Get A Hobby...
ALEX DIET CIG FROM
WE’RE SUPER NOSY, HERE AT DORK. WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT BANDS FAVOURITE PANCAKE RECIPES ARE, WHAT THEY WATCH ON TV, WHAT THEY HAVE ON THEIR BEDSIDE TABLE, AND WHAT THEIR HOBBIES ARE. In the first of a new series, Diet Cig’s Alex Luciano tells us all about what she gets up to in her spare time. It’s crafting, FYI. But not sticking together loo rolls like you did when you were a kid (just us?), she’s taken it to a whole new level.
Are there any crafting techniques you’d like to try but haven’t yet? I’ve still never learned to knit or crochet, and I’d really love to learn. I think a lot of people learn when they’re kids and I just didn’t, so I’ve been a little intimidated by the idea. It’d be a perfect thing to take on tour though, so that’s definitely my next one!
Hey Alex! How did you get into crafting, then? I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember. My mom was always sewing and taught me how to use a sewing machine when I was young, so growing up we always made crafts and found fun ways to create together. I think one of our first projects was turning socks into little caterpillar stuffed animals!
You’ve previously sold some of your work for charity, haven’t you? Yes! I started making felt brooches and patches and pennant flags last January and sold them on Etsy with 100% of all money generated going towards different charities. I did it for five weeks and each week donated to a different charity (Planned Parenthood, The Trevor Project, RAINN, The Southern Poverty Law Center and The ACLU). It was a really fun way to raise funds for organizations that are doing important work, and we personally matched all the money that was raised for each one!
Did you find it tough to learn? In general, no, but some projects are harder than others. My weavings (pictured) are sort of difficult to set up, I had to take a class to learn. But some things like embroidery and sewing I always picked up pretty quickly.
Do you find crafting a social thing to do? I enjoy crafting with others, but honestly, it’s kind of my thing I get to do alone to like, decompress and chill out without having to be social. I like to throw on some trash TV and just work on my project.
Do you take crafting supplies with you when you’re on tour? When we first started touring, I used to take a whole milk crate full of every kind of supply I could think of, but as we toured more often, I realised that it was a little excessive. I’ve recently decided to just pack my favourite markers and stickers and keep it to that.
How would you recommend newcomers get into the hobby? Start following crafters on Instagram; it’s a great way to get excited and inspired to start. Also, it’s good to remember you don’t have to be perfect and it’s okay to just craft for fun.
What’s your favourite thing to make? Right now I love making frame weavings. They’re super fun and don’t require as much of a planned pattern as the embroidery I was doing. I can just weave different colours in any way, and it’s really calming and fun. They’re so beautiful when they’re done too; they look so lovely on my wall!
Anything else we should know? Speaking of crafters to follow, our friend Kelly Ryan is an embroidery artist (she made our album art!) and she inspires me to keep crafting all the time! You should follow her on Instagram at @kellryan for some serious inspo. P Diet Cig’s album ‘Swear I’m Good At This’ is out now.
THIS IS HAPPENING THE LATEST NEWS. ISH.
G ET M O RE AS I T H A P P E N S AT RE A D D O RK .C O M .
KATE NASH HAS ANNOUNCED A BRAND NEW ALBUM
Kate Nash is back! Titled ‘Yesterday Was Forever’, her new full-length is set to arrive on 30th March. “’Yesterday Was Forever’ is an excerpt from a teenage diary,” she explains. “I used to be mocked for being a silly little girl writing in her teenage diary, but these days I feel like the teenage girl is far more respected than she used to be and it’s teenage girls that have fought for that and taught people that lesson.” Check out new track ‘Drink About You’ on readdork.com now.