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

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

As a child I grew up in the environment of makers, enjoying the company of my dad while he crafted wooden toys for us and seeing grandpa make household items; learning alongside grandma while she patiently knitted yet another pair of socks; or being by her side in the outdoor kitchen watching 3 gallons of sour cherry jam bubble on the stove. Nothing seemed impossible and I also wanted to make everything.

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

I formulate my skincare from scratch by researching hundreds of ingredients and being inspired by nature's bounty and the physical properties of botanicals. I love creating very complex formulas with dozens of natural and exotic ingredients that harmonize to make a final product. 

3. What or Who Inspires you? 

I've always wanted to be a botanist and be surrounded by plants, to care for them and to watch them grow from seeds. I still think it's magical and my garden is full of saplings. I love knowing about the plants I use, where they originate, how they are harvested, where they are grown. I don't chase the latest trends; all formulations are the result of true inspiration and passion for botanicals. 

4. What is your creative process like?

The inspiration for a product typically arises from necessity. I imagine what would be nice to use, then do research to see what ingredients have qualities to suit that need. I love creating my formulas, which are quite intricate and involved. After working with biotech companies as a interior designer for 8 years, I've observed so many manufacturing processes that prove very handy right now. Calculating a formula and ingredient proportions is probably my favorite thing to do. I start by making few test batches, refine the formula and proceed to preparing the products for final pictures, write ups and presentations. There's a lot of technical know-how involved, and I love every aspect of the process. Later comes picture taking which as a designer by training I enjoy very much. All aspects of the process truly fulfill my passion for making things and being in sync with nature and health.

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

All the classics and all the new products which I'm very excited about.  Perhaps some free samples. I may play a little giveaway game prior to the event. We shall see. 

6. Where can we learn more about you?

The best place to learn about me is on Instagram where I post my daily maker's life through a lens. Occasionally you'll see my kids and healthy cooking,  in addition to the skincare making craft. There's a quick write up about me on the LENUS website, as well as my Etsy page. 

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

I've been a creative person since childhood but started working as a creative professional in 2007 when I started working in a photography lab. I learned so much about color, composition, style and developed an intense eye for details during my 5 years with them. After that I started my Etsy shop while in between jobs and it slowly grew while I worked in the textile industry. During this time I started sewing without fear and tried pattern making, fabric dying and doing whatever I could with fabric. It was during this time I started sewing bags and other accessories. Designing handbags was a natural transition for me because I am a little bit of a bag hoarder.

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

All of the fabrics I use are hand crafted by myself in my home studio. I hand dye, hand print and digitally design all of my patterns before sewing them into handbags, pouches, wallets and other accessories.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

The ocean and the night sky. There's nothing like a vast expanse of nothingness to get my creative mind churning. Watching the soothing waves along the Pacific Ocean or the twinkling stars in the Milky Way inspire a calming feeling of being a spec in a huge magnificent universe filled with wonder and endless possibilities.

4. What is your creative process like?

I start with a small idea and try lots of variations. My goal is to always end with a product that is unique and aesthetically works from the smallest detail to the overall piece. I'm not afraid to scrap plans and start fresh. Some details remain as a framework to build on with new ideas and details. Trial and error is my friend, I learn whenever I can. I refine my designs and patterns until I have a beautiful, professional and meticulously sewn item.

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

“Through the mere act of creating something—anything—you might inadvertently produce work that is magnificent, eternal, or important.” - Elizabeth Gilbert
Just get started. So many times I overthink and get all anxious about the idea of something I have in my head, that I don't even start.

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

Indigo dyed shibori fabrics, bright colorful patterns, canvas bags, tote bags, women's wallets, makeup bags, accessory cases, cross body purses.

7. Where can we learn more about you?
www.starlightbags.com or say hello on Instagram @mariashacreaw

1. How would you describe your style? 

I strive for a balance in my work. My style is loose and somewhat raw without being too messy. Thematically my work expresses feelings of isolation, loss, and grief balanced with innocence, hope, and strength.  If art can make people feel less alone, and more united in our existence, I believe it is successful. 

2. What or who inspires you?

I'm inspired by dreams, animals, nature, dance, music, dolls, colors, patterns, and beauty in general. People inspire me who stay strong and positive despite the debilitating challenges that life can deliver. I'm also inspired by people who live boldly, often going against societal norms in order to express their personal truth, and give voice to those who have been marginalized.   

3. When do you feel the most creative?

I'm the most creative when I can let go of fear about the outcome of a painting, or the fear of messing it up. When I can work in a state of freedom, my creativity flows.

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

You will see many original paintings ranging from very small to large, as well as a large selection of prints. 

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

I coolest artistic tip I have received was in my early months as a painter, I had a short conversation with an established artist friend about the background of a painting on which I was working. He described the background as being responsible for creating the world in which my character would live. This incredibly simple, and yet obvious, idea revolutionized my understanding of the backgrounds in my work.

Find out more about Jen Herling at: http://www.jenherlingart.com/