elsie B braids. I wore that sweater a lot this winter and got a lot of compliments!
(Carole is modeling this sweater made with Burgundy Dahlia and Mulberry in her intro photo. Isn't she stunning?)
What is your favorite part of the craft?
I just like to make stuff! I guess the best part for me is the surprise of how the plied yarn looks compared to the braid.
(Carole shared these gorgeous socks featuring Maui Sunset, and we agree that seeing the finished product is always so satisfying!)
What do you wish you would have known when you were a beginner to fiber crafting?
When I started spinning there was no Internet, and I didn’t know many crafty people. When I went to help vend at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, I was just FLOORED that there was a whole world of fiber artists out there, all in one spot! I thought, "Wow! These are my people!"
The fiber community would not be the same without the many kind, positive and beautiful souls that share their passion with us all. We are honored to know each and every one of you and would like to specifically thank Carole for taking the time to make Elsie B a brighter place for us all!
We want to feature you as our customer spotlight! Come join in the fun and share your fiber journey with the Created by Elsie B family!
Comments
Carole you look so beautiful in your sweater! We are so proud of all your hand work in your gorgeous knit products! Congratulations and hope this is the start for your new career!❤️