Alyssa Webb

Who / what are your biggest artistic influences?

I have many influences in the world of candle makers, but as far as main influence, I enjoy the candle makers that follow sustainable practices using high-quality ingredients and are transparent with their customers on best candle burning practices.

How do you define success as an artist?

Being able to adapt to change quickly.  What might be popular in scent right now might not be popular next season.  I am always reading about trending accords in the fragrance world and trying to incorporate them into my custom blends in one way or another for seasonal changes.  

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

Being a candle maker is therapeutic for me.  Luxe Intuition was born during the pandemic, and candle making was a way for me to disconnect from all the turmoil and uncertainty.  Three years later, it is still a way for me to disconnect from this crazy world we live in.  Creating candles for people knowing they typically light them for relaxation or some form of enjoyment, brings me joy in knowing I can spread light to them in their time of disconnecting from the world.     

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

Through education and trial and error.  With candle making, there is an exorbitant amount of testing and retesting needed before you can sell a successfully made candle.  A candle that burns evenly down and burns clean without sooting has gone through extensive research to perfect that blend.  Luxe Intuitions custom blended scents undergo about 4-6 months of full testing to ensure our customers' best possible high-quality candles. 

We only use high-grade vegan-friendly oils that blend well into our sustainable coconut-apricot wax blend.  Our coconut wax will burn cleaner and longer than traditional soy wax, and our coconut wax blend will give an amazing hot throw from start to finish giving you an enjoyable aroma versus an over the top hit you in the face scent.  We are not about having the strongest candle in the room, as most of those are extremely toxic and have exceeded the limit of how much oil they should be using in the candle.  Luxe Intuition Candles create an ambiance like no other and last a very long time, up to 80 hours for our 12 oz candles, and we are proud to say our customers enjoy this the most about our line.   

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

Creating the perfect scent.  Scent if so subjective, and only some people enjoy the same aromas.  So to ease this never ending battle we try to have something for everyone throughout our collections that are still unique and intriguing to our customers.  We pride ourselves in creating custom scent blends you won't find anywhere else.  

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

The best thing about candle making is when I am at an event and a customer comes up to me and says “Your candles last forever and I don't get headaches from them!”  You will not believe how many people I get that tell me they can't burn candles because they get nauseous or extreme migraines, and then once they have had ours burning and it doesn't happen to them, it is such a relief and breath of fresh air.  This is actually how Luxe Intuition came to fruition.  I am extremely sensitive to scent.  I developed the line around my sensitivities and created candles that were enjoyable and safe to burn.  I have attracted this type of customer and now I have a growing community of customers that can now enjoy candles safely without having headaches or nausea.  

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

I have a love for nature and being outdoors.  One of my favorite places to go, and is also very close in distance to where I live, is Waterton Canyon.  When I developed my Colorado candle collection, I knew I had to incorporate notes that made me feel like I was there even if I wasn't.  And wouldn't you know, this custom blended scent creation happens to be our top seller for 2023.  We also ended up calling it Waterton Canyon, and this candle is gifted time and time again with return purchases, and we hope to keep this scent around for a long time as long as our customers keep enjoying it.  

And finally, what do you love most about Colorado?

The ever-evolving landscape of makers.  I have met many talented artists over the last few years of attending events, and their talent always blows me away.  We have a huge amount of artisans that continue to emerge, and I love the appreciation from customers that understand what it takes to make our products, and they value a quality over-quantity approach in consumed goods.       

We will plant a tree with every purchase you make with Luxe Intuition through a global organization called One Tree Planted.  They go into areas devastated by fires and destruction and create biodiversity through reforestation programs.  Something else I would like to share is our wedding candle collection.  This special collection is fully customizable and makes great gifts for out-of-town guests, bridal parties, bridal showers; and we even have a special candle engraved with the words I Do for the couple to light on their special day to calm the wedding day jitters and to relight at anniversaries.  We also recently launched room & linen sprays.  These are also made with vegan-friendly oils and complement the candles in our collections.   

Catch Luxe Intuition at Jackalope Arvada on October 14th, & 15th

Website: www.luxeintuition.com

Facebook: www.facebnook.com/luxeintuition

Instagram: @luxeintuition

Amberle Byrne

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I was born and raised in Webster, New York just a quarter mile from Lake Ontario. I have always been drawn to the water wherever I have lived. At age 22 I left New York and have lived in Alaska, Rhode Island, Georgia, Ireland, Mexico and now Colorado. In every location (except this one!) we were always within a mile of a large lake or the ocean, and the water has greatly influenced my work as I am drawn to beach looks and sea creatures. Seasons have also influenced my work with fall being my favorite (the colors of upstate New York are spectacular), and inspires pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors.

 How do you define success as an artist?

I am still struggling with the traditional American idea of success as how much money I can earn. Though the more time I spend in the art world, the more I find success to me means enjoying creating new work, having the opportunity to share that work with others both in the U.S. and internationally, having the freedom to balance my life with my work and bringing a little joy to others. 

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

Art helped me when I was most struggling with depression and anxiety that began in 2018. Working with my hands helped me "get out of my head" and focus on creating something. 

2018 also kicked off a series of health issues that made traditional work impossible for me as I needed at least 20 hours per week to focus on my health. Starting my ceramics business in 2020 has become an "accidental" career and I love the flexibility that self-employment brings so I can take the time to focus on other areas of life when needed.

My experiences influenced my work in that I love to make pieces that bring people joy.

We love that. How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I came to art later in life. It was not a part of life that was encouraged when I was younger ~ academics, sports and a college degree in something more traditional were the goals. So I hail from 15 years as an International Educator, specializing in student and professional visas and assisting those individuals with adapting to life in the U.S.

A friend of mine invited me to her studio in 2018, handed me clay and said "go." I took four classes from her learning on the wheel, but moved more towards handbuilding over the years. Though I also took a 10 week class on animal sculpture in 2022, I am predominately self taught by watching videos on social media and YouTube, reading books, following groups online for tutorials/advice and a whole lot of trial and error in the home studio.

Very fun. What’s the hardest part of your creation process?

Having to stop creating to manage social media, marketing, sales, applications to markets, packing and shipping, and all of the other jobs a one-woman small business owner does! 

I love the days I can just be in my studio and make pretty things!

How has your style changed over time?

Learning that I am a creative person has been the best thing! I had never thought of myself that way, and it has opened a new world with so many other wonderful creative and supportive people.

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

My current favorite item (my husband will tell you I never have just one favorite) are my whale sculptures (pumpkins are a close second). They are my most favorite to make, though also the most time consuming so having time to create them are my best studio days.

And finally, what do you love most about Colorado?

The sunflowers growing wild along the side of the roads and in the fields. They are my favorite flower, and it makes me ridiculously happy to drive along passing thousands of them when they're in season.

Catch Amberle Byrne Creatives at Jackalope Arvada on October 13th, 14th, & 15th

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/AmberleByrne

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

Instagram: @amberlebyrnecreatives

Do you have a story behind your company name?

Yes, Something to Cherish® is a play off of my birth name, Cherish, which means: beloved, to treasure, to care for, or to hold dear. When I started this art brand in 2007, I didn't know what I wanted to call it, but the mystery was soon solved with a call from my mom who had been talking with my grandmother. They had brainstormed the name “Something to Cherish.” I thought it was a wonderful name but assumed that somebody else was already using it. To my surprise, the trademark was available.

Something to Cherish® means that life is a gift to cherish. It’s an extension of my family legacy that focuses on loving and caring for people from all walks of life. As a community, if we’ve learned nothing else from the past years of Covid, hopefully, we have learned that no one is promised tomorrow, and we all need meaningful human connection. This present moment truly is a sacred gift to be cherished.

So true, and we love how personal your company name is. How did you get your start?

Since I was a little girl, I made art and played “gift shop” by creating amusing little things for all my family members to “purchase.” I even offered a gift wrapping service! In high school and college, I was fortunate to study art and earned multiple degrees in illustration, fine art, and design. Initially, I concentrated on children’s book illustration. After illustrating my first two books, I started a greeting card company and began assisting independent publishers in publishing their own books, which led me to realize my gift for artistic product development. 

Early in my career, I was selected to lead the art team for a company owned by Clint Eastwood (Tehama), where I learned about the intricacies of product development from firsthand experience, designing high-end resort wear that often appeared in celebrity sightings. I was also appointed to create surface pattern designs for the IZOD G (a PVH brand) and Arnold Palmer fashion lines where I learned about licensing and our global apparel markets. 

Wow that is really cool. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part is the spark creation that takes me off into a flow of delightful surprises, one after another. I often see things in colors and words before I see images. So, it's a fascinating journey to put pictures to the feelings and sensations that I have in my brain to help bring a story and vision to fruition. Stretching myself to use my various gifts and life experiences in each project is also challenging and fun.

Can you tell us what a typical day is like in the studio for you?

One of the reasons I always wanted to be an artist is that I thrive on atypical days, as spontaneity is often the fuel for my next brainchild. However, I have also learned the importance of honoring my circadian rhythm so I am dedicated to opening and closing a day with a certain routine. Every morning I begin in the studio with a gratitude painting practice where I take out a blank sheet of watercolor paper, prepare my watercolors, and let my wet brush guide the painting. After this, I may work on a visual project, meet with business associates, teach an art class, work in my garden, take a walk, take an entrepreneurship class, and/or hop in and out of the computer to facilitate momentum – it all depends on the season, the deadlines, and my current endeavors.

Love that the first part of your day is a painting! What inspires you to create?

My work is highly inspired by nature. I love the little intricacies of how a flower buds, how a blade of grass is swept along in a creek, the rustling sway of trees, the taste of the life-giving herbs, and the way we are all connected on the substance of earth amid an infinite starry landscape. I’m enthralled with the divine order of things and honored to contribute my song to the vast chorus of creation.

Do you have a favorite item you have made?

There is a range of beautiful things I have created over the years, but I am still exceptionally proud of the tote bag I designed for my “Elements by Cherish” line in partnership with Studio M. Each beautiful canvas bag in this collection not only reflects the joys of the elements of earth, fire, wind, air, and cosmos as interpreted by my watercolor designs, but the leather-handled bags are very sturdy and are designed to travel both near and far. I designed it with my ballet dancing sister in mind (it’s amazing how much they need to carry to each show!). Its big size and pockets fit everything you need for work or leisure. I love mine for a trip to the farmer’s market, and I have been known to use it as a weekender bag to the hot springs or beach. And best yet, it stows perfectly underneath an airline seat!

That is a true win! What do you love most about Colorado?

As a multi-generational native of Colorado, I adore the sunrises and sunsets over the purple mountain majesties. Living against the foothills, I love the close proximity to both the yawning prairies out east and the mountain passes to the west. I’m excited by the future with its expanding cultural opportunities and reflect on my deep family history roots in this little corner of the planet.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

I’m excited to debut a new collection of tablet-friendly handbags, luxurious handmade silk scarves, accent pillows, boho baby blankets, and other accessories featuring my watercolor designs. In addition, I will be displaying a series of signed and numbered prints, as well as a selection of original watercolor paintings.

Anything special you would like to add?

While it’s a joy to share resplendent watercolor stories and inspiring words through quality designed goods that become a part of everyday life, it’s also important to remember the bigger picture. Because of the success of Something to Cherish®, it’s an honor to partner with non-profits that help me plant fruit trees in vulnerable areas where food, jobs, and vegetation is necessary for communities to survive and thrive. I love how one fruit tree can multiply into many possibilities for provision, nourishment, and even seeds for future trees, practically cherishing both people and the planet for many years.

Lastly, I'm excited that Jackalope is coming to this special area of Colorado, home to so many people who have supported my art journey over the last 20 years. I'm thrilled to have a venue to share my latest works and to celebrate this special milestone. 

We can’t wait to see you in person this August 5th & 6th for Jackalope Arvada!

Where to see more of Something to Cherish:

Website | https://www.SomethingToCherish.com

Instagram | @somethingtocherish

Do you have a story behind your company name?

After not feeling completely satisfied with my business name for a third time, I decided to take a walk to clear my head. It was a full moon that night and I jokingly said to myself, maybe I should change my name to The Moonery Collective. No, that's silly.. I looked up the definition when I got home and beside the obvious of mooning someone(!), I found that a "mooner" is a person who abstractedly wanders or gazes about. I have always been a daydreamer and get lost in thought. So the name stuck! It's a homage to all of those daydreamers out there!

Oh we love that! How did you get your start?

I have been dabbling in herbalism and creative processes for twenty years and in 2019, finally made it official. I am a professional archaeologist, and while that is a fun and fascinating career, I needed a creative outlet. My motto is "where science meets magick" slow fusion skin and ritual care, blending traditional herbal remedies I've learned over the years with fun, witchy ritual things like intention candles and bath items.

Definitely important to have balance. Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Coming up with an idea and then watching it unfold for both the successes and the ideas that didn't quite come out the way I planned. It is all part of the learning process.

Very true. Can you tell us what a typical day is like in the studio for you?

The first thing I do is sip herbal tea, take in a deep breath, and say, "You got this," then get the candle melter started. While that is heating up, I check orders and emails, as well as the low inventory list. Some days I just start creating without a routine and follow my heart. Other days I'm overwhelmed and sit on the couch ignoring it all!

What inspires you to create?

I love teaching people about my products and to encourage others to make or do what inspires them, even if it's been done a thousand times. I'm not re-inventing the wheel here. You can buy a candle or a salve from a lot of amazing people, but it's that connection and conversations that keep me going.

Love that. Do you have a favorite item you have made?

Lady From the Mountain (a line in a Stevie Nicks song, can you guess which one?) is my most popular candle. Made with my own wax blend of coconut, soy, and mango butter using only essential oils, it smells absolutely intoxicating and is so pretty to look at! The candle is adorned with botanicals and a crystal that corresponds to the candle to help set your intention. The candle is safe to use on your skin, too! But if I'm being practical and want to share my love of herbalism, then I would have to say the Colorado Crack Salve is my favorite. It's like a first aid for your skin! Great for dry, cracked hands and feet, minor cuts, bites, and even safe for healing tattoos.

What do you love most about Arvada?

I love seeing the mountains every day, it never gets old. Arvada is a cute town just down the road from Golden, where I live. Olde Town Arvada is really great - the shops, the food.. one of my favorite places to meet friends is The Bluegrass Coffee and Bourbon Lounge, there is something for everyone and the people are friendly.

We can’t wait to see you in person this August 5th & 6th for Jackalope Arvada!

Where to see more of The Moonery Collective:

Website | https://www.themoonerycollective.com/

Instagram | @the.moonery

Do you have a story behind your company name?

Our name is actually pretty simple! My husband and I have the last name Mathews, so it’s just the power of two M’s making candies!

Tell us, how did you get your start?

I originally learned the basics of chocolates in culinary school over a decade ago. Even before that, I was always making candy and chocolates as gifts for my extended family- my mom has plenty of stories about chocolate on her ceiling, cabinets and counters. There was something really alluring in the creativity of chocolate making; even though I have a restaurant chef background, I wanted to learn more. I worked in New York for a celebrated chocolatier and absorbed everything I could. I was able to do a lot of flavor creation and started to develop my creative voice. Once we moved to Denver, I was able to expand my restaurant skills, all of which help inform our direction for the business.

That is awesome! Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

I love the aspect of creating! Food is so much fun to play with, and the interconnectedness of science, flavor and memory makes discovering new flavor combinations that much more enjoyable. My favorite time of the whole year is early Autumn- I start planning and testing my winter and holiday goodies, which means there are plenty of goodies to taste test!

That would be my favorite part for sure! Can you tell us what a typical day is like in the studio for you?

Typical is a bit hard to describe, as I’m sure every small business owner knows- but the day always starts with coffee! There’s a semi-official structure to the day, but by about an hour into most days, the schedule gets blown apart. In general, every day is handling custom orders, getting ready for events, holidays, emails, talking to vendors, coordinating with customers, managing finances, planning for future events and item rollouts, and then the actual production and packaging of items. All of this while checking all of our various sales platforms to make sure we’re getting products out to customers!

Sporting multiple hats! What inspires you to create?

Part of my philosophy when it comes to creation is to take flavors and desserts that inspire nostalgia and turn them into unique and approachable chocolates. Tapping into food memories is one of the things chefs strive for every day we make food. The act of making someone feel through our food is the definition of our artistic expression.

Very cool. Do you have a favorite item you have made?

That is a nearly impossible question to answer! I love so many different items for so many different reasons…I think our s’mores kits are so unique and delicious, and I feel like there are very few people who can do what we do with our kits. I’m a big snacker, so when it comes to sheer snackability, anything with our peanut butter crunch filling is so delicious and easy to munch on (I’m never too disappointed if I have a piece or two of our peanut butter whirls crack). Overall, our bon bons are the real representation of the full breadth of our creative direction, and they give us the most room to play around and enjoy unique flavor combinations.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope Arvada?

We will be bringing as much chocolate as we can hope to not melt, as well as some classic and unique candies that pack flavor punches! We have pectin jelly candies, various flavored bon bons and our s’mores kits, made with hand cast chocolate bars, fresh marshmallows and house-made graham crackers. We also hope to bring an assortment of other brand new items if we can manage it!

What do you love most about Arvada?

Arvada has been very good to us, both the city itself and the vendors and friends we’ve made in the city!  We’ve been welcomed with open arms by so many of the shops in the town, and we hope to have earned that trust and kindness.  I love that Arvada is such a welcoming community to everyone, and supports small businesses of all sizes!

What did you miss most about in person events now that events are picking back up again? 

Mostly just being able to connect with our community!  It’s very hard to communicate our intentions with our products without being able to present them ourselves, and I think that people appreciate when the maker can actually tell them why they are unique and worth buying.  I also missed getting to hang out with our vendor friend community.  It’s always nice to be surrounded by people who are going through the same trials you are, and everyone is always so supportive (especially the Jackalope community!) 

That makes us smile! Anything special you would like to add?

We’re opening our first retail and physical location in Westminster this August! We are so excited to finally move out of our commissary kitchen and into our very own space so we can continue to grow and innovate. We are hoping to expand our current truffle, candy bar and gift offerings, as well as introduce a few brand new (to us!) programs, including small batch ice cream and custom sundae kits! Keep an eye out on our social media to see what we’re up to, including when our grand opening will be!

YUM! We can’t wait to see you in person this August 5th & 6th for Jackalope Arvada!

Where to see more of M2 Confections:

Website | https://m2confections.com

Instagram | @m2_confections

Do you have a story behind your company name?

Mindful Works was chosen to reflect our meditation and yoga products. Our original name was Infinitely Simple, but participants felt that name did not accurately portray our mission and activities.

Tell us, how did you get your start?

Our Executive Director, Susan Williams, saw a need for employment to be part of the recovery process for individuals overcoming mental health challenges. Mindful Works is supervised by The Windhorse Guild and was created in 2015. We provide employment and real wages to our participants as they build skills to prepare them to enter the traditional labor market or pursue educational goals.

We love that! Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

We love the collaboration that goes into making all of our goods. One person may cut the pattern, and another may sew, and then another may fill. It feels really great when it all comes together and we arrive at a finished piece. It is also wonderful to see the progress made by our participants as they improve their skills and gain confidence.

It is a true team effort. Can you tell us what a typical day is like in the studio for you?

Our day typically starts at 10am, with Program participants clocking in and getting work assignments for the day. Our Shoppe Manager keeps the work flow going as pieces are cut and serged, sewn and filled. Our baking team, The Mindful Bakers, head to the commercial kitchen and work with our Kitchen Manager to create delicious cookies and scones. The atmosphere is lively and buzzing with activity as our program participants learn work skills.

That is inspiring! Speaking of, what inspires you to create?

We are inspired to create different items according to the seasons, as well as color, texture and the beauty of the natural world.

Do you have a favorite item you have made?

That’s a hard question! We have so many items that we love to make. If we had to pick a favorite it might be our Kilim Patchwork Pouf. That seems to be a customer favorite as well.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope Arvada?

We will be bringing some old favorites like our poufs and meditation cushions. We always have festival flags, jewelry pouches and napkins, which make great gifts.

Anything special you would like to add?

By buying our products you are supporting the recovery of individuals overcoming barriers to employment due to mental health challenges.

We can’t wait to see you in person this August 5th & 6th for Jackalope Arvada!

Where to see more of Mindful Works:

Website | www.mindful-works.org

Instagram | @mindfulworksboulder

Dana and Gary

Do you have a story behind your company name?

Our company name actually came from my mother in law who has been a huge supporter of the syrup and our business from the beginning; we are always running ideas by her even to this day! She thought since it started for our kids, made by "daddy," why not Daddy's Homemade?

Cute! How did you get your start?

Dannie is a stay-at-home dad who started taking a closer look at all the high fructose corn syrup and other artificial ingredients in the pancake syrup our kids were eating so much of. Between our family and some health issues that developed, it was important to have a healthier alternative, so he started experimenting with his own syrups – mixing, matching, and calculating all-natural ingredients and flavors. He created our syrup with no artificial ingredients, no high fructose corn syrup and no preservatives. Our daughter is the pickiest eater, so when she approved the taste, we knew we were onto something. With the encouragement of Dannie’s mom, we started giving it to friends and family to sample. They loved it, he loved making it, and from creating the labels to taste testing, the kids loved being a part of the process. Each member of our family, even our littlest at 3 years old likes to have his special jobs!

From our ingredients to the hand-tying of the twine on our jars, we utilize a multi-step process of creating then packaging our products meticulously by hand to ensure every batch is of the highest quality. Dannie has found a passion for trying new flavors, and I love experimenting with what we can use them for. Having three young kids who never agree on anything makes meals difficult most days, so he has created over 60 flavors, so there is always something for everyone. All our kids love helping us experiment with new recipes too! Even after customers have tried all of the flavors, there is always another flavor available or will be available soon. It’s exciting to see our return customers at events when they find a new flavor they want to try.

Often we are asked why many of our flavors are clear. There are no artificial ingredients, no high fructose corn syrup and no preservatives. We started using it on our breakfast foods, but because of the unique flavors, it is easy to enjoy on just about anything! In addition to our breakfast foods, we now put it in our coffee and beverages; meats and vegetables, popcorn and salty snacks; desserts and baked goods and so much more! 

That is so fun! Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

Dannie makes all our syrup and I love the way the scent of the syrup fills our kitchen and house when he is making it! Getting to taste test new flavors is always fun too!

I bet! Can you tell us what a typical day is like in the studio for you?

There is no typical day! I have a full time job while running our small business and juggling 3 young kids! We find time when we can in order to try to get everything done, but when Dannie is making syrup, our oldest has a special job to help get him started and then we are all kicked out of the kitchen while he works his magic! Once he gets started, he gets into his groove and if he needs anything we help get it, otherwise he is not to be disturbed! We like to ensure the highest quality product comes out of each batch every time!

Love that. What inspires you to create?

I am surprised to have found a creative side to my husband giving us a flavor explosion! He has always been the science and math brain! When I am creating for our social media or for recipe ideas, oftentimes my kids give me ideas and we just start creating! I also get inspired from hearing what other people use our syrup for.

Do you have a favorite item you have made?

I love our variety packs. They are great for gifts and for someone who wants to try different flavors (they come with 4 flavors in different sizes and are customizable); plus it includes a single batch of pancake mix and a reusable tote. I love when customers use the tote to bring back their empty jars for discounts on their new jars at events.

That is a great idea, and a great gifting idea. What will you be bringing to Jackalope Arvada?

We will be bringing lots of new flavors of our all natural homemade syrup we have been experimenting with as well as some of the classic flavors and our newest; most popular flavor - Lavender! We will also have our variety packs, pancake mix and samples to taste a few of the flavors!

Anything special you would like to add?

Our daughter helped create the labels and was hand drawing each one when we first started selling so we are bringing out some of her artwork to the event as well that you will be able to purchase and take home! We are so proud of her art and how much she has been helping us with our family owned business!

Other ideas for our syrup? We also have a restaurant/bar using our syrup in cocktails, mocktails, coffee drinks and lemonades. There is a bakery using our syrup for baked goods and a doughnut shop that will be using it for glaze for their doughnuts!

We can’t wait to see you in person this August 5th & 6th for Jackalope Arvada!

Where to see more of Daddy’s Homemade Syrup:

Website | https://www.daddyshomemadesyrup.com/

Instagram | @daddyshomemadesyrups

How did you get started with your art?

I got started painting in 2005. My husband spent 4 years fighting for disability through social security and in 2005 we finally obtained it. That meant a check for four years worth of disability. He wanted art supplies to keep him busy. I asked him if he minded if I got some watercolors because I was interested in learning them. He said to go for it. I ordered watercolors, paper, brushes and some books. I taught myself watercolors and four months later did my first fine art show. My style changed about ten years ago. (There’s a blog article on this on my website)

Do you have a favorite part of the maker process?

My favorite part of the process is watching the pigment in the water travel and mix with other colors.

We can definitely see some clear themes in your work, but where does your inspiration come from?

Nature inspires me to create. I enjoy painting animals and flowers, with a particular focus on endangered animals as well as sea life.

What’s a typical day like for you in the studio?

A typical day in the studio includes me getting up at 630-ish, working on a sketch or making a list for the day. At 7:20 I leave to take my boys to work/school, run any errands I need to and return home to work on the painting or to knock out my list of todos. Which could include augmented reality work for my paintings, or coloring book, inventory and ordering, or sublimating some of the merch I have.

Do you have a favorite piece you have created thus far?

My favorite item that I created is an animated augmented reality piece. A painting that comes to life with an animation after scanning a QR code.

Very Cool! What do you enjoy most about in-person events now that things are picking up again.

I missed talking to people the most at in person events.

Us too. What will you be bringing to Jackalope this September since you are driving out from California?!

I will be bringing some pretty cool original paintings to Olde Town Arvada as well as hand sublimated items like magnets, keychains, coffee mugs, puzzles, tumblers, coasters and stickers, greeting cards and of course Fine Art Prints. I will also be bringing Augmented Reality Art that has embedded videos and/or animations.

Anything special you’d like to share?

I do custom work both painting as well as augmented reality. So think about the wildest thing you’d like to see and let me create it!

Where to see more of Water + Ink Studios:

Website | www.waterplusink.com

Instagram | @waterplusink

We have to ask, do you have a story behind your company name?
I watched a documentary on the history channel about “trench craft” in WWII. The name evolved from there. My idea was crafting products that worked for our lifestyle. Everything could be worn multiple ways and was made of eco friendly fabric.

Love that! Tell us more on how you got started?

My husband (then boyfriend) had a one neck gaiter. It was old and made of polyester and he wore it everywhere. I knew that I could make a better,  more sustainable product. Transient Craft - Handmade Bamboo Clothing was born.

What inspires you to create?

I have been making things my whole life, I can't imagine not creating something new everyday.

What is your favorite part of the creation process?

Definitely the colors. Every four yard piece of fabric I dye is unique. I love every shade from blue to bright red. Some colors we can repeat, some colors will never be the same. Not knowing how something will turn out until the end is part of the draw to continue. 

What about a favorite item you have created?

Our multifunctional dresses are one of my favorite items. Made with small batch production in our home studio, each one is unique. I designed them to be worn three ways as a dress, a skirt or a poncho.

Awesome, can’t wait to see that in person! Take us through a typical day in the studio for you?

It depends on what we are working on. If it's a dying day, it starts by cutting down a bolt of fabric. Then while I soak the fabric I make a general plan for what colors I am going to make that day. After that the dying begins, I layer four yard pieces in plastic tubs, a different color in each layer. As I rinse each bucket I get to see each color come to life.

What did you miss most about in person events now that events are picking back up again? 

I missed getting to talk to people about what I make. At each show you always meet new people and experience new things.

In prepping for Jackalope, what will you be bringing to show in Olde Town Arvada? Do you have anything special you’ve been working on lately?

We will be bringing our bamboo multi functional dress, gaiters and headbands, along with all of our eco friendly handmade goodness.

Support us in celebrating the newest addition to Transient Craft, their baby boy Leo

Final question: what do you love most about Colorado?

Being outside.

Fall is a perfect time to be outside in Colorado. We can’t wait to see you in person this September 18th & 19th when Jackalope takes over Olde Town Arvada. See you soon!

Where to see more of Transient Craft:

Website | https://www.etsy.com/shop/TransientCraft

Instagram | @thetransientcraft

We have to ask, do you have a story behind your company name?
Wit & West Perfumes is named for myself and my husband (i.e., the owners of the brand), Whitney (aka Wit) and my husband's last name (aka West).

Your names really go so well together. Tell us more on how you got started?

From as early as I can remember I have had a passion for scent and the world of perfume. Beyond my own passion for perfume, my husband (West) and I have always been captivated by music and the visual and gastronomic arts and constantly drawn toward travel and unique cultural experiences. How could we join these pursuits together in an interesting and genuine fashion? Perfume.

After spending time studying and experimenting with perfume making on my own, I longed to explore the world outside the bounds of commercialized synthetic scents and move into the world of handcrafted natural perfumery. Encouraged by West to channel my desire to create a unique and expansive natural perfume line as well as nurture my delight in constructing custom bespoke perfumes, I set out to learn from the masters by studying perfumery with world-renowned natural perfumers such as Anya McCoy of the Natural Perfumery Institute, Mandy Aftel, owner of Aftelier Perfumes and Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co.

Embracing the process and art of perfumery, thrilled by West’s willingness to join me on this journey, and inspired by the idea of building an uncompromising perfumery that could connect life’s many passions and share them with others, Wit & West was founded.

That’s very inspiring. What inspires you to create?

My inspiration to create a perfume is driven by experiences (the connection of the sense of smell to memories). As an example, Gavitella is the Wit & West perfume that was inspired by our time in Praiano, Italy and the beach named Gavitella. Stunning and beautiful, the lesser-known hidden gem along the Amalfi Coast, Gavitella is just a mere 350 steps down rocky cliffs shaded by citrus and olive trees.

What is your favorite part of the process?

Perfumery is a methodical, iterative process that requires stringent record keeping and constant experimentation to finalize a formula. However, that is not all perfumery is. Truly, perfumery is an olfactory artform (our olfactory system is the sensory system used to smell or what is known as olfaction). For me as a maker, the art of perfume making is a powerful creative process that requires not only formulating a perfume that smells beautifully, but also one that taps into the connection of our sense of smell and its effect on our memory recall and our emotions.

Do you have a favorite scent you have created?

My favorite perfume I've created would have to be either Gavitella (mentioned above) or one of our most popular perfumes Brumaire Woods and/or Summit Rose (the latter being Colorado themed of course!).

Take us through a typical day in the studio for you?

It depends on the day of the week! I am not only a small business owner and maker, but I also work full-time for a national hotel chain as the head of marketing. This means most of my work starts after 5pm on weekdays and 8am on weekends for Wit & West.

A typical day is focused on everything from order fulfillment for B2C orders that come in through witandwest.com to inventory management and perfume making (restocking our perfumes as needed via our small-batch perfume process which includes the aging of each perfume for up to 8 weeks depending on the perfume) as well as other standard day-to-day business activities like social/digital marketing, website optimization, etc.

Beyond the standard day-to-day operations of Wit & West, I am focused on new products such as the launch of our new Cologne Collection (pre-launched through wholesale and at pop-ups in July with official launch on our website in late August), formulating a new perfume for our Reserve Collection, Bespoke clients I'm currently creating custom perfumes for as well as outreach to potential wholesale partners at local brick-and-mortar boutiques and shops around the state of Colorado.

In prepping for Jackalope, what will you be bringing to show in Olde Town Arvada?

We will be bringing our Signature (includes 10 eau de parfums) and Reserve Collections (2 limited release eau de parfums) as well as our new Cologne Collection (3 eau de colognes). For the event itself we will have 15ml bottles only but both samples and 50ml bottles are available on our website at witandwest.com(shipping is free for every order in the state of Colorado).

So fun, we can’t wait to come over and smell all of your creations! Final question: what do you love most about Colorado?

I am a Colorado native so Colorado obviously holds a special place in my heart. For me, my favorite thing about Colorado is the weather and the varied seasons that come with it. My favorite season is fall because it is time to slow down and reset.

Fall really is a gorgeous time in Colorado. We can’t wait to see you in person this September 18th & 19th when Jackalope takes over Olde Town Arvada. See you soon!

Where to see more of Wit & West:

Website | witandwest.com

Instagram | @witandwest