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

Our style is bold and happy. I love using bright colors and stark black lines to create simple, iconic images. I've always looked up to the advertising artists of the 50s-70s, who created such great characters for commercials and print media. Unsung heroes!

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

Jenni and I are constantly asking ourselves this question, because it's important for us to create art that's as uniquely Sparky Firepants as possible. I'm constantly asking myself this question, because it's important for me to create art that's as uniquely Sparky Firepants as possible. I look at my work all the time and wonder about it. Then I see a small brush stroke, a squiggly line or an expression on a character, and I see how those little things are what tie everything together and create a style that's truly Sparky.  Jenni's new line of sleeves and bags are created from our own recycled t-shirt misprints and rags from our screen printing. We don't waste anything around here!

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

Comedy and music are great catalysts for creative work. If I'm laughing or really getting into music, it means I'm loose, more myself, less protected than usual – and that's when inspiration strikes.

4. What is your creative process like?

I spend most of my time doing other non-artistic things while thinking and conceptualizing in my head. That's where all the work is, really. Afterwards it's sort of like taking dictation to get it down on canvas, wood or pixels. When I try to put it down and it's difficult and feels like a chore, I know that I'm probably forcing things. Time to start over at the thinking stage. Sometimes people are surprised at how fast I can execute a concept, but it's only because I spent so many hours working it out in my head first. Nobody can see that part!

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

Don't put too much stock in either criticism or compliments. I take it to mean that you have to please yourself first. If you're totally crazy in love with your own work, then what others think doesn't matter.

6. Where can we learn more about you?

Probably the best place to learn more about us at a bar where they serve classic, finely crafted cocktails. Barring that, I would say Twitter and Instagram: @sparkyfirepants

1. How did you start in the Handmade community? 

I started in the handmade community when my love for bringing the beauty of the outdoors inside inspired me to make my first vertical garden. The care and maintenance for a vertical garden is quite extensive which inspired me to design a preserved moss wall art, which needs no care at all!

2. What or who inspires you?

I am inspired by the outdoors. I love to hike and explore the forest. I love the vibrant colors and lush textures and I bring this into my artwork.

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

My work is truly unique because I incorporate all different kinds of natural elements to create a lush, life like work of art.

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

I will have a wide variety of moss artworks at Jackalope Art Fair ranging from tiny to large, with a vast arrangement in moss, wood, and other natural elements.

How would you describe your style?  
Minimalistic and earthy.  I want to make my pieces raw and unique, but polished enough to be easily wearable by all. 

Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?
I am always inspired by fellow artists that incorporate themes of nature into their work.  I’ve looked up to Andy Goldsworthy for years.  With the rise of social media and independent artists being able to make a name for themselves on these new platforms, I’ve found so many inspiring artists on Instagram!  @sistergoldenshop makes absolutely stunning portraits out of flowers and plant medium and @jessweymouth_ incorporates crystals, wildlife and other nature themes into her watercolors.  I’m also constantly inspired by all of the amazing crafters and artisans that I find around Colorado—I’m so proud to be surrounded by these talented folks. 

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
Mother Nature!  I have a background in geology so it’s really difficult for me to look at a stone without thinking about its entire journey and the story of how it got to me.  Because of that, I try to stick with minimalistic designs for my pieces so each mineral has a chance to shine and tell a story.  Whenever I feel in a creative rut, I simply look west to the Rocky Mountains.  I also draw inspiration from daily life around me—changing seasons, music, night skies, architecture, almost anything.

When do you feel the most creative?
Usually late at night when I am reflecting on my day.  I’ll remember a cool building, an odd plant, or something I saw that day and a new idea will come to me.  Traveling to new places always comes with a flood of creative ideas as well.  I am always jotting down notes and reminders because my best ideas always come to me when I am not at my workbench.

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
Be fearless.  It can be really scary to be vulnerable and put yourself and your craft out there, but the more you push yourself out of your comfort zone, the easier it gets to really start pushing boundaries and explore new territory.  I find that the more I heed this advice, the more rewarding my journey becomes.

Where can we learn more about you?  
CopperandStoneCO.etsy.com is my Etsy shop! 
https://www.instagram.com/copperandstoneco/ is where I post product shots, behind the scenes snaps, giveaways, and just general day to day thoughts 

How did you get your start?
I have always been a chocoholic I became tired of spending a lot of money on chocolates that were supposed to be good, but were disappointing. I have a culinary background, so I decided to try my hand at making chocolate truffles. I learned a lot on my own and then took classes. Then friends starting asking me to make them some and the business grew out of that." 

What or who inspires you?
I become inspired by interesting flavor combinations.

How do you come up with your creations?
I come up with my creations by discovering a flavor I want to develop into chocolate, research what would pair well with it, and then just trial and error.

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?
We will have our double-layered chocolate truffles, coconut and maple chocolate brittle barks, and our new Acai mini morsos - tiny truffles in 70% dark chocolate and full of flavor.

How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?
My style is a blend of cowboy saddle stitching I learned from my grandfather when I was young, and the modern, rustic elements associated with every day life.

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
I can only say that everything I make has a staple of quality that brands itself from one item to the next.

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?
I tend to look back in time at the civilizations my ancestors come from, it seems to allow function and aesthetic to agree with each other.

Q:When do you feel the most creative?
At night

What is your creative process like?
Research, think, think some more, measure, think again, make, re-think, re-measure, re-make.

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received?
Never be satisfied.  Accept that only 80% of your full potential will ever truly be displayed at one time, so make sure you are 150% on your game.

Where can we learn more about you?
There are a plethora of places you can find us most commonly:

- Website: http://www.trekkerleather.com

- Instagram: Instagram.com/trekkerleatherco

- Pinterest: Pinterest.com/trekkerleatherco

- Facebook: Facebook.com/trekkerleatherco

- Etsy: Etsy.com/shop/TrekkerLeatherCo

How did you start in the Handmade community?

I have spent most of my life working on some sort of art or craft project. I learned to knit as a child, but didn’t revisit the craft until much later when I wanted to create some unique beanies for myself to wear. I started an Etsy shop about 5 years ago, which was a nice outlet and motivation to make more inventory, but I didn’t get into the local scene until a few years ago when I got called off the wait list for a big holiday market. Being able to vend at an event like that and getting so much great feedback motivated me to get my Etsy shop up and running for real and participate as much as possible in local events. Being able to interact with other makers as a part of the amazing community here has been so rewarding and enjoyable!

What or who inspires you?

Growing up in a family of crafts people and artists, it almost just seemed like a way of life to be working on art projects or making something. I draw a lot of inspiration from family members who have been successful with small handmade and artisan businesses. It motivates me to keep at it knowing that it is possible to live a more simple life and support a family while pursuing a craft I love. It also inspires me to see how each family member has honed their crafts through the years. There is always something more to learn and a new level of perfection to strive for. I also find a lot of inspiration in my surroundings here in Colorado. If I’m not knitting, I’m usually outside exploring a new trail, camping or driving around discovering new places with my family. My cozy knitwear is so perfect for keeping warm while on outdoor adventures and I enjoy making products that are useful as well as beautiful.

What makes your work unique and truly your own?

I have personally created all the patterns I use and have even come up with a couple of my own stitches through many hours of experimentation and trial and error. One thing that I think makes my work stand out from the crowd is my use of colors. I really enjoy picking color combinations for each piece or working on groups of pieces with fun color relationships. I also love to use bold striping, color blocking and textures which makes my products really fun to wear. Thousands of hand knit stitches go into each individual product made and in this way, I feel that each piece is completely unique in its own way.

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

Tons of super cozy chunky knits! I bring an array of colorful beanies and pom pom hats in all sizes for babies, kids and adults along with a selection of smaller accessories like headbands and boot cuffs. I will also have a variety of scarves in many colors from small cowls to large double loop infinity styles. 

Learn more about Star Seventeen at :

https://www.instagram.com/starseventeen/

https://www.facebook.com/starseventeen/ 

https://twitter.com/Star_Seventeen

https://www.pinterest.com/starseventeen/

http://www.starseventeenhandmade.com/

How would you describe your style?

Lacelit first began with delicate, lace-like geometrics and freehand watercolor patterns. And while these elements are still infused in my work, I have since discovered a love of illustration and hand lettering that complements a passion for uplifting sentiments and affirmations. Lacelit is all about sending intentionality through the post and keeping the art of letter writing alive and well.

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

I have long been inspired by the work of Lindsay Eller, Lisa Solomon and Genevieve Santos. Each of these light-makers awakens a truthfulness that deepens and brightens the world around them in meaningful ways. 

My hope is to be part of the same movement by creating gentle starting points for meaningful connection through pen and paper and sentence-strings.

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

I have always loved the imperfect symmetry that comes with working freehand. I love lines that aren’t quite straight and imagery that isn’t perfectly symmetrical. When I want to include a particular element multiple times in a design, I draw and paint it multiple times so that no two elements are the same. Refraining from copy/paste stamping effects creates a truly hand-drawn aesthetic.

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

Do not depend on trends to guide your creativity. When you keep your head down with your eyes on your own paper, you’ll produce more meaningful work and allow yourself to explore and grow your own unique style. Results may not be as immediate as trends seem to be, but it is with organic growth that skills and vision develop and become strong.

Any special item you'll be releasing or sale you'll be doing at the fair that we should tell people about?

My new fall collection of greeting cards will make its Pasadena debut along with the new 2017 calendars--one of Lacelit’s annual best sellers. And in celebration of the coming winter festivities, I’ll be featuring some limited edition hand-painted holiday ornaments.

Where can we learn more about you?   

lacelit.com

Instagram: @lacelit

Twitter: @lacelitwonder

Facebook: facebook.com/lacelit

Pinterest: pinterest.com/lacelit

E-newsletter: bitly.com/lacelit

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

I think my style is fresh and light, with a sense of warmth and homey feel to it. I love to make things that would also inspire me and make me feel at home, something you'd want to keep forever. There are lots of artist I admire but a few of my favorite are Kelli Murray, Lindsay Letters, and Autumn Matney (a Phoenix local)  

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

All of my artwork is original and hand done. I think today its pretty easy to become and "artist" without much skill or background, but I think my work is a result of not only skill but years and years of practice and education. I'm drawn to things that are pretty and well designed with an unmatched skill. Every piece of my work comes from something I've been inspired by. My biggest thing when creating is creating something I love that also has meaning. I try to produce work that others can bring to their home and feel hopeful and inspired whenever they look at it. 

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

So many things from a good song lyric, to colors on a building, to watching my kids imagination run wild. 

When do you feel the most creative?

When I'm traveling and discovering a new place and experiencing new things I never have before. 

Where can we learn more about you?  

Follow along on my blog or my instagram! 

www.coleykuyper.com

https://www.instagram.com/coleykuyperart/

How would you describe your style? 

Geek Sheik! Our style is highly focused on creative sustainability, while staying true to our geeky personalities. I am always wearing bow ties and Saqouy is always constructing something amazing with legos, so we found a unique fusion of the two when we sat down and really talked about it. What we love most is how universal the styles are with all who wear our bow ties! There truly is something we can capture for anyone.

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

We do not claim to have invented the lego bow tie because the idea itself could be created by anyone. We wanted to take the lego bow tie and and create a fashionable style that was both unique and sustainable. After much trial and error we found ourselves with an idea to ensure the environment was at the base of our building, an interchangeable neck strap! Woven from recycled plastic bottles, you only need one for endless options in styles, characters and sizes!

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

We are inspired by all parts of life interacting together! Drawing our passions from comic books, video games and legos, to being outside in nature, creative collaboration and sharing our ideas of sustainable fashion with anyone wanting to be a part of the conversation. Most of the time we inspire each other and it's been such a beautiful journey to own a father/son business.

When do you feel the most creative?

We LOVE building to loud music and something with a good beat!! It is a 'must' in our creative process and always fuels our interaction not only with one another, but individually as well. Music, laughs and bow tie building.

Any special item you'll be releasing or sale you'll be doing at the fair that we should tell people about?

Definitely keep an eye out for our new bow tie home displays and specially made interchangeable barrette bow ties! 

Where can we learn more about you?  

Please check us out at sonandpopbowtieshop.com and follow us at: FB- Son and Pop Bow Tie Shop, IG- sonandpopbowtieshop. We love interacting with everyone and taking custom orders so please feel free to reach me directly at oliver@sonandpopbowtieshop.com or 517-996-2224.

1. How would you describe your style? 

Girly vintage whimsical! I'm an Interior Designer and retired to stay at home with my two littles. That need to create and work with colors was killing me so I dove into this full time. I LOVE pretty much ever style. So you will find I'm quite eclectic! However at the Boutique shows I try to rein it in to a particular theme.

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

Because I'm not stuck on one style I find that makes me a bit unique. My styles are always changing with what inspired me that week or that season. 

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

Honestly it's like a hampster wheel in my head! I can get inspiration from anything! Something as small as a ribbon can excite me and then the wheels start turning. "This ribbon will work perfectly with my stripe skirts and I'll make a shirt to match!" I find myself dancing in Hobby Lobby a lot! 

4. When do you feel the most creative? 

In the morning with a good latte or at night...I'm a bit of an insomniac. 

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

The eye can make a color work. When I was in school to get my degree I bought a wine colored chair with intentions to recover it because my room was more orange, but the chair worked out amazingly to my surprise! A local artist and I were talking about this and she told me that,  "the eye can force a color to work even if they don't match perfectly." This is so true and it actually makes things look more interesting if everything is not matchy matchy. I've used this thought in my creations all the time! 

6. Where can we learn more about you?

My Instagram is the best place to learn more about me at: Lollipop Chic Bowtique.