Heart Lab: La Pomme

Apol of La Pomme creates the most precious things - her imagination is magical and the fact that she does it all from a small village in France makes it all the more endearing! Oh and did I mention she works out of a small mobile home she installed next to her garden, after growing tired of working on top of her dining room table!

1. Deciding to make a bird: Took one afternoon. I live in the Camargue, in France. It’s a nature reserve, and one day while staring at the flamingos and herons feeding in front of my home and listening to the squawking of seagulls and other feathered creatures, I decided I was going to make myself a bird plush.

2. Letting the idea boil in my neuron soup: Months and months, meanwhile I grow fabric fruits and flowers.

3. The A-ha! moment: Took just, uhm, a moment, when I happened upon a picture of swans while doing research on plants to add to my dry garden.

4. Making the pattern: 10 to 15 minutes. I’m pretty quick at this.

5. Cutting and sewing the bird: 20 minutes



>> continue reading Heart Lab

6. Stuffing the bird: (With polyfill herbs and potatoes--yum!.) Takes another 10 minutes.

7. Sewing it close by hand and adding the wings: 15 minutes

8. Deciding on the final touches: Hand-embroidery? What stitches to use? What color of thread? Just the wings or all over the body? Buttons for the eyes? This can go on for a long time!

9. Letting it sit in my workroom: Overnight. The day after, I take a good long look and decide if I’m happy with it. If not, I poke the poor thing with a needle some more.

10. Calling my husband to show off and exclaim, "Isn’t he cute!": Just five minutes in real time, but for my husband, who has had to live through this for every single thing I’ve ever made, it probably seems like it’s taking forever :)

Make sure to check out La Pomme where you can buy one of these lovely swans and be sure to stop by lapommeblogs.blogspot.com to say hi!

Thanks Apol!!

Feeling Fruity

1. The White Apple by La Pomme
2. Fresh Blueberry Creamy Goats Milk Soap by Cozy Moments
3. Orange Slice Coasters by The Paper Peony
4. Lemon Quartz Briolette Pendant Necklace by Blue Tulip Designs
5. Mango Mango by Crochet Girl

Sian Keegan

Sian Keegan, Brooklyn, New York Site/Blogs: siankeegan.typepad.com, siankeegan.com Shop: sian.etsy.com

I came across Sian Keegan's work on Etsy and it was pretty much love at first sight...

1. How would you describe your style?
I like to think it's fun, modern, and playful.

2. How long have you been doing this for and how did it all begin?
I have always been into making things, but I would say it started about a year ago when my friend Alison Tauber and I decided to share a booth at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn. We were both about to graduate from F.I.T. and just decided to do something fun before starting our careers in textiles. We graduated in late May and the fair was in mid-June so we only had a few weeks to prepare for it. I felt such a great response for the few things I had so I decided to open and Etsy shop and devote more time to my little business.


>> continue reading Sian's interview

3. What inspires you? How do you get past crafter's block?
I really love magazines, in fact I'm trying to cut down on them! Same with design blogs. I also get inspired just looking through thrift/antique stores. If I feel blocked I like to just take a break from it, that usually helps.

4. The handmade community is such a close-knit group, I notice that most people are either mentors to aspiring crafters/designers or have mentors who have been in the business for a while and are eager to share their experiences with budding crafters/artists. Do you have a mentor? And are you a mentor yourself?

I interned with Lena Corwin during my last year of school and learned a lot from working with her. It was so great for me to see someone doing well on their own. I never really saw myself working for a big corporation and it was really important for me to see there is an alternative to that. Also Julia Rothman and Caitlin Keegan (my sister) are two great designers who have been really helpful to me!

5. How has your experience been with the Brooklyn Flea/Craft Renegade? Would you recommend participating in these types of events?
Yes, I would recommend it, even if it's just to get feedback about your work, pricing, etc. It's also great for meeting other artists and designers, and they're really fun to do!

6. What did you think of the textile/surface design program at FIT? Would you recommend it to aspiring textile designers?
I would say it depends on what is important to you in your education. It's not a place where you'll be pushed to be creative, it's more vocational than that. It was great for me as it was affordable and it introduced me to New York. My advice to an aspiring textile designer would be to take as many computer classes as you can, and take an internship as soon as you can because that will really help focus you on which direction you want to go in.

7. Most of your designs incorporate reclaimed materials, when did you start becoming more eco-conscious and when did you decide to incorporate it into your work? Do you find that more and more consumers are seeking out eco-friendly products?


I think I have always been pretty conscious about environmental issues. I grew up in a rural area and I worked on a farm for a long time, so it was always important to me. My grandmother once gave me a ton of her old fabrics from her collection, most of which she got from taking apart old clothing. I think that got me started on using recycled and vintage fabrics. Plus I find it more fun to have a more limited selection of materials to choose from. I hope more people are looking for eco-friendly products, I know it's something I look for!

8. Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills?
My goal is do this full time...one day! Right now I work a few days a week as a textile designer. I held a full time job for a while, but I realized it was really important for me to have time to pursue my own work.

9. Who is your idol or current craft-crush?
I love Alexander Girard. The first stuffed creatures I made were crocheted adaptations of his recently re-issued wooden figures. I think they might still be my favorite out of everything I make!


10. What are your top 3 favorite blogs?
I have a lot of favorites! Right now it's design*sponge for sure, Lena's blog, and I think Reference Library - I love seeing ebay finds. I also love the Sartorialist! I read too many blogs.

11. Can you share any of your favorite sources for supplies?
My new favorite source for fabric (besides Grandma!) is Baltic Bazaar in Brooklyn. It's all donated fabrics which they sell by the pound, and proceeds go to charity. I love Purl Patchwork and Purl Soho, too. I buy three or four bags of cotton stuffing every time I go...they probably think I'm nuts.

Thanks Sian!

Petopia

1. Personalized Pet Tag by Rae Dunn
2. Kitty Donut by acrudele
3. The Best Cat Toy Mouse by By The Airport
4. Catnip Kickin Stick by hannapt
5. Hemp Dog Collar (Flourish) by The Modern Pet
6. Recycled wool snowflake dog sweater by Hodgepodge Farm
7. Woodland Friends Organic Hemp Cat Toys by The Modern Pet
8. New Cat Announcement by The Modern Pet

Sail Away

Sail away with these ship-shape finds:
1. The Sailboat from Marseille by lapomme
2. Nautical stripes screenprinted notes by cutiepiecompany
3. Nautical Brooch by 123rainbeau
4. Sailboat & Anchor Key Fobs by preppypetunia
5. Reiter8 Large Black 7 Messenger Bag by reiter8
6. Sperm Whale White (Moby Dick) - 2ft. by Morning Star Design

Perfect Delivery

1. Lollipop Tree and Little Birdies Pillows by Blue Thimble
2. Baby Boy Pram Flat Cards by LilaB
3. Animal Art - Doggy by bysimple
4. Decorative Wood Mirror by Rowan's Room
5. Just Arrived Birth Announcement Tags by Almond Works
6. Le Bebe French Baby Door Knob Pillow Hanger by The French Market
7. Baby Birth Plaque by Rae Dunn

Cuz I Felt Like It! by Jessica

Jessica, Georgia, USA Brand: Cuz I Felt Like It! Shop: www.cuzifeltlikeit.etsy.com Blogs & other sites: http://cuzifeltlikeit.blogspot.com www.myspace.com/cuzifeltlikeitok www.flikr.com/photos/cuzifeltlikeit

I couldn't wait to feature Jessica's bears - her work pretty much sums up why I started Heart Handmade in the first place. Her work is truly unique and comes straight from the heart. One look at these bears and you can see how much work and care goes into creating each one. It must be so hard for her to give them away!

“Spare time inspires me. I NEVER seem to have any these days. I can also go to the craft store just to pick up a little something (even if it’s posterboard for the kids) and KAPOWY, I gotta go home and make stuff!”

“Grumpy, Crafty, Irish Women. I call these ladies Granny, Nana and Mom. They taught me the love and appreciation of all things handmade...”

1. What do you call yourself? (e.g., Independent designer, crafter, maker, artist) A handcrafter, makerer of cute things

2. What inspires you? How do you get past crafter's block? Spare time inspires me. I NEVER seem to have any these days. I can also go to the craft store just to pick up a little something (even if it’s posterboard for the kids) and KAPOWY, I gotta go home and make stuff!

Often times I can be looking through one of my button boxes and a button will catch my eye....there just HAS to be a bear made for it to go on! I can also find something great at the thrift store that’s screaming to be made into something and I of course must go straight home and get on it!


3. What tool(s) can't you live without? SHARP scissors. I bought some of those electric scissors....wow.....those things are dangerous!

4. Who is your idol, current craft-crush? I LALALOVE UglyBaby. Her sense of humor is freakin’ awesome! Anybody that creates something using the word “assface” is pretty sweet in my book. Plus, who doesn’t need some good shower art!

5. How long have you been doing this? I’ve been making stuff from things laying around all my life. When I had kids, I would always make cute crafts for family members around the holidays with them. I started ‘Cuz I Felt Like It! about a year ago.


6. Where did you learn your craft? Grumpy, Crafty, Irish Women. I call these ladies Granny, Nana and Mom. They taught me the love and appreciation of all things handmade and why buy things when you can just make it?

My Battle Scarred Bears though, I just did one day. I found some great fuzzy felt at the thrift store and it just really reminded me of an old worn out teddy, and who doesn’t love those? So, I just sat down and made one!

7. Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills? I don’t get to create full time. I’m not sure that I could. My brain’s not wired like that. I’m way too all over the place to sit down for too long. What gets the bills paid is working in a law firm. Not so much for me, but yes, it gets the bills paid.

8. How would you describe your style? One word, Awesome. That’s the power of positive thought! If you believe it, so will others!

Hop to it!

:: Fibonacci Rabbit Three Sisters series by daskaninchen
:: Prick up your ears brooch by whiteapple
:: Portriat of a Hare by Middleburg
:: Framed Jack Rabbit Tea Towel Set by JackRabbit

Erica Daley

Erica Daley, Maryland, USA Website: ericadaley.com Shop: ericadaley.etsy.com

These spool dollies remind me of my favorite Fisher Price little people - but better! Erica uses vintage wooden spools, some of which were passed along by her grandmother to make each spool dolly. Look at these cute irresistible faces...

“I often dream of ideas at night and have to get up and sketch them out or I can’t get back to sleep.”

You can also purchase a Make your own Spool Dolly kit ($7). The kit includes almost everything you need to complete five dolls.

“I have been an artist since I was a small child. I really can’t tell you a time where there was an ‘ah-ha’ moment and I started doing arts and crafts, it’s just part of who I am.”

1. What do you call yourself? (e.g., Independent designer, crafter, maker, artist) Artist and craft artist.

2. What inspires you? How do you get past crafter's block? As an artist I am primarily inspired by people and nature. I think I am often designing with children in mind, which is obvious when you look at most of my work. I have never really had a problem with “crafter’s block”. I actually have more ideas than I have time to create things. I often dream of ideas at night and have to get up and sketch them out or I can’t get back to sleep.

3. What tool(s) can't you live without? My favorite tools are a pencil and paper for sketches. If nothing else, this provides me with an outlet for all my thoughts and ideas. Outside of that my supplies range from fabrics, paints, wool, and wood, and so much more. I enjoy trying everything and am especially attracted to texture and color.

4. Who is your idol, current craft-crush? I love the work of Kaffe Fassett and Heather Bailey.

5. How long have you been doing this? I have been an artist since I was a small child. I really can’t tell you a time where there was an ‘ah-ha’ moment and I started doing arts and crafts, it’s just part of who I am.


6. Where did you learn your craft? All that I have done with my arts and crafts has been self taught. I am very lucky to have the ability (except when it comes to drawing), to see things in my mind, or in the world, and make them.

7. Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills? I worked for many years before the birth of my son (from 16 to 38 years old). Professionally I was a teacher. I taught everything from special education to early childhood education. Now I am a stay at home mom so I try to do my work during naps, in the evening, and whenever I can find a spare moment. I used the money I have saved from working, and profit from sales to fund my supplies. My husband helps a lot too! I would like this to work into a full-time profession as my son gets older (he is 2 now).

All Dolled-Up

Wish I had dolls as cool as these when I was growing up...


:: Handmade dolls by Simpli Jessi
:: Love & Ursula by burcuokay
:: Sam - Mini Plush Doll by aliciaJane
:: Doll #34 from the 4th Series by elotopia

abigailBROWN by Abigail Brown

Abigail Brown, London, UK Brand: abigailBROWN Shop: abigail-brown.co.uk Magma books, London/UK, Family Tree, London/UK, Frank, Kent/UK, Castor and Pollux, Brighton/UK.

Abigail's work is incredible. I had such a hard time editing it down to a couple of pics, so I decided not to! I was already in awe of the work posted on her site, but when she emailed over these additional shots ... I'm speechless, so I'll just let the images speak for themselves!

Just when I thought I've seen enough birds...

click image or here to enlarge (you have to see the detail on these birds - incredible!)

1. What do you call yourself? (e.g., Independent designer, crafter, maker, artist) Hmm... I guess artist/maker predominantly, but I'm also a freelance designer in various fields.

2. What inspires you? How do you get past crafter's block? EVERYTHING!! I'm constantly keeping my eyes open whenever I am, collecting all kinds of visual delights that fill my working space...that and trawling the internet, it's impossible to be blocked for too long!


3. What tool(s) can't you live without? Sewing machine...but I do love a good tool to scribble with.

4. Who is your idol, current craft-crush? I'm fascinated with Anne Wilson at the moment after seeing her work on display in the 'Out of the Ordinary' exhibiton currently at the V&A, London. Her animations with lace and pins have me all inspired to make some of my own with my creatures!

5. How long have you been doing this? I've been cutting and sewing bits of fabric since I was very very little. My Grandmother was a Seamstress and I spent days on end surrounded by her Singer, scraps of fabric, pins, needles and thread. It was sort of bred into me!


6. Where did you learn your craft? As above, I think I just absorbed what she was doing, I don't think she specifically taught me anything, I've just cobbled my way through with it all over the years!

7. Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills? I'm in the process of cutting down on other things to give my craft work more time, but at the moment the design work is the big chunk of bill paying money.


8. How would you describe your style? It's childish in some ways I guess, it has child appeal, although it's not always intended for children. There's a lot of illustration involved and storytelling, and a fusion of many things...difficult to say!