Products from Vikings for Vikings have already set sail and will continue to sail in our Viking Store. Initially, hammocks from Viking Konrad landed there. Now it's time for Viking goods from ViQueen Kasia from Pracownia ino-ino. What kind of horned items has our crewmate prepared 🤔?
From Our Own for Our Own
In line with the #DlaSwoichWszystko (Everything for Our Own) principle, we gathered submissions from Creative Vikings, members of our community with an artistic flair who run interesting, manufacturing businesses. In September, the first installment of the collection ⚒ of handicrafts from Vikings for Vikings appeared in the Viking Store. And in it, the indestructible hammocks from Viking Konrad. Now, fanny packs and pillowcases from ViQueen Kasia have arrived.
Tailored for Every Viking
You won't find another like them. The fanny packs are made from upcycled, sturdy upholstery fabrics. The pillowcases are sewn from thick cotton fabric. Simply a dream 🌈!
The best answers are found at the source, so we asked Kasia to tell us about herself, her passion, and her crafts. If you have a moment, drop anchor here ⚓. A sea of inspiration awaits you.
1. How did your adventure with handicrafts begin?
I've been sewing... for as long as I can remember.
I've been using a sewing machine since early elementary school, so around 6-7 years old. My restless spirit usually found solace in keeping my hands busy, so my mom and grandmothers taught me to embroider, crochet, and knit. My first knitted creations date back to my preschool years. Then I discovered sewing. I was allowed to use a beautiful old Veritas machine that stood in my grandparents' basement. After a few pointers, I was on my own. I learned by sewing doll clothes. That vintage machine is now in my apartment and still works 🙂.
I discovered more tailoring secrets through books and magazines, until one day I came across a photo of a patchwork quilted bedspread. I decided I had to learn this art. Many years passed. "Along the way," my husband and friends gave me an electric sewing machine. It was on that machine that I sewed my first patchworks.
Life went on, children grew up, I worked in a completely different industry and... I dreamed of a workshop. I sewed at night, learned new things, and developed my passion. Then I hit a life turn – group layoffs at the company where I worked.
And I decided that since fate was forcing me to change, I would try to materialize my dream. I turned my hobby into a profession and launched Pracownia ino-ino in early 2014.
2. What else do you do on a daily basis? Where do you live? What do you like to do in your free time?
On a daily basis, I am the helm, the sailor, and the ship at Pracownia ino-ino, and privately, the wife of Sebastian and mother of three children – two grown sons and a daughter under six. So I don't lack for things to do. I live in Zielona Góra, where I was born. I love this place on earth.
In my free time... well, you won't guess 🙂 – I most often sew. Because work is work, but sewing is still my hobby. Very often, I sew something completely different than my "professional" work. Together with a friend, on our so-called sewing Wednesdays, we work together for others – we sew items that we donate to local community organizers for charity events. These joint evenings are our antidote to daily worries.
Well, I simply organize my thoughts at the sewing machine, relax, calm down, and express myself creatively.
3. Where do you find inspiration?
Most often, fabrics themselves inspire me. Recycling and zero-waste principles are close to my heart, so I try to give materials a second life. I alter, repair, and use so-called unwanted fabrics in my work, such as production leftovers from sewing factories, upholstery fabric samples, and many others.
When a fabric comes to my studio – I take it in my hands, look at it, stroke it, and... I brainstorm what to sew from it. It might sound absurd, but sometimes I feel like the fabric itself "tells" me what to do with it and how.
I love sewing patchwork the most. To conjure bedspreads, pillows, and pictures from small pieces of fabric. However, life has shown that all sorts of things can be created in the studio: bags, fanny packs, drawstring backpacks, cuddly toys, toiletry bags, pencil cases, scout pennants and scarves, and other accessories.
Another inexhaustible source of inspiration is the clients themselves. They come to me with "strange" ideas, with questions like "can it be done," with their own vision. My job is to materialize these visions, to help them come into being.
Therefore, I carry out special projects – and although they are sometimes really difficult, I really enjoy such unique orders. That's when I say I'm sewing my clients' dreams.
ViQueen Kasia
In short, if something can be sewn from fabric, I will most likely do it.
4. Why did you join the Creative Vikings project?
The Vikings found me 🙂. I received an email with information about the project. Initially, I thought the message was spam or a joke... but then the phone rang too.
We discussed ideas, I prepared an offer, and the Vikings liked my proposals.
5. What products have you prepared for the Viking community?
I've prepared two series of "horned products" for the Vikings 🙂.
Firstly: hip bags, or so-called FANNY PACKS. These are the perfect solution for Vikings who are constantly on the move, busy exploring life and pursuing their dreams. Thanks to the comfortable and spacious fanny packs, a Viking can always have essential equipment with them, while remaining free and unhindered.
In line with my studio's mission, the fanny packs are made from materials saved from being thrown away – these are upholstery fabrics that are leftovers from large productions, as well as recycled cotton linings. So this is not mass production, but a small collection where no two fanny packs are identical.
All the bags are marked with an embroidery design prepared especially for this series. It's a Viking's horned helmet, thanks to which the Viking brotherhood can recognize each other from afar 🙂.
Secondly: PILLOWCASES. WITH HORNS – of course! After all, they are for the truest Vikings.
Pillowcases that will allow Vikings, tired from exploring the world, to sink softly onto the sofa or drift into sleep. Because even the most resilient conquerors should rest eventually.
6. And how is your voyage on the Viking ship?
I've been on board the Vikings since September 2018. After experiences with another operator, I was looking for a simple, inexpensive, and easy-to-use offer.
7. Which specific offer stole your heart and why?
It's the Perfekt Match – ideal for my needs. Great possibilities, sufficient range of services, and at a low cost. Just right for my small studio!
8. Who is a modern Viking to you?
A Viking is an explorer. That's my first association.
It's someone who isn't afraid to search, to go into the unknown... Someone who follows change if necessary. They don't stay behind. They search for themselves, they fulfill their dreams. It's also someone who thinks about others. They feel a connection. They help.
9. Share some kind words from yourself to the Vikings.
Follow the voice of your heart, fulfill your dreams. It's important.
ViQueen Kasia
And remember, to make the world a better place, you don't need great, heroic deeds – small, everyday matters handled properly are enough. Be brave!
Dock at ViQueen Kasia's Store
The premiere of Kasia's unique creations is behind us! If you want to see more handicrafts from our ViQueen's needle, visit her store – Pracownia ino-ino. A wide selection awaits!
And in our Viking Store, in the Creative Vikings category, you'll find a discount code for Kasia's store. For Vikings only – naturally ⚡.
