1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?

We got our start in the handmade community as members of Ladies Fancywork
Society, which began with us putting up yarnbombs around town ten years
ago, and has evolved into creating large scale crochet art installations!
Five years ago, two of us started Lowbrow as a way to approach art from
another avenues as well.

2. What/Who is your biggest inspiration?

Lisa Frank, weed, and glitter.

3. Tell us a few favorites of yours (animal, tv show, weekend
activity,food etc)?

We're big fans of Supernatural, ponies, tacos, and rooftop patios!

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

It's so amazing to see the variety out there, and how differently people
approach the creative process to make something unique, whether that's
through their methods or materials.

5. What is the important feature in an artists application for you?

Originality, branding, creativity, and definitely good photos!

6. What are you looking forward to the most in joining the jury panel with
Jackalope?

We're excited about getting to see some artists and creators that we may
not have had the opportunity to see before!

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community? 

Hmmmm, that's a tricky one. I've made things all my life I guess, I was raised by 2 artists so it's always been around me. Not to say all who are raised by artists become artists, but I fell in love with it.  I went to school first at DU then CU Boulder for my BFA in printmaking and BA in Religious Studies. I loved printmaking and textiles and that sort of led me into fabric.  For my BFA show I made the 2 outfits my Great Great Grandparents were wearing in these photos I had of them.  They were made out of paper. I made the paper, dyed it sepia to match the subjects, printed the fabric textures like lace and twill, and sewed the garments on a machine.  I was really interested in textiles in general and sewing seemed to be the best way to integrate texture and pattern into every day life, so I started making clothes. Poorly. 

I decided to go to NYC because doesn't every girl interested in fashion, or anything for that matter? haha. I got my Patternmaking Certificate from the Fashion Institute of Technology and stayed for another year before moving back to Denver, where I discovered the Denver Design Incubator.  They were sort of in a state of flux, as they had just moved locations, lost some members, etc and I submitted and was accepted to be the Creative Director there.  I put in place, (with a wonderful team of badass ladies) new pay structures, a few more specialty machines, staffing, and we did some cool workshops.  It was a wonderful experience and I'm so happy they are still a resource available in Denver for young designers, but my sister decided to open a shop, so there I went, to open Studio Colfax.

2. What/Who is your biggest inspiration? 

Oh gosh so many.  I just saw the exhibit of Georgia O'Keeffe's wardrobe at the Brooklyn Museum, and damn she was amazing. Such a pioneer and so firm in what she was doing.  I guess they call that prolific, it's what I strive to be in my work.  My dad is also a big inspiration.  He's had such a commitment to his art through the years. He is always experimenting outside of his medium which I think is so important for an artist, to keep a fresh perspective, to integrate something new, unknown. 

3. Tell us a few favorites of yours (animal, tv show, weekend activity, food etc)?

My dog Emerald Louise is the most wonderful thing in my life. Animals really teach you unconditional love, it's such an awesome lesson for humans. I love yoga, Iyengar yoga.  The teachers and community in Denver are the best and the practice makes me so focused in my life.

Broad City, my god when is it coming back?  I dream of making something for Ilana to wear, or Abby.  They are some funny and talented ladies who can inspire us to just do us.   

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

That it's personal.  It's about connecting to a person who put their energy and straight up blood and sweat into creating something unique.  Creating something that then goes on to live a life, be worn, used, carried into a new world.  I always think about what I've made, and where it's now been.   

Studio Colfax

5. What is the most important feature in an artists application for you?

I like a good story, but PHOTOS! If this is the only way I can see your product, it's got to be well lit and not have a busy background.  Show it's use, it's life, it's character. 

6. What are you looking forward to the most in joining the jury panel with Jackalope?

I love discovering new artists.  Meeting people who are doing different and meaningful work in the world is really what we need right now. There's so much talent out there and I love to support that.   

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?                                                     Before it was a business, Dryland Wilds started as a list of what we most love to do.  It looked like this:

• foraging out in the desert + mountains
• ancient perfume and cosmetic formulas 
• backpacking with our niece + nephews 
• handmade cosmetics 
• tea parties with wild foods
• drawing animals in outfits
• botanical perfume  

We are plant nerds from way back, and have always spent our free time out wildcrafting, drying herbs and cooking up beautiful wild products to use in the bath.  A year ago we turned this hobby into a full time business.  We haven’t looked back.

2. What or Who Inspires you? 

Being out on the land long enough for local wildlife to check you out.  Smelling a flower or leaf for the first time.  Walking for days and not seeing another person.  Monsoon desert bloom.  Learning new uses of a hated plant.  Sipping cota tea by the campfire while listening to coyote chatter.  New Mexico’s full year of blue sky and sunshine. The smell of the desert right before it rains.  Going to sleep on giant rocks.  Miles and miles of open space.  

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

There are certain times (spring bloom - monsoon rains - fall evenings) when the air in the desert is perfume itself.  Warm winds scrub oil-laden plants, tiny blooming flowers, rocks, soil and campfires -- and carry these fragrance molecules to your nose.  They catch on your clothing, hair and skin.  You come back from a harvest washed in these scents and don’t want to lose them.  Our endless quest is capturing this smell memory and blending it into a wearable desert perfume.  

We do a lot of our work out in the field. We’re a little crazy and will cart enfleurage chassis, jars, oil and presses way the flip out there, just to be able to bottle the exact scent of a particular wildflower in bloom.  Back at the workshop, we distill directly into our wildcrafted infusions (borrowing from a classical attar technique) and blend these unique desert elixirs with other precious botanicals to fix and harmonize the scents. 

We choose to harvest invasive plants and common plants to bring attention to issues of land stewardship.  Many of these loathed plants have incredible fragrance or healing properties, while at the same time some of the more popular wild plants are under incredible over-harvesting pressure.  Prioritizing helpful invasives for our perfume harvest we can both educate and support the wild spaces we love so much.   

4. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

Creativity is infinite and accessible to anyone who stops long enough to hear it.

5. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope? 

Wildcrafted desert perfumes + skincare products that transport you to the wild spaces they come from.

6. Where can we learn more about you? 

Our Website:  https://www.drylandwilds.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drylandwilds/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dryland-Wilds-1208362802529941/

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community? 

I want to say that is a loaded question...when I was 7 I used to make bracelets and trinkets and open up the window on our porch and sell my wares to the kids on my street. Pretty sure I took most of their allowances. But other than that I have always worked with my hands in one way or another. I am always finding something new to create. 

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

I have a tattoo like style but with a feminine touch. I love perfect lines, but I also love color, so finding ways to bring that to life using the inspiration around me. I love combining things like mountains and unicorns, or showing my spirit animal of the moment, like my llama.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Outside...My husband and I get antsy, and so we are always booking flights to our bucket list destinations. That is how Vela even came about. We were in Italy on a rainy day and we just were looking out at the Mediterranean from our apartment, and I just drew all day. I drew the whale that adorns a few of our clothes and now is permanently tattooed on my right arm as a reminder. When we are home we are always hiking, skiing, or playing in the mountains with our dogs, and through those hours of moving and meandering through the Rockies create even more endless inspirations.

4. What is your creative process like?

I start with a small notebook and pen when out and about or traveling, this allows me to sketch in an instant, and get the gist of the idea down. Then I take a picture of it with my ipad to then sketch it fully with the apple pen. This device has changed my world. Having been a graphic designer for years, I love being able to tweak things, or experiment without the permanence of a pen. The ipad is perfect for that. Now I can have 10 different versions of the mane on the horse before I decide on exactly the one I like. From there I take it into the computer to finish it, and pick colors for our clothing. Then I get to hand it off to my husband and our good friends at Trick Threads where we get to print everything. When I have the time I even get to go in and print myself which is a blast, but luckily I have other amazing people to help with this part.

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

Trust your creativity, especially when you think it looks like poop...its like a challenge that you get to figure your way out of. Oh and take a freakin' leap. You are talented, trust it!

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

My newest favorite things...I have been doing elaborate watercolor paintings of our travels and turning them into iconic hats with the painting embedded into them. You have to see them! Also tons of tank tops and layering pieces to wear through the rest of the summer and into the fall. Knowing me there will be one or two new designs by then as well.

7. Where can we learn more about you?

Check out our site: www.velaapparel.com or follow us on insta @velaapparel

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community? 
After my mom took me to my first art show when I was 12, I knew I wanted in on the action.  I went to school for painting and after graduation I got into the art show scene.  My favorite part is meeting artists and makers from all over the world, I have met some amazingly talented people!
 

2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
I've been creating paintings of honeybears for over seven years now.  My first honeybear painting was a gift for my dad for inspiring me to be an artist and pushing me to go to art school.  The honeybears represent the time in my life when my family would sit down for dinner and before we said the blessing the honeybear had to be on the table.  Whatever bread we had for dinner, we would put honey on it and it would be dessert.  When I first showed the honeybears at my first art festival I found out that other people had a connection with this silly little bear and kept on painting them! 
 

3. What or Who Inspires you?
Some of my favorite painters who inspire me are Duane Keiser and Carol Marine - I got to take week long workshops from them and both workshops were incredible!  I also love Janet Fish's work, her early work really made me fall in love with painting. 😍
 

4. What is your creative process like?
I paint in a lot of layers.  I work on a lot of paintings at the same time - my favorite part is starting a painting.  I work on each painting for an hour or so then let it dry and work on another while its drying.  All my paintings start in acrylic, then I do a last layer of oil paint.  There are paintings all over my studio and all over my house.  
 

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?                                                               So when I was just starting out I set up my art at this realty open house, I was set up in a house they were trying to sell. It was one of the first little shows I did after college and I don't think I sold anything. I had a mess of random paintings and I didn't know what I was doing or even what I was supposed to do. Another artist took a look at my paintings of honeybears, landscapes, portraits, and all these random foods I painted and told me that I needed to become "the honeybear lady" - that I could still paint whatever I wanted but to really push the honeybears and make it my thing. So for the next few years I really worked toward being that honeybear girl and its really helped people know who I am and get my paintings out there. Thats been the best tip I've ever received for sure!

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?
Honeybears!  And other fun, colorful paintings of flowers, hot sauce, and whatever I decide to paint before the show!  I will be driving out to Colorado for the summer in my airstream trailer, I will be coming from Asheville, North Carolina but my studio is in Birmingham, Alabama - so you can expect to see some paintings from my travels out west in my airstream named Norma Faye.  
 

7. Where can we learn more about you?

I post a lot on my instagram page @jaynemorganart and facebook.com/jaynemorganart

You can also find more info on my website jaynemorgan.com and my etsy shop!

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?

I have been an artist since I can remember, I knew at a young age that I wanted to make things with my hands. After graduating Stetson University with a degree in fine art I began showing my sculptural work with local galleries in the Washington DC metro area. After several years of working with these galleries I realized I wanted to reach a wider audience with a functional piece of art. I had plenty of scrap wood lying around my shop which otherwise would go to waste and decided to make bowties out of this material. With the success of the bow ties SwitchWood was born and I started creating other handcrafted men's fashion accessories.

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

SwitchWood is the first interchangeable wooden bow tie that allows the wearer to remove the wooden wings and switch them with a different type of wood or wing shape. SwitchWood uses recycled and reclaimed materials such as whiskey barrels and skateboards to create a wide range of accessories from bow ties to sunglasses.  

3. What or Who Inspires you? 

I started my career as a graffiti artist and have always been inspired by low brow / street art. It has allowed me to think abstractly especially with subverting materials and using them in unique interesting ways.  

4. What is your creative process like?

I like to jump into ideas and get my hands dirty right off the bat. I find that ideas build off each other and morph into unforeseen directions organically. Final products are not always intentional and can grow from a primitive idea. Doors open and new possibilities arise that wouldn't happen if you sit around waiting for an epiphany.   

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

"Inspiration is for amateurs — the rest of us just show up and get to work" - Chuck Close

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

 I will have a wide range of fashion accessories to include wooden bowties, cuff links, tie clips, earrings and sunglasses. I will also have collection of wooden bar accessories to include flasks, bottle stoppers and bottle openers.  

7. Where can we learn more about you? 

To lean more about SwitchWood and to see our product line visit www.switchwood.com  also check out my artist website www.drewstormgraham.com

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?

I've always loved making things. The first piece of jewelry I made was a pair of earrings for a friend's birthday in first grade. I grew up in a crafty household, learned traditional crafts in 4-H club, and went to school for Jewelry and Metalsmithing. Now, I make jewelry out of my basement studio.

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

What makes my work unique is in the tiny details. I rarely use any pre-fabricated components, so I can say each piece is 100% handmade. I combine many processes, such as casting and lapidary, and use new and found objects to make jewelry that I want to wear. I think everyone has a personal making style and even if the artist can't see it, others do.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

I really love making jewelry from materials that already have a story. I’m constantly looking for small, forgotten objects that have come from the ground. Rocks, crystals, old pottery and silverware are a few of my favorite found objects.

4.What is your creative process like?

My process changes depending on the project I’m working on, or what I feel like making that day. I usually come up with ideas at very inconvenient times, so I write them down on scraps of paper until I can draw the idea in my sketchbook. I have pages of designs to reference when I get stuck. Sometimes I work very technically, drawing and measuring out a piece I have in mind. Other times, I dig through my stones and ceramic fragments to find a piece that inspires me, then I design jewelry around that.

5.What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

“Pretend to be making something until you actually make something.”

From Austin Kleon's book : Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I have been designing a new jewelry collection for this summer that I will be showcasing at Jackalope this July. The new line is inspired by my collection of antique drawer pulls, broken china and semi precious stones. Some of my favorite pieces include antique china rings and with sparkly agate pendant necklaces.

 7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can view my work at: www.instagram.com/spelunkjewelry

1. How did you get your start in the handmade community? 

I got my start designing women's attire and a few accessory items. I was involved with Fashion Denver, participating in many fashion shows and events, I sold my work through ETSY and several local Denver boutiques. Now after taking some time out of the game and re-focusing my collection I have realized that my love of leather & bags is strong enough to fuel its own exclusive line, and brazen was born. 

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

My pieces reflect an aesthetic of unusual beauty, by combining my own original embroidered artwork with the textures and patterns of luxury textiles, leather and fur. I am able to create not just another piece of fashion, but a piece of fashion that compliments its owner's own unique beauty and personality, inspiring one to indulge their own brazenness, boldly and without shame.

      3. What or Who Inspires you?

I grew up in a family of artists, and was exposed to all kinds of art from a very young age. From taxidermy to fashion design, my inspirations have a large range. What is a constant inspiration to me are things that are uniquely, sometimes even strangely beautiful. 

4. What is your creative process like?

Sometimes imagery sparks the process, other times it might be a beautiful piece of fabric or leather.  Either way, one thing brings ideas for the other. I love the contrast between light feminine details and the masculine weight of leather hides, so balancing those two is always the most exciting part for me. 

5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?

'What it means to the artist and what it means to the audience do not always have to be the same thing.'

6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

Beautiful combinations of luxury textiles, leather, fur, embroidered artwork, all wrapped up in gorgeous functional bags of all sizes, as well as smaller giftable items such as key chains, aprons, sleep masks, book marks and throw pillows.

7. Where can we learn more about you?

www.brazenthreads.com

1. What is TRIBE?

TRIBE is a creative collaboration between Rebecca Taylor (fashion designer) and Sarah Hidey (international development/nonprofit consultant) – launched in 2016 as a fashion social enterprise. 

History of Tribe (aka How TRIBE was breathed into life): We are two independent women who have worked and lived around the US and the world, and we strongly believe that women of all ethnicity and walks of life, wherever they live, should have the opportunity to thrive & to live abundant lives. Lives where they can have fulfilling employment that allows them to provide for their families through a living wage, learn new skills and be empowered to follow their passions and dreams. Unfortunately, in many parts of the world, and even here in Denver, many women (such as refugees and women living in poverty) face extreme barriers to employment, a lack of skills and a lack of opportunities that are not exploitative and unsafe. With a commitment to empowering women, a love for fashion that is ethically produced, and inspired by the vibrant fabrics from around the world, TRIBE was born. TRIBE is fair trade.

2. How did you get your name? 

Where the name TRIBE came from: We truly believe that no matter where we are, as woman, we are part of a larger tribe of women who want the same things: purpose, love, to provide for our families, good health, to thrive and be inspired. And this inspires us to connect women around the world so that they can support each other. 

Here is a video from our launch in 2016: https://vimeo.com/176240438 

3. How did you get your start in the handmade community? 

TRIBE was launched in 2016 – after about a year of dreaming and developing samples! Rebecca and Sarah were roommates in Denver for a year – and during that time Rebecca would often design and make beautiful dresses and skirts – and Sarah would be the lucky one who got to model them! During this time Rebecca had her own label, R. Lee, and she worked for a larger apparel company as a designer. (Note: visit our website for Sarah and Rebecca’s background – Rebecca has been a fashion designer for 12+ years and Sarah has worked in the nonprofit/international development sector for the same amount of time).

One day the dream was born – to merge Sarah’s expertise in social enterprise and international development and Rebecca’s creative talent and expertise in fashion design into a fashion line that is globally inspired (fabrics from around the world), locally designed (in Denver), and that has a greater purpose (to empower women through ethical employment in the US and in Cambodia).  Sarah had worked around the world and had boxes of beautiful fabrics from Africa and Asia. In 2015 and 2016, Rebecca began creating prototypes from these fabrics and TRIBE worked with local refugees and a local sewing studio employing women with barriers to employment to produce the initial samples. 

4. What makes your work unique and truly your own?

TRIBE is unique because of our approach to fashion and the story behind the clothing. Our solution to the exploitation and low wages prevalent in the global fashion industry is a fashion line that puts PEOPLE first, and not profit. It is a fashion line that is inspired BY women, purchased BY or FOR women and that benefits women globally.

Most fair trade women’s apparel fits in one of two categories (1) beautiful, modern and flattering styles that do not have a “global” element (i.e., they look like normal clothing but they happen to be fair trade—which is GREAT!), or (2) Apparel that is clearly “ethnic” and global in its aesthetics but that is not modern or stylish. (i.e., you will find a lot of this in typical fair-trade stores). 

TRIBE sits at the intersection of ethical employment, globally inspired fabrics and flattering design. We are unique because of the bold, colorful, global fabrics in the most flattering and stylish designs—great for professional settings as well as informal settings. 

5. What or Who Inspires you?

Above all else, we are inspired by the strong and passionate women we’ve had the opportunity to meet around the world. It is their hope, joy, culture, and beautiful/colorful fabrics they wear that are the inspiration for our line. We are truly GLOBALLY inspired. Every piece in our collection is inspired by a region of the world – at the Jackelope market you will see pieces from our Africa-Inspired collection as well as new releases from our Asia-inspired collection. 

We are also inspired by strong women, such as Maya Angelou (our first bag was called the Maya Make-up bag), all the men and women who are dedicating their lives to serving refugees and other vulnerable populations around the world, as well as female social entrepreneurs who are paving the way in ethical, sustainable fashion & accessories: such as the founders of Soko, Raven + Lily and Tonle. 

Sarah has had the privilege of working with amazing social innovators around the world who are using business means to accomplish a social mission --- and their stories inspire us both to use our business to promote PEOPLE and not PROFIT. 

6. What is your creative process like?

Rebecca is the designer, but both collections (Africa and the upcoming Asia one) are inspired by both Rebecca’s and Sarah’s travels and experiences. We keep a Pinterest board where inspiration is added on a regular basis. Rebecca often has the vision for the design, and together we find and source amazing fabrics that are bold and bright. 

In November 2016, Sarah and Rebecca traveled to Cambodia together to meet with nonprofit partners as well as to source fabric. One day as we were walking around Phnom Penh, seeing the temples and museums, we were struck by the beautiful red, gold and orange hues around us. We immediately began talking about a collection that had those colors at its core – we really felt that they embodied the beautiful culture we witnessed. Then, as we went to the markets to find fabrics – we used this inspiration to select fabrics from Indonesia and Cambodia. 

Rebecca is constantly experimenting with new designs and new products, such as bags. We are excited to release a new change purse at the Jackalope market! 

7. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

You will see dresses and skirts from both our African-Wax print collection as well as new releases from our Asia Collection. Retail prices range from $98 to $150, but we will be offering some special sales for Jackalope! Stay tuned! We will have three bags: the Maya makeup bag, the Channery change purse and our new essential oil/lipstick bag. TRIBE partners with refugees in the United States and women who are survivors of trafficking in Cambodia to produce all of its apparel. Lastly, we have men’s and women’s t-shirts that are screenprinted by a local Denver nonprofit that employs homeless youth, Sox Place. 

10% of all sales will be donated to Children’s Future International – a Denver-based organization that provides education and child protection services to vulnerable children in rural Cambodia. 

8. Where can we learn more about you?

www.togetherwearetribe.com

Instagram: @togetherwearetribe

Facebook: www.facebook.com/togetherwearetribe

How would you describe your style?
My style can be labeled as a mix between contemporary and rustic with a minimalistic approach. The forms tend to be simplistic with a focus on functionality, where as the designs and alterations have a contemporary flare. The color palette of my glazes have a rustic tone with soft and subdued colors reminiscent of elements of nature like the ocean and the grains of sand from the beach. These colors are formed through my firing process and the types of Clay that I use. There are a lot of artists that I look up to whether the art is 3-D or 2-D doesn't matter. They range from painter Georgia Okeefe to potter Martha Grover to the Sculptures from Picasso but I don't try to incorporate their styles and influence into my work because their style is their own and my style is my own. 

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
Every goal for an artist or maker is to have a signature style or creative stamp, mine comes through my carving on my pottery and through the forms I use for functional ware. Some of my forms aren't traditional but I have the users comfort in mind. Take for example a coffee mug, some of my mugs have a wavy lip Rim that make it more comfortable to use. If you don't believe me try it out ;)

What is your creative process like?
My process all focused around producing one form or style at one time. When I get an idea for a new piece I'll make 50-100 of that same item with little alterations to find the perfect most functional yet beautiful form. Then I'll continue to produce that altered item. Then all the greenware is put through a bisque firing, then the pieces are glazes with a homemade glaze recipe, then fired to 2300 degrees in a reduction gas kiln. 

Where can you learn more about me?
You can visit me at work at my studio in Evergreen, CO or you can visit my website. I post constant shop updates on Instagram as well. 
http://www.lessismoreceramicdesign.com
Instagram: lessismoreceramicdesign