Welcome to another edition of 10 Crafty Questions, our fun and refreshingly personal interview series here on CraftBoom! This series is a little different from our Crafting Heroes Interviews — it’s more informal, more insightful, and a bit more fun. Each guest answers five of our questions, then turns the tables and poses five more to themselves.
To kick it off, we’re thrilled to spotlight a true pioneer of modern craft blogging: Kathreen Ricketson, the brilliant founder of Whipup. Kathreen was a beloved voice in the craft community, known for her fearless creativity, support of indie makers, and generous storytelling.
Let’s dive into this timeless interview full of inspiration, laughter, and love for handmade living.
CraftBoom’s 5 Questions for Kathreen
1. If you could be any artist or crafter (past or present) for a day, who would it be and why?
Honestly, I’m pretty happy being myself! That said, I admire women who beautifully balance motherhood and creative work. Two come to mind:
- Amanda Soule of SouleMama.blog — Her gentle, grounded approach to motherhood and creativity is deeply inspiring. I loved her blog and her recent book.
- Del Kathryn Barton — An Australian artist whose Archibald-winning painting, “You Are What Is Most Beautiful About Me”, moved me. Her soft sculpture work recently took my breath away at the Melbourne Art Fair.
“I like to keep it rough because it gives a quality of vulnerability and honesty.” – Del Kathryn Barton
2. If you had magic powers, what three things would you do to advance the crafting movement?
If I truly had magical powers, I’d stop wars and save forests and whales first! But for crafting?
- I’d amplify the power of the internet as the ultimate crafting connector.
- I’d create platforms that make it easier for makers to thrive sustainably.
- And maybe magically increase everyone’s creative time each day!
Crafting has momentum — maybe the internet is the magic.
3. What are your strongest craft skills, and what would you love to learn more about?
I’m obsessed with sewing — quilts, clothes, bags, baby pants, gifts for friends… I love it all.
I also dabble in bookbinding and fabric dyeing, but my heart belongs to fabric. I’d love to get into fabric design, though it’s still a vague dream.
4. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My children, without a doubt. They are my heart.
And finishing my postgraduate studies with top marks while raising two little ones — that felt like climbing Everest.
Also, building Whipup and connecting with the global craft community through blogging has been a deeply fulfilling part of my life.
5. Besides family, home, and health, what’s your most treasured possession?
Photos. I cherish the countless images of my kids growing up.
And a piece of handmade lace from my grandmother’s estate — it reminds me of the legacy of craft passed down through generations.
CraftBoom’s 5 Questions for Kathreen
6. What was your first crafting disaster... and success?
Disaster? My high school dance dress — dark green taffeta, shoulder-slipping disaster. Total frump-fest (thanks, 80s fashion).
Success? A pair of pants I made for my son. Two years later, still wearing them. Comfortable, stylish, and made with love.
7. What crafting experience would you never repeat?
Selling at a weekly market. After a year of early Sundays and burned-out weekends, I was done. If Etsy had been around then, life would’ve been easier!
8. What skills do you want to pass on to your kids — and which do you feel you missed out on?
I want to teach them to cook and sew well, to value the handmade, and to enjoy making just as much as using.
Our Sundays are now spent baking bread, gardening, and creating — not rushing around like the rest of the week.
9. Favorite snack and music while crafting?
Banana on buttered toast with a hot cup of tea — not great while crafting, but perfect for a thoughtful break.
I love old jazz, musicals, and what my husband calls “wailing music.” It calms my soul and fuels my creative flow.
10. What do you want more of — and less of — in your life?
More space — I gave up my sewing room so the kids could each have their own. But we’re renovating, so soon I’ll have a compact and organized creative space again!
Less stuff — I constantly declutter, donate, and strive for a simpler, more intentional life.
Thank you, Kathreen, for sharing your soul, struggles, and successes. You’ve inspired so many through Whipup and your creative journey. We’re honored to have featured your voice in our series.
Readers, we hope this interview brought you insight, laughter, and a spark of creativity.
More interviews in the 10 Crafty Questions series are on the way — stay tuned!