My side business is all about hair accessories and crafting them from silk flowers and feathers. I love trying out different materials of both natural and manufactured to create fun accessories that a modern woman would be happy to wear at a fun party, wedding, special event, or just to give as a fun whimsical gift. I am always experimenting and draw upon my experience as a floral designer, photographer and love of fine art to make a piece that is unique and very often a one-of-a-kind design. I have been into sewing, stained glass, gardening, and cooking thanks to my mother and her three sisters. Being exposed at a young age to different mediums of art and crafting on a regular basis has definitely shaped who I am today and has allowed me to see it not as a hobby or a even a job, but as play.

Inspiration for me comes from many places. Sometimes a particular flower or feather has a lovely shape or line that I want to highlight or showcase. Often I am inspired by color combinations and keep in mind what is on trend for the season or what might be appropriate for a particular event. I love all the wonderful fine art museums in the bay area and to be able to see amazing artists on a regular basis helps keep my mind open and thinking about how to push myself further.

I learn through experimentation, trial and error, and by looking at examples of vintage hats. I also enjoy finding new materials to work with and just playing with them to see what works; the design process is very important to me. An important part of my business is researching where I get my supplies because I prefer to shop local whenever possible, and also to find organic and/or cruelty-free farms for my feathers.

I enjoy selling at craft fairs and seeing how people respond to my work very much. It is a lot of work, but I find that when a person can touch, see and try on a piece it is easier for them to see and feel themselves enjoying it, rather than browsing through hundreds of photos online.

My normal 9-5 job is with a non-profit organization, and my day is filled with energy efficiency, the environment, and is 100% done with a computer. Not much room for creativity or imagination so I find that having this outlet of craft, photography, and art is how I stay sane. Alternatively, I know that pursuing a hobby as a full-time job can sometimes take the joy and interest out of it. Finding that balance in my life is so important and trying new ventures is the only way to get there.

I love art and inspiring design. Nothing makes me feel happier than finding a unique photographer, crafter, artist, fellow blogger or designer and then writing about them. Please visit my website at http://www.rachelradcliffe.com

My name is Tara Evans. My line, Velvet Otterhound, is my version of collage but using vintage jewelry and found items. I make mostly one of a kind wearable pieces as well as bottle decorations, altered art boxes and other altered art pieces.

What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? I have been a collage artist since high school and have made jewelry for just as long. I lived in a very small town- pre internet. There were no craft or jewelry stores in town except the small counter at the local Thrifty drug store. We were left to create items from things we found at garage sales. I created these pieces for myself for many years but a year and half ago I started showing them along with my friends’ artwork and realized other people enjoyed them as well. I now go on hunts for supplies on the weekends so I can come home from my full-time job on the weekdays and spend a couple hours delving into the creative process.

Describe your creative process when designing/making your product line. I wish I could say I have pieces in mind when I collect my items but that is not the case. I salvage and shop by texture, design, and shape. If something catches my eye- I get it. I then put it all out on a table at home and play with it until a design starts to take shape. I then try and push the boundaries a bit by mixing metals and color.

What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? The best thing is when someone finds an item that speaks to them. It makes me happy. I could never imagine some of the reasons people buy my work: one person bought a vintage Big Bird token bracelet for her sister who was tall and she called Big Bird, another bought a PB&J necklace (yes, as in peanut butter and jelly) because her initials were PB and her husband always joking called her PB&J, another just bought a necklace with a camel rider on it for her mother who just took a trip to Morocco and tells people her camel ride was the most exotic thing she has ever done. To me, my supplies seem random at best but now and then they make complete sense to someone else. The worst… having to organize all my items after they have been splayed out on a table during a creative night.

I create custom pieces from family heirlooms or other items you love. See my website for more details http://www.velvetotterhound.com/indexcustom.html
www.VelvetOtterhound.com
 www.VelvetOtterhound.etsy.com – online store
 www.facebook.com/velvetotterhound – blog

Hi, my name is Michael Paul (two first names I know =) and I co-own Fuzzy Ink with my twin brother John. Some random factoids about myself…I’m a morning person but have never had a cup of coffee, I take no shame in admitting I could listen to Phil Collins / Genesis all day and I usually eat ice cream AFTER I brush my teeth (don’t judge me =). In terms of the business, it may or may not be obvious that we have a bit of a mustache fetish…although maybe fetish is improper diction. Anywho, when we first starting thinking about the business roughly 4 years ago, we knew we wanted to have a common theme that hadn’t really been explored. I can’t really tell you when or why we finally decided on the ‘stache, but it seemed to have legs so we ran with it. Crafty by nature, we decided to try our hand at screen printing and sewing and we really haven’t looked back since.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GO INTO THE CRAFT BUSINESS, DO YOU STILL HAVE A DAY JOB: Inspiration huh…I think it comes down to the fact that I’ve always enjoyed creating things. When I was younger (and still today) I would get so excited when furniture and things of that nature arrived unassembled because it would give me the opportunity to build away. I wouldn’t say I was completely blessed with the artistic talents of some of the fellow participants, but I’m pretty confident I can whip up random plush weirdness with the best of them. As of now, Fuzzy Ink is my day (and night) job. I seem to eat (literally sometimes), sleep and dream mustaches and I guess in the end it could be a lot worse ;)

DESCRIBE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS WHEN DESIGNING/MAKING YOUR PRODUCT LINE: There’s definitely a method to our madness, but sometimes it’s hard to describe actually how it works. Typically we’ll brainstorm all sorts of random ideas, crumple them up into a ball and then hurl them at the closest wall. Whichever idea(s) decide to stick, we then focus on the design aspects (colors, sizing, textures, etc.) and then move on to the screen printing process. Currently, we’re mostly focused on apparel, but we also have a plush range that will be expanding in the very near future ;)

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? AND THE WORST: Honestly, they’re probably one in the same; I get to make mustaches for a living. The people that understand and appreciate this have some of the most amazing reactions and I’ve had so many unique and unforgettable conversations, dinners, hang-outs, etc. because of it. On the other hand, the people that wonder what I’m doing with my life and don’t really understand the handmade movement can be big downers. In the end though, I’m a super positive person and I’m not a big fan of using extra facial muscles to frown. I know what I do isn’t exactly normal, but if following the typical path isn’t going to make you happy why not start a new path.

RANDOMNESS (UPCOMING STUFF, COUPONS, ETC.): For the upcoming holiday season, we have a few new things in store for people…some of which may only be available at BBSF (and shows in general). If you’re looking to get an early start on x-mas (or whatever you celebrate), use the coupon code TRAVELER at online checkout and receive a nice little discount. Happy mustaching to all!

www.fuzzy-ink.com

Make Pie Not War is a handmade jewelry company by Alana Little! We like to make “Jewels for the radical lady”, but we have pieces for men too! Alana started MPNW in 2007 after leaving the corporate world! MPNW loves to bring a whimsical and fabulous style to all who wear it! We love vintage pieces, gemstones, and precious metals to make our pieces! Our website is www.makepie.net and our etsy shop is www.makepienotwar.etsy.com.

What inspired you to go into the craft business, do you still have a day job? Alana graduated with an Accounting and Fashion degree, went to work in the corporate world, and then decided she had enough! She started MPNW and has been happy ever since! She does this full time while fitting in her time with her new babe!

Describe your creative process when designing/making your product line. Alana states, “I normally start with a piece that really inspires me, that I just have to use! From there, I figure out how I’m going to make this thing work!” MPNW is always on the look for fresh and new things to use. We always have our eyes open!

What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst? Best: Working for ourselves and having happy customers! We love hearing from people who we have made feel beautiful! Worst: Long hours!

We do promos all the time! Join our facebook page, www.facebook.com/makepie and keep up with us! But for our San Francisco Bazaar fans, use “BBFREESHIP” during check out for FREE shipping at www.makepienotwar.etsy.com! We look forward to seeing you all!