Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Cursive Design

I’ve been doing these Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx interviews for 5 years now and I’m still am not tired of doing them. I love getting to ask indie makers and shakers questions and I love that they answer them. 😉

This week I interview the lovely Sarah Fox of Cursive Design. Read it below.

What’s the name of your business, what do create and sell and how did you get your start?

My business is Cursive Design. I design jewelry. My official start was in 2006 when I launched my website/webshop and created my first line to sell at the Depart-ment holiday show in Chicago.

Do you cook? If so, what is your favorite thing to cook? Have a recipe?

I love to cook. I adore any recipe that requires fresh herbs. Basil is my absolute favorite scent so I tend to throw it in everything. Caprese salad is my favorite meal, but only in August when tomatoes are in season. I have a monthly subscription to Bon Appetit which I read for inspiration. Currently, my favorite recipe is this quick, tasty and fragrant salad; arugula, shaved fennel, chopped clementine, chopped pistachios, 2 tbsp pink peppercorns, and a dash of olive oil.

Who are 3 of your favorite artists of all times?

Dan Flavin, Tord Boontje, and Hans Hoffman.

Do you have a mentor? If not, who would your dream mentor be?

My mentor is Lisa Slodki (she’s also one of my greatest friends). She has been designing and selling jewelry for about 15 years now (http://lisaslodkijewelry.com/). In 2006, I came to her with an idea of lace as jewelry and she helped me think through the idea. She gave me my first set of hand tools, shared sources, gave me lessons, showed me the ropes at outdoor shows, and taught me about record keeping and finances. She’s really been my biggest cheerleader. To this day, she gives me technical consultations on some of my designs. I feel so fortunate to have her in my life and her friendship means the world to me.

When did you get your start and what made you decide to take the plunge?

Deciding to pursue an art/design related career path was something I knew very early on in my life. After graduating highschool I knew art school was the next step. I went to Montserrat College of Art for my first 2 years and graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003. After I started Cursive I kept dreaming about quitting the day job to pursue it full time. I was also blessed to have a job I absolutely hated and that was a crucial part of me “taking the plunge.” I worked with people that didn’t have the same core-values as I did. Values as simple as human decency. I was getting more and more wholesale orders and press with Cursive and it sparked a fire in my belly for more. Looking back now it’s possible that I jumped to soon without totally looking; regardless, I’ve always made it work because I really believe in it. I’m fueled by it. I work really hard and that’s all you need. No one is going to be pushing you everyday, you have to have self-discipline and do everything but it’s pretty exciting.

What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?

I tend to be happiest and proudest of consistent hard work. I set goals, and once I get there, I cross it off and set the next one. I’ve had some large wholesale orders and press that I’ve been pleased with and in those cases my husband and friends have taken me out to celebrate. When it’s over, I’m back to work the next day.

What are your inspirations in your art and life?

In my art and design work I’m inspired by the juxtaposition of unusual materials. I love to look at materials and think around them to find ways that they can be augmented. Color really drives me and I’m always on the hunt for great color combinations. In life, I’m inspired by traveling to new places and observing and experiencing the culture. I prefer a wandering/exploring mode of travel while I’m away. Being too scheduled is something that’s very much a part of my daily life so while on vacation I like to let myself go and just wander around without a schedule or place to be.