1. How did you get your start in the handmade community? 

I've always tinkered with creating things but it wasn't until my son was born that I really got interested in the handmade/DIY community.  As a stay at home dad (before that was a thing), I had not only the time, but the desire to create for my son objects and items that could not be purchased at stores and also try to instill in him the value of hard work.   

2.  What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

Although there are lots of woodworkers (and the more the better, I say), I feel that most craftspeople work in the "functional" aspect of woodworking.  Cutting boards, pencil holders, boxes of all sizes, furniture, etc. are all great things but, to me, they loose some of the simple joy of the medium.  I make designer wooden toys because I want people to experience wood not as just the functional resource it becomes but also as the magical, living material it remains.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

I pull my inspiration from a multitude of artists.  Woodworkers like George Nakashima and Sam Maloof.  Other toy makers like Takeji Nakagawa and Pepe Hiller.   Also cartoonists, John K., sculptors, Richard Serra, and musicians The Dreadnoughts.  

4.  What is your creative process like?

Although my work appears simple in concept and construction, I spent numerous hours planning everything from the shapes of the arms to eye placement on each Winklebean character.  I've been known to sit with a block of wood or a length of board for months until I can figure out exactly what character trait the wood is calling for.  While the cutting, drilling, sanding or other aspects of the craft are nothing special, it is the act of character creating, the "bringing to life" an object that I take most pride in.  

5.  What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

An art school instructor once told me that to be an artist, one must always be making.  Even if it's crap, even if it winds up in the trash, it is the act of making that matters most.  We can all imagine the most profound works of art or the most beautiful crafts but until they get made they are nothing.  It's only through making, and constantly making, that any thing is ever achieved.  So even though my trash can is full, I just keep making. 

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I've been branching away from the original character Winklebeans for awhile now but for Jackalope I'll be coming back to them.  I'll use the same sizing but I'll be incorporating paint into the new ones in a series I'm (tentatively) calling SportyBeans.  While I love the natural look of wood, the effects one can achieve by contrasting the warm tones of nature with the vibrant hues of modern colors in something I'm enjoying exploring.  I hope to have 5-6 fully developed new characters for the Jackalope show in Pasadena. 

7.  Where can we learn more about you?

You can follow along with me on Instagram @winklebeans, or our Facebook page @winklebean or order off our website www.winklebean.com or better yet, come to one of the shows and hang out for a bit.  

1. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?

My floriculture art and décor has two avenues. One is living plants and flowers, the other is preserved and dried plants and flowers. My living plant and flower décor is unique because it draws on floral art from other countries and cultures. For instance, my hanging gardens are inspired by a Japanese floral art. I often add a twist to make them my own though; like building hanging gardens out of grapevine balls. My preserved décor is even more unique. I haven't found anyone who makes anything like my décor in vases, lanterns, and birdcages or mini-scenes in magnets. The use of preserved and dried materials can be really trippy as it looks living, but it's not. 

2. What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?

My art is inspired by my love of flowers and obsession with bright and beautiful colors. I don't know how I would perceive the world if I didn't fill my life with color, vibrance, and the natural world. The goal of my art is to give these things to others. Almost everyone who comes into my art booth instantly starts smiling. I love that. It makes me smile in return. Those reactions and interactions are what drives me to continue my work and fuels my inspiration to seek out new materials, colors, and compositions.

3. When do you feel the most creative?

I feel creative when I'm determined. I don't wait for creativity to come to me. I set my day's goals, sit down, eye up my materials, and I find creativity. It usually comes easily because I love the materials I work with and I know my final products will light up someone's day and hopefully their home.

4. Any special item you'll be releasing or sale you'll be doing at the fair that we should tell people about?

I will be debuting Green Lady Gardens Marketplace!  Products include pillows, towels, clutch purses, bags, and other home decor items printed with my pressed flower art.

5. Where can we learn more about you?

www.GreenLadyGardens.com!

Anything you'd like to add that I didn't ask....?

I was not allowed to go to art school. Instead, I did business at CU, which was boring and uninspiring. I hated it. Over a decade later, after doing a Fulbright, working in law firms in DC, and going to grad school for conservation in Montana, my husband and I moved back to Colorado for me to get a job. I couldn't find one and I can't sit still. My husband told me to go for it: play with plants and be an artist for a year. If it works, great. Do it a second year! If not, at least I tried and I'd have some good stories to tell after a year of art fairs. So far, year one has been a hit and it's on to year two!

How did you start in the handmade community?

It’s in my blood to create; I have made handmade my whole life. If I couldn’t create I would be one grumpy person. So I’ve been working towards this goal my whole life just recently realizing that it could be a career. In 2014 my bags were born and I started selling on Etsy. After that I had my first show July of 2015 (which was Jackalope). It’s been love at first show! Shows have been the most rewarding part of my journey so far, I love the instant feedback I get from strangers and other makers.  

What or who inspires you?

People!! I love street style and seeing how people put outfits together, or seeing how people mix fabrics and prints. This is why I really like doing art and craft fairs… my customers give me so much inspiration!

What makes your work unique and truly your own?

I hand pick every fabric that is used for my bags, and mix new with vintage. I add my signature bow to all of my bags, and use fun pattern and color combinations. 

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope Art & Craft Fair?

Fanny packs which are my newest addition to my collection, coin purses, tampon cases, make-up bags, and purses. I will also have a small line of bags without bows!

Learn more and shop Sew Chrissy Market on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewchrissymarket/?fref=ts

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sewchrissymarket

Helen Rice

Tell us a little about yourself & your background in the arts & crafts world

Twelve years ago I started a small art consignment shop in a tiny side-street space in downtown Littleton.  My little business grew steadily over the first few years and when I had an opportunity to move into a prime space on historic downtown Littleton's Main street, I jumped at it.  I started as more of a fine art gallery, but when the recession hit, I had to quickly restructure, shifting my focus to gift items.  I figured people would still buy gifts for other people before they'd buy an expensive piece of art for themselves, so I stayed focused on handmade items and it proved to be a good fit!  I believe that was when the handmade movement gained momentum, as well. People turned to "making" things themselves, flexing their entrepreneurial muscles and selling their work directly to the public, who readily embraced and supported them in a big way.

What / who is your biggest inspiration?

Any woman who has or had the courage to make her way (and a difference) in this world! 

What do you love most about the handmade movement?

The return to basics - realizing that we can be innovative with common materials and make things with our own hands that are functional, fresh and beautiful! 

Tell us about a few favorites of yours; food, color, animal?

A nice, big, juicy burger - loaded!

Any shade of BLUE is my favorite color!

DOGS, Dogs, dogs....I love them all!

What are you most looking forward to in being a part of the Jackalope Arts jury? 

Seeing new, fresh work from our local makers!

What is the most important feature in an artist's application for you?  

Innovation and originality

Where can we find out more about you?

Besides owning and operating my store, I also produce an 3-day annual urban art retreat in September.  The retreat is called Art Makers Denver and you can find out more about that and ME at http://artmakersdenver.com/our-team/

What is your favorite part about owning XO Gift Company?

I really love being a part of this amazing community and seeing the different faces that walk into the shop. I think it's exciting that literally anyone can walk in at any moment and completely change your day (hopefully in a good way!). My customers are great fun and I truly enjoy meeting and talking with all different types of folks!

How do you see the handmade community evolving in Denver? 

I think there's a ton of growth and opportunity for the handmade community in Denver right now. Besides that fact that Denver itself is growing immensely, there is definitely more of an appreciation for handmade vendors and items from those who understand what kind of love and time goes into the process and creation. There are a ton of people who come in the shop and make "this or that" and there is so much access to workshops and the like, it's great!  

Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to? 

I would not single out a particular artist that I look up to. I believe it truly takes a village and it's just so exciting to see all of the different ideas and final products that people come up with from paintings to bike chain sculptures to vinyl jewelry! There is so much creativity out there and it all inspires me in a different way. I have made some great friends in my artists and I love to learn about people's journey and what they are all about. 

What are you looking forward to the most in being apart of our Jackalope jury panel for the second time?

I love to see which vendors apply and their awesome handcrafted work! It's also just a great learning experience to be able to visit all of the different websites and see such a variety of branding and marketing tactics that are used. It's exciting to see what vendors might be a great fit for XO too!

eXtraOrdinary Gift Company (XO Gift Co.) 3867 Tennyson Street// www.xogiftco.com

As we gain momentum I am sure the question has come up of what exactly is Jackalope Arts?  The Jackalope is a mysterious and mythical creature, but lets take a second and shed some light on our Jackalope.

Let us be the first to tell you that the mission of Jackalope Arts is to create a 2 day shopping destination bringing the community together and featuring 200+ local artisans, crafters, and DIY enthusiasts, with an emphasis on quality artistry.  

Our tagline? A Community meets Artisan Event

The Jackalope Arts Experience: We want you to meet the maker behind the one of a kind indie goods that you will find at the Jackalope Art & Craft Fair. Our first round of Jackalopes will feature at our inaugural event on April 25th and 26th at Central Park within Old Town Pasadena

Who are the Jackalope Artists? They are the artisans and crafters who think out of the box and provide trendsetting handmade quality goods that you can’t find anywhere else. Things you will find at the Jackalope Art & Craft Fair may include:

• Clothing- for adults, kids and maybe even your dog!

• Accessories-Jewelry, handbags and backpacks, leather goods, wallets, shoes, aprons, hair accessories, eyewear, scarf’s and other cozy accents, neckties, cuff links and more

• Art-Ceramics and Pottery, Woodworking, Illustration, Mixed Media, Photography, Fiber Art, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture and other Paper Goods including bookmarks, calendars, cards, gift wrap, journals, stationary and beyond

• Home Goods- Home décor and house wares such as unique furniture, lighting, terrariums, candles, blankets, vases, clocks, coasters, frames, & rugs

• Bath and Beauty-Bath and Shower products, Lip Balm, Lotion, Skin Care etc.

Please bear in mind that this is not a comprehensive list and we are open to other handmade creations!

Does this intrigue you? There are several different options for booth rentals at our fairs, please visit the Vendor Info Page for details. We encourage everyone to submit and we look forward to hearing from you!

XOXO The Jackalope Team :)