Publisher’s Notes: One of the most wonderful aspects of interacting with students through our online courses at Fibergoodness.com is meeting new people from all over the globe who are kindred spirits. I love welcoming new fiber artist friends into my life! Over the past 18 months, I have had the pleasure to get to know Lise Condis of Tre Liz, a new friend with incredible drive and talent who lives in Greece. Lise does it all…dyes, spins, knits and creates lovely finished pieces and now she has a podcast too. I am confident that you will enjoy getting to know Liz better as I did.
Spin Artiste (SA): Have you always been an artist? What made you turn your attention to fiber?
Lise Condis (LC): From a very young age I always wanted to be two things: a vet or a painter. I ended up being an Optometrist that had also passed the Beaux Arts examination entrance but never applied because I never saw painting as a profession.
My fiber addiction was a bit like a rendez-vous with destiny… Three years ago, I was bored at home and wanted to learn something new, so a friend of mine asked her mom if she would teach us how to knit. Two months later, I had a head injury and was for a long time not able to focus to knit, so I was mostly reading and surfing the internet. One day, I stumbled on a blog and it was talking about dyeing yarn… and BOOM! I had to try it! After some research and purchases on the internet,, I was dyeing like crazy, and experimenting with several techniques. After a few weeks, I found out that you can spin wool, with a spindle or a wheel… and BOOM! I had to try it! I went in the center of Athens (Greece) and started questioning about spinning, spindles, wheels, nothing was to be found! So I purchased a drop-spindle and some wool from the internet and I loved it. But it was going very slow for me, so after 2 months, I saved the amount needed and purchased my first spinning wheel: a Kromski Fantasia. We immediately connected and I was able to spin my heart out. So it took me 7 months to go from knitting, to dyeing and spinning, which are my passion and excitement. The combination of color and texture is very inspiring to me, and my scientific side is kindled by the chemistry and structure of things, even though I am not the “measuring” kind of dyer.
SA: Tell us about the name of your business.
LC: “TréLiz” has a double meaning, depending on the language you are reading. In Greek, “treli” means literally “insane”, and “Liz” is my name… so it stands for “Crazy Liz”, I think it sums up pretty well my fiber path. In French, “Trés” means “a lot”… so it stands for “very Liz”, as I am expressing myself through color and fiber.
SA: From looking over your work, it is clear that you have a passion for color. Do you have a “go to” palette?
LC: I live for vibrant color that you can not take your eyes off and my favorites colors are orange and purple. I do love mixing colors and trying something new because I get bored very easily… One easy and safe way to experiment is to put yellow to everything… It is a friendly color and creates really nice shades out of most of the other colors.
SA: Please finish this sentence: “When it comes to fiber, at heart I am a ______ because…”
LC: I am crazyyyyyyyyy!!! I want it all, and I want it now! Just kidding… (or maybe not!)
SA: What is the “fiber scene” like in Greece?
LC: Felting is very popular in Greece, and then I would say weaving. I have met several weavers. I haven’t met any spinners personally, but I have talked with a few that know how to spindle and are interested in purchasing their first spinning wheels and I am very happy to answer their questions.
SA: What is on your “fiber” bucket list?
LC: This list is endless!
I want to have spun at least once, fiber from all the animal kingdom!
As for tools? I would love a carder, and of course another wheel.. A portable one, maybe an e-spinner as I am travelling a lot.
I want to have spun at least once, fiber from all the animal kingdom!
As for tools? I would love a carder, and of course another wheel.. A portable one, maybe an e-spinner as I am travelling a lot.
SA: What is your favorite part of running a fiber business? What is the most challenging?
LC: I love it because I really can express myself through it, and I am always very excited to do new things and to know that people like what I do is very rewarding. It makes me more confident, color is power and fiber is my weapon.
The most challenging for me is to get people to know me in Greece, to get reconnected with hand dyeing and spinning, two wonderful traditions that have been forgotten.
SA: Tell us about your wheels.
LC: My first wheel was, and I still have it, a Kromski Fantasia.. I love her, she is a gentle horse. It is perfect for a first wheel, not challenging, very smooth and simple.
I had for a year an Ashford Country Spinner 2, which was very different from my Fantasia. It pulled me and was frustrated, but I loved the challenge, she was my companion to the “Journey to the Golden Fleece”, as much as I liked her… I had a dream to get a Majacraft at one point.. and I did! I sold my CS2 and last Christmas I purchased an Aura, which is a dream. I am still getting to know her, but I am super excited and confident that nothing can stops us.
SA: Tell us about where your work — aka your studio or work space.
LC: I work at home. I have a room where all my fibers are and wheels etc, but I dye in my kitchen, and I like to spin in the living room or balcony.. so in the end the whole house is my studio.
SA: How do you deal with “mistakes” in your fiber art?
LC: I try to embrace mistakes. We are trying to make something unique. Especially when hand dyeing or spinning art yarns, what more special than a mistake? I might get sad, or frustrated but in the end I always find charms in my mistakes. They are cute. They are me. Otherwise there would be no point to hand make something.. I would have purchased it in a store, but wait a minute, it would not be not even close to what I wanted.. so after having this little reality check in my mind, I know that I am doing fine.. and if I reaaaally do not like it, I will just use it for something else… weaving (very new to that) or art rolags, or cut that mud color yarn and use it to attach tags.
SA: For your ready to wear pieces, what inspires you?
LC: I want them to be simple, comfy and colorful.
SA: Who are your “fiber heroes”?
LC: My fiber “heroes” are of course Suzy aka Wool Wench. I love people that experiment and make it work… find new boundaries, new ways to do things!
From when I first started spinning, as I mentioned I had to learn by myself and a big help were Ashley Martineau’s videos on youtube.
As for dyeing… when you learn how to dye, there is always one thing I hate to do, but I was trying to do measure! I hated it because I am very impulsive and I want to get going and I forget to measure and write down… so my dyeing hero was Natalie Redding, I saw a video of hers on youtube and yeah! She wasn’t measuring! I was relieved, and said to myself: I am not alone!Now, I am learning so much more from her dyeing course… I feel very fortunate! Once she saw a yarn of mine on facebook and made a compliment… I was jumping up and down!!! I still think about it and want to cry from joy lol
From when I first started spinning, as I mentioned I had to learn by myself and a big help were Ashley Martineau’s videos on youtube.
As for dyeing… when you learn how to dye, there is always one thing I hate to do, but I was trying to do measure! I hated it because I am very impulsive and I want to get going and I forget to measure and write down… so my dyeing hero was Natalie Redding, I saw a video of hers on youtube and yeah! She wasn’t measuring! I was relieved, and said to myself: I am not alone!Now, I am learning so much more from her dyeing course… I feel very fortunate! Once she saw a yarn of mine on facebook and made a compliment… I was jumping up and down!!! I still think about it and want to cry from joy lol
SA: Chocolate or vanilla or????
LC: Mango Sorbet! <3
SA: I should have guessed!! Thanks so much, Lise. Your enthusiasm and experimental nature truly inspire me!!
Readers, Lise, does have a giveaway for you, but before I get to that, I need to announce the winner from the Holly Madison of Blue Barn Fiber’s post….and the winner is….Suzy Hokanson!!! Suzy, I will be in touch to get you your prize. Thanks to everyone for their participation and support.
Now, for Lise’s giveaway and I know you are going to be thrilled to win this…Lise is giving away 4 oz. of her gorgeous rolags in one or two colorways. To enter, please leave a comment here and let us know how you would spin these yummy rolags. Entries are due by next Sunday, July 26th, 5 PM EST. 
It’s hard to believe but July is starting to wind down. August is almost here…and that means that my dear friends, Melissa Yoder Ricks (Wild Hare Fiber) and Christiane Knight (Three Ravens) will once again be hosting Spin Quest in Front Royal, VA. Unfortunately, I will be travelling then and can’t come but they have a new format this year and if I was around, I would for sure be there! If you are interested in learning more, click here.
Fantástica entrevista! Y de Liz… Que decir! Sus colores lo dicen todo 🙂
Sus rolag han de hilar se disfrutando de los cambios de color 😀
I dont have a store but love to knit an crochet ilove all the colors and dream of learning to spin an create new colors and designs .I am so happy and calm when I am creating something new!
Thanks for featuring Liz and her inspiring creations! I love her sense of color and texture and how she uses her beautiful yarns in clothing.
Thank you so much Lise for sharing. I am a fiber artist who loves making wall hangings. I use a spindle and am a beginner spinner. I am excited that you do not measure. Spontaneity is my way as well. May you have many years of such wonderful creativity.
Love the story.
I loved reading this article and learning so much more about you Lise! We are in Natalie Redding’s dye class together so it’s a pleasure getting to know a fellow fiber addict! Your creations are beautiful and an inspiration to us all. Thanks so much for sharing!
As for the rolags…..I would just spin them as a chunky, textural single that lets the beautiful colors shine through.
How would I spend these rolags? Outside, in the sunshine, on the deck, with hummingbirds zipping in and out….with pure joy. (….and yes I know you wanted to know worsted, woolen, etc…).
I love to hear about fibre artists from all,over the world!
It is so great to learn more about our Greek spinning friend!! Thanks to Fiberygoodness for making this the World’s largest spinning guild!!
Congrats Lise! Wonderful post! It’s nice to know something more about Lise. I see her in chat in the Dye class and she’s always interesting! And thank you Arlene and Suzy for all you two do for us!
Nice to know you better.
The rolags look very interesting with the texture’s.
Thanks Lise , it is interesting to hear about other fiber artist’s beginnings. I love my Majacraft- Suzie Pro. Keep investigating the fiber crafts…. I love the history that goes along with it.
What positive, unique and creative news out of Greece for a change. Thanks for this ” other ” perspective. I will spin as they inform me 🙂
I would use these yarns in my module 6 for the Journey to the Golden Fleece.
Thank you for introducing yourself and your studio.
Lise ‘a story is inspiring!! Each new skill we learn brings great joy!! The amazing part if her story is how she masters each skill!!! Some if us take years!! Lise is a natural!!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I’m obsessed with making socks right now so I’d have to spin those beauties into sock yarn!
What a lovely interview. Thank you for sharing.
These Rolags are sh!outing,”Spin me into a Suzy recipe.” and then knit me into a cowl like the one you are wearing. If you want to know which recipe, I’ll go to the book, but somehow it will include some of my own “Natalie”locks. I do so love learning about other people’s journey. Yours is especially interesting. Elizabeth
hi Lise! thanks so much for sharing a bit more of yourself with us. i loved your first podcast and look forward to more. if i were the lucky recipient of your beautiful rolags i would do a textural long draw. unless they guide me otherwise…
I loved the article and have seen both your podcasts. You are very inspiring. I could listen to you share for hours! I love your rolags, being a stained glass artist I like any color highlighted with black. I’m a pretty new spinner but I would most likely core spin it or ply it adding beautiful glass cut beads in all colors to add a little more sparkle. Anyway I can’t wait to see more of your work. It’s been fun getting to know you. Thanks for the article. -Kate
Lovely!!! I just finished watching her podcasts, too. Such a neat lady! Thank you for your beautiful art. If I were to win the rolags, I don’t know how I would spin them. I would have to see them and touch them and see what they tell me to do with them 🙂