Welcome to a new series of interviews that GetDailyDeviations administrators will be publishing on a regular basis. We hope these interviews will help you discover new artists, learn about new art mediums, find answers to some of your questions, and become more engaged within the community! If you'd like to suggest an artist to be interviewed or if you have questions about specific art mediums you'd like us to include in interviews, please send us a note, thank you! We hope you enjoy! 
In a few words or more, tell us a bit about yourself
"I'm the MasterPlanner , purveyor of plushies, fangirl, and forum regular and raconteur!"
When was it that you first started getting involved in your medium and why (or what) made you want to work with it?
"I have crocheted things since I was a small child -- I taught myself out of a book -- and started up again because I was bored to fucking death during a hospital stay. I found the process quite soothing; it gave me something to do and took my mind off my illness.
As for my choice of medium, I perpetually find it extremely fascinating that you can make almost anything with nothing but a bit of string and a stick with a hook on the end."
As an artisan crafts artist, what is your process and do you have select themes you enjoy creating?
"When not working on a commissioned project, I usually crochet whatever takes my fancy at the time. I see something and think "yeah this would look neat or be a nice challenge to crochet."
Every project starts out with a sketch on graph paper, in which I really get a feel for the different shapes and forms I'll need to make and how to put them together. Then I go to different craft stores and websites to buy just the right yarn and supplies before I go through the long process of crocheting it."
How long would you say one of your plushies would take to make and which type of creation takes the longest and shortest time?
"Since I have written basic patterns and charts for the projects I am asked to make most often, I have been able to reduce the time needed to make a mini-plushie to about one week, depending on the size and complexity of the project or character. Obviously things like garments or large plushies take more time; I spent a month working on a two foot tall Discord."
What tools do you use to make your creations and how often do you start projects?
"Clover brand ergonomic crochet hooks. Caron Simply Soft acrylic yarns. Knitpicks cotton and wool yarns.
I start projects often. Sometimes that's a problem. "
What about being an artisan crafts artist is the most struggling?
"Lack of inspiration, getting a stitch wrong and having to undo it, the fact that yarn is expensive as fuck. My rule of thumb is that no matter the project, it will always take more yarn and more time than I initially estimate it will."
Have you received any DD's for your work? and if so how did you feel about receiving the feature(s)?
"I have three Daily Deviations.
The first time my work was selected, I didn't believe the people who were congratulating me and accused them of trying to troll me. I'm still shocked whenever I'm selected for the feature."
What advice would you give beginner artisan craft artists?
"Find a medium or a subject you enjoy; you will need that to keep from giving up during the inevitable years of practicing and perfecting your craft. Don't expect to become a master immediately."
What do you usually do outside of DeviantArt? (besides being an artist
) "I go on Netflix binges, lift weights, draw, read, and attempt to acquire that elusive thing called "a social life."
Are you involved in the artisan crafts community here on dA? and if so how do you like the community?
"Besides moderating a few groups, I tend to stick to the forums and posting my work; otherwise the Internet would take up so much time I'd have none to actually make artwork
How active would you say the artisan crafts community is currently?
"Judging by the number of submissions I get to my artisan crafts group, it seems like the artisan crafts are thriving well on DeviantArt. Of course, we tend to take a back seat to the anime artists and photographers, though I chalk it up to the higher amount of time that goes into an artisan piece as opposed to a simple digital drawing."
As we know, DeviantArt has undergone many changes in the last couple years; how do you feel about these changes?
"Honestly, change and advancement are both welcome and expected on the Internet as sites adapt and continually find ways to be cleaner, more efficient, and offer more features. Change with the times or fall to the wayside."
What are some changes you personally would like to see on the site?
"I'd love to be able to search my favorites section by keyword. Hiring more help desk staff to deal with stolen art and technical difficulties would be nice, too."
Are you in any groups? if so which ones are your favorites?
"I moderate HandmadeWonderland and help moderate dAKnitters.
I am a total group whore and contribute to more groups than I could list here. And all of them are my favorites -- expect the dead ones, of course"
If you could go back in time where would you go and what would you do?
"I assume this going back in time business would involve a police box and a dashing Scotsman with attack eyebrows?
If you had the choice to spend the whole day with a specific artist who would it be and why? (dead or alive)
"Leonardo da Vinci would be the obvious choice, I suppose. Along with the painting, he was an engineer who designed warships and flying machines!"
Do you have a favorite quote?
"It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul."
-- William Ernest Henley, "Invictus"
Thank you so much MasterPlanner for this interview! in conclusion, would you like to add anything else?
"Thanks so much for the chance to be interviewed! It was an honor and a pleasure."
