We recently connected with Rayna Noel and have shared our conversation below.

Rayna, appreciate you joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

Life has taken quite a few twists and turns and I would never expected to have landed where I am careerwise. After high school I pursued a career in science and graduated with a BS in Geology and Planetary Science with a minor in Biology and an AS in Veterinary Technology. My creative career began after I had my first child. I wanted to make mom friends so I went to a mom’s group at a church. I met two other women who had kids the same age as mine and they were planning a play date based around fiber crafting. I was recently teaching myself to knit and decided to pick up crochet again in order to join the play date group. That was 14 years ago.

After being a stay at home mom for 13 years, once the kids were all in school, I decided to rejoin the workforce part time as a barista/coffee shop manager part-time. This allowed me to continue to hone my craft as I was able to make things in my down time. By this time I had my own small business called Simple Stitch by Rayna where I made custom knit and crochet items. While working at the coffee shop I learned of the ACRE program and had been accepted to join their cohort in 2024. This helped me to set a focus and make things I enjoyed and wanted to make, finding my people rather than making things for people. I created a custom line of cryptids and creatures which opened some vending opportunities at local vendor shows and festivals. I am also a teaching artist and have taught knitting, crochet, and needle felting classes.

Once I had an established business and more knowledge of what I wanted to do under my belt I wanted to focus more on creating art and changed my business name to Fibra Obscura where I make cryptids, creatures, insects, and anatomical body parts. Another opportunity came along in that time and I became the Assistant Director of Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center where I have discovered many more chances to further my art career like being accepted into the Allied Artists of Johnstown.

Thinking back, I wonder sometimes what it would have been like to have pursued a creative career earlier and what I would have chosen as my craft if I would have gone to a secondary school. If I had more time to pursue fiber arts, what would I have done differently? I very much enjoy creating fiber art sculptures and if I had more experience would I have taken it further? I would like to think I would have more confidence as an artist and be more sure of my art.

I do enjoy my current career and artistic pursuits and I am excited for what the future holds and hope to continue to make the weird little things that make my heart happy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

There was a point in my business planning where I was kind of stuck as far as what I wanted to be my brand, or what I wanted to make. There were so many other makers making the popular thing that I wanted to set myself apart and make art so I made the decision to write my own crochet patterns. My first line was a series of 16 cryptids and creatures. I made some of the more well known cryptids such as bigfoot and mothman and then I delved a little deeper into the cryptid world making the mongolian death worm and the dover demon. This opened the doors to the cryptid and creepy things community and I found what I like to call my people meaning they are interested in similar things and more willing to purchase the specific things I make.

Having a background in life science and a love for human anatomy I started needle felting anatomical human body parts and insects and became an exhibiting artist. As a resident folk artist, I have several crochet cryptids in a permanent exhibit at Bottle Works and have been part of several group exhibits in Johnstown, Greensburg, and Pittsburgh in the 2024.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There are always going to be those who don’t get what you do but those who do make it all worth while. Seeing how excited people get when they do get it and they like what I do makes it worth it. I have received dismissive comments like, “you’re making eyeballs again?” and then in the same day I have someone else tell me how creepy the piece is and how much they love it. It is easy to get discouraged if you make things based on other people’s opinions so do what makes you happy and focus your energy on those who enjoy your work.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best thing you can do to help and support creatives is to share the work you like on social media and with family and friends, celebrate their small victories with them, and go to the artist’s events. Buying art can be expensive but being there and building them up is free.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @fibra_obscura
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FibraObscura

Image Credits

Professional photos done by BridgePerspective, LLC