My name is Debbie Huey and I am the creator, artist, writer and MAKER of Bumperboy. Bumperboy mostly consists of an all-ages comics series that combines whimsical characters, clever plot lines, and a whole lot of silliness. I was a late-bloomer in terms of reading comics and didn’t become hooked on them until my early 20s. Since then, I haven’t stopped reading comics and gained the courage to write my own. If I’m not writing or drawing the comics, I am usually creating Bumperboy merchandise that is inspired by the stories. My latest obsession is needle felting and I’m currently trying to build as many characters in the Bumperboy universe as I can.
What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? After going to my first indie comic book convention, I was completely inspired by comics and their creators. The comics industry has a great community that is enthusiastic and helpful, so it was easy to get started in writing and drawing my own. I’m currently making my attempt in dipping into the craft industry since I love to do both. I think the DIY aspects of both industries complement each other well. As for a day job, I work part-time at my local library as a Library Assistant. I love all of my jobs!
Describe your creative process when designing / making your product line. Most of my ideas come to me at random times, such as when I’m driving my car or taking a shower. So I keep a sketchbook with me at all times and I try to write down all of those ideas. I think of my sketchbooks as catalogs of my brain. Whenever I’m writing a story or crafting, I go through my sketchbooks and pull ideas from them and things eventually come together.
What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? The best thing about making comics and crafting is when people tell me that they enjoy my work. My goal in comics is to make people smile, even if it is just for a few minutes. The worst thing about what I do is the fact that comics currently do not get the respect that they deserve from the general public. Too many people out there think that comics are not “real books” and cast them off as junk.
What’s the best advice you have been given about your business or craft practices? Make sure that what you’re doing is something that you love. I don’t do comics and crafts for the money; I do it because I truly enjoy making things and I love to share my craft with others.
Learn more and shop at http://www.bumperboy.net