Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. I’m Vonnie Chan a wife to an amazingly supportive husband who will put up with bins full of stuff spread all over to the house. Mother to a six-year old boy who cannot get enough Star Wars and his three year old sister who has willingly agreed to be Ashoka, his paduan while battling droids.

Chicks & Frogs was launched to celebrate the joy and humor of raising kids. Our line is created for haute little chicks and future princes.

How did you first get involved with crafting? I’m a gatherer who revels in creating new things out of found objects. For a long time I made cards. I collected bits and pieces of interesting objects, buttons from old sweaters, old Chinese coins from my parents village, corrugated cardboard, ribbons, stamps, then I made personalized cards to give to friends and families. After having kids, my passions turned to sewing. Since then I have been lovingly creating clothing for the people I love.

What are your favorite materials to work with? Colorful fabrics that celebrate the rich heritage and diversity of our community.

Do you have a favorite color palette? In the spring it’s always bright, bold, and whimsical fabrics which give me a sense of renewal.

What are your inspirations in your art and in life? Our connectedness either via technology, food, culture, and lifestyle is what inspires our product creations. We are really just trying to get through the parenting years by laughing everyday at ourselves (and of course our kids)-not in a mean way.

What is your favorite song or album to listen to while working? Anything by IZ. His voice and music just make me smile. I also listen to a lot of NPR. Wait Wait don’t tell me is always a favorite.

Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you love them? Nan Eastep of B.Spoke Tailor. I love her line of biking clothes that can go from bike to boardroom. Okay maybe not boardroom but definitely office. Her raincoat is gorgeous, comfy, and simply amazing!

Cherry Chaicharn of August Table. She makes this great line of plates and tableware. Subtle drawings of cities like San Francisco, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. Her plates let me dream of faraway places while I eating fruit tart from my crammed kitchen table.

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business? Creating a line of clothing for girls inspired by repurposed kimono dresses and other fabrics.

Please check out my website at

www.chicksandfrogs.com

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. I have been working in ceramics for over twelve years and got a second Bachelor’s degree in Ceramics from CCA(c) with a focus in sculpture. In 2007, I was laid off from one of my four jobs (hahaha!) at the time and decided to start making functional ceramic pieces. My first “real” show was in May 2007 at the San Francisco Bazaar at the Maker’s Faire! I am very happy to be participating again as it is my favorite show of the year — so much creativity, passion and ingenuity out there. I come from a family of electricians and always wished I had gotten that gene…

How did you first get involved with crafting? My Mom was a painter and sculptor and also a children’s Librarian. She also sewed me some pretty bitchin’ seventies attire!

What are your favorite materials to work with? Do you have a favorite color palette? Clay although I have dabbled in pretty much all of the arts and crafts! I love retro colors like baby blue, pink, yellow and chocolate brown.

What are your inspirations in your art and in life? I love asian art and a simplicity in form, shapes and colors. I am madly drawn to circles. I love nature but mainly in its abstraction and I adore my Grandma’s curio cabinet. I like handmade work with wobbly edges and fingerprints. I am not interested in perfection or slick factory reproductions. I love the ocean, science fiction and plants.

What is your favorite song or album to listen to while working? I wish I had KALX on my iPod. I listen to a lot of songs purchased on iTunes that I originally heard from KALX but then my car stereo got stolen again so now I daydream to a dangerous degree. So, at the studio it is these purchased songs like LCD Soundsystem or The Long Blondes or its music from the early 90s that I never got enough of like The Pharcyde, Swirlies, Unrest and Tsunami.

Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you love them? I could never name names because I am utterly gobsmacked every time I visit Etsy or do a show. There is so much out there that is amazing.

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business? I just got back from a trip to Turkey and Greece and was very inspired by the colors, shapes, culture and history of this area. I am planning a new line of little plates inspired from my trip.

To shop and find out more about ezeme designs go to www.ezmedesigns.com

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. I have 2 businesses: p*Charming is my jewelry line, which is all about personalization. I think it’s important to have an intimate experience when selecting charms so I encourage mixing + matching to create the perfect piece. prismPOP is devoted to being eco-mindful yet maintaining a commitment to good design. it showcases paper products ranging from postcards (my favorite correspondence) to art prints and gift enclosure cards.

How did you first get involved with crafting? I had a balloon animal activity book as a child. Constructing something with my two little mitts + breath was captivating. I would create those colorful critters for every occasion.

What are your favorite materials to work with? Do you have a favorite color palette? My guilty pleasure is working with found materials. I quilt in my free time and use fabric scraps to create small bags for the jewelry. My favorite color palette is actually the un-colors. I adore browns + greys – attracted to everything muted.

What are your inspirations in your art and in life? Inspiration for me certainly comes from my surroundings – I am fortunate to have lived in Manhattan for 5 years and recently moved to Brooklyn. I love the vastness NYC has to offer. Also, traveling – I’m a sucker for street meat and following unpaved roads.

What is your favorite song or album to listen to while working? Anything Nina Simone or npr.

Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you love them? Ooh that is such a tough one. I have met so many incredible artists through The {NewNew} NY – I am sincerely inspired by each of them individually – it’s a very committed group of crafters!

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business? Looking forward to expanding my prismPOP line to include gift-wrap and bookplates. Also excited to have more of my work carried in brick&mortar shops – the internet is awesome, but there is something about the tactile nature of shopping that I don’t think can be replaced.

Shop and learn more about p*Charming at pcharming.com

Shop and learn more about prismPOP at www.prismpop.com

How did you first get involved with crafting? Early on in my childhood, I was always interested in trying something new. I started with baking in our toaster oven and a box of Bisquick. Shortly after my Mom  me how to crochet and my Grandma taught me how to knit. Between, school projects and Girl Scouts, Itaught picked up more skills and learned about different types of craft. Out of everything I learned crocheting, knitting, printmaking, papermaking, and book binding are my favorites.

What are your favorite materials to work with? Paper and found textures are my favorite main materials to work with, though I will incorporate others to create my final piece whether it is inks, adhesives, etc. . .

Do you have a favorite color palette? No, but I like to incorporate simultaneous color contrast, which is two colors laying sided by side whose interaction with one another changes the visual appearance of that color. For instance Pink may be perceived as Lavender when placed next two a medium purple/plum color.

What are your inspirations in your art and in life? In Art, presently it is Sweet Treats and Food Packaging for subject matter and various illustrators and graphic designers from the 20’s and 30’s and the 50’s and 60’s for technique.

In Life, I like stories about the underdog prevailing, and girl power. One film that has both is Million Dollar Baby.

It also never ceases to amaze me, when strangers come together and connect unanimously in jubilation for that split moment in time. It could anything from celebrating your sports team victory in the ultimate showdown at a bar or in my case, it was one author bringing people together over and over to only nod and smile at one another. It was probably one of the biggest Book-of-the-Month Club title whose members only met each other in passing on buses and at cafes.

When I was reading the last book of the Harry Potter Series, everyone I met who had this book in hand like me would greet each other with a nod and smile. Sometimes we would even go so far and ask how far we’ve read by chapter or page number, but we mutually knew that it would be gravely impolite to talk about the story itself. The most details you would ever hear was “Isn’t it so good?” and the other person would reply, “Yes.” Then, with almost a sigh of relief, we would continue reading or moving along; happy to meet a fellow fan, but even happier that the ending would still be our own personal surprise.

These moments are so far and few between that I think they are somewhat magical.

What is your favorite song or album to listen to while working? I don’t have a favorite song or album but I like to listen to these bands: Radiohead, Explosions in the Sky, and Kruder & Dorfmeister

Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you love them? I know up above I haven’t really pinned down specific favorites. But it is rare that I do because I like or enjoy so many things simultaneously. It is really hard for me to pin it down to just one or even a few.

So how about I tell you some of my favorite retail stores to see new indie artist/crafters are Park Life, Little Otsu and The Curiosity Shoppe here in San Francisco. I also look forward to attending urban craft fairs such as Renegade Craft Fair, Bizaar Bizarre, and Felt Club. It is a great way to see who or what is new and to meet fellow entrepreneurs making a living at what they love to do most.

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business? Currently, we are finishing up our 2009 Summer and Winter Holiday lines.

Please stay tuned or sign-up on our email list at www.motormouthpress.com.

We are also in the midst of updating our new website, which has a friendlier format and easier navigation and have begun working with other businesses and creating licensed patterns/designs for their retail products.

Lastly, looking a little farther in the future, we hope to introduce some gift wrap in 2010.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. I am a mom to a wonderful 20 month old little girl, have an amazing & supportive husband, and 2 cats who don’t like sharing my affections with the baby. With my business, Mediums to Masses, I create fused glass jewelry and table-wares made by screen printing vintage textile patterns onto the glass then firing them into the surface. I also create sculpture and installation art in my free time. Please visit my personal website for examples of that work: www.sarahhirneisen.com

How did you first get involved with crafting? I was enamored with the material glass when I first experienced glassblowing as a teenager. I’ve always loved all arts & crafts but there was something about the material glass that immediately had me hooked. When I studied glass in college at the Rhode Island School of Design I learned many other ways to manipulate the material and I’ve continued to expand on that knowledge and discover new ways to use glass.

What are your favorite materials to work with? Well (obviously) glass, but I also love fabric and sewing, concrete (a new fav.), metal, found and salvaged objects to name a few…

Do you have a favorite color palette? Green, green and more green!

What are your inspirations in your art and in life? This is really 3 questions for me, with my craft I am inspired by the material glass, vintage patterns, fun shapes, and clean, modern forms. With my art I am inspired by current events politically and personally. In my life I am inspired by my daughter and watching her grow into such an amazing little person and by my husband whose dedication to his craft (computer programming) is a catalyst for me.

What is your favorite song or album to listen to while working? I love all the Hotel Costes (they are great for working to) but my all time fav. song is Dramamine by Modest Mouse

Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you love them? That’s hard- there are so many great indie crafters (esp. in the bay area) but I have to say that some of my favorites are on Etsy- I love that site and am totally addicted to buying on there (any money I make goes right back to etsy).

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business? Grad School!! I am super excited to start an MFA program (in sculpture) at Mills this fall.

You can find out more about Medium to the Masses and shop at the following websites:

www.mediumstomasses.com

www.etsy.com

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. I’m a writer by profession, skill, and inclination; one that loves to be surrounded in eclectic and inspiring environments. Being creative is a natural state for me, and I love how my creative progression keeps leading me into increasingly versatile directions.

Jim Dandy’s started out as a daydream and is rapidly turning into a reality. After making just a few feather fascinators for myself and friends, I decided to set up my “etsy shop” with a goal of just having fun with my feather fascinators and the creative process. Each piece is unique, with an individual essence – this is depicted in the poetic descriptions.

It is thrilling to hear back from my customers from across the world; how they have fascinated their audiences with my feather pieces in their hair. Jim Dandy’s transforms reality to dream, and dream to reality.

How did you first get involved with crafting? I never considered myself the hands-on crafts type, as my creative outlet has typically been my writing. I’ve always had really cool ideas, but felt like I just wasn’t the type to be able to construct them into reality. I was directed to the Etsy site by an amazing friend, and after spending mucho dinero buying everything I laid my eyes on, I was inspired and motivated to create and produce myself.

What are your favorite materials to work with? Do you have a favorite color palette? My favorite materials to work with are feathers, tacky adjectives, fascination, and lots of love. Each feather fascinator calls out its own color scheme as I make them; I am inspired to listen and design accordingly.

What are your inspirations in your art and in life? Definitely my outrageously amazing daughter, raw beauty, truth, love, music, my internal bohemian call for creating, and the facets of experiences – both mine and of others.

What is your favorite song or album to listen to while working? Balkan Beat Box radio, Etta James, and Metric.

Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you love them? primavera777 with her happy beautiful and love-filled happy uteruses, sora designs because I couldn’t imagine not adorning my hands or neck without her pieces, transaction with his amazing belts and vibe, and ice cream seams for her sweet, sweet shirts and personality! There is not enough room!

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business? I have been experimenting with a children’s line of feather hairpieces, as well as developing some new items to the Jim Dandy’s product line! The most important thing is that I plan to keep having fun with the entire creative process.

Eclectric Expo is another project I have been furiously working on. But I’d like to keep my lips sealed on that. For now.

Find out more about Jim Dandy’s at www.jimdandys.etsy.com

Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. My name is Kevin and I love bugs. When I was younger growing up in Massachusetts I used to play with ants and other bugs in my yard. Unfortunately, this play involved firecrackers and magnifying glasses. I rehabilitated myself by educating myself with a Masters in Biology that had a focus on conservation and ecology issues. Now I protect and appreciate the creatures I tormented when I was younger. My work hopes to restore some sense of wonder about the natural world by exhibiting the stunning colors, intricate patterns and amazing details these creature have.

How did you first get involved with crafting? I began crafting about 8 years ago as a hobby and made insect displays as gifts for birthdays and weddings. Then an old roommate gave me a small booth space at a Holiday Craft Show in Boston and I ended up selling everything! This is when I knew I should make this a business.

What are your favorite materials to work with? Do you have a favorite color palette? I love integrating old maps, stamps, botanical prints, and foreign paper money into my insect displays. Objects with intricate detail mesmerize me, and these items pair nicely with insects that have similar detail and color.

What are your inspirations in your art and in life? Joseph Cornell is absolutely amazing and always inspired by anything involving a “cabinet of curiosities”. I love learning about the theory of evolution and how it has played a role in the intricate patterns, colors and behaviors of the natural world. How animals and people adapt to our surroundings is often interesting and inspirational.

What is your favorite song or album to listen to while working? I love Gotye because you can get lost in the music and it evokes a mystical element of nature for me, something I seek in my work.

Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you love them? Crafters are a breed of humans I love to be around – bright, creative and often dorky like me. I have received lots of great advice and tips from Jamie at Mary Jane’s Attic and love her business model of integrating craft education/outreach with her business.

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business? The thing I love most about my craft is that it is always evolving like nature. I never get bored and new ideas for pieces continuously mutate into tangible shadowbox displays. Stay tuned.

Please visit my new store at:  www.BugUnderGlass.etsy.com

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

While in art school, I, with two partners, opened a fun art gallery and art supply store in Lawrence, Kansas.  The store served the local art community for four years.  As that chapter in my life came to a close, I then decided to pack my bags and immigrate to the flashy land of tinsel and tans.  I have lived in Los Angeles for about three years, and my love for the West Coast grows everyday.  About a year ago, I created a new little business–Jill K. in LA–to satisfy my thirst for creativity and entrepreneurship. 

Jill K. in LA is a collection of original, handmade paper goods–primarily greeting cards and stationery.  I employ the age-old technique of block printing. Starting with original designs, I then carve an individual block for each color. Every card is a lovingly crafted piece of art.

How did you first get involved with crafting?

I have always been a creative creature.  Inspired by the beauty of handmade things, while working at a paper store in West Hollywood, I decided to make some cards of my own design.  And thus, Jill K. in LA was born!

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

I haven’t always been a printmaker.  I enjoy dabbling in this and that.  But recently, I have fallen in love with the process and aesthetic of block printing.  I appreciate the raw authenticity of block prints.  No two are exactly alike. 

I work primarily with non-toxic ink on cotton paper.  The texture and thickness of this paper is nice and beefy!  And the edges are rich.  All of my cards are hand torn from large sheets.  Most of my envelopes are made of eco-friendly recycled paper.  And sometimes I use magic to enhance my cards with a scratch-&-sniff scent!

My color palette is usually bright and varied.  I like colors that pop.  My favorite color, which is prevalent in my work, is bubble gum pink.  I enjoy using colors in non-traditional ways, so I have used my bubble gum pink as a skin tone and also as a hot dog–it makes me giggle!

What are your inspirations in your art and in life?

I’m continually inspired by childhood nostalgia and pop culture.  I enjoy adding humor to my work as well.  I do believe laughter is an essential staple in a healthy life.

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

My musical taste is so varied.  But while I’m working, I have no attention to spare, so I let my oldies radio station decide my playlist for me.

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

Hmmm. . . There are a lot of talented crafters doing it up right now.  At Unique LA, I just found Kerry Howard-Schmidt from the Paper Moon Gallery.  She’s a folk artist who creates curious, little, needle felted characters.  Very Unique!

And a while back, at Felt Club, I discovered PearsonMaron.  Their ceramic creatures are fun and silly.  Super cute!  I especially love the whimsy cloud factory sculpture!

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business?

I’m continually creating new card designs.  In the future, I will develope handmade party hats and screen printed wrapping paper.  Perhaps some t-shirts will make it into the line of goodies as well! 

Check out Jill’s Etsy at  www.jillkinla.etsy.com

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

I’m Polly! I launched Pollyannacowgirl in the spring of 2005, and now sell my work online and in shops throughout California and nationally. I make all my jewelry and fabric creations in my wee bedroom studio in Oakland, where neighborhood cats stop by to visit if I leave the door open long enough. My background is in writing and theater, but these days, the handmade world has my full attention.  I’m happiest when I can end each day knowing I’ve made a piece of art, whether it’s a poem, a performance, or a pincushion.

How did you first get involved with crafting?

I come from crafty people, including my namesake, my Southern grandmother Polly, who crocheted sweaters, embroidered pillows, and one year, sewed entire cowboy outfits for my mother and her siblings. My mother is always working on a crafty activity of her own, and has helped me through many a frustrating project. There would be no Pollyannacowgirl without her patience and support! My brother is an artist too, so it makes sense that I’ve always had crafts on the brain. I’m also very fidgety, with a short attention span to boot; crafting helps me keep my hands busy.

What are your favorite materials to work with?

Fabric! Vintage, Japanese, cotton, canvas, corduroy; I’m a fabric fiend and I simply can’t get enough. All of my storage solutions are bursting at the seams. For my jewelry, I like to use brass stampings, old buttons, Czech glass, plastic charms, and bits and pieces of old jewelry that I find on my travels. I’m always on the lookout for uncommon items that I think might make a funny piece of jewelry; for example, I couldn’t resist buying a handful of golden taco charms when I found them. Someone needs a taco necklace, I just know they do!

Do you have a favorite color palette?

I worked in a toy store during my early 20’s, and I can’t shake the bright color palette I was surrounded by every day for years; tin robots, stickers, walls of games and candy!  Every combination I create seems to unconsciously mimic the multi-colored world of toys; my favorite color has to be “all colors.” I also once knew a guy who claimed to never leave the house with fewer than five colors; Pollyannacowgirl products definitely subscribe to that policy.

What are your inspirations in your art and in life?

My family, the color and texture of Bakelite bangles, California springtime, great comediennes, Bollywood movies, tropical fish, vintage aprons with rickrack on the pockets, awesome interiors like the art deco ballrooms in Fred Astaire movies to the inside of a Pinkberry. Little glimmers of unexpected beauty or kindness in the big city help me believe that every bit of color and sparkle is important to somebody, somewhere!

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

I’ll admit it; I love to “listen” to television. Law & Order is great; it feels like an old time radio show while you’re crafting; you don’t have to see the action to know what’s going on. I listen to a lot of movies too, some of my favorite movies for crafting are Auntie Mame (the rhinestone opening credits are awesome!), Ghostbusters (high-energy!), and any musicals from the 30’s and 40’s (such fun music!).

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

Giant Dwarf, Yokoo, and Boygirlparty are pretty amazing. I admire their professionalism as well as their unique designs and incredible photography!

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business?

I hope to have my very own Pollyannacowgirl website up and running by the end of the year, and I’m always experimenting with new designs and materials. And maybe some wonderful day, I’ll finally learn how to insert a zipper!

My blog: http://www.fireflyexpress.blogspot.com

Jewelry shop: http://www.pollyannacowgirl.etsy.com

Fabric accessories: http://www.pollyannacowgirlbags.etsy.com

How did you first get involved with crafting? I worked as an illustrator and graphic artist at an apparel company for 4 1/2 years.  After I quit, I thought why not design my own t-shirts since I’ve got so many silly and whacky ideas! In 2006, I launched my little self titled t-shirt line and have been having a blast!

What are your favorite materials to work with? Do you have a favorite color palette? I like to paint acrylic on wood.  I love the nature aspect of it.  It gives the painting a much more organic feeling.  My favorite palette is inspired by Chinese folk art so lots of red and gold!

What are your inspirations in your art and in life? My biggest inspiration for my art and life comes from my family, especially my grandparents.  I’m also very inspired by Chinese mythology and current events.  My idol in art would be Hayao Miyazaki.

What is your favorite song or album to listen to while working? I love listening to my Magnetic Fields album on Pandora!

Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you love them? I love people that try to be original like Phoneticontrol, Mytarpit, Mike Daley, Pascal Campion, and lots more!

Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business? I’m currently working on 8 paintings for a group show that will take place at 1988 SF at the end of June.  It’s the biggest show I’ve done so far so it’s very exciting.  The opening will be on Friday, June 26th so please come out if you got the time!

Learn more about Martin and see his t-shirts at his website

http://martinhsu.com/