1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?  I’ve been drawn to creating and promoting handmade creations from a young age. When I was younger, I’d go to work with my mom who was a graphic designer and worked in an office full of women owned businesses. There I’d sit under her desk and draw…sometimes on the walls… and make things from everyday objects. I was incredibly fortunate that the designers, architects, and other professional women in the office would buy my colored paperclips and eraser sculptures and show me what it was like to support each other and the joy of having someone want something made by hand. This feeling of community around creation was present through my college experience where I studied theatre – the art of creating what you need because there’s never enough in the budget to “just go buy it.” I also started working for an American craft artist/ gallery at that time and fell in love with the idea of art being accessible for anyone.

2. What/Who is your biggest inspiration? My biggest inspiration is my mom,  Ann, who is the other half of Period Six Studio. She always taught me that people, no matter how different, have shared experiences and their stories are worth listening to and retelling. 

3. Tell us a few favorites of yours (animal, tv show, weekend activity, food etc)? A few of my favorite things… polka dots, rusty things, my dog Malcolm and husband Toby, Gilmore Girls, Broadway musicals, and a beer & chocolate combo to top off a day of bump skiing.

4. What do you love most about the handmade movement?  My favorite part of the handmade movement is seeing how people who where displaced from jobs in the recession or found that there were no jobs for them out of college have carved out places for themselves. By taking nontraditional career paths they’ve had to build upon what lights them up. I feel privileged watching aritsts grow and change and feel honored when they trust us to tell their stories.

5. What is the most important feature in an artists application for you? For me the work itself is the most important feature. The joy, thoughtfulness and attention to detail is all reflected in the work itself. That being said, make sure there’s good pictures to represent it in the best light.

6. What are you looking forward to the most in joining the jury panel with Jackalope? I am excited to join the jury panel to meet other people who share my passion of the handmade and to see the scope of what people are creating!

How would you describe your style?  
I would say my style is classic,  timeless,  and rocker chic. 

Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to? 
There are too many amazingly talented and inspiring Professionals to mention all that have had influence on me.  But,  here is a list of the ones who consistently hit a chord in chorus with my messaging and design aesthetic in no particular order: Vivienne Westwood,  Betsey Johnson,  Lee Alexander McQueen,  Ralph Lauren

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 
I have always had a great sense of style,  pattern,  and color story in regards to design.  My intention to be zero waste in design and production whenever/ wherever I can puts a unique fingerprint on Equillibrium designs and products...  from its story of inspiration to pattern design,  materials selection,  and production.  My background in Environmental Health,  Hazardous Waste Management,  and Green Building lends a lot to my design process and Executive decisions regarding my Company as a sustainable street brand.  Equillibrium is a brand to believe in,  trust,  and wear proudly for what is represents.

What sort of things inspire you?  
I'd say as a designer,  inspiration always comes from a feeling I am trying to express.  I commonly use messaging as print inspirations,  provoked by issues to grow awareness towards,  esp. with regards to sustainability. 

Where do you look for inspiration? 
Sources where I find inspiration vary,  but most commonly are:  All of nature,  music I love, the lifestyle I live and love,  my Heritage,  cultures I love,  animals I love,  science,  fashion I love...  things I love inspire me.

What is your creative process like?  
Starts with notes, as reference for concept...  then it is playing the vision to envoke the feeling and refine the concept to silhouette and color story,  to a soundtrack on the runway.  As my line is developed,  it is split into looks that are couture for retail/  custom orders and looks that are ready to wear for wholesale.  
 

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?  I will have to quote Jane Hamill of Fashion Brain Academy,  "done is better than perfect".  As a cursed perfectionist creative Virgo,  this saying has helped me move forward in moments of paralysis.  It can apply to anything.  Whenever I feel stuck,  I literally hear that and get on with it.

Where can we learn more about you? 
 www.equillibrium.com

Shop handmade for the holidays at Jackalope Denver's Indie Artisan Fair next weekend, December 9th & 10th! Here is a simple A to Z guide that offers something for everyone on your holiday shopping list!

Acid Hair Glitter specializes in all things related to having the most glitter-filled hair in the galaxy!

Beard Oil by Two Ravens Soaps is the perfect luxury any dull beard is in search of!

Copper Mug by Lunazul Gallery is a necessity for the holiday edition moscow mule being shaken up in your kitchen this season.

Diffuser Necklace by Tin Lizzie adds a modern touch to traditional aromatherapy, with this oil infused necklace to support you on the road to your best self.

Embroidery by Olander Co draws inspiration from beautiful Colorado in these delightful embroidery hoops.

Fanny Pack by Fortnight Company is a stunning gift for any adventurer who can’t be bothered with anything getting in their way!

Genius Handcarved Wooden Dice by Boxwood Pinball for the modern board-gamer looking to go beyond traditions.

Honey by Bjorns adds a bit of sweetness to anyone's day, one teaspoon at a time!

Icelandic Reindeer Fleece by Vela Apparel to bring back some of the magical Christmas spirit we can always use more of!

Jewel Tone Boho Sway Earrings by Mile High Beads are for the “day to night” woman who needs accessories to keep up with her lifestyle.

Kimono by Twirl is perfect for the casual errand run, lavish night out, or anything in between!

Lollipops by Sweet Caroline Confections are the sweet addict’s dream… although, they’re almost too pretty to eat!

Macrame Wall Hanging by Rustic Sage Designs for those vintage - obsessed, looking to fill that boring white wall.

“Nuts about Donuts” Art Print by Kelsey M Designs for the donut lovers… aka anyone and everyone!

Ornament by The Furnace Glassworks will steal the spotlight from any ordinary set of decor!

Pickles by The Good Jar has so many varieties to choose from, with Bread and Butter being one of the most popular; no sweet pickles can compare!

Quilted Baby Blanket by Fiber Relics will have your little one so comfy & cozy, they will be howling at the moon!

Rosemary Cedar Candle by Light Provisions is great for those attempting to bring the outdoors into their home, with the scent of freshly cut lumber and aromatic herbs.

Sangria Wine Slushy Mix by Nectar of the Vine puts a twist on the traditional beverage, for those looking to switch it up!

Toffee by Vivian’s Gourmet is classically delicious with an instant mouthwatering effect at a mere glance!

Ultimate Skin Care Package by Moon Mother Medicinals consists of face serum, face wash, and cleansing grains for magically beautiful skin.

Vintage Blings by Booze Bling is for the host in your life, bringing a bit of fun & recognition to glasses everywhere!

Wrapping Paper by Revel & Co. adds a flawless last touch to any present!

Xmas Cards by Rum Bird Studio takes a unique twist on the typical cards, with these quirky illustrations.

Yarn Hand-dyed by Knit Stitch gives you the ideal materials to create something truly magical for your loved ones (or simply a gift for yourself!)

Zipper Pouch by CZ In Stitches has endless fabric options to choose from, for your ultimate essentials bag.

All of these items and more can be found at Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair's curated event with over 150 handmade artisans in the McNichols Building on December 9th and 10th in Downtown Denver.  The fair will be open from 10am to 5pm daily, so get your shopping lists ready!

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
Wood and Water believes in the empowering nature of taking responsibility for one's own health. We see so many people treat their bodies like a vehicle: any time the 'check engine' light comes on (a runny nose, trouble sleeping at night, tension headaches) they run to the mechanic (doctor, OTC meds, etc). When you clear the body of chemicals, and start treating your symptoms with natural remedies, you begin to become aware of what is truly ailing you; you become more in tune with what your body is trying to tell you.

Enter Wood and Water teas. Instead of reaching for that Tylenol PM to help you sleep, we recommend TranquiliTEA, which includes lavender, passionflower, and skullcap; these are medicines from the natural world to aid in sleep. Instead of grabbing that energy drink on your lunch break, we recommend brewing a cup of AuthoriTEA, our blend of lemon balm, red clover, and peppermint, designed to enhance your focus and allow for an alert mind.

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
Our inspiration comes from the people around us; our tea blends are specifically created for the people in our lives that we see struggling with common ailments and are unaware that if they give their body what it needs, it has the capacity to heal itself. Our tea blends are also directly influenced by the people we meet every weekend at fairs and festivals.

We are constantly being asked to create new blends to help with specific things, and our goal is to one day be able to accommodate every single one of these requests. We look for inspiration in the little things. We live off grid in a travel trailer at the top of a mountain in southern Colorado, and not a day goes by that we aren't inspired by the nature surrounding us. Being in nature is healing, and our tea blends are a tiny reflection of how healing nature truly is. 

When do you feel the most creative?
We are most creative in the mornings, drinking our coffee (yes, you read that right!), soaking up the scent of pine, cedar, and dirt.

What is your creative process like?
Our creative process? A lot of Pink Floyd, a lot of Dave Matthews, and a lot of market research.

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
Be okay with throwing something away. 

Where can we learn more about you?
www.woodandwater.org

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

I like art. I like Colorado. I like fashion. I like t-shirts. There you go.

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

I try to test the boundaries of what local street wear can be. Representing Colorado and pushing what is acceptable a little bit.

3. What or Who Inspires you? 

I get inspiration from all over. The great art scene in Denver, the beautiful Rocky Mountains, everyday life in general.

4. What is your creative process like?

It varies from sketching and going through various outcomes and ideas to jumping straight on the computer and designing.

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

Don't be afraid to fail.

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

Sweet t-shirts, sweaters, beanies and other random, radical things.

7. Where can we learn more about you? https://www.buckleyomega.com/

Meet Redemption Road Coffee, creators of craft coffee in Mead Colorado.

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
Our mission is what sets us apart.  We roast coffee with a much bigger cause in mind.

When you buy a freshly roasted bag of Redemption Road Coffee, you’re not just buying good coffee…You're supporting a cause.

You're supporting individual hardworking families all across the globe.

You're supporting my family in our mission to help people live more authentically both emotionally and spiritually.

You're joining a community of people with the desire and vision to make the world a better place.

Tell us about how you got started:
Aaron Harsch began roasting his own coffee in a whirleypop crank-handle popcorn maker in 2010. As he researched and experimented he began to perfect his roast creating a smooth, flavorful coffee. Friends would say “You make a great coffee!" and he and his wife would give their coffee as Christmas gifts. The Harsch’s home-roasted coffee was well-loved. 

During that time, Aaron, with the support of his wife Jessica, began a non-profit organization called Redemption Road. Redemption Road runs groups and weekend intensives that help men learn how to live in freedom. 

In the fall of 2015 a friend made a comment to Aaron in passing: "You should sell this coffee to support Redemption Road".  For some reason that idea hit home. Aaron started considering what it  would take to start a coffee roasting business.   That Thanksgiving, he and his wife decided they would make this a reality. They bought an industrial drum roaster, obtained the necessary licenses and opened for business.

Not only would this coffee support their own family, but they would give 10% of the profits away to help support Redemption Road and other great causes.  The Harsch’s also saw that they could support international families and communities from whom they sourced their coffees. This is why the descriptions on their coffees are so long.  They want you to know the whole story. They want you to know about the people who hand-picked the coffee cherries, and what they are using the profits for in their communities. 

What sort of things inspire you?
Excellent coffee with a cause;  seeing people gain freedom and healing and be the best version of a person they can be.

When do you feel the most creative?
When we are rested and create space and usually good music

Where can we learn more about you?
www.rrc.coffee and redemptionroad.com is our not for profit 

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

I got my BFA from Colorado State University in 2012 and have been working in the arts ever since. I was mainly working with drawing and installation mediums and showing in galleries. Last summer I found myself without a studio for the first time and had just welcomed home my first baby so I decided it was time to explore a new medium. Embroidery became a clear avenue because it is essentially drawing with thread. I wanted to learn and perfect a simple craft so I took up embroidery and quickly became addicted. 

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

There are a lot of embroidery artists working right now. My work is unique in that it's specific to Colorado. I focus on the landscapes, plants and animals that occupy our land in an effort to better understand this land. My work is also a lot more minimal that some embroidery artists. I love to use negative space to amplify the focus on my subject. 

3. What or Who Inspires you?

There are two people whose works I come back to over and over again in my pursuit of understanding of our land; Wendell Berry and Andrew Wyeth. Berry's writing is grounded in understanding the functions and beauty of cultivating our land and working with it instead of against it. Wyeth's paintings are mainly landscapes, but what makes his work important to me is that it's all focused mainly on one place. We live in a culture where it's more normal to move around from place to place, school to school rather than becoming anchored with the land and family we've come from. In my life, I seek to find beauty in the staying in one place and Andrew Wyeth's paintings show how studying one place for a length of time produces an insight and beauty impossible to fake. 

4. What is your creative process like?

I usually begin with my sketchbook. I'll create a few sketches and ideas for my hoops and then transfer them to fabric. 

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

It might be more "practical" than "cool" but someone once told me to find a way to make your work sustainable in your day to day life and stick to it. 

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

I will have a few holiday themed pieces such as ornaments, and a bulk of my work will be studies of the plants and animals of Colorado. 

7. Where can we learn more about you?

The best way to stay up to date is to follow me on Instagram: @olandercoembroidery 

or check out my Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/olanderco

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

I got started in the handmade community in 2011. I had just had my first baby (Hill) and was back at work in my social services job 6 weeks after he was born. I decided to open an Etsy store to sell baby blankets with a goal of being able to stay home 1 day a week with him. I met that goal within just a few months and was able to quit my full time job the following year, just 18 months after I opened my store.

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

I have always enjoyed the process of curating the fabrics I use in my store to pick fun and unique designs that would be hard to find anywhere else. I also very recently have started to design my own fabrics and am currently making the transition to just using my own designs. I have them printed on various base fabrics through Spoonflower, which is an amazing digital fabric printer located in North Carolina. I love that I can keep most of my supplies made in the USA. You won't find too many in my online shop as I am making that transition because I am stocking up for the Jackalope show while selling off my current inventory!

3. What or Who Inspires you?

My biggest inspiration are my two boys, Hill and Fox. I would have never had the guts to quit my job and make my living as a creative if not for my extreme desire to be home with them. They also get to test my new products and help me decide what is the best kid approved stuff for my shop. 

4. What is your creative process like?

My creative process starts with sketching my ideas/motifs for a design and then taking them in to adobe illustrator to digitize them and set them in to a repeat. Once I am happy with the colors and scale I upload them to Spoonflower who then ships me my awesome new fabrics!  All of the cutting and sewing is done in my home studio, where you can find me sewing while watching Supernatural, Dr. Who, The Office or any British mystery show. Netflix is my best sewing friend!

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

The best tip I have ever received was in an art business class, and it is something that you hear all the time. It was just to be yourself. Nobody else sees the world as you do or is going to draw (or whatever creative thing you do) the same way you do. You don't have to try to appeal to everyone because if you are true to yourself you will find your people :)

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

I am bringing blankets for babies and big kids, clothing, bibs, burp cloths and bags.

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can follow along on our instagram @foxhillbaby and shop our online store foxhillbaby.com or find us on Etsy

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

Back in 2009 I was stitching plush toys under the name Planet Ogie as a senior project in college. A lot of curiosity grew surrounding the Ogie characters so I thought,  maybe if I threw a price tag on them I could make money doing something I enjoyed. I participated in my first holiday market in 2010, since then I’ve picked up leather work which is almost 100% hand-stitching and more recently became quite interested in pottery. I need to keep my hands busy otherwise I go crazy.

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

I only create pieces I myself would want to use on the daily. Almost everything is built by hand, it’s a very slow imperfect process, but this is what makes each piece truly unique.  

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Traveling has brought the most inspiration to my work.

4. What is your creative process like?

I usually start with sketches, moving then to paper prototypes. From there I really just go for it, cross my fingers and start cutting into leather. My process has become a bit faster with each new product.  I have a pocket full of Fortnight design elements I know will work well, and this has helped me stay consistent so I don't always have to start from scratch with each new product.

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

I’m not sure if this is considered an artistic tip but, I remind myself almost daily of a quote I read in Liz Gilbert’s book Big Magic - “ Any motion whatsoever beats inertia, because inspiration will always be drawn to motion.”

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

Mostly leather work from large hand-stitched totes to small leather matchbooks.  If I can get my act together maybe a bit of pottery too!

7. Where can we learn more about you?

My Instagram feed, @fortnightcompany and someday soon I’ll have my site up - www.Fortnightcompany.co

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

Starting Nummy Nibbles was truly a case of us following our hearts. As a couple we have always been passionate about food and travel. We moved away from our "traditional" careers to start Nummy Nibbles in 2016. Our Gourmet Peanut Condiments in global flavors are lovingly made in small batches and  we take great pride in being part of the handmade community. 

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

Our Gourmet Peanut Condiments are one-of-a-kind and are inspired by flavors we have experienced during our travels.

3. What or Who Inspires you?

Travel and Food are definitely among our biggest inspirations. We are also constantly inspired by the stories of other Local Colorado artisans & artists who are following their hearts. The creativity and passion that we see at various events, including Jackalope, inspires us to continue on our amazing adventure! 

4. What is your creative process like?

When trying to create a new flavor we usually start with reminiscing about some of our favorite food memories. The next part is trying to recreate some of those flavors in our peanut condiments. It takes many iterations before we perfect the recipe for one flavor!

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

Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes - Scott Adams quote given to me by a friend.

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

At Jackalope you can expect to see some creative holiday gift offerings from us that are sure to delight anyone on your list that craves something unique, gourmet & handmade!

7. Where can we learn more about you?

You can learn more about us, our creations and our vision at www.nummynibbles.com