Matty Miller

How did you get start?

Creativity has always been a part of my life. Growing up in a creative household, I was surrounded by artists, makers, and opportunities to express myself. My artistic business has evolved over the years, but the core themes of beauty, making, and teaching have remained constant. I believe that art is essential for enriching our lives and connecting on a deeper level.

That is so true. What inspires you to create?

 I'm inspired by the natural world and ecology... I love being in quiet, remote spaces in nature where I can look and listen with presence, and daydream. I also love to research! I love learning about native plants, regional mythology, folklore, culture, you name it...

What is a typical studio day like for you?

It's hard to say what a typical day in the studio is. I wear a lot of hats for my job so it could be anything from painting new work, sending off commission sketches, teaching private lessons, or packing orders. An ideal day in the studio starts slow with some journaling and a cup of coffee, and ends with standing back and taking in the view on a painting's progress.

What is your favorite part of being an artist?

I love finding a flow state as I paint, the feeling of being completely absorbed in the moment. I can access an ethereal and meditative state of mind, and there's a magical quality to the process of transforming ideas into tangible works of art.
I also love the personal connections I make with my clients when creating custom pieces. It's incredibly rewarding to bring their vision to life and create art that resonates with them and their values.

Do you have a favorite product that you have created and why?

My favorite works are my original paintings. Original art has a special essence to it that's transferred through the love and hours spent creating it by the artist. 
At the moment my favorite piece is called Meadow Sentinel. It captures the serene beauty of a meadow, with a graceful deer adorned with flowers and quilting patterns. It's a reminder of the importance of connecting with nature and finding moments of peace in our busy livesI

Meadow Sentinel

What do you like most about Arvada?

Arvada is such a great blend of small-town charm and urban convenience. The community is super friendly and supportive of the arts. Also, Yak and Yeti is one of my favorite restaurants!

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

At Jackalope, you'll find a selection of my original works, art prints, and a brand-new line of silk scarves. They make amazing gifts and I can't wait to share them.

Find Matty Miller Studio at Jackalope Arvada this October 5th & 6th, 2024

www.mattymiller.com

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Instagram: @mattymillerstudio

Nicole of Mountain Essentials

Do you have a story behind your business name?

I’m not sure the best way to phrase this but Mountain Essentials is M.E. It’s from my heart but it’s also essential to have good skin care in the mountains.

Very true. How did you get started?

My daughter had some extreme skin allergies. I couldn’t find a diaper cream that worked for her, so I created my own. I was excited to see what else I could make. When we got a couple little goats I had too much milk. Read about all the benefits it has to offer our skin. Started adding it and haven’t looked back.

Very cool. What is a typical studio day like for you?

My typical day in the studio includes the farm and daily chores. From milking the goats, feeding the babies, mucking pens, helping does give birth, shearing the fiber animals. Farm chores typically take 2 hours a.m and pm. Then I head to the shop with my fresh milk in tow. After processing the milk so it is ready for soap and lotion making, I tend to the shops needs. Opening and helping customers. I’ll make products as the day goes if time allows. Then back home for evening chores.

What is your favorite part of being a maker?

My favorite part about the marker process is being creative and experimenting with new recipes. Filling a skincare need. Helping people with their skincare needs.

And what about a favorite product that you have created?

My favorite product is the Healing Balm. It’s what changed my course.

What do you like most about Arvada?

I love Arvada! I love the people and the atmosphere. This event brings me joy!

That makes us smile! What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I’ll be bringing all my favorites and staples.

Soaps, lotions, lip balms, healing balm, plus we are launching the holiday line! So excited to launch it. 

Find Mountain Essentials at Jackalope Arvada this October 5th & 6th, 2024
Website: www.mountainessentialsllc.com

Instagram: @mountainessentialsllc

Facebook: @mountainessentialsllc

Jennifer

Do you have a story behind your business name?

Chickens on the Moon Publishing, which is my parent company, is named after a plot line in a book series that is due out in the coming months. In general though, it's meant to represent the idea that there are no rules when it comes to imagination, especially when you are creating for children. 

Jambo Jennifer Puzzles was named for the friendly greeting you get all over Africa. It means hello but it is always said with a bright smile and a genuine warmth to make you feel welcome.  I get to experience this time and time again when I am there photographing animals for my puzzles and books.

Love the meaning behind Chickens on the Moon, and I bet that is such a great experience being able to photograph animals in Africa. Tell us how did you get start?

I come by this business honestly. First and foremost, as a mom! But I also had a 20 year career in photography and a bit of magazine writing. And always in the background I wrote poems and stories. So when it came time to put down my 40 pound backpack of camera equipment it was easy to decide what to do next - children's books and wildlife puzzles!

Very cool. What inspires you to create?

My company specializes in unplugged fun, to try to help parents and teachers combat the onslaught of screen options in our world today. I think it's really important for kids (and adults!) to be able to still enjoy themselves away from a screen.

So true. What is a typical studio day like for you?

Right now I'm doing a LOT of puzzles! Literally putting the pieces together so that I can photograph them at different stages for marketing. I'm also working very hard on my Becky Barnes book series. The first two books will be released together (hopefully this winter). I do the lettering myself and so it takes a good bit of time. So in short, I don't really have a typical day as my projects are many and varied!

What is your favorite part of being an artist?

Right now I'm completely obsessed with my alphabet puzzles and the explorer cards that come with them. I love that when you buy a Jambo Jennifer Puzzle, you also get to learn all about the animal that it features. That was very important to me as I developed the product. Even the 1000 piece puzzles come with an Explorer Card because I feel strongly even adults still love to learn.

Do you have a favorite product that you have created and why?

I do love Africa Dreaming - I think it's the perfect bedtime book but it also has a lot of adult fans because of the intimate wildlife photography.  

What do you like most about Arvada?

I'm a relatively new resident here so I am still learning about my hometown! I love Old Town of course, and the parks are amazing. I'm partial to the one across the street from our house - I can photograph turtles, ducks, muskrats, herons, bullfrogs... the wildlife here is so abundant, even in the city. But also, my camera and I can be above 14,000 feet with my beloved mountain goats in just a little over a hour!

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I hope families will discover me so that they can have a few new items to share with their kids when they know they've had enough screen time for the day. I try to make sure my creations are fun for the whole family to experience together, whether they are reading one of my books aloud or learning from one of my puzzles that bighorn sheep can ram each other at 40mph! 

Anything special you’d like to share?

It's never too late to reinvent yourself. I turned 50 last year and I started my company at age 48. If you aren't happy or can no longer do what you've always done, dream big and go for it.

Find Jambo Jennifer Puzzles & Books at Jackalope Arvada this October 5th & 6th, 2024

Christine Ann Nicols of CANdesignsn

Do you have a story behind your business name?
Growing up my dad would tell me and my sisters that "success comes in CANS". I took that very literally and looked for the "success can" mixed in with the Campbell's Soup. Unsurprisingly, I didn't find it. But it was never lost on me that my initials, Christine Ann Nicols, spelled CAN. CANdesigns was born from childhood innocence and a desire to change the world.

That is too funny. How did you get started?

I tell environmental stories through my jewelry and art. I want to give a voice to the surroundings that have inspired me, and my hope is to help people find a deeper connection with nature.

What is a typical studio day like for you?

As a solopreneur there is no such thing as a "typical day" in the studio. But there are some non-negotiables- coffee, music, and time outside. Beyond that the days vary based one where I am in a launch cycle. Some days are really technology intensive, some days I only emerge from my cave to go for a walk with my sister.

What is your favorite product that you have created and why?

I was asked to make a custom necklace for my friend's wedding. The design mimics the lace of her dress. It was challenging, experimental, and playful - all the things I love most about metalsmithing.

How unique and personal! What do you like most about Arvada?

The access to green spaces and old trees in Arvada is incredible. A park or greenbelt seems to be no more than a 10 minute drive from wherever you are in the city.

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I am so excited to be bringing one of a kind and small batch jewelry to Jackalope. You should have jewelry as unique as you are.

Anything special you would like to add?

Giving looks good on you - a portion of every sale goes to the Xerces Society, an organization working for the conservation and preservation of bugs and their habitats.

Find CANdesigns at Jackalope Arvada this October 5th & 6th, 2024
Website: christineannnicols.com

Instagram: @christineannnicols

Margaret

Do you have a story behind your business name?
The founding belief of my business is that we ARE Nature. So the name came from remembering that our innate wildness is what helps us reclaim our radiance. And everything I make comes from the land so I wanted to invoke that connection to Mother Nature as well.

How did it all get started?

I worked at Whole Foods in college, in the body care and supplement department, which is where I learned about non toxic skincare. But being a broke college kid, I didn't have money to buy those products so I started making my own skincare. 10 years later, I started my holistic health coaching business supporting women in menstrual health and fertility, and clean skincare is one of the topics we focus on. So I started the skincare side to complement the health coaching, and to offer simple botanical skincare that's so clean you could eat it.

That is so cool! What is your favorite part of the maker process?
Growing some of the plants I use, harvesting them, and making them into products that are deeply nourishing for the body, mind, and soul. 

Where do you draw inspiration to create?

Being able to work with plants and help people remember their connection to Nature through what they put on their body.

What is a typical studio day like for you?

I light a candle, listen to an audiobook (currently re-listening to Outlander), then get into the flow of whatever needs to be made. I also chant healing mantras whenever I first start working with the plants to invoke that loving energy into every product that gets applied to people's bodies.

Love how personal that is. What is your favorite product that you have created and why?

Naked Body Oil! As an Ayurveda Health Counselor, massaging your body with oil is one of the most highly recommended practices. And for good reason! Not only does it support the lymph system, circulation, digestion, and the nervous system, but oil in Sanskrit is sneha which is the same word for love. And your hands are an extension of your heart. So when you massage oil into your body with your own hands, it's a way to imprint self-love into your very tissues.

So interesting! What do you like most about Arvada?

I love how community centered it is, with a lot of focus on supporting local businesses.

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I'll be bringing our signature line of skincare which includes herbal powder cleansers, hydrating toners, face oil, and body oil. I'll also have tallow belly balm for the pregnant people wanting a clean, non-greasy, and deeply nourishing balm for their growing bellies.

Find Wild & Radiant Botanicals at Jackalope Arvada this October 5th & 6th, 2024
Website: www.wildandradiantbotanicals.com

Instagram: @thewildandradiant

Sandra & Edoardo

Do you have a story behind your business name?
Our company name is our family name. 

How did it all get started?

We are a family business. We are the 3rd generation.

That is incredible! What is your favorite part of the maker process?
Creating designs and paying attention to the little details.

Where do you draw inspiration to create?

Nature is our biggest inspiration.

What is your favorite product that you have created and why?

My favorite item is our alpaca socks. We are very proud of the feel and the fit of our socks.

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?
We will bring our alpaca socks, our hand embroidery accessories, and our WUAMAN Kids collection.

Anything special you’d like to share?
We are certified fair trade and sustainably grazed.

Find WUAMAN at Jackalope Arvada this October 5th & 6th, 2024
Website: www.wuaman.com

Instagram: @wuaman.official

Dante Perozzi

Where are you from and does it affect your work?

I have moved around a ton in my life, so it's not easy to sum up. I was born in Zimbabwe, lived in places like Virginia, Louisiana, South Carolina, sailed on a boat along the US east coast and into the Caribbean, and finally settled in Arizona. The longest I stayed anywhere was 12 years in California, but I was just 21 when I got there. I think all that moving around made me more open to taking risks, trying new things, and not being afraid of big changes or new ideas.

Very cool! Do you have any artistic influences?

Yes! Other than finding beauty in formal attributes and shapes - I am always moved and inspired by sculpture. Some favorites that I can think of right now are Louise Nevelson, Gordon Matta Clark, Robert Motherwell, Carl Andre, Eva Hesse.

How do you define success as an artist?

Success as an artist is creating something that can affect the thoughts or emotions of others through my creations. They have an impact and can be absorbed/appreciated by an audience. In the case of jewelry, I feel successful when I see someone light up when they find or wear my my jewelry. 

What’s the hardest part of your creation process?

Knowing when to stop! I have endless ideas and I could make new designs indefinitely. But I have learned to hold myself back otherwise I become buried by the production of too many pieces at a time. Patience doesn’t come easily to me.  

Has your style changed over time?

I went from working with very clean lines, straight edges, smooth surfaces with sharp angled designs that were highly structural in nature to the complete opposite end of the spectrum! I am currently making pieces that are highly textural, and more organic in form. It’s funny to think about how very different my work is now.

Ya we can spot the difference from when you first started doing our fairs! How have you continued to develop your skillset as an artist?

I have steadily added skills to my knowledge base from the beginning. I thrive off of a design challenge-and since I don't let my personal skillset limit my ideas, I am often seeking out knowledge via courses or local resources in order to bring my idea to life.

What is your favorite item you’ve created and why?

I could never pick a favorite. But I’ll say that I am really enjoying making chains lately. I have a beautiful new piece called the Nara Chain and I find it mesmerizing.  I can definitely see more unique chain making in my future.

Can’t wait to see what you will create next! And finally, what do you love most about Colorado?

I have been in Colorado for 5.5 years now and the beauty of this state is truly incomparable, I have also really grown to love the active and engaged community of people I have found here. I have 2 young boys that I am very grateful to be able to raise in this special place.

Can’t wait to be back there next week! Catch Dante Perozzi at Jackalope Arvada on October 14th, & 15th

Website: www.danteperozzi.com

Instagram: @danteperozzijewelery

Daili Shang

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

I am from China. I majored in Physics. Being an Asian descendent who was forced into a career which didn't bring joy to me makes me understand those who want to be true to themself. I promote pursuing one's dream and self-care in my work. 

We love that mission. How did you get your start? 

I majored in physics in college because that’s one of the “society approved” majors in Asian culture. I’ve always loved art and the great outdoors. I wanted to be true to myself and started exploring art and a more flexible lifestyle after I graduated.

What are your biggest artistic influences?

My biggest artistic influences are the problems we face every day. I try to use a humorous tone to address the problems and use my art to let people know that this is okay. We will get through this. In the meantime, take a deep breath and take care of yourself.

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

A successful artist is progressing compared to herself/himself/themselves. A successful artist has the freedom to create what makes herself/himself/themselves happy.

What is the hardest part of your creation process? 

To slow down and recharge to create better work.

It can be hard to step a way at times. What is a typical day like in the studio for you? 

I reply to emails in the morning. I spend most of my day learning and practicing as I’m a self-taught artist and I’m only in the second year of making art. There is a ton to learn. 

How has your style changed over time?

I intentionally make my style simpler and more stylized over time.

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

My favorite piece is the national park sign which says "some who wander are lost and that is okay too". I love that I altered Tolkien's saying and made it my own version. Many people get courage and spend time to explore more from this new version. This piece is also clever in the sense that a national park sign is supposed to tell you where you are, but this sign tells you that you are lost and that is okay.

As someone who’s attended fairs in multiple Jackalope cities, what do you love most about Pasadena?

I love the mountains in Pasadena. The authentic Chinese food in San Gabrielle village comes to a close second.

And how about (Arvada) Colorado?! I love nature. I love bicycle riding in Colorado.

Now we can’t wait for you to be a part of our Burbank event and see all that this great city has to offer as well.

And finally, is there anything special you would like to add?

I started my art journey in my 30s two years ago. I am a full-time artist now. I want to let those who want to pursue their dream but in doubt know that you just have to start. The rest will take care of itself. 

My work can also be found at Ten Women Gallery at 2719 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405. 

Catch Shang Daili at the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival on December 7th & 8th, 2024.

Website: www.shangdaili.com/

Instagram: @shang_daili

Tatiana of Sanin Jewelry

Where are you from and does it affect your work?

I am from Medellin, Colombia, the city of the eternal spring. Being born there brings a different sunshine to my inspiration that is reflected in some of my pieces. 

How do you define success as an artist?

Doing what you love every day of your life surrounded by your loved ones.

What’s the hardest part of your creation process?

The days when I don't have inspiration. I used to think that I needed to be creative everyday, but I am just a human with sunny and rainy days. There will be days full of wonderful ideas and others for resetting myself.  

Well said. Has your style changed over time?

A lot! From the materials I use, to the design process, and I think it will continue evolving and that excites me!

How have you continued to develop your skillset as an artist?

I am coming out of a time in my life when I took a couple years to work on myself and get some clarity in my life. I am ready for the next chapter of growing and learning. I am planning to attend a design school next year to discover more about this creative world.

Very cool! What is your favorite item you’ve created and why?

I have a lot of favorite items, it is hard to choose. I love my WILDLIFE COLLECTION because I am a big animal lover. I also adore my CONSTANTINE COLLECTION that was inspired by the architecture of the big cathedrals around the world. My father helped me to bring my ideas to life and having his hands be part of this process makes every piece very special to me.

And finally, what do you love most about Colorado?

The nature! The silhouettes of the mountains getting lost in the sky and the magnificent wildlife that I have the honor to be surrounded by. What a lucky girl to wake up with the sound of the birds and go to bed with the light of the stars. 

Catch Sanin Jewelry at Jackalope Arvada on October 14th, & 15th

Website: www.sanin.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saninjewelry

Amber with Original Remix

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

I am from Denver Colorado. This affects my work because I love being outdoors and am greatly inspired by nature in my designs. I really like plants and enjoy creating out of the ordinary items with them (such as live plant jewelry)! 

Who / what are your biggest artistic influences?

I would say one of my biggest design influences is clean cut modern designs sometimes mixed with a bit of retro. This is reflective in my branding and logo, as well as my Root Vases which have a very clean aesthetic. You can see a bit of mid-century retro twist reflective in the gold that I use as part of my jewelry, and in how I style my vendor space at markets. 

How do you define success as an artist?

I define success as an artist as being able to create truly unique items, bringing them into the world from an idea, to a sketch at times, to a finished product that brings joy and a smile to people's faces.   

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Yes. Art and design help me in other areas of my life by providing an outlet for my creativity to flow. I also use art and design to create aesthetically pleasing and welcoming spaces in my own home.     

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I have worked on developing my skill-set by continuing to develop new products, and by utilizing various tools in the workshop I work in, such as a CNC machine, drills, etc. My background is in product design and a lot of my designs are influenced by that. I like to call it "Craft meets Design." I also do multiple prototypes of a design continually refining and improving it until I feel it's ready to be presented. I also ask for feedback on a new product I may be working on.     

Very cool! What’s the hardest part of your creation process?

I think the hardest part is the patience required to complete a product from sketch or prototype to something I'm proud of and ready to present to the world.   

What is your favorite item you’ve created and why?

That's a tough one. Like choosing your favorite kid, lol. I love each product for different reasons but if I had to pick one, I think it would be my line of Live Air Plant and Live Cactus Earrings. They truly puzzle people, cause people to stop and do a double-take. Then the delight on their faces when they realize the plants are real is what I love the most. When I was developing the Live Cactus Earrings, I had a lot of skeptics (understandably). I did many iterations of the pot before I decided on the one I make and use today, and I love that I proved the skeptics wrong about this being a valid product. People are confused by them, but at the same time, love them.  

We can’t wait to see those in person! Catch Original Remix at Jackalope Arvada on October 14th, & 15th

Website: originalremix.com

Instagram: @original__remix/