work Archives - Try Handmade

Interview with Kamila of Puddlestomper

December 7, 2019 by Erika Jurney Leave a Comment

You’ve seen Kamila of Puddlestomper in the Gallery, now get to know her on a more personal level.

What is your craft / art / creative endeavor?

I make needle felt mobiles, dolls, pirates and anything that can be needle felted. I can needle felt you for that matter;)

How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?

Growing up in the former Czechoslovakia behind the iron curtain where art was discouraged was probably the best place to grow up for an artist. The repression brings out a huge amount of creativity and my drive to do anything.

It’s taken me a long time to discover my self as an artist but art was always my thing. I was always a doodler, all my school notebooks always had doodles, sketches and drawings. I have tried it all, photography, oil, acrylic, filmmaking, knitting, crocheting, sewing and finally felting.

Felting makes sense to me, it brings all those skills together and the possibilities are endless.

Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

I own a really good pair of rain boots because I am a puddle stomper. My girls are puddle stompers.

Puddles equal rain. All major things in my life happened while it was raining. Meeting my husband, getting married and going into labor with both my girls. My younger daughter’s middle name is “RAIN”.

I love to come out with my daughters after the rain has stopped smell the air and watch them jump in the puddles. Puddles make them happy and happiness is all that matters.

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?

After my girls go to bed that is my time. Crafting makes me happy. It’s a job I can do and still be with my girls and watch them grow. I choose my own hours and I choose what I want to make.

My older daughter loves to felt, I am happy I finally found a safe felting needle she can use. Arts and crafts have taken over our house. Please buy my stuff so I can get a studio :)

My husband is a computer geek and he promotes the hell out of me. He is a Puddlestomper promoting genius.

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 did my first craft fair at PS 29 school in Brooklyn. It was a great fun and now I am addicted. I would love to do more craft fairs. I love talking to people, meeting new artists and personally handing my stuff over.

Right now I sell exclusively on etsy. www.puddlestomper.etsy.com

Do you have a favorite handmade shop or seller?

There are so many people that make beautiful things out there. I am always marking favorites on etsy. I do have to give a shout out to two very talented women.
Madeley makes awesome retro stationary for all:
www.chickprint.etsy.com
My friend Karen makes hats and prints at:
www.finnyandzook.etsy.com

What inspires and motivates you?

Art, nature, my family, my friends and my neighborhood inspires me.

Traveling to different parts of this world and watching people live inspires me.

Eating great local, clean food inspires me.

What do you wish I had asked you?

“Where will I be 10 years from now?”

Happy being my own boss doing what I love to do. My girls growing up happy, healthy and strong.

What a great dream — thanks Kamila! If you would like to be interviewed next, just cruise over to DIY Interview.

{New New} York Etsy Team, USA

December 4, 2019 by Tara Gentile 5 Comments

[hTara]

I was very lucky to be invited for the Buyers Market of American Craft this weekend. This show is not open to the general public – only press (that’s me!) and buyers for stores, boutiques, and galleries that feature handmade work.

Two Sweet Peas by KnitKnit

This year, the event organizers made a concerted effort to invite the indie crowd to participate in the show. They sent out personal invitations to Etsy teams, offering shared booths and exposure to a whole new level of business! At least 7 teams participated – forgive me if I lost track, this event was massive – and they truly represented the best of indie craft!

Tina the Llama Cloth Napkins by Cakehouse

My friend Alex, a boutique owner, and I spent a good while talking to the ladies from the {New New} York Etsy Team. The ladies were excited to be some place where so many people were making a living from their craft.

Pillows by Alexandra Ferguson (felt made from plastic bottles)

We had a great conversation about the new ways we approaching reading & news in contemporary society, spurred by the “read books not blogs” bookmark by Beacon Bookmarks. I made the point that the former bookstore employee in me totally stands behind their product. However, the blogger in me is slightly offended! But truly, each of us agreed that both books & blogs have their place – whew! – and it’s magazines that are going the way of the dinosaur.

“Read books not blogs” bookmark by Beacon Bookmarks

In the shop local column, I’ve tried to shy away from featuring really large metropolitan areas, like New York City. But these guys were awesome!! So personable and so passionate about their work.

Silkscreened tank dress by Kimmchi

So I had to share them with you, dear readers.

Interview with Courtney Filer-Dougal of My Sunset Road

December 3, 2019 by Erika Jurney 1 Comment

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 is a painter (and a chemist) and painting was my first love. Painting was difficult for me to keep up with after having kids and when I discovered beading it was easier to stop and pick back up again as the babies allowed. Eventually I moved on to metal and fell in love ;)

Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

Yes, it’s my street name! I thought it was both unique and simple enough to be memorable to a customer while also having a personal meaning to me.

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?

I work alone 99% of the time though my husband (a CPA) and I share a split office/studio in our home. The only time I have help with my own work is when I enlist my 8 year old daughter to help me package large orders. She recently helped by putting my logo-stickers on 95 boxes for the Academy Awards Gift Lounge.

I also get loads of help from my mom with my kids..that’s priceless during the holiday and show seasons.

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 my work via my own site. I also have shops in Etsy and Supermarket. I sell through a handful of great boutiques on both the East & West coast and I’m always excited to add another one to the list.

Do you have any favorite handmade shops or sellers you’d like to recommend?

So many! My 3 favorites are:
www.beckyoh.com
www.mudpuppy.etsy.com
www.geninne.etsy.com

What inspires and motivates you?

It sounds cheesy but definitely my kids. They keep me seeing things in a fresh perspective and also force me to stay organized – I’m always grateful for that.

What do you wish I had asked you?

“What do you do when you’re not making things?”

I homeschool my kids full time. It’s the best part of having my own business, I can be home with my children every single day.

Thanks Courtney. And if you would like to be interviewed next, just head over to DIY Interview.

Interview with Joanne Rich from Sculpted Light

December 1, 2019 by Erika Jurney 2 Comments

We’ve featured Joanne’s work before, and now she’s part of our new series: DIY Interview. If you’d like to be a part of it, just check out the end of this post.

What is your craft / art / creative endeavor?

I make light sculptures by taking a piece of reed, and bending and twisting it into an interesting shape. Once I’m happy with the shape, tissues and handmade paper are applied over the reed with wheat paste.

My light sculptures have no front or back, up or down. This is because I want the you to feel relaxed and at ease when you view it, to explore my light sculptures however way you wish.

How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?

I made my first light sculpture during a one week art enrichment program in high school. During the week, 15 students and I work closely with an artist. She taught us how to form the sculptures, and the techniques of papermaking with plants.

After high school and college, I worked in advertising agencies such as Young & Rubicam and Grey Worldwide as an Art Director. In July 2009 I lost my job due to the company’s restructuring plan. Instead of looking for another job at another agency, I decided to take this opportunity to re-visit the experience of making abstract paper light sculptures in high school.

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Interview with Leanne, StudioLeanne

November 29, 2019 by Leah Peterson 2 Comments

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.