Emerlye Arts Kirigami

Name
Cynthia Emerlye

Location
Pomfret, Vermont

Business Name
Emerlye Arts

Describe what you sell.
Each of my kirigami works is a one-of a kind, hand- cut creation. While origami is the art of folding paper into creative shapes, kirigami is paper that is both folded and cut. Most people will remember kirigami as a way to make paper snowflakes. In addition to hanging or frame-able kirigami mandalas, I also make elegant three-dimensional kirigami cards, pop-up cards, cards that unfold several times, and other paper creations.

What is your real life like?
The last of my six children just left for college, so I am blissfully single and can spend the bulk of my time creating diverse kinds of art. I am also a life coach and see clients when I'm not creating. I live on a small farm in beautiful Vermont. The house is 218 years old -- lots of upkeep, lawn mowing, gardening and endless repairs -- no more animals, though. All of this keeps me busy, which suits me fine.

What is your process?
Kirigami work is detailed and tedious, but if you approach it as a relaxing pastime -- like knitting -- it can be very rewarding. Paper type is most important in kirigami work because it must fold easily without cracking and cut without tearing. I am still searching for the perfect paper. For the mandalas, I use light-weight, very bright paper which I buy in reams. Paper for cards is more problematic. It must be heavier, yet flexible and fairly easy to cut. I use artist-grade paper, most often Strathmore or Stonehenge, sometimes Neenah classic linen.
Scissors: very sharp, larger scissors with a good point are best. I sometimes use good sewing scissors. If I am cutting a lot, I use razor pointed, spring loaded ergonomic craft scissors which cut down on hand fatigue. Sometimes I wrap my fingers with paper medical tape to prevent blisters.
I also use a variety of punches. The best are fiscars.
My process: To make cards, I first cut the paper to a square size. I print out the logo on my Epson pro printer. Then I fold the paper with a bone folder and sometimes press it in my dry mount press. Next I trim the outside into the proper shape and with dye-based stamp ink, decorate the front. Next, I add gold paint for zest. I stock several blank cards like this in my working box full of scissors and punches and cut them out at my leisure in the evening.
When the cuttings are done, I glue them together with archival Yes! glue and press them overnight. The next day I photograph them from several angles, package them, and post on Etsy. Voila!
Kirigami mandalas take longer to cut but are not as complicated to prepare for sale. After cutting, the mandalas must be carefully unfolded and pressed flat. They are then laminated in a hot press, trimmed, punched, strung with gold cord, packaged, and photographed for sale. Larger mandalas meant for framing are not laminated. After purchase, they are lightly mounted to cardstock and packaged for framing.

Business Goals and Vision...
My kirigami work is a folk-art and I would love to see it featured in Vermont handcraft stores and in store windows. Someday I would like to have diecuts made of my best designs so I could produce more than just one-of a kind works. In this vein, I would like also to produce a line of unique three-dimensional wedding cards and invitations.

How do you market your business?
Right now my kirigami work is mainly on Etsy and in local shops in Woodstsock, Vermont.

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
Guild of American Papercutters
http://www.papercutters.org

What inspires you?
I love paper! I am interested in handmade paper and have much too much. Unfortunately much of it is not suitable for kirigami. I also love to paint, draw, and build wearable art clothing. I am inspired by all kinds of beauty, natural and man-made. If I am in a new city, I make a bee-line to the nearest art museums, churches, gardens, historic homes, and stationery stores. Yum.

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Large Mandala to frame
Smaller hanging mandala ( both pictured to the right)
Hand Cut Kirigami Card(first picture)

Find seller at...
www.EmerlyeArts.com
www. EmerlyeArtsKirigami.Etsy.com
www.EmerlyeArts.blogspot.com

www.EmerlyeArts.Etsy.com

Gnome Clothes

Name
Michelle McKeon

Location
Right now we are living in West Lafayette, IN while my husband finishes his PhD program at Purdue. We have lived many places including Long Beach and Napa, California, Fort Collins, Colorado and Eugene, Oregon.

Business Name
gnomeclothes

Describe what you sell.
My items include Reusable Cloth Sandwich Wraps, Cloth Baggies, Cloth Napkins, Cloth Snack Bags and Cloth Produce Bags. In my "spare" time I enjoy making fun and unique play dresses and skirts for imaginative little girls. I sell these at a local craft boutique.

Sandwich Wraps- 100% Double-layer Soft Cotton Flannel with a Velcro closure- use in place of plastic baggies to wrap up your sandwich for lunchtime- doubles as a placemat when it's time to eat.
Baggies- 100% Double Layer Soft Cotton Flannel- Flip-top style (think of the old style plastic bags sans ziplock). Use instead of plastic baggies to hold sandwiches, snacks, crayons, toys…you name it.
Napkins- 100% Single Layer Soft Cotton Flannel -Reusable/ Machine Washable- Fun prints, small size perfect for children and/or your lunchtime needs. Use in place of paper napkins and/or paper towels.
Snack Bags- 100% Cotton- Easy Velcro closure Handy carrying handle- Use them for
• snacks, fruit
• toys,
• gym tote, ID, Money holder
• ipod, cell phone
• wristlet,
• cards,
• art supplies,
• make-up,
• anything that you or your child needs to securely and stylishly tote around.
Produce Bags- Reusable- Drawstring closure, see-through for easy scanning. Use at the supermarket and/or farmers market in place of the plastic produce bags.

What is your real life like?
I am a SAHM. I have a very loving and supportive husband, two crazy little girls (my gnomes) who are 5 and 2 and one black lab/mix dog. We moved from CA to IN last year so that my husband could reacquaint himself with the academic world. My first winter in Indiana is what really kicked my sewing butt into gear. I have recently signed up to attend two Craft venues this year. The Strange Folk Festival in O'Fallon, IL coming right up at the end of September and a local High School Booster Club fair in November. Needless to say I have simply been sewing like a mad woman….you know, in my "spare" time.

What is your process?
I have chosen to use only 100% cotton and Organic Cottons in my lunch accessory items. I don't want to have to worry about poly or vinyl coatings, just keep it simple. When I make my play dresses and skirts, I try to keep an open mind to what little girls find "beautiful", colors, textures, sparkles, shiny, furry, all the things that make fabric fun. The "Spin Factor" plays a big role in it as well. I try not to get too technical, just mix, match and have fun with it.

Business Goals and Vision...
I "officially" started this business last February when I listed my first items on Etsy. I have sold over 800 items since then. Honestly though, I have been sewing for my girls since my first one was a baby. Once their closets began overflowing, I thought it was time for others to enjoy our fun as well. I would like to say that I see my business expanding, but really….I only have so much "extra" time, so what I really would like to see in my business is more focus on inspiration, creativity and imaginative play. I simply do this for fun, so I want to have fun doing it.

How do you market your business?
I don't do much marketing. Sometimes I search around forums and find people who are looking for items such as mine. Most of my business comes by word of mouth, my customers are GREAT advertisers. Many have recommended me or even bought items for their friends and/or relatives.

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I am always keeping an eye on "green" mommy blogs.

What inspires you?
I am most inspired by those little things that you walk by every day. Angles, textures, colors…when you really stop to look around, there are so many exciting aspects
to the world. I do confess that much of the reason I even stop to look is because I see my daughters' reactions to the simplest pleasures. Looking through others eyes keeps the scenery "fresh".

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
This Rainbow Snack Bag…I just LOVE the Colors and the Boldness of the pattern (5th picture from top)
Also, My Organic Cotton Line of Sandwich Wraps, Baggies and Snack Bags…Love them…(last picture on the right)

Am a fan of these places...
Paintandink- – she makes the most WONDERFUL detailed fantasy realm maps
olivestar7 I LOVE these baby cocoons -so soft and snuggly
Elfland- I enjoy her creativity
Matt Beard- One of my good friends and stellar artist from Northern California

thedreamygiraffe- hmmm…found one that kind of reminds me of my gnome…

Find seller at...
www.gnomeclothes.etsy.com
http://www.gnomeclothes.com

MetalSugar

Another Monday - I love Mondays- we get to see the beautiful work of a jewelry designer every Monday and today we have the spectacular Melissa Cohen of Metal Sugar Designs in Brooklyn, NY. Metal Sugar is exactly what it sounds like: hard and soft, tough and sweet jewelry with a dash of flair, humor, and class to meet the needs of any buyer. All handmade by me and full of personality!

What is your "real" life like?
I live in a one bedroom apt with my boyfriend, my dog bosco, my cat isaiah and my boyfriend's cat Kanji. It's a zoo but I wouldn't trade it for the world. We watch Netflix movies more than I'd like to admit and I'm obsessed with Project Runway. I stay home alot and work on jewelry and try to get out of the house as much as possible to connect with my friends and to eat at all of the delicious restaurants in NY.

What is your process?
I mainly work with sterling silver, but like to work with gold. I also am beginning to incorporate technology into my work-by using illustrator for laser cutting and soon will be working on making pieces that light up and move. My process is sometimes planned and sometimes random. I have sketchbooks and try bringing one in my purse so whenever I think of something, I can draw it out. These often transform into pieces later. Many times I just sit down with my metal and make a piece in the moment. I have come up with some really interesting pieces this way-those are probably my favorite.


What are your goals and vision for your business?
My goals are to continue expanding and growing, learning constantly-I would like to get into more stores, get on more blogs, be part of more interviews, get noticed by magazines, press, anything to get my name out there. My goal long term is to do this for a living, have a cute studio to call my own, where I work in the back, teach small classes, and have a shop in the front where I sell my work as well as hand-picked items that I love from other artists.. This is my dream and I hope to see it come true one day :-)

How and where do you market your business?
I keep my business cards in different stores, I put my products on flickr, myspace, and facebook. I send out updates via email to my list of contacts that I've made at craft fairs or just through networking. I also get blogged about from time to time which helps get my name out there. I'm also part of a great collective of artists on my Etsy Street Team and we promote one another and are almost finished with a catalogue featuring many of these amazing crafters. I haven't put enough time and money into my marketing, but I'm working on it!

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I have a Bust subscription, often buy jewelry magazines, and subscribe to many blogs that feature handmade artists.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by so much-animals, Japanese toys and candy, simple lines and textures, and taking the humor in the world and making it pretty when possible.

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
The Cupcake Signet Ring (second picture) and my new Duckie Jewelry (third picture)


I am a Fan of...
NOTCOT
Cake Spy
Fred Flare
fromjapanwithlove.etsy.com
http://glassfiction.blogspot.com/

Find Seller....
www.metalsugar.com
metalsugar.etsy.com,
http://metalsugar.supermarkethq.com, stars and infinite darkness and more to come!

Fancy Tiger Crafts

Name
Amber Corcoran and Jaime Jennings

Business Name
Fancy Tiger Crafts

Location
Denver CO

Describe what you sell
We are a retail store in Denver that sells craft supplies for knitting, crochet, sewing, felting and spinning. We make some craft supplies, including kits for needlefelting, which we sell on etsy. We like to make crafting accessible to everyone, so our kits are easy and make excellent introductions to the world of needle felting.

What are the best sellers in your shop?
Our needlefelting kits so far the Owl and Robin are our best selling kits.

What is your target market?
We mostly focus on marketing our brick and mortar store in Denver. Our target market is crafty types who are looking for supplies that are more modern and sophisticated than they might find at your traditional fabric or yarn store. We like to make everyone feel welcome in our store no matter what their skill level is.

What do you offer that sets you apart from the other supply sellers on Etsy?
Our kits are super-adorable and hard to resist!

What is your real life like?
We are super lucky and get to do crafts all the time. We are surrounded by yarns and fabrics all day long and get to craft sometimes at work and during the various community craft nights that we host here in Denver. We are both 30 somethings without kids but with cats. Amber enjoys making music, baking, and cooking Chinese food. Jaime enjoys riding bikes, studying herbs and great coffee.

Where can we find you on the web?
www.fancytiger.com
www.fancytiger.etsy.com

Any offers you want to give blog readers?
15% discount on your order through Friday, October 3rd just leave a note in the message to seller box at checkout and we will send you an invoice with the updated total.

Throw Me A Bone

Name
Doc Martin

Location
Laguna Beach, CA (yes, that same place where those bratty gumsnappers from the MTV show hail from).

Business Name
"Throw Me A Bone" - A Pixel Pet Design Studio

Describe what you sell.
Well, Throw Me A Bone is a weeee little Pixel Pet Design Studio with BIG IDEAS. It is where you will find a husband and wife team creating digital works of art with a unique flair of "Man's Best Friend". We produce modern, original, digital pet portraits, boutique style pet apparel, note cards, and people apparel.

What is your real life like?
Obsessed!....or maybe Possessed!...or maybe just passionate? My wife is always reminding me to "prioritize my obsessions" because there seems to be no limit to the things I want to accomplish on a daily basis. I have been quite fortunate really that I am able to "be creative" for a living. In my day job, I am the art director and all around "Jack of All" for an automotive design firm. I have been with this company for 10 years now and on any given day you will find me doing design for automotive after market accessories like custom wheels, auto gauges, and even watches. In addition I also design mens and womens apparel, hot rod and car culture collectables, auto graphics and custom paint schemes. I am also the companies photographer, web designer, and graphic artist!(whew....I am tired just thinking about all of that.) So needless to say, there is quite a bit of creative energy expended during the day.
So, my obsessions tend to drift away from the technical side of things when I am away from the office. My wife keeps me really grounded and she has been a huge part of my exploring other avenues for my creativity. She is the main inspiration for all of our pet accessories and has been a the driving force for opening up this whole world to me. Because being an artist is such a solitary occupation much of the time, we created "Throw Me A Bone" as a way for my wife and I to combine our talents and work together. It has been fun and we are both pretty happy with where it has taken us so far and the response we have been getting is really positive!

What is your process?
Because there are soooooo many breeds to choose from, the inspiration is never ending. But once I decide on the next breed, I do spend quite a bit of time trying to find just the right image of that particular breed to capture the one characteristic that makes them unique! Once that is accomplished, its pretty much a flurry of activity on the old mac until its complete. My tools of choice are my Canon Rebel camera, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop on my mac.

Business Goals and Vision...
Because there are soooooo many breeds to choose from, the inspiration is never ending. But once I decide on the next breed, I do spend quite a bit of time trying to find just the right image of that particular breed to capture the one characteristic that makes them unique! Once that is accomplished, its pretty much a flurry of activity on the old mac until its complete. My tools of choice are my Canon Rebel camera, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop on my mac.

What are your goals and vision for your business- short and long term:
Our short term goal would be to finish rounding out our product line with a full selection of pet portraits, note cards, ACEO's, pet apparel, and finally people apparel. Once that is firmly established, we would like to expand our brick and mortar presence to at least 100 stores in the next 36 months.

How and where do you market your business- We currently have been mostly focused on getting everything up and going online. We have our own website that we market our pet apparel through and we have been really pleased with our recent expansion to etsy. But on the whole, I would have to say this is the one area we really look to improve on in the next year. Our word of mouth advertising has been working well during our startup phase the last few months, but we would really like to have a larger presence next year at pet expos, more brick and mortar stores, and create a cohesive ad campaign.

How do you market your business?
We currently have been mostly focused on getting everything up and going online. We have our own website that we market our pet apparel through and we have been really pleased with our recent expansion to etsy. But on the whole, I would have to say this is the one area we really look to improve on in the next year. Our word of mouth advertising has been working well during our startup phase the last few months, but we would really like to have a larger presence next year at pet expos, more brick and mortar stores, and create a cohesive ad campaign.

What inspires you?
First and foremost - great artists inspire me and my work. Obviously a pets character will always kind of give me a direction to go in. Their personality helps me set the mood of the piece with my colors and style. But I gotta say, right now, more then anything I am truly inspired by so many of the new breed of graphic, lowbrow, and urban/street artists. The bombastic color schemes that they use have inspired most of my dog prints. I thought it would be fun to offer a new kind of "pet portrait" that is inspired by so much of this graffiti style artwork.



Am a fan of these places...
www.obeygiant.com
www.gigposters.com
flickr
google

Find seller at...
www.throwmeabonestore.com
www.throwmeabone.etsy.com
www.saintsandsinners.etsy.com
www.barneysbarkery.com