Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Interview with Tracy Melton, FocusLineArt

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[hLeah]

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Tracy Melton is a full time artist based in Knoxville, TN. He has sold thousands of paintings in the past ten years. His work has recently been published by Mcgraw-Hill publishing and featured on, “The Martha Stewart Show” this past March.

His work is a expression of what he sees while hiking and camping in the Appalachian Mountains. It is based on how nature develops, grows, dies, then starts again. Tracy says, ” I like to engage in a nonverbal conversation about nature with the viewer through my paintings. They make me think abstractly about the process of life. I think my paintings look really cool!. If I don’t why should I expect you to?”

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Interview with Jessica Lyons, Ragamuffin Design

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Meet Jessica Lyons, designer behind Ragamuffin Designs. She splits her time between Troy, NY (where she is working on her PhD) and Clifton Park, NY (her hometown). Jessica says, “I’m a big fan of Upstate New York between the months of April and December. The rest of the time I would much rather been in a less muddy/cold/gray environment!”

Jessica loves spending time with her Sphynx cat, Lux. She describes herself as a Quirky Indiana Jones wannabe, and a hippie without the drugs or patchouli. When she’s not creating, Jessica can be found working on her PhD and perfecting her ‘ass kicking’ techniques with karate and judo.

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Interview with Erin Bruce of Kitty Empire

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Today has been a long time coming, and I really couldn’t be more excited to introduce the first of several(!) new contributors to Try Handmade.

Leah Peterson is a master interviewer, and she has graciously agreed to join the team and work her magic on the finest makers around. Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the workshop of your favorite artist? Leah will deliver the goods to you every week in the first new Try Handmade column: “Focus on Makers with Leah Peterson”

Join me in welcoming her, and please make her feel at home :)

:: Erika

~

[hLeah]

Erin Bruce at Kitty Empire creates the most lovely purses, wristlets, wallets and messenger bags, which are sturdy enough to hold a laptop. Her products are all 100% vegan. Continue reading to find out where she gets her ideas and what she eats for breakfast. Don’t forget to check out her items on sale!

What are vegan products? Why is that important to you?
Vegan products are made without using any animal products (wool, leather, etc). Animal rights are hugely important to me and I try to focus on that with this business. I also donate 5% of my sales each month to a different animal charity.

Do you have pets?
3 cats named Sebastian, Belvedere and Smokey.

How long have you been sewing? Why do you sew?
I’ve been sewing on and off since I was a teenager. I find it to be a great creative outlet and also very calming (despite the occasional frustration).

Can you explain your process?
I come up with a design idea then draw out the stencils and the bag pattern. Then I usually make a prototype that I can give to a friend and get feedback. If all goes well, I start production.

Your designs are so fun and whimsical! Where do you get your ideas?
I can get ideas from anything really. Fairy tales, art, my ceramic animal collection and just random ideas that pop into my head.

Do you have a favorite piece you’ve created?
Hmmm. Maybe the Red Ridinghood messenger bag. My favourites change.

Do you do any other types of crafts/art?
I make some pillows, mobiles and sometimes stuffed animals, but mostly only as gifts for friends.

Do you sell your products in stores?
I sell at a few local stores, but I don’t have time for crafts shows. This is my little side business, my full time job takes up the rest of my time.

What were you like as a kid?
I was a bit shy, but very creative. I’ve always had very creative friends and my mom is extremely artistic so there was always some sort of art project on the go.

Tell me more about you…?
My favourite color is green. I don’t drink soda, but my favourite drink is a vodka tonic. I drink berry smoothies instead of cereal for breakfast.

What is your best selling item?
Probably the bird and cherry blossom messenger bag or the Red Ridinghood bag.

Thanks, Erin!

Interview with Diane, Random Quirks

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Diane of Random Quirks has lived in Manchester in the UK since she became a student in 2006. She loves it so much that she doesn’t want to ever leave. Having moved around a lot as a child, she hasn’t ever felt so at home anywhere else. The house where Diane lives includes three friends who have two kittens; Axle and Rose. They are little terrors who make up for it by being so cute.

Diane describes herself as a quirky, random masters student who likes bright colours. She always has her phone and laptop nearby. Something most people don’t know about her is she’s lived in 18 different homes in 21 years and five of them were in last year alone. She says, “Five in a year is my personal record. When people ask where I’m from, I actually don’t know what to say.” Make sure and look at all her pieces at Random Quirks.

How long have you been making Barbie earrings?

For well over two years now as well as the other quirky jewelery I make.

Why did you start?

I sort of fell into making jewelery after realizing I didn’t have the patience for sewing. Plus there was a lot less chance of hurting myself (I’m a bit accident-prone).

Where do you get your materials?

I get my materials from a variety of places, including my old toy collection, donations from friends and eBay. This way, the majority of the pieces I make are completely unique and cannot be made again.

Do you have a dedicated work area/room?

Does my bed count? Not much room in the house so I just work anywhere. I’d love to have a proper studio one day.

Is this your full-time job? Hobby? Fun?

I’m a masters student so this is like a part time job, though I’d love it to be a full time one.

Do you do other kinds of crafts?

I also paint t-shirts and from time to time sew a bag or two.

Do you have a best seller?

I guess it would be the Barbie shoe earrings, though my necklaces sell pretty well too.

What is your favorite?

All my pieces are my babies so I couldn’t pick one favourite. My favourite things to make are the necklaces as there is a deeper creative process.

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?

This hopefully? Please let it be this. If not, I guess some kind of job in fashion since that is what my degree and masters is in.

Have any advice for people trying to start their own handcrafted business?

Research, research, research. Then jump in with both feet and go for it.