• 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

Photo by: Stella Kelinina

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
he concept of outdoor living is a major inspiration for me. We are so lucky in Los Angeles to be able to spend most of the year outside and have some connection to nature, even if that's just a little backyard.  Enjoying time on my patio, whether entertaining friends or just lazing about with my husband and our dogs always brings me joy.  Hedge is a way for me to provide a little bit of that lifestyle to anyone, no matter what climate they live in or whether or not they have any outdoor space. 

I also draw a lot of inspiration from craftspeople and the process of making. Growing up the daughter of a carpenter and seamstress, I saw from an early age the problem solving involved to take an idea or design and make it a reality. Now, I love to visit crafts people in their shops or studios and see them in action. A lot of my design ideas are generated  by observing how they manipulate materials. I also love to see the hand of the craftsperson in my designs. There's always some small imperfections that say this was not cranked out by a machine.  

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
" You never never know when you're done, but you always know when you've done too much!" was a quote from my artist Grandfather. I think as creatives, we have a tendency to second guess when a piece is ready to meet the world. 

Photo by: Stella Kelinina

What is your creative process like?
My creative process is very fluid. Sometimes, a concept or sketch is the beginning of something new. Other times, I am inspired by an interesting material and I work out ideas that are influenced by that materials capabilities. Either way, I never commit to what the design really is until I start making the prototypes. I like to live with the prototype for a while and make changes based on how it really functions. The Beatrix and Gertrude Hedge Planters went through so many variations before I was satisfied. Many of the early prototypes are still hanging in my garden, as a constant reminder of that progression.

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!

How would you describe your style?  
I would say my style is Simple, clean- cut and unique with a touch of wow! I like my designs to be different. A piece of me goes into each of my designs; whether it'd be Swarovski Elements, lace, interlaced straps, studs, hand stitching, flowers or bow appliqués, they have my personal touch and detail. I like clean and detailed decor. I don't like too much of one thing or something flashy. I like fancy and delicate.

Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to? 
es! Louis Vuitton! He is amazing! His style and cuts are unique, clean and just perfect. If I'm explaining myself right. 

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
Prayer- I pray for guidance and creativity; God responds with visual pictures in my head of my next creation. He knows me best, therefore, He gives me ideas that depict exactly what I like and who I am. Even though, sometimes I don't even know myself. 

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration? 
Colors and Nature inspire me. The Creator is the Designer of designers and there's so much inspiration all around us; in this Universe. Just pay attention to the intricate details and precise design on the flowers, sea life, and the birds.  The inspiration in His creations are just limitless!! 

When do you feel the most creative?
Definitely at night, when my body is really tired but my mind just keep on going and going. 

What is your creative process like?
I don't think I have a process of creativity. When a picture of a design pops in my head, I just draw it on paper then make the leather cut out for that specific pattern. And begin sewing it. I know, it sounds boring but that's basically it. I don't sit on the drawing board, cutting or sewing patterns for hours and finally come up with the product desired. 

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
Oh my! I haven't been doing this for long. Up until last August, I didn't even know how turn a sewing machine on, let alone design or sew anything for that matter. I haven't had a chance to really speak to designers, but I'm looking forward to meeting some great ones here. 

Where can we learn more about you?
Instagram and my website: shop.mylomoccs.com

Shop MyLO by Toni Fanco at Jackalope Art & Craft Fair on November 7th and 8th at Central Park in Old Pasadena.

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
I crochet and knit with metals which is a very unique/rarely used technique when it comes to jewelry. Though the technique has been around (for probably thousands of years!) my take on it is a bit unusual: I play around with a-symmetry and imperfections in my designs, as a way to embrace the beauty in ‘mistakes’. I will often start with a crochet/knit pattern and then start experimenting outside the structure of the pattern, which makes for an original artistic design. 

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
pider Webs, Japanese Boro Quilts, Alchemy, Nature, Physics, Geometry, Architecture… I often hike in Griffith Park, and observe the intricacy in nature, which is very inspiring. I also find that when I let the materials and the hands do what they want, inspiration or design follows!

When do you feel the most creative?
At night! When I am relaxed and don’t have to deal with any stress or daily activities.

What is your creative process like?
I turn on music, or an interesting podcast or a documentary, set up my tools and materials, get comfortable and start working. Usually taking some ‘stretching’ breaks every hour or so. Listening to something helps me to enjoy the process without over-thinking it. 

Where can we learn more about you?
On my website: www.janjoonjewelry.com you can view images of my work and there are links to interviews/posts with me. You can also follow me on instagram: @janjoonjewelry & come meet me in person in Jackalope Art Fair this fall!

How would you describe your style?  

Our style is natural, eco-conscious, rugged and earthy. Above all, Benjees is for the explorer in all of us who chooses to take a road not traveled. Benjees was founded by Aussies now based in West Hollywood, CA. 

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

I'm inspired by innovative visionaries like Thomas Edison and Elon Musk.

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

'Benjee' is the name of our border collie, who is the four-legged CEO of Benjees Eyewear. He's also from Australia, like the brand's founders (along with me and my wife). Starting off as an optometrist in Sydney, I've been in the eyewear industry for 15 years now, and Benjees is the first sustainable wooden eyewear brand in the US started by an eye doctor. So we're pretty unique in that regard.                                                                                                                                      Also, no two pieces of bamboo and wood are ever identical, so each pair of Benjees handmade sunglasses are truly one-of-a-kind. And our bamboo range of eyewear is so light that they float on water.

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?

Being in and around nature inspires us. We're lucky to have the ocean, forests, mountains and snowfields all around us here in California!

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

How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?
I love the work of Dali, Mark Ryden and Faberge. It's fantasy meets reality. Surrealism meets everyday life. I think of my animals and my floral work as my own enchanted forest, where the creatures might talk to me and fit in my hand.

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
I love nature and animals. It sounds a bit cliche, but it is truly where I get my energy from. On a bad day, there is nothing better than coming home to my dogs: Denzel Washington and Niles. I look at their smiling, loving faces, and everything is ok! Growing up, my family went camping in the woods a lot and my father would tell us stories of magical tree nymphs with flowing hair and hard working dwarves looking for colorful stones. Today, when I see a plant, I can see the nymph that might play on it or the fairy building her home in a nearby flower. When I see a gemstone, I feel like a gnome that discovered a treasure. And when I see a squirrel, I wonder what it is thinking and doing and what it would be like to befriend it.

When do you feel the most creative?
I am a night owl. Morning time means lots of caffeine and traffic and sleepy people that should really be in bed but are running around pointlessly instead. But at night, everyone is calm, nature is a little quieter, phone is not ringing and I can make some tea, turn of some 90s music and work in my studio. Some of the best ideas come around at midnight and next thing I know, the sun is coming up and my husband is getting up to go to the office!

What is your creative process like?
When making new animals, I look at a lot of pictures. If I can get my hands on the actual animal, that's the best thing. Like when I was making the English Bulldog, I had my sister's bully Winston, around and he was a great model, I could poke and prod and figure out where all the wrinkles should go! But it's harder to get my hands on a Unicorn or an Angler Fish... That's where photos, drawings, sculptures and even children's toys come in. Seeing how other artists have interpreted the animal and comparing it to images of the real thing, helps me capture the essence of it, the look and the personality alike.

Where can we learn more about you?  
You can always follow ERS Creative on Instagram where I post my thoughts and inspiration about art but mostly just what I'm doing at the time. You will see a lot of pictures of my dogs and my gardening efforts!

How would you describe your style?
I love the idea of taking a traditionally formal piece and bringing some humor to it.   It is really about revitalizing these beautiful vintage plates, altering them to be a bit more fun and contemporary.

What inspires you?
The juxtaposition of highbrow classicism with a sense of humor is the greatest influence in my work.  I am definitely inspired by pop culture, anthropomorphism and classic antiques.

What is your creative process like? 
Chaotic and Messy

Where do you source your plates from?
Sourcing the vintage and antique plates is really fun.  I get to shop antique stores, thrift stores, estate sales etc.  Each plate is then designed to match one of my mixed media portraits or pop culture portraits

What does a plate have to have in order to be used by you?
Most of these vintage and antique plates are truly amazing.  They have been hand painted, hand embellished with gold gilded, they may have enamel details or hand moulded.  This type of craftsmanship is rare today and nearly extinct in the plate making world.

Why plates?
his idea of the Altered Antique Plates started because my mom was an avid antique collector and dealer. When she retired she began getting rid of lots of stuff, in that "stuff" was many old plates. Some of which were old portrait plates with demure ladies posed in proper positions and big fluffy dresses. They were all beautiful with hand painted details, gold accents, and delicate porcelain but in reality they did not exactly match my modern, urban style. So, were they useless? No, I must make them cool again.... atlas the idea began.

Shop BeatUpCreations at Jackalope Art & Craft Fair on November 7th and 8th at Central Park in Old Pasadena.

How would you describe your style?                                                                                                  

I have heard my style described as clean and utilitarian. I agree.  Elegance, and refined '70's styling also come to mind, for those were my formative years and a lot of the things that I idolized came from that era. 

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

In my 14 years of leather working experience, the majority of that time has been working for other designers, so I really try to stay away from being influenced from other designers/artists as much as possible. It's a challenge to wipe my visual slate clean, and approach the ancient, simple, yet challenging medium of leather in a new way.

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

What I feel makes my work unique and truly my own is the marrying of raw edged heavier leathers, with very fine leathers, deerskin being one of my favorites. While that in itself may not be unique, as there are other leather designers incorporating that same contrast, I feel what truly sets my work apart is the meticulous construction of the pieces, and the heightened focus of the shapes I want to present, regardless degree of difficulty or thicknesses of material. I truly obsess about every stitch and pour all my attention and passion into every piece I make, and I personally craft every leather item we sell.

Where can we learn more about you? 

At our store in Eagle Rock, online at http://www.ommleather.com/ and @O_MLEATHER on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Shop O&M Leather at Jackalope Art & Craft Fair on November 7th and 8th at Central Park in Old Pasadena.

Owner at Whorl Shop

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

A. I was always a young entrepreneur at heart making crafty goods for the Young American Bank markets. I always thought that the product I was selling was the “hottest” thing. That’s where my love of arts and crafts started. After all those years I finally found my passion… curating local, national, and global clothing, jewelry and home goods for the Denver community. 

Q. What/who is your biggest inspiration?   

A. Currently, all the Denver small business owners who wake up, do all the hard stuff, love what they do, and go to bed happy and excited about all of it! 

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

A. I created it for myself. I wanted to contribute to the Denver fashion community by giving local designers a quality place to house their brand, as well as other brands that have a story and or a cause behind them. 

Q. Tell us about a few favorites of yours: Weekend Activity/Color/Animal?

A. My favorite weekend activity is exploring new shops in Denver hubs, followed by some delicious Sushi! My favorite color has always been purple and my favorite animal is a cheetah. 

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

A. That it has become a way of making a living. People can now pursue what they love and carve out their own future. More and more retail stores are carrying more handmade work and it adds a distinctive characteristic to their store. 

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

A. The artisan statement is really important for me. The why and the passion behind every artist can speak wonders for the product itself. 

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

A. I’m looking forward to discovering new and talented local artisans who offer a unique and fun product to the market! 

Q. Where can we find out more about you?

A. You can visit www.whorlshop.com, follow me on Instagram @msmegantimlin OR come on in the Whorl and hang out!