Bobo from Made Design Jewelry

What about your background inspired your work?

I come from a family of designers. My mom is 80 years old & is a master seamstress. My dad, bless his heart, passed away around 18 years ago. He was a furniture designer, drawing artist and jewelry maker.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

My influences are my team of designers that work for Made Design Jewelry & my Mom, along with traveling the world.

How do you define success as an artist?

I define success as making our own designs & not following trends. Also, we are now being sold in 15 department stores in Japan. Japan is the most difficult market to sell to, so that speaks to our creativity and quality.

What is the hardest part of your process?

Keeping up with the orders. We have thousands of designs we create & it is very difficult to keep up with all the requests & orders from our retail/wholesale accounts.

How has your style changed over time?

Designs have changed where we are more free, using more up-cycled materials & creating jewelry sewn onto clothing/accessories like hats.

Triple Drop Australian Opal on GoldFilled Threader Earrings

What’s your favorite item that you’ve created?

Our triple drop Australian Opal on GoldFilled threaders.

Can’t wait to see those in person! What do you love most about Pasadena?

We love the people, and the park in Pasadena is peaceful.

We love that Central Park is our home in Pasadena! And finally, is there anything special that you would like to share?

We are having a special at Jackalope - we sell wholesale to the public for the two days. Outside of the market, wholesale is only sold to retail stores. We have solid 14k Gold starting at $24 and we have a large section offering one item at $25 & 4 items for $45. That includes some GoldFilled items &  9.25 Silver. 

Catch Made Design Jewelry on November 18 & 19th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Web: www.madedesignjewelry.com

Instagram: @madedesignjewelry

Daili Shang

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?

I am from China. I majored in Physics. Being an Asian descendent who was forced into a career which didn't bring joy to me makes me understand those who want to be true to themself. I promote pursuing one's dream and self-care in my work. 

How did you get your start? 

I majored in physics in college because that’s one of the “society approved” majors in Asian culture. I’ve always loved art and the great outdoors. I wanted to be true to myself and started exploring art and a more flexible lifestyle after I graduated.

What are your biggest artistic influences?

My biggest artistic influences are the problems we face every day. I try to use a humorous tone to address the problems and use my art to let people know that this is okay. We will get through this. In the meantime, take a deep breath and take care of yourself.

How do you define success as an artist?

A successful artist is progressing compared to herself/himself/themselves. A successful artist has the freedom to create what makes herself/himself/themselves happy.

What is the hardest part of your creation process? 

To slow down and recharge to create better work.

What is a typical day like in the studio for you? 

I reply to emails in the morning. I spend most of my day learning and practicing as I’m a self-taught artist and I’m only in the second year of making art. There is a ton to learn. 

How has your style changed over time?

I intentionally make my style simpler and more stylized over time.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

My favorite piece is the national park sign which says "some who wander are lost and that is okay too". I love that I altered Tolkien's saying and made it my own version. Many people get courage and spend time to explore more from this new version. This piece is also clever in the sense that a national park sign is supposed to tell you where you are, but this sign tells you that you are lost and that is okay.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

I love the mountains in Pasadena. The authentic Chinese food in San Gabrielle village comes to a close second.

And finally, is there anything special you would like to add?

I started my art journey in my 30s two years ago. I am a full-time artist now. I want to let those who want to pursue their dream but in doubt know that you just have to start. The rest will take care of itself. 

Catch Daili Shang at Jackalope Pasadena on November 18th & 19th!

Website: www.shangdaili.com/

Instagram: @shang_daili

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I’m originally from Seattle, Wa but I relocated to Los Angeles 16 years ago. I still spend about 2 months out of the year there and consider it to be my other home. I grew up mushroom hunting, making forts in the woods and looking for gnomes in logs so I would say that I am quintessential “cottage core” through and through and it shows in my work.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

You wouldn’t know it from the pieces I make for people’s homes but I love Jean Dubuffet, Cy Twombly, Phillip Guston, Ellsworth Kelly, I could go on and on. Currently my favorite living artist is Carole d’Inverno. With tufting what most influences me is the yarn itself, and whatever music I happen to be listening to at the time.

How do you define success as an artist?

Success to me is getting up everyday and creating something. Love it, hate it, don’t care, but you made it. It’s daily engagement, endless curiosity, constant seeking and ongoing dialog with your artistic self.

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?  

Tufting is my second act as an artist. I’ve been a musician my entire life and that has always been where my focus as an artist has been. I’ve always enjoyed painting as a hobby but up until now that was my extent as a visual artist. The month before the pandemic began and we all started staying home I had released a solo record. But suddenly I couldn’t play shows, couldn’t promote it, etc. After that record I was feeling fairly burned out as a musician as it was, but with the isolation of the pandemic I just stopped writing. I stopped hearing melodies. I became disillusioned with being a musician. At that time I had been doing some punch needle for fun and I really loved it. Then I saw a tufting video. I was immediately mesmerized and knew I had to try it out.

From the first moment I picked up a gun I knew I had found my thing. I never thought there would be anything that I would engage with and love as much as music but tufting completely consumed me immediately. The truly wonderful thing that has happened through exclusively tufting and pouring all my energy into that, is that my music has started to come back to me. I’m hearing melodies and little lines of music again. And most importantly, I am wanting to play again. Having taken all the pressure off and engaging daily with something I love so much is bringing me back to my first love, music.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I work every single day. I am constantly trying new ideas and I am failing as well as succeeding on a regular basis. In tufting you are kind of on your own. As time goes on there is more and more information available to tufters but when I started it was incredibley hard to find help. This is why I have opened up a tufting school in L.A.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

That I am just one person. I wish I could clone myself! What people see of tufting are usually sped up videos of tufting and snippets of trimming but each piece really takes a long time to finish. The act of tufting is about a quarter of the entire process. The glueing, backing and trimming take the majority of the time and even a small piece like a mug rug can take me hours to do.

How has your style changed over time?

I started with just doing very cute pieces like kawaii style fruits and flowers. At the same time I was making a lot of paper cut out style pieces for a more “sophisticated” design appeal. So it was kind of 2 sides of my personality being represented from the start. As I’ve developed I am still working with both sides but on a much deeper level. If I make a cute mushroom or fruit rug, now a ton of shading is involved and I’m pushing to have more and more of a 3D effect in every piece. For my more “sophisticated” work I am playing with textures like crazy. On average I use 3 different kinds of tufting guns on each piece so that I can play with depth. I’ve started doing some monotone pieces so that the texture is the main focus. It’s really exciting to see where I’m at now compared to where I was when I started. I can’t wait to see what I’m doing a year from how.

What’s the best thing about being involved in the arts?

For me it’s the act of improvisation and the mystery of what will result from being in the moment. Whether it’s tufting designs without any planning or creating music on the spot, I love the thrill of just going for it and tapping in to exploring who I am as an artist at that exact moment.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

I love my carpet bomb clock a lot. It makes me smile whenever I see it. Doing that piece really leveled me up when it came to shading and creating a 3D effect. Plus I love that it’s mixed media with the wires sticking out and the clock’s lights.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

I have recently opened a tufting school with classes from beginner to advanced levels so that people can learn the art of tufting easily and with support.

Catch Tuft House LA at The Downtown Burbank Arts Festival this June 3rd & 4th

Web: www.tufthousela.com

Instagram: @tufthousela

Tell us a little more about Novel. What is your mission?

At NOVEL School of Art, our mission is to give disabled artists the tools they need to build thriving careers in illustration that are exciting, dignified, & tailored to suit their lifestyle needs. 

When and how did you get started?

I started this business during the COVID-19 pandemic to gain a sense of control in uncontrollable circumstances. As the world became more unstable and more isolated, I wondered how artists with disabilities would navigate this “new normal”. How would the pandemic affect their futures? How could I help disabled artists thrive in a post-pandemic job market?

I began teaching 4 talented artists in the comfort of their homes, & realized that I could help them start their careers without needing to wait for the world to return to normal. I turned my client’s work into toys, party supplies, & sticker packs, watching as their confidence grew! For the first time, they saw themselves as professional artists.

Who / what are your biggest artistic influences?

I’m inspired by dreamers with a passion for lifelong learning! My biggest influences are renowned art agent Lilla Rogers, author Elizabeth Gilbert, & my childhood favorite- Tomie de Paola. 

How do you define success as an artist?

I feel like you’ve found success as an artist when the menial, difficult parts of your work are worth pushing through, because you know that what you’re doing is in line with who you are and how you’d like to see the world.

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

My art helps me keep a sense of wonder. It’s a form of self care when the world feels dark, and reminds me that we are capable of making magic.

How has your career and art developed?

I was fortunate enough to receive a full tuition scholarship at Art Center College of Design, where I majored in Illustration. In my senior year, I interned at the Tierra del Sol Foundation as an Art Instructor for disabled adults. That experience set me on a long, LONG journey to where I am today.

What is typical work day like for you?

A typical day can include up to 3 classes with individual artists in their own homes. I usually arrive with a trend board related to the seasons, and we'll brainstorm product ideas together. "What would you like to create next?" It's a very collaborative process, and the client always has the ultimate say in what they'd like to create. Our goal is to help each artist develop a body of work & a brand that can be included in the broader mainstream markets so that the world doesn't restrict them to the title of "outsider art". They are fantastic, capable artists deserving of professional opportunities. We're very excited to work with Jackalope again!

That’s so cool - honored to have you join us! Do you have a favorite item that you sell?

Our hand painted wooden gifts are a crowd favorite! Every artist in the program has come such a long way with their fine motor skills and attention to detail, and their imaginations really shine when they create something like a set of nesting dolls, a wish box, or a wooden book purse. Some of my artists struggle with visual impairment, but with some accommodations like a magnification light, they've made huge strides in craftsmanship! I can't wait for everyone to see what we've made together.

So excited to see what you all have been working on in person! What is the hardest part of the creation process?

I overthink a lot, and can sometimes shame myself into making work that isn’t who I am in an attempt to appear more “professional” and worthy of financial investment. It’s funny though, because any time I do that, the piece winds up failing completely. When I trust that I am enough, as my authentic self, that’s when my pieces succeed and resonate with people.

What’s the best thing about being involved in the arts?

The best thing about being involved in the arts is helping people manifest dreams that they thought were impossible. Artists can get lost in the illustrious details of their own vision, forgetting that there are big, boring, painstakingly practical steps they need to take to make big things happen. I love being there to support people through the emotional gravity of those steps, since those are the moments when you’re likely to talk down to yourself and question your dream. Keep going. Your dream can be real!

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena feels like a peaceful moment paused in time, away from the hustle & bustle of LA. I love that I can get to all my basic needs within a 5 minute drive, and I’ll probably never leave this place.

So well said. Anything special you’d like to share? 

As artists, dreamers, and lifelong learners, we are in the business of hope. Keep working towards what ignites your inner spark.

Catch NOVEL School of Art at Jackalope Pasadena on November 18th & 19th!

Web: www.novelsoa.com

Instagram: @novelsoa

How did the rescue get started?

Several months before Fetchin’ Retrievers Rescue became a 501c3, a group of volunteers with many years of rescue experience met to discuss their goals to begin a rescue in Southern California. Their plan would be to rescue all varieties of Retrievers and Retriever mixes.    Their dreams became a reality when Fetchin’ Retrievers Rescue began their all- volunteer foster based Rescue organization in October 2019.

Can you tell us more about the mission behind Fetchin’ Retrievers Rescue?

Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home all Retrievers and Retriever Mixes.  We operate in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County and San Diego County.  We partner with other rescue organizations, shelters, veterinarians and dog trainers/behaviorists as a resource if they encounter dogs in need.  Our applicants can foster with us or foster to adopt.  Both foster programs allow us to save more Retrievers who will ultimately thrive in new loving homes and become the dogs they were meant to be.  We are dedicated to supporting our adopters with added services such as behavior training to ensure success and permanent placements.

How do you define success as a nonprofit?

Rescue success is the result of finding that perfect home for a dog who has experienced a very difficult past, whether he/she was a stray, an owner surrender due to unforeseen circumstances, and/or a medically or behaviorally challenged dog.

What is the hardest part working at the rescue?

The most difficult part of rescue work is the heartfelt stories of all the abandoned dogs in our overcrowded shelters and the fact that we cannot save a higher numbers of dogs.

Do you have any favorite success stores you could share?

A story of Missy: Some dogs have major medical challenges that require multiple surgeries, long recovery and physical therapy and Missy was one of these.  Missy endured four knee surgeries, treatment for heartworm, intolerance of pain medication and infections.  In the beginning, Missy was isolating herself and seemed depressed, so we moved her to a new, experienced foster home who had another dog.  She excelled in this new home and really blossomed with having a canine friend.  This journey took well over a year when finally on the mend, her foster family adopted her and are committed to a lifetime of continued care.

And another about Murphy: Murphy was picked up while running on the Santa Monica freeway. The shelter classified him as “rescue only” status because during his capture, he bit his rescuer.  No one knows how this senior dog ended up on the freeway but when we saw his white muzzle, we knew that we could not let him spend any more time in the shelter.  Seniors tend to take a little longer than most to be adopted but the wait is worth it.  Murphy found an amazing adopter who just wanted to be a home for the neediest.  Murphy lived his last 2 1/2 years in a home with another canine, a couple of felines and a human Mom and Dad who cherished him while giving him love, the extra care he required and even rides in a wagon when his legs became weak on his walks.

Anything special you’d like to share?

We specifically rescue the neediest of dogs like those that have major medical and/or behavioral  challenges.  From puppies to seniors.

Meet Fetchin’ Retrievers Rescue in person on April 29th & 30th at Jackalope Pasaadena.

Web: http://fetchinretrieversrescue.org/

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?  

I grew up in St. Joseph, MO, studied video production at Savannah College of Art and Design, and moved to Burbank in 1998 to pursue a career in editing.  I’ve always enjoyed taking existing material to create something new, whether it is film footage or the earth itself.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

I bought a 3D printer soon after they became accessible to hobbyists and was excited by the idea of turning things I had created digitally into real objects.  At the same time photogrammetry was becoming available, which is the process of matching identical points on multiple photographs of an object from many angles and using the data to create a 3D model of it.  The two technologies together make it possible to turn physical objects into digital ones, and back again.

Very cool. How do you define success as an artist?

Success for me equals pride in what I create. Is this something I like? Does it keep interesting me? Is my family supportive of my work? Sure, money is indeed a factor, but I’ve spent years of my life trying to please others with my work.  Now, I get to do it for me.

Amazing. Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

I’m a lot less stressed over my work. Where else can you work at your own pace, take care of your family, and wake up without a case of “Sunday dread”? Since my wife retired from medicine to join me, it’s created a whole new dynamic.  She helps with the books, the packaging, and even painting custom pieces.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I’m learning how to take what I know and push it further. I’m always improving the quality of my work, learning new ways to redesign and reinforce thin structures, including manufacturing my own special inserts to protect my larger prints from breakage during shipping. There’s always something new to add to my wheelhouse, be it designing new products, like video game locations, football stadiums, college campuses and more!

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Photogrammetry and other capture methods make it possible to create 3D models of places.  Miniatures and dioramas are always fascinating, especially of places you know and love.  They are even more compelling when they have the authenticity of having been created directly from captured data rather than hand modeling.  It's kind of like a sculptural photograph. The most difficult part of the process at the moment is figuring out how to add color to the 3d models using aerial photography as the source.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Doing what I love.  Plain and simple. It sounds cliché but being able to take my technical skills and produce something cool, unique and creative.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

One of my favorite projects was one of my first: a coffee scoop I made by twisting passionflower vines to create the handle and shaping leaves into the bowl.  I created a digital model of it using photogrammetry, made some adjustments, then 3D printed it.  It was fascinating to create an object that was largely designed by nature and formed through a combination of hand craft and computer craft.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena has always been special to us. Before marriage and kids, we frequented the restaurants and shops of Old Town and admiring the Greene and Green architecture. My wife spent a year working at a clinic on Lake and spent several years working on the City of Burbank float for the Rose Parade.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

We’re always open to new suggestions and custom orders. We still have a lot of theme park attraction suggestions but we’re playing with golf course designs, football stadiums, and coming up with alternatives to expensive color printing.

Catch Nanoscapes at Jackalope Pasadena on April 29th & 30th.

See more:

Web: www.nano-scapes.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanoScapes

Instagram: @nano.cities

Maza Guzman

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I moved to LA from Chicago in 2018. I think Midwesterners are generally better people than other Americans because we understand the importance of good neighbors; they can help you shovel out your car from the snow, they can lend you an egg when you don't want to leave the house in negative degree weather, etc. So I like to think that my brand embodies that sort of dependable, kind energy.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

Star Trek. The Matrix. Lord of the Rings. The Labyrinth with David Bowie. My parents were into sci-fi and fantasy, so I've always been attracted to space and magical lands. I believe we have to imagine a better world for ourselves before we can build a better world for ourselves, so my artistic practices are generally offshoots of my imaginings of a better world. In my version of a better world, art makes you laugh or cry with joy.

We love that. How do you define success as an artist?

If I'm happy with what I make--if it brings me pleasure or pain or whatever I'm going for--and if someone tells me they've connected with it in any sort of way, I'm successful. Art is like our social connective tissue.

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Yes. Ever since I was a small child, art has been the way that I learn about myself. Mostly, I learn what it is that I'm feeling. Once I identify what I'm feeling, I can identify what I need, and once I identify what you need, I can heal myself. Art heals me, and it has the power to heal others. Art is medicine.

It can be so powerful. How have you developed your skill at your craft?

When I was a kid, I loved sculpting with baking clay, beading jewelry, weaving friendship bracelets... the list goes on and on. Eventually, once you've picked up a handful of crafting skills, you realize that you can get good at anything with enough practice. Now, when a new medium strikes me as interesting or curious, I tend to take a stab at it. Needle felting has been my most recent stab (no pun intended).

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Believing that no one will connect with it. I'm getting better at recognizing that limiting belief, but it still plagues me sometimes.

How has your style changed over time?

I'm a recovering perfectionist. Also, I'm usually broke. These two conditions make it difficult to feel at liberty to experiment, but experimentation is essential for an artist, and so I think over time, my work has become better and better because I'm less afraid of messing up or wasting supplies. 

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Meeting other artists. There are so many magical humans on Earth, and yet we blind ourselves because we're afraid. Artists don't have the luxury of staying afraid; we have to confront our inner selves on a daily basis. Meeting brave, creative people is such a fantastic reward for being an artist. 

Well said. What’s your favorite item that you’ve created, and why?

I think the first thing I needle-felted was a one-inch replica of my step-dog's head, which I then "mounted" on a felted "mounting board." He's a rat terrier mutt with protruding eyeballs, so I used glass seed beads for his eyes. I was shocked at how well I captured his likeness. His name is Mr. Wiggles, but we call him Wigs. "Wigs' Head Mounted" is one of my favorite pieces to date. I have a greeting card now that features it.

So cute! What do you love most about Pasadena?

The beauty of the mountains! And the fact that Einstein moved here after the war.

Anything special you’d like to share? 

I'm a climate activist who’s about to launch an effort to save the world. It's called the Green New Now, and I'm giving away stickers to promote it. Come grab yours!

Catch Mazaland at Jackalope Pasadena on April 29th & 30th.

Web: https://maza.land/shop

Instagram: @undercovergrom

Teja Anderson

Where are you from and does that affect your work?

I grew up in Vermont and our family tradition was to always make, not buy gifts for the people you cared about. So every year I had to come up with something and often it was jewelry of some sort. When Super Storm Sandy destroyed the first floor of our home and over half of our beachfront community on the Jersey Shore in late October of 2012, it also brought a bunch of beautiful sea glass to the beaches. That year everyone got sea glass necklaces. Soon I was getting requests, and within a year it was a thriving business.

Since then I have branched out to use freshwater and Tahitian pearls as well. I am allergic to most metals so leather cord was always my choice for stringing and I watched YouTube videos to learn how to tie the different knots. I have Viking and Celtic heritage and have always been drawn to those cultures. My pieces definitely reflect that rawness and energy. In 2021 I moved with my husband here to Los Angeles and had to reestablish myself as a local artist during a pandemic which hasn't been easy, but I have begun to see random people out and about wearing my pieces which always brings me great joy and satisfaction.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

Inspiration for my designs comes from dreams or other handmade creations I either see in person or on film or in museums. I am also always open to finding new materials to work with and recently used 2,000 year old glass from Ancient Rome. Walking on the beach and finding sea glass is one of my favorite things to do and I will travel to destinations that are known for sea glass (not surprisingly this is where people used to dump garbage in the water so in a way I am also re-cycling).

The biggest difference between the coasts I have found is that Californians asked for Tahitian pearls; often preferring them to freshwater farmed pearls regardless of the higher cost. I have now become well versed in the world of pearls and oysters and have a true appreciation of nature's only organic (non-stone) gems.

Oh interesting. What is the hardest part of your work?

The hardest part of being an artist for me is the sales part. I love to create but attaching a price to something is difficult especially when I see how much someone likes something I've made but doesn't have the money. Now I try to make something in everyone's price point or offer a barter or trade.

Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve created?

These Flame (Baroque) freshwater pearls with the knotted leather were two of my favorite pieces. One went to a professional pearl diver and one to a cinematographer; I loved that! I would love to do more custom one of a kind pieces.

Anything else you’d like to share?

For 20 years I was a wildlife rehabilitator on the east coast, specializing in wild baby rabbits, chipmunks, opossums and flying squirrels. My jewelry business was able to financially support that and I still had enough time to care for the animals out of our home. If you are an animal charity looking for donations please reach out to me!

Catch Sea You Again at Jackalope Pasadena on April 29th & 30th.

Web: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SeaYouAgain

Instagram: @seayouagainjewelry

Alex & Sun

Tell us where are you from and if that impacts your work?

We’re from the Pacific Northwest (Alex) and Orange County, California (Sun), but honestly we’ve been living in the greater Los Angeles area long enough that we just consider ourselves SoCal natives at this point. It’s definitely affected our work in the most amazing way. You don’t think about it on a day-to-day basis, but in hindsight we can definitely see the California influence.

The warm weather and diverse cultures that we experience year-round certainly guide the messages and products that we create. Our primary offerings are lightweight graphic t-shirts that are both convenient and comfortable to wear in Southern California. Additionally, our proximity to the entertainment and technology industries has given us an eclectic and future-focused approach to life, which in turn influences the mashup between art and tech often seen in Story Spark designs.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

There are quite a few sources of artistic influences in our work. Thought-provoking, minimal, and quirky art always catches our eye. We look at so many different types of artists, from graphic designers like John Maeda, Saul Bass, and April Greiman, to fine artists like Jeff Koons, Yoshitomo Nara, and Joe Sorren. We’re also inspired by contemporary design and architecture icons like Frank Gehry, Alexander McQueen, Betsy Johnson, and Charles and Ray Eames.

How do you define success as an artist?

We believe that the purpose of art is to connect with others. The essence of human communication lies in telling a message or story, which can be conveyed through a variety of mediums, especially art. Therefore, true success in art is achieved by making an impact on someone's life and giving them that "aha" moment that can shift their perspective and understanding of their own belief system.

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Art has an invigorating power that enhances our lives. There are times when we feel unmotivated and down with what we're currently doing - some may call it a blue period, or the ebb and flow of entrepreneurship. Running a small business is no easy feat, and finding creativity when you’re not feeling inspired can be incredibly difficult. But during these times, looking back on our past creations and remembering the spark we felt in creating those designs definitely pulls us out of that funk. Even old pieces of art can provoke new thoughts and emotions, which lead to gained inspiration. Art always provides the spark that ignites our stories and actions.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

Much of the improvement in our craft comes from work experience. We’ve found the best way to learn is just to do. Experience can be the best teacher. Although the process of creating a new design from a concept is never the same (and does not seem to get any easier), more practice and experience lead to more efficient techniques. Certain pitfalls, such as poor color choices and line weight limitations, are now easier to detect and avoid than when we first started.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

This is perhaps the easiest question to answer! The most difficult part of creating is being able to generate new ideas. 100%. As our portfolio of designs has grown, it has become increasingly challenging to develop something that is not only new but also meets our high criteria for quality.

How has your style changed over time?

Our style has undergone a transformation over the years, becoming more intricate and refined. Our approach to creation is deeply rooted in art, technology, and pop culture, which means it’s as constantly changing as the mediums we use. We draw inspiration from these fields to craft our unique creations and thus are always looking for new and exciting ways to express how we see the world as it changes around us.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

Being an artist has given us the opportunity to do something that we love, which is creating and sharing new stories and ideas with others. It has provided us with a channel to express our thoughts and creativity in ways that satisfy our inner selves. What we’ve also discovered is that Story Spark has pushed us into becoming creative entrepreneurs, which challenges both the left and right sides of our brains each and every day.

What’s your favorite item that you’ve created, and why?

Oh, it’s so hard to pick a favorite! We’d have to say one of our most beloved Story Spark creations is "Boooost," also known as the "Rocket Sloth." This original design features a sloth with a jetpack meant to inspire people to charge forward and blaze their own path. Despite any preconceived notions or self-doubt, it's important to set your sights on the finish line and be ready to surpass your goals. We love the irony of this visual graphic and the positive message it conveys for those who wear it. Plus, the sloth’s silly expression always puts a smile on everyone’s face.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

The people, indefinitely! Every person we have met at the Jackalope Artisan Fair in Pasadena has been friendly and open-minded, and willing to hear the thoughts behind each of our pieces. This willingness is very humbling and encouraging for us to keep going. It’s a sense of community and interest that feels very unique to this area. We can keep going with more reasons to love Pasadena, but definitely the people!

Catch Story Spark on April 29th & 30th at Jackalope Pasadena!

Web: www.storyspark.com

Instagram: @storyspark

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up in Long Beach, California as an only child & was fortunate enough to be exposed to a few key elements that would heavily influence my life: travel, food, music and art. I earned my BFA in Fine Art Photography and have explored all different mediums of art throughout the past few decades.

Speaking of influences, who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
I am highly influenced by geometric & organic architecture, Art Deco, minimalism & mixed sacred geometry.

We can definitely see how these influences impact your work. How do you define success as an artist?
Being an artist is quite a dynamic experience in many aspects. I think the hardest part can be maintaining confidence throughout the challenging periods we all experience at one point or another.

Good point. How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I have always been open to exploring creative skills. One day in 2014 I walked by a stained glass store & decided I wanted to try it out. I bought a bunch of supplies, watched a few videos, made an embarrassingly terrible piece & immediately fell in love. I did not have the time outside of my full time job to take a class and I dedicated every free moment to teaching myself through trial and error. For two years I made many pieces & gave them away as gifts. I obsessively absorbed any information I could find about the craft & challenged myself to elevate my skill level and develop a unique style.

That is great! What is the hardest part of your creation process?
Saying no! My long career in hospitality (before I quit to be a full time artist) has carried over into this constant struggle to want to take on EVERY request no matter what the circumstance. I am getting better, but still need to say no more often to things that may not serve me (my time, my energy, my design style).

Realizing that is the first step! How has your style changed over time?
It’s really interesting to look back over the past 8 years & identify how my design aesthetic/style has developed. I have always been drawn to geometric forms & when I started working with glass that is all I saw - colors as shapes, individual pieces creating a whole, in its simplest form. I don’t think my style changed much over time within this basic element, but my use and appreciation of color has grown from a monochromatic representation into a full balance & appreciation of how light & texture affect design impact. The patchwork design was the main one that has evolved over time specifically in the way I can just flow with the colors & shapes to create a balanced result, and the skill level is deceivingly difficult.

Patience I am sure is needed. What’s the best thing about being an artist?

My favorite thing about being an artist is to create things that bring joy to others, especially the collaboration process when working with clients on custom projects.

How about a favorite item you have created?

Choosing a favorite creation is hard! There are those that are my favorites because they challenged me towards growth, those that I developed new techniques to accomplish a desired result, and those that just felt like the “best” creation to date. The most meaningful item that I have created is a large rainbow sun panel for a loyal client whom I have previously made some rainbow color way panels. For this sister panel to the others, I was given some general guidance & allowed the freedom to push the design where it “wanted” to go. I was working on this panel just after my father’s passing & was very present to the spiritual embodiment of this particular design, the sun shining its rainbow rays.

We hear you helped create an important piece for this year’s Burning Man. Given that the festival didn’t quite go as planned this year, what happened with your art?  How did it feel to be a part of that?

This year I had the extraordinary opportunity to create a stained glass heart for The Man at Burning Man.   I was told by the crew that every year there is some sort of heart form installed inside The Man, however it is never visible.  This year the heart was intended to symbolize an extremely special commemoration for a longtime member & engineer of the build crew.  For the first time, the heart would be illuminated within this massive structure & the heart would beat with a pulsing light until it burned in front of 70,000 people.  I put more love into this heart than anything I have ever created in 10 years of glassing, knowing that it was being created to live a very short & sacred life.  With the rains that essentially shut the festival down for a few days, the scheduled burn night was postponed - the first time in the history of the event that The Man did not burn on Saturday night.  Watching it burn two nights later was about as cathartic an experience as you can imagine, all while sharing it with tens of thousands of people. 

The Heart is absolutely stunning. Did it survive the burn? 

I was told the next day that someone found some fused glass remnants in the still smoldering ash pile at the base of the man. 

I wonder if that person knows what that little object once was, what it symbolized and how it changed me as an artist. 

Rainbow Sun Panel

The Heart for Burning Man

This sounds like such an incredible & special opportunity. What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

I am very lucky to work out of my home studio workshop space which is a separate building on our property, so I get the benefit of "going to work" but can always be surprise visited by my dogs & chickens, which makes for a pretty silly daily "routine". There are always a minimum of a half dozen projects in progress, ranging from large window panels to a variety of custom design collaborations to decor & jewelry items for the few wholesale accounts I work with. I also am always creating stock for my online shop, items that are always available for purchase. I love my "job" so much that it can be challenging at times to "turn it off" with a set schedule, but I try to stick to 9 hours a day on average. I am also quite fortunate to have some helping hands from two local stained glass artists who help with the massive amount of detail work involved in this craft, such as hours upon hours of grinding, cleaning, polishing & packaging.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena has some really incredible history! I particularly love the historic architecture throughout the city, but especially the stunning American Craftsman examples coming out of the Arts and Crafts movement, which included interior design, landscape design, applied arts, and decorative arts. There are so many extraordinary examples of stained glass, the Gamble House being the most famous and accessible.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

I will be bringing some specialty creations just for the occasion. In addition to a wide range of colorful suncatchers, window decor & ornaments perfect for gifts, I will have some unique larger panels and mobiles that I only create for the Jackalope shows.

Anything special you’d like to add?
I am thrilled to be participating in Jackalope Artisan Fair again! When I first became a vendor several years ago I was just starting out in my journey of figuring out how to sell my work & I gained such a valuable experience from participating in these events & found genuine support from the maker community & the loyal buyers who come to support this unique event.

Catch Culotta Creations at Jackalope Pasadena on November 18th & 19th!

Where to see more of Culotta Creations:

Website | www.culottacreations.com

Instagram | @culottacreations