PDX Profiles

It won't be long before it's Scarf Season again - which makes me happy, because I love pretty scarves. So does Adrienne Shaffer, who makes lots of them under the most-excellent name of Mmm...Fiber. I love her use of rich, tasty colors!

Take a look at Adrienne's Etsy shop, or keep up with her on her blog. If you're interested in Etsy, then you might want to read this Storque interview with Adrienne, too.

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How did you come to start your business?
When I first moved to Portland, I picked up knitting and crocheting again after many years and took some classes as a way to get to know people. I happened to work in an office that was freezing all the time, so I crocheted some scarflettes to wear at my desk and they were a big hit with my co-workers. I made a few more and sent them to my friends as market research. They loved them as well, and Mmm…Fiber! was born!

What kinds of things inspire your work?
Colors! I love to create with color. The brighter the better! I am also inspired by interesting fibers, shapes and learning new crochet stitches all the time.

You're one of the earliest Etsy sellers. So how has the Etsy.com world changed since you began there?
Etsy has grown so fast in such a short period of time! I am amazed. The biggest change has been the inevitable move away from a close-knit community of sellers and administrators who all "knew" each other, to a more corporate-like structure. I still think it's a great site and have to give credit to all the people who have been dealing with such an explosion of growth, but I have to admit to feeling a bit of nostalgia for the smaller days. It was amazing to be there at the beginning of something so new and exciting.

What are the elements that make a really excellent scarf?
Scarves are an excellent way to express yourself on a small scale. I like the idea of a bright colored, funky scarf worn with a buttoned-up business outfit. Of course, it also needs to serve its intended purpose, to keep you warm! Something fun and unique that feels good and is also functional - that is the perfect scarf in my book!!

How do you define the difference between "Art" and "Craft?"
Before I was a part of the "crafty community", I had a very simplistic view – Art is something to be looked at and Craft is something to be used. Since being more involved in the world of art & craft, I've found that art does not have to be so static, and crafts are beautiful works of art as well. I do still hold on to that distinction of the utility of craft items, however.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
I live near the Alberta Arts District and enjoy wandering around there seeing all the amazing things people do. Portland is such a creative place in general, I am always finding inspiration just living here and soaking up the crafty vibes! I also love the Museum of Contemporary Craft downtown, of course, and the Portland Art Museum.

Amy Daileda makes cute hats and clothes from recycled and sustainable materials. Beautiful stuff, and lovely commitment to the environment. Definitely take a gander at her website after you check out this interview!

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You say on your website that your business grew out of your commitment to the environment. Will you tell us more about that?
I have always been interested in sustainability, self-sufficiency and environmentalism, and I love nature. I reached a point in my life where i wanted my work to be something i completely believe in. As green as possible. No compromises. I had a florist job with a boss that was not treating the employees well and had low environmental standards, and I felt I had to quit and could never work for anyone ever again. so I focused on my sewing and created my own ideal job! I also like the aspect of being able to introduce/inform people about environmental fabrics and practices.

What kinds of things inspire your designs?
I am inspired by nature! I love flowers and have a huge garden. I often take sewing breaks and tour the garden to find a spark of inspiration. Camping in beautiful places such as the ocean or the desert always inspires me as well. I love color and am influenced by the colors around me all the time.

You use hemp fabrics in your clothing line - will you tell us something about this fiber?
Hemp is an awesome fiber--it is incredibly strong and durable, washes well, softens with use, is breathable and comfortable to wear. It is easily grown without the need to use chemicals, is a sustainable annual crop (a lot is harvested each year) and actually improves the soil where it's grown. Many companies are blending hemp with other fibers such as organic cotton or silk, and the blends are great for clothing. Hemp/cotton combines the softness of cotton with the durablility of hemp.

What would you say is the biggest challenge of keeping your business environmentally conscious?
It is hard to compete with other companies that are using cheaper fibers and labor overseas. Unfortunately hemp and organic cotton cost more than chemically-laden alternatives. It's also too bad that our government bans the growing of hemp in the USA. This is due to politics with the cotton and paper industries. The hemp plant is related to marijuana but is not the same variety of the plant. A lot of people think the ban has to do with drugs, but it is more about big business monopolies. So, in order to use hemp it has to be grown and shipped from other countries (mainly China) and I would prefer to support USA companies (support local jobs, and use less fuel for shipping). Fortunately there is a lot of organic cotton grown in the USA and there are lots of salvaged materials available.

How do you think "Art" is different from "Craft?"
I think about this all the time! They definitely overlap. I think art is pure expression where as craft also has a functional aspect and focuses on technique. It seems to me that fine craft can incorporate the artist's pure expression.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
I find all of Portland creative and inspirational! I love walking and biking through the neighborhoods looking at gardens. I love living in the NE Alberta district. There are lots of creative people in the area. I enjoy visiting SCRAP, and the top of Mt. Tabor Park.

Leah Pellegrini makes beautiful glass jewelry and jewel-toned glass mobiles. (I love her small mobiles that mount to the side of your computer monitor, giving you a moment's rest from screen-burnout.) She also teaches glass-working classes at Aquila Glass School.

Be sure to hop over to the Leah's Glass website for a closer look!

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How did you first get excited about working with glass?
In college I found a glass hot shop (Hot Soup in Philadelphia) and learned to blow glass. It was a great distraction from my busy University life and the hot sweaty passionate process was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the medium, and I picked up an internship so I could afford taking classes and renting studio time. But I'll be perfectly honest :) the sexy sweaty men taking molten glass and creating works of art was all I needed to keep me excited about glass!

And I had a great teacher - Gateson Recko - I am so grateful that artists have always been so willing and happy to share with me and work with me. Glass infiltrated my little life and I became a woman obsessed with the medium. In fact, I now teach beginner classes to offer some reciprocity for how generous artists were with me. And I really find this to be a lot of fun - I enjoy sharing what I have learned with others. Also a diversified income (artist/teacher) takes some of the stress out of being a one woman entrepreneur. Over the last year or so I have been keeping a blog as well, yet another way for me to share more information about the mysteries of glass.

How did you become inspired to make mobiles, and what keeps you inspired?
I have always loved mobiles. Living in Philadelphia I would go to the Art Museum and sit on the stairs under the big Calder mobile and be mesmerized by its movements. I think the first mobile that really made my jaw drop is in Washington DC in the lobby of the Contemporary Museum of Art. The scale is what makes this one so amazing, the movement is what I find hypnotizing.

I can't believe more artists don't make kinetic art. There is really a small number of mobile makers out there. Practically every little baby has a mobile hanging above their crib, so in my opinion, we have been trained to find them really relaxing and beautiful. As adults we should all have a mobile in our bedroom to wake up to and make us smile.

Mobiles are fun to make, and I stay inspired in that its so amazing to make these works of art that come alive when they are done. Inspiration comes in many forms, whether it be the smile on my face as I complete a project, the blisters on my hands from working too much, and most importantly for me, the sense of amazement that I am able to make a living off what I love to do!

Glass-work looks so mysterious and dangerous, what with the blowtorch and all. What are the first things you teach your students about working with glass?
The first thing I cover is how to be safe. I point out what is around the studio to keep the artist from hurting themselves or the studio while they work. my classes are fun, I know people take them to have a good time playing with glass, and burning themselves is not fun!

Will you tell us about your glass jewelry, too?
I am really pretty obsessed with glass, and I wear quite a bit of it!

I first started my business back in 2001 with my handmade pyrex glass rings... I love the way they feel and look, and I found that I could make them all day. So this was a great product for me to use in learning how to sell my work to shops and galleries. Then as I started making all sorts of other glass jewelry to sell in my booth at the Portland Saturday Market - pendants, earrings, etc.

This year I have been making these beautiful branches and flowers on little glass puddles to be worn as necklaces. When the trees bloom in the spring it just makes my heart melt. So I take lots of pictures and make little glass branches to imitate this magic.

What's your take on the difference between "Art" and "Craft?"
I grew up taking "Arts and Crafts" classes, and I feel like my life has become an extension of the enjoyment I found doing and making things. But the line between "Art" and "Craft" is a blurry one for me. Some people seem to have associations of certain techniques with the word "Craft". Frankly it seems most art could be considered craft. Is it perhaps a question of how something is made... but it all boils down to perspective.

I think its very interesting that in a town full of so many artists and crafty-goodness there is the Museum of Contemporary Craft. Not only does this museum serve as a gallery to showcase work, but it also proudly acts as a catalyst to get visitors talking about where this distinction lies between "Art" and "Craft".

What are your favorite creative spots in Portland?
- the Portland Saturday Market is an amazing community of creative artists and entrepreneurs
- the Aquila Glass School is the best friendly little glass studio I have ever worked in!
- W.C. Winks Hardware store is the best hardware store ever!
- Portland Store Fixtures is key to any creative small business in Portland
- the Bullseye Glass Resource Center

Jenn Alvin is one of those geniuses who find scraps and cast-offs, and bring them back to life as useful, beautiful things. Jenn's bags and clothing sometimes reveal their pasts, and sometimes you'd never know you were looking at recycling in action.

Definitely visit Jenn's website, Illusionaire Designs, for a closer look at her work.

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How and when did you start down this road of making things from recycled materials?
My grandmother, Virginia, was a very prolific artist. When my siblings and I would visit her during summer vacation, she loved to coach us through craft projects. One of the more memorable projects involved beads, fabric paints and a huge stash of my grandfather’s T-shirts. I think it took four shirts, but I fashioned a very hip 80’s-esque off the shoulder blouse and fringed skirt. I’ll bet my dad has pictures of me in it someplace.

More recently, I’ve just gotten fed up with the craft mart box stores where they charge an arm and a leg for ordinary craft supplies that often aren’t very high quality. Working with recycled materials is much more interesting, more environmentally friendly - and more cost effective.

Do you start with an idea of what you'd like to make, or does a particular material lead you to make something specific from it?
It depends. Some of my materials fall into the inspirational category, such as these terrific plastic sports knee pads I found at SCRAP about a year ago. I took one look at them and thought, “Purse bases!” An hour or so later I was back in my studio with a knee pad in a vise while I drilled holes around the perimeter so it could be connected to the fabric without glue. If I’m excited about an idea I want to work on it RIGHT NOW. I keep a little black sketch book with me for when I get a new ideas or notice an innovative design solution.

I also get asked to make specific items, such as a messenger bag. Usually when I get custom requests I interview the person requesting it to determine colors, textures, size, and features of the item. Then it is a wild goose chase through my stash to determine what I have on hand that would fit the bill.

I imagine that you have a pretty impressive collection of stuff in your studio. How do you stay organized?
An ad hoc system of many boxes, drawers, and containers. Fabric is stored in a series of boxes with labels ranging from “unnatural” to “upholstery.” There are about a dozen different shoe-box sized plastic boxes, each with a different notion inside. One for bias tape, one for ribbon, one for implements of embroidery, and so on. There are two different boxes for zippers based on length. Beads and buttons are either in pill jars or a flat tackle box.

When I’m really in my groove stuff tends to go flying, necessitating a quarterly deep cleaning and re-organizing. I’m trying very hard to keep my stash in check. My biggest challenge is using the materials on hand before going out and looking for additional stuff. I love the thrill of the hunt, but I have a finite amount of space in our studio.

What is your favorite materials score ever?
Ooooh, good question! My favorite single item was a large piece of red naugahide rescued from a diner bench on its way out. It became a fabulous hobo bag.

However, there have been a couple of estate sale lots that I have picked up on eBay that were just incredible. Going through one of those boxes when they arrive is better than my birthday. I love seeing little handwritten notes in button boxes and the needles stuck through forty year old airline tickets. One lot I picked up contained a large manila envelope of dozens of travel sewing kits from hotels, airlines, and drugstores.

What is your take on the difference between "Art" and "Craft"?
I think of craft as creating something with a tangible, often practical, end product, such as a knitted scarf, sewn quilt, or wood worked bench. Art is a bit more difficult to nail down, but there is often a lot of art in craft. Art is more subjective and encompasses a broader horizon.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
For supplies, SCRAP, Knittn' Kitten, Whole Nine Yards, and Bolt are at the top of my list. For getting creative, any coffee shop that doesn’t mind me hanging out with my yarn for a few hours does the trick. My studio is in the Goldsmith Building of Old Town, and I love visiting my neighbors on First Thursdays because they always have great projects underway.

Lea Keohane makes art with such beautiful, confident use of line and color. Her portraits are intriguing, and yet whimsical. I'm thrilled to interview her for this week's PDX Profile!

You can see lots more of her work on the LeaK Arts Etsy Shop. And by the way, Lea also sells great craft supplies at her other store, Supply Riot. Hard-to-find adjustable ring findings, for one....

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How did you begin as an artist?
For as long as I can remember, I have loved to draw and make crafty projects! My mom used to leave projects out for my brother and I to work on so that she could sleep in on the weekends. Also, my stepmom gave me a little journal when I was 8 that I started writing poetry in. I still have it! As an adult, I got my Bachelor's in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking from PSU in 2002. I struggled for a long time in jobs that I hated, but in the past couple of years I have broken free and found ways to work for myself. I am still working at becoming a full-time artist, but in the meantime I am constantly busy with my supply shop on Etsy, showing at craft fairs, doing piecework for other artisans.... I am always working on one project or the other!

What is your art about? What draws you to create these characters?
I rarely have a plan or image in mind when I sit down to draw or paint. Every morning I wake up very early, before my daughter wakes up, and make a pot of coffee. I choose a song on my iPod and set it to repeat, sit with my cup of coffee, and just start drawing whatever comes to mind. It is very intuitive, and I always draw in pen so whatever I do can't be undone. (Sometimes that inspires some very creative re-working though!)

What are your favorite sources of inspiration? What do you do to keep the muse fed?
Music that makes me feel more deeply, vivid books, movies, long walks through the cemetery across from my apartment or through Laurelhurst Park. Looking at art and comic books (Dave McKean, Neil Gaiman, Klimt, there are too many, but that's a start). Just showing up to work at the same time every day--it's amazing how the longer I keep my early morning habit, the more readily my inspiration seems to simply show up.

What's your take on the difference between "Art" and "Craft?"
To me there is no clear line between art and craft. I am one of those (probably annoying to some) people who sees every creative outlet as being the same thing, whether it's writing a poem, knitting a sweater, creating a painting, or anything else. Certainly I view some objects as "Art-ier" or "Craft-ier" than others, though. I guess for me personally it's how much heart someone has put into their work rather than whether an item is utilitarian or not.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
The first place that comes to mind is the Pied Cow on Belmont. Maybe not a classically "creative" spot, but just sitting there always inspires me. Crafty Wonderland, always! Any of the art stores make me drool--I have to put blinders on before I walk into one. There are a lot of other venues that I have not had a chance to check out yet. Yay Portland! Such a creative place in itself.

Jewelry and hair accessories for little girls. How awesome is that? I only wish Becky Sander had been in business back when I was a little girl. Actually, her designs are so cute, I'd wear them now, too.

Take a look at all the pretties at the Little Daisy Chains Etsy shop, and keep up with the doings on the Little Daisy Chains blog.

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How did you get started making accessories for youngsters?
I have a little girl who is very girly, which to me is a foreign concept. Growing up I was very much the tomboy. My daughter craves accessories, lip gloss and matching shoes. I think she has more pairs of then I do. I'm pretty simple.

I took her to find some clips for her hair, she'd been growing out her bangs and they were in the poke-your-eye-out stage. The products we were finding either had hefty price tags and were very cheesy, poorly made or very run-of-the-mill and were "boring".

I'd recently quit my job and was overwhelmed with the amount of time on my hands, and the fact that I was no longer contributing to the family income weighed on me. So on one of my sleepless nights I thought about all of my family members and friends that had ventures of their own and I started to think of things I could do or make and for some reason my mind went to my daughter's recent failed shopping trip and it all just clicked!!! I thought of a name that night and was so excited I got out of bed to write it down.

How do kids react to having their own jewelry and hair toys?
Some squeal, quite literally, and will pick up a piece at a show and run to tug on their mother's skirt. Other little ones become so attached to their hair accessories and their trinkets I get emails from Moms telling me how their daughter's will throw fits when it's bath time or bed time because they don't want to take them off. It's a great feeling to know I'm doing something right. Kids like to feel big and grown up and want any chance they can get to feel what it's like to be Mommy. I try to help with that.

What kinds of things inspire your designs?
Color, texture, crisp patterns, nature and children. I also love taking something that shouldn't be and making it into something that should!

You're very active in the Etsy community - will you tell us about some of the things you do over there?
I'm a member of PDX Etsy, Portland's local Etsy Street Team. The team is in the middle of some very exciting new changes that will benefit local artists new and old tremendously, I'm thrilled to be a part of such an active and inspiring group of artisans. The PDX team is actually gearing up now for a series of summer shows June 28th, July 19th & August 9th - they will be sistered up to the Portland Farmer's Market at PSU. The power of networking is amazing to me. I've also just become the Pacific Northwest co-leader of EtsyKids and am a member of EtsyMoms. I thrive on the people aspect even though I'm surprisingly shy.

How do you define the difference between "Art" and "Craft"?
Before I was introduced to the world of art and craft I used to think of art simply as paintings or drawings you'd see in a museum or in the lobby of an office building. I saw craft as something you'd see on the Martha Stewart show, I was very closed-minded. Now everything I see, I see as art. Art to me is an idea and craft is the manner in which you execute that idea. They're one in the same and it just makes sense that way.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
I love to people-watch, so parks are good. I'm a fan of Westmoreland since I grew up in the Sellwood area and I find memories always have a way of inspiring me. Eating ice cream at Ben and Jerry's on Hawthorne has always been a secret favorite and I also enjoy walking around during Last Thursday, just the feel of it all is very energizing to me.

I first saw Kristina's work at the Trillium Artisans store, and loved its warmth (literally and figuratively). How cool, then to discover that she uses natural fiber and recycled clothing. Those chickens always make me smile, too.

You can see lots more at the Liv & Lotus websitee, and at the Etsy shop. Hope you enjoy Kirstina's interview, too!

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Tell us how you first became smitten with fiber.
My love for fiber intensified when I took a weaving class at the University of New Mexico. Village Wools in Albuquerque is an amazing shop that not only had weaving supplies but knitting yarns, bags spilling over with hand-dyed roving, and tons books with a comfy seat to spend hours investigating fiber fun. The owners were amazingly knowledgeable and generous with their info. I was addicted! I eventually worked and taught classes there for a few years before I moved here to Portland.

You talk about "letting your materials define your work." Will you elaborate on how this translates into your designs?
What that really means is I am working WITH my materials. I am allowing the quality of these unique fabrics speak to me and hopefully am creating exciting work because of that. This is one of the many benefits of working with reclaimed materials. Each piece of fabric is different in texture, drape, color and size, so each one lends itself to a certain form that I create.

I identify with the sculptor who sees what the piece of marble wants to be sculpted into. Well, I feel that way about an old sweater. For me, it is really about being inspired by the materials and the process to create something that is truly transformed from what I started with. This is what keeps me interested and excited in the studio.

What kinds of things inspire you?
Wow! I find inspiration everywhere. I worked as a ceramic sculptor for many years, so the tactile and sculptural experience of knit, felted and woven fibers appeal to me. So there is that palate of my reclaimed materials texturally, then there is the palate of color in that material, then the color/ material of the fibers I choose to embellish with. Finding great material in a thrift store, yarn or fabric store is euphoric. I really do love to play with materials, new and old. I get more ideas than I could do in a lifetime.

Really, everything and anything can be a source of inspiration for me when I am looking at the world with an open mind. When I am looking at say a flower in my garden, it can be more than just a flower when I am really experiencing the wholeness of it. It can be about color, shape, texture, mood, environment, and gesture. When I look at everything in this way, inspiration is everywhere.

I love your Lumpies! Where did the inspiration for these come from?
All I had to do was look in my own backyard! We are some of those Urban Chicken people and take care of some sweet hens. So naturally, I made the first Lumpy for my daughter as a Valentine’s Day present and made them both matching heart necklaces. That led to the Cozy Chick Tea Cozy, Hen Hat, and the Mini Lumpy.

The Lumpies are filled with remnants from my work so they are very solid and kind of lumpy. That is where the name came from, embracing their ‘Lumpiness’! They are a riot when I get a flock made in the studio and they are all gathered around me. I can see their unique personalities and just have to name each one.

What is your take on the difference between "Art" and "Craft?"
Well, there is art in craft and craft in art. I am always inspired by an artist/crafter that can make a piece communicate more than what it is, in any medium. I love the personal connection you can have with a favorite handmade mug that you use each morning. A painting that is thought provoking has it’s own function visually, conceptually, historically and emotionally. I think the distinction between what is art and what is craft is less applicable today. In the past, craft implied skill, as well as, mass production. Today ingenuity and intent are redefining the role of craft in the realm of art. Maybe it is that spark of life or individuality can make a piece sing whether it is defined as art or craft and it is a glorious thing when someone else connects to your song.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
We are lucky to have so many great yarn shops in Portland like CloseKnit, though Yarnia is my new favorite find. You can go and create a custom yarn blend. I couldn’t help but choose five different yarns to make my blend. The Museum of Contemporary Craft is fantastic, many wonderful things in the gallery and in the gift shop. I love to browse Last Thursday on Alberta Street and find something new and exciting or you can duck into the many super crafty shops along the way.

Serena Barton is a wonderful artist, and a wonderful creative enabler. Her work involves painting, collage, and assemblage - and also, helping people break out of creative ruts and find new inspiration. I met her years ago when I took her "Art of Life" series of classes, which helped launch me on a whole new path.

Check out more of Serena's art and teaching at her website and blog.

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What kinds of things inspire your work?
I’m inspired by color and light, history and mystery, layers of objects and people’s personalities, Renaissance and Impressionist painters, beauty, and humanity. I’m also inspired by the materials themselves—l love the feel and glow of oil paint on wood and canvas and love to use oil glazes as the finishing touch on paintings.  I'm now doing some painting with acrylic because it dries faster and is easier to use when I have limited time.  I love encaustic -- the smell, the translucence, the unexpected discoveries -- everything.  Finally, I love collage and mixed media for the excitement of layering and putting pieces together whatever way I want, and how the layering evokes the layering of history and the seasoning and burnishing of human beings as they grow and age.

What is your art about? What is your artistic philosophy?
My favorite art of any period incorporates a magic and often breathtaking quality that makes me glad I'm alive.  That doesn't mean art has to be happy, happy.  Just that there's something about it that makes me feel more alive and inspired. I strive to let these qualities surface in my own work, whether abstract or figurative, and to get out of my own way! I think my art is about sharing the richness and wonder of living. ?

Tell me a bit about your teaching work. What kinds of classes do you teach??
I specialize in teaching people who are new to creating or who are re-connecting with creating, or who want to practice a new medium in an informal way. I facilitate a weekly, ongoing women’s creativity group and workshops in: acrylic, collage, encaustic, assemblage, altered books, painting faces, and torn paper paintings. I’m also teaching weekend or full term classes at PSU in Women’s Studies. All these classes involve making creative projects.

My classes are supportive and designed to help people overcome fears and negative messages about creating. They’re meant to be informative and fun.

You also work in therapy - how is art therapeutic?
??Art is therapeutic for anyone in that it allows us creative expression, a “container” for emotions, helps us see what’s going on inside us, involves learning and experimenting, is a way to “make our mark”, involves challenging negative beliefs, creates more beauty and meaning in our world and the larger world, and offers us just plain fun! I use many modalities in therapy work—art and writing are included when appropriate. (Note: I am an artist and a therapist who sometimes uses art with clients—a Licensed Professional Counselor rather than a Registered Art Therapist. Both are good—I just want to respect the distinction.)

What is your take on the difference between "Art" and "Craft?"?
I wish I could duck this question, smile. I see it from so many perspectives. I consider “art” any work in any medium that shows individuality, passion, and inspires people. That, of course, sounds like a put-down to craft and I don’t mean that. Personally, I like to work in any medium that can be done over and doesn’t have to be exact. I am terrible at weaving, knitting, or hand-made furniture, because I thread heddles wrong, drop stitches, and can’t measure. I think these mediums are art when people can do these things correctly and also show inspiration and innovation. I think people should call their work whatever they find most fitting according to their own definitions. Both art and craft are great, however you define them—I am thrilled by the grass roots creating that’s going on these days!??

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
Linda Womack's Hive: Encaustic classes for all levels
collage and DIY Lounge: Supplies and classes
Muse Art and Design: New and old favorite products, demos and classes
SCRAP: Scrounging and inspiration galore
The 100th Monkey Studio: Classes, groups, shows, and more
Paperdoll: Supplies and inspiration
23 Sandy Gallery and ONDA Gallery for inspiration
Scarlet Star Studios: Classes and inspiraton

I see Jen Fosnight's work at boutiques around town all the time - her label is called Never Felt Better. I'm always amazed by how diverse her product line is, and I'm a big fan of her soldered pendants, which preserve small pieces of fabric under glass.

After you read this interview, you should go poke around her website and Etsy shop. There's lots of cool stuff to see there.

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How did you come to start your crafty business?
Back in the fall of 2005, I was home with a newborn and just could not get out to shop and check stuff out like I wanted to. I missed being a manager of a local buy-sell-trade where I was surrounded by clothes, great vintage, fabrics and accessories all day, I figured I needed an outlet somehow. I found Etsy.com in November of that same year, said "What the heck," and opened a shop there. My website came the next spring and it continues to make me pretty happy!

I think it's really interesting that the things you make are vegan - tell us a bit about what this means exactly.
Simply, you won't find any animal parts or by-products here! No wool-bone-shell-feathers-pearl-leather-silk. Even the glue has no ground up animals in there! :) Some folks have a love-hate relationship with acrylic yarns and craft-felt but it hasn't been much of an issue with my customers, who aren't all vegans by any means. Being vegan helps keep my prices down and my conscience happy, so it is a definite win-win for everyone!

What kinds of things inspire your work?
I would have to say textiles - fabrics and vintage mostly. I am a true textile junkie, and which is why my soldered pendants with the vintage fabric appeal to me so much. I have scraps of fabric that are on their last legs, but when I encase them in glass it just fascinates me. That is why I leave the back of the fabric alone on the pendants. Sometimes the backs of materials are just as interesting as the fronts! I could not bear to cover them up with paper or little words.

You have so much variety in your product line! Do you have any favorite tricks to help keep you generating all these new ideas?
Oh god I know--it's a curse! I just re-did my sections on my site to organize my inventory and focus on not only the things that sell, but the things I love to make the most. I am really digging on the soldering and as a plus they are working out well so far so they are a keeper! And then I have my roots in vintage fabric covered buttons-big stitchy brooches-vintage component jewelry and crocheted items such as scarves, pouches and bags.

I collect vintage crochet books and magazines and like to browse them for inspiration, plus you can't help but be inspired by all the crafters you encounter in the PDX craft-circuit. I just keep trying out new ideas and see what generates interest and what bores people half to death!

What's your take on the difference between "Art" and "Craft?"
Man, you had to ask me the thousand dollar question didn't you? Hmmmm. Take wood block or linocut blocks for example - there is a definite craft to the actual cutting of the block, but the prints make the art. So, which is it? I dunno. I have personal pet peeves about some crafts just as I do about some fine art, but I don't count anyone out. I am cool like that.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
I love anywhere that features local crafters. Such as the wonderful places that have allowed me to sell: Motokitty, In Other Words, Herbivore, Union Rose, Presents of Mind and more. You can't go in those shops without a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Since I have two little ones and one big one (my husband!) we love to go walk around downtown to check out as much as we can about our fair city. I love any chance I get to do "grown-up" things where i can people watch and check out street fashion too. The street fairs and "thursdays" we have here in Portland are a favorite for the whole family, and I plan to sell on Alberta at least a few times over the summer. If you are out and about be sure to stop by and say "hi"!

I love Karina Potestio's bird skirts - they're so happy. And I love that she's a self-taught seamstress. Her busines, Luna, is all about cute clothes and accessories for women, girls, and maternity. Definitely check out her Etsy store for more pictures!

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How did you get started sewing clothes?
I remember my mom sewing all of my clothes when I was a little girl living in my native Guatemala. As a teenager, I deconstructed clothing to learn how to make things for myself. As an adult, I moved to Portland and started a family. I have always sewn clothes for my three daughters.

What kinds of things inspire the garments you make?
What inspires my entire line is creating unique, handmade affordable clothing for families like my own. I started selling when I realized that on my husband's salary as a public school teacher, we couldn't afford most of the hip handmade clothes I was seeing around Portland. So when people tell me "you could sell this for more," I say "no." I want everyone to have an alternative to mass produce clothing.

Things that inspire the design of individual pieces include colorful fabric and textures, and mostly my own kids, what they are interested in.

What would you say is the biggest reward and biggest challenge of having a sewing business?
There are two things that come to mind. First, staying at home with my kids is important to me, and sewing allows me to do this, I also really love to see kids (and adults) wearing my creations all over town.

It is a challenge to balance family time and all of the time I spend sewing. Sometimes that means staying up later than I would like, but this is the trade off for having a home business. It is also frustrating to have to put off new designs for a while because I don't have enough time to make them.

Which is your favorite among the pieces you've made?
That's hard to say. I get excited when I am working out a new concept. But the guitar shirt and little bird share a special spot for me, they are signature pieces.

How do you think "Art" is different from "Craft?"
I think the two hold hands, at least in my experience. Art is its own language, it is an expression. Which is so nice for me because I am not a native English speaker. I am always translating in my everyday life and I don't need to do this with my creations!

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
I am too busy with my family and sewing so I don't really know a bunch of hip places to hang out. Creative spots for me are anyplace with my girls, especially when we have a little down time to spend in our backyard.

I do really like to shop for fabric at Cool Cottons on Hawthorne.