This Just In-spiration

Maker Stories

This Just In-spiration: Meet Liz Rodriguez

June 22, 2015

Our makers never fail to motivate us, encourage our creativity, and fill us with inspiration. So, when a new design enters our assortment, we’re always excited to learn more about the person behind the product.

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Liz Rodriguez, the maker behind our new handmade floral kitchen trio.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
Since I can remember.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist?
Being immersed in a world of creativity where just about anything is possible. Not many professional artists have the word “can’t” in their vocabulary. We all figure out how to make things happen whether it be within the work itself or building a death-defying display system.

What does your typical day in the studio look like?
I usually arrive at 8 am, turn on the teakettle, clean the studio and finish projects from the night before, take Nacho (my sweet and adorable Pit Bull mix) out for a good walk or play date, come back and take a look at the to-do list which could range from making work, packing and shipping to a gallery or customer, mixing glazes, administrative duties or tending to customer needs. I’m usually loading Nacho back in the car for our commute home between 6:30 and 7 pm, sometimes later depending on the deadline.

Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?
I’m not terribly religious, but my dearest friend Cathy (a mixed media assemblage artist) colorfully painted this small BVM bust for me shortly after my mom died last year and I keep it by my pottery wheel. It brings me a little comfort when I get too caught up in sad thoughts. Cathy is a colorful and very funny person herself, so it also makes me think of her which inevitably leads to a smile.

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartener for the first time. What do you think he/she would say?
I meet young children at shows and have many kids in that age group in my family. They are always first drawn to the bright colors, then they remark on the roses and how much they like them, and finally there’s an atypical silence that washes over as they feel all the textures. I love watching kids experience the work, which frightens a lot of parents because of the fragility of pottery, but I welcome and encourage it. It makes me so happy.

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
“Sometimes the only available transportation is a leap of faith.” – Margaret Shepard

Maker Stories

This Just In-spiration: Meet Sandra Bonazoli and Jim Dowd

June 15, 2015

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Sandra Bonazoli and Jim Dowd, designers of the Make a Wish Measuring Spoon Set.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

Even when I was very young, I had a love of drawing and making small things. I didn’t know it then, but I also loved beautiful old objects – I used to walk around my town and admire the architectural details on old homes. But I never really thought about being an artist or a craftsperson until I started to teach jewelry after college, and saw other people making a living with their artwork. Granted, their living may have been patched together, but they made a life for themselves being creative and doing what they loved. That had never occurred to me before that point, but that’s when I knew I wanted to be an artist/craftsperson.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist?

To be honest, I wouldn’t really consider myself an artist. I don’t make work for exhibitions, galleries, or museums, or any other context other than people’s homes. It’s just not my intention. My intention (and my husband’s – we work together) is to make meaningful objects with an emphasis on function, that are professionally crafted, and as affordable as possible. Those things are usually not the criteria of an artist. I would say I’m very happy to be a designer and a craftsperson, particularly a metal-smith. The most exciting thing about what I do is seeing the physical manifestation of an idea. Every time something new comes out of the mold for the first time, I remember why I love doing this.

What does your typical day in the studio look like?

Being self-employed means wearing many hats, so a typical day involves answering email, dealing with inventory, quality control, working on new designs, making inventory, and being frustrated with computers. If there is ever a dull moment, it doesn’t last long!

What are your most essential tools?

Unfortunately, the computer. Also my jeweler’s saw with 4/0 blades (they’re pretty teeny), No.4 cut half round and barrette shaped files, rubber cement, and medium silver solder.

Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?

We make a silver pendant in the shape of an anchor. I wear mine almost every day. We made this pendant after spending a couple of weeks in the South of France, where anchor motifs are everywhere – for example, the brackets for hanging streetlights are in the shape of an anchor. They are a part of the architecture and landscape. We live in Rhode Island, and there are a lot of anchor motifs around here too. It connects me to where I live, as well as special places I’ve been. But most of all, I love the symbolism. Anchors have traditionally been a symbol of hope. I love the idea that raising anchor literally means that one of is off to a new port, a new journey, and a new adventure and symbolizes all the hope one has when going somewhere new.

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartner for the first time. What do you think they would say?

We do make some kids products, so I happen to know they like things that they feel are made especially for them. Like spoons made for little hands. Otherwise, I still think they might say our other products are special too.

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?

Again, being self-employed means having to do a lot of things you don’t want to do, in order to keep doing what you love to do. Therefore it’s good to keep in mind: If you can’t get out of it – Get into it! Helps every time.

Maker Stories

This Just In-spiration: Meet Chanda Froehle

June 8, 2015

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Chanda Froehle, the artist behind the Stained Glass Panel Collection.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
I must have been very young when I knew I wanted to be an artist. I don’t remember ever not wanting to be an artist. From a very young age, my mom always encouraged me to keep making art, and my step dad always encouraged me to stay focused on my goals.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist?
I think the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist was realization that I could actually do this as a career. When you’re young, and you tell someone that you want to be an artist, you get a lot of “oh honey that’s nice, but let’s be realistic” type of reactions. Because of that, I think it makes doing what I love for a living that much more exciting.

What does your typical day in the studio look like?
A typical day in my studio… I spend a lot of time listening to music while I hand-cut my glass. I usually spend one day a week grouting, which is actually my favorite part of the process! It is completely messy, and that is the point where I can see the design coming to life.

Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?
I don’t know if this counts as a talisman, but I have this little box in my studio which contains my very first stained glass. My husband gave it to me years ago. It is very special to me, because without that glass, and without my husband’s unwavering support, I may have never tried to make a living as a glass artist.

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartner for the first time. What do you think they would say?
I imagine if I were to show my work to a kindergartner, he or she would want to know how often I cut myself. Also, I think they would like the part where I sometimes get to smash some glass up with a hammer.

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” -Friedrich Nietzsche.

Maker Stories

This Just In-spiration: Meet Alexandra Ferguson

June 1, 2015

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Alexandra Ferguson, the designer behind our new handmade, eco-friendly pillows.

Photo by Gabi Porter

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
My mom, who has a fashion background, was always working on crafting projects with us as kids. So I grew up in a very creative home and learned from an early age that the best way to get something really fantastic was to make it myself.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist?
I love working out of my factory. Working with an incredibly talented team to roll up your sleeves and make something is a really satisfying way to spend your day. I also love speaking with my customers – we are so lucky to have such a passionate and dedicated cult fan base. I get so much inspiration from them!

What does your typical day in the studio look like?
A lot of my day is spent managing the work flow through the room. Our factory is designed to be incredibly lean and agile, handling a large volume of custom orders with a very short lead time. Often I feel like an orchestra conductor making sure that the timing of all the moving parts is accurate. I also spend a good chunk of my day outward facing, working with customers over the phone and email, processing orders and ultimately getting boxes on the UPS truck! The best moment is watching a ton of boxes get loaded up, that’s when I can relax a little knowing that it was a job well done.

Photo by Colin Miller

Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?
My own pillows! I think I have 3 of our “Breathe” pillows in my office. Those are helpful when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartener for the first time. What do you think he/she would say?
They’d probably read it aloud! My 5-year-old nephew loves to practice his reading and writing with “Aunt Al’s” pillows. “Here Comes Trouble” is a favorite among the toddler set. I get lots of cheeky twinkles when they read that one.

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
Um, do you have space for 80? “I work hard for the money” is a favorite. There’s no sitting back and relaxing in my factory, and I’m proud of the hustle!

Maker Stories

This Just In-spiration: Meet Evan Mayfield

May 25, 2015

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Evan Mayfield, designer of our Darkroom Timer Lamp.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
I knew I wanted to be an artist at a very early age. My grandmother was an artist and she practically raised me. I grew up drawing and painting, and quickly developed as an artist very young.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist?
The most exciting thing was to finally be properly compensated for all the hard work and effort I had put into my craft. Many folks like to take advantage of young artists monetarily, and it’s kind of a shame. finally getting my first real paycheck from Sony Pictures [Evan worked on the animated film G-Force] kind of made me realize I was finally in the clear!

What does your typical day in the studio look like?
I wouldn’t say there is such a thing as a typical day. That’s why I love my job so much. Everyday is something completely different when you own your own business. Even when I am in the studio, I mix it up quite a bit because I get uninspired easily. So, I am constantly looking for something that inspires me to work on. That is always my best work.

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartner for the first time. What do you think they would say?
I think a kindergartner might be confused! Haha! I have adults who approach me all the time that need an explanation, so I cannot imagine kids would get it. My work is somewhere between fine art sculpture and lighting so it can be a bit confusing. I understand that, and am not offended by people’s quizzical expressions.

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
“Work smarter, not harder” is my go to. I’m an efficient artist, and am always looking for the best way to complete a project. My dad always used to say this, and I guess it just stuck.

Maker Stories

This Just In-spiration: Meet Sarah Grange

May 18, 2015

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Sarah Grange, the artist behind our new embroidery hoop art collection.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
Growing up my parents always encouraged me to be creative and gave me the freedom (and the craft supplies) to do so. Around 8 years old, I decided that when I grew up my best friend and I would open an art studio/veterinary office. While my life goals have become a little more realistic over the years (i.e. I’m probably not going to veterinary school anytime soon/ever), I’m basically that same girl. I’m still dreaming/working towards that goal of having the perfect studio where I spend every day supporting myself by doing what I love.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist?
Graduating college and starting my small business, Kitsch & Stitch, has been one of my greatest and most exciting accomplishments. To look back on the past two years and see the growth that has come out of the long days and nights spent designing and embroidering is incredibly motivating. But most of all, seeing that people appreciate my creativity and work enough that they want it in their homes is one of the most exciting and motivating aspects of what I do! Hearing that someone loves their new embroidery hoop or that it made the perfect gift for their loved one makes my day.

What does your typical day in the studio look like?
Caffeine, good music, lots of thread and fabric, and two adorable kitties (even when they’re biting at my ankles while I work).

Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?
The walls and shelves in my studio are filled with art and objects that are inspiring and important to me. I’m a bit of a collector and I love to have all sorts of art, heirlooms, and vintage knick-knacks in my space. My antique embroidery book that belonged to my great-grandmother is one of my most treasured items. It’s inspiring and motivating to think that women in my family have been embroidering/sewing for centuries, and here I am continuing the craft tradition (but in a very different way).

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartner for the first time. What do you think he/she would say?
“Ooo what does it do?” or “Why?”
It’s been a while since I talked to a kindergartner, but I feel like these are pretty popular questions among 3-5-year-olds.

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
It’s a toss up between “Fake it till you make it” and “If it’s not alright, then it’s not the end,” but both essentially serve the same purpose for me. I’ve found that at times when I’m feeling intimidated or having trouble believing in myself, the best plan of action is to push those thoughts aside and keep moving forward, even if I’m not totally sure of where I’m headed. At times when I’m doubting myself or my work, these mantras get me going again.

Maker Stories

This Just In-spiration: Meet Mia Weiner

May 11, 2015

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Mia Weiner, the artist behind our new Zodiac Embroidery Hoop Art.

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
I’ve always been an artist and have always felt a need to make and work creatively! I believe in everything embroidered and became drawn to working with textiles because of their ubiquity in our everyday lives, and because of the loaded history of the medium.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist?
The most exciting thing about being a professional artist is being able to share my work with the world. I want to add beauty to everyday life with unique and handmade works, which is why I created HOW COULD YOU? clothing. You can see some of my work from my fine art practice here: www.miaweiner.com.

What does your typical day in the studio look like?
I love to work in natural light, so after coffee and a little breakfast, I put on some music or Radiolab and start stitching as early in the day as possible. Embroidery and lace making are incredibly slow, so I like to nest with a pot of tea, my embroidery, and maybe some Netflix or an audio book if I can’t listen to any more music that day. On days that I am working on the sewing machine, I like to work in bursts. Every day in the studio is a little different depending on what projects I am working on!

Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?
I am extremely nostalgic and have a large collection of small objects, letters, drawings, notes, and gifts that travel with me. Above my bed, no matter where I am, I hang one of my favorite embroideries, a drawing from my best friend from when I was 16, and a picture my mother gave me. When it comes to inspiration, I find that it is the people I meet and the relationships I have that impact and influence my work the most. Human interaction is incredibly important to me and is a major theme in my work. Unlike some artists who need to work in solitude, it is when I am surrounded by people I feel the greatest urge to make. In turn, the objects I collect are so important to me because of the people and memories that are connected to them.

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartner for the first time. What do you think he/she would say?
I actually have a few kindergarten-aged cousins, and when they see my constellation embroideries they tell me all about the solar system (which they have just started learning about) and, of course, their birthdays. The large nudes that are part of my fine art practice usually elicit giggling and questions about why the bodies are connected (and why they don’t have any clothes on…?).

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
While it is not a work mantra, I have always love Anais Nin’s quote:
“I must be a mermaid. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.”

and

“Has the pen or pencil dipped so deep in the blood of the human race as the needle?” – Olive Schreiner

Maker Stories

This Just In-spiration: Meet Steve Reid and Judith Irving

April 30, 2015

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Steve Reid and Judith Irving, creators of our delectable Caramel Sauce Set.

When did you know you wanted to be makers?
Fat Toad Farm started out as an experiment in homesteading. As a family, we wanted to see how self-sufficient we could be. We began this adventure with some chickens, a garden, and hand-milking a lovely French Alpine doe named Jupiter in our garage. We slowly started to produce more milk than we could use as a family. At that point, my daughter Josey returned home from a five year stay in Mexico. She told us about a Mexican confection called “cajeta” (traditional name for goat’s milk caramel) that she said was very popular all over Mexico and that she had learned how to make. We made some small batches of it on our kitchen stove and it really was quite delicious! We gave some to our friends and family and it was a big hit. We soon realized that we had a really unique and delicious product on our hands and decided to take our “hobby” to the next level. Fast forward eight years and we are now milking 60 goats in a modern milking parlor, making our goat’s milk caramel sauce in our own commercial kitchen, and selling it to over 300 specialty food stores throughout the United States.

What was the most exciting thing about starting your own business?
We have always been excited and grateful to be able to working from our home, on our own farm, using our neighborhood land and working as a family. After years and years of “working out,” this has been a rare privilege. Being able to make decisions and seeing them being implemented from beginning until the end is also very exciting, and sometimes nerve wracking. The ability to make changes and improvements to our business rests solely on our shoulders which can be quite overwhelming and empowering at the same time.

What does your typical day at work look like?
On any given day you will catch Steve or Colene milking the goats early in the morning (6:00) and me [Judith] doing chores. Jenny and either Calley or Christine arrive at 7 to the caramel room Monday through Friday, to start the caramel production process. Jenny stays in there meticulously hand-stirring our velvety caramel sauce for about five hours in traditional copper kettles.

After morning chores are complete, you’ll find me printing off orders and labels at my computer and then preparing the days shipments from our “shipping center” at the back of our small farm store. Inside the farmhouse, Calley and Christine will be at the kitchen table, computers revved up, developing new marketing materials, products, and flavors, and generating all of our social media.

Midday, I do chores again, the caramel finishing team starts “bottling” the caramel until 3, I often do farm tours or handle basic financial work. By 4, the milking and chore team are back at it, the caramel team is done and wrapping up their administrative work. By 7 p.m., milking is done, the chickens are put to bed, the 2 baby goats that get bottles have been fed and everyone is off to whatever it is they are doing that evening to wind down. (Check out the video below to see everyone in action.)

Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?
Walking around the farm you’ll see different kinds of toad figurines of all different colors, shapes, and sizes. In the beginning, when we were trying to think of a name for the farm, we had been walking through our fields and we kept finding these fat, healthy toads hopping as we walked along. Toads are a sign of a healthy ecosystem and fertile lands which we took as a good omen. That is when we became Fat Toad Farm. I think having real toads present as well as little trinkets, helps us remember how we started and how far we have come.

What are some of the things you’ve heard people say upon tasting your caramel creations for the first time?
“Oh my goodness!”
“I could just eat this straight out of the jar with a spoon.”
“I’m going to have to hide this from my husband.”
“I’m going to have to hide this from my wife.”
“This has no calories, right?”
“Mmmmmmmmmmm. Just one more taste…”
“Sweet, but not too sweet. Just right!”
“You can really taste the goat’s milk!”
“This is lick-the-spoon good.”

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
“If Britney Spears can make it through 2007, you can get through today.” Surprisingly, we heard the quote on NPR and we all initially just laughed. Once we really thought about it though, it stuck with us. Here on the farm, things can get pretty hard but we have realized you just have to find the light and continue to work towards it.

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