A multi-talented “Jane of all trades” artist, Jenifer Lake from Sprout Studio is my featured artist this week for the Indie Artist Fixx. The best way to describe Jenifer’s work is to say she creates loveliness. Whether it’s re-purposed vintage jewelry pieces, illustrations, ceramic cuties, glass creations or accessories whatever Jenifer puts her mind to create, it will be lovely. I think you will agree. Based out of San Fran, Jenifer’s work can be found on her website, in brick & mortar stores around the country and in online shops including the Indie Fixx Shop.
Read more about Jenifer in my interview with her below.
1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?
sprout studio & i make and sell handmade lovelies & art goods!
2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?
officially march of 2005, but i was really planning and testing 8-10 months prior to that. i’ve been a maker of art and things my whole life & when i started to see more & more of the diy presence in little boutiques, i thought, well, me too!
3. What’s the creative process like for you?
well, it really depends on what i’m making or working on. i tend to be someone who has a quite a bit of ephemera around her — so i’ll pick & cull from all this detritus and compile art collages, or my glass necklaces, or think about themes, or color ways to help me get started. i always keep a sketchbook or sticky notepad near and am sketching or thinking about things a lot. i find a lot of inspiration in the daily going-on’s of business of life, so i get a lot of ideas throughout the days. sometimes just trolling around on the net can be inspirational in fashion themes and what is popping out & what’s the new thing to help me think about my vintage products.
4. What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?
being able to get my business up and running all on my own. and then keep it running and creating new things all the time! i’m also really proud of the amount of indie craft shows i’ve been accepted to.
5. Tell us one funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.
errr…is being clumsy goofy? if so, i’m not so co-ordinated, and i really wish i was! i’m that person that trips up going down the street and then laughs and looks behind her to see what HUGE obstacle was obviously put in her way 🙂
6. What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?
being able to be creative & mess around with a lot of “stuff.” i also teach art full time though, so the best thing about that is the kiddos (kindergarten through 8th grade). the worst about sprout studio is taxes & paperwork.
7. What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at? List as many as you want.
wow. that could be way long! i have a whole list of blogs that i really like to check in with & they are listed on my blog – however, off the top of my head the ones i checked in with today are camilla engman’s, sarah’s with the small object, lisa congdon’s, mati rose’s, design*sponge, lisa solomon’s, pixie genne’s, swallowfield, shash of mecozy, and many more!
mags i read are bust, venus, craft, real simple, sometimes martha, dwell, adbusters, juxtapoz, art forum, i love selvedge but can’t afford it, so i browse at the bookstore for that one!
shops…i love popping over to etsy, i have a load of faves there. i also really love frecklewonder for vintage & fashion ideas, the small object, rare device has great stuff, modish handmade, cut n paste, day lab, needles & pens, little otsu, & the indie fixx shop 🙂 of course!
8. Were you an artsy craftsy kid? If so, what kinds of things did you do?
totally. i was an arty nerd. i loved playing with play doh and painting & drawing, coloring – totally was into arts & crafts. When i reached middle school & high school i knew it was an area i loved, so i did a lot of pottery and took as many art classes as i could.
9. If a genie came along and granted you one wish, what would it be?
easy peasy. world peace 🙂
10. What does indie mean to you? You can give a literal definition, choose to be a little esoteric or a combination of both. 😉
it means doing it on your own for the most part with a healthy dose of community to support you. it also means being responsible for your business practices with the added benefit of running your business as your own boss.
11. What are you reading, watching and listening to?
reading: “animal, vegetable, miracle” by barbara kingsolver (excellent, a must read!) & jonathan safran foer’s, “everything is illuminated”
watching: i must admit, i own no t.v., but have become rather addicted to grey’s anatomy on dvd! i always have a great line up of foreign, indie, small run movies & documentaries on my list. last great documentary: “who killed the electric car?” & “an unreasonable man” about ralph nader. great documentaries & must see’s!
listening: just turned onto sean hayes so i like to do my pandora radio stations and listen to him. way into cat power & peggy honeywell right now & then some smaller local bands — hillstomp, & rube waddell are in the queue. always johnny cash. always 🙂
12. What are your inspirations?
life & the daily-ness of living it basically. i’m inspired by music, movies, writers, poets, artists, friends & family…life!
13. What’s new for 2008? Any new plans or products that you want to share?
i have a whole line of “winter white” goodness coming out – some of it is already up on my site. more vintage lovelies, always new necklaces & i hope to bring more prints & art to the site as well!
WOW, thanks! Glad you liked it Deborah!
Best interview ever!Love you Jen..and Jenn!