How did the rescue get started?

Several months before Fetchin’ Retrievers Rescue became a 501c3, a group of volunteers with many years of rescue experience met to discuss their goals to begin a rescue in Southern California. Their plan would be to rescue all varieties of Retrievers and Retriever mixes.    Their dreams became a reality when Fetchin’ Retrievers Rescue began their all- volunteer foster based Rescue organization in October 2019.

Can you tell us more about the mission behind Fetchin’ Retrievers Rescue?

Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home all Retrievers and Retriever Mixes.  We operate in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County and San Diego County.  We partner with other rescue organizations, shelters, veterinarians and dog trainers/behaviorists as a resource if they encounter dogs in need.  Our applicants can foster with us or foster to adopt.  Both foster programs allow us to save more Retrievers who will ultimately thrive in new loving homes and become the dogs they were meant to be.  We are dedicated to supporting our adopters with added services such as behavior training to ensure success and permanent placements.

How do you define success as a nonprofit?

Rescue success is the result of finding that perfect home for a dog who has experienced a very difficult past, whether he/she was a stray, an owner surrender due to unforeseen circumstances, and/or a medically or behaviorally challenged dog.

What is the hardest part working at the rescue?

The most difficult part of rescue work is the heartfelt stories of all the abandoned dogs in our overcrowded shelters and the fact that we cannot save a higher numbers of dogs.

Do you have any favorite success stores you could share?

A story of Missy: Some dogs have major medical challenges that require multiple surgeries, long recovery and physical therapy and Missy was one of these.  Missy endured four knee surgeries, treatment for heartworm, intolerance of pain medication and infections.  In the beginning, Missy was isolating herself and seemed depressed, so we moved her to a new, experienced foster home who had another dog.  She excelled in this new home and really blossomed with having a canine friend.  This journey took well over a year when finally on the mend, her foster family adopted her and are committed to a lifetime of continued care.

And another about Murphy: Murphy was picked up while running on the Santa Monica freeway. The shelter classified him as “rescue only” status because during his capture, he bit his rescuer.  No one knows how this senior dog ended up on the freeway but when we saw his white muzzle, we knew that we could not let him spend any more time in the shelter.  Seniors tend to take a little longer than most to be adopted but the wait is worth it.  Murphy found an amazing adopter who just wanted to be a home for the neediest.  Murphy lived his last 2 1/2 years in a home with another canine, a couple of felines and a human Mom and Dad who cherished him while giving him love, the extra care he required and even rides in a wagon when his legs became weak on his walks.

Anything special you’d like to share?

We specifically rescue the neediest of dogs like those that have major medical and/or behavioral  challenges.  From puppies to seniors.

Meet Fetchin’ Retrievers Rescue in person on April 29th & 30th at Jackalope Pasaadena.

Web: http://fetchinretrieversrescue.org/

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?  

I grew up in St. Joseph, MO, studied video production at Savannah College of Art and Design, and moved to Burbank in 1998 to pursue a career in editing.  I’ve always enjoyed taking existing material to create something new, whether it is film footage or the earth itself.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

I bought a 3D printer soon after they became accessible to hobbyists and was excited by the idea of turning things I had created digitally into real objects.  At the same time photogrammetry was becoming available, which is the process of matching identical points on multiple photographs of an object from many angles and using the data to create a 3D model of it.  The two technologies together make it possible to turn physical objects into digital ones, and back again.

Very cool. How do you define success as an artist?

Success for me equals pride in what I create. Is this something I like? Does it keep interesting me? Is my family supportive of my work? Sure, money is indeed a factor, but I’ve spent years of my life trying to please others with my work.  Now, I get to do it for me.

Amazing. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

I’m a lot less stressed over my work. Where else can you work at your own pace, take care of your family, and wake up without a case of “Sunday dread”? Since my wife retired from medicine to join me, it’s created a whole new dynamic.  She helps with the books, the packaging, and even painting custom pieces.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I’m learning how to take what I know and push it further. I’m always improving the quality of my work, learning new ways to redesign and reinforce thin structures, including manufacturing my own special inserts to protect my larger prints from breakage during shipping. There’s always something new to add to my wheelhouse, be it designing new products, like video game locations, football stadiums, college campuses and more!

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Photogrammetry and other capture methods make it possible to create 3D models of places.  Miniatures and dioramas are always fascinating, especially of places you know and love.  They are even more compelling when they have the authenticity of having been created directly from captured data rather than hand modeling.  It's kind of like a sculptural photograph. The most difficult part of the process at the moment is figuring out how to add color to the 3d models using aerial photography as the source.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Doing what I love.  Plain and simple. It sounds cliché but being able to take my technical skills and produce something cool, unique and creative.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

One of my favorite projects was one of my first: a coffee scoop I made by twisting passionflower vines to create the handle and shaping leaves into the bowl.  I created a digital model of it using photogrammetry, made some adjustments, then 3D printed it.  It was fascinating to create an object that was largely designed by nature and formed through a combination of hand craft and computer craft.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena has always been special to us. Before marriage and kids, we frequented the restaurants and shops of Old Town and admiring the Greene and Green architecture. My wife spent a year working at a clinic on Lake and spent several years working on the City of Burbank float for the Rose Parade.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

We’re always open to new suggestions and custom orders. We still have a lot of theme park attraction suggestions but we’re playing with golf course designs, football stadiums, and coming up with alternatives to expensive color printing.

Catch Nanoscapes at Jackalope Pasadena on April 29th & 30th.

See more:

Web: www.nano-scapes.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanoScapes

Instagram: @nano.cities

Maza Guzman

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I moved to LA from Chicago in 2018. I think Midwesterners are generally better people than other Americans because we understand the importance of good neighbors; they can help you shovel out your car from the snow, they can lend you an egg when you don't want to leave the house in negative degree weather, etc. So I like to think that my brand embodies that sort of dependable, kind energy.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

Star Trek. The Matrix. Lord of the Rings. The Labyrinth with David Bowie. My parents were into sci-fi and fantasy, so I've always been attracted to space and magical lands. I believe we have to imagine a better world for ourselves before we can build a better world for ourselves, so my artistic practices are generally offshoots of my imaginings of a better world. In my version of a better world, art makes you laugh or cry with joy.

We love that. How do you define success as an artist?

If I'm happy with what I make--if it brings me pleasure or pain or whatever I'm going for--and if someone tells me they've connected with it in any sort of way, I'm successful. Art is like our social connective tissue.

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Yes. Ever since I was a small child, art has been the way that I learn about myself. Mostly, I learn what it is that I'm feeling. Once I identify what I'm feeling, I can identify what I need, and once I identify what you need, I can heal myself. Art heals me, and it has the power to heal others. Art is medicine.

It can be so powerful. How have you developed your skill at your craft?

When I was a kid, I loved sculpting with baking clay, beading jewelry, weaving friendship bracelets... the list goes on and on. Eventually, once you've picked up a handful of crafting skills, you realize that you can get good at anything with enough practice. Now, when a new medium strikes me as interesting or curious, I tend to take a stab at it. Needle felting has been my most recent stab (no pun intended).

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Believing that no one will connect with it. I'm getting better at recognizing that limiting belief, but it still plagues me sometimes.

How has your style changed over time?

I'm a recovering perfectionist. Also, I'm usually broke. These two conditions make it difficult to feel at liberty to experiment, but experimentation is essential for an artist, and so I think over time, my work has become better and better because I'm less afraid of messing up or wasting supplies. 

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Meeting other artists. There are so many magical humans on Earth, and yet we blind ourselves because we're afraid. Artists don't have the luxury of staying afraid; we have to confront our inner selves on a daily basis. Meeting brave, creative people is such a fantastic reward for being an artist. 

Well said. What’s your favorite item that you’ve created, and why?

I think the first thing I needle-felted was a one-inch replica of my step-dog's head, which I then "mounted" on a felted "mounting board." He's a rat terrier mutt with protruding eyeballs, so I used glass seed beads for his eyes. I was shocked at how well I captured his likeness. His name is Mr. Wiggles, but we call him Wigs. "Wigs' Head Mounted" is one of my favorite pieces to date. I have a greeting card now that features it.

So cute! What do you love most about Pasadena?

The beauty of the mountains! And the fact that Einstein moved here after the war.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

I'm a climate activist who’s about to launch an effort to save the world. It's called the Green New Now, and I'm giving away stickers to promote it. Come grab yours!

Catch Mazaland at Jackalope Pasadena on April 29th & 30th.

Web: https://maza.land/shop

Instagram: @undercovergrom

Teja Anderson

Where are you from and does that affect your work?

I grew up in Vermont and our family tradition was to always make, not buy gifts for the people you cared about. So every year I had to come up with something and often it was jewelry of some sort. When Super Storm Sandy destroyed the first floor of our home and over half of our beachfront community on the Jersey Shore in late October of 2012, it also brought a bunch of beautiful sea glass to the beaches. That year everyone got sea glass necklaces. Soon I was getting requests, and within a year it was a thriving business.

Since then I have branched out to use freshwater and Tahitian pearls as well. I am allergic to most metals so leather cord was always my choice for stringing and I watched YouTube videos to learn how to tie the different knots. I have Viking and Celtic heritage and have always been drawn to those cultures. My pieces definitely reflect that rawness and energy. In 2021 I moved with my husband here to Los Angeles and had to reestablish myself as a local artist during a pandemic which hasn't been easy, but I have begun to see random people out and about wearing my pieces which always brings me great joy and satisfaction.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

Inspiration for my designs comes from dreams or other handmade creations I either see in person or on film or in museums. I am also always open to finding new materials to work with and recently used 2,000 year old glass from Ancient Rome. Walking on the beach and finding sea glass is one of my favorite things to do and I will travel to destinations that are known for sea glass (not surprisingly this is where people used to dump garbage in the water so in a way I am also re-cycling).

The biggest difference between the coasts I have found is that Californians asked for Tahitian pearls; often preferring them to freshwater farmed pearls regardless of the higher cost. I have now become well versed in the world of pearls and oysters and have a true appreciation of nature's only organic (non-stone) gems.

Oh interesting. What is the hardest part of your work?

The hardest part of being an artist for me is the sales part. I love to create but attaching a price to something is difficult especially when I see how much someone likes something I've made but doesn't have the money. Now I try to make something in everyone's price point or offer a barter or trade.

Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve created?

These Flame (Baroque) freshwater pearls with the knotted leather were two of my favorite pieces. One went to a professional pearl diver and one to a cinematographer; I loved that! I would love to do more custom one of a kind pieces.

Anything else you’d like to share?

For 20 years I was a wildlife rehabilitator on the east coast, specializing in wild baby rabbits, chipmunks, opossums and flying squirrels. My jewelry business was able to financially support that and I still had enough time to care for the animals out of our home. If you are an animal charity looking for donations please reach out to me!

Catch Sea You Again at Jackalope Pasadena on April 29th & 30th.

Web: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SeaYouAgain

Instagram: @seayouagainjewelry

Alex & Sun

Tell us where are you from and if that impacts your work?

We’re from the Pacific Northwest (Alex) and Orange County, California (Sun), but honestly we’ve been living in the greater Los Angeles area long enough that we just consider ourselves SoCal natives at this point. It’s definitely affected our work in the most amazing way. You don’t think about it on a day-to-day basis, but in hindsight we can definitely see the California influence.

The warm weather and diverse cultures that we experience year-round certainly guide the messages and products that we create. Our primary offerings are lightweight graphic t-shirts that are both convenient and comfortable to wear in Southern California. Additionally, our proximity to the entertainment and technology industries has given us an eclectic and future-focused approach to life, which in turn influences the mashup between art and tech often seen in Story Spark designs.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

There are quite a few sources of artistic influences in our work. Thought-provoking, minimal, and quirky art always catches our eye. We look at so many different types of artists, from graphic designers like John Maeda, Saul Bass, and April Greiman, to fine artists like Jeff Koons, Yoshitomo Nara, and Joe Sorren. We’re also inspired by contemporary design and architecture icons like Frank Gehry, Alexander McQueen, Betsy Johnson, and Charles and Ray Eames.

How do you define success as an artist?

We believe that the purpose of art is to connect with others. The essence of human communication lies in telling a message or story, which can be conveyed through a variety of mediums, especially art. Therefore, true success in art is achieved by making an impact on someone's life and giving them that "aha" moment that can shift their perspective and understanding of their own belief system.

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Art has an invigorating power that enhances our lives. There are times when we feel unmotivated and down with what we're currently doing - some may call it a blue period, or the ebb and flow of entrepreneurship. Running a small business is no easy feat, and finding creativity when you’re not feeling inspired can be incredibly difficult. But during these times, looking back on our past creations and remembering the spark we felt in creating those designs definitely pulls us out of that funk. Even old pieces of art can provoke new thoughts and emotions, which lead to gained inspiration. Art always provides the spark that ignites our stories and actions.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

Much of the improvement in our craft comes from work experience. We’ve found the best way to learn is just to do. Experience can be the best teacher. Although the process of creating a new design from a concept is never the same (and does not seem to get any easier), more practice and experience lead to more efficient techniques. Certain pitfalls, such as poor color choices and line weight limitations, are now easier to detect and avoid than when we first started.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

This is perhaps the easiest question to answer! The most difficult part of creating is being able to generate new ideas. 100%. As our portfolio of designs has grown, it has become increasingly challenging to develop something that is not only new but also meets our high criteria for quality.

How has your style changed over time?

Our style has undergone a transformation over the years, becoming more intricate and refined. Our approach to creation is deeply rooted in art, technology, and pop culture, which means it’s as constantly changing as the mediums we use. We draw inspiration from these fields to craft our unique creations and thus are always looking for new and exciting ways to express how we see the world as it changes around us.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Being an artist has given us the opportunity to do something that we love, which is creating and sharing new stories and ideas with others. It has provided us with a channel to express our thoughts and creativity in ways that satisfy our inner selves. What we’ve also discovered is that Story Spark has pushed us into becoming creative entrepreneurs, which challenges both the left and right sides of our brains each and every day.

What’s your favorite item that you’ve created, and why?

Oh, it’s so hard to pick a favorite! We’d have to say one of our most beloved Story Spark creations is "Boooost," also known as the "Rocket Sloth." This original design features a sloth with a jetpack meant to inspire people to charge forward and blaze their own path. Despite any preconceived notions or self-doubt, it's important to set your sights on the finish line and be ready to surpass your goals. We love the irony of this visual graphic and the positive message it conveys for those who wear it. Plus, the sloth’s silly expression always puts a smile on everyone’s face.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

The people, indefinitely! Every person we have met at the Jackalope Artisan Fair in Pasadena has been friendly and open-minded, and willing to hear the thoughts behind each of our pieces. This willingness is very humbling and encouraging for us to keep going. It’s a sense of community and interest that feels very unique to this area. We can keep going with more reasons to love Pasadena, but definitely the people!

Catch Story Spark on April 29th & 30th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Web: www.storyspark.com

Instagram: @storyspark

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up in Long Beach, California as an only child & was fortunate enough to be exposed to a few key elements that would heavily influence my life: travel, food, music and art. I earned my BFA in Fine Art Photography and have explored all different mediums of art throughout the past few decades.

Speaking of influences, who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
I am highly influenced by geometric & organic architecture, Art Deco, minimalism & mixed sacred geometry.

We can definitely see how these influences impact your work. How do you define success as an artist?
Being an artist is quite a dynamic experience in many aspects. I think the hardest part can be maintaining confidence throughout the challenging periods we all experience at one point or another.

Good point. How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I have always been open to exploring creative skills. One day in 2014 I walked by a stained glass store & decided I wanted to try it out. I bought a bunch of supplies, watched a few videos, made an embarrassingly terrible piece & immediately fell in love. I did not have the time outside of my full time job to take a class and I dedicated every free moment to teaching myself through trial and error. For two years I made many pieces & gave them away as gifts. I obsessively absorbed any information I could find about the craft & challenged myself to elevate my skill level and develop a unique style.

That is great! What is the hardest part of your creation process?
Saying no! My long career in hospitality (before I quit to be a full time artist) has carried over into this constant struggle to want to take on EVERY request no matter what the circumstance. I am getting better, but still need to say no more often to things that may not serve me (my time, my energy, my design style).

Realizing that is the first step! How has your style changed over time?
It’s really interesting to look back over the past 8 years & identify how my design aesthetic/style has developed. I have always been drawn to geometric forms & when I started working with glass that is all I saw - colors as shapes, individual pieces creating a whole, in its simplest form. I don’t think my style changed much over time within this basic element, but my use and appreciation of color has grown from a monochromatic representation into a full balance & appreciation of how light & texture affect design impact. The patchwork design was the main one that has evolved over time specifically in the way I can just flow with the colors & shapes to create a balanced result, and the skill level is deceivingly difficult.

Patience I am sure is needed. What’s the best thing about being an artist?

My favorite thing about being an artist is to create things that bring joy to others, especially the collaboration process when working with clients on custom projects.

How about a favorite item you have created?

Choosing a favorite creation is hard! There are those that are my favorites because they challenged me towards growth, those that I developed new techniques to accomplish a desired result, and those that just felt like the “best” creation to date. The most meaningful item that I have created is a large rainbow sun panel for a loyal client whom I have previously made some rainbow color way panels. For this sister panel to the others, I was given some general guidance & allowed the freedom to push the design where it “wanted” to go. I was working on this panel just after my father’s passing & was very present to the spiritual embodiment of this particular design, the sun shining its rainbow rays.

We hear you helped create an important piece for this year’s Burning Man. Given that the festival didn’t quite go as planned this year, what happened with your art?  How did it feel to be a part of that?

This year I had the extraordinary opportunity to create a stained glass heart for The Man at Burning Man.   I was told by the crew that every year there is some sort of heart form installed inside The Man, however it is never visible.  This year the heart was intended to symbolize an extremely special commemoration for a longtime member & engineer of the build crew.  For the first time, the heart would be illuminated within this massive structure & the heart would beat with a pulsing light until it burned in front of 70,000 people.  I put more love into this heart than anything I have ever created in 10 years of glassing, knowing that it was being created to live a very short & sacred life.  With the rains that essentially shut the festival down for a few days, the scheduled burn night was postponed - the first time in the history of the event that The Man did not burn on Saturday night.  Watching it burn two nights later was about as cathartic an experience as you can imagine, all while sharing it with tens of thousands of people. 

The Heart is absolutely stunning. Did it survive the burn? 

I was told the next day that someone found some fused glass remnants in the still smoldering ash pile at the base of the man. 

I wonder if that person knows what that little object once was, what it symbolized and how it changed me as an artist. 

Rainbow Sun Panel

The Heart for Burning Man

This sounds like such an incredible & special opportunity. What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

I am very lucky to work out of my home studio workshop space which is a separate building on our property, so I get the benefit of "going to work" but can always be surprise visited by my dogs & chickens, which makes for a pretty silly daily "routine". There are always a minimum of a half dozen projects in progress, ranging from large window panels to a variety of custom design collaborations to decor & jewelry items for the few wholesale accounts I work with. I also am always creating stock for my online shop, items that are always available for purchase. I love my "job" so much that it can be challenging at times to "turn it off" with a set schedule, but I try to stick to 9 hours a day on average. I am also quite fortunate to have some helping hands from two local stained glass artists who help with the massive amount of detail work involved in this craft, such as hours upon hours of grinding, cleaning, polishing & packaging.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena has some really incredible history! I particularly love the historic architecture throughout the city, but especially the stunning American Craftsman examples coming out of the Arts and Crafts movement, which included interior design, landscape design, applied arts, and decorative arts. There are so many extraordinary examples of stained glass, the Gamble House being the most famous and accessible.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

I will be bringing some specialty creations just for the occasion. In addition to a wide range of colorful suncatchers, window decor & ornaments perfect for gifts, I will have some unique larger panels and mobiles that I only create for the Jackalope shows.

Anything special you’d like to add?
I am thrilled to be participating in Jackalope Artisan Fair again! When I first became a vendor several years ago I was just starting out in my journey of figuring out how to sell my work & I gained such a valuable experience from participating in these events & found genuine support from the maker community & the loyal buyers who come to support this unique event.

Catch Culotta Creations at Jackalope Pasadena on November 18th & 19th!

Where to see more of Culotta Creations:

Website | www.culottacreations.com

Instagram | @culottacreations

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I was born in London, UK. However, I have lived, studied and taught in many countries. It is these experiences that inspired my Yoga Purse business.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

I can remember the first time I went to a public library. I remember feeling like my whole world had opened up, I was around 6 or 7 years old. Each page of every book was a window to a world I had yet to explore.

I could spend hours in a library or good book store! How do you define success as an artist?
Success is the process of bringing an idea to fruition. When I am able to design a product, then create it and sell it at Jackalope, it is very fulfilling. Perhaps, the true success is when a customer buys a product I created and simply loves it. To see that reaction is just priceless.

Very rewarding. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

For me, it’s not a matter of IF I have time to be creative. Creating has become such a big part of who I am. I’m not sure that my brain could switch my creativity off. There’s constantly some creative rumblings running through my head!

How have you developed your skill at your craft?
One of my favorite sayings is “every day is a school day - if you’re lucky”. Learning something new brings me so much joy, and that goes for learning and developing new skills.

I’m a visual and tactile learner, so trying a new skill and failing is part of how I not only learn, but also look at something in a different way.

A great perspective. What is the hardest part of your creation process?
Saying no to all of the new ideas!

That would be hard! How has your style changed over time?
Many moons ago, I owned a fabric store. My style at the time was driven by neutral colors. My colleague and brilliant assistant Kym was the complete opposite. She loved bright colors! When it came to choosing fabric for the store, we would buy and choose together to create a well-rounded collection. Over time, I moved away from neutrals and shifted my focus to bright colors and designs that make a statement.

Embracing color, love it! What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Exercising my creativity.

How about a favorite item you have created?

I love the first versions of Yoga Purse that I created, but I think my favorite item is the shoulder sling that I adapted again and again until it was just right. It was a lot of work, but I enjoyed every step. The shoulder sling Yoga Purse designs are now my best sellers!

Love it! Anything special you’d like to share?

I encourage everyone to find a creative outlet. That could mean art, music, writing, filmmaking or even starting a business. Create something, and enjoy the process.

In addition, embrace the prospect of "failure" , when we let go of being perfect, opportunities become way more fun ;-)

Well said! We can’t wait to see you in person this November 19th & 20th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Yoga Purse:

Website | www.yogapurse.com

Instagram | @yogapurse

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up in Cleveland, lived in Portland for 10 years, and have been in Los Angeles for 21 years. It’s not where I’m from that affects my work, but rather trying to grow my popcorn business while working as a 5th grade teacher. This began as me simply trying to make caramel corn for outdoor movie night with friends on the driveway during the pandemic. Little did I know then that it would turn into a business.

A hidden talent I’d take it?! How do you define success as an artist?
I think there are three kinds of success, the most important one in my mind, being the sense of pride that comes with creating something that turns out just the way it was envisioned. The other two successes are external, one being the validation of others loving what you’ve created and the other being the financial success of having created something that people want to purchase.

Well put. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

I’ve only been making popcorn for a couple years now, so I don’t really think it has helped in other areas of my life. I do think however, that it’s my lifetime of experiences and values that has helped in my new business. For one, I realize that I have to be patient. That though success can happen overnight, it is usually the result of persistence over a period of time. Second, I truly understand the importance of hard work and perseverance. In what seems like another life, I was an Ironman Triathlete, during which time I balanced being a new father, my job, and a second job’s worth of training. Finally, I have learned to welcome failure. I know that each time something does not go as intended, I am one step closer to things working out.

Yes, most times failure can push us towards success. How have you developed your skill at your craft?
I have exactly zero culinary training, which means I have developed my craft through reading and by trial and error. In some ways, it’s quite freeing. With no prior knowledge or preconceived notions about how it’s supposed to be done, I’ve been free to experiment and figure things out for myself.

Very true! What is the hardest part of your creation process?
The initial problem was not really knowing what I was doing. Now, the hardest part is scaling back all the things I want to do, due to the fact that I’m a one-person operation with a full time job.

A true entrepreneur! How has your style changed over time?
Initially, I was only going to make original, sweet popcorn flavors. I was going to reimagine/reinvent gourmet popcorn and offer the world something totally unique. But as I learned early on, people love certain popcorn flavors, so I quickly adapted my vision. I still make unique flavors, like Churro Crunch, Vanilla Butter, Chocolate Jalapeño, and Everything Bagel White Cheddar, but I also make the best version of popular favorites, like Sea Salt Caramel and Cheddar Ranch.

YUM! What’s the best thing about being an artist?

The best part is creating something that tastes amazing.

What’s your favorite flavor that you’re created, and why?

My favorite popcorn flavor is Chocolate Jalapeño. First, I love that it is an unexpected combination and that it is unique (I haven’t found any other popcorn company that has it). Second, I love that is has a Willy Wonka like effect, in that you first taste chocolate and about 8-10 seconds later you get a slight back of the throat heat from the Jalapeño.

Well we can’t wait to see you in person this November 18th & 19th in Pasadena.

Where to see more of Sweetzer Gourmet Popcorn:

Website | sweetzergourmet.com

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I was born in Kansas City, although my upbringing was a bit different than most kids. Both my mother and father are both from a small village in Croatia and I grew up in a bilingual household ... which also happened to be a small (non-commercial) farm.
We had chickens, sheep, cows, rabbits, a duck and a fully stocked pond. I love animals. So I tend to draw animals a lot.
I think growing up on a farm likely helped put a soft/organic spin on my art.

Very cool! Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
I always wanted to be a Disney Animator growing up ... so good 'ol Walt was definitely an artistic/professional hero of mine.
Nowadays though, I always find myself gravitating toward artists with a unique voice and a specialized craft/medium ...
I think 90% of the accounts I personally follow on instagram are tattooist.
I find fineline/detailed tattoo art so inspiring that I actually started teaching myself how to tattoo just before COVID hit.
I have been told countless times that people think the artwork on my leggings are tattoos and I have had a handful of customers reach out asking if they could get my art tattooed on themselves.
Hopefully I will be able to dive into tattooing more in the future.

We could definitely see that! How do you define success as an artist?
Success has two meanings for me ... If you are able to make a living through art, that is a massive win.
But more importantly, does the work satisfy a need to create. Sometimes when your passion becomes your job, the passion fades.
I have worked creative jobs in the past that were incredibly unfulfilling ... drawing things that other people wanted me to draw vs. drawing things that make my heart sing.
True success is a balance of both. Being able to feel good about the work you are putting out while also paying rent on time =)

A true balance challenge! Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

I haven't been posting much Etch A Sketch art as of late, but for a while I was going live nightly on TikTok and there is a super weird sense of calm to Etch A Sketch with a large audience knowing that you cannot erase as you go along. Etch A Sketch art is a very unique form of meditation for me. It's one of the only times where I can zone out, focus on what is in front of me, and not let my brain stress about 700 other things simultaneously. My personal insta and tiktok profiles share a lot of my etch a sketch art and both can be found at @chriztinamarie

We will have to check that out! How have you developed your skill at your craft?
I have been a visual artist for as long as I can remember. In being mostly self-taught, my technique has slowly evolved over the last 30+ years and I am constantly learning and trying new things. I started with 100% hand illustrations and paintings. Over time, I had to learn how to recreate my artwork in photoshop for it to be print-ready. That has been quite the evolution. Being mostly self-taught in photoshop puts me at a bit of a disadvantage because I do not know most of the shortcuts and tricks to finish a project faster ... but I approach my photoshop as though I am illustrating on a sheet of paper or painting on a canvas. I think that gives my work a bit more of a familiar/organic feeling vs perfectly crisp clip art. (Although that is not to say that I wouldn't welcome a couple tips/tricks and shortcuts now and then, lol)!

What is the hardest part of your creation process?
The balancing act between what I want to draw vs what I think will sell.
Sometimes, I want to draw things that aren't so commercially appealing and I am not sure if I can invest in the cost of production to bring it to life. It's hard to put what you want to do on the back burner to instead work on the things that you think would be more popular/salable.

Also, and I am sure a lot of other small business owners can relate to this: I find it hard to magically find inspiration the moment that my schedule finally allows me to draw. Lately, 95% of my time revolves around administrative/operational/management tasks like bookkeeping, licensing, customer service emails (oof), permits, photoshoots and photo editing, writing email newsletters, working on the website, running production, etc .... I have about 3,197 hats to wear and it can be very hard to juggle all those things and then flip the switch when time allows for the creative process. More often than not, I find myself wishing I had a business partner who could manage a lot of the not-so-creative operations so I could focus on my art and what really makes me happy. A girl can dream.

A true entrepreneur! How has your style changed over time?
WERKSHOP Collections have evolved a lot over the years. I used to focus on single/large billboard style artwork on the leggings but have slowly shifted toward smaller details and mature styling. It's been a slow evolution though, because I have been trying to maintain a recognizable brand identity. The biggest shift in style has happened within the last year with the introduction of my Featherlight Collection. The Featherlight collection of leggings, bells, skirts, shorts and tops is the biggest change that WERKSHOP has embraced since I founded the company 9 years ago. WERKSHOP started as just Capri Length Triathlon/Compression leggings and has evolved into a full lifestyle brand over the years.

Very cool. What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Honestly, the best thing is being able to express what I feel/think in a way that can be shared with others even if I am not in the room with them. I imagine it is about the same feeling for all artists: musicians, writers, sculptors, etc ... we feel something, see (or hear it) in our head, and then get to share it with the world. I couldn't imagine a life without being able to share that side of myself.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

Oh gosh, what a hard question! There is no way for me to pick one single item as my favorite ... but I will say that my new bicycle length shorts (with pockets) are my current obsession.
I wear them literally every single day. My favorite print out of the eight I have created so far would have to be the new Pit Viper. The print is also available as an active skirt (also with pockets) which is definitely my second-most worn style for the last few months.

Cute! Anything special you’d like to share?

If anyone out there is reading this and likes my art/clothing, I would be forever grateful if you checked out my website and came to visit my booth at the upcoming Jackalope Art Fair. As a small business, I sincerely appreciate the support more than words can say. Without a big marketing budget, I rely mostly on word-of-mouth and always strive to treat our customers like family. Welcome to #teamWERKSHOP! Thank You!!

Well we can’t wait to see you in person this November 19th & 20th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Eagle Rock Werkshop:

Website | www.werkshop.com

Instagram | @werkshop

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up mostly in Georgia, but was originally from California and always had it in my heart. Being homesick created a forlorning that improved my imagination and love of art even more. 

How did you come up with your company name?

The name Rosamond belongs to my late grandmother and is a tribute to her. Her paintings made a big impression on me as a child and they continue to make me feel connected to her.

Love that, speaking of inspiration, who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
I’m inspired by Matisse, Van Gogh, and the Art Deco era

How do you define success as an artist?
Contentment. We all love validation from others, but if we’re not happy with our own work, it will show.

Very true. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

It has always helped me emotionally, getting me through sadness and anxiety.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?
About a year ago I first learned how to use a laser cutter and graphic design at a high school I used to work for. After learning basics, I quickly fell in love and bought my own laser cutter and began practicing. Prior to that, jewelry-making in particular was completely new to me as an art form.

It is always fun learning a new skill, keeping our brain active! What is the hardest part of your creation process?
Definitely learning and improving in graphic design has been the hardest part. For laser cutting, graphic design works best over traditional drawing and I don’t necessarily think of myself as a technical person.

How has your style changed over time?
Prior to laser cutting, I briefly made jewelry with polymer clay, which is a completely different medium, so my style has had to adapt as each medium has its strengths and weaknesses. I also have a lot of interests, so I go through phases of creating novelty pieces and then elegant pieces, so I expect I’ll still go back and forth between these styles and continue to evolve.

Keeping it fresh for you as the artist I am sure helps with the creativity. What’s the best thing about being an artist?

That people can understand you through your art. We express ourselves through art and we can feel a connection to others through art. 

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

My favorite item I’ve made is my cloud earrings. They’re very whimsical and fun, which best represents me.

Beautiful! We can’t wait to see you in person this November 19th & 20th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Where to see more of Rosamond Street & Co.:

Website | https://www.lumierevintage.com/rosamond

Instagram | @rosamondstreet