How would you describe your style? 

I don't think I can pinpoint or identify with a particular style. I tend to like and lean more toward modern woodworking, however I’m not sure that is completely reflective in the wine and spirit racks, as well as the bottle openers i've been making. RIght now, I feel like my style is functional and Colorado-Ish. I am really have fun combining the Colorado beetle kill with our Colorado flag. I like to sneak in some led lighting here and there.

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

I truly find a lot of inspiration from watching others in the artist community, who are making and doing what they are passionate about, They are out there hustlin’ and selling products they’ve made and love. Seeing their enthusiasm and excitement is what keeps me inspired to keep creating, as I try to follow down a similar path. I like to think that every artist/crafter/maker out there is potentially a step away from becoming the next BIG thing. You never know who is eyeballing your work, it could always lead to bigger things. There is some amazing talent out there!

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

Being able to take something that is devastating our beautiful Rocky Mountain forests like the beetle kill wood and upcycling it into something creative and practical is pretty unique. The natural grains in the beetle kill wood are always different and full of surprises, which makes each piece unique right from the start. I’m particularly honored to have some beetle kill wood from the Black Forest fire of Colorado Springs in 2013. The heat from the fire affected the colors and grains giving them a super unique appearance.

What is your creative process like? 

I think the creative process is always evolving. Part of my process is simply thinking about the grains on a board and getting the creative juices flowing. The next step in the process which is my favorite but the longest, it’s the problem solving along with creating the templates, jigs, and methods necessary for the final piece.

Where can we learn more about you?

I have my website with some pics and all my links at jccustomdesignworks.com but I mostly post to instagram @jccustomdesignworks

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

Many years ago I got nicknamed “Elroy” after the Jetsons cartoon. For whatever reason, it stuck and I havn’t been able to shake it. Now as I am aging into an old man, I’ve accepted it and I just roll with it. However,  my mom always wants me to be sure to let  people know that she didn’t name me that.

In anticipation for our upcoming Holiday Fairs in Pasadena, Denver and Phoenix, we want to provide some helpful tips and tricks for making the most out of your holiday shopping experience AT...

Before the Fair: 

• Make sure you know the vendors that will be there and get an idea of your must haves! All of our vendors can be viewed for each city online: Pasadena, Denver, Phoenix
• Create a Holiday shopping list for all of your family and friends, that way you are not wondering around aimlessly loosing precious time! 
• Planning to bring your kids? Check out our workshops online under each corresponding city. A great chance to become a maker yourself, offered for both kids and adults. 
• Wear comfortable shoes and pack those reusable bags! You can also purchase a Jackalope Tote at the information booth at each cities event.

Getting to the Event:

• Make sure you know the directions and parking situation so you can easily find your way- all of the parking information can be found ONLINE under Attendee Info.
• Or Skip parking in Pasadena and Go Metro by taking the Gold Line to Del Mar Station, steps away from Central Park! For your best route use the Metro Trip Planner - AND once you arrive if you are one of the first 50 people to show us your TAP card, Metro employee ID, or LA County employee ID you will get a free Jackalope tote! 
• In ALL cities you can also opt not to drive and use LYFT! We are excited to announce that we have partnered with LYFT to offer first time riders a $20 credit by using the code: JACKALOPEARTS

At the Fair:

• Do a lap first and make sure you check it all out before making purchases, and then using your previously created shopping lists, get down to business! 
• Getting hungry? Don't let hunger slow you down, we will have a bunch of vendors selling prepackaged treats and Food trucks in both Pasadena and Phoenix, and indoor Food vendors in Denver! 
• Since Pasadena and Phoenix are both outside feel free to bring blankets and picnic on the grass if you need a shopping breather! 
• Over 21? In Denver make your shopping experience more enjoyable and grab a holiday inspired cocktail at the bar!
• From everyone you purchase from make sure to get their business card and sign up for the mailing list if they have one, that way you can be kept in the loop on all of your favorites artists! 
• And if you loved Jackalope, like we hope you did, join our mailing list so you will be the first to know when we come back in town! 

Cheers and thank you for choosing Jackalope for all of your holiday shopping needs ;)

• What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 
  There are so many talented makers in the natural soap, bath and body category that we count on our unique packaging to catch the consumer's eye. We just introduced our newly designed packaging this spring. We made a dramatic shift to high gloss black PET bottles, jars and pumps. The new packaging, all recyclable, is rich looking, gender neutral, and complements most bathroom décor. In addition, Spinster Sisters has opted to offer its 8.5 oz. body butter in a vintage style letterpress printed compostable and recyclable box. While we traditionally operate under a "less is more" philosophy when it comes to packaging, the addition of the box enhances the body butter's selling position as a gift item and offers unique color coded labels which easily identify the product's unique essence. For example, pink for rose, purple for lavender, red for peppermint tea tree.

• What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
  My fellow creative makers inspire me. I have met so many amazing and talented crafters, makers, artists and all around great people through my years selling at indoor and outdoor markets, festivals, and fairs. Their enthusiasm and support for this way of life keeps me motivated and creating new products for my business. My husband, Craig, is not only the love of my life, but my true source of inspiration and support for the path I have chosen. I would be remiss not to mention the example my parents set for me as a child. They have worked their entire lives to give all six of us the strength and fortitude to take on this sometimes daunting task of running our own businesses. Last, nature, the rugged Colorado mountains, beautiful vistas, hiking and biking all provide a source of inspiration and serve to reenergize me.
   
• When do you feel the most creative?
  About 2am, when I am trying to sleep!  I can come up with all kinds of amazing, and far-fetched ideas in the middle of the night. Which, of course, does not at all help me to fall back asleep.  I want to get up and create.  My husband has come down and find me elbows deep in a new product formulation at 3am before.  He just rolls his eyes and goes back to bed.
   
• What is your creative process like?
  A lot of research, a lot of making, testing, and remaking formulas, a lot of using my friends and family as “Guinea Pigs” to help test and refine the formulas, and a lot of playing with packaging and labels.

• Where can we learn more about you?  

www.spinstersistersco.com

http://www.spinstersistersco.com/About-Us_ep_7.html

How would you describe your style? 

Our style can simply be described as "Vintage"!!

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

We commission small independent artists to draw vintage style hand-sketched artwork for our product packaging. This really helps set us apart in the industry by giving our products more of a personal touch. We also take pride in providing our customers with quality all-natural products backed by stellar customer service and feel that this really sets us apart from other beard care companies in the industry!

What sort of things inspire you? 

Pretty much anything that smells nice! We are constantly searching for new scent ideas for future product development and tend to find ourselve in local soap shops searching for new inspirations.

Where can we learn more about you?  

• www.VintageBeards.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/vintagebeards
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/vintagebeardco
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/vintagebeardco

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

Trends Come and Go... Vintage Lives Forever!

Jackalope Arts filled the EXDO Event center with nearly 200 top notch artisans for a Summer shopping extravaganza on July 25th & 26th!  Within 1 hour of opening, the Fair had over 500 people through the door and the crowd continued to flow in over the weekend.  One attendee said it perfectly, "The vendors were AWESOME!"

Our Fair entrance welcomed guests with the Sophisticates Tea Truck selling fresh iced Chai & Black Tea!  Perfect for the warm day and sold out by the end of the weekend!  With a fresh iced, caffeinated drink in hand, attendees went head first into shopping two huge rooms full of bright and exciting vendors with an alley of even more vendors connecting them.  Some shoppers even came on Saturday to make the rounds and see everything and then came BACK on Sunday to make all of their purchases!  Now that's dedication.  

We love our vendors with a good sense of humor keeping the weekend light and happy!

Kids and adults alike had some hand on fun at our workshop station throughout the weekend making hula hoops, dolls, buttons and more!  And who doesn't love a beautiful henna tattoo to decorate yourself!

THANK YOU DENVER for an incredible weekend!!

If you missed our first Jackalope Art & Craft Fair in Denver, don't worry!  We are coming back again just in time to start your Holiday shopping in November!  Keep an eye on our Holiday Shopping Fair dates TBA at http://www.jackalopeartfair.com/denver/

Want to vend at the next one?  Apply online by September 19th:  http://www.jackalopeartfair.com/applydenver/

On any given weekend in Denver, you could make your way out to a handful of uniquely artistic and handmade events.  

While we gear up for our Artisan Mixer this weekend, we're excited to check out as many local fairs and festivals as we can!  

Check out some of the awesome happenings this weekend in Denver!

We're so excited to check out Denver People's Fair, and listen to some up and coming acts.

We can't wait to taste some of the delicious choices that The Big Wonderful has in store.

Many cities have their own versions of chalk art festivals.  We're really looking forward to seeing what Denver has in store for their Chalk Art Festival this weekend!

Friday Night Bazaar, a sister event of The Big Wonderful, is a weekly occurring event in Denver that we're happy to check out.

Join us in supporting these local fairs, and many more in the Denver area and shop local!

Owner of I Heart Denver Store, Creative Director of Artstir, and VP of Chapter Development at AIGA Colorado

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

A. I am the Owner of the I Heart Denver Store, an innovative, award-winning retail model developed to support Denver’s creative economy. The store carries 100% local art and design goods and has returned an unprecedented 70% of sales to more than 160 artists/designers over the last 3 years. To date, the store has sold over $2.1 million in local design goods, and roughly $1.4 million of that money was paid directly back to the artists and designers for the sales of their goods. I also work with Denver Pavilions to implement programming and events to activate the Denver's downtown creative culture. 

Q. What/who is your biggest inspiration?   

A. The DIY movement in general. It inspires me to see how much we can make with our hands and new technology. 

Q. How did you get into your position in the arts & crafts world?

A. While pursuing my creative education I took part time work that gained me sales and management experience. After 4.5 years of college I was able to secure a visual display position at Urban Outfitters, then moved into leadership roles in other corporations and small businesses. After several years of helping companies with new store builds, team building, and marketing I took the initiative to self produce art exhibitions and events that led to an invite by the city of Denver to run a one week pop-up store. The press and sales potential of that first pop-up store is what lead to the retail program I run today. 

Q. Tell us about a few favorites of your: Animal?

A. My favorite animal is my best buddy Denver Picard. He is my corgi and shop dog. A favorite at the Denver Pavilions, he has won a tourism award and a couple Best of Denver awards from Denver Westword. 

Q. What do you love most about the handmade movement?

A. The handmade movement has allowed passions to become careers, and new businesses to pursue a sustainable path more so than ever before. 

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

A. The imagery. Professional and complete works that show me something ready to sell. 

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

A. Seeing works not just produced in Colorado. My projects usually are geared to a hyperlocal stance which I wholeheartedly believe in, but an opportunity to get to curate from outside my normal region is a nice break. 

Q. Where can we find out more about you?

A. I keep my professional profile updated on Linkedin and you can find fun stuff I post on Facebook. http://facebook.com/samuelschimek https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelschimek

Denver Fashion Truck is a mobile boutique owned and operated by husband &  wife, Adrian & Desiree- “Mobility for Denver’s Art and Fashion”

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

A. (Desiree) I am a maker myself. Mostly dresses and home décor.       (Adrian) I have always been an artist, drawing, graffiti art, and I am currently in school obtaining my BFA in fine arts and communication design. So naturally we found ourselves indulging in arts and craft, not just as artists but as fans too. Eventually we came to want to offer these goods to the public.                                                                          

Q. What/who is your biggest inspiration?                                             

A. (Desiree) My husband and our daughters. They inspire me and push me to be the best I can be.                                                    (Adrian) I simply want to create awesome things and then share them with people, that's what inspires me. 

Q. How did you get into your position in the arts & crafts world?

A. (Desiree) My husband and I were sharing vendor booths at different events. We had wanted a boutique for years. We followed our path and a year and a half ago DFT was born.                                      (Adrian) Well as artists we wanted to get exposure, we worked a few of Fashion Denver events then we wanted to start establishing ourselves with our own events/business and share our work. This is after hitting a few dead ends with potential outlets for our work. So we figured if we want to perform, first we have to build the stage, hence Denver Fashion Truck. 

Q. Tell us about a few favorites of your: Weekend activity? Food? Color? Animal?

A. (Desiree) I love exploring our city and small mountain towns on our days off. I love a perfect hamburger. The color purple has always been my favorite and I’d have to say the fox is my favorite animal and dogs!                                                                                                       (Adrian) I love the mountains and exploring mountain towns! My favorite color is orange, you either hate it or love it nonetheless it's funky, fun and synonymous with my favorite time of year, autumn! My favorite food is Mexican! Isn't everybody's favorite food Mexican? But seriously street tacos! Com'on now!. I really need a favorite animal in my life, I like everything furry at the zoo except for tarantulas. My dog is pretty awesome too. 

Q. What do you love most about the handmade movement?

A. (Desiree) I love seeing the growth especially in our home town. Being a native, it’s such an inspiration to see what a community the handmade market has become.                                                     (Adrian) I like that it employees makers and creative types! It's also an awesome stage for us, It's more personalized, 

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

A. (Desiree) Passion + execution.                                                               (Adrian) I think it's important for an artist to be aware of their branding and to see that awareness from a potential customers view. 

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

A. We are excited to see all the different applications come through, to see what others are doing in the handmade community.

Q. Where can we find out more about you?

A. Check out our revamped website. Set to launch April 2015. www.denverfashiontruck.com

One of the Owners and Face of Fancy Tiger Crafts

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

A. I had a crafty upbringing as my mom had a craft supply store when I was little called "the Craft Peddler" in Parker Colorado. Not only did I spend a lot of time there as a child, she also took me to craft fairs with her where she sold her work. In 2006, I opened Fancy Tiger with my partner Matthew Brown that combined our two passions of fashion and crafting. In 2008, Fancy Tiger became two stores, Fancy Tiger Crafts and Fancy Tiger Clothing and this was when I partnered with Amber Corcoran. In addition to running Fancy Tiger Crafts for almost 9 years, we also put on the wildly successful Holiday Handmade craft fair here in Denver that ran from 2007 - 2012. My craft ties run deep.

Q. What/who is your biggest inspiration?

A. The crafting community is my biggest inspiration - I love being constantly inspired by our friends, customers, and staff and all the things they make. 

Q. How did you get into your position in the arts & crafts world?

A. Being the face of Fancy Tiger Crafts for so long has helped me gain a lot of friends in the community and respect from local and non-local crafters alike. 

Q. Tell us about a few favorites of your: Weekend activity? Food? Color? Animal?

A. I love hiking and backpacking which makes Colorado the perfect place for me. I try and get out into nature once a week and enjoy all the seasons - from snowshoeing in the winter to high-country camping in the summer, I like to take advantage of our amazing locale. My favorite daily activity is to enjoy soy milk lattes at one of our many amazing coffeehouses in town. I love all vegetables and my favorite way to eat them is just sticking with what's in season.

Q. What do you love most about the handmade movement?

A. I love seeing all of the amazing things that are out there. I love the support that everyone gives each other. I love buying beautiful handmade things and knowing the story behind them. 

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

A. Photos. Good, clear photos that let me see the workmanship and get a feel for the crafter is so important. Styling and lighting are important pieces that go into the photos and can allow me to get a sense of what someones booth is going to look like and what their style is. I also like knowing the story behind the products - how did they get started or are they using a particularly interesting material? 

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

A. Seeing all the amazing things people are making!

Q. Where can we find our more about you?

A. at fancytigercrafts.com, on our blog fancytigercrafts.com/blog and on instagram at "fancytigercrafts" and "fancyjaime"

We are so excited to bring Jackalope to Denver and are loving the support that has already come our way. 

Our Denver Fair will be July 25th and 26th at EXDO Event Center in the heart of Denver's River North Arts District (RiNo) from 11am-6pm.  Housed in former industrial warehouses we can't deny the urban feel this venue provides. Jackalope Arts will be taking over their entire complex, even the alley in between to create an indoor outdoor event!

Same as in Pasadena, our fair is juried to maintain a high quality standard. We will be seeking out artists who display the highest quality craftsmanship in original fashion and jewelry design, ceramics and paper goods, innovative home decor and housewares, art and photography, and much more!  

To help us drum up support we have some amazing SPONSORS that we would like you to meet! 

Westword: One of the top resources in Denver to find out what is going on across the city in terms of news, sports, entertainment, and more! We are also hosting a giveaway to provide people an inside look into our Summer Vendors! 

Spices of Life Gift Shop: They are new to the Denver Metro Area and are located just along Tennyson street. They are your one stop shop in finding the "Spices of Life" including goods in music, travel, cooking and wine, Colorado Living, Home Decor, and more, most of which are handmade here in Denver!

Fancy Tiger Crafts: Fancy Tiger Crafts is located along South Broadway and specializes in craft supplies and classes for the modern crafter! They host an open craft night every Tuesday and also have sister store, Fancy Tiger Clothing, where you can find a lot of unique clothing and accessories!

Denver Fashion Truck: is also joining forces and spreading the love! Mobility for Denver's art and fashion. They offer a variety of quality goods that include local fashion, art, vintage and modern gifts.  

I Heart Denver Store: located in the heart of Downtown Denver at the Denver Pavilions, has long been a staple for everything local in Colorado and has teamed up with us to help promote the handmade movement! They also have an online shop, making it possible to support the Colorado makers from across the country. 

Team Etsy Colorado: A community of Colorado-based artists and curators! 

River North Art District: Where Art is Made.  Located just North of Downtown, RiNo is dedicated to promoting and supporting the people and businesses that reside in the area. It is also the home of EXDO and Jackalope Denver! 

Whorl: Named Denver's Best New Boutique in Westword, Whorl resides in Denver's LoHi neighborhood. Whorl is not only a storefront, but offers an array of services such as a mobile store front, styling, and private events.  

Yelp: Yelp is a sponsor for each of our Jackalope Cities and we love having them as a referral! 

CRAVE Magazine: CRAVE Magazine is here to promote, celebrate and support our local Colorado artists and our thriving art scene.

Art Quench Magazine: ArtQuenchMagazine.com is an amazing source of information on the creativity in the world today and are supporters of each Jackalope City! 

We hope this gets you as excited as it has made us! There is definitely no denying the talent that exists in the Denver Handmade Community :)