Tell me about your businesses.
I sew and print leather and fabric! I also own and run a small all handmade boutique here in Southern Illinois called Dayshift.
How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?
I moved from Chicago to Carbondale, Il in February of 2008. I bought a sewing machine on the way down from my now good friend Jamie. She was working at Joann Fabrics at the time, and... → Read the rest of this article

Erika Jurney
Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. She
loves the handmade and wants you to love it too.
Previously featured a couple of years ago, check out what Courtney is up to today.
I’m a metalsmith & jewelry designer. I strive to make beautiful, wearable pieces that women will reach for everyday. I love when customers describe one of my pieces as a favorite.
How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?
I’ve been making things for as far back as my memory can reach. My father... → Read the rest of this article

Erika Jurney
Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. She
loves the handmade and wants you to love it too.
Michelle did this DIY Interview a couple of weeks ago, and since then she’s had a new baby. Congratulations Michelle! Her shops are temporarily closed, but it is really easy to sign up to be notified when she’s back in business.
Previously featured by me and Ciaran, now you get a chance to meet the real person behind Goose Grease.
What is your craft / art / creative endeavor?
Custom hand painted wooden toys, keepsakes and wedding cake... → Read the rest of this article

Erika Jurney
Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. She
loves the handmade and wants you to love it too.
I make unusual, odd, and silly earrings out of old school shrinkydink plastic. I handdraw and color them and then bake them with love. I like to make silly characters that interact and try to make each of them unique and fun. I was born and raised in Austin and I think a lot of that Keep Austin Weird mentality has rubbed off on me.
How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?
I discovered shrinkydinks... → Read the rest of this article

Erika Jurney
Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. She
loves the handmade and wants you to love it too.
You’ve seen her in the Gallery, and now you can hear directly from Sheilah herself about SSheilah.
What is your craft / art / creative endeavor?
I am currently infatuated with beads and string, so I make beaded, crocheted or knitted hats and scarves and mitts; my husband makes lovely creative jewelry from elk antler, desert ironwood and hammered metal. We sell it all at our etsy shop, http://ssheilah.etsy.com.
How did you get started? Have you... → Read the rest of this article

Erika Jurney
Erika Jurney is the founder of Try Handmade. She
loves the handmade and wants you to love it too.