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.