Featured Artist - Senida Sandoval

Senida's creative path began early. Her grandmother introduced her to a toy loom at age 5 or 6, and by 7, she was making countless friendship bracelets. Her love for crochet blossomed at 19, after her stepmom taught her basic stitches. She became self-taught, learning from books and images, which fueled her creativity and led her to learn to read written patterns. New patterns and yarn continue to inspire her, and she particularly enjoys making blankets for loved ones. Currently, she's exploring mosaic and Tunisian crochet, as well as garment making.

Her creative process is often spontaneous, with materials igniting new ideas. She sees a blank canvas and improvises in the moment without extensive planning. Senida values the portability of crochet, often working in various locations like her car, the movie theater, or restaurants.

A significant turning point for Senida was discovering Furls crochet hooks, which allowed her to continue crocheting without pain or numbness after developing Carpal Tunnel. She highly recommends them to others. She also keeps a journal to record pattern alterations, hooks, and yarn used for her projects.

While she can crochet in silence, Senida prefers background noise to help her relax and find a rhythm. Older TV shows are a favorite as she knows the plots, allowing her to concentrate on her work. When listening to music, she often chooses '90s R&B.

Senida finds that creativity helps her relax and quiet her mind, resulting in beautiful or useful creations. She is always seeking new ways to express herself creatively.

Her advice to others is to join classes or guilds and surround yourself with other creative individuals. If you're not finding joy in your current creative pursuit, explore other outlets. If you feel stuck, take a break; don't force yourself to continue. Stepping away can lead to renewed inspiration. Most importantly, she advises against comparing your progress to others, emphasizing that creativity is a personal journey toward happiness, joy, and relaxation.

Senida is always happy to help others learn. You can see more of her creations and follow her progress on Instagram @CHARMEDONE83.