We are sad to hear that Whorl will be closing its doors in Denver, but what is next on the horizon for you?

I'm so excited about what's on the horizon. I'm dabbling in a few different things, but still keeping the essence of Whorl and the mark I leave. I will be assisting with nonprofit events, assisting local designers with business management, branding, and sales, as well as working on my own brand consulting. 

Imprints by Whorl 

How do you see the handmade community evolving in Denver?

I see the handmade community evolving both creatively and functionally. Every year I find myself impressed with the talent and items that are being made for a variety of markets with both fashionable and functional components. 

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

Honestly, I look up to all the artists and designers who put their work out there not knowing what the outcome is going to be. It is a huge risk creating something not knowing how people will react, but it's even more amazing to just do it. 

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

I am looking forward to seeing what amazing handmade products come through this year. Helping to curate last time around was an honor and seeing the talent there is locally and nationally was really cool. I also hope that everyone takes that risk to apply because when they do I see it pay off in the applications. 

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

I would say the ideas that I have, the way I create a world in my paintings. This is achieved by stylizing reality, perspective, and also including some unusual elements in each painting; things that won't happen in reality. I like to ask myself the question 'Why not?'

When do you feel the most creative? 

When I work. The more I paint or draw, the more ideas come.

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received? 

I was in my last semester at Art Center College of Design, when one of my teachers told me that the one person who needs to like my work is myself. That was an excellent advice that came at the right time for me. It seems that it is easier for others to like my work, but I hold myself to a high standard and always want to do better with the next painting. I'm the hardest person to please, and that's how it should be - pushing myself to do better. 

What is something most people don't know about you?

Sometimes people wonder about my last name - I'm Bulgarian and it is actually pretty unique name there, only a couple of families on my dad's side have it. My heritage does influence my paintings - the settings in many of them tend to look more European as I miss the look and feel of Europe.

Where can we learn more about you? 

From my website: www.danyparagouteva.com  

Meet The Painted Ladies: 
The Painted Ladies consists of myself (Jeni) my husband Jonathan and my 3 sons. Jonah who blows me away with what he does on wood and paper canvas. Reid who surprises me with each creative piece, and Cayden who is the youngest and each piece becomes more his style. People ask me what is with the name if I am the only lady, I call the canvas' "Ladies" when I am talking about them,  and The Painted Ladies was the name that stuck when it was tossed out there.

How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?  
I have really never thought about our style and can't seem to put it into a specific definition.we are all over the map in style but our reclaimed wood canvas is the constant.

I am inspired by all artist that perfect their field weather it be clothing, jewelry, painting, baking, sculpting, building, stylist,,,, when someone is passionate about what they do and always aspires to be and do better then they were and did yesterday, that inspires me.

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 
I feel what makes us unique is we use reclaimed pallet wood, we allow the wood to be as much a star as what we paint on the canvas we have created. We hand sketch and hand paint everything, and leave the wood in its raw, aged, battered state. If these pallets could speak there would be some amazing stories to tell.  

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
We are inspired by Arizona, the desert, music, people, our experiences, emotions, and God.  Inspiration comes from within, you will be able to look trough our varied pieces and see the different personalities.

When do you feel the most creative?
For my son it is in the morning, for my husband it is all the time, for me it is the quiet moments whenever they may be. It is seeing a Robin in the yard, a child looking into the eyes of its mother, a gentle touch, the crows song, being in nature.

What is your creative process like?
We begin by looking for the best pallets we pick through many and collect them from the newer ones to the older ones. we pull them apart and painstakingly clean the wood and our master builder (Jonathan) builds the canvas'. We then begin the choosing a canvas and and an image or saying that works well with the wood. we then hand sketch and hand paint. To keep the old look true I then distress the paint which I feel allows for the piece to flow. 

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
There is no one way to do or be if you are passionate about and love what you do it will flow from you. Be it within and it will be on the outside.

Where can we learn more about you? 
Instagram is the best place on the web to get a glimpse of what we do and find out where we will be, and meeting us at art shows, in person that would be the best way to learn more about me and my family/team and I love to meet new amazing people 

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/

Meet Orange Clementine's, Diane and Clementina.

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 
Orange Clementine has classic California style with a fresh zesty twist. We use the vintage crate label art and wooden crates as our signature packaging with beautiful art elements that creates a happy and fresh feeling.  And that's just our packaging style.  Our culinary style is old-school.  We make everything ourselves, from scratch, with no preservatives and we use fresh California citrus to achieve amazing flavor.

We feel our products and packaging stand out because it's innovative yet classic at the same time.  Our products capture the essence of California and evoke a sense of tasting and sending California sunshine.  That's hard to achieve but we think we've done it.

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
Our source of inspiration is the California citrus history and the California lifestyle and culinary community.  

Diane and Clementina have been around long enough (no specifics will be given here as to 'how long') to see remember orange groves in Orange County.  We've also watched California cuisine and culinary arts evolve and to have achieved new heights.  Examples range from the traditional pillars of good food such as California wines - of course - to the cheeses of Point Reyes Farmstead and Cypress Grove, our excellent farmer's markets, and the growing number of people creating new products as the market demands shift.

We currently host  three young entrepreneurs at our kitchen - to give them a head start with their endeavors; it's fun and inspiring to see them grow their businesses.  We all met at farmer's markets and we support and inspire each other.

When do you feel the most creative? 
We feel most creative during low season (different for different vendors) when we look back and adjust our strategies according to customer needs and wants.  We are in the process of creating a new cookie that uses our kitchen's California ingredients in a new way.

What is your creative process like?
Creativity is a luxury for a small business when you are trying to do all things at once.  However, as noted above, we get our inspiration for others around us as we try to continue to be distinctive and produce high quality products with our citrus signature ingredients. So we start with the idea, then we test it over and over again in the kitchen until we feel it's right.  That is the fun part.

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
Other vendors are always giving us tips and helping us out.  So the best tips we get are from vendors directing us to events where our products will be appreciated and where we can continue to build a client base.

Where can we learn more about you?  
Our website it the best source of information about us.  We have a blog and we're very good about responding to any questions - we love connecting with our customers.

https://shop.orangeclementine.com/

Our love of California and capturing the essence, flavor, and history of our state drives our goal to become a household name for anyone who wants to give or enjoy high quality products made in California.  Having raised our families but still having boundless energy, our excitement and determination as older women starting and growing a small business fuels us toward this goal.

Shop Orange Clementine at Jackalope Pasadena
on April 30th & May 1st

How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?

My style is classic and timeless, leaning toward preppy with a bit of outdoorsy. When designing something new, I blend durability and usefulness with a polished and refined aesthetic. I want my work to stick around for a long time rather than pass in and out with the trends. I look up to designers and companies that embrace this sense of history, like Ralph Lauren, Filson, and J. Crew. And the fun part is combining this practical, intellectual side with adorable little dogs!

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

The thing that makes my work unique is in the way I approach the design process. I start by asking myself, "How can I contribute something good and useful to the world, and not just make for the sake of making?" To me, this means I'm solving a problem, then designing a solution. This drive to create through intentional actions shapes my day-to-day decisions. For example, using reclaimed materials makes my pieces different from anything else that people can buy, and it also contributes to a positive cycle of reuse. Or with my toy design, I included a treat pocket so that it's more engaging and stimulating -- the dog (or cat!) has to nose around and interact with the toy to get at the treat. And I didn't add anything extra, like plastic eyes, that could get chewed off and hurt a pet.

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

I'm inspired by things that endure the test of time, and are rooted in heritage and tradition. When I'm designing something new, I tend to turn to classic menswear because those pieces are made to last. They change with the trends less, are intended to be wardrobe staples, and have really nice subtle details that make them more pleasurable to use. I'm also inspired by accessories like Dopp kits and canvas totes -- handy and useful things that people go back to over and over again.

When do you feel the most creative?

I feel most creative when I have the mental space to sit down and concentrate. For me, creativity comes from contemplation and quiet, rather than exuberant bursts. I start to feel creative after I've done some research on a subject because all of this new knowledge and information swirling around in my head inspire me to apply what I've learned to making something new.

What is your creative process like?

When I'm ready to create a new idea, I think about what problem I'm solving, and then sketch out ideas. What I'm looking for during this process is something that will function well for both the pet and their human (comfortable, user-friendly, reliable), is compatible with reclaimed materials (typically there are odd shape or size constraints here), and and has timeless style. Once I settle on a sketch, I calculate measurements and dimensions, and draw up a pattern in Adobe Illustrator. With this paper pattern I start the prototyping process, cutting out a paper version and doing some test fitting or sizing. After the sizing is looking good, I make a version in test fabric, check and adjust, and finally make a version in the final fabric. There's a lot of back and forth -- the process involves refining the shape, size, materials, and construction. 

When the final designs are done (after much testing with my sweet little dog, Pipsqueak), I make a small batch to start sharing on my website and at events. I love sharing my work at events because I get immediate feedback from customers. This is a key part of the creative process for me because it's a good opportunity to learn more about how my products can fit better in their lives. And it's this sense of improvement that's really the foundation of my creative process.

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?

My favorite artistic tip is from Elizabeth Gilbert, which I heard while listening to her Magic Lessons podcast. Essentially what she says is that not everything you create needs to be shared with the world -- some things can just be made because you must make them, and you don't need to put any pressure on it to deliver anything to you beyond the pleasure of making it. I love that tip because it's liberating, and it reminds me to balance out my drive to create something meaningful with having fun. 

Where can we learn more about you?  

My shop can be found at http://oxforddogma.com, where there's also a link to my blog where I talk more about my work and the process behind making it. I'm also on Instagram @oxforddogma, and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/oxforddogma

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

I started Oxford Dogma because I wanted to help more pets feel loved. When I think about the things that bring me the most joy in life, pets are right up there at the top of the list, and doing something to help make more of this joy in the world became my mission. One part of this is creating work that fosters happy experiences for pets and their humans, and another part is supporting shelters. With each purchase, I make a donation to a local shelter to help animals in need. So whenever a person buys one of my items for the special little dog in their life, they're helping other animals feel cared for, too.

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?  

My ceramics style is a mix of southwestern and folk. It aligns a lot with my aesthetic as a illustrator/graphic designer as well. I love to incorporate bright colors and hand lettering to give each piece personality. Often, I'll include the ruggedly beautiful elements of nature around me to make each piece authentically unique.  

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

YES! I really enjoy watching any videos of this ceramicist named Eric Landon, he makes the most amazing large vessels that I could only dream of creating. I'm also constantly inspired by my former design-school classmates and teachers. I love seeing people that I've known for a while grow and develop their own style.    

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

When I first started experimenting with ceramics, I was buying bisque fired pieces and painting them. Sort of like painting on a pre-made canvas. This was fun for a while, but I felt limited by what I could make. So, from there I decided to buy a few blocks of clay and start making my own pieces. I started experimenting and in the beginning made a lot of things that came out pretty badly, but from that mess, I also got a feeling for what I really wanted to create. I like to have fun with my ceramics and add a bit of humor to them. Whether its a gold luster cactus or a snarky saying on a coffee mug, I try to incorporate a fun personality to my pieces. 

What sort of things inspire you?  

I'm very inspired by the southwest. I love seeing desert plants and animals and then putting my own eclectic spin on them when I paint. We live out in the middle of nowhere, so I'll go on walks just to see all of the crazy different types of cactus that grow all around my house. I'm also largely inspired by the people I follow on Instagram. It's fun to have a stream of creative people delivered right to my phone. The perks of technology, right!? I follow a wide variety of artists from sign painters to leather artisans and I love seeing the world from their point of view. Most importantly, I'm inspired by my two children. When we draw or do art projects together I love seeing what they come up with. They are a constant reminder that while I take my job very seriously, I shouldn't take the same approach with my art, its better to keep my pieces light-hearted and out of the box.  

When do you feel the most creative?

 I feel the most creative when my hands are dirty and I'm making something with clay. The tactile processes of pouring molds, hand building or wheel throwing are what made me fall in love with this craft. I love all of the possibility and being able to control the outcome of a product from start to finish. Although I enjoy seeing a finished product come out of the kiln looking shiny and fabulous, I probably feel the most freedom in that beginning part of the process when I'm making something new.  

What is your creative process like?

My ceramic making time is squeezed in between the time I spend doing my graphic design and parenting, so it can be a little hectic. The entire process of creating a piece takes several days and at least 2 kiln firings, (3 if I'm using gold luster). So I have a bunch of pieces, all at various stages of completion, all over my studio. I find that I do most of my ceramic painting at night. This is the part that requires the most time and focus, so it is a really nice way to unwind after a day of looking at the computer.  

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?

I guess this isn't an artistic tip, more of a life tip. One thing that we were taught over and over again in design school is to keep pushing yourself and your ideas further. So I try and do that every day, weather its a logo project or a new concept for a jewelry dish, there's always room to improve or refine your craft. 

Where can we learn more about you?  

My website: www.laurajonesmartinez.com

My etsy shop: www.laurajonesmartinez.etsy.com

or for a daily does of what I'm doing, my instagram @laurajlaura 

• What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?  Seasonally I curate a candle collection that showcases my passion for the southwest, handcrafted products and quality ingredients. The Prickly Pear Sorbet scented candle is my most unique candle. The fragrance is a custom blend that I created to make the perfect fragrance of the delicately flavored prickly pear fruit.

• What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?  I celebrate the culture and style of this region by selecting scents influenced from the southwest. The stunning deserts, mountains, canyons and rivers are purely inspirational. I also look for inspiration in my daughter Brooke because while I try to teach her the meaning of life, I realize she continues to teach me what life is all about.

• When do you feel the most creative? In the morning after a cup of coffee.😬😂

• Where can we learn more about you?  Instagram. Photography is another passion of mine, equally along side candle-making, crafting, a love of the outdoors and being a mom and I document it all through pictures on Instagram. All of the photos in my feed are taken by me, unless it's a repost from another Instagram account. @sunnybrookeco

How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?

I describe my style as simple, bold and modern. I am always inspired by women artists/designers such as Frida Kahlo, Eileen Gray and Georgia O'Keeffe.

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

My designs are an extension of my visions and my personality.  The colors, textures, and materials converge into my creations.  They are the offsprings ofmy architecture background and my own design visions.  

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

My daughters are a big part of my inspiration. They make me see the world humbly. They make me thrive and work harder.  I am also fortunate to have a husband that encourages my creativity. 

Inspiration comes to me in different forms and shapes, butI find that memories are a big influence in my creativity.  My days growing up in Puerto Rico with the beautiful deep and prominent colors of the Caribbean are a major influence in my designs. Now that I live here in the desert, I find its colors, shapes, and patterns  that make up these beautiful landscapes are becoming embedded in my visions.

When do you feel the most creative?

I am the most creative early in the morning with a cup of coffee in hand.  Or whenever I have a quiet moment to myself  which is hard to come by.

What is your creative process like?

I look at color patterns and materials and think of an idea. I start by drawing and using color to have a complete look.  Then I can start making my pieces and finally combining everything until I am satisfied.  Creating is a constant process. You are always thinking about it;  You need to draw it, make it, draw it again, make it again, until it makes sense. 

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?

When I was in my last year of architecture school I was always drawn to my memories and experiences to create a space.  It was during one of those moments that my studio teacher always told me to sketch, sketch, sketch because it was the only way to visualize what I was thinking. 

Where can we learn more about you?  

You can find out more about me on: 

        Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/soniagraciahandmade

        Instagram:@soniagraciahandmade

        Facebook: www.facebook.com/soniagraciahandmade