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Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

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 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.

Sarah Mann

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Raw sterling silver cries out to me, begs me to convert it into bold jewelry with subtle finishes. Of course, I must obey.

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Sarah Mann: Sarah Mann is fascinated by the creative and technical challenges of transforming her medium into objects of provocative adornment. Geometric shapes flow into organic elements, producing clean, straightforward designs that often incorporate kinetics. She is proud to carry on a family tradition in the crafts and pleased that this enables her to exercise her talent wherever her peripatetic nature may have her living.

Mann realizes fully the broad potential of sterling silver. She crafts her jewelry with torch and tools–saws, files, pliers, nippers, drills, hammers, and the more arcane rolling mill, dapping blocks, and mizzy wheels–then endows it with a range of hues through delicately controlled oxidation. The combined effect of patina on texture is a signature characteristic of all Sarah Mann jewelry.

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Mixing Business with Leather

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RADCOW: I got Interested in Leather craft about a decade ago, when I was a teenager hitch hiking across Canada. On my travels I met a wonderful old hippy man named Longevity John. He was nearly 7 foot tall, with hair down his back, and eyes all full of kindness. He lived in a shotgun shack with no running water, or electricity, but made incredible and inspiring leather crafts and sold them on saturdays at the farmers market in town. John showed me a few things, and got the seeds of inspiration planted in me. The thought of someone making their living with their own 2 hands from thier crafts made my heart swell. Later, I got a job at a leather craft store, and began spending most of my pay cheques on tools, and most of my time playing with leather. Since then, the seed has grown, and I too make my living this way, selling here, and at festivals and craft fairs. I feel like I am on my true path, and I am eternally grateful to etsy, and to all of you who support hand crafters. You allow the creative instinct to grow and flourish. Thank you!

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