Wednesday, March 4, 2009

RubyStella

Today I am pleased to introduce you to Jennifer Buselli from Redmond, Oregon of
Ruby+Stella Home.
I love her funky and fun style. One of my favorites is below....

What inspired you to make this product?
I was inspired to create home accessories primarily because I could not find what I was looking for. I wanted a pillow with a fun and funky look, that didn't cost a fortune. And when I came across the "world" of designer fabrics, I knew that I could create what I wanted myself.

What are your favorite materials to use?
By far, my favorite fabric to work with is anything by Anna Maria Horner. I have yet to tire of working with it. I still get excited when I get a delivery of it. She has the most fabulous designs! I also adore other designer fabrics by Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry and more!

What are some of the websites you most frequently visit?
I love numerous design websites. But my favorites are:

http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com/my_weblog/

http://decoraddict.blogspot.com/

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

And of course, Etsy!

Canbot

Today I am pleased to introduce you to Orson Li from Hong Kong and Tokyo, Japan of CANBOT.COM and CanBot on on Etsy. These little robots and Dinos are made of cans! I love things that are repurposed and they just feel so retro. His answers to the questions below are so inspiring to me as a person and artist. Please go see his shop for more!


What inspired you to make this product?
I was inspired by the interaction of Art with Recycle. For the design of Canbot (Robot) and Canrex (dinosaur),I have combined the concept of origami and sculpture to create a figure that is built entirely using origami skills ( no screw and glue are used) to create a 3-D object. The material I selected is from the soda can which is made of aluminum. Blending the graphics and colors of each soda can create unlimited versions of Canbot and Canrex. Also the use of Soda Can fits the idea of "Recycle". I hope, through the Canbot or Canrex will remind people that the power of creativity could transform a valueless soda can into a valuable sculpture. The word of "CAN" in Canbot carries 2 meanings; the first "CAN" means it is made from a soda can and the second ”CAN’, means with the power of creativity and determination, you and I Can do anything!

What are your favorite materials to use?
Aluminum. It is soft as paper but firm as metal. It is easy to bend but easy to crack as well. The plate does not stand a second or repeated bend, and I have to make sure that each fold precisely and accurately as there is no chance for a second go.

What is your process in creating your art?
The first thing is to look for the right can. A perfect can is not too easy to find. I have to take careful look along the aisle of the soda drink section at supermarket; contemplate the color and graphics of each soda can would suit well with my design. After I make my choice on the color and pattern, I have to examine the quality of printing and shape of the can, making sure there is no scratch or den on the surface. I loved to collect soda cans from different countries when I travel, and some of the cans are special edition as well. I always carry handy tools with me, so I can cut the can into aluminum plate and carry it back to my studio. At my studio, I have to design the pattern and color matching for each canbot and canrex, it is really amazing that the unlimited combination of colors and pattern you can get from the can and that's the fun part! The next step is to empty the soda by drinking it or just flush it if that's not my favorite taste. Then I will have to sterilize the can and cut it into aluminum plate. After precisely marking each body parts on the plate, I cut them out and assemble according to the design of canbot or canrex. I have spent 3 years to develop and modify the design of Canbot and Canrex into a perfect model.
These design of these figures are based on the triangular prism, which has evolved to be the body of the figure. It has passed numerous testing of endurance and stability for the posture. I began to publish them to the public since late last year when I am sure that my sculptures have reached the state of perfection.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Papaververt

Today I have the wonderful Patty Benson from Alameda, Ca of Papaver Vert . I fell in love with this little coaster set and I know you will too! She has so many other ingenious wool products in her shop-You can also check out her personal site here- www.papaververt.com
What are your favorite materials to use?
I really love wool, which I know is obvious. I love it in many forms, not just yarn, but as raw wool roving that I use to make my pillows with or as wool fabric used for sewing. I remember going to fabric stores as a kid with my mom and always gravitating to the wool yardage! I also like muslin fabric which is great to manipulate and create patterns with and lastly I love threads and embroidery threads...anything to do with needlework.

Who are some etsy artists that you admire?
I really dig Penguin and Fish...i just love those kitties!
Mudpuppy - his work is so clean and simplistic. He's also a really nice guy!
Tinctory - her smocked designs just blow me away.
GooseGrease - her little custom dolls are just so clever. I love that she can capture a whole family and her photos are great.
Yokoo - her designs and photography are amazing. A great blend of product and marketing.

What are some of the websites you most frequently visit?
I'm always stopping by The Sartorialist . I get such amazing ideas and inspiration from his photographs. I also frequent dooce.com for a dose of humor, the New York Times for news and the Home section, Bread & Honey a yummy food blog and The Style Files for ideas, interior shots and homes that make me drool.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Clotheslinedesigns

Today I am pleased to welcome Jen Lindsay of Kutztown, PA from clotheslinedesigns
on Etsy. She has a very simple and straightforward line. She makes and sells these gift sets like you see below...a onsie, stuffed giraffe and playmat in different fabrics. I am really drawn to her fabric choices and her mix of patterns and colors. You must check out her shop.

What inspired you to make this product?
I recently had my first real experience with children by having one of my own. Until then, I had seen them around, but they were always a great mystery to me. Now that my son is over a year old every new stage he goes through is like a surprise to me and I'm really enjoying it. Not being the natural born mom type (and a graphic designer) I was very drawn to fabrics and toys and clothing that had a modern day twist to them. A friend of mine gave me a fabric mat as a baby shower gift and I used it every day all the time. When he was a newborn it was an essential (especially with our hardwood floors). I would take him with me all over the house and set him down on the mat next to me: the bedroom, the living room, the computer room, the kitchen. And when he was a little older we’d pull the mat out for tummy time. For those of you who don’t know what tummy time is, it’s a developmental stage in an infant’s life where they need to spend time on their stomach in order to build up muscles necessary for holding their head up and eventually sitting upright. So in the end I wanted to make a product that was both useful and hopefully pleasing to the adult eye.

Where do you live and how does that influence your art?
I’m from a small town in Pennsylvania called Kutztown. It’s got a strange blending of two very different cultures; the old ways of the Pennsylvania and the progressive ways of the local University. It’s a nice combination. I was a student at the University, and am slowly becoming a townie. I settled here because I love it. There are lots of influences and a big underground art scene. I’ve also collaborated with a few friends and some new ones to form a craft group called Z-Town Made: www.z-townmade.blogspot.com. We’re six different crafters who have a mutual appreciation for each other’s work and have chosen this area to call home. We meet weekly and help each other figure out the world of crafting, share influences, drink some beers and have a good time. It’s the one night out a week I have these days and I love it.

What inspires you on a daily basis?
Crafting is relatively new to me, but growing up my mother sewed. I think in the 70’s people did that sort of thing more often. She’d make my clothes and gifts and curtains for the house, that sort of thing. It’s easier and cheaper now to go to the mall and buy something on sale. But there’s a certain charm and deeper more sustainable feel to hand made. I’m not sure where my crafting will take me, I get the feeling I‘ll be expanding store into other ideas. But for now, when I can find the time, I enjoy sitting down to my machine to make pretty (and useful) things.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Collier Leeds

Today I am pleased to introduce Mary Oswald of Virginville, PA, from Collier Leads on Etsy and www.collierleeds.com
She makes these outstanding handcrafted dog collars. I always admire high quality collars because I have 4 dogs and only two currently wear a collar because it is so hard to find one that is attractive, comfortable and good quality. If you are looking for these same qualities in your collars you must check out Mary's shop.

What inspired you to make this product?
Several years ago I visited Leeds Castle in Kent, England where they have a dog collar museum, probably the only one in the world. The collars on display span over 5 centuries. I was so impressed with the design, quality and importance placed on the collars I wanted to adorn my own dogs with something as special. Unable to find the qualities I desired, I decided to make my own.

What inspires you on a daily basis?
I am inspired daily by the search for excellence. I am always looking at my work and wondering how I can make it better. I am constantly tweeking. It can get very frustrating sometimes but in the end I know it will be worth it. My work has changed dramatically since I first started and I would imagine it will evolve more still.

Where do you live and how does that influence your art?
I live in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch country. It is not uncommon to do business with the Mennonite community or see the Amish traveling in their horse and buggies. They have a real need for sturdy leather products because of the farm work they do. The utilitarian quality of their leather goods helps to remind me that my art is functional and used on an animal. I must keep that in mind when I design each collar and the choice of materials I use.
 

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