Helen Rice

Tell us a little about yourself & your background in the arts & crafts world

Twelve years ago I started a small art consignment shop in a tiny side-street space in downtown Littleton.  My little business grew steadily over the first few years and when I had an opportunity to move into a prime space on historic downtown Littleton's Main street, I jumped at it.  I started as more of a fine art gallery, but when the recession hit, I had to quickly restructure, shifting my focus to gift items.  I figured people would still buy gifts for other people before they'd buy an expensive piece of art for themselves, so I stayed focused on handmade items and it proved to be a good fit!  I believe that was when the handmade movement gained momentum, as well. People turned to "making" things themselves, flexing their entrepreneurial muscles and selling their work directly to the public, who readily embraced and supported them in a big way.

What / who is your biggest inspiration?

Any woman who has or had the courage to make her way (and a difference) in this world! 

What do you love most about the handmade movement?

The return to basics - realizing that we can be innovative with common materials and make things with our own hands that are functional, fresh and beautiful! 

Tell us about a few favorites of yours; food, color, animal?

A nice, big, juicy burger - loaded!

Any shade of BLUE is my favorite color!

DOGS, Dogs, dogs....I love them all!

What are you most looking forward to in being a part of the Jackalope Arts jury? 

Seeing new, fresh work from our local makers!

What is the most important feature in an artist's application for you?  

Innovation and originality

Where can we find out more about you?

Besides owning and operating my store, I also produce an 3-day annual urban art retreat in September.  The retreat is called Art Makers Denver and you can find out more about that and ME at http://artmakersdenver.com/our-team/

What is your favorite part about owning XO Gift Company?

I really love being a part of this amazing community and seeing the different faces that walk into the shop. I think it's exciting that literally anyone can walk in at any moment and completely change your day (hopefully in a good way!). My customers are great fun and I truly enjoy meeting and talking with all different types of folks!

How do you see the handmade community evolving in Denver? 

I think there's a ton of growth and opportunity for the handmade community in Denver right now. Besides that fact that Denver itself is growing immensely, there is definitely more of an appreciation for handmade vendors and items from those who understand what kind of love and time goes into the process and creation. There are a ton of people who come in the shop and make "this or that" and there is so much access to workshops and the like, it's great!  

Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to? 

I would not single out a particular artist that I look up to. I believe it truly takes a village and it's just so exciting to see all of the different ideas and final products that people come up with from paintings to bike chain sculptures to vinyl jewelry! There is so much creativity out there and it all inspires me in a different way. I have made some great friends in my artists and I love to learn about people's journey and what they are all about. 

What are you looking forward to the most in being apart of our Jackalope jury panel for the second time?

I love to see which vendors apply and their awesome handcrafted work! It's also just a great learning experience to be able to visit all of the different websites and see such a variety of branding and marketing tactics that are used. It's exciting to see what vendors might be a great fit for XO too!

eXtraOrdinary Gift Company (XO Gift Co.) 3867 Tennyson Street// www.xogiftco.com

How would you describe your style? 

I don't think I can pinpoint or identify with a particular style. I tend to like and lean more toward modern woodworking, however I’m not sure that is completely reflective in the wine and spirit racks, as well as the bottle openers i've been making. RIght now, I feel like my style is functional and Colorado-Ish. I am really have fun combining the Colorado beetle kill with our Colorado flag. I like to sneak in some led lighting here and there.

Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?  

I truly find a lot of inspiration from watching others in the artist community, who are making and doing what they are passionate about, They are out there hustlin’ and selling products they’ve made and love. Seeing their enthusiasm and excitement is what keeps me inspired to keep creating, as I try to follow down a similar path. I like to think that every artist/crafter/maker out there is potentially a step away from becoming the next BIG thing. You never know who is eyeballing your work, it could always lead to bigger things. There is some amazing talent out there!

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 

Being able to take something that is devastating our beautiful Rocky Mountain forests like the beetle kill wood and upcycling it into something creative and practical is pretty unique. The natural grains in the beetle kill wood are always different and full of surprises, which makes each piece unique right from the start. I’m particularly honored to have some beetle kill wood from the Black Forest fire of Colorado Springs in 2013. The heat from the fire affected the colors and grains giving them a super unique appearance.

What is your creative process like? 

I think the creative process is always evolving. Part of my process is simply thinking about the grains on a board and getting the creative juices flowing. The next step in the process which is my favorite but the longest, it’s the problem solving along with creating the templates, jigs, and methods necessary for the final piece.

Where can we learn more about you?

I have my website with some pics and all my links at jccustomdesignworks.com but I mostly post to instagram @jccustomdesignworks

Anything you'd like to add that I didn't ask....?

Many years ago I got nicknamed “Elroy” after the Jetsons cartoon. For whatever reason, it stuck and I havn’t been able to shake it. Now as I am aging into an old man, I’ve accepted it and I just roll with it. However,  my mom always wants me to be sure to let  people know that she didn’t name me that.

In anticipation for our upcoming Holiday Fairs in Pasadena, Denver and Phoenix, we want to provide some helpful tips and tricks for making the most out of your holiday shopping experience AT...

Before the Fair: 

• Make sure you know the vendors that will be there and get an idea of your must haves! All of our vendors can be viewed for each city online: Pasadena, Denver, Phoenix
• Create a Holiday shopping list for all of your family and friends, that way you are not wondering around aimlessly loosing precious time! 
• Planning to bring your kids? Check out our workshops online under each corresponding city. A great chance to become a maker yourself, offered for both kids and adults. 
• Wear comfortable shoes and pack those reusable bags! You can also purchase a Jackalope Tote at the information booth at each cities event.

Getting to the Event:

• Make sure you know the directions and parking situation so you can easily find your way- all of the parking information can be found ONLINE under Attendee Info.
• Or Skip parking in Pasadena and Go Metro by taking the Gold Line to Del Mar Station, steps away from Central Park! For your best route use the Metro Trip Planner - AND once you arrive if you are one of the first 50 people to show us your TAP card, Metro employee ID, or LA County employee ID you will get a free Jackalope tote! 
• In ALL cities you can also opt not to drive and use LYFT! We are excited to announce that we have partnered with LYFT to offer first time riders a $20 credit by using the code: JACKALOPEARTS

At the Fair:

• Do a lap first and make sure you check it all out before making purchases, and then using your previously created shopping lists, get down to business! 
• Getting hungry? Don't let hunger slow you down, we will have a bunch of vendors selling prepackaged treats and Food trucks in both Pasadena and Phoenix, and indoor Food vendors in Denver! 
• Since Pasadena and Phoenix are both outside feel free to bring blankets and picnic on the grass if you need a shopping breather! 
• Over 21? In Denver make your shopping experience more enjoyable and grab a holiday inspired cocktail at the bar!
• From everyone you purchase from make sure to get their business card and sign up for the mailing list if they have one, that way you can be kept in the loop on all of your favorites artists! 
• And if you loved Jackalope, like we hope you did, join our mailing list so you will be the first to know when we come back in town! 

Cheers and thank you for choosing Jackalope for all of your holiday shopping needs ;)

• What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 
  There are so many talented makers in the natural soap, bath and body category that we count on our unique packaging to catch the consumer's eye. We just introduced our newly designed packaging this spring. We made a dramatic shift to high gloss black PET bottles, jars and pumps. The new packaging, all recyclable, is rich looking, gender neutral, and complements most bathroom décor. In addition, Spinster Sisters has opted to offer its 8.5 oz. body butter in a vintage style letterpress printed compostable and recyclable box. While we traditionally operate under a "less is more" philosophy when it comes to packaging, the addition of the box enhances the body butter's selling position as a gift item and offers unique color coded labels which easily identify the product's unique essence. For example, pink for rose, purple for lavender, red for peppermint tea tree.

• What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
  My fellow creative makers inspire me. I have met so many amazing and talented crafters, makers, artists and all around great people through my years selling at indoor and outdoor markets, festivals, and fairs. Their enthusiasm and support for this way of life keeps me motivated and creating new products for my business. My husband, Craig, is not only the love of my life, but my true source of inspiration and support for the path I have chosen. I would be remiss not to mention the example my parents set for me as a child. They have worked their entire lives to give all six of us the strength and fortitude to take on this sometimes daunting task of running our own businesses. Last, nature, the rugged Colorado mountains, beautiful vistas, hiking and biking all provide a source of inspiration and serve to reenergize me.
   
• When do you feel the most creative?
  About 2am, when I am trying to sleep!  I can come up with all kinds of amazing, and far-fetched ideas in the middle of the night. Which, of course, does not at all help me to fall back asleep.  I want to get up and create.  My husband has come down and find me elbows deep in a new product formulation at 3am before.  He just rolls his eyes and goes back to bed.
   
• What is your creative process like?
  A lot of research, a lot of making, testing, and remaking formulas, a lot of using my friends and family as “Guinea Pigs” to help test and refine the formulas, and a lot of playing with packaging and labels.

• Where can we learn more about you?  

www.spinstersistersco.com

http://www.spinstersistersco.com/About-Us_ep_7.html

How would you describe your style? 

Our style can simply be described as "Vintage"!!

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 

We commission small independent artists to draw vintage style hand-sketched artwork for our product packaging. This really helps set us apart in the industry by giving our products more of a personal touch. We also take pride in providing our customers with quality all-natural products backed by stellar customer service and feel that this really sets us apart from other beard care companies in the industry!

What sort of things inspire you? 

Pretty much anything that smells nice! We are constantly searching for new scent ideas for future product development and tend to find ourselve in local soap shops searching for new inspirations.

Where can we learn more about you?  

• www.VintageBeards.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/vintagebeards
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/vintagebeardco
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/vintagebeardco

Anything you'd like to add that I didn't ask....?

Trends Come and Go... Vintage Lives Forever!

Jackalope Arts filled the EXDO Event center with nearly 200 top notch artisans for a Summer shopping extravaganza on July 25th & 26th!  Within 1 hour of opening, the Fair had over 500 people through the door and the crowd continued to flow in over the weekend.  One attendee said it perfectly, "The vendors were AWESOME!"

Our Fair entrance welcomed guests with the Sophisticates Tea Truck selling fresh iced Chai & Black Tea!  Perfect for the warm day and sold out by the end of the weekend!  With a fresh iced, caffeinated drink in hand, attendees went head first into shopping two huge rooms full of bright and exciting vendors with an alley of even more vendors connecting them.  Some shoppers even came on Saturday to make the rounds and see everything and then came BACK on Sunday to make all of their purchases!  Now that's dedication.  

We love our vendors with a good sense of humor keeping the weekend light and happy!

Kids and adults alike had some hand on fun at our workshop station throughout the weekend making hula hoops, dolls, buttons and more!  And who doesn't love a beautiful henna tattoo to decorate yourself!

THANK YOU DENVER for an incredible weekend!!

If you missed our first Jackalope Art & Craft Fair in Denver, don't worry!  We are coming back again just in time to start your Holiday shopping in November!  Keep an eye on our Holiday Shopping Fair dates TBA at http://www.jackalopeartfair.com/denver/

Want to vend at the next one?  Apply online by September 19th:  http://www.jackalopeartfair.com/applydenver/

On any given weekend in Denver, you could make your way out to a handful of uniquely artistic and handmade events.  

While we gear up for our Artisan Mixer this weekend, we're excited to check out as many local fairs and festivals as we can!  

Check out some of the awesome happenings this weekend in Denver!

We're so excited to check out Denver People's Fair, and listen to some up and coming acts.

We can't wait to taste some of the delicious choices that The Big Wonderful has in store.

Many cities have their own versions of chalk art festivals.  We're really looking forward to seeing what Denver has in store for their Chalk Art Festival this weekend!

Friday Night Bazaar, a sister event of The Big Wonderful, is a weekly occurring event in Denver that we're happy to check out.

Join us in supporting these local fairs, and many more in the Denver area and shop local!

Owner of I Heart Denver Store, Creative Director of Artstir, and VP of Chapter Development at AIGA Colorado

Q. Tell us a little about yourself & your background in the arts & crafts world?           

A. I am the Owner of the I Heart Denver Store, an innovative, award-winning retail model developed to support Denver’s creative economy. The store carries 100% local art and design goods and has returned an unprecedented 70% of sales to more than 160 artists/designers over the last 3 years. To date, the store has sold over $2.1 million in local design goods, and roughly $1.4 million of that money was paid directly back to the artists and designers for the sales of their goods. I also work with Denver Pavilions to implement programming and events to activate the Denver's downtown creative culture. 

Q. What/who is your biggest inspiration?   

A. The DIY movement in general. It inspires me to see how much we can make with our hands and new technology. 

Q. How did you get into your position in the arts & crafts world?

A. While pursuing my creative education I took part time work that gained me sales and management experience. After 4.5 years of college I was able to secure a visual display position at Urban Outfitters, then moved into leadership roles in other corporations and small businesses. After several years of helping companies with new store builds, team building, and marketing I took the initiative to self produce art exhibitions and events that led to an invite by the city of Denver to run a one week pop-up store. The press and sales potential of that first pop-up store is what lead to the retail program I run today. 

Q. Tell us about a few favorites of your: Animal?

A. My favorite animal is my best buddy Denver Picard. He is my corgi and shop dog. A favorite at the Denver Pavilions, he has won a tourism award and a couple Best of Denver awards from Denver Westword. 

Q. What do you love most about the handmade movement?

A. The handmade movement has allowed passions to become careers, and new businesses to pursue a sustainable path more so than ever before. 

Q. What is the most important feature in an artist's application for you?

A. The imagery. Professional and complete works that show me something ready to sell. 

Q. What are you most looking forward to in being a part of the Jackalope Arts jury? 

A. Seeing works not just produced in Colorado. My projects usually are geared to a hyperlocal stance which I wholeheartedly believe in, but an opportunity to get to curate from outside my normal region is a nice break. 

Q. Where can we find out more about you?

A. I keep my professional profile updated on Linkedin and you can find fun stuff I post on Facebook. http://facebook.com/samuelschimek https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelschimek

Denver Fashion Truck is a mobile boutique owned and operated by husband &  wife, Adrian & Desiree- “Mobility for Denver’s Art and Fashion”

Q. Tell us a little about yourself & your background in the arts & crafts world?                                                                                              

A. (Desiree) I am a maker myself. Mostly dresses and home décor.       (Adrian) I have always been an artist, drawing, graffiti art, and I am currently in school obtaining my BFA in fine arts and communication design. So naturally we found ourselves indulging in arts and craft, not just as artists but as fans too. Eventually we came to want to offer these goods to the public.                                                                          

Q. What/who is your biggest inspiration?                                             

A. (Desiree) My husband and our daughters. They inspire me and push me to be the best I can be.                                                    (Adrian) I simply want to create awesome things and then share them with people, that's what inspires me. 

Q. How did you get into your position in the arts & crafts world?

A. (Desiree) My husband and I were sharing vendor booths at different events. We had wanted a boutique for years. We followed our path and a year and a half ago DFT was born.                                      (Adrian) Well as artists we wanted to get exposure, we worked a few of Fashion Denver events then we wanted to start establishing ourselves with our own events/business and share our work. This is after hitting a few dead ends with potential outlets for our work. So we figured if we want to perform, first we have to build the stage, hence Denver Fashion Truck. 

Q. Tell us about a few favorites of your: Weekend activity? Food? Color? Animal?

A. (Desiree) I love exploring our city and small mountain towns on our days off. I love a perfect hamburger. The color purple has always been my favorite and I’d have to say the fox is my favorite animal and dogs!                                                                                                       (Adrian) I love the mountains and exploring mountain towns! My favorite color is orange, you either hate it or love it nonetheless it's funky, fun and synonymous with my favorite time of year, autumn! My favorite food is Mexican! Isn't everybody's favorite food Mexican? But seriously street tacos! Com'on now!. I really need a favorite animal in my life, I like everything furry at the zoo except for tarantulas. My dog is pretty awesome too. 

Q. What do you love most about the handmade movement?

A. (Desiree) I love seeing the growth especially in our home town. Being a native, it’s such an inspiration to see what a community the handmade market has become.                                                     (Adrian) I like that it employees makers and creative types! It's also an awesome stage for us, It's more personalized, 

Q. What is the most important feature in an artist's application for you?

A. (Desiree) Passion + execution.                                                               (Adrian) I think it's important for an artist to be aware of their branding and to see that awareness from a potential customers view. 

Q. What are you most looking forward to in being a part of the Jackalope Arts jury? 

A. We are excited to see all the different applications come through, to see what others are doing in the handmade community.

Q. Where can we find out more about you?

A. Check out our revamped website. Set to launch April 2015. www.denverfashiontruck.com