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getcrafty interviews Clare Crespo, craft fanatic and crocheted food sculptor

Clare Crespo is a lady with an exhausting record of crafty accomplishments. For starters, she's written a fantastic cookbook, made two experimental animated films that have been bought by the Los Angeles Library system, and to top it off, she has shown her insane desserts and crocheted food sculpture at George's Gallery in Los Angeles. In order to foot the bill for all this crafting mania, Clare has worked as a music video and commercial producer. She is also in a Diorama Club, a Book Club, a Knitting Bee and a Supper Club. Next stop, developing her own children's show.

Clare spoke to getcrafty from her home in Silverlake, CA.

getcrafty: What are you up to these days?

Right now my craft du jour is crocheted sushi plates and hamburgers with fries. I was crocheting mittens last year, but realized that I didn't need them in LA, so I switched to something I really need - crocheted food! I think it is super child-like and funny and worldly. This is part of this five year-old aesthetic that I'm onto right now. I also do tons of crafty visual cooking (but that's not a phase). I wrote, published and designed a cookbook a couple of years ago called "Occasional Baking: A Guide to Really Fun Desserts."

getcrafty: Why do you make things?

Clare: Because I have to. It makes me feel productive. When I was little my mom told me: "Only boring people get bored," and I totally blame my obsessive crafting spirit on that phrase! My mom and dad were both painters when I was little - so I always had supplies around. I have always made stuff, even if it's just sticking google eyes on something just to make me laugh.

getcrafty: How does being crafty enhance your life?

Clare: When I'm bummed or frustrated or confused or any other crummy mindset, making or baking something is so good for me. It totally puts things in a good perspective for me. I love all holidays (except for Thanksgiving) and I go all out for them. I love birthdays and events and milestones and seasons - all require celebrating.

getcrafty: What is the craftiest thing you've ever done?

Clare: Recently, I had an art show of desserts at George's Gallery in LA. It was super funny because I took it so seriously. It sort of summed up my theory about art - which is basically a criticism of pretense. Blah, blah, blah. Anyway, I made really crazy dessert "sculptures" - all on podiums with cards that had titles, dates, mediums and prices. Everything was lit really nicely. I got a huge kick out of it. People were coming up to me saying: "Congrats on your show." "I really enjoyed your work" and stuff like that. I sold almost everything.

getcrafty: What do you do on the weekends?

I bake something crazy.
Walk the dog.
Refuse to work.
Frequent the 7-11 a lot to check out new candy and cheap toys.

getcrafty: What do you eat for breakfast?

Clare: I usually eat a cookie and drink enough coffee to make my eyes turn into little spirals.

getcrafty: You went to Cal Arts to study animation. Do you see your cakes and sushi as an extension of your work there?

Clare: Definitely. I studied painting in my undergraduate work, but found that too limiting. I wanted my paintings to move so I went to grad school to learn how to animate. Then I wanted my weird ideas to be 3-D, so I stated going off with desserts. Now I want them to last, so I am crocheting. Seems natural, right?






You can order Clare's Cookbook: "Occasional Baking, A Guide to Really Fun Desserts" by sending a check for $12 made out to Clare Crespo to:

Occasional Baking
C/O Clare Crespo
PO Box 29123
LA, CA 90029-0123

 

Visit Clare's great new site at www.yummyfun.com.
 
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