Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. What inspired you to go into the craft business? I live and work in San Francisco, a city that inspires and delights me every day. I started experimenting with laser cut design about a year ago and quickly fell in love with the hands on, intricate results one can achieve working with the laser. Discovering the laser cutter was a wonderful way to take the design skills I had from my background in landscape architecture and urban design and apply them in an entirely new context. What I love about being in the craft business is not just being able to spend my time creating unique, beautiful items (which is indeed a wonderful privilege), but also hearing stories from people who buy my work and learning about the personal connection they feel to the pieces I have made.
Describe your creative process when designing/making your product line. I find inspiration in the every day natural and urban forms around me and translate this inspiration into the organic and modern geometries found in my designs. My work also reflects an artistic interest in the exploration of geometry and the playful repetition of shapes.
All pieces for Folia Design SF are digitally drafted, laser cut at Tech Shop, a member based workshop in San Francisco, and then hand assembled. I use a combination of laser etching (surface burning) and laser cutting (burning through) materials that have been carefully selected for their strength, durability, and etching qualities. In addition, Folia Design SF strives to be environmentally responsible and uses renewable and recycled materials whenever possible.
What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?
I love watching my designs come to life with the laser cutter and then seeing those pieces become part of someone else’s life through use or wear. I am also excited to be able to contribute to San Francisco’s creative economy and provide an alternative avenue for people who want to support local artists and makers. I don’t think I’ll ever strike it rich doing this, but it certainly enriches my life in many other ways.
FOLIA DESIGN SF
http://www.etsy.com/shop/foliadesignsf