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

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