1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?
I started Flat Bonnie 6 years ago with the hope of helping animals in need.
I made the first 5 "Flat Bonnie" bunny plushies and donated them to a
local rescue named BunnyLuv.
They sold the plushies and used the proceeds to help care for the bunnies.

After that I started getting requests from other rescues to make animals
like guinea pigs, bears, tigers, elephants, and even turkeys.

2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
My plush animal designs are minimal and clean. I try to capture the cutest
thing about the animal without getting too busy or complex.
My plushies are flat, making them easy to travel with. Also, I only use
animal friendly products, no leather or wool. Vegan friendly.
 

3. What or Who Inspires you?
I am inspired by all kinds of animals, wild and domestic, but mostly my
bunnies. I also find inspiration by looking at cute animals on the
internet.

4. What is your creative process like?
Once I decide on what new animal to create, I start making the pattern. I
usually know what I want the finished plush to look like, so I don't
sketch it out first. Looking at sketches can restrict or distract me
sometimes. Some things on a sketch won’t translate to the finished plush
very well.

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?
It's O.K. to say no when someone asks you to make something that you are
not passionate about.
 

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?
I will have lots of cute plush animals, including the super rare
Jackalope. Also, I will be bringing animal themed Vinyl wall art, enamel
pins and jewelry.

7. Where can we learn more about you?
You can see many of the things that I make and read Flat Bonnie's mission
statement on my website.
I try to keep the website's blog and Instagram updated with art shows,
collaborations and upcoming events.
FlatBonnie.com
Instagram.com/FlatBonnie
Facebook.com/FlatBonnie

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

I was born into it!!  My mother has always been a maker.  She taught me how to crochet when I was 7 years old.  I loved it!  So, it was natural to choose a product that was created through crochet.

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

There aren't a lot of basket makers out there.  And, certainly not a lot that create crocheted baskets using the materials I use.  So, I feel that making baskets using jute and hemp is unique.

3. What or Who Inspires you?  

So much inspires me!  Since my baskets have a natural sensibility, nature definitely inspires me.  But so many other things inspire me also:  my mother, modern art, other basket makers from around the world - specifically baskets from Japan.

4. What is your creative process like?  

There isn't a day when I'm not crocheting!  (I try to take Sundays off, but seem to still find myself crocheting!).  I listen to a lot of music and watch a lot of Netfilx while I'm crocheting, and find myself juggling a lot of thoughts in the midst of creating.  So, I'm often writing notes consisting of new ideas, how to run my business more efficiently, etc

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

The most important tip that I've received (thankfully, early on in my making career) was to not compare myself to others - just do what I do.

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

At Jackalope, I'll be carrying my crocheted jute and hemp baskets that I'm known for, and baskets with branch handles.

7. Where can we learn more about you?  

You can learn more about me and see my work on my website:  lklydesigns.com

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

Polkela is a collaboration between Max Podemski and me, Sarah Klinger. Max started making vernacular architecture posters after he returned to Los Angeles from living in New York (where he and I met). Seeing the city from a fresh perspective, he was struck by the diversity of residential architecture and decided to make a poster commemorating it. I followed him to LA shortly after visiting. Because I don't have a car, I was introduced to the city via long walks across town and soon started making my own LA inspired art. We began selling posters at stores around town and eventually decided to create a brand. 

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

We come from very different professional backgrounds. I'm a trained illustrator and Max is a professional urban planner. The intersection of our work is a love for cities, particularly their idiosyncratic details. We like to think of ourselves as making LA mementos but for locals instead of tourists. 

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Our work is inspired by Los Angeles-- not the famous landmarks featured in the media but the everyday built environment that is familiar to Angelenos. This includes hamburger stands, taco trucks, storefront synagogues, and the mountain lion in Griffith Park. The city is endlessly fascinating. An ideal weekend for us is one spent walking around. 

4. What is your creative process like?

We start by photographing buildings. We drive or walk around a particular neighborhood, take pictures and sometimes even use google street view. The photos are then used as the basis for our drawings. I make digital sketches before painting a final version that I clean up in Photoshop. Max draws first and plans his posters once he's done. Although we usually have our work printed by a local screen printer, we sometimes feel brave enough to do the screen printing in our apartment. It's a total mess, but we love it.

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

That a flea market is one of the best places to gather inspiration. Try it when you are in a creative rut!

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

We will have our full line of products including prints and our new "recuredo de los angeles" bandanas and LABC tote bags. 

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can follow our work on polkela.com and our instagram account, polke.la. You can find more of my work at sarahklinger.com. Max also writes articles about Los Angeles which have been published in The Guardian and the Los Angeles Times. 

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

Stacy Dymalski and I are the best of friends who go WAY back (over 30 years). Once our kids got older we decided to do something creative together that highlighted our artistic gifts. I like to draw and Stacy likes to write comedy, so we decided to pool our talents to produce a card line that really speaks to people the way we communicate in person. We really ARE artistic and funny, just like our cards.

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

Our cards reflect our very own creativity and our voice. They say what most people think, which is what a greeting card should do. We’ve been told by many people that they’ve never seen cards quite like ours before. 

3. What or Who Inspires you?

We’re inspired everyday by our friends, family, dogs, and other women whom we read about, but may have never met. Let’s face it, women juggle many jobs every second of everyday of their lives. We get that, because we’ve been there, too. That’s why we’re able to draw funny images of life and put funny captions to them that (in essence) say, “Here’s a humorous take on what you’re going through. I bet you can relate.” If someone has a moment of levity during their busy day because of our cards, we feel it in our hearts (honest). 

4. What is your creative process like?

Typically we meet for coffee or a meal at my house to work. Sometimes I draw a picture first and then Stacy puts a funny caption to it. And sometimes Stacy has a list of funny captions that she presents to me for drawings. Then we tweak the cards together; both making suggestions to the other in terms of art and captions. In the end we come up with something brilliant. (At least, WE think so!) But more importantly, we have a great time working, creating, and laughing together, and in the end, that’s all that really matters.

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

Just be yourself. Don’t try to be something you’re not, and don’t try to be everything to everybody. Do that unique thing that you do, and do it really well. Yes, you will have a specific, limited audience, but those people will love you and your products. If you try to please everyone, your art will be so generic it will no longer stand out in the crowd.

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

Unique, funny, handmade cards with a vintage flair that you’ve probably never seen before, all of which are made with love. They include funny cards about life, plus dog cards that will crack you up. (And, due to popular demand, we are also bringing in a new line for us - cat cards.) Honestly, we could be doing so many other things in life right now, but we truly enjoy making these cards, because its something creative that we can do together. Plus we know their destiny is to brighten someone’s day. It’s a win-win situation.

7. Where can we learn more about you? 

Our website is sassypantsdesign.com. In addition, we have an Etsy shop that contains a subset of our products, called SassypantsdesignUSA. We are on Instagram and Facebook as @sassypantsdesign. 

You can also find us in independent shops in 5 states. (We are always on the lookout for new, cool shops!)

How would you describe your style?  
I'd describe my style as an attempt to be style-less. I'd really like the illustrations to be as honest a rendering as possible, and in trying to accomplish that, my "style" is born. It's not really intentional, but more a function of pushing my personal limitations.

Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?
I particularly look up to Tom Savini and Jimi Hendrix. 

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
Right now - cryptozoology. I'm really inspired to illustrate a series of organisms that may only exist in folklore. Science fiction and the unknown have always been a source of inspiration. Wayne Douglas Barlowe's book - Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials, has been great source material to me since my childhood.

When do you feel the most creative?
Surprisingly, the older I get, I feel most creative in the small hours of the morning. When I should be sleeping.

Where can we learn more about you? 
You can learn more about me and my current projects by visiting
https://scientificaillustration.com/
https://www.instagram.com/scientificaillustration/
http://www.jcoreywoessner.com

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".