Meet Tania Banegas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tania Banegas.

Hi Tania, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
CocoKnots Studio started as a combination of a lot of terrible things that happened in my life years ago. Both my adoptive and biological fathers passed away suddenly, I was working a job full of awful people, I was grieving and felt very depressed, but had an urge to fill the void. One day, I was talking to a friend about creating art, but not photography or painting because I thought that market is very saturated, so I started experimenting with fiber art. I started creating small pieces with yarn, then learned macrame and now I make a combination of the two. Fiber art has become my therapy. It soothes my anxiety and teaches me the art of patience. I see it now as a form of self-care.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Self-doubt has always been a struggle for me since I don’t have formal training in art and I have never been a crafty person. I literally pour my heart out in each of my pieces, I overcome self-doubt by simply taking breaks. I also overcome self-doubt by accepting the fact that not everyone will love everything I make, but as long as I love it, it’s okay because the right client will eventually come along. I have the privilege to have this amazing form or self-expression and I am grateful for that.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in handcrafted fiber art tapestries. I am most proud of the fact that I have been able to make fiber art in a variety of sizes and that when my clients look at my pieces in person, they love them even more. What sets me apart from others is that I am not just a macrame artist, I make contemporary fiber art pieces that are one of a kind.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
The stuff I listen to has nothing to do with fiber art, but it helps me stay informed and focused. My favorite podcasts to listen to while I make my pieces are: Radio Ambulante, RadioLab, Throughline, Criminal and Ear Hustle (among many others, but those are my top ones). I love reading, but I find audiobooks convenient since I can work on my pieces like I listen. Most recently, I enjoyed listening to Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle Mcnamara.

Contact Info:

• Email: cocoknots7@gmail.com
• Website: Cocoknotsstudio.etsy.com
• Instagram: Cocoknots