In this day of ‘less is more’ swimsuit design, Pamela Levenson of Popina Swimwear is bent on offering more modest & form flattering swimwear styles. Inspired by the 1940s and 50s and using modern construction and fabrics, Pamela creates designs for those of us who want a suit that actually flatters the body, instead of just showing every possible bit of skin allowed by law. Her retro-inspired designs are ones that you can actually swim in and are sure to get you noticed on the beach for all the right reasons, and not because your top came off in the surf.

You can find Popina Swimwear designs online in the Popina shop, in Portland at the Popina Portland Swimwear Boutique and in reatail locations in the US.

Read more about Pamela and Popina Swimwear in my interview with Pamela for this week’s Indie Artist Fixx.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

The name of my business is Retro Swimwear by Popina Swim. I create retro, vintage inspired swimwear. My swimwear does a great job of covering all the right stuff and still having a great sense of style. I believe you don’t have to show it all to be sexy!

2. Tell us how you got started with your indie business.

I interned at a bikini shop when I was going to fashion school. Our shop did custom swimwear, I was responsible for the cutting one summer, I never thought I would use those skills I learned ever again! Twenty years later down the road, living in Portland, Oregon I had a trip to Cancun in November. I looked all over for a swimsuit that I liked and could not find one.

Then a bunch of things came together. The first job I had in Portland was working for a fabric company that sold swimwear fabric, a few years earlier I bought an industrial cover stitch machine on a whim from a friend, and my job at the time required me to learn pattern making. Growing up sewing, I was able to put all these pieces together to make what would become the Popina Boy Short, Retro Halter and Strappy Top for my trip. I got lots of compliments on my designs on that trip, and then the story that many entrepreneurs have, friends asked for suits, I then sold consignment for two years, then two years ago I opened my brick and mortar retail store - a whopping 250 sq ft. My Portland Swimwear Boutique expanded to triple its initial size earlier this year (I now have 910 sq ft) we now carry other outside swimwear brands, cover ups, flipflops and chemical free sun tan lotions.

3. What are your inspirations in your art and in life?

My main inspiration is nature and the outdoors, living in the Pacific Northwest there are a lot of amazing beautiful places to visit.

4. Are there any pearls of wisdom you’d like to share with newbie indie business owners?

Research your name before you start manufacturing a product. Trademark research is not too hard to do. Go to the US Patent and Trademark site and you can see if your potential name has been taken I did a blog entry on my web site on this process in a little more detail.

(Continued)

One of my favorite indie possessions is my stitchpixie vinyl coin purse…I get compliments it on almost every time I pull it out at the checkout. I received it from Cyan, the designer behind stitchpixie, the year before last in a Secret Santa I participated in, and I really do love it. Cyan creates fun vinyl cut-out accessories and some clothing. She also makes cute and kitschy jewelry. I’m so happy that she agreed to be interviewed for this week’s Indie Artist Fixx and I hope you enjoy my it!

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

Stitchpixie. Kitschy jewelry and vegan friendly accessories that touch on both the whimsical and the unexpected (i.e. I can make both cutesy birdie pouches AND things with uteruses on them). Check it out - www.stitchpixie.com.

2. Tell us how you got started with your indie business.

In my hardest year of pharmacy school, I skipped my biochem, anatomy, and physiology courses so I could sleep in and sew my heart out till I finally jumped on the bus and hit campus at 1pm. Pretty soon I had too many handbags scattered around my room, and I was inspired by lekkner.com to start up my own website to get rid of them.

3. What are your inspirations in your art and in life?

Pop art. Andy Warhol. Color.

4. Are there any pearls of wisdom you’d like to share with newbie indie business owners?

Hmm. Give something you make to your mom and best friend, or both, and see how long it survives everyday wear and tear. I say this because I rarely wear my own jewelry or carry my own handbags! I’m usually pretty accessory-less on a day to day basis.

5. What three things can’t you live without?

Cereal for breakfast, Jesus, and a camera.

6. What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?

Best: sewing new designs.

Worst: the time it takes to package and ship everything…. that’s not even including the line at the post office!

7. What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?

Lately, I follow weddingbee (where I’m also one of the bloggers), and while it sounds really unrelated, a lot of the brides-to-bee have a bit of a crafty spirit to them.

When I get time, I enjoy design*sponge, decor8, notmartha, dooce, and print and pattern. There are tons of fantastic blogs out there, but I’ve tried not to get sucked into sitting on the computer for more hours than I already do.

I subscribe to Martha Stewart, Lucky, and CRAFT:.

I love shopping for clothes at great consignment stores in Vancouver, BC, I like Etsy, and I get all my CDs off amazon. Each town I’ve visited has at least one great gift boutique - you know the ones - they carry your favorite online indie goods - but when you see the items in real life, you’re like “wow! That necklace is way bigger than I thought!” my faves in Seattle are schmancy and fancy + pants.

8. Were you an artsy craftsy kid? If so, what kinds of things did you do?

Yes! Does anyone remember the Canadian TV show Take Part? They made puppets out of margarine containers and old clothes! I was one of those kids that did all those after-school activities: jazz, ballet, drawing, painting, clay, but my favorite thing I found when I was 10 years old: a photography darkroom.

9. Are you a dog person or a cat person?

Both? I’ve owned both, but since then have become allergic. Mooch and Earl from the comic mutts will have to do.

10. What does indie mean to you? You can give a literal definition, choose to be a little esoteric or a combination of both.

To me indie is movies, music, and visual art with that… “indie feel” to them. I’m sure you’re all familiar with Little Miss Sunshine and Juno, but movies by Wes Anderson (i.e. the Darjeeling Limited, Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore), and Eagle vs. Shark are a few more that come to mind when I think “indie.” Maybe it’s just an awkwardness combined with attention to detail that they all share that you’d never see in a Will Smith blockbuster. See also the music I listen to below.

11. What are you reading, watching and listening to?

Listening to pandora.com - currently it’s on a Nick Drake station. Favorites in my 5 CD-capacity stereo are Inara George, Elliott Smith, Iron and Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Radiohead, Joshua Raidin, Jose Gonzalez.
Reading - Canadian author’s Douglas Coupland’s microserfs.

Re-watching - the first season of Flight of the Conchords.

12. What’s one thing you’ve learned as an adult that you wish you knew when you were a kid?

How to make crepes!

13. What’s new? Any new plans or products that you want to share?

I’m getting married this summer and I feel overwhelmed with just thinking about diy-ing anything for it, although I feel almost obligated to myself to do so. As for stitchpixie, I’m thinking of making a line of cute found paper journals.

For today’s Indie Artist Fixx I’d like to share my interview with super talented artist Dolan Geiman and his girlfriend and business partner Ali Walsh. I’m very happy to be able to share Dolan’s work with you, since I’ve been a fan since he burst on the scene in 2005. Whether he is creating colleges, shadowboxes, art decor, sculpture, paintings, rescued wood assemblages and more, Dolan infuses his work with his unique perspective of the world. He is a southern boy living in the big city of Chicago and his work is in large part based on this dichotomy, themes of both nature and contemporary life can be found throughout his work. Learn more in my interview below with both Dolan and Ali.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

Dolan - Dolan Geiman. I create contemporary art and décor, ranging from framed collage to sculptural works on wood.

2. Tell us how you got started with your indie business.

Dolan - My mother helped me get started as she has always been a professional artist. I learned a handful of things from her before I moved to Chicago, but I still needed some help developing the business side of my work. When I met Ali, she was really excited about working on something new and she was very motivated to work outside of the gallery spectrum.

Ali – I attended undergrad at the University of Chicago. While doing coursework in chemistry, physics, and other pre-med requirements, I found myself increasingly interested in Chicago’s cultural community versus summer internships in labs or hospitals. I interned for the Museum of Contemporary Art, I spent my spring and winter breaks volunteering for arts organizations. I even dabbled in PR work, mentoring with a freelance public relations consultant for arts organizations. Dolan and I met at an interesting juncture in my life – I had lived in China and had aspirations of promoting Chinese artists in the States but needed more money, experience, and connections to really do anything serious with my interests. I started working with Dolan and, essentially, began learning more about the art world, arts administration, and business start-up by way of promoting him. We made a great team from day one. We are very fortunate that we can make a business relationship, especially one of artist and manager, work within the confines of a personal relationship as well.

3. What are your inspirations in your art and in life?

Dolan - If I could just grow a beard and live in the woods, I would be very very happy. So I would have to say that Mother Nature keeps me going every day….which is a lot to say, living in the city. Every chance I get I try to go out to the woods or at least stick my feet in a river.

Ali – I find inspiration in my parents whom also have a personal/business relationship and built a company from scratch that provided a very comfortable life for myself and two sisters. I also find inspiration in businesses outside of the creative sphere and thinking of ways to reinvent their means and methods into our own tiny company. I’ve always had this insane work ethic which, I admit, borders on unhealthy at times. At least, six years later, I’m working around the clock because I love what I’m doing with Dolan so much. Maybe I’ll also exhaust myself to the point that country living with Dolan sounds pretty darn appealing.

4. Are there any pearls of wisdom you’d like to share with newbie indie business owners?

Dolan - Everyone always told me to save money along the way, to just put some aside for later in life. I think that’s a great sounding idea, but it’s not practical at all for young business owners who are just getting going. So I would say, instead of being constantly worried about money, just be more focused on what you are really good at and what you enjoy. Ironically, that sort of mindset makes your company grow, become more profitable, and more sustainable overall.

Ali – I’m happy to field questions from anyone in the creative field. While our travel schedule sometimes limits my availability, I do my best to respond to all inquiries via phone or e-mail.

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You are in for some eye candy today for the Indie Artist Fixx since I interviewed Alice Matsumoto of The Carrotbox. Alice has a self-proclaimed obsession with rings, but she can’t wear metals, so she went out looking rings she could wear made from all kinds of materials including glass, Lucite, plastic, jade, agate and wood. Her collection grew and she started sharing her collection online and learned that a lot of other people like non-metal rings just like her. She decided to open up a shop to sell duplicates from her collection and other rings she discovered (I might add it’s one of my favorite shops to visit). In the shop, you will find all sorts non-metal rings for sale including Alice’s own line of drooliscious glass rings. You can also check out Alice’s own collection of rings , a great page about the different kinds of plastics used in jewelry and Alice’s blog on which she shares all kinds of everyday and art rings she comes across on the Internet.

The rings are gorgeous, the product photography is stunning and the site is fun and really well-designed so make sure to visit, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Plus, read more about Alice and The Carrotbox below.

The rings featured below are all by Alice (except the kimono rings) and you can see more here.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

I am obsessed with rings and run The Carrotbox, which sells non-metal rings of all kinds: glass, Lucite, wood, etc. (including glass pieces I make myself).

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

I’ve been open for five years now but I’d never planned for it to be a business! I started my site as a showcase for my personal collection of non-metal rings, which itself was started because I have weirdly sensitive skin and can’t wear metal on my fingers. People kept asking if they could buy from my gallery so, one day, I decided to sell some of my duplicate rings — and the rest just snowballed from there.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

I try to sketch ideas when they pop into my head but I normally just end up going where the glass takes me. Besides, by the time I get to the torch, new ideas have taken over and most of what I’ve jotted down never gets made. I have to remind myself to focus on one idea rather than jumping to the next one right away. I have bags and bags of discarded styles, which is not a good thing!

4. If you could meet 5 famous or infamous people (dead or alive) who would they be?

- any ancient Egyptian ruler
- John Kennedy Toole
- Steve Buscemi
- Tina Fey
- I’m having trouble coming up with people so I’m going to go with Frederic Fekkai, as I really need a haircut.

5. Tell us one funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.

I have a fear of cracking eggs because I’m afraid that one of these days (warning, this is about to get gross), a half-formed baby chick will fall out. I know all the reasons this couldn’t actually happen but they don’t change the fact that it WILL.

6. What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?

Best: it’s a tie between getting enthusiastic messages from people who genuinely love their new rings and having a ring turn out just right when it comes out of the kiln.

Worst: Canada Post’s prices. Insane.

7. What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?

I spend way too much time on music blogs! (I had one myself, briefly, years ago.) ObscureSound.com is a good one; he puts so much thought into each post.

I’m not much of a magazine reader. My dad lives in Tokyo most of the year and I used to request Japanese fashion magazines, but then I pictured this 60+ year old man having to line up at the bookstore with a copy of non-no and I stopped asking.

For shopping, I usually stick to local shops (I live downtown in a boutique-heavy neighborhood), though I normally only go when I need something specific. I also browse a *lot* of jewelery sites for my blog, which I guess counts as window shopping!

8. Were you an artsy craftsy kid? If so, what kinds of things did you do?

My mom’s side of the family is quite artsy and my younger sister’s a professional comic artist but I don’t think I myself was that artsy as a kid — I just liked to draw and make beaded jewelery, that sort of thing. My main thing was writing more than crafting. Oh, wow… answering this question, I just remembered something I haven’t thought about in years! In fifth grade, I wrote and illustrated short “books” (really just notebooks), mostly mysteries. I think I tried to put a cliffhanger at the end of each one. I even pasted faux library slips inside so people could “sign them out.” I believe that’s what they call delusions of grandeur.

9. List 3 things you wish you had if you ever become stranded on a deserted island?

Glass, torch, kiln.

10. What does indie mean to you? You can give a literal definition, choose to be a little esoteric or a combination of both.

There are so many ways to look at “indie” but I think it boils down to personal freedom and good intentions.

11. What are you reading, watching and listening to?

I’m just finishing Kenzaburo Oe’s Rouse Up O Young Men of the New Age! I think next up will be the Daniel Manus Pinkwater anthologies I received at Christmas. He was my favorite author as a kid and I still have my old copy of The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death on my shelf (any other fans out there wish they could eat a buttery potato at Beanbender’s?).

I’m watching the Stanley Cup playoffs!

Currently listening to Handsome Furs, Les Savy Fav, Beirut, The Epochs, Maps, Headlights, Modest Mouse, Delays, The Shins, Stars, Cold War Kids, Kelley Polar, Fink, Electrelane, Film School… but all I really want is the next one from Mew. As I write this, I’m playing the soundtrack to The Insider, which is moody and great for nighttime (can’t believe that film is nearly ten years old already).

12. What are your inspirations?

I love minimalism. I’m drawn toward Scandinavian and Japanese product design, graphic design, architecture, etc. I don’t know if that comes through in my glasswork, but it’s what I like to look at!

13. What’s new for 2008? Any new plans or products that you want to share?

Well… I don’t want to jinx myself

Today’s Indie Artist Fixx is with Lisa Chouinard of Feto Soap. Lisa makes handmade soap in small batches and is probably best know for her Feto Soap and her food scented soaps, both of which have been featured in FHM Magazine, in the Chicago Tribune, on HGTV - That’s Clever! and more. I’ve been a fan of Feto Soap for about five years now and my favorite soap is the Man Smell soap…it’s not just for guys! What’s your favorite?

Read more about Feto Soap in my interview with Lisa below.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

Feto Soap. I create handmade bath and body products.

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

I started making soap in the summer of 2003 as a hobby and was posting pictures and instructions of my projects to online craft forums. Many of the people weren’t interested in making their own soap, but they liked my soap and asked if they could buy what I was making. People started sending me money and I sent them soap in exchange. A few months later I got legit - I registered my DBA (business name), obtained my resellers license and opened up a business bank account for the company to start properly managing my finances. In the beginning my goal was to make enough money to keep in supplies. I met and exceeded that goal a few years ago and am in the process of making new goals, defining myself and my company. It has been and continues to be an amazing learning experience.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

In the beginning I would just make soap with whatever I had on hand to see what I could come up with. When I started out what I envisioned didn’t always translate to what I was making. Here’s an example: I was trying to make a soap light-purple to match the fragrance - relaxing and it came out blue-veined instead when I added heat and clay to it. It came out beautifully even though it was not what I had planned. I had a naming contest for the soap and the winner received the bar they named. (Avocado Clay Spa) Now most of my ideas come out closer or exactly how I visualize them, but only because I’ve done a TON of experimentation in my workspace.
At this point I have so many ideas for bath and body formulations I write them down (when I remember to) and then crank them out when I have the time.

4. If you could meet 5 famous or infamous people (dead or alive) who would they be?

I would love to meet the soapmaking gurus out there! C. Kalia Westerman - the author of Melt & Mold Soap Crafting. It was one of the first books I purchased in my soapmaking journey and still inspires me to this day. Anne-Marie Faiola of Bramble Berry, Debbie May of Wholesale Supplies Plus, Alicia Grosso - author of The Everything Soapmaking Book. I’m attending the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild Conference this April and will hopefully meet Anne-Marie, Debbie & Alicia. They will be presenting/speaking there.

5. Tell us one funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.

I have a really hard time differentiating between left and right. I have to look down at my left hand and make an L palm down to check.

(Continued)

Once again, I gotta say this week’s Indie Artist Fixx is better late than never. I was busy working on some other stuff and almost forgot to post today’s interview with the wonderful collage artist, Claudine Hellmuth. Oops!!! I’m back on track now, so here it is.

Thanks to Claudine for allowing me to interview her and I do hope you guys enjoy reading it!

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

I don’t have a separate name for my business, so what I create all falls under my name. My work goes into many categories but the main focuses of my business are: creating custom artworks for clients using their photos, I also create illustrations for companies and I have written 2 books with a 3rd due out this fall. You can visit my website to learn more.

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

I went to art school and graduated with my BFA in fine arts in 1997 and then after that to make a living I got a job in web and print design. I never really liked working for someone else all day so I knew I would want to be in my own business at some point. It didn’t take too long for that to happen!

I officially got started full-time in my own business in 2001 when I got layed off from my job in web design. Fortunately, I had started working in the evenings and on weekends slowly building my business in 1998 so when I got layed off I was just about ready to go full time anyway. It didn’t make it any less scary but at least I had my business ready to go!

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

Now that I am in my 7th year of working full time for myself, I am finally being a bit more gentle about the ebb and flow of my creative process. Some months I am able to get a lot of work done and others end up being taken over by more paperwork and businessey tasks. Slowly, I am coming to accept this and try to not force what is not happening.

4. Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share with newbie indie bizinesses?

The best advice I can give is to start slow. Try to do what you can while still working at your day job. Don’t feel that it has to be all or nothing in the beginning. You can work at your regular job and build your business on the side. This will give you a feeling of security as you figure out just how you want your business to work.

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Sometimes I just love this job and today is just one of those times. I am so pleased to be able to share my interview with Hannah Kopacz of Made with Love by Hannah. Made with Love by Hannah is a deliciously kitschy sweet and sassy line of screenprinted skirts, dresses and tops. Drawing inspiration from gnomes, Matryoshka, Pennsylvania Dutch motifs and all sorts of gewgaws, doodads and bric-a-brac, Hannah lovingly designs, prints and sews her creations.

Refreshingly sweet and with a wonderful retro feel, I have long been a fan of Hannah’s goodies, so it was such a treat to me to be able to interview her. I do hope you enjoy the interview and if Made with Love by Hannah is new to you, head on over to the site and be prepared to be wowed!

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

Made with love by Hannah. I make screen printed skirts and other fun clothes for gals. I also like to make knick-knack art.

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

2004, I wanted some cute clothes for myself! Making the screens and printing things seemed like a lot of work just for me, so I thought I’d put them out there and see if any other ladies wanted some.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

Usually when I come up with an idea I’ll sketch it out right away, so I don’t forget. Then I let it simmer until I get a chance to make the actual artwork for it, figure out what style garment I want to put it on, how many colors, how many colorways, what material I want to use. Once I figure that stuff out it’s pretty smooth sailing in terms of making it into a finished piece of clothing.

4. Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share with newbie indie biznesses?

Only make stuff you love, because it shows!

5. Tell us one funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.

I can’t wait until my hair is completely grey!

6. What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?

The best thing is having an idea and making it and seeing the finished product turn out exactly like I want it to. The worst thing is trying to get started if I don’t feel like it but have a ton of work to do. I’m really good at procrastinating.

7. What blogs and mags do you read and what shops do you shop at?

I like the craftzine blog. I read Bust and Bitch regularly. Mostly, I like to shop at thrift stores. I like Etsy too, speaking of procrastinating!

(Continued)

I am so excited to be able to share my interview with Paulina from FluffyCo for this week’s Indie Artist Fixx. If you aren’t aware already, FluffyCo is a fun line of tees, accessories and homewares and with just about each new product release, I see something to I covet (I just love the Bird of Prey design). I’m sure you do know exactly what I mean. Read the interview and take a look at the shop and pick your favorite design.

Read my interview with Paulina below and learn more about FluffyCo.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

FluffyCo is a small lifestyle brand that has grown to include Men’s and Women’s tees and accessories, hand screen-printed home décor Items and now our baby line, Little Fluffy.

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

FluffyCo was founded at the very end of 2004, so it’s been 3 years now. I had always wanted to own my own business (let’s call it insubordination, but I’ve always had trouble taking orders or having someone tell me what to do). I had worked in advertising and design studios for years, then had a small business with a friend before Fluffy: it all led me to realize that I wanted to do my own thing, my way.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

It’s cyclical. We come out with new designs every six months, so at some point I have to sort of turn it on. I start with inspirations in the media and culture, and that leads me to the first designs. It’s funny, but these initial ideas never make the cut for my sample production: they’re a first step to give some direction. Then, it’s all about refining the ideas and getting down to something I’m really into.

4. What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?

I guess just getting this going in the first place—it takes a leap of faith in yourself to stand up to all those risks.

5. Tell us one funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.

I am incredibly messy. My husband and I joke about letting my inner hamster run free…making piles all over the house. Sometimes, it’s like we’re living in a crack house or something, but more sanitary.

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You are in for a real treat today dear readers— the talented duo of Nancy Pizarro and Andy Witt have agreed to be interviewed for this week’s Indie Artist Fixx. If you are not sure who Nancy and Andy are, I know you surely recognize the name Circa Ceramics…ahh, yes that does it. Yes, Nancy and Andy are the ceramic creating geniuses behind Circa Ceramics. A real collaborative team, Nancy and Andy create the best in functional decorative ceramic homewares. They combine equal parts form and function with a little of the whimsical thrown in for good measure. It was a real pleasure to interview these guys…you’ll see what I mean when you read my interview with them below!

Nancy Pizarro and Andy Witt of Circa Ceramics in their own words…

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

Circa Ceramics - We make functional decorated ware for the adventurous entertainer.

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

1999. We’ d just moved back to Chicago and while we were both working dead end jobs we needed a creative outlet that also provided us with a little bit of income. Luckily we found an opportunity (and a receptive audience) to design, create and sell functional ware through Chicago’s various art festivals.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

andy: I tend to put a lot of roadblocks in front of a new idea, these are usually in the form of trying out some new or different processes. To make a simple magnet turns into a long trial and error exploration of pressing clay with air-release dies.

nancy: I am the remover of said roadblocks - We bounce ideas off each other all day long, and in doing that, come full circle to a resolution. It’s an adventure every single time!

4. What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?

andy: Getting Nancy to move half way across the country with me.

nancy: Getting Andy to move back to Chicago!

5. Tell us one funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.

nancy: I love to cook while there is a football game on tv - There’s something very homey about that!

andy: I used to be able to predict the future (really mundane, like “so and so is calling”) I think all the wi-fi networks are screwing it up.

6. What’s the best thing about what you do? And the worst?

We love when an idea comes to fruition. The worst is when all the steps in between start becoming costly or take up too much time. You have to either set it aside or adjust accordingly without compromising the original idea. We butt heads on this from time to time

(Continued)

I know you all have heard of small things jewelry. It’s been around since 2002 and I swear just about every brick and mortar indie shop I visit has a few small things designs. The proprietress and designer behind smallthings, Teresa Robinson, learned to make jewelry on a whim when she took a class while studying to be a painter in Mexixo. What started out as a fancy, turned into a full-time interest as she started dreaming about soldering little bits of metal and stopped thinking about painting. Teresa’s designs still retain a little bit of that original whimsy in them and for that I am glad.

I’m also glad that Teresa agreed to be interviewed for this week’s Indie Artist Fixx. Read more about Teresa and smallthings in my interview with her below.

Also, I’m working on the interview schedule for May, so if you have any suggestions of indie artists and designers that you’d like to see featured, just send me an email or leave a comment on this and I will see if I can’t arrange an interview.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

smallthings. We make jewelry from sterling silver and glass.

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

I started smallthings in the fall of 2002. I was really bummed on my job situation, and knew that what I really wanted to was to be able to make a living being creative. And I really wasn’t thinking about it being a ‘business’, all I knew is that I wanted to make jewelry and sell it. I had no idea what I was getting into! But it’s worked out pretty well so far.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

Honestly, it can be little tough these days. It can be really hard to find the time and freedom to create new work when you’re already overwhelmed with the other aspects of running a business. I always feel a lot of pressure to make things in to cohesive collections, make sure they’re gonna sell, etc. Being creative on demand is a tricky business. So really, I feel like the best stuff happens when I’m able to just let that all go and just play around. When I have an hour here or there in the studio and am just kind of goofing off, and start making something with no intention of fitting it into a grander scheme of things. Sometimes the best stuff just evolves out of that….

4. What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?

Oh gosh, I don’t know. I guess getting to the point where I was able to support myself and pay all my bills with this little business. It still feels pretty great.

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I love My Paper Crane and that’s why I am so ecstatic that Heidi Kennedy, the mastermind behind My Paper Crane, agreed to be interviewed for this week’s Indie Artist Fixx. If you aren’t familar with My Paper Crane, Heidi creates works of art out of plush. I think Heidi sees the world as made out of fleece and polyfil and I don’t think there is anything she can’t make out of those materials.

Read more about Heidi and My Paper Crane in my interview with her below. Make sure to visit My Paper Crane to see what’s for sale and visit Heidi’s flickr site to see am overview of all the goodies she has created.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

My Paper Crane and I make and sell mostly plush but sometimes painting, embroidery and other random things.

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

I started my website about 5 years ago mostly just for fun. I wanted to be able to put the things I was making all in one place, it was a very rough website! I started blogging from it, and the business just sort of took off from there.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

When I get a new idea in my head it is hard for me to sometimes concentrate on the stuff I should be doing (paperwork, orders, etc.) I will usually do a few little sketches to get the ideas down in some way. This sometimes will help me focus on “work” and then sometimes I will stay up late working on new ideas.

4. What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?

It is hard to pick one thing..having my own solo show last year at Art Star was amazing, but I also feel very fortunate to have been contacted by Kidrobot. I have been working with them to make toys and clothing based on my designs and it has been amazing!

5. Tell us one funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.

I have a funny thing for lotion and reapply it ALL the time, I dont like it when people put fabric in their mouths (its like nails on a chalk board) and I love to use Claussen pickles to scoop and eat fresh salsa…the round pickle chips.

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Today’s Indie Artist Fixx interview is with Jessica of Slaughterhead. Slaughterhead is the husband and wife team of Joey Slaughter and Jessica Head. Jessica designs and sews vinyl bags and wallets and Joey designs and screenprints tee shirts. I love, love, love their unique designs and especially love the Jumbo wallets–I think they might be big enough for all the crap I carry around in my wallet.

Read more about Jessica and Slaughterhead below in my interview with Jessica.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

My business is www.slaughterhead.com. I create and sell vinyl handbags and a variety of wallets. My husband, the other part of the Slaughterhead duo, designs and prints tshirts, as well as vinyl for me to use in the wallets.

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

We got started about 4 years ago. I had graduated with my BFA and was teaching elementary art. I enjoyed it, but wanted something else; I missed the creative time I had in school. One afternoon Joey brought a sewing machine home for me, and slaughterhead.com began soon after. I loved sewing and have been doing it since.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

The creative process for me involves piles of color. I don’t really throw away scraps so I have many colors of vinyl that I keep sorted. I play with color and shape until I find something I like, often reminiscent of a mood/feeling. I usually have a couple of themes; currently it’s rock layers.

4. What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?

Our biggest accomplishment so far is that I am able to stay home with our son and work on Slaughterhead full time. It’s hard to get a lot done with a baby toddling around, but I’m very proud that I’ve created more this year than ever before. Joey teaches at the university level, so I’m really excited for summer break when we’ll both be home to crank it out together.

5. Tell us one funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.

I hum all the time–really truly all the time. I have somehow become a sponge for any song I hear. Joey often picks on me about it and will intentionally say one line from a horrible song just so that I will get it stuck in my head. I can’t control it.

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This week’s Indie Artist Interview is with Tracy from Happy Owl Glassworks. Offering lovely fused glass jewelry, accessories and homewares since 2003, Happy Owl has been one of my faves right from the beginning. I even own a Happy Owl Glasswork’s pendant and I love it. Happy Owl is probably best known for their badge menagerie—a collection of totem animals in your choice of either a badge or pendant. I defy you to pick just one as your favorite. I know I can’t!

Read more about Tracy and her work in my interview with her below.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

Happy Owl Glassworks. I fuse glass and illustrate; mostly housewares and accessories featuring animals galore!

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

When we moved to LA in 2003, I started my website. It was slow at first, but I was further motivated when I participated in the “Bazaar Bizarre West” in Los Angeles in December (my first retail show experience!). Before LA we lived in Bozeman, MT and I was part of a co-op gallery where I made more sculptural, non-functional pieces. This was fun at the time, but I soon realized that the gallery scene wasn’t my main interest. I decided to experiment with smaller pieces for the masses when an old contact requested some work that they could sell in their shop. Once the website took off, I was laid off from my office job soon thereafter. I never looked back.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

Usually slow-going at this point in time! I draw from inspirations such as animals and nature—a subject that is constantly teasing me to get outside more. I’m usually feeling most creative while I’m doing “other” things, like showering, driving, walking. Once I get an idea I’ll sketch it out and take it to the next step of creating the piece.

4. What’s been your biggest accomplishment so far?

The ability to juggle being a new parent as well as managing the business. When I was pregnant I was apprehensive about my abilities to do both. But somehow we’ve managed without daycare or help, and I’m so happy to be there for every one of her milestones. Accomplishing both has been a smoother ride than I expected and it’s all about taking it slowly, having small goals.

5. Tell us one funny/goofy/silly thing about yourself.

I consider myself a culinary experiment—I didn’t eat any vegetables, besides carrots, until I was 21. I was one of those “picky eaters” (to the extreme!) as a child/adolescent. I now try new foods with every chance I get: jellyfish, raw beef, exotic vegetables… a far cry from my childhood days of junk food and meat slathered in ketchup!

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I love Renee from Wolfie and the Sneak! She is super talented, super nice, super cool and I just love her work. I’m so happy that she agreed to be interviewed for this week’s Indie Artist Fixx.

Renee is one of those artists who never fail to captivate their audience. Her work, often botanically inspired, is like looking at a new world, but one that is totally familiar at the same time. I am so inspired by her work that I often find myself looking at things in a completely new way, which I think is just such a wonderful thing when art can make you do that.

One of my favorite treasures is my Wolfie and the Sneak coloring book. My goal is to color all the prints and hang them behind my desk. I have three completed so far. I just cannot wait to see what Renee will come up with next!

Visit her website, her etsy shop, her blog and her flickr page to read and see more of her work.

In the meantime, read more about Renee and her work in my interview with her below!

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

I’m Wolfie and the Sneak (part of/most of?) and I draw, paint, and generally depict natural objects and abstract patterns based on organic objects.

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

Once I finished High School I went right into art school for college. At that point I realized the opportunities to be filled were few and far between, so I started making my own opportunities by curating group shows and seeking juried shows. Occasionally I’d sell a piece, but not very often. I finished school and managed a Caribou Coffee for a year, and that was enough to motivate me to know I needed to do something for myself. There were some other stumbles and misguided steps on the path, but I started about a year and a half ago.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

Hard. (haha) In the past it’s been a lot easier, finding inspiration suddenly and often in hardships and broken hearts, so now I’m learning a whole new way to tap into my creativity. I haven’t fully figured it out, but I know I just have to keep practicing, studying and learning. It’s a lot of sitting down daily and just doing rather than planning and thinking.

4. If you could meet 5 famous or infamous people (dead or alive) who would they be?

Steve Albini
Steve Martin
Bill Murray
Willie Nelson
William Shatner

All funny funny men. I think I would like to flirt with all of them, too.

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Today’s Indie Artist Fixx interview is with Ashely Alexander of i’m smitten. Most of you are probably already familiar with Ashley’s iconic illustration Antler Girl and are taken with her work as much as I am, but hopefully this will be a way you can learn more about Ashley. Looking to add a little bit of magic to our days, Ashley creates cards, prints, bags, t-shirts and more with her whimsical and enchanting illustrations. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

Here’s Ashley in her own words.

1. What’s the name of your business and what do create and sell?

My business is called i’m smitten and I sell stationery, prints, t-shirts, cards, buttons, tote bags…um I think thats it

2. When did you get started with your business and why did you decide to open your own indie biz?

I started about five years ago. I just started making my little drawings into cards and t-shirts and buttons, because I liked the idea of these creepy little sweet images being out in public walking around or traveling around through the mail.

3. What’s the creative process like for you?

I think of a subject or topic I want to convey, or a particular animal I want to draw and do sketches in my journal. Actually, the most successful images have been accidents. Antler girl was just me goofing around in my journal—she was unplanned and she has become my logo.