How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?
My style would be eclectically natural with a touch of modern industrial.  Inspirations and artists / designers I look up to ranges ... from Gorjana Jewelry to Nicole Curtis HGTV. As for Interior designer styles that inspire, I have a few: Kelly Wearstler, Brooke Wagner, Raili Clasen

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 
It's a true evolution from creative finds and natural reclaim earth. I create what I feel I'd love to see in my home, space, and common area I frequent. I feel my designs never stop growing. When I creating a new piece or an ordered one, I'm already thinking of the changes, or options I could do it it. That's what make me a true artist 👨‍🎤 As a jewelry designer by trade the designing of 

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
I find inspiration through all things around me, from the mountains to the beaches

When do you feel the most creative?
I feel most creative when I'm in the moment creating in studio or workshop surrounded by all the rocks, stones and wood.  I also get inspiration when I'm walking vintage markets or thrifting through weekend drive arounds. Honestly I can get creative anywhere. My favorite thing to do is create custom designs for clients, drawing inspiration from their existing style. Oh and I also dream about new designs (-:

What is your creative process like?
I usually create a design board but on a table, spreading everything out by colors, mediums, and styles.  It's all about trial and error because a lot of my work can only work if the functionality is there so visually we have to build it to suite or test but then make sure it's do able for the final installation. 

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
ot sure 🤔 besides I've been told a lot lately, "keep doing what your doing because your stuff is great!"
I always love to go with "if you don't love it don't create it!"

What is your biggest motivation?
My biggest inspiration and motivation is having my little man say, "wow, mom, you are creative!"  As a single Mom, it gives me great pride to show my son what it truly is to work (hard) and do what you love! He is learning more at his young age about how to think of something, sketch it out, and go through the creative process of seeing is come to life than I could ever dream, just by seeing Mom do it. When he has a choice on doing homework or helping Mommy cut some copper pipe, he will choose the cutting. Obviously it’s all about balance but I am very happy to be able to teach him that we can do anything we set our minds to. 

Where can we learn more about you?  
My website has a bit more about my and my team or Instagram is the best way to keep up to date with what IRD is up to. 
www.indierepublicdesign.com  

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?  
Our work is unique in that everything is pre-portioned and individually wrapped for single use.  It takes a LOT of work!  We work really hard to create products that are serve multiple purposes, especially for the busy women on-the-go.  Struggling with dry skin myself, especially my hands being in healthcare, I've created something that can be therapeutic and pampering all at the same time.  Plus, the healthcare worker in me don't like to reuse things to cause contamination, so that's why our products are single-use.  And, who doesn't like to open new things?

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
Cute yet simple things catch my eyes first.  Then I think about how I can improve it, whether in looks, packaging, or the product itself.  There's really not much we can "invent" out there, but there is definitely room for innovation and making it my own.  I find a lot of inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest.  I also attend a lot of tradeshows to see what the trends are and how I can incorporate it to my brand.

When do you feel the most creative?
I am the most creative when my "space" is clean and organized, whether that's home or my 2,000 sq ft studio/warehouse space.  When everything is in order, whether physically or mentally, I am filled with ideas and full of motivation, sometimes too much.

What is your creative process like?
It usually starts with saying something like, "We need to make x".  Then my husband will usually say, "No, that's so old and everyone else is already doing it".  Then I say, "But customers keep asking if we have them."  This is when I usually start "googling" and see what's out there. I spend hours/days doing this until I have something to present to him that is different than everyone else's.  It usually ends up that we take ideas from the both of us and come up with the end product. 

What has been your greatest struggle as a business?
Starting and running a business takes a lot of work, energy, and money.  There are many times things are slow moving and you question yourself and the future of your business.  Don't be discouraged if you really believe you have something special.  We started our business about 5-1/2 years ago and I think we were ahead of our time with our idea/concept, but, we've really seen a steady uphill trend in our business last year and I think 2017 is the year we will see some serious spikes!

Where can we learn more about you? 
I was featured in a blog called "Meet the Maker" by Lucky Break Consulting.  You can read it at http://www.luckybreakconsulting.com/blog/meet-the-maker-elissa-choi-of-bonblissity/

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

I was poor! And necessity is the mother of invention. I literally had a pen from my job washing dishes in North Ridge and a pad of newsprint paper. The original concept of handwriting full albums of song lyrics to make a portrait was for a friend's birthday present. She loved it. The rest snowballed out of control from there.

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

I hand write them! People always ask me if I ever make a mistake. Of course I do! If I wanted it to be perfect I'd do it on the computer. It's interesting that my work is extremely relatable but at the same time extremely foreign to people. 

3. What or Who Inspires you?

I don't know anymore! I'm in a middle ground right now and still figuring a lot out. I think I used up my inspiration a long time ago and now I'm running on hard work and determination. What was that quote? "Good work is one percent inspiration, ninety nine percent perspiration" I'm in perspiration mode! But I do enjoy long afternoons chit-chatting with my small group of friends and peers whom I love, troubleshooting ideas, getting new data, and figuring out "What's next?!?" People put too much stock in inspiration and not enough into hard work. 

4. What is your creative process like?

-figure out what the people want

-figure out what I want

-lay it out

-WRITE!

-repeat

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

Too many! I did a magazine spread for a graphic design class years ago that featured a torn paper edge (because I was in college and 'edgy') I took a really long time digitally creating the torn paper effect. My professor told me "Next time just tear a piece of paper in half and scan it." He was right. It's an old engineering adage: K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid. 

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

More prints! I was barely able to bring half of my collection last time. This time I'm all in!

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can follow me on twitter and instagram @mikematola :)

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

I've been making stuff since I was a kid, so it was a natural long-time progression. I worked for a corporate fashion brand for a long time and really missed the hands-on part of design, which is what ultimately motivated me to start Pliers & String.

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

For the most part, I try to create pieces that are complex but not in an obvious way—a lot of my jewelry is structural, like a little puzzle. I also make my own cords and wind each and every tassel.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Anything and everything. You just never know when inspiration will strike. There are so many deviations and permutations, and design is like music—infinite possibility.

4. What is your creative process like?

Sometimes I have a clear concept in mind, but generally my process is like a creative relay. I get an idea then try to execute it, meanwhile it spawns another idea which goes in a different direction, and basically I just follow along until I end up with something that clicks. I wish I was more methodical, it certainly would make for a neater work space, but sometimes the fun is in the mess. 

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

I'd say the best tip I've received—and this is in line with my own belief—is people will innately gravitate toward that which you're passionate about and the love you put into something will manifest in one way or another.  In essence, love what you do, and others will too.

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

Lots of dainty hand-forged and wire-wrapped pieces, and colorful fiber-mix jewelry.

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can check out my jewelry at @pliersandstring on Instagram, and www.pliersandstring.com, and my design portfolio at coroflot.com/mivcreative

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

I got started sewing 28 years ago, patternmaking about 18 years ago, and doing this as more than a hobby about 7 years ago.  Sewing has gone from being a hobby to a slight (okay, maybe my husband wouldn't agree with the slight part) obsession for me through the years, and doing it as a full-time endeavor and designing clothing for young people just seemed to be a natural outgrowth of what I loved.  The real start for Eddy & Scout was the challenge of trying to make boy's clothing that was durable, soft, comfortable, and would comfortably clothe my lanky boy.  Now I make boy and girl clothing, but believe it or not, I started with boy stuff.  Girl stuff just tends to be a little more fun to design and sell (sorry boys!).  Eddy & Scout turns 4 this year!  It is hard to believe, but it has been such a fun journey!

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

Let's face it.  It's kind of trendy to make cute little clothes and sell them on the internet.  Why are Eddy & Scout clothes any different?  Honestly, if I didn't feel like they were different, I wouldn't keep doing what I do.  I have a mission to really provide a quality garment that provides an alternative to the currently accepted norm of buying trendy and "disposable" children's clothing.  I believe, as a parent, that sustainability applies not only to the way that a garment is produced, but also that a garment has the ability to stick around and not only clothe one child through two full years, but to still hold up to countless "hand me down" cycles, and various adventures that kids regularly undertake that tend to be rough on their clothes.  For this reason, you'll notice that our sleeves and pantlegs almost always are cuffed, to lengthen or shorten according to the stage of growth.  You'll also notice that our boy pants have reinforced knees, that our girl leggings have a "ruching" function that allows them to adjust 4" longer.  That we use 9.5 oz cotton jersey milled in LA for our garments, instead of the 6 oz that you'd see in almost all leggings and tees, and that all of our dresses and skirts are cut to be appropriate lengths on growing bodies.  More than that, we really care that our clothes are washable, and soft.  It is easy to find polyester in kid clothing, but becoming harder to find the quality cotton that we seek out.  Feel means everything to us.  If our most sensitive testers turn a nose up at our designs, it is back to the drawing board.  If our kids are comfortable, that means less dressing hassles, and more time to focus on the adventure of being a kid!

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Strangely enough, I receive the most design inspiration when traveling and people-watching.  I think about clothing design all hours of the day and night, and I only wish that I had the resources to be able to sell half of the things that I design.  I am held back a lot by the complexity of the garments I want to design, and, in the interest of creating things that people can afford, I end up simplifying a lot, as the amount of time and work that would go into a more complex design would keep me from making enough pieces, and force me to work for much lower than the worst sweatshop wage!

4. What is your creative process like?

My creative process is pretty fluid.  I receive inspiration from a shape I see, or a curve on an existing garment, and then I immediately begin cycling through ways to implement it.  I watch small children, and see how they play, and I consider what will have the most fun as well as functionality too.  I go over and over in my head, ways to sew such a design most efficiently, and only once I have all of this figured out do I begin to sketch.  Sometimes once I get to the fabric sourcing step, I will find several fabrics that play well together, and they may inform a modification to best showcase themselves.  I will draft a preliminary pattern, sew a sample, and then try it on several children and solicit feedback from kids and parents.  At any point during this process, there are usually edits in complexity, sewing order, special details, fit, or seam placement, but I really enjoy the lack of rigidity, as it brings me so much joy to revel in the process of the garment bringing itself to life.  The real crowning glory is watching a child light up at something that I've created, and especially when one of those "details" (like a thumbhole in a hoodie, or a pocket in a skirt) make that piece special for them.  Honestly, that is what keeps me coming back for more--because it feels like more than just "making kids clothes" to me.

5.  What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

Someone once told me that "you cannot pour from an empty cup", and I find this to be especially true of creativity, and for me, clothing design.  If I am stressed, and feeling like I need to produce--that which I produce is usually not something I'd be comfortable putting my name on and selling.  I am learning more and more that if I allow my life to be run by deadlines and timelines, that my cup depletes, and I face a diminishing return in the quality of design that I can produce.  "Filling my cup" is sometimes as simple as taking a drive toward the ocean and glimpsing the sun on the water, or sitting quietly and listening to my own thoughts instead of the ever-growing list of all of the things that I "should" be doing.

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

I am really excited about some of the Spring/Summer designs that will be available for purchase at the upcoming Jackalope.  Inspired by my recent move to California, my designs have taken a more flowy, layered look, and there will be swingy and twirly dresses and layering cardigans, as well as some old favorites like our Penelope Pocket Skirts and Hadley dresses.  Spring and Summer fabrics will have fireflies, light and airy florals, and wildflowers, which just remind us of sunny fields, warm summer nights, and beachy breezes.  

7.  Where can we learn more about you?

You can see more about us on our website, www.eddyandscout.com, on our instagram at instagram.com/eddyandscout, and via our facebook page www.facebook.com/eddyandscout.  We also have a VIP group on facebook where we offer our newest products first, as well as sales, and VIP only bargains and giveaways.  You can find that on facebook for searching for "Eddy & Scout's Rockin VIP group".

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

I've been making art since I was 16, some 30 years now. I hold a BFA and an MFA in fine art and I keep a studio in West Hollywood. I don't think there has really ever been a time that I wasn't making something. 

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

I have a love affair with bunnies, cocktails and ephemera. Each piece of art tells a personal story from bits of my life and experience. 

3. What or Who Inspires you?

My husband inspires me. He is the smartest, most lovely human I have ever known. 

4. What is your creative process like?

I make "paper" first, sourcing ephemera that comes from my past. Then I decide what rabbits fit the best. 

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

The best tip I ever received was that it is the artists only job to produce and to leave the criticism to others. 

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

Lots of bunnies and cocktails in cool acrylic frames. Loads of handmade flowers. Color and joy. 

7. Where can we learn more about you? barbie5x5.com

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

I've always tinkered with creating things but it wasn't until my son was born that I really got interested in the handmade/DIY community.  As a stay at home dad (before that was a thing), I had not only the time, but the desire to create for my son objects and items that could not be purchased at stores and also try to instill in him the value of hard work.   

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

Although there are lots of woodworkers (and the more the better, I say), I feel that most craftspeople work in the "functional" aspect of woodworking.  Cutting boards, pencil holders, boxes of all sizes, furniture, etc. are all great things but, to me, they loose some of the simple joy of the medium.  I make designer wooden toys because I want people to experience wood not as just the functional resource it becomes but also as the magical, living material it remains.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

I pull my inspiration from a multitude of artists.  Woodworkers like George Nakashima and Sam Maloof.  Other toy makers like Takeji Nakagawa and Pepe Hiller.   Also cartoonists, John K., sculptors, Richard Serra, and musicians The Dreadnoughts.  

4.  What is your creative process like?

Although my work appears simple in concept and construction, I spent numerous hours planning everything from the shapes of the arms to eye placement on each Winklebean character.  I've been known to sit with a block of wood or a length of board for months until I can figure out exactly what character trait the wood is calling for.  While the cutting, drilling, sanding or other aspects of the craft are nothing special, it is the act of character creating, the "bringing to life" an object that I take most pride in.  

5.  What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

An art school instructor once told me that to be an artist, one must always be making.  Even if it's crap, even if it winds up in the trash, it is the act of making that matters most.  We can all imagine the most profound works of art or the most beautiful crafts but until they get made they are nothing.  It's only through making, and constantly making, that any thing is ever achieved.  So even though my trash can is full, I just keep making. 

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

I've been branching away from the original character Winklebeans for awhile now but for Jackalope I'll be coming back to them.  I'll use the same sizing but I'll be incorporating paint into the new ones in a series I'm (tentatively) calling SportyBeans.  While I love the natural look of wood, the effects one can achieve by contrasting the warm tones of nature with the vibrant hues of modern colors in something I'm enjoying exploring.  I hope to have 5-6 fully developed new characters for the Jackalope show in Pasadena. 

7.  Where can we learn more about you?

You can follow along with me on Instagram @winklebeans, or our Facebook page @winklebean or order off our website www.winklebean.com or better yet, come to one of the shows and hang out for a bit.  

Downtown Women’s Center Partners With Jackalope To Eradicate Homelessness For Los Angeles Women

Pasadena’s Central Park will play host for a third year to local handmade design as the Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair makes its return this April 29th & 30th.  New to 2017, Jackalope will be partnering with the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) to promote their programs and services by accepting donations on their behalf.  

“Being a women owned business, we found DWC to be a perfect fit to align with our own mission and values in running Jackalope.”

— Sara Diederich, co-founder of Jackalope Arts

DWC’s mission is to provide permanent housing and a safe and healthy community, and to advocate ending homelessness for women.  

Photo By Erica Hsu: http://www.ericakhsu.com/ 

Jackalope attendees will also be able to visit the MADE by DWC booth during the fair, carrying a line of unique gift items that were created in collaboration between DWC program participants and community artists.  MADE by DWC is a social enterprise created by DWC to break cycles of chronic homelessness and unemployment. By purchasing DWC’s handmade products, Jackalope attendees can directly contribute to these women.

“MADE by DWC allows women the space to really work through some of the barriers they’ve been facing living in poverty or living in homelessness.”

— Dena Younkin, Senior Product and Merchandise Manager for MADE by DWC

Join Jackalope Pasadena and the Downtown Women’s Center in Pasadena’s Central Park to shop handmade and support local women in need.

Learn more about DWC at: 
www.downtownwomenscenter.org
www.MADEbyDWC.org  

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

 I started ceramics when I was 8 years old in Chicago.  Then after many years away from the craft... about 10 years ago I started teaching and creating functional art and have been in love with handmade since!

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

I make my work with my own two hands, so nothing is slip cast... my hands form every single piece, I infuse my energy, heart and soul into every piece and I believe the love and care is felt from this intimate process.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Being present... clay calms my mind. So do subtleties and peace promoting colors and forms in nature.  

4. What is your creative process like?

It's very organic.  I'll get inspiration at times, but often I just create and it evolves.  I don't sketch much.

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

Every day, no matter how busy you are with client deadlines... make something just for you.  my commercial photography teacher said that, and it translates to every artistic medium I've done.

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

Everything, it's my first time and I'm thrilled to join... 

I'm excited to share many pieces from my new line I've just started to show that is hand built and extra organic, which is a sweet compliment to my cleaner wheelthrown designs.

7. Where can we learn more about you?  My Etsy page has some lovely details ... 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/aveshamichael

Have you heard? New this Spring, we are partnering with Verlocal for Jackalope Pasadena to provide hands-on workshops and unique activities at the Verlocal Experience Booth within the fair! 

Verlocal is a perfect fit for us because we both believe in better exposing the local community to handmade makers and artisans. Verlocal takes experiences beyond just individual events by building businesses and connecting them to people looking to discover local classes, events, products and services! 

So, What is Verlocal?  

Verlocal.com is a platform for artists, artisans, craftsmen and domain experts to offer unique classes, events, services and sell handmade products to a community of passion seekers.

Through Verlocal, Verlocal Business users can set up an online Verlocal Storefront and sell their experiences and products to hundreds of thousands of local customers.

Businesses will also gain access to online tools like an online booking system, customer messaging tool and more to help them launch and manage their passion-based business efficiently.  

How to Get Involved? 

Whether you want to host a workshop at the upcoming Jackalope Pasadena event, or simply want to sell your products through Verlocal, the first step is creating a Verlocal Business Account. 

Here’s TOP 6 reasons you should set up your Verlocal Business Account:

REASON 1 - Get a free digital online shop to sell anything, even workshops!  
A Verlocal Business Account provides you with a free digital online shop that allows you to sell classes, workshops, events, services and products. Your offerings will also be listed in their localized marketplace for unique experiences and products.

REASON 2 - Join hundreds of other users, you will gain access to a suite of online software tools to maximize your craft business processes. Check them out at www.verlocal.com/pro.

REASON 3 - You can supercharge your craft fair experience through the social features of your Verlocal Account.

People can find your offerings easily through the Verlocal iOS App or Mobile Website. And through your account, people can easily follow your store in one scan/click and store you in their wish-list so they can revisit your store after the craft fair.

Any Verlocal business who is at Jackalope Pasadena will have a QR Code for shoppers to scan!

REASON 4 - If you are a Jackalope Pasadena vendor, you will benefit from their direct marketing promotions to get more sales from Jackalope Craft Fair Visitors.

1. $5 Free Verlocal Credits will be given to new sign-ups and iOS app download users at Jackalope Pasadena. If you have a Verlocal Business Account, these users can spend those credits in your store or for a workshop that you may be hosting at the fair!  
2. Be Featured Prominently in their marketing campaign leading up to Jackalope Pasadena. They will work with you on a branded content article that will be shared across their social media channels and on their Landing Page website.

REASON 5 - Also for Jackalope Pasadena Vendors, be part of a Fair-Wide Giveaway Scavenger Hunt!

Get customers to visit your store like Pokemon GO! When they scan a unique QR code at your store, they win a raffle ticket which they can use to enter in their online raffle exclusive where they can win free gifts and discounts.

REASON 6 - Get dedicated marketing support for Verlocal Businesses. For any Jackalope Pasadena Vendor, that will include: 

1. Verlocal X Jackalope Pasadena Landing Page will feature all Verlocal Stores participating in the fair.

2. Visitors can easily go to this landing page to find stores and follow those they like and they can make purchases directly on this page.

3. Verlocal will also write a content article about you that will be shared across all their social media channels.

4. At the event itself, they will also promote your brands in their Experience Booth and also display you at their Verlocal Booth.

Want More? Meet some Verlocal Users: 

From Craft Store to Passion Sharer, Meet Brandi, the Succulent Master  

DIY Succulent Terrarium Experience with Brandi Tickets: https://goo.gl/prFf0Z --ABOUT BRANDI-- My love of succulents stems from my long-time residence in San Francisco's Outer Sunset neighborhood, which is full of wondrous succulents both large and small that thrive with minimal care and survive the harsh ocean winds, sandy soil, and fog.

From Wood Craftsmen to Passion Sharer, Meet Chris from Wood Thumb

Join us as we take a closer look at Chris's local experience "Triangle Shelves Woodworking" Tickets: https://goo.gl/pN5lwr Video Shot and Edited by: Bryce Charles Botorowicz Music Courtesy of www.bensound.com "" Like us on Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/verlocal/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Verlocal Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialverlocal/

As you can see there are many reasons why Verlocal is such a powerful tool! We are very excited to partner with them and we hope many of you see the value in what they have to offer, whether you are a Jackalope Pasadena vendor or not. 

If you are interested in setting up a Verlocal Business Account, simply click here 

OR....

Interested in hosting a workshop at Jackalope Pasadena this Spring? Click Below!
 

For any queries, feel free to contact us at edmund@verlocal.com