Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business.

My name is Jacob Vaughn and I’m an artist living in San Francisco who runs a one-man, independently owned screenprinting and leatherworking shop called Project TransAction. Project TransAction features high quality handmade leather belts and cuffs, as well as screenprinted accessories and limited edition hand screened t-shirts.  Each item is designed and hand-crafted with the utmost attention to detail, and in the most earth friendly way possible.  The politics of small, local, and independent business are intrinsic to TransAction’s mission, and learning and educating others about the importance of shopping indie and being an informed consumer is viewed as vital. TransAction strives to work with the most socially responsible companies available, with the intention of creating affordable, thought provoking goods that people can feel confident investing in Eco-friendly, fresh, and indie.

How did you first get involved with crafting?

The leatherworking aspect of PT specifically came about when i was flipping baseball gloves on eBay to supplement my income. I started deconstructing them to make dog collars, and became very interested in the challenge of properly manufacturing leathergoods. I find this type of work very relaxing (and the hammering is a major stress reliever!) and decided to combine it with screenprinting to create exciting, unique items that only get better with time.

What are your favorite materials to work with? Do you have a favorite color palette?

I (obviously!) love working with leather, metal, and ink- there’s a certain richness and timeless quality to these materials that I find very satisfying. I’ve also been known to dabble in photography and filmmaking, and have been collaging a bit in my recent work.  I prefer a neutral palette but have been doing my best to make room for bright colors in my designs lately.

What are your inspirations in your art and in life?

Family, society, film, public transportation, pop culture, other artists, vintage advertisements, science, documentaries, things i read, love.

What is your favorite song or album to listen to while working?

Aesop Rock, Mos Def, RJD2, Tracy + the Plastics…anything with a good beat. I tend to “shake it” a lot when i’m by myself in the shop.

Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you

love them? I’ve seen a lot of really great artists at the local events in SF- I think anyone who keeps passion alive in their work and helps to re-create a strong local economy with a sense of community is worthy of my thanks and respect. Josh McPhee and the crew at JustSeeds.org are doing some amazing political work with all kinds of printmaking. Also, there’s a great collective in Philadelphia called Art In The Age of Mechanical Reproduction that is definitely worth checking out.

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business?  Always! I have some new skinny belts and ties as well as studded wallets that will be available at all upcoming indie sales. I’m also planning to have at least 6 new shirt designs available soon, so keep an eye out!

Jacob Vaughn Gushue

http://www.project-transaction.com

” It’s newer than new, its you-er than you, its now-er than now, and

it’s wow-er than wow. ”