About

I am 50 years old, married and mother to 3 wonderfully talented teenagers. While in second grade I decided I will grow up to be a biologist, and when I first heard about genetics, in 8th grade, I knew that it will be my profession. After 5 years at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, a professional reorientation course in computer programming and 5 years as a garden-variety software engineer, I became a bioinformatician.

Finally! Barely in my 30-ies and I’ve already achieved my life-long goal! So why did I quickly found myself displeased with any professional accolades? and disgruntled by promotions? and unhappy with all my colleagues?

I stopped. I considered. I realized that for nearly 35 years I was working hard to fulfill 7year old Irina’s dream! So what was 40 years old Irina’s dream?

I still care about nature, and I still consider that my calling is to make life better for anyone who meets me.

I also realized that my one constant solution over the years was to make my own things, in my own way, expressing my own taste and sense of beauty.

And this is why I created RedCat, this is what it offers:

a way to maintain high brain function by creating little comforts around you
a way to keep young and stress-free by detaching from daily worries and strife
a way to feel successful and useful by expressing your creativity and artistic vision

I offer craft classes and kits in the hope that more and more people of all genders and ages will fall in love with the old arts and will rediscover their pride in the products of their own creation.

In my repertoire there are 15 crafts, representing countries and peoples all over the world, on all continents. They were all carefully chosen to serve the “available to all” creed by using inexpensive and even free materials, and by using tools already found in all households. And in order to keep with the “smart consumerism” creed, the crafts are taught through projects that are useful around the house or through personal accessories, e.g.: bookmarks, key fobs, trivets, wishing cards, bowls and more.

The 15 crafts offered are: glass etching, temari, paper quilling, saltdough, loom weaving (using small, desktop looms), origami (including kirigami), knitting, crocheting, macrame, cross stitch, decoupage, saltdough, beaded animals, paper straw and mandala building (not just coloring).

Doubting that crafts are for you? Both classes and kits are meant for kids of all ages - from 10 to 110; of all genders – men, women and all others; and of all levels of experience – from beginners, to weekend crafters, to experienced artists. Looking for a reason to craft? Here are a few we cater for: birthday parties for all ages, engagement parties, bat-mitzvas, enrolling parties, wedding anniversaries, employees joining or leaving and many more.

Wondering why to order from me? Here are some of the things I realized from listening to my customers:

I have the patience to instruct anyone to reach their inner artist using the best matching craft
I can explain and instruct anyone to find and apply their creativity
I understand that everyone has fears and beliefs that may hold them back, and I have the knowledge and the ways to show anyone that with a little perseverance everyone can do it!

So, I invite you all to take a tour around the site, see what classes and kits there are, which crafts I instruct, read the articles about the importance of crafting and even try your hand at some of the free projects offered!!!