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

I've always been a "crafty" person. From wedding headpieces, to beaded bracelets, to t-shirts, I've had my hands in everything! But I always wanted to work with metal. I put it off for years until I decided to go for it and I took an 8 week class learning the art of Lost Wax Casting. Instantly, I was in love. I unfortunately, can't wear anything except solid Sterling Silver and Gold, so I kind of selfishly started out making things for myself. Slowly I started getting questions about what I was wearing and where people could buy it and well, I guess that's where Moure started!

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

I think that the main thing that draws people to my work is the what I like to call "perfect imperfection" of it. I try and make my jewelry with a sense of organic unevenness. No one is perfect, but it's those little differences within us all that makes us each so unique in our own way. That's where I like to carve from. The fact that every individual is beautiful in their own magical way- just like each irregular raw crystal or rough diamond I use in my designs. Every single piece of Moure is a one of a kind. Even items that I now have molds for, I go back in before casting into metal and change it in some way so that it is truly unique, just like it's wearer.   

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Natural beauty inspires me. I absolutely love using stones, crystals and diamonds that are raw and unfinished. They shine in such a special lovely way. Nature does this thing called "what I want" and in doing so makes some pretty gorgeous and unusual gems. I love getting to showcase her amazing beauty in my work.  

4. What is your creative process like?

This sounds silly, but a lot of my designs come to me in dreams. I can't draw or sketch if my life depended on it. So, I have to immediately jump up and go into my work space to start carving when I wake up before I forget what I dreamt! Other then that I usually let the stones do the talking. I usually fall in love with a stone first and then create a piece to fit around it. I'm like a crow, shiny things make me happy :)

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

I think the coolest tip I ever received was to just go for it. No matter how weird or crazy you think your idea or design is, DO IT. Sometimes its hard for artists to put themselves out there to be judged. You are putting out a tiny section of your heart and its hard to not want to shy away and hide from "judgmental" eyes. But what if that judgment is praise? You'll never know until you jump in.. Everyone has a little tid bit of weird and crazy in them so let your creative freak fly baby! Never be afraid to show who you are.  

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

I'm bringing a bunch of newness to Jackalope! I will have my ear jackets, and Sterling Silver as usual, but a lot more 14K Gold and larger Crystal treasures. I'm also going to be bringing what I'm calling Moure Pinata bags. They are side slung bucket bags made of African mud cloth. All are hand sewn here, in LA that I've sprinkled with some tiny bead work and handmade large scale tassels. Super fun! 

7. Where can we learn more about you?

Mouredesigns.com!

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

My grandma taught me how to crochet one summer and I started making earrings out of crochet and buttons. At this time I was studying art at UCLA. I took the option to study abroad in South Africa for 1 semester. So I started wearing these earrings to my art classes there and many students wanted to buy them. When I came back to UCLA the same thing happened. Being near very eclectic and cool boutiques, I started selling them on consignment at a few shops in the area. 

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

My approach in making/designing. I come from a fine art background so the initial stage is sketching out shapes from the environment. The things I find interesting can be very ordinary or a small detail of something. Then I think, can I wear this, would I want to wear this, how can I make it so it can be worn, what materials will help me achieve this idea? I am interested in making timeless pieces, not trends. It's also exciting to make pieces that are modular. Simple pieces that can be combined, rearranged, and reimagined by the wearer (such as the front back earrings and second hole earrings)

3. What or Who Inspires you?

It's hard to find things that don't inspire me. I see fascinating shapes everywhere. Shadows, strange angles of furniture, my backyard, construction sites, wires sticking out from electrical poles, unfinished buildings. I take quick photos of them and look through them at home. Going to a contemporary museum is super inspiring. I go with my 4 year-old son so it's even more eye opening seeing it from his point-of-view. Also, hardware stores are great for ideas. I go through each aisle looking at tools, parts, shapes. 

4. What is your creative process like?

I have a sketchbook and I make small drawings here and there. Being a mom I don't have the luxury of having a long stretch of time to focus on one thing. So when I have 20mins, I just stop and look around and search for shapes that catch my eye and document them. I make a lot of little drawings and I am not precious about them, I just put as many ideas down as they come. When I get a bit of quiet time (usually when my son is asleep) I look through all the drawings (and sometimes photos) and pick out a few and manipulate them and think about how they can be simplified and become wearable objects. Then I may make some samples. 

But sometimes this process is completely flipped. I love hardware stores and when I find a really cool part or piece there I think, how can I incorporate this into my work. So sometimes the work is completely informed by the material. 

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

The value of learning many techniques. I love to learn and having many making solutions under your belt puts you in a position to fully realize your ideas. 

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

I will have minimalistic, playful, versatile earrings and necklaces. I look forward to helping shoppers try them on and find their own combinations. Almost every earring design has the option of being sold per piece (instead of as a pair) so you can create different asymmetrical looks. It's so exciting to see my work on someone else, it totally changes the context. As soon as they wear it, it becomes something else, something new. 

7. Where can we learn more about you?

www.sonemade.etsy.com

www.instagram.com/sonemade

www.facebook.com/sonemadeshop

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

As far back as I can remember I have always created, whether it was a piece of paper folded into origami or a custom hand made table.  The act of making comes natural to me and the most important tools in the studio are my hands.  This market will actually be one of the few times I've exhibited and sold my artwork at a handmade community fair so I’m hoping for the best.

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

To be honest I actually feel that the true artist is nature itself,  I'm just presenting it in a way that can be appreciated as artwork.  I love materials and how they exist just as they are, the texture of clay when dry creates a network of cracks,  the patterns found in wood grain or on a leaf.  These are the things that influence my work and push me to create.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Most of my inspiration comes from nature and the patterns, textures, and geometry found within it.  The several artist that have a huge influence on my work are Bryan Nash Gill,  Analia Saban, and Andy Goldsworthy.  All of these artist in their own way incorporate nature, texture, and pattern which I strive to achieve.

4. What is your creative process like?

I have to create to feel mentally and physically healthy.  Without making and creating I kind of feel lost.  Surfing, hiking, and just being immersed in nature definitely contributes to my creative process.  The duality of my creative process can vary.  At one moment it can be very methodical, planned out and hypnotic and on the other hand it can be completely spontaneous and random.  It depends on what I'm trying to achieve at that moment in time spent in the studio.  

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

The best piece of advice I have ever received was from the artist Bryan Nash Gill who told me to keep creating and to really listen to my process, to let the work take me there, to show my work wherever and whenever I was given the opportunity.  He said that one of the hardest things for any artist to achieve is to be noticed by a gallery unless you are the lucky 1% of artists that do get picked up by one.  He told me that I may be a gallery artist but I also may be a great craftsman.  

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

Quality pieces that I put my heart into. Each piece that I make has a high standard of craftsmanship.  These qualities and attention to detail are what I put into all my work whether it's an art piece, a custom table or a walnut cutting board, each piece is made with love and is held to my highest standard.  

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can learn more about me on my website www.andremirzaian.com and on my instagram profile andremirzaian.   

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

I enjoy attending the incredible community markets here in Northern California, and always leave inspired to create something of my own. I love collecting and finding ways to make things that fit my personal style, which led me to hand-painting natural bamboo housewares.

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

I’m super meticulous, pouring my heart and soul into each of my pieces. They become an extension of me. Each piece tells a story or emotion for me. At times it can be difficult to let go of them when sold!

3. What or Who Inspires you?

I’m extremely inspired by the mid-century modern aesthetic. As a life-long Californian, the influence that the West Coast’s ‘Sunbaked Modernism’ has had on my work is undeniable.

4. What is your creative process like?

I work best in spurts. I find that most of the time I need to mentally prepare myself to sit before beginning to paint. Magazines help spark fresh color combinations. I also find inspiration in the shapes of California-native plants and landscapes.

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

Even when you’re trying to make money with it, remember to stay true to what you love about making art or it will just become a job.

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

I’ll bring my full line of customized housewares. Everything from bamboo planters, chopping boards and utensils to stoneware will be on hand. 

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can learn more about me through social media @Nevmade, and online at NevMade.com. NevMade items are also available through many West Elm retail locations throughout California.

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

My mother taught me how to sew when I was about 7 years old and I never stopped.  I made my entire wardrobe in high school and my first job was at a bridal shop altering wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and even my classmates prom gowns.  After college, I moved from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA to Los Angeles where I made a career for myself in the fashion industry as a production manager, product developer, and fashion designer.  I started my first business, Iron Doll Clothing, when I was 26 years old making uniforms and athletic apparel for roller derby skaters all over the world.  And then, like most stories, I started a family and was forced to scale way back on everything I did.  I let go of my first business and returned to being a fashion designer for someone else's small business.  While the fast fashion day job paid the bills, it lacked personal creativity and expression.  I yearned to be hands on, back at the sewing machine, and often day dreamed of the little outfits my mother sewed for me as a girl and the special bond it created between us.  It became obvious that a girls clothing line was the perfect side business for me and my family.  In August 2016, I slowly started to explore Etsy, local markets, and began following business bloggers who focused on helping handmade businesses.  The handmade community was absolutely fascinating to me and honestly a little mind boggling.  I seemed to have the opposite problem of most makers.  Having a background in mass garment production, it's very easy for me to figure out how to make 100-1000 of the same thing.  I was used to working with employees, I had pricing knowledge, product development experience, and understood wholesale very well.  But I couldn't really wrap my brain around producing and selling on a smaller scale.  And yet the intimacy and personal attention given to each piece, each customer, really called to me.  Spending quality time on design was why I fell in love with sewing in the first place and I wanted those feelings back in my life.  I started both an online Etsy shop and a Shopify shop and immediately signed up for several local Spring markets - all before I really even had finished product to sell!  But it motivated me to hit the sewing machine hard and soon my first Spring collection was released early 2017.  Even now I continue to fall in love with the community, the people, and the customers.  It's a very unique and loving place to be.

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

My husband, Jorge, comes from a family that's been in the pleating and stitching business for two generations.  He owns an 11,000 square foot facility outside of downtown Los Angeles called ACE Pleating & Stitching and does specialized fabric manipulation for the garment industry, costumers, and high end fashion designers.  He handles the complex machinery and technical steps that bring my visions to life.  If a machine doesn't exist to accomplish the look I want, he can Frankenstein one together for me.  I have the eye for fabrics and colors as well as the skills to bring our customers high quality, well fitting garments.  Our daughters are our models, our inspiration, and our number one product testers.  It is a combination of artists and family that make our clothing so unique and personal. 

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Family.  My mother, father, husband, and my girls are my biggest inspiration.  My parents both worked full time jobs and still managed to raise two kids while enjoying hobbies like building their own house and growing their own vegetables.  Artists at heart, they had a hands on, do it yourself approach to everything.  Their work ethic and creativity runs through my blood and I'm so proud of all they have done and continue to accomplish.  My husband is the same way, hard working, very attentive to details and getting the job done right through quality over quantity.  And our two beautiful children, viewing the world through their eyes brings fresh perspective and beauty to our surroundings.  Everything is new to them and it's really forced me to slow down and take in the world around me.

4. What is your creative process like?

I'm a very visual, paper and pencil, trial and error kind of person.  I have to see the finished product in order to make design decisions.  I love scrolling through fashion photography, lifestyle brands, and magazines.  I feed off the emotions imagery projects and hone in on those trends and ideas.  Then I create mood boards of colors, silhouettes, and photography that inspires my collections.  And finally, I hit my studio, drafting patterns, cutting samples, and sewing.  I'll repeat the sampling process, tweaking the patterns, cutting and sewing new samples until I am satisfied with the final product.  It's a very tedious process, but completely worth it when I hear a customer notice and praise every detail I put into the piece.

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

I have never forgotten this quote from Gwen Stefani talking about her time spent working with Prince She [Gwen] explained: "Prince, who is one of my idols, gave me some advice when I worked with him, 'Have you ever just tried writing a hit? Like, don't just try writing a song, try and write a hit song'. I remember him saying that and me thinking, 'Yeah, you're right. Why would you write anything else?'"   (I just spent 15 minutes on google trying to find this quote, because I wanted to get it just right LOL).  Whether it be my career or my personal creative adventures, I'm not here just to make clothing, I want to create something that makes people so excited they can't stop talking about it.  They love it so much they recommend it to their friends and it becomes their favorite go to piece.  I design so it evokes emotion, memories, and they can't live without it.

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

Jackalope attendees can expect a fun, minimalist booth filled with whimsical infant and toddler girl's clothing made from fresh organic cotton prints and textured fabrics featuring our signature modern smocking. They will be able to see and feel in person the pieces we have in our online shop as well as a few "exclusive to Jackalope" handmade pieces!  Shoppers can easily find the perfect handmade gift of clothing for that special little girl in your life.  Or perhaps if they are due to update their family photos? If so, expect the perfect outfits for photos that will help tell the story of your family for years to come.  And finally, you can expect a warm welcome, a heart filled hello, and a good conversation from me, Rachel, the maker.  I love to talk about handmade, family, community, and I look forward to making new friends.

7. Where can we learn more about you?

My favorite meet up is Instagram, search for @duchessandgoose and you'll find beautiful lifestyle photography, outfit inspiration, and lots of emojis.  To see close ups of our clothing or to learn more about me and my family, visit our online store at www.duchessandgoose.com  I also make special appearances on facebook, pinterst, and etsy also under @duchessandgoose

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