My wife and I were driving through the Texas panhandle when she spotted her first tumbleweed tumbling down the middle of the road, "just drive over it”, I said, “people get in accidents when they try to miss them... it'll fall apart when you run the car over it." One mile later, on the side of the road, as I dug the surprisingly tenacious tumbleweed out from under the car, we decided on the spot that such a determined “weed” should have a place in our home.

After several years of spray paint and tinsel, Halloween ghosts, and Christmas ornaments, our mascot tumbleweed just fell apart into an eclectic display of dried sticks and stems in a beautiful array of colors, resting in the bottom of an old clay pot. The first thought in my artist’s brain was, “if I can get those bits and pieces to stick together, I can sculpt something unique.”

My beginning attempts to dye and press tumbleweed into a viable medium (stable and visually stimulating) for sculpturing firstly became a weekend hobby, then a part-time project, then a full-time obsession! The first try failed, so did the second and third, so did the 78th! With the needed equipment becoming more complex, supplies costlier, patience waning, my commitment often failed me, but I continued to come back to the “vision” of tumbleweeds resting in the bottom of that old clay pot.

Finally, in September of 2012, the very first “fossilized” tumbleweed brick was produced! The first cut into the brick revealed a stable and stunningly beautiful product. When I finally held the very first tumbleweed gem in my hand, with my wife and grandson gathered around, we knew something (never seen before) had just blinked into existence…. And that moment is truly the beginning of my family’s journey.

Mature tumbleweeds are gathered from the Arizona desert, debarked, and dyed vivid colors using plant ­based pigments. The dyed sticks and stems are heated and compressed for 30 days, producing a brick of "fossilized" tumbleweed. From the first cut to the finished piece, each handmade stone is unique in size, shape, color, and grain pattern. Appreciate the slight imperfections that naturally occur during the dying and pressing processes of this re-purposed southwestern icon.

Learn more about Tumblestone on their website at  http://www.tumblestonejewelry.com/

How did you start in the Handmade community?

After 32 successful years in multiple senior management positions in corporate America and successfully beating chemotherapy and Ovarian Cancer, my husband and  I decided to retire early.  

I have always been crafty and did Counted Cross Stitch, Quilting, Scrapbooking and jewelry design.  So, I started designing and making Leather Wrap Bracelets.  Once Customers see the bracelets and realize that they are wrist size specific they started to order them.  Through of mouth, Beading by Diana was born.

What or who inspires you?

I am inspired by fashion in general especially now when there are so many options available.  I believe what I have learned about color and color pairings in Quilting coupled with a "natural eye" for color pallets, has really helped in designing my bracelets.

What makes your work unique and truly your own?

There are other designers making Leather Wrap Bracelets but mine are NOT one-size-fits-all!  I make multiple sizes to fit your specific wrist size and the ability to make them to fit the smallest wrist to a larger wrist, including Men's and Children's sizes.  

I also design the bracelet to look like five different bracelets.   Each of the wrap's five sections are a different design. For example, if you have a 7 inch wrist, Each 7 inch section is a different design.  

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I have both four and five wrap Leather Wrap bracelets in sizes from 5" to 7.5".  The color combinations are endless.  These bracelets are for all occasions, all seasons and for all family members.  They are great for your own fashions sense and make great gifts.  I have even designed bracelets for a wedding party! 

Visit my website on www.beadingbydiana.com!  Once you buy one....you will buy more!

How would you describe your style?

I’m not sure that I can name my style. So many art movements and cultures inspire me. I’ve always felt that I’m a very intuitive maker. I go wherever the art takes me. Often I complete a design and the final piece looks very different from my original notes and sketches. People that see my work in person sometimes tell me that my work has an art deco or tribal feel and as long as the costumer has a connection to the pieces I’m totally ok with that.

When do you feel the most creative?

In the dark! I feel that my best ideas come to me when I’m laying in bed at night. I toss and turn thinking of all the how’s and why’s of a design. I get so excited to get a sketch out on paper but am too lazy to actually get up and do it. I eventually fall asleep and if the idea still makes sense to me the next morning, then it’s a winner.

What is your creative process like?

I start of new designs with a really loose sketch that consists more of notes than actual drawing. I usually don’t do many detailed drawings by hand; I’m more of a digital designer. When I’m working on a new design I use my sketches/notes and build the design by adding and subtracting elements. I follow my gut and have to keep many things in mind as I design because stitching onto wood isn’t as forgiving as stitching into fabric so a lot of planning goes into the designs. Once I feel good with the design I start building and drilling a prototype. Then once my wood panel prototype is ready that’s when I actually start thinking about threads and colors. The final step is stitching and I finally get to see the design come to life.

When people see my work in person they assume that the embroidery phase is the most time consuming, sometimes a piece does take hours to stitch but what takes the most time is building and drilling each design. It’s a long and detailed process but a true labor of love. Completing each piece brings me joy and pride.

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?

It’s not a tip but a quote by Saul Bass, “I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares”. It keeps me motivated to create for me and no one else.

Any special item you'll be releasing or sale you'll be doing at the fair that we should tell people about?

I didn’t participate in any spring or summer fairs because I wanted to focus on producing new designs. So there will be many new and limited pieces to see at Jackalope holiday market. Plus, I always do a small price mark down on all my pieces for craft fairs.

Where can we learn more about you?

I’m most active on Instagram @GracyDesignAndCraft but you can also find me on facebook/GracyDesignAndCraft and on twitter @GracyDesign

1. How did you start in the handmade community?

My previous work as a mapmaker in a city government had been creative and challenging but cubicle life and male bosses eventually wore me down. By chance I'd seen a camera bag made of waxed canvas and lined with plaid flannel. Entranced with the image and believing that being taught to sew in childhood would translate to the industrial sewing machines needed for canvas, I set off to become a maker. As it turns out, there is a great deal more "to it" than that but I'm really glad for the means to claim a position in the tribe of hand-makers. Living rural, as I do, having that community is crucial.

2. What or who Inspires you?

My husband John, a blacksmith operating as Black Bear Forge, did all the hard work of learning how to start a maker business and operate it in the age of the Internet. I copy him! For design inspiration I look to the fabric outdoor gear of the past - things that were made by sailors, carried by the people who first made hiking a recognized activity, taken to the Gold rush, or churned out for the armed services by factories full of women during World War II. In my family such items were familiar, even everyday and I guess I am imprinted on them.

3. What makes your work unique and truly your own?

Any uniqueness I might claim would be based on my design aesthetic, my willingness to search out top-quality materials that fit that aesthetic, and the ways that I combine those factors.

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

I plan to bring to Jackalope a number of variations on my ditty bag design, plus tool rolls and aprons for the hand woodworkers who are so much a part of my tribe, and some items with a DeHavilland Beaver floatplane print theme for pilots both real and wannabe (like me). There will be nothing frilly or whimsical, just practical and handsome gear.

Find our more on Camp Robber at: https://camp-robber.com/

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

Since I hand make all my bags myself, no two bags are exactly alike...they each take on a personality of their own.  That's whats so cool about handmade and not factory made...nothing is sterile.  Also, I really like to add fun little details into my work, like color-blocking, really fun patterned lining fabrics to the inside, and even some bags have hand braided straps.  I think the graphic and geometric details of most of my bags make my brand distinguishable.

2. When do you feel the most creative?

When I'm out exploring LA. I've been here a little over 3 years now and I feel there is always somewhere new to go and to see.  DTLA's arts district has the coolest murals, just walking around there inspires me.  Also, being around other creatives, which is basically anywhere and everywhere throughout LA.  

3. What is your creative process like?

Usually I'll do a quick rough sketch of what I want to make, then I start making the pattern from there.  After I make the paper pattern I cut all my leather and lining fabric and start sewing.  Each bag takes a fair amount of time to cut and sew....on average a good solid 8 hours total (sans breaks), so I break up the process over the course of a few days.

4. What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?

Being prolific is key.  Just keep creating and it will take you where you need to be.

5. Any special item you'll be releasing or sale you'll be doing at the fair that we should tell people about?

15% off everything for Jackalope Craft Fair! 

6. Where can we learn more about you?  

Check out my about page @ www.BrittanyMatyas.com

1.  What made you come up with the concept for Waffling Around?

We were traveling in Europe and our kids loved the waffle on a stick, we toyed around with it for a year or so and realized it wasn't really known on the westcoast and decided to give it a try, while also adding some other uncommon waffle creations, luckily for us it has been a success. 

2. Do you have a favorite flavor/combination?

One of my favorites is coconut baked into the waffle dipped in chocolate!! The sweetness of the coconut in the waffle makes it such a treat and the chocolate on top of that... Like a Mounds bar in pastry form. 

3.  What do you like most about doing art & craft fairs?

Arts and crafts fair usually go hand in hand with foodies who really appreciate the concept of our waffle, we also enjoy all the different people that the fairs attract and the unique vendors we get to meet and sometimes team up with in the future. 

4. What are you looking forward to in doing Jackalope?

 Looking forward to making new relationships and experiencing the culture of Jackalope and its following. 

How did you start in the handmade community?

While living in Tulsa, I had been doing a lot ofart shows, displaying my paintings and photographs at galleries, and other venues. There was an art festival that happened every year that focused on local artists and handmade. People kept encouraging me to do it, so I gave it a go, and loved it! 

What or who inspires you?

Oh man, with the internet at our fingertips, inspiration is ENDLESS...but I've always been heavily influenced and inspired by the works of Warhol, Lichtenstein, Banksy, and Shepard Fairey, as well as Ralph Steadman. Music and nature also provide great sources of inspiration for me. 

What makes your work unique and truly your own?

I love taking familiar, as well as unfamiliar images and breathing new life into it, giving it a fresh look, and a spontaneous dynamic... I think I'm able to capture a subject's soul through color, composition and texture in a way that sets my work apart from others.

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope Art & Craft Fair?

You can expect prints and originals, smaller items like postcards, and buttons. And I'll be launching a new product, my "art you wear" necklaces! 

Shop Point Blank Art & Design at Jackalope Art & Craft Fair on August 12th & 13th at Anderson Park, Wheat Ridge CO

Fore more, visit: 

http://www.pointblankdesign.net

http://www.facebook.com/pointblankdesign

http://www.etsy.com/shop/pointblankdesign

1. What is Teller Street Gallery? Teller Street is an art studio in Wheat Ridge featuring classes for kids and adults. The studio is locally owned and operated by Mandy Fulton and Nicole Anderson. The walls are crammed with awesome artwork by local artists. We also have 10 private studios for artists to rent on a monthly basis, which have been occupied for years by most of the same artists.

2. What activities will you be offering fair patrons during the festival? Teller Street will offer free art activities for kids during the Carnation Festival. Including take home pinwheels! We will be onsite from 4pm-7pm on Friday and 12pm-6pm on Saturday,

3. Where can we learn more about you? You can find out more about Teller Street, the classes offered, and featured artists and instructors on our website:  www.TellerStreetGallery.com

4. What do you love most about the handmade movement? We love to see creativity in people, and do our best to help teach, inspire, and promote art locally.

How did you start in the handmade community?

We started in the handmade community at farmers market's. We were making our habanero pepper jelly for friends and family at Christmas.  Everyone loved it and always asked for more so got a certified kitchen and started selling the jelly at events.

What or who inspires you?

I'm inspired by people that are the best in their practice or profession, I love watching, trusting and working with people that are good at what they do.

What makes your work unique and truly your own?

We use the best quality produce, de-seed and de-stem the fresh peppers by hand. We know the farmers we work with. Our products have a modern feel that appeals to our customers that enjoy entertaining and cooking.

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope Art & Craft Fair? 

Habanero, Strawberry Habanero and Marionberry Habanero Pepper Jellies

Learn more here: 

www.kellysjelly.com

www.facebook.com/kellysjelly

Twitter @kellysjelly

How did you start in the handmade community?

It’s in my blood to create; I have made handmade my whole life. If I couldn’t create I would be one grumpy person. So I’ve been working towards this goal my whole life just recently realizing that it could be a career. In 2014 my bags were born and I started selling on Etsy. After that I had my first show July of 2015 (which was Jackalope). It’s been love at first show! Shows have been the most rewarding part of my journey so far, I love the instant feedback I get from strangers and other makers.  

What or who inspires you?

People!! I love street style and seeing how people put outfits together, or seeing how people mix fabrics and prints. This is why I really like doing art and craft fairs… my customers give me so much inspiration!

What makes your work unique and truly your own?

I hand pick every fabric that is used for my bags, and mix new with vintage. I add my signature bow to all of my bags, and use fun pattern and color combinations. 

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope Art & Craft Fair?

Fanny packs which are my newest addition to my collection, coin purses, tampon cases, make-up bags, and purses. I will also have a small line of bags without bows!

Learn more and shop Sew Chrissy Market on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewchrissymarket/?fref=ts

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sewchrissymarket