Collier Leeds

Today I am pleased to introduce Mary Oswald of Virginville, PA, from Collier Leads on Etsy and www.collierleeds.com
She makes these outstanding handcrafted dog collars. I always admire high quality collars because I have 4 dogs and only two currently wear a collar because it is so hard to find one that is attractive, comfortable and good quality. If you are looking for these same qualities in your collars you must check out Mary's shop.

What inspired you to make this product?
Several years ago I visited Leeds Castle in Kent, England where they have a dog collar museum, probably the only one in the world. The collars on display span over 5 centuries. I was so impressed with the design, quality and importance placed on the collars I wanted to adorn my own dogs with something as special. Unable to find the qualities I desired, I decided to make my own.

What inspires you on a daily basis?
I am inspired daily by the search for excellence. I am always looking at my work and wondering how I can make it better. I am constantly tweeking. It can get very frustrating sometimes but in the end I know it will be worth it. My work has changed dramatically since I first started and I would imagine it will evolve more still.

Where do you live and how does that influence your art?
I live in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch country. It is not uncommon to do business with the Mennonite community or see the Amish traveling in their horse and buggies. They have a real need for sturdy leather products because of the farm work they do. The utilitarian quality of their leather goods helps to remind me that my art is functional and used on an animal. I must keep that in mind when I design each collar and the choice of materials I use.

Necklush

I love the artistic concept of Necklush on Etsy- run by Troy and Stephano of NYC. These pieces are amazing and so different and interesting- I am just gushing now! Get yourself one and make a statement!

What inspired you to make this product?
Stephano just came up with Necklush, it was a magicial moment... He was buzzing around like Edward Scissorhands cutting fabric all day, shreads and threads flying everywhere... and suddenly- BANG! Necklush burst into the material world like a new religion! I came up with the name over quesadillas at our favorite Mexican restaurant and we put them up on Etsy that day and we simply haven't stopped. We are still in awe at the reception we have received. The fact that we make it all by hand, and have such a crazy reaction in such a short time means we are very fortunate, and we thank the gods every morning! People are wearing Necklush everywhere! Lithuania, Poland, Tokyo, Australia, Sweden... it's very, very cool!

What inspires you on a daily basis?
We feel very lucky to have connected with fun and creative people all over the globe. Inspiration comes in little emails spread out all day long, the inbox is addictive when you are getting requests for your handmade, heartfelt creations!

Who are some Etsy artists that you admire?
Etsy is an amazing place. I am very grateful to have found it, and I am only now realizing how big it's audience really is. And it is only going to get bigger. It is like a folk art universe on here, and I feel right at home! My favorite people on Etsy are : CricketsCreations, Kittybutt, and JamesAnthony!

Greenwich Letterpress

Today, I am pleased to introduce you to Beth Salvini of Greenwich Letterpress of New York. I spotted this great card that Beth makes one day on Etsy. I love architecture and I think this is a clever way of showing it off as art on a card. Beth also has her own site at www.greenwichletterpress.com
What inspired you to make this product?
The idea for this card was silly. One night I was looking through some clip art books and I saw the Falling Water image. I turned to my boyfriend and said in a very cheese ball tone, "You're always Frank Lloyd Wright!" The joke between the two of us is always, "That would be a great greeting card!" Then a few days later I sat down and designed it. It was his idea to do part of the impression without ink, so I guess we collaborated on it.

What inspires you on a daily basis?
I am very inspired by popular culture. Since I was a kid I have been into collecting magazine clippings, watching tv and movies, listening to music and learning about art. When I went college all of that blended in with the paintings I made. Now it all turns into greeting cards, which for me makes sense. You can consume greeting cards as easily as you can a magazine or a candy bar. Its more accessible. I really like Andy Warhol and I think somewhere in my mind its all comes back to that.

Where do you live and how does that influence your art?
I live in Brooklyn. Living and working in New York City you see everything or at least have the opportunity to. I do feel like I have seen it all. That's where the pop culture cards come from, it is easier for me to draw attention to something that already exists in culture then to try and make it from scratch. That might be a cynical New York thing.

Paper Tiger Design Co.

Today we have Michael and Melanie Heu of Paper Tiger Design Co. located in Brooklyn, NY
One of my previous featured artists recommended Paper Tiger and these great calenders- they are pretty awesome!

What inspired you to make this product?
The Spectrum Calendar was inspired by Pantone Swatch books and the International Typographic Style (Swiss). We are big fans of things that are simple, beautiful and functionally useful. The color spectrum moves through the seasons like a thermometer (cold months are shades of blue and hot months are yellow - orange).

What inspires you on a daily basis?
(Michael) I'm inspired by things both large and small - my day "job" is one of the founders of Intersect (www.intersectnyc.com), an interactive agency located in Manhattan. So I'm always surfing the web for inspiring work but offline I have also developed an (unhealthy) obsession with letterpress. Melanie managed to find an antique table-top press which we've been using to explore the world of paper goods. We also love to travel and I find that adventures outside the normal routine are crucial to sparking ideas and inspiration. I personally love illustration, 50's style modernism and clean typography.

What sites do you frequent the most?
ffffound.com
designspongeonline.com
thefwa.com
etsy.com
swiss-miss.com

What is your process in creating your art?
Typically I start out with doodles and sketches on a white 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. We have a ton of them floating around the house. When I hit an idea that is appealing from a execution standpoint I will refine the designs and then move into Illustrator to generate the actual design. After the actual designs have been refined, it then becomes more production oriented depending on the final output (letterpress, silk screen, digital, etc). The train tends to be a great place to doodle and let ideas flow

Yorktownroad

I love the designs of Carol Gilbert of Northern California / Bay Area from Yorktown Road on Etsy- she also has her own site at www.yorktownroad.com
She makes these awesome purses and clutches as well as pillows and other accessorie. Clean lines and colors which feel a bit mens wear inspired with a feminine twist. You have to check her stuff out!

Where do you live and how does it influence your art?
I live in a community of mid-century homes that are simple in form and have great interest without bringing in a lot of different design elements. That concept is what I try to express in my work. Simple forms and usually just one base textile to create something beautiful, interesting and useful.

What are your favorite material to use?
I choose materials from the natural wool and alter them with random folds, pleats and seam-lines. Linen and wool are textiles I often use due to their beauty and versatility. I try to work with the natural character of the materials, to enhance a particular aspect of the textile and allow it to be seen in a new way.

Who are some of the etsy artists you admire?
PamelaTang - I'm really drawn to her work, both the wearable pieces and her original artwork. The linen wear is impeccably crafted and the silhouettes are modern and beautiful. I'm fascinated by her original art / mixed media work and how they compliment her wearable pieces so perfectly.

NestingEmily - Emily is such a talent. I have several of her pieces and treasure each one. She makes the most beautiful vases.

Plyhouse - Simple beautiful design. I purchased some of their pieces for gifts and had such a hard time actually giving them away.