Focus on Makers

Carrie moved from Long Beach, CA to Quincy, MA about a year ago. She’s now just south of Boston and can be there in a matter of minutes. Providence, RI is also very close, and while “It’s like a different world here.“, she likes it very much and her dog, Francesca, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, loves the snow!

Carrie describes herself as an artist, animal lover, some-time nihilist, and some-time optimist. Carrie says, “I wish I could say that I had all kinds of free time for fun stuff, but I also work full time as a picture framer to help pay the bills. Between my job and keeping things organized at home, I don’t have much time. I do however make sure to spend lots of time walking my dog at the beach down the road.”

Carrie likes to play ice hockey. She says she’s terrible, but loves it. Check out all her wonderful illustrations at her store SepiaLepus.

How long have you been creating?

Drawing dinosaurs was my thing when I was about 4. That’s as far back as I remember. I also had an obsession with drawing Sperm Whales battling Giant Squid in 2nd grade. I still love to create images involving creatures with tentacles. I was always drawing and that was what I was known for from elementary through high school.

Do you have a favorite type of art style you do?

I don’t really have a favorite style. I do try to mix things up from time to time. It’s great to experiment and see how your work evolves. You take in so much in your day to day life and it influences you even if you don’t really notice it.

Why did you start?

Good question. I can’t really remember! It’s been so long.

Where do you get your materials?

I have tons of art supplies that I still use from when I was at art school. We had to use so many different mediums and techniques that I ended up with a surplus. I’m only now starting to have to replace things. Luckily, my frame shop has a pretty good array of supplies. I did get my Print Gocco and I continue to get supplies for it from Etsy sellers.

Can you tell us a little of your process?

My sketch books are a constant source of material. I have so many books filled with doodles and quickly sketched out ideas. I often go back to something that I drew years ago to turn into a finished illustration. Something small like a little character study can turn into a whole series of paintings.

Do you have a dedicated work area/room?

My small studio is just too small for me now! We are moving next month to a much larger place where I will have my own studio room upstairs and a basement. I have big plans for the basement. Metal arts and ceramics studio. We really lucked out with this new place.

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

I have a great time creating and I wish it was my full time job. I am working on making that happen. Maybe this will be the year for me!

Where do you get your ideas?

Animals and nature. I love everything that creeps, crawls, swims etc! One thing that I have always been grateful for was the fact that I have never had a problem coming up with ideas. I only wish I had the time to finish more of them!

Do you have a best seller?

I think that my best seller is my print called Arctic. It’s one of my favorites.

What is your favorite?

Right now my favorite is Runnnn! because it makes me laugh.

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?

Making a living doing what I love. I hope to have my freelance career up and running. I would love to illustrate children’s books and of course keep creating and selling my prints.

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

I’m usually looking to others for advice! I would say don’t limit yourself to one venue. Etsy is great but it’s so easy to be buried especially now that there are so many shops. Get out and book some craft shows. There are some great indie arts and crafts fairs out there. I have only recently started doing some smaller shows and I have had pretty good luck. I’m hoping to make it a regular part of my weekends. I’m lucky that my husband likes to go with me!

Favorite quote?

“Quo me amat, amat et canem meam. “Love me, love my dog.” St. Bernard

Leah Peterson

Leah Peterson Leah writes at www.leahpeah.com/blog. You can follow her on Twitter or Facebook.

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Leanne lives in beautiful Melbourne Australia, overlooking the beach, where she has lived all her life and loves it. She has a daughter at university, a husband who dotes on her and a cat whom she trips over constantly. Leanne describes herself as a ‘do it right now’ person who is busy creating. You can see all her creations at her shop, StudioLeanne. Her secret is that she has been 38 years old for some years now.

How long have you been creating? Why did you start?

My more meaningful creative life began during school years where I discovered a passion for pottery. In keeping with my secret age, I have been potting for some 20 years now, creating ceramic pieces in stoneware and porcelain. During this time I discovered the magic of glass and have incorporated this medium into much of my work.

Where do you get your materials?

Living on the beach allows me to find the most fascinating driftwood pieces which I often incorporate into my ceramic wall art. Recycled paper and card go into my decoupage.

Can you tell us a little of your process?

I mix many of my own glazes and still enjoy throwing a pot on the wheel. Each ceramic piece is allowed to dry then it is high temperature kiln fired. The next process is glazing. The pieces are then fired again, and sometimes a third firing depending on the effect I want to achieve.

How long does it take?

The complete process can take up to two weeks.

Do you have a dedicated work area/room?

With 2 kilns in my studio, one for ceramics and the other for glass, I am kept constantly warm in winter and perfectly poached all summer long.

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

I’m passionate about my work, it is fun and a wonderful outlet for my creativity. Some years ago my daughter wanted a specific piece of ceramic jewelry which I made for her. From that, a range of unique, oversize and outrageous jewelry pieces developed.

Where do you get your ideas?

Inspiration comes with the seasons. The beautiful sunsets, the stormy skies, the surf and the evening calm provide the individual colors and designs of each piece.

Do you have a best seller?

“I HEART U” – an oversize, outrageous 2.5 inch red ceramic cocktail ring, is by far my most requested item.

What is your favorite?

My daughter’s favorite is “RockStar” a 6 centimeter ceramic cocktail ring in black and my favorite is “Caribbean Fling” a beautiful blue glass ring which covers three fingers of my hand.

What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?

In five years time I hope to be a little more outrageous in design and still only 38 years old.

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

Believe in yourself. If you love your product then why wouldn’t everyone else love it too? Never give up, just persevere.

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different” – Coco Chanel.

Leah Peterson

Leah Peterson Leah writes at www.leahpeah.com/blog. You can follow her on Twitter or Facebook.

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Saria lives in a suburb of Milwaukee, WI only 45 minutes away from where she grew up. She’s a Cheesehead born & raised! Go Pack!! Saria loves living in Wisconsin, having grown up on snowmobiles in winter, ATV’s in the spring & fall, with summers saved for a jet ski, boat or riding horseback; she wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! She lives with her husband, Neil and their son, Nathan, along with their three cats – Little Man, Baby Girl and Naughty.

Saria describes herself as a little bit crazy, but with a big heart. She loves her family, friends and working with color in her makeup. You can view all her products at her store. When she is not creating, you might find her reading a good book.

Saria’s favorite quote or saying is – “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are” -Anais Nin

How long have you been creating makeup?

I have been making mineral makeup for almost 4 years.

Why did you start?

Basically I started out of necessity. I have such sensitive skin that I had never really been able to wear makeup for more than a day at a time without breaking out in hives, pimples and a rash. When I decided to go back to school for cosmetology, wearing makeup was looked at as pretty much part of your dress code, so I had to figure something out. I had heard of mineral makeup and that it was supposed to be great for sensitive skin, so hoping it was what I had been searching for, I went out and bought my first jars of mineral makeup.

I had several friends who wore mineral makeup and swore by it, so I thought for sure I would be set! Unfortunately, what worked so well for my friends did not work so wonderful for me. Within hours of putting the products on my skin I had hives, bumps and a rash that started at my collarbone and came all the way up to my nose. People at school were shocked to see how drastic of a reaction I had- but I was used to it. It was the same thing that happened every time I put makeup on – even brands that worked for others with sensitive skin. It was starting to look like mineral makeup was not for me after all.

Being a former RN, I knew if I could figure out what it was in the mineral makeup that set off such an allergic reaction, I could then try and find a brand that didn’t use that ingredient(s) in their products. It was when I was researching the ingredients that I came to the realization that if I wanted a product that was made specifically for me, the best way to do it was to make it myself. So after spending a ton of time researching, I ordered my first batch of ingredients!

Needless to say, it was not as easy as I had thought it would be! It took me over a month to come up with a foundation that was even remotely close to my skin tone. It was several weeks after that when I realized that the color was perfect but the product felt and looked like I had just dusted powder on my face. I should mention I have VERY dry skin as well, so the idea of wearing a powder seemed a bit ridiculous to me, but having seen the great results my friends had with the mineral makeup I couldn’t wear, I knew it was possible to make it look like you were not covered in flour!

Long story short- I know, too late! After about 6 months of trial and error, and hours and hours and days spent researching the ingredients, their chemistry, color theory, and anything else related to minerals, I finally had a formula for a foundation that I could wear! It didn’t look like powder, it matched my skin tone, it didn’t have streaks of color when I put it on, and most importantly, I didn’t break out!

When I started wearing my new foundation to school everyone noticed! Not in a bad way, but in a good way! I had more compliments on my skin in one day than I had had in my entire life. People didn’t notice my makeup- they noticed my skin.

Read more…

Leah Peterson

Leah Peterson Leah writes at www.leahpeah.com/blog. You can follow her on Twitter or Facebook.

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Beth Cummings of Diffraction Fiber has lived in Chicago for the last four years and loves it. “It has a neighborhood feel where I live but still within a short distance from amazing food and culture and everything you could possibly need to be inspired.” she says. Beth lives with her husband, Regan, and a little doggy named Ditto that they just recently got from a shelter.

Beth describes herself as a typical Pisces – a lover and an artist who loves cooking. She loves dinner parties, sunshine on a crisp day, snuggling her puppy and her husband. Beth also loves reading and playing board games. Her favorite quote is, “Life is either a daring adventure or its nothing. Security does not exist in nature nor do the children of men as a whole experience it”. — Helen Keller

How long have you been sewing?

Oh man, as long as I can remember. My mother and grandmother taught me to sew when I was tiny.

Why did you start?

Well I was a curious kid, and you see your mom and grandma sewing you want to do what they are doing. That’s how I learned lots of handy life skills.

What are the items you have handy at all times for creating?

A rotary cutter. I adore that thing. And embroidery scissors. They are absolutely essential for all the detail work I do in my appliques.

Read more…

Leah Peterson

Leah Peterson Leah writes at www.leahpeah.com/blog. You can follow her on Twitter or Facebook.

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