Congrats to Serena who won the I heart Birkin tote and to Jesica who won the stack of craft books. Thanks to all who entered, better luck next time. 
When Garin of Ginko Papers contacted me last week, I was instantly transported back to when I was 12. The year was nineteen-eighty- something, and that summer I was put on a bus to go stay with my uncle, aunt and brand new little niece in Montclair, NJ. I had a wonderful two weeks with my family. They treated me very well…even took me into New York City into Chinatown, to the Strand and to visit the Dakota Building (where John Lennon was shot). I was sad to go home, but on my bus trip home, I met a Japanese foreign exchange student who was not much older than me. She was very sweet and gave me some Japanese stationery and a bookmark….I still have them. They became instant treasures and I could never part with them. They were certainly a rarity at that time for a girl from small-town USA. Fast forward to today though and Japanese goodies are within reach for everyone, and isn’t that so grand?
Ginko Papers is one such place that stationery fiends can get their fix. The shop is filled with Japanese and Japanese-inspired postcards, stationery, stickers, calendars, erasers + more. Looking around the shop struck me with such nostalgia that I know I’m going to have to place an order…only this time I will share my goodies with my penpals from The Penpal Pproject.
Win some stationery goodies from Ginko Papers!
Leave a comment on this post with your favorites from the shop. I will choose one random commenter to win a $35 gift certificate to Ginko Papers. Multiple entries will be accepted, but you must leave a separate comment for each entry. This giveaway will end August 18th at 11:59 pm EST.
Avril Loreti is the designer behind the Birkin Bag…no, not the Hermes Birkin Bag, but the I Heart Birkin tote, which I love a whole hell of a lot more. A Canadian designer, Avril creates modern home decor and accessories with a playful wink and a love for modern design. Her goodies feature both icons of design as well as more ephemeral or fleeting images. I thought she would perfect to interview for the Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx interview series.
Plus Avril has very generously offered up one of her I heart Birkin Totes to one lucky Indie Fixx reader!!
To win, leave a comment on this post with why you need this tote. I will choose one random commenter to win a red I heart Birkin Tote. This giveaway will end August 11th at 11:59 pm EST.
Now onto the interview…
When did you get your start and what made you decide to take the plunge?
I started putting my line up on Etsy about 3 years ago. I was working a full time job and then working on my line during evenings and weekends. The more I actively worked on promoting my business and making new items the more I saw the universe respond to what I was doing. It snowballed from there and then I jumped into running it as a full time business last July. It’s been a roller coaster of a ride, but it’s all mine. That’s the best part about taking the plunge!
Who are 3 of your favorite artists of all times?
My top 3 artists of all time have been the same for years. I always go back to their work to ground myself and get focused, or just to gush over. André Kertész has the most amazing way of seeing the world through his photographs. Hiroshi Sugimoto’s photography is like an eternity in one image. I can look at them over and over and still find more to look at. Barnett Newman’s minimal abstract paintings are amazing when you’re face to face with them. If you open up to them there’s nothing like it!
What have you recently been reading, watching and listening to?
I’ve been obsessed with this season of True Blood. The series has really found it’s stride. I’ve been listening to the new LCD Soundsystem and Caribou albums regularly this summer. So good to dance to while working in my studio.
What’s your favorite comfort food and why?
Risotto! I make a mean risotto. It’s like the best feeling ever once I’ve finished the 30 minutes of stirring and then pour a couple of bowls of the fluffy-ricey-cheesy-goodness and fall onto the couch with my BF and watch a good movie. It’s so satisfying.
Share something silly about yourself.
I can make a star out of an elastic band. It’s my only party trick.
What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?
Getting my I Heart Birkin Tote on The Today Show a few weeks ago. That just blew my mind!
What’s new or in works?
I’m working on some water bottle cozies to snuggle up with over the holidays!
What’s been your favorite piece/design that you’ve ever created and/or your favorite project you ever worked on?
That’s like asking someone to choose their favourite child! I can’t pick which is my fave, because they all satisfy a different aspect of who I am and what I love. But since I just mentioned children, I guess I could say that my favourite piece for my “child within” would have to be my Sprinkles Donut Tote. It’s delicious looking and makes everyone around you salivate for donuts!
Congratulations to Jenny from Tennessee for winning the winner’s choice apron from Fisk and Fern.
Also, I thought you might like to see Kelsey’s prize in the Danny Brito Polaroid project Giveaway. Thanks for sharing, Kelsey. It’s adorable!
I get tons of books to review sent to me from publishers and sometimes it’s more than one girl can handle. That’s the case now. I have a stack of crafty type books and there’s already more on the way…that’s when I thought, “Why not give ‘em away to some lucky Indie Fixx reader?” And that, folks, is exactly what I’m gonna do. I’m going to give all of these books away to one person.
First up, what books are we talking about here…
Sewing Bit and Pieces: 35 Projects Using Fabric Scraps
- by Sandi Henderson and published by WileySmall Stash Sewing: 24 Projects Using Designer Fat Quarters
- by Melissa Averinos and published by WileyWhip Up Mini Quilts:Patterns and How-to for More Than 20 Contemporary Small Quilts
- by Kathreen Ricketson and published by Chronicle Books (this is the 2nd copy I’ve given away)Lists: To-dos, Illustrated Inventories, Collected Thoughts, and Other Artists’ Enumerations from the Collections of the Smithsonian Museum
- by Liza Kirwin and published by Princeton Architectural PressHomemade Fun: 101 Crafts and Activities to Do with Kids
- by Rae Grant and published by Macmillan
How to win all 5 books?
Read about all the books via the links above. Leave a comment on this post and share which one sounds to be the most interesting to you and why. I will choose one random winner to win all 5 titles. This giveaway is only open to US readers and ends August 6th at 11:59 pm EST.
Congratulations to Jessica from Utah for winning the Foxy Friends poster from INK+WIT. Lucky girl! Don’t forget to enter to win a winner’s choice apron from Fisk and Fern as well. Enter by July 27th at 11:59pm EST.
