Posts in Denver
Denver Vendor Spotlight: Caged Bird Sings

How would you describe your style?  
Funky, Nerdy, Romantic.  I have a masters in Art history so a lot of my inspiration comes from people in different timelines, countries, and books. 

Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?
I've always been inspired by Wassily Kandinsky and his use of color and pattern to portray emotion and sound into his work.  My specialty is in African art so I'm also complete enamored with Nick Cave (not the singer) and El Anatsui since both deal with pattern, used material, and transference of cultural history into a contemporary work of art. 

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 
Because I personally make them!  I wrote a paper on the quality of "things" in graduate school and it is mostly about this idea of a "thing" gaining quality by being touched, or formed, with human ingenuity.  That's a similar idea to what I have about my own work.  I use recycled stained glass from a local stained glass artist, I find branches from local parks, and I hold, mold, and put so much love into every chime that I create, and then there is of course the person purchasing the chime for a whole variety of reasons.  All of these different people are a part of the story of the piece and that's what makes me so passionate about creating them. 

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
Nature, humans, emotions.  I often find myself using nature with all of the various patterns, and color combinations as a big inspiration for my work.  There is a kind of special, magical quality that stained glass offers that I find best mirrors those found in natural settings.  Colorado also offers the most beautiful scenery and unusual pairings.  Last summer I spent a long weekend visiting the Sand Dunes for the first time and was just blown away by the way the dunes, river, and mountain peaks played off of one another.  When I'm laying out pieces my design process is very much my memory and emotions felt visiting the different places that I've explored and the people that I've met along the way.  

When do you feel the most creative?
I love to jam out.  Pandora has an "80s Cardio" playlist and when that comes on... I turn into my most productive self (unfortunately for my neighbors it's also extreme karaoke self).  Usually I'll go on a big hike or little walk around Denver to recharge, but I've also found myself to reset into the creative process when I let someone else do it for me.  I love, love, love letting others help me with their custom orders, ESPECIALLY when I'm able to let them come to pick their own glass pieces from my workroom at home.  I love getting to see them pick out pieces and put them together and it really helps fuel my own creative spirit.  I think this is also why I'm such a passionate teacher, I'm always looking for new ways to tackle a project or subject.  

What is your creative process like?
I have about three bins of stained glass scraps (mostly organized by color group) and will spend hours selecting pieces and placing them on rubber mats to lay out a chime.  I'll collect handfuls of colors I find interesting and then begin to put them together.  I usually have a system of opaque pieces next to more transparent ones but I will try and mix it up a little bit.  Once I've set aside a few chime designs and I'm ready to create I head straight to my bead collection which usually has me making design decisions of whether or not to include the same color palate with the beads or to create a contrast.  Then I place the 3-4 beads per piece of glass above the glass, plug in the glue, put on some music, and get into the zone.  One of my favorite little secrets (though not anymore!) is adding an "M" shape with the hemp on one piece of glass per chime, it's kind of like a quiet signature and it always makes me smile knowing that my name is hidden within the work. 

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
Ah!  So many.  One of my professors at the University of Northern Colorado told me to put my work far away and squint to try and see if the colors, highlights, and shadows were equally placed and I use that advice all the time.  I think one of my most inspiring artistic tips was from a painting professor who told me that my need to please others was bringing my work quality down and that art should be for you.  She told me that all of those great artists that we learned about did not care about whether or not I thought their work was "pretty" or "cool" but rather that we felt some sort of transference in emotion because that artist put their heart, soul, and personal belief into that work of art and that I should do the same. 

Meet Denver Juror: Heather Okimoto

Editor in Chief & Co-founder of Denver Style Magazine

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

By attending local fashion events and getting involved. I met local fashion icons that have created a foundation for a thriving community, helped with fashion shows, markets, and boutique openings, and started shopping local. When you surround yourself with people that are creating, you begin to create your own work. Community is the circle of creative life.

2. How is Denver’s fashion scene evolving?

Every apartment building filled with new residents, office tower filled with new commuters, and community workspace that invites creativity comes the experiences, travels, and style of new inhabitants. The inspiration of style between residents new and old changes the demand of products offered and creates opportunity for new trends.

3. What/Who is your biggest inspiration?

Denver. I am in constant awe of the support of the people in this city. Whether you’re starting a business, adventure, or new life path, you’ll be supported. The spirit of community and involvement is alive and well and I love seeing people believing in people.

4. Tell us a few favorites of yours (animal, tv show, weekend activity, food etc)?

School supplies. Side dishes. Dateline. Sundresses and wedges. Dinner dates with myself and a stack of new magazines. News anchors. Appropriate pockets. La Croix. Cooking more than I can eat. Documentaries. Puns.

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

It’s actually made. Most of us have grand ideas of projects we’re going to do and things we’re going to make with no follow up. These artists go beyond just the idea and make it happen. They take the time to create a product, build a brand, but most importantly put themselves out there.

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

Passion for product. I love to be sold through a story. I enjoy knowing that an artist is creating a product that they believe in and want to share with others.

7. What are you looking forward to the most in joining the jury panel with Jackalope?

Shopping. I’ve attended quite a few Jackalope experiences and always walk away with finds from new vendors. Jackalope is full of treasures for friends and family, but it’s also the best place to find that ‘I’ve been meaning to...’ item. You know, the new candle for the bathroom or guest bedroom, Colorado tee you’ve been meaning to replace because the wine stain is just too obvious, or tote bag to carry all your goods. Find me shopping with my ‘I’ve been meaning to’ list.

Learn more about Denver Style Magazine at: www.denverstylemagazine.com

Meet Denver Juror: Marlene with Caboodle Gifts

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

Even though my mom doesn't think of herself as artistic or crafty she is.  When I was young my mom often made gifts for friends and even sold a few things.  My favorite was candles.  My mom made molded candles and the room she made them in always smelled so good.  Back in the 60's there was a lot of macrame going on and my mother did that also.  Hanging planters, wall art and gods eyes were done a lot.  In the summer we took art and craft classes at the school.  When I started teaching preschool and kindergarten I came to love crafting with things people would typically throw out: kleenex boxes, toilet paper tubes, boxes, etc.  When I started my store I really wanted to focus on handmade and local.  There are so many "closet crafters" out there who didn't have an outlet for their crafts other than doing fairs.

2. What/Who is your biggest inspiration?

I can't really say there is one person or thing.  I feel like I get different kinds of inspiration from different people and places.  Inspiration comes from connection.  When you connect on a real level with something or someone you become inspired!  Love, beauty, heartbreak, adventure, challenge.  If the world touches you, you will find a way to express it in some way whether it is a poem, song, story, painting, jewelry etc., etc., etc.

3. Tell us a few favorites of yours?

My favorite color right now is probably a teal shade.  

My favorite people are probably my kids.  They range in age from 18 to 23 and I am just loving watching them turn into adults and finding their passions and working to that end.  

My favorite dream is winning the lottery.  I love to think of all the ways I would use the money to relax and do good!

My favorite drink is a chai latte.

My favorite thing to do in any gathering is play games (of all kinds).

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

I think the thing I love most about the resurgence of handmade crafts is the peace and community it offers people.  Almost everyone I talk to who crafts does it because they love it, it is their stress relief.  It also brings people together.  Someone will always want to learn how you do something.  So you teach them, or you tell them.  You have shared your passion and excitement for life and that spark will spread like wildfire!

5. What is the most important feature in an artists application for you? 

In the application itself it will probably be the picture and description of what the artist does.  Do they take pride in their work and take care to craft an item of good quality not something that is slapped together and likely to fall apart?  The application needs to be thorough and provide all the information that is asked for.

6. What are you looking forward to the most in joining the jury panel with Jackalope?

I look forward to being a part of the reason someone comes to a craft fair and falls in love with crafting or handmade items.  I have always loved event planning (worked to put on conferences, weddings, bat mitzfahs and fundraisers a lot!) and I love it when a patron comes away saying they loved it.

 

Denver Vendor Spotlight: Jen Herling Art

1. How would you describe your style? 

I strive for a balance in my work. My style is loose and somewhat raw without being too messy. Thematically my work expresses feelings of isolation, loss, and grief balanced with innocence, hope, and strength.  If art can make people feel less alone, and more united in our existence, I believe it is successful. 

2. What or who inspires you?

I'm inspired by dreams, animals, nature, dance, music, dolls, colors, patterns, and beauty in general. People inspire me who stay strong and positive despite the debilitating challenges that life can deliver. I'm also inspired by people who live boldly, often going against societal norms in order to express their personal truth, and give voice to those who have been marginalized.   

3. When do you feel the most creative?

I'm the most creative when I can let go of fear about the outcome of a painting, or the fear of messing it up. When I can work in a state of freedom, my creativity flows.

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

You will see many original paintings ranging from very small to large, as well as a large selection of prints. 

5. What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?

I coolest artistic tip I have received was in my early months as a painter, I had a short conversation with an established artist friend about the background of a painting on which I was working. He described the background as being responsible for creating the world in which my character would live. This incredibly simple, and yet obvious, idea revolutionized my understanding of the backgrounds in my work.

Find out more about Jen Herling at: http://www.jenherlingart.com/

Denver Vendor Spotlight: Green Lady Gardens

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!

Denver Vendor Spotlight: Garaffagalli

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as eclectic and contemporary. I like going beyond the boundaries of whats normal and think outside the box to accomplish designs that are beautiful and bold; designs that help people make a statement. I admire artists like Joan Miro, David Hockney and Zaria forman. And I admire designer Carolina Herrera and designer house Hermes.

What makes your work unique?

That each piece I create and design, whether it is one of my paintings or one of my handbags, has my very own mark of boldness through the art I create, where each one is a one of a kind. My techniques and my composition of colors, shapes and volume are not conventional yet inspiring. I am a pioneer, always pursuing the gift of uniqueness in everything I do, which is transplanted in my artwork.

What or who inspires you?

I would say anything and everything inspires me, all the time. Im constantly inspired by everything that surrounds me. But above all things, the beauty of nature inspires me the most: the glow of the mountains after a rainy afternoon, the translucent pearl white color of aspen trees with their ever moving leaves, the passion of skiers go down the slopes, the snow that covers everything in white, etc. Living in Aspen Colorado, it's very easy to find fresh new inspiration, all I need to do is open the door and go outside.

When are you most creative?

Its funny to say this, but I feel the more creative, meaning that the best ideas come to my mind, when I take a shower or go for a run.

Tell us a little about your creative process.

My creative process is very spontaneous. When I see something that inspires me or I get an idea for creating something that's cool, I either take pictures or write it down and then paint it. I really don't spend much time sketching what I am going to paint, I just go right to my canvas and start doing it when I feel the inspiration is there to motivate me.

What's the best advice you've been given?

Interesting question. It came from my grandmother, a great amazing artist herself. When I was about 10 years old, my grandma told me: "people will tell you that you should take classes to improve your artistic talent, but I tell you never take classes. Teach yourself and discover who you are as an artist and believe it. The rest is for those who need direction. You, follow your passion"

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I will be releasing a new collection of paintings  called "Pow Pow". This collection of paintings will be all about skiers and snowboarders, skiing down the mountain on beautiful, fluffy, powder snow. In addition to that,  I will have my collection of unique handbags designed by me and handcrafted in New York City. Each handbag has an original piece of artwork that I paint myself and they are one of a kind, meaning they will not b e duplicated. So say you buy the handbag called "Jump and risk" with the painting of a skier, you will be the only person to ever have that handbag with that painting. Really really cool.

Where can you be found online?

You can learn more about me on my website garaffagalli.com <http://garaffagalli.com/> and also my Instagram account isabellagaraffa_art and Facebook account GaraffaGalli

Denver Vendor Spotlight: Bjorns Colorado Honey

1. How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to? 

Björn's Colorado Honey and BeeCareNature offer local Colorado honey and European-made bee-based skincare featuring beeswax, honey, and propolis.

We are small batch, local, honey producers based in Boulder. Pontus, our beekeeper, grew up in Sweden and learned the practice from his grandfather Björn; the company namesake.

The focus of Björn's Colorado Honey is to provide top-quality local honey produced in our Swedish family tradition. It can be said that Swedes typically enjoy their honey crystallized as this version is smooth, spreadable, and possesses a texture that is not too thick. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy honey, a fantastic natural sweetener. We also offer a traditional version for customers who prefer the fluid variety.

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

Björn's Colorado Honey is the only producer in the USA that sells a propolis honey, meant for people who eat honey to stay healthy. Propolis honey was created by Pontus’ father Torbjörn in Sweden and it quickly became a hit. When Pontus moved to Colorado, he couldn’t resist whipping up his own batch. By blending Colorado honey with high-quality propolis extract we boost honey's health benefits. Propolis, an age old remedy made by the bees from tree and plant resins, is known to bolster the immune system and contains antifungal and antibacterial properties.

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

Honey has a unique taste of the land it comes from and Bjorn's Colorado Honey is a taste of the Colorado front range. We are inspired every day by the wonderful open spaces of the front range, the delicate wildflowers and clover that grows on that land, and of course, the honeybees. 

As far as insects go, honeybees are pretty special. They live in amazingly advanced little societies. They coordinate with each other, perform so many duties and they do it all as a team. Plus they help keep our food supply pollinated and diverse, without them we'd have one-third of the food variety we currently have.

4. Where can we learn more about you?  

Our website:

https://bjornscoloradohoney.com/

Our Social Media Properties:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BjornsColoradoHoney

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

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

Pontus, our beekeeper, also chose to import high quality European bee-based skin and oral care products that we sell under our BeeCareNatura line. The producer of BeeCareNatura is a professional beekeeper and pharmacist himself, who understands bees and their benefits, as well as traditional cosmetics production. He is also a long-time family friend of Pontus and his family of beekeepers in Sweden.

BeeCareNatura lotions, creams, and salves leverage the wonders of honeybees, from beeswax to propolis and, of course, honey. The products are mild and suitable for all skin types and are never tested on animals. By placing emphasis on quality ingredients rather than fancy packaging true value can be passed along to our customers.

Our signature products are our Traditional Honey, our Propolis Honey and our Honey and Propolis Handcream. I have included links to those products but I also have images of them below. I also included a shot of all three varieties of our honey, it's a bit more artistic than the other shots, so feel free to use that one. The third variety of honey included there is our Crystallized Honey

 

 

Denver Vendor Spotlight: Tribe Vibe Apparel

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

The fact that every single shirt is hand-painted and essentially unique in its own way is something that really helps my work through Tribe Vibe stand out. When people see Tribe Vibe Apparel they often ask me questions that seem to come from genuine curiosity, and that is how I know I landed on something different and unique. With hand-painted shirts there is a texture and vibrancy that pops in a way that you can’t find with screen printing. Also, I really believe that when paint is delivered from hand to any type of canvas, an energy travels with it. This energy and rawness is the main reason I love art and with that I made the promise that every article of Tribe Vibe clothing will be individually hand-painted.

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

Nature is home to me. It is the place I feel the most comfortable and the most at ease. I pull a lot of my inspiration from the natural world around us. Oftentimes I have to remove myself from the city and take a productive hiatus up in the mountains or somewhere surrounded by nature in order to find the inspiration, motivation, and rejuvenation that I need to continue moving forward. As you can see with Tribe Vibe, the designs and message behind my company is centered around connecting with nature and to each other, this worldly tribe we are all a part of. With that being said, I am also very much so an intellectual and I pull a lot of my inspiration and ideas from great thinkers that have walked this Earth. Two of the most influential people in my life are Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. 

What is your creative process like?

My creative process is quite a roller coaster ride, which is probably similar to most people! When it comes to creation, I usually start the process up in my mind. I am a thinker by default and I certainly can spend a lot of time up in a very heady space. In order to really dive into the creative juice, however, it is essential for me to bring whatever is brewing up in the mind down into the heart. That is where the magic happens. When I overthink the process, which I can easily do, I have a much more difficult time with the fluidity of creation. At some point, I have to allow myself to drop in to the heart, let go of the mind, and just feel it out. I try and look at it like I am not in control of the process, and the more I try and control it intellectually, the more in my own way I get.

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?

I don’t know if this was necessarily a tip, but it came from a mentor of mine who has helped me immensely in my creative growth. He pointed something out to me that genuinely struck me as a personal truth. When I decided to start my own business and essentially start painting on shirts as a way to reach a larger audience in a more efficient way, he mentioned to me that it is clear that my art is about delivering a message out to the world. He has encouraged me to keep painting on canvas, which I do, but affirmed that Tribe Vibe would help me to reach a larger audience and that is exactly what it is doing. 

Where can we learn more about you?  

You can learn more about Tribe Vibe Apparel at www.tribevibeapparel.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/tribevibeapparel
Instagram - www.instagram.com/tribevibeapparel
Twitter - www.twitter.com/_tribevibe_

Also if you are interested in exploring more about me as a fine artist you can find my portfolio at www.artbyalexavarano.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/artbyalexavarano 
Instagram - www.instagram.com/alexavarano_art

Denver Vendor Spotlight: WillowSwitch Designs

1. How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?

One of the things I love the most about woodburning and woodworking as a medium is that each and every single piece of wood I use is different from the last and each will project it's own personality into what I do.  It requires a definite being in the moment and ability to get lost in details.  It's almost what I consider meditation...the small, slow movements and concentration it takes, the feel of the wood and the smell of it burning, the smoke.  I love watching a design take shape.

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

I try to keep my style simple, and clean.  I enjoy the fact that my work is easy to connect with, and feels familiar to most people.  I try to avoid making anything that I call shelf sitters.  Those things that you get as a gift or buy because you think they're beautiful in the moment, but then you always feel like they are just too pretty to touch or use.  I really try to keep what I create accessible and comfortable.  My main goal is to give someone an item that is beautiful, functional, made to last, and can bring a smile to someone's face. 

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

Most of my inspiration comes from growing up here in Colorado and spending as much time as possible in the mountains.  I have always found the small details and simple lines and symmetry that exist in nature fascinating.  I tend to feel the most creative in the late afternoons and into the early morning hours, when I have gotten all of the lists checked off, and my mind can settle and focus on the projects in front of me.  I'm lucky enough to get to do this as my main source of income, and so my schedule can be a bit more flexible than some, and I love the transition of my day after lunch when I can sit outside and just listen and watch and then get to work for the day. 

4. What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?

One of the most useful, although probably not real high on the cool meter, tips that I ever received, was to keep my nose pointing forward and stop measuring myself with someone else's ruler.  To quit listening to all the advice that involved should's, because almost all should's come from a place of someone else's opinions and judgements and comparing yourself and your unique business and art to someone else's.  How much I earn at a show, what makes a show good for me, where I want my business to go in the future,  and most importantly I think, what success actually means for me, are all things that are incredibly personal, and only I know the answer to.  It also, I suppose, is the scariest, but most satisfying part of owning my own business.  The making my own rules and figuring things out for myself. 

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

I will actually be taking the very, very last of my custom orders for the year at the fair.  After that weekend, I won't be scheduling any more custom work until after New Year's.

Where can we learn more about you?  

You can always learn more about me at www.willowswitchdesigns.com or shoot me an email and ask away at Jen@willowswitchdesigns.com

Denver Vendor Spotlight: Star Seventeen

How did you start in the Handmade community?

I have spent most of my life working on some sort of art or craft project. I learned to knit as a child, but didn’t revisit the craft until much later when I wanted to create some unique beanies for myself to wear. I started an Etsy shop about 5 years ago, which was a nice outlet and motivation to make more inventory, but I didn’t get into the local scene until a few years ago when I got called off the wait list for a big holiday market. Being able to vend at an event like that and getting so much great feedback motivated me to get my Etsy shop up and running for real and participate as much as possible in local events. Being able to interact with other makers as a part of the amazing community here has been so rewarding and enjoyable!

What or who inspires you?

Growing up in a family of crafts people and artists, it almost just seemed like a way of life to be working on art projects or making something. I draw a lot of inspiration from family members who have been successful with small handmade and artisan businesses. It motivates me to keep at it knowing that it is possible to live a more simple life and support a family while pursuing a craft I love. It also inspires me to see how each family member has honed their crafts through the years. There is always something more to learn and a new level of perfection to strive for. I also find a lot of inspiration in my surroundings here in Colorado. If I’m not knitting, I’m usually outside exploring a new trail, camping or driving around discovering new places with my family. My cozy knitwear is so perfect for keeping warm while on outdoor adventures and I enjoy making products that are useful as well as beautiful.

What makes your work unique and truly your own?

I have personally created all the patterns I use and have even come up with a couple of my own stitches through many hours of experimentation and trial and error. One thing that I think makes my work stand out from the crowd is my use of colors. I really enjoy picking color combinations for each piece or working on groups of pieces with fun color relationships. I also love to use bold striping, color blocking and textures which makes my products really fun to wear. Thousands of hand knit stitches go into each individual product made and in this way, I feel that each piece is completely unique in its own way.

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

Tons of super cozy chunky knits! I bring an array of colorful beanies and pom pom hats in all sizes for babies, kids and adults along with a selection of smaller accessories like headbands and boot cuffs. I will also have a variety of scarves in many colors from small cowls to large double loop infinity styles. 

Learn more about Star Seventeen at :

https://www.instagram.com/starseventeen/

https://www.facebook.com/starseventeen/ 

https://twitter.com/Star_Seventeen

https://www.pinterest.com/starseventeen/

http://www.starseventeenhandmade.com/