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

I got started in the handmade community in 2011. I had just had my first baby (Hill) and was back at work in my social services job 6 weeks after he was born. I decided to open an Etsy store to sell baby blankets with a goal of being able to stay home 1 day a week with him. I met that goal within just a few months and was able to quit my full time job the following year, just 18 months after I opened my store.

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

I have always enjoyed the process of curating the fabrics I use in my store to pick fun and unique designs that would be hard to find anywhere else. I also very recently have started to design my own fabrics and am currently making the transition to just using my own designs. I have them printed on various base fabrics through Spoonflower, which is an amazing digital fabric printer located in North Carolina. I love that I can keep most of my supplies made in the USA. You won't find too many in my online shop as I am making that transition because I am stocking up for the Jackalope show while selling off my current inventory!

3. What or Who Inspires you?

My biggest inspiration are my two boys, Hill and Fox. I would have never had the guts to quit my job and make my living as a creative if not for my extreme desire to be home with them. They also get to test my new products and help me decide what is the best kid approved stuff for my shop. 

4. What is your creative process like?

My creative process starts with sketching my ideas/motifs for a design and then taking them in to adobe illustrator to digitize them and set them in to a repeat. Once I am happy with the colors and scale I upload them to Spoonflower who then ships me my awesome new fabrics!  All of the cutting and sewing is done in my home studio, where you can find me sewing while watching Supernatural, Dr. Who, The Office or any British mystery show. Netflix is my best sewing friend!

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

The best tip I have ever received was in an art business class, and it is something that you hear all the time. It was just to be yourself. Nobody else sees the world as you do or is going to draw (or whatever creative thing you do) the same way you do. You don't have to try to appeal to everyone because if you are true to yourself you will find your people :)

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

I am bringing blankets for babies and big kids, clothing, bibs, burp cloths and bags.

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can follow along on our instagram @foxhillbaby and shop our online store foxhillbaby.com or find us on Etsy

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

Meet Robbi Farscman of lostgirl Metalworks.

While working as a community organizer on the east coast in the early 2000s, I started making jewelry as a hobbyist. Then, it was bead work, including those I made with polymer clay, and the focus was on design – which leaned solidly towards the asymmetrical and quirky. I gave everything as a gift, and when folks told me, “You should sell,” I would laugh and respond with a hearty “No!”

My work later took me to New England, where I continued designing (and giving away) jewelry in my spare time. The reception was similar to that from down south, though “You should sell!” was met with a more tentative “Nooo….” When I relocated to NY in 2008 and heard the same encouragement, I said “Damn right!” (I can be a bit slow on the uptake at times…)

My first metalworking course was a two-week one called “Rings and Things.” I babbled about it for months beforehand – some might have said ad nauseam – and couldn’t wait for the first day. After seven hours in the studio, I came home defeated and answered the expectant question of “Did you love it?!” with “Not really…”

Sawing metal was a pain, and I broke blades quicker than you could blink. (Later, I learned that having the right blade for the gauge of metal you’re cutting makes a world of difference!) My soldering skills were also pretty tragic, and the little pieces would jump off the metal whenever the torch flame would get anywhere close. I considered ditching the whole affair after the first day. But I’m pretty determined by nature, so I went back. The second day was a little better, and by the end of the third, I was hooked and began dreaming about my “next life” in metal.  

In February 2012, with only two metalsmithing courses under my belt, a basic skill-set (to say the least!), and just two pairs of pliers in my toolbox, I decided my next life started then and I made the leap to be a full-time artist. Shortly thereafter, lostgirl Metalworks – a nod to my tendency to wander, shun roots and find inspiration on the unknown path – was launched.  

“Like the way I live my life, my work tends to be experimental in nature, with middle-of-the-night visions constructed (sometimes awkwardly) in metal the next day.”

I work primarily in sterling, though copper and bits of gold find their way into my work, and drool-worthy stones are the norm. Much of my current line contains bold pieces that celebrate both structure and the beauty of decay. (I think of them as modern heirlooms.)

Life-by-hand, as I call it, isn’t always an easy journey. Some days are smooth sailing and others are complete melt-downs (literally, if I keep my torch on something for two seconds too long). On the smooth days, I leave the studio invigorated and excited to return. On the others, I remind myself that I am a maker, not a machine, and nothing that I do will ever be perfect (though that doesn’t stop me from trying!). 

“Whichever the day, I have no doubt that I’m fortunate to have the freedom to create whatever crazy comes to mind and continue to find my voice.”

Learn more about lostgirl online:

http://www.lostgirlmetalworks.com

https://www.facebook.com/lostgirlmetal

https://www.instagram.com/lostgirlmetal

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

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?

Back in 2009 I was stitching plush toys under the name Planet Ogie as a senior project in college. A lot of curiosity grew surrounding the Ogie characters so I thought,  maybe if I threw a price tag on them I could make money doing something I enjoyed. I participated in my first holiday market in 2010, since then I’ve picked up leather work which is almost 100% hand-stitching and more recently became quite interested in pottery. I need to keep my hands busy otherwise I go crazy.

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

I only create pieces I myself would want to use on the daily. Almost everything is built by hand, it’s a very slow imperfect process, but this is what makes each piece truly unique.  

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Traveling has brought the most inspiration to my work.

4. What is your creative process like?

I usually start with sketches, moving then to paper prototypes. From there I really just go for it, cross my fingers and start cutting into leather. My process has become a bit faster with each new product.  I have a pocket full of Fortnight design elements I know will work well, and this has helped me stay consistent so I don't always have to start from scratch with each new product.

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

I’m not sure if this is considered an artistic tip but, I remind myself almost daily of a quote I read in Liz Gilbert’s book Big Magic - “ Any motion whatsoever beats inertia, because inspiration will always be drawn to motion.”

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

Mostly leather work from large hand-stitched totes to small leather matchbooks.  If I can get my act together maybe a bit of pottery too!

7. Where can we learn more about you?

My Instagram feed, @fortnightcompany and someday soon I’ll have my site up - www.Fortnightcompany.co

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? 

Starting Nummy Nibbles was truly a case of us following our hearts. As a couple we have always been passionate about food and travel. We moved away from our "traditional" careers to start Nummy Nibbles in 2016. Our Gourmet Peanut Condiments in global flavors are lovingly made in small batches and  we take great pride in being part of the handmade community. 

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

Our Gourmet Peanut Condiments are one-of-a-kind and are inspired by flavors we have experienced during our travels.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Travel and Food are definitely among our biggest inspirations. We are also constantly inspired by the stories of other Local Colorado artisans & artists who are following their hearts. The creativity and passion that we see at various events, including Jackalope, inspires us to continue on our amazing adventure! 

4. What is your creative process like?

When trying to create a new flavor we usually start with reminiscing about some of our favorite food memories. The next part is trying to recreate some of those flavors in our peanut condiments. It takes many iterations before we perfect the recipe for one flavor!

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

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes - Scott Adams quote given to me by a friend.

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

At Jackalope you can expect to see some creative holiday gift offerings from us that are sure to delight anyone on your list that craves something unique, gourmet & handmade!

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can learn more about us, our creations and our vision at www.nummynibbles.com

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