Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up in Long Beach, California as an only child & was fortunate enough to be exposed to a few key elements that would heavily influence my life: travel, food, music and art. I earned my BFA in Fine Art Photography and have explored all different mediums of art throughout the past few decades.

Speaking of influences, who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
I am highly influenced by geometric & organic architecture, Art Deco, minimalism & mixed sacred geometry.

We can definitely see how these influences impact your work. How do you define success as an artist?
Being an artist is quite a dynamic experience in many aspects. I think the hardest part can be maintaining confidence throughout the challenging periods we all experience at one point or another.

Good point. How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I have always been open to exploring creative skills. One day in 2014 I walked by a stained glass store & decided I wanted to try it out. I bought a bunch of supplies, watched a few videos, made an embarrassingly terrible piece & immediately fell in love. I did not have the time outside of my full time job to take a class and I dedicated every free moment to teaching myself through trial and error. For two years I made many pieces & gave them away as gifts. I obsessively absorbed any information I could find about the craft & challenged myself to elevate my skill level and develop a unique style.

That is great! What is the hardest part of your creation process?
Saying no! My long career in hospitality (before I quit to be a full time artist) has carried over into this constant struggle to want to take on EVERY request no matter what the circumstance. I am getting better, but still need to say no more often to things that may not serve me (my time, my energy, my design style).

Realizing that is the first step! How has your style changed over time?
It’s really interesting to look back over the past 8 years & identify how my design aesthetic/style has developed. I have always been drawn to geometric forms & when I started working with glass that is all I saw - colors as shapes, individual pieces creating a whole, in its simplest form. I don’t think my style changed much over time within this basic element, but my use and appreciation of color has grown from a monochromatic representation into a full balance & appreciation of how light & texture affect design impact. The patchwork design was the main one that has evolved over time specifically in the way I can just flow with the colors & shapes to create a balanced result, and the skill level is deceivingly difficult.

Patience I am sure is needed. What’s the best thing about being an artist?

My favorite thing about being an artist is to create things that bring joy to others, especially the collaboration process when working with clients on custom projects.

How about a favorite item you have created?

Choosing a favorite creation is hard! There are those that are my favorites because they challenged me towards growth, those that I developed new techniques to accomplish a desired result, and those that just felt like the “best” creation to date. The most meaningful item that I have created is a large rainbow sun panel for a loyal client whom I have previously made some rainbow color way panels. For this sister panel to the others, I was given some general guidance & allowed the freedom to push the design where it “wanted” to go. I was working on this panel just after my father’s passing & was very present to the spiritual embodiment of this particular design, the sun shining its rainbow rays.

We hear you helped create an important piece for this year’s Burning Man. Given that the festival didn’t quite go as planned this year, what happened with your art?  How did it feel to be a part of that?

This year I had the extraordinary opportunity to create a stained glass heart for The Man at Burning Man.   I was told by the crew that every year there is some sort of heart form installed inside The Man, however it is never visible.  This year the heart was intended to symbolize an extremely special commemoration for a longtime member & engineer of the build crew.  For the first time, the heart would be illuminated within this massive structure & the heart would beat with a pulsing light until it burned in front of 70,000 people.  I put more love into this heart than anything I have ever created in 10 years of glassing, knowing that it was being created to live a very short & sacred life.  With the rains that essentially shut the festival down for a few days, the scheduled burn night was postponed - the first time in the history of the event that The Man did not burn on Saturday night.  Watching it burn two nights later was about as cathartic an experience as you can imagine, all while sharing it with tens of thousands of people. 

The Heart is absolutely stunning. Did it survive the burn? 

I was told the next day that someone found some fused glass remnants in the still smoldering ash pile at the base of the man. 

I wonder if that person knows what that little object once was, what it symbolized and how it changed me as an artist. 

Rainbow Sun Panel

The Heart for Burning Man

This sounds like such an incredible & special opportunity. What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

I am very lucky to work out of my home studio workshop space which is a separate building on our property, so I get the benefit of "going to work" but can always be surprise visited by my dogs & chickens, which makes for a pretty silly daily "routine". There are always a minimum of a half dozen projects in progress, ranging from large window panels to a variety of custom design collaborations to decor & jewelry items for the few wholesale accounts I work with. I also am always creating stock for my online shop, items that are always available for purchase. I love my "job" so much that it can be challenging at times to "turn it off" with a set schedule, but I try to stick to 9 hours a day on average. I am also quite fortunate to have some helping hands from two local stained glass artists who help with the massive amount of detail work involved in this craft, such as hours upon hours of grinding, cleaning, polishing & packaging.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena has some really incredible history! I particularly love the historic architecture throughout the city, but especially the stunning American Craftsman examples coming out of the Arts and Crafts movement, which included interior design, landscape design, applied arts, and decorative arts. There are so many extraordinary examples of stained glass, the Gamble House being the most famous and accessible.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

I will be bringing some specialty creations just for the occasion. In addition to a wide range of colorful suncatchers, window decor & ornaments perfect for gifts, I will have some unique larger panels and mobiles that I only create for the Jackalope shows.

Anything special you’d like to add?
I am thrilled to be participating in Jackalope Artisan Fair again! When I first became a vendor several years ago I was just starting out in my journey of figuring out how to sell my work & I gained such a valuable experience from participating in these events & found genuine support from the maker community & the loyal buyers who come to support this unique event.

Catch Culotta Creations at Jackalope Pasadena on November 18th & 19th!

Where to see more of Culotta Creations:

Website | www.culottacreations.com

Instagram | @culottacreations

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I was born in London, UK. However, I have lived, studied and taught in many countries. It is these experiences that inspired my Yoga Purse business.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

I can remember the first time I went to a public library. I remember feeling like my whole world had opened up, I was around 6 or 7 years old. Each page of every book was a window to a world I had yet to explore.

I could spend hours in a library or good book store! How do you define success as an artist?
Success is the process of bringing an idea to fruition. When I am able to design a product, then create it and sell it at Jackalope, it is very fulfilling. Perhaps, the true success is when a customer buys a product I created and simply loves it. To see that reaction is just priceless.

Very rewarding. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

For me, it’s not a matter of IF I have time to be creative. Creating has become such a big part of who I am. I’m not sure that my brain could switch my creativity off. There’s constantly some creative rumblings running through my head!

How have you developed your skill at your craft?
One of my favorite sayings is “every day is a school day - if you’re lucky”. Learning something new brings me so much joy, and that goes for learning and developing new skills.

I’m a visual and tactile learner, so trying a new skill and failing is part of how I not only learn, but also look at something in a different way.

A great perspective. What is the hardest part of your creation process?
Saying no to all of the new ideas!

That would be hard! How has your style changed over time?
Many moons ago, I owned a fabric store. My style at the time was driven by neutral colors. My colleague and brilliant assistant Kym was the complete opposite. She loved bright colors! When it came to choosing fabric for the store, we would buy and choose together to create a well-rounded collection. Over time, I moved away from neutrals and shifted my focus to bright colors and designs that make a statement.

Embracing color, love it! What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Exercising my creativity.

How about a favorite item you have created?

I love the first versions of Yoga Purse that I created, but I think my favorite item is the shoulder sling that I adapted again and again until it was just right. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed every step. The shoulder sling Yoga Purse designs are now my best sellers!

Love it! Anything special you’d like to share?

I encourage everyone to find a creative outlet. That could mean art, music, writing, filmmaking or even starting a business. Create something, and enjoy the process.

In addition, embrace the prospect of "failure" , when we let go of being perfect, opportunities become way more fun ;-)

Well said! We can’t wait to see you in person this November 19th & 20th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Yoga Purse:

Website | www.yogapurse.com

Instagram | @yogapurse

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up in Cleveland, lived in Portland for 10 years, and have been in Los Angeles for 21 years. It’s not where I’m from that affects my work, but rather trying to grow my popcorn business while working as a 5th grade teacher. This began as me simply trying to make caramel corn for outdoor movie night with friends on the driveway during the pandemic. Little did I know then that it would turn into a business.

A hidden talent I’d take it?! How do you define success as an artist?
I think there are three kinds of success, the most important one in my mind, being the sense of pride that comes with creating something that turns out just the way it was envisioned. The other two successes are external, one being the validation of others loving what you’ve created and the other being the financial success of having created something that people want to purchase.

Well put. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

I’ve only been making popcorn for a couple years now, so I don’t really think it has helped in other areas of my life. I do think however, that it’s my lifetime of experiences and values that has helped in my new business. For one, I realize that I have to be patient. That though success can happen overnight, it is usually the result of persistence over a period of time. Second, I truly understand the importance of hard work and perseverance. In what seems like another life, I was an Ironman Triathlete, during which time I balanced being a new father, my job, and a second job’s worth of training. Finally, I have learned to welcome failure. I know that each time something does not go as intended, I am one step closer to things working out.

Yes, most times failure can push us towards success. How have you developed your skill at your craft?
I have exactly zero culinary training, which means I have developed my craft through reading and by trial and error. In some ways, it’s quite freeing. With no prior knowledge or preconceived notions about how it’s supposed to be done, I’ve been free to experiment and figure things out for myself.

Very true! What is the hardest part of your creation process?
The initial problem was not really knowing what I was doing. Now, the hardest part is scaling back all the things I want to do, due to the fact that I’m a one-person operation with a full time job.

A true entrepreneur! How has your style changed over time?
Initially, I was only going to make original, sweet popcorn flavors. I was going to reimagine/reinvent gourmet popcorn and offer the world something totally unique. But as I learned early on, people love certain popcorn flavors, so I quickly adapted my vision. I still make unique flavors, like Churro Crunch, Vanilla Butter, Chocolate Jalapeño, and Everything Bagel White Cheddar, but I also make the best version of popular favorites, like Sea Salt Caramel and Cheddar Ranch.

YUM! What’s the best thing about being an artist?

The best part is creating something that tastes amazing.

What’s your favorite flavor that you’re created, and why?

My favorite popcorn flavor is Chocolate Jalapeño. First, I love that it is an unexpected combination and that it is unique (I haven’t found any other popcorn company that has it). Second, I love that is has a Willy Wonka like effect, in that you first taste chocolate and about 8-10 seconds later you get a slight back of the throat heat from the Jalapeño.

Well we can’t wait to see you in person this November 18th & 19th in Pasadena.

Where to see more of Sweetzer Gourmet Popcorn:

Website | sweetzergourmet.com

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I was born in Kansas City, although my upbringing was a bit different than most kids. Both my mother and father are both from a small village in Croatia and I grew up in a bilingual household ... which also happened to be a small (non-commercial) farm.
We had chickens, sheep, cows, rabbits, a duck and a fully stocked pond. I love animals. So I tend to draw animals a lot.
I think growing up on a farm likely helped put a soft/organic spin on my art.

Very cool! Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
I always wanted to be a Disney Animator growing up ... so good 'ol Walt was definitely an artistic/professional hero of mine.
Nowadays though, I always find myself gravitating toward artists with a unique voice and a specialized craft/medium ...
I think 90% of the accounts I personally follow on instagram are tattooist.
I find fineline/detailed tattoo art so inspiring that I actually started teaching myself how to tattoo just before COVID hit.
I have been told countless times that people think the artwork on my leggings are tattoos and I have had a handful of customers reach out asking if they could get my art tattooed on themselves.
Hopefully I will be able to dive into tattooing more in the future.

We could definitely see that! How do you define success as an artist?
Success has two meanings for me ... If you are able to make a living through art, that is a massive win.
But more importantly, does the work satisfy a need to create. Sometimes when your passion becomes your job, the passion fades.
I have worked creative jobs in the past that were incredibly unfulfilling ... drawing things that other people wanted me to draw vs. drawing things that make my heart sing.
True success is a balance of both. Being able to feel good about the work you are putting out while also paying rent on time =)

A true balance challenge! Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

I haven't been posting much Etch A Sketch art as of late, but for a while I was going live nightly on TikTok and there is a super weird sense of calm to Etch A Sketch with a large audience knowing that you cannot erase as you go along. Etch A Sketch art is a very unique form of meditation for me. It's one of the only times where I can zone out, focus on what is in front of me, and not let my brain stress about 700 other things simultaneously. My personal insta and tiktok profiles share a lot of my etch a sketch art and both can be found at @chriztinamarie

We will have to check that out! How have you developed your skill at your craft?
I have been a visual artist for as long as I can remember. In being mostly self-taught, my technique has slowly evolved over the last 30+ years and I am constantly learning and trying new things. I started with 100% hand illustrations and paintings. Over time, I had to learn how to recreate my artwork in photoshop for it to be print-ready. That has been quite the evolution. Being mostly self-taught in photoshop puts me at a bit of a disadvantage because I do not know most of the shortcuts and tricks to finish a project faster ... but I approach my photoshop as though I am illustrating on a sheet of paper or painting on a canvas. I think that gives my work a bit more of a familiar/organic feeling vs perfectly crisp clip art. (Although that is not to say that I wouldn't welcome a couple tips/tricks and shortcuts now and then, lol)!

What is the hardest part of your creation process?
The balancing act between what I want to draw vs what I think will sell.
Sometimes, I want to draw things that aren't so commercially appealing and I am not sure if I can invest in the cost of production to bring it to life. It's hard to put what you want to do on the back burner to instead work on the things that you think would be more popular/salable.

Also, and I am sure a lot of other small business owners can relate to this: I find it hard to magically find inspiration the moment that my schedule finally allows me to draw. Lately, 95% of my time revolves around administrative/operational/management tasks like bookkeeping, licensing, customer service emails (oof), permits, photoshoots and photo editing, writing email newsletters, working on the website, running production, etc .... I have about 3,197 hats to wear and it can be very hard to juggle all those things and then flip the switch when time allows for the creative process. More often than not, I find myself wishing I had a business partner who could manage a lot of the not-so-creative operations so I could focus on my art and what really makes me happy. A girl can dream.

A true entrepreneur! How has your style changed over time?
WERKSHOP Collections have evolved a lot over the years. I used to focus on single/large billboard style artwork on the leggings but have slowly shifted toward smaller details and mature styling. It's been a slow evolution though, because I have been trying to maintain a recognizable brand identity. The biggest shift in style has happened within the last year with the introduction of my Featherlight Collection. The Featherlight collection of leggings, bells, skirts, shorts and tops is the biggest change that WERKSHOP has embraced since I founded the company 9 years ago. WERKSHOP started as just Capri Length Triathlon/Compression leggings and has evolved into a full lifestyle brand over the years.

Very cool. What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Honestly, the best thing is being able to express what I feel/think in a way that can be shared with others even if I am not in the room with them. I imagine it is about the same feeling for all artists: musicians, writers, sculptors, etc ... we feel something, see (or hear it) in our head, and then get to share it with the world. I couldn't imagine a life without being able to share that side of myself.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

Oh gosh, what a hard question! There is no way for me to pick one single item as my favorite ... but I will say that my new bicycle length shorts (with pockets) are my current obsession.
I wear them literally every single day. My favorite print out of the eight I have created so far would have to be the new Pit Viper. The print is also available as an active skirt (also with pockets) which is definitely my second-most worn style for the last few months.

Cute! Anything special you’d like to share?

If anyone out there is reading this and likes my art/clothing, I would be forever grateful if you checked out my website and came to visit my booth at the upcoming Jackalope Art Fair. As a small business, I sincerely appreciate the support more than words can say. Without a big marketing budget, I rely mostly on word-of-mouth and always strive to treat our customers like family. Welcome to #teamWERKSHOP! Thank You!!

Well we can’t wait to see you in person this November 19th & 20th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Eagle Rock Werkshop:

Website | www.werkshop.com

Instagram | @werkshop

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up mostly in Georgia, but was originally from California and always had it in my heart. Being homesick created a forlorning that improved my imagination and love of art even more. 

How did you come up with your company name?

The name Rosamond belongs to my late grandmother and is a tribute to her. Her paintings made a big impression on me as a child and they continue to make me feel connected to her.

Love that, speaking of inspiration, who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
I’m inspired by Matisse, Van Gogh, and the Art Deco era

How do you define success as an artist?
Contentment. We all love validation from others, but if we’re not happy with our own work, it will show.

Very true. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

It has always helped me emotionally, getting me through sadness and anxiety.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?
About a year ago I first learned how to use a laser cutter and graphic design at a high school I used to work for. After learning basics, I quickly fell in love and bought my own laser cutter and began practicing. Prior to that, jewelry-making in particular was completely new to me as an art form.

It is always fun learning a new skill, keeping our brain active! What is the hardest part of your creation process?
Definitely learning and improving in graphic design has been the hardest part. For laser cutting, graphic design works best over traditional drawing and I don’t necessarily think of myself as a technical person.

How has your style changed over time?
Prior to laser cutting, I briefly made jewelry with polymer clay, which is a completely different medium, so my style has had to adapt as each medium has its strengths and weaknesses. I also have a lot of interests, so I go through phases of creating novelty pieces and then elegant pieces, so I expect I’ll still go back and forth between these styles and continue to evolve.

Keeping it fresh for you as the artist I am sure helps with the creativity. What’s the best thing about being an artist?

That people can understand you through your art. We express ourselves through art and we can feel a connection to others through art. 

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

My favorite item I’ve made is my cloud earrings. They’re very whimsical and fun, which best represents me.

Beautiful! We can’t wait to see you in person this November 19th & 20th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Rosamond Street & Co.:

Website | https://www.lumierevintage.com/rosamond

Instagram | @rosamondstreet

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up in New Jersey near Philadelphia so we had the opportunity to go to the Philadelphia Museum to see art. My dad made it a point to take us and talk about art. He’s an artist and so was my grandmother.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
I am a big fan of traditional artists like Van Gogh and Mary Cassatt. And more contemporary artists like Shepard Fairey, Barbara Kruger, Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol.

How do you define success as an artist?
Being successful to me is being authentic and creating work that brings me and others joy.

We love that! Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Art is definitely an outlet for me that helps with my mental well-being. I enjoy using my voice in street art and contemporary art for things that matter to me. I hope I can create work that inspires others and creates a sense of unity overall.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?
Being self-taught I love trying new things through trial and error. That’s how I’ve discovered my style along with finding mentors throughout my journey.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?
The process has evolved over time and since I’ve started to take my own photos, adding photography to the mix adds another layer of time to the process.

Loving the mix of mediums! How has your style changed over time?
I started creating digitally and moved into physical work. So it’s been using all my tools to create work and challenge myself throughout the process to find what I really want to focus on.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

I love the art community and meeting collectors. People that really get what you’re doing and support it.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

The Maya Angelou mural that I created part of the protests in 2020 in Hollywood.

Beautiful! We can’t wait to see you in person this November 19th & 20th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Amy Smith:

Website | https://www.amysmith.art/

Instagram | @amysmithart

How did Stray Cat Alliance get its start?

Stray Cat Alliance started 21 years ago with one homeless kitten named Chloe. One cat needed care and support in a time when none was easily found. One cat was the catalyst of over 150,000+ lives saved over two decades. Today, we are still going strong and saving more lives than ever before. Every cat we save is a reminder of a time when cats and kittens were overlooked and is a recommitment to our mission of ensuring every cat is safe, healthy, and valued.

Where and how does the rescue get involved when saving a cat? 

Stray Cat Alliance has many programs that focus on lifesaving. One of the most successful programs is Safe at Home. Safe at Home empowers community members to serve as foster care givers, playing an integral part in saving animal lives. At the South Los Angeles shelter, Stray Cat Alliance community engagement counselors intercept people, before kittens and cats are impounded, and mentor and support them as fosters, providing training on all aspects from bottle feeding through adoption. We also supply all food and medical care. This is one of the few programs of its kind in the United States. It shouldn’t be. We would like to expand to as many communities as we can.

That is amazing. What is a typical day like working with the rescue?

Stray Cat Alliance is an incredible lifesaving team, from cat care, through the clinic, to our admin and program staff. Each day is full of hard work, dedication and lots of love that helps us achieve our lifesaving goals. We are very grateful for our donors, supporters, fosters and volunteers, too!

How do you define success as a non-profit?

Success is being able to save a furry life everyday and finding them a forever home.

Yes, love that! Does your work with Stray Cat help you in other areas of your life?

You learn so much about rescue, spay/neuter, cat care and medical care while working at Stray Cat Alliance. It's wonderful to be able to provide this experience, knowledge, and support to friends and family.

What is the hardest part of your job with Stray Cat Alliance?

Refraining from wanting to take home every cat and kitten that we save!

That would be hard! Can you tell us more about the process behind adoption and fostering?

Stray Cat Alliance Adoption Program:

Stray Cat Alliance's adoption program provides foster and forever homes for cats and kittens found on the streets through their Trap / Neuter / Return (TNR) program, impounded at the shelter, or from hotline requests for support when cats are faced with being taken to shelters or abandonment. Many cats from their other programs feed into their adoption program. Each cat and kitten receives veterinary care (spay/neuter, vaccines, testing, check-ups, microchips) until a permanent, loving home is secured.

Stray Cat Alliance Foster Program:

Whether your home is small or large, you live alone or have other animals, we have cats and kittens who need your help and will thrive under your care. We rescue nearly two thousand cats and kittens every year and rely on our fosters to help us care for them until they’re adopted. The more fosters we have, the more lives we can save.

Website page for adopting and fostering with Stray Cat Alliance: https://straycatalliance.org/adopt-and-foster/ 

Do you have a favorite story or moment from the rescue?

We recently rescued the cutest 8 week old kitten who we named John Belushi. He was on IV fluids, antibiotics and in oxygen for sever upper respiratory infection and pneumonia. After several weeks of critical care with our team, our litte fur-angel made a full recovery. He began walking, eating and breathing on his own. We never gave up on believing in little John Belushi. That is our lifesaving mission.

Any additional success stories we can share?

THIS STORY REALLY WARMS OUR PAWS! 💜

A big-hearted ❤️ community member went to the local shelter looking for help and guidance with two kittens that he found.

He had zero kitten supplies and purchased cat food from the closest store in order to put a little food in their bellies.

We told him that we would provide him with supplies and food if he was willing to foster the kittens 😻 until they are adopted, so he wouldn’t have to worry about purchasing supplies.

This is a photo of the community member holding our @CatalystPet donation because it is lightweight, and he was already carrying a few other cat supplies home on the bus. We asked him if the donations were too heavy for him to take, and he said, "He would manage!" What a sweetheart!

He was so grateful for our help and left confident that the kitties would be cared for with our support. We are never not amazed by how resilient and kind our community members can be. They go above and beyond to seek help for the kittens and cats, and we are very grateful to help!

Mellow & Alaska 😻 are available for adoption! Apply to Adopt from Stray Cat Alliance: https://bit.ly/adopt-sm

This is why your generous donations to Stray Cat Alliance are so important. Please consider donating from our Amazon or Chewy wish lists:

Amazon: https://a.co/a3MAeMQ

Chewy: https://bit.ly/3lcKhy6
Donate to our current lifesaving campaign, Kiss a Kitten this Season: https://bit.ly/kissakitten-ig23  

That makes us smile! We can’t wait to see you in person at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Stray Cat Alliance:

Website | straycatalliance.org

Instagram | @straycatalliance

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?

I am proud to be Mexican American and I feel deeply rooted to my Mexican culture. My family is from Jalisco Mexico where I have been able to travel since I was a child. My love of leather and design combines my Mexican culture with the artisanal art of leather tooling.

I think your work definitely speaks to your heritage and we love that. Who/what are your biggest artistic influences? 

I have a specific love of Chicano art and the beauty of the bright colors used in Latino art pieces.

How do you define success as an artist?

Success is being able to provide pieces that are enjoyed and appreciated by others.

That is a great perspective. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

It brings me joy in supporting the artisans that we work with and efforts to keep this art form of tooling alive.

Very cool. How have you developed your skill at your craft?

By connecting with artisans and collaborating and sharing ideas. 

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Sourcing the raw materials and creating enough product to meet demand. Inventory issues.

How has your style changed over time?

The designs of the handbags have changed to keep up with trends but the tooling has remained traditional to keep the cultural authenticity.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

My latest design! See below:

What do you love most about Pasadena?

The transformation of how the city has invested in making old town better and their support of the arts.

We can’t wait to see you in person this November 19th & 20th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Ciselè Handcrafted Leather:

Website |www.cisele.net

Instagram | @Cisele2019

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?  

I am originally from Italy.  I was brought up with a strict Catholic background, and though not religious now, I do use those images to represent spirituality, irony, and faith.  I was raised by a single mother. Having moved from a small town in Italy to a large city with so much diversity, I was struck how multi-cultural Los Angeles is and how that move changed my worldview, and continues now to help shape my art.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences? 

My art is how I see the world and situations around me. They come from my worldview, and flashes in my dreams. I have always studied artists in all genres and throughout history. I do not have a particular artist that influences me, I think all art and all artists influence artists, and that is how it is with me my art. 

Love that! How do you define success as an artist?

I believe it is being able to move people with my art. The greatest pleasure I get as an artist is watching people talking about my art and discussing the meaning and what it evokes in them. Success is stopping people in their tracks and them reacting to the piece. 

That is a great perspective. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

It is therapeutic and extremely rewarding. It allows me to put on paper my emotions, my thoughts and my point of view. 

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I have painted since I was a child. As an artist by nature, I have dabbled in all mediums, and have explored many different styles.

How has your style changed over time?
I started doing oil on canvas, and my style was surreal and dark body images. Now, my art is how I see the world and situations around me. They come from my world-view, and flashes in my dreams. I find mixed media collage is the best medium to express myself now.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Finding time in my extremely busy life. There is nothing hard about the actual process, it’s the business side, the marketing side and the promotion that is hard for me. I love all aspects of creating art and sharing with others.

What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

I spend hours finding images that match my imagination, train of thought or dreams. Then I find colors that compliment the images, and spend hours rearranging, gluing and painting over and around those images to create the final image I want. Sometimes it takes days, or a week, and sometimes a full day, but I do not rush it, but let it flow naturally.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

The best thing about being an artist is the ability to show anything you want. With every person that sees it will have a different reaction to it, and I love seeing the different reactions and interpretations of it.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

Holy Cow is my favorite piece. I am an animal rights activist, and this piece represents how sacred, pure, spiritual, gentle, and kind a cow is, and it expresses that it is a sentient being, and should be revered, rather than exploited. 

What will you be bringing to Jackalope Pasadena and Burbank?

I will be bringing some of my original work, some limited editions, open editions of my most popular art pieces, as well as products such as greeting cards and tote bags of my art.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

My goal is that my art sparks conversations about diversity, women's issues, fame, community and hope for our planet, fellow humans, and animals. 

Love that. We can’t wait to see you in person this April 29th & 30th at Jackalope Pasadena AND at The Downtown Burbank Arts Festival this June 3rd & 4th.

Where to see more of Laura Ward Art:

Website | www.lauraward.art

Instagram | @lauraward.art

Do you have a story behind your company name?

The emotional experience of scent, occurs in the right side of the brain, often referred to as the "psyche". The psyche, another word for "soul", is the realm of emotion and imagination.

When olfactory stimulation engages the total brain, a mental dance begins between feelings, thoughts, associations, and desires. Our brand's purpose is to bring this joyous experience to life through our candles and carefully curated fragrance collections.

Very cool, how did you get your start?

My candle making journey began in 2020. What started out as a stress-relieving diversion, became an all-out obsession within weeks. Prior to this time, I had been working in product development for 20+ years with a focus on apparel. The experience of building brands from the ground up, and being an expert in project management, has been key in creating my own brand.

I will be the first to admit that I do have a candle addiction. I am drawn to scents that are inspired by nature and the more complex and layered, the better. I really do not care for fragrances that smell, in any way synthetic, fake, or plastic-like. I could not find these candles in a price range that I was willing to invest in, so I started creating them myself. I spent months experimenting with fragrances, materials, and vessels. In January of 2021, I founded Scent and Psyche, LLC. and applied for the brand trademark.

That is very admirable. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

I love the creation of scents and the blending of fragrances to get something unique and true to the experience I would like the user to enjoy. The process takes multiple iterations of testing and refinement, but I love every minute.

That sounds fun.What inspires you to create?

The overall end experience is what inspires me. I love to create scents that will brighten and enliven living spaces, inspire memories, and sometimes even change your mental state. I am also inspired by unique scents. I gravitate to fragrance blends that are grounded in nature, with earthier tones but have a refined complexity. I love to find the notes that really pull me in and grab my interest and then blend them to create

Candles are great for evoking emotions. Do you have a favorite item you have made?

I’m really excited about my Fall candle collection and some new signature scents that I will launch this Fall. One of those scents I am totally addicted to is Heirloom. A mixture of sandalwood and black cardamom, very earthy and woodsy yet feels very elevated. I’ve been burning that in my home on repeat. Another scent that I’ve worked on for over a year is called Embers. A new take on a Fireside or bonfire feeling scent with notes of charcoal and black pepper, grounded with creamy woodsy notes. It’s really cozy warm, like sitting by a fire.

That sounds amazing. What’s a typical day like for you in the studio?

I am usually creating or making early in the morning or later at night…which I find the most relaxing time of day to work. During the lunch hour, you can also find me around lunch time running to UPS with a stack of square boxes artfully balanced. On the weekends I’m usually at markets or getting ready for them!

What do you love most about living in Minnesota?

I’ve called Minnesota home for 16 years. I love raising my kids here. I love the variety of everything to do throughout the state, and especially the change of seasons. I think what I love best is the unique community of creative artists and the amount of local support we receive, it’s amazing.

The seasons are the best, and I bet there is a candle for each! What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

I’m excited to be bringing some amazing new fragrances that I feel are some of my best yet. This is my official kick-off to candle season!

Anything special you would like to add?

I’m opening up more opportunities for private, in-person, candle making workshops for groups of 10-16 people. It’s so much fun to connect with others and share my passion of candle making!

Awesome! We can’t wait to see you in person this September 10th & 11th for Jackalope Minneapolis!

Where to see more of Scent and Psyche:

Website | https://scentandpsyche.com/

Instagram | @scentandpsyche