What is your craft / art / creative endeavor?
I am a papermaker and letterpress printer, who turns junk mail and other scrap papers into beautifully customized letterpress printed items.
How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?
I’ve worked in web and graphic design for 10+ years now (yikes!), and have been making paper and other crafts since I was a kid.
Is there a story behind the name of your shop?
Indeed there is!
I have had the same best friend since 8th grade. We were so attached at the hip to each other throughout highschool that people referred to us as Tweedle Dee (me) and Tweedle Dum (she). One year we even dressed the part for Halloween.
Dum has been a constant source of inspiration for me throughout our 15+ years of Tweedle-hood, and has always been there to listen to my ramblings about paper, running my own business, hair-brained schemes and general psychosis. I figured it was only right to name this business, the culmination of the aforementioned daydreams, in honor of our rad friendship and zany antics.
Do you work alone? With a team? Do you engage your family or friends in the work? What is your process? How do you ensure you get your work done yet still have a life?
Tweedle Press is owner and operated by only me, though I wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of my husband (iHub), other family, and frieds. Currently I am only able to work on it part time, but hope to be able to do letterpress printing and papermaking full time some day. I tell people sometimes that I’m not 100% I’m cut out for business ownership, because I simply am not willing to sacrifice “having a life” for having a job. It’s iHub’s #1 job to remind me when it’s time to stop working, and time for fun.”
Where do you sell your work? Which venues are your favorites? Do you prefer selling online or in person? Do you attend shows or fairs? Is your work in a gallery or brick-and-mortar store?
I sell primarily through my online shop and also through my Etsy shop. I like Etsy because it provides me with a bit more exposure, and I can be sure that the people there are looking for my sort of handmade products. Not a whole lot of sales yet through my primary website, but I’m working on it. At the moment I only sell online, though I meet with people in person to discuss custom projects. My ultimate dream someday is to have a cute little letterpress print and paper shop, where people can walk in and talk to me.
Do you have any favorite handmade shops or sellers?
www.foxgloveaccessories.com
www.starshapedpress.com
What inspires and motivates you?
Currently I’m finding inspiration with: barns, sepia, tea, fond, seafood, wheat pale ales, the old west, boots, overalls, montana, cats, leaves, dirt, family, survivalism, lemongrass, belt buckles, grommets, nostaliga, and thunder.
I’m not sure I can put my finger on what motivates me – though the Interlandi side of my family jokes about us having a gene for self-employment.
Thanks Nina! And if you want to be interviewed next, please go to DIY Interview.
