Photo by: Stella Kelinina

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
he concept of outdoor living is a major inspiration for me. We are so lucky in Los Angeles to be able to spend most of the year outside and have some connection to nature, even if that's just a little backyard.  Enjoying time on my patio, whether entertaining friends or just lazing about with my husband and our dogs always brings me joy.  Hedge is a way for me to provide a little bit of that lifestyle to anyone, no matter what climate they live in or whether or not they have any outdoor space. 

I also draw a lot of inspiration from craftspeople and the process of making. Growing up the daughter of a carpenter and seamstress, I saw from an early age the problem solving involved to take an idea or design and make it a reality. Now, I love to visit crafts people in their shops or studios and see them in action. A lot of my design ideas are generated  by observing how they manipulate materials. I also love to see the hand of the craftsperson in my designs. There's always some small imperfections that say this was not cranked out by a machine.  

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
" You never never know when you're done, but you always know when you've done too much!" was a quote from my artist Grandfather. I think as creatives, we have a tendency to second guess when a piece is ready to meet the world. 

Photo by: Stella Kelinina

What is your creative process like?
My creative process is very fluid. Sometimes, a concept or sketch is the beginning of something new. Other times, I am inspired by an interesting material and I work out ideas that are influenced by that materials capabilities. Either way, I never commit to what the design really is until I start making the prototypes. I like to live with the prototype for a while and make changes based on how it really functions. The Beatrix and Gertrude Hedge Planters went through so many variations before I was satisfied. Many of the early prototypes are still hanging in my garden, as a constant reminder of that progression.

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
I crochet and knit with metals which is a very unique/rarely used technique when it comes to jewelry. Though the technique has been around (for probably thousands of years!) my take on it is a bit unusual: I play around with a-symmetry and imperfections in my designs, as a way to embrace the beauty in ‘mistakes’. I will often start with a crochet/knit pattern and then start experimenting outside the structure of the pattern, which makes for an original artistic design. 

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
pider Webs, Japanese Boro Quilts, Alchemy, Nature, Physics, Geometry, Architecture… I often hike in Griffith Park, and observe the intricacy in nature, which is very inspiring. I also find that when I let the materials and the hands do what they want, inspiration or design follows!

When do you feel the most creative?
At night! When I am relaxed and don’t have to deal with any stress or daily activities.

What is your creative process like?
I turn on music, or an interesting podcast or a documentary, set up my tools and materials, get comfortable and start working. Usually taking some ‘stretching’ breaks every hour or so. Listening to something helps me to enjoy the process without over-thinking it. 

Where can we learn more about you?
On my website: www.janjoonjewelry.com you can view images of my work and there are links to interviews/posts with me. You can also follow me on instagram: @janjoonjewelry & come meet me in person in Jackalope Art Fair this fall!

How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?
I love the work of Dali, Mark Ryden and Faberge. It's fantasy meets reality. Surrealism meets everyday life. I think of my animals and my floral work as my own enchanted forest, where the creatures might talk to me and fit in my hand.

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
I love nature and animals. It sounds a bit cliche, but it is truly where I get my energy from. On a bad day, there is nothing better than coming home to my dogs: Denzel Washington and Niles. I look at their smiling, loving faces, and everything is ok! Growing up, my family went camping in the woods a lot and my father would tell us stories of magical tree nymphs with flowing hair and hard working dwarves looking for colorful stones. Today, when I see a plant, I can see the nymph that might play on it or the fairy building her home in a nearby flower. When I see a gemstone, I feel like a gnome that discovered a treasure. And when I see a squirrel, I wonder what it is thinking and doing and what it would be like to befriend it.

When do you feel the most creative?
I am a night owl. Morning time means lots of caffeine and traffic and sleepy people that should really be in bed but are running around pointlessly instead. But at night, everyone is calm, nature is a little quieter, phone is not ringing and I can make some tea, turn of some 90s music and work in my studio. Some of the best ideas come around at midnight and next thing I know, the sun is coming up and my husband is getting up to go to the office!

What is your creative process like?
When making new animals, I look at a lot of pictures. If I can get my hands on the actual animal, that's the best thing. Like when I was making the English Bulldog, I had my sister's bully Winston, around and he was a great model, I could poke and prod and figure out where all the wrinkles should go! But it's harder to get my hands on a Unicorn or an Angler Fish... That's where photos, drawings, sculptures and even children's toys come in. Seeing how other artists have interpreted the animal and comparing it to images of the real thing, helps me capture the essence of it, the look and the personality alike.

Where can we learn more about you?  
You can always follow ERS Creative on Instagram where I post my thoughts and inspiration about art but mostly just what I'm doing at the time. You will see a lot of pictures of my dogs and my gardening efforts!

How would you describe your style?                                                                                                  

I have heard my style described as clean and utilitarian. I agree.  Elegance, and refined '70's styling also come to mind, for those were my formative years and a lot of the things that I idolized came from that era. 

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

In my 14 years of leather working experience, the majority of that time has been working for other designers, so I really try to stay away from being influenced from other designers/artists as much as possible. It's a challenge to wipe my visual slate clean, and approach the ancient, simple, yet challenging medium of leather in a new way.

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

What I feel makes my work unique and truly my own is the marrying of raw edged heavier leathers, with very fine leathers, deerskin being one of my favorites. While that in itself may not be unique, as there are other leather designers incorporating that same contrast, I feel what truly sets my work apart is the meticulous construction of the pieces, and the heightened focus of the shapes I want to present, regardless degree of difficulty or thicknesses of material. I truly obsess about every stitch and pour all my attention and passion into every piece I make, and I personally craft every leather item we sell.

Where can we learn more about you? 

At our store in Eagle Rock, online at http://www.ommleather.com/ and @O_MLEATHER on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Shop O&M Leather at Jackalope Art & Craft Fair on November 7th and 8th at Central Park in Old Pasadena.

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

Hello! I'm Leanna Lin and own a shop/art gallery in Eagle Rock, CA (Northeast LA). I've been doing art and design since I was a kid, moving to fashion design and worked in the industry as a designer up until I opened Leanna Lin's Wonderland in 2010. I also have a jewelry line and have done a bunch of shows over the years including Find, Fashion Co-Op, Bazaar Bizarre, Unique, and recently Jackalope! Through these shows, I've met some amazing talents and decided to open my own shop to carry indie artists and designers!

Q: What/who is your biggest inspiration?

I'm inspired by so much around me (art, design, architecture, fashion), but I'd have to say I adore the street artist Fafi! I also look up to Tarina Tarantino, who I've been following since the beginning, for coming out with a specific brand and her businesses adventures with The Sparkle Factory.

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

I started my own jewelry line in the early 2000's and started applying to some indie shows. I think the Fashion Co-Op was the trendiest one in LA back then & I would do those shows!

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

I enjoy exploring what LA has to offer from the boutiques, secret stairs, eateries, museums and more! I'm always looking to try the next dessert trend and the perfect boba ;) My favorite color is purple and my favorite animal is the poodle.

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

That you can get creative in any way and now market yourself well and turn it into a real business!

Q: What is most important feature in an artist’s application for you?

How well they brand themselves.

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

Being a part of the Jackalope community and helping to discover new talent!

Q: Where can we find out more about you?

www.LeannaLinsWonderland.com

@LeannaLIn on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest 

Ladies and gents, (drum roll please) allow us to introduce to you, your one stop fun shop for shop local and meet the maker experiences, the first ever Jackalope Art & Craft Fair!!!  

And the crowd went wild as the Jackalope Art & Craft Fair took the stage for the first time last weekend at Central Park in Old Pasadena!  Like bright confetti, beautiful handmade treasures scattered across the grass in tents where curious crowds ducked in and out exploring, tasting, touching, trying and taking home their perfect finds!

With Love + Ink in action!

Over 200 artisans and thousands of shoppers made the first ever Jackalope Art & Craft Fair a huge success.  However, day 1 suffered the nightmare of any outdoor event, rain.  Topped with our scheduled food truck not showing up, we were wet and hangry but pushed through as umbrella covered shoppers persisted on. We came out relatively unscathed and dried out disappointment in the warm sun on Sunday morning!

Fair patrons prepared for the rain!

Sunday proved to be a gorgeous day and the Fair came to life simply breathing with excitement! The rows of artisan tents thronged with crowds of all ages!  

The artisan workshops scheduled for the day were a huge hit and groups of creative guests mixed their own essential oils, crafted their own terrariums, made their own jewelry and more under the shade of the giant pine trees!  

Thankfully the two food trucks arrived and had consistent lines throughout the day (perhaps we need 3 next time!)  As the day rolled on, the grass provided a delightful place for attendees to rest, eat and plan their shopping strategy, and hundreds seemed to be picnicked out on the lawn!  The Pasadena Humane Society dogs enjoyed the grass too and we are happy to report that both a dog and a kitten were adopted that day!  

And speaking of animals, no Jackalope Fair recap would be complete without a photo of our special guest, Paprika the Bun!

Cassidy Bliss Vintage's special guest, Paprika the Bun!

The Jackalope Team is high on the first success and excited to grow and build the Fair within the Pasadena community.  Our next stop is Denver with our Fair on July 25th & 26th but we will be back in Pasadena in the beginning of November to kick off Holiday shopping!  You can see the photo album from this first event on our Facebook page here.  Be sure to follow us and start your shopping list for next time! 

Jackalope Pillow by Mod's Best Friend, Felted Jackalope by Squshes, Yetilope by Yetis & Friends

Not only will you find Jackalope Art and Craft Fair to be your premier shopping destination this spring, but we will also be providing a way for the fair goer to transition from shopper to makers. At our Spring Pasadena Fair on April 25th and 26th, we will be offering fair goers the opportunity to participate in free collaborative workshops (some are even kid friendly)! 

Presented by both sponsors and Fair vendors, this will allow patrons to take a dip into the DIY crafting world and get a better idea of the craftsmanship that goes into these one of a kind handmade goods and products. 

These workshops will include:

• Kids Art Workshop: Presented by fellow Jackalope Sponsor SPACE Arts Center. SPACE is a nonprofit arts center hosting exhibitions and workshops for people of all ages and levels. Join them for an engaging project on the signs you see and the messages you wish to communicate. It's time to cut and paste! 
• Kids Sewing Lesson: Jin Kim from Common Thread Studio in South Pasadena will teach the kiddos how to work the needle! 
• Leanna Lin's Wonderland DIY Beaded Bracelets: Be creative and make your own colorful beaded stretchy bracelet with fair sponsor Leanna Lin's Wonderland! There will be a fun selection of candy-like beads from her shop in Eagle Rock. Perfect for the kiddos!
• Wire Wrapping 101: Create your own unique pair of earrings and learn the process of wire wrapping with The Glass Studio. 
• Natural Dye Demonstration:  Presented by Kristin Amber Morrison. Kristen, a natural dyer, designer and fiber artist, will be hosting an informative workshop on the natural dyeing process! 
• DIY Skin Care Workshop: Owner of Handcrafted Honey Bee, Stacia Guzzo, will demonstrate just how quick, easy, and fun it is to make several different high-quality, personalized DIY skin care products. Take back your skin care by knowing exactly what is going on your body! 
• Essential Oil Blending Workshop: Learn about the properties of essential oils, experiment with them and leave with your own sample blend created by you. Hosted by Frisky Fish. 
• Terrarium Building: Presented by Makers Kit, will allow patrons to create their own terrarium! Makers Kit embodies the DIY idea and will be selling all sorts of fun kits for the DIY enthusiast at the fair. 
• Kids Crafting Corner:  SoCal Etsy Guild will also be hosting a Kids Crafting Corner each day all day-there is no excuse to miss out on this! 

Some workshops have limited space so make sure to stop by the workshop zone, or the nearest information tent, the day(s) of the fair to sign up! You can see the schedule of activities online now!

Today's blog is dedicated to introducing and thanking all of the amazing sponsors who have been so supportive of the innagural Jackalope Arts & Craft Fair, our mission, and in helping us connect the community to our event.  

Our sponsors are a diverse group of local and national businesses including both those directly involved in the handmade community and those who aren't but are excited to find ways to connect to it.  So let's take a minute to celebrate the warm support of the handmade community and these Jackalope Sponsors!

YELP! Our first sponsor is one you most likely all know and use!  Yelp is that app or website you use to find just about any kind of local business in just about any neighborhood!  Yelp allows you to talk about and rate your experience with these local businesses and to share that with everyone.  Yelp is connecting neighborhoods, businesses, and people in a unique way and we are thrilled to have them promote and attend the Jackalope Art & Craft Fair.  You can find our Pasadena Fair in the Yelp event listings here: http://www.yelp.com/events/pasadena-jackalope-art-and-craft-fair

Unanimous Craft: "Like Yelp for the crafty community" Unanimous Craft is your one stop shop on finding out where you can sell your handmade goods. It will provide the where and how to go about selling your goods online, through brick and mortar stores, and craft shows! Look for their new and improved website coming next month. For now follow them on Facebook

Speaking of where to sell your handmade goods, the next two sponsors are brick and mortar boutiques in the Los Angeles area who carry unique, trendsetting, handmade goods all the time!  

Los Angeles County Store: We have mentioned the LA County Store before since Owner, MaryAnne LoVerme is one of our jurors!  Los Angeles County Store is the only shop dedicated exclusively to fine goods made in Los Angeles.  From artisanal food to small housewares, apothecary to prints and stationary, it is a thoughtfully curated collection of beautifully crafted wares from across the county.  

Leanna Lin's Wonderland: A playful jewelry studio/shop/art gallery inspired by modern + retro designs, where you can use your imagination to create your own beaded jewelry or shop the amazing work of carefully selected makers.  People of all ages enjoy visiting this little gem in Eagle Rock, especially for the carefully curated art + pop-up events!  Leanna also designs her own jewelry collection which you'll find at the Jackalope Art & Craft Fair!  

While we are talking local, let's introduce our next sponsor, Christine Haynes!  Also a member of our jury, Christine Haynes is helping to support and promote our Fair and our vendors.  Christine Haynes is a Los Angeles-based sewing author, teacher, and pattern designer with her own line of sewing patterns, Christine Haynes Patterns, which are perfect for the vintage-loving modern seamstress.  

Our next two sponsors are dedicated to making sure their readership knows about the Jackalope Art & Craft Fair!  Let's give a shout out to our media sponsors!! Click on the links below to check them each out:
 

LA WEEKLY   

​
NELAart News

Pasadena Charm is also going to help promote our fair! They feature the Creme de la Creme of Pasadena.  Want to experience the best Pasadena has to offer?  Check them out and see what's noteworthy all over Pasadena!

Now let's talk about the sponsors who make sure our printed materials look fabulous for distribution!  

Print Renegades: Responsible for our really rad Jackalope Arts Canvas tote bags, which will be available for sale at the Fair and online, is Print Renegades!  They incite and embolden free thinking by crushing the walls of traditional print shops.  They are environmentally aware and come from the artist background delivering the highest possible quality.  Shop Jackalope for your own canvas tote!

The Printing Train: Our second print sponsor will be creating our flyers, post cards, banners etc.  The Printing Train is a family owned and operated company who loves what they do and takes pride in delivering the highest quality product!  

Wondering how you're gonna get to the Fair?  Take the Metro!  Thanks to this sponsor, you can take the train directly to the park and the first 50 people to present a Metro pass or Metro employee card to our info booth will receive a FREE Jackalope Arts canvas tote!  

Thanks to our next sponsor, The Pasadena Humane Society, you may be taking home a brand new, four legged member of your family!  We will have plenty of great vendors in the Fair selling pet supplies like collars, leashes & even doggy outfits so you can stock up for your new friend!

Last but not least, we love a good celebration and great, locally crafted beer makes for the perfect celebration… sponsoring our accepted vendor mixer is Angel City Brewery!  Located in the Downtown LA Arts District, ACB supports local arts of all kinds.

Have a great idea for a sponsorship or want to be a sponsor yourself? Learn more and fill out our sponsorship form!

Christine Haynes: sewing author, teacher, and pattern designer and Owner, Christine Haynes Patterns 

Q. Tell us a little about yourself & your background in the arts & crafts world:
A. I started making art really young, as I grew up in a small arts community filled with galleries and artists.  It was perfectly normal to pursue the arts as a way of like.  I learned to sew when I was 10 and did loads of other arts activities, like ballet, oil painting, and ceramics as I grew up.  I received a BFA in studio art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a focus in Film, Video, and New Media.  I made art, sewed my own wardrobe, and worked in arts administration until one day when I participated in the second Renegade Craft Fair.  I sold clothing I made and it was a hit.  From there it all just snowballed- I started writing for magazines, wrote my first book for Random House, started teaching sewing, and then launched my line of sewing patterns.  I'm still writing, teaching, and designing today!

Q. What/who is your biggest inspiration?
A. My patterns are inspired by a host of things, but mostly from observing people, films, and vintage materials like yearbooks and sewing patterns.  I want the women who sew my patterns to feel beautiful and unfussy. I prefer a quiet life and never want the need to be clothed to be a burden; rather it should be a joy. 

Q. How did you get into your position in the arts & crafts world?
A. I got here after years and years of stubborn hard work!  There is no way to work for yourself with our working really hard at it.

Q. Tell us about a few favorites of your: Weekend activity? Food? Color? Animal?
A. Since I almost always teach on Saturdays, my weekends are usually Sunday and Monday.  A favorite Sunday activity is the simple pleasure of having a long leisurely breakfast and reading the Sunday papers with my boyfriend.  A favorite food is hummus!  It's a weakness for sure.  My favorite "colors" are green and blue, but my real favorite is gray, if that can be considered a color.  And my favorite animals are my kitties, Sally and Pinta.

Q. What do you love most about the handmade movement?
A. I love it when my students come into class- innocently learning to sew so they can make clothes for their kids or something for their home- then slowly become aware of what a revolutionary act this truly is.  They don't come to class with the intention of rethinking how things are made and how they consume mass-produced products, but most eventually start to think about the cost of materials and labor really quickly into learning things for themselves.  It's empowering in a way that they didn't expect, and to witness that transformation is incredible.

Q. What is the most important feature in an artist's application for you?
A. Honesty.  The work must read true and like it's coming from their own voice. 

Q. What are you most looking forward to in being a part of the Jackalope Arts jury?
A. I'm excited to seeing all the work come in and then to see the finished show!

Q. Where can we find our more about you?
A. My website is simply my name, www.ChrstineHaynes.com, and you can find me on all those social media outlets that you know and love:

Instagram - @christinehaynes
Twitter - @christinehaynes
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/christinehaynesstudio 
Blog - http://www.christinehaynes.blogspot.com
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/christinehaynes/
Flickr - https://www.flickr.com/photos/venicegirl/

Learn about all of the Pasadena, Jackalope jurors here!

Brent Turner: The Campbells PR / Beer and Tall Buildings
 

Q: Tell us a little about yourself & your background in the arts & crafts world: 
A: I remember the moment distinctly: I had just returned home from a month-long tour with my band. I quit my day job at a PR agency to head out on the road and now here I was, back home, scared shitless about bills, staring blankly at my computer. PR was the only profession I really new. So I decided to open my own consultancy and promised myself I'd only work on things I loved. These things were (and still are) art, design and architecture.

Q: Tell us about a few favorites of yours: 
A: That's easy. Wilderness, dense cities and beer. British ESBs (and their California pale ale analogues) to be exact.

Q: What do you love most about the handmade movement?
A: I love the intentionality of the handmade movement. Time in quiet contemplation almost always leads to brilliant ideas. And I think the protracted handmade process facilitates that type of introspection. 

Q: What is the most important feature in an artist's application for you? 
A: I look for 3 things in any creative work: concept, craft and heart. First, is there an original idea or an original progression of an existing idea? Second, has the artist developed his or her craft to the point that it induces a sense of wonder or respect for the work in front of you? Third, does the work speak to some level of universal truth? This is the heart of a work. It should be self-aware but not self-conscious. It will certainly be flawed too, but somehow perfect in that state of imperfection. Everyone has heart. But putting our hearts into our work is the hardest thing to do.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in being a part of the Jackalope Arts jury?  
A: I'm looking forward to that rush of seeing new work. I liken it to watching the Lakers (well, the Lakers of old) in the playoffs. With every shot, there's a rush of the unexpected. Not every shot goes in the basket, but you're always hoping. I feel that way about art and artists too. Not every work is a slam dunk…yet. But you always see the seedling of something greater to come. That's really exciting to me.

Q: Where can we find out more about you? 
A: My career has shifted into copywriting now, which means my craft is writing propaganda for organizations and individuals. And I'm resuscitating a podcast I started years ago with Coagula Art Journal called Beer & Tall Buildings. It's loosely described as "drinks and conversation with thinkers and creators." Now that I've admitted I'm bringing it back publicly, I can't back out now. So check it out (and links to recent copywriting work) at www.BeerandTallBuildings.com.

Overhead image of the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair