Artist Spotlight: Vanessa O’Rourke

Each month, we highlight one of the talented artists in our reuse community. This month, it’s the fiber artist after all of our crocheting and knitting hearts, Vanessa O’Rourke of Stitchin’ Spoonie!

Vanessa creates the most incredible accessories and clothing. In fact, her Reuse on the Runway crochet rainbow gown caused quite the sensation last fall and again recently on the internet! Read below to learn more about what inspires her colorful creations and why she chooses to reuse.

1. When did you start crocheting? 

I first learned how to knit in high school in a school play. I was playing an elderly woman and one of my fellow cast mates taught me how to knit using pencils and yarn backstage! Over the years I picked up crochet on my own and have loved going back and forth between stitching styles.

2. Which aspect of creating is your favorite?

I think I love being surprised by a finished project. I don’t know how to read or follow patterns, everything I make sort of intuitively comes out on its own so I never really know how it’s going to turn out!

3. Where do you get your inspiration?

I actually wake up in the middle of the night with ideas! I’ll be fast asleep and suddenly the design to bring something to life will literally just pop up in my head.

4. What is your preferred way to engage with your audience?

I have gravitated towards Instagram for the most part, but I’ve really enjoyed sharing my pieces at markets as well as in the fashion show at ACR last fall.

5. How does reuse play a part in your creativity?

I work entirely with secondhand yarn, so truly everything I create is reused materials.

6. What compels you to donate to ACR?

I absolutely love the community, the mission and the environment. It’s my one stop shop for yarn and I love finding bits of magic that I wasn’t expecting while I’m there. Donating is a way to give that same experience to other makers.

7. Do you have a favorite ACR find? How did you use it?

Is it crazy to say everything?! I’ve never scooped up a yarn there that I didn’t fall in love with. However, making aside, I did find a kitchen side compost bin last year that I obviously love!

8. Where can we find out more about your work?

Currently I’m just on Instagram under @stitchin_spoonie, but there might be a website in the near future ;)