Try Handmade

Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Interview with Lotta of Mom-O-Matic

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Today’s interview is with former Try Handmade columnist and pal Lotta of Mom-O-Matic!

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What is your craft / art / creative endeavor?

I am a jewelry maker that uses vintage beads, charms and buttons. I love a good story and try to find pieces with a unique history to incorporate into my work.

Shopping at Estate sales and hunting for the materials to work with is half the fun!

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

I was a Marketing Director for more than 10 years before I became a mom. I always found myself lingering at the creative’s desk, hanging around the graphic designers.

I got started in jewelry by making it for friends and family who urged me to start selling it. I signed up for Etsy and it all took off from there. Now I sell in several boutiques and do home parties as well.

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Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

I named my studio/shop the “Mom O Matic” in a cheeky nod to the Automats of the early 1900s. Where women sat behind vending machines and dispensed treats to patrons day and night.

As I was already dispensing goldfish crackers and sippy cups to my two smallest patrons. Adding jewelry, just became another treat to add to the mom machine.

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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 make the jewelry alone, but I hardly work alone. My awesome husband often puts the kids to bed so I can start my work at night. He also pulls morning duty when I’ve done a late or all nighter making jewelry.

And of course my kids help me too. They both like to sort buttons and suggest color combinations.

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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 at www.momomatic.etsy.com. I’m at the Hammer Boutique in LaGrange, IL www.hammerboutique.com. And will soon be in a boutique in Western Springs that I can’t talk about just yet since I’m still working on their delivery!

I’ve done a few open houses at my house and that’s a blast. It’s hard to make the stock I need for everything so I’m looking into partnering up with another crafter for my next show.

You can usually keep up with me by becoming a Facebook Fan, I do my best to keep that updated.

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

Too many to list! I’m sure most of of my Etsy income goes back into supplies and other seller’s work. My top three would be…

For organic baby rattles and yummy work – www.etsy.com/shop/littlealouette

When I used handcrafted supplies I often turn to Metamorph as she has beautiful work.

I decorate all my Etsy packages with vintage papers, retro plastic charms or vintage paper bags. I’m often going to Hey Yo Yo for these.

If you are in the Chicagoland area you must check out Uncle Fun, that’s another great stop for vintage doo-dads to decorate packages with.

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What inspires and motivates you?

Talking with other artists, finding new supplies and looking at vintage magazines. The colors in an old romance comic book might inspire a new necklace.

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What do you wish I had asked you?

How do you do it all? Other moms ask how I do it and the honest answer is that I don’t sleep much. I’m up late, there are times when I should be playing a board game with the kids and instead I’m bending wire into earrings. You do your best to balance what you can and be kind to yourself the rest of the time.

Thanks Lotta! And if you want to be interviewed next, please go to DIY Interview.

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.

Tableware made with love in Pawtucket

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With my five year wedding anniversary fast approaching I have been thinking about what fun it was to make registries. The excitement of a new life, new belongings and maybe a new place to call home. Even with all of these presents, building your life is always a work in progress. You find new objects you love more than the ones you already own, styles and aesthetics change. But there are some things which are timeless and Gleena is the perfect blend of classical and modern which will never get old.

The medley of white and blue is soothing. I love that the middle plate, being half blue and half white, brings the large plate and bowl together. Each piece has their own personality yet they are still a cohesive set.

It is in this set that you can best see where the artist draws her influence from. She grew up in Russia, summering in a country house surrounded by her grandmother’s gardens. She seems to handle these memories carefully as they are important to her. Asya displays detailed images on hand-shaped forms, showing that memories can change shape over time. I love the cheery yellow she chose. Makes for a great presentation.

These plates don’t need a special occasion. I would love to have these for everyday use. The sea inspired glaze adds a dash of color without overpowering the simple design. The typeset imprints make for a great detail.

This cup is my favorite out of all her work. The blend of color and form are just darling but the quote and stamped letter make this cup perfect. Sharing tea is most certainly a celebration, toast to something grand.

Asya does a great job of mixing her love of form and function with her passion for graphic design. This cup displays her happy union of numbers, letters, color and shape. I love her subtle introduction of color, it is never overpowering and always just right.

These bowls make for the perfect presentation. Asya makes even the simplest of pieces elegant with her attention to detail. She carefully adapts the form to better serve it’s function. In keeping these bowls white, she draws attention to her beloved form which were inspired by gourds found while traveling in French Guiana.

I think celebrating five years should call for an updated registry. My wedding was lots of fun and I would love to do it all again with Gleena’s shop at the top of my registry list. What would be on your list?

Interview with Karin Mosseri of KarinSF

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Beautifully hand made accessories focusing on highly original knitted lace items in luxury yarns. I’m primarily exploring knitting as a way to make a textile conform to a predetermined shape with the exclusion of seams.

I am expanding the range of accessories to include felted and knitted bags and purses, as an alternative to heavy leather statement designer bags.

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

After studying fine art and fashion in England I worked in couture for several years in London. Following a move to San Francisco I was employed by local sportswear companies and did a stint at O’Neil, in their wetsuit product development department. For the last decade I have had the good fortune to operate to a small custom couture bridal business, with clients coming to me solely by word of mouth. Recently I picked up knitting again after a 20 year gap since my last foray into this fascinating craft. I am now completely obsessed! A bridal client seeing my scarves suggested Etsy and I saw saw enormous potential for creative expression.

Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

I am a huge fan and advocate of the fabulous city of San Francisco which I now call home. There is a wealth of talent and creativity here which I’m very proud to be a part of.

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 think of myself as a highly social loner! This contradiction in terms illustrates my need for solitude, particularly during the creative process, but also the joy I have interacting with clients and creative friends I’ve made through Etsy and the internet. I do work alone and genuinely enjoy the multitasking involved with all the aspects of my profession. As to getting all the work done-there simply aren’t enough hours in the day and I am turning into a knitting vampire.

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?

Currently I only sell on Etsy. http://KarinSF.Etsy.com and to by appointment clients, but I am exploring other online vendors.

Selling online can seem impersonal but I make sure I communicate with all buyers, and follow up after the purchase if necessary, to create a rapport and make myself more accessible. Working one on one, with a bridal client for example, is completely different and engages the other person more in the creative process.

I haven’t attended a show to sell my accessories yet but I feel this will be an important adjunct to my online shop.

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

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MDKnits
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lorinczi
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BirdNerd

What inspires and motivates you?

As a designer with a background in pattern making and fine art, I find I see everything as form and color first. So I’m primarily motivated by colorful shapes in nature or the urban landscape. Other artists’ and craft people’s work is also a huge influence, and I like to purchase from local designers as often as my wallet allows. I never underestimate the inspiration I find looking at outfits put together by fellow travelers wherever I go.

What do you wish I had asked you?

“If you could take a break from your current passion, what other line of work would you like to pursue?”

shoe designer.

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

Stonehouse Studio

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I remember collecting pieces of broken pottery when I was a little girl. Although I can’t remember whose partner in crime I was (was it you Nora?), I do recall that we had big plans for the colorful shards.

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That’s the first thing I thought of when I saw the work of Stonehouse Studio.

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Of course, looking closer it is obvious that these pieces are far more complex and layered, but the effect is reminiscent of something both found and wonderful.

Stonehouse Studio: I love the contrast between metal and polymer clay. Metal is bullied and cajoled into doing what you want by hammering, sawing and torching. Polymer, on the other hand, is the most cooperative, versatile and forgiving of mediums. As is so often true of opposites, the two work beautifully together.

My work is inspired by nature, which may seem strange since my primary medium is a synthetic clay. But the chameleon-like qualities of polymer clay allow for innumerable ways of bringing an artistic vision to life. My polymer work encompasses a variety of surface techniques, including alcohol inks, acrylic paints and image transfers altered with colored pencils. The end result is jewelry that is organic, simple and very wearable.

I hand fabricate all work in my Boston studio. If you’re in the area, see me almost every Sunday from May to October at the SOWA Open Market.

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