RJ of Bailey Doesn't Bark

RJ, New York, NY Brand: Bailey Doesn't Bark Blogs: baileydoesntbark.blogspot.com Shop: baileydoesntbark.com

I "met" RJ a couple of months back when she kindly agreed to be on Heart Lab. Her collection has grown quite a bit since then and I'm sure she's a lot busier too - managing her three shops over at baileydoesntbark.etsy.com, supermarket and DaWanda not to mention that the brand new fact + fancy shop in Brooklyn now carries a selection of her creations!

1. How would you describe your style?

Simple + complex: complete opposites, yes: I tend to make either very simple line illustrations or almost overwhelming overload of lines.

2. Your work has such a distinct look. One of the hardest things for artists to do is to stand apart from everyone else. How difficult was it for you to come up with your own style and signature look? What advice can you give aspiring artists struggling to find their own voice and look?

I always struggled with the fact that I didn't have a 'style' I thought that being born with a 'half talent' was useless so I didn't think much about drawing...

I've been drawing ever since I was little. Grew up knowing I could draw, did well in art classes and I was always the one who had to draw on school banners. But I always struggled with the fact that I didn't have a 'style' I thought that being born with a 'half talent' was useless so I didn't think much about drawing - however, I did doodle throughout my entire high school and college years.

I had never drawn like that before, but I knew that I had finally found my 'style'.

I don't know exactly how it came to me but I can tell you when - where - and maybe why? A few years ago I went on a trip to Korea with my mom. It was a wonderful trip, however we did stay longer than necessary. So the last days were pretty much boring. I'd stay in the room and try to figure out what else I could do or where else I could go in a place I'd seen and done everything. Finally, one day decided to head out to town - again - and went to a stationary story. The first thing I saw, literally, was a sketch book that had several motivational quotes on the first page. Call me a cheese ball, but those quotes really inspired me to start drawing again. Back in the room, I sat on the floor, used a chair as my desk and started drawing - lines formed illustrations of the crazy dreams I'd been having for a while. I had never drawn like that before, but I knew that I had finally found my 'style'.

For the ones struggling to find their own voice: I promise that it will come to you. There's no technique/class/instructions that will unfold your unique personal style: It's your motivation/inspiration/your mental library. Draw: always: it's in you.

3. Do you do this full-time? If not, what pays the bills?

I just recently decided to do this full-time. It hasn't been paying my bills, yet.

4. You just recently joined Etsy this past April. There are artists out there who still feel overwhelmed with the whole online selling world and haven't taken the plunge. As a recent convert, can you share some tips that you learned while going through the process yourself? Etsy is wonderful. It gives you an opportunity to show/sell your products in a non-intimidating way. It's very easy to set up and the community is very helpful. I am just starting as well and I've been learning a lot. The resources are there so you have nothing to worry about. Just create an excellent product and present it well. You will be surprised to learn how people's taste differs from your. 1. Organization - something I'm still trying to put in order. (excel spreadsheets, create systems to run your transactions smoothly, etc...) 2. Pricing - do your calculations properly or else you'll lose in the end. 3. Photographs - lighting is essential: most recommend daylight, but my products present better in a well lit still life table - so either or I'd say. 4. Descriptions - short but containing all the essential information. 5. Packaging - I'm a consumer as well and packaging does make an impression and influences your image - don't overdue yourself though. Keep it simple + memorable. 6. Communication - your customer should feel comfortable with the transaction.

5. Who is your idol/current artist-crush?

Idols: Harry Clarke, a beautiful Irish illustrator from the golden age and Kay Nielsen, an equally wonderful Danish illustrator.

6. If you could put your products on the shelves of any shops, which ones would you choose?

I need to do more research on shops... as of now, I do like:
Clio, Paper Boat Boutique and Gallery - I found out about it on you blog, actually. It would be nice!

7. Can you share with us three blogs that you've recently discovered and love?

pikaland, decor8, poppytalk

Thanks again RJ!!

Heart Lab: Handmade Handbuilt Pottery by Deborah

I discovered Deborah's handbuilt pottery line while putting together the Laced Up editorial. I've never seen pieces like hers before and I just had to find out more about her process...

1. Inspiration: Walking around, doing nothing clay related and suddenly seeing something in nature that inspires me - Indefinite time

2. Prepping the clay: Slice a chunk of clay off the block and knead it, spreading it thinner with my hands, finding the perfect rough organic looking shape, then smoothing it with a rolling pin - About 20 minutes

3. Impressing the clay with bits of antique lace and ribbons and making my signature hand stamped flower (or art deco girl) add-on - 10 minutes

4. Shaping it into a cone shape and sealing it with slip (wet clay) - 2 minutes


5. Drying: 3 days

6. Firing: Loading and Firing it in the kiln - 9 hours

7. Finishing: Removing it and staining it with mason stains and a transparent glaze over it - 20 minutes

8. Second Firing: Back in the kiln for a second firing - another 9 hours

9. Taking the pictures: What seems like an eternity but probably is only 15 minutes

10. Upload: Listing it on etsy - 10 minutes

11: Packaging it and shipping: An hour ..... more if there’s a line at the post office!

Thanks Deb!!

Heart Lab: Bailey Doesn't Bark

I love the latest pieces from RJ's Bailey Doesn't Bark line (how great is that name!). Here's a peek at how these unique handpainted pieces come to life .... Thanks RJ!

1.The Big Idea
Ideas just come to my head out of the blue. My head is like a blender ;) all the information I collect while walking around, seeing beautiful things, museums, books, magazines, movies, internet, situations, people...(the list goes on) blends into one and stays in there until its ready to be drawn/made. I rarely sketch what I'm going to draw - When I have an idea, I like to draw directly on the 'canvas'. The 'canvas' (in this case - porcelain) usually is picked because I have a particular idea for it. Maybe I do things backwards... (I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't know how long it takes for one particular idea to come up...)




2. Picking the porcelain: 1 hour



3. Painting
The process can take just a few minutes to several days... It really depends on how I'm doing as far as inspiration and if I had coffee right before - caffeine jitters...

On a good day I can draw several pieces in a couple of hours. Before I fire the porcelain, I tend to leave the pieces out for a 1-2 days because sometimes I do change my mind about the drawing and change it up a little here and there until I'm happy with it. I use a fine brush and apply several layers if necessary.
Painting: 1 hour OR 5 hours...

>> continue reading Heart Lab

4. Waiting for the paint to dry: 24 hours - 36 hours




5. I fire the porcelain at least 2 times:
1st time - 40 minutes with a cool down of 30 minutes to 24 hours (depending on the piece)
2nd time - 40 minutes


6. Cool Down
After final firing, I let the pieces cool down inside the oven with the door open: 1 hour


7. Bath Time
The next day I wash the piece with soft sponge and wash cloth in luke warm water + dish soap:
5 minutes


8. Photographing + uploading for website: 10 minutes per item




9. Packing + Shipping: 10 minutes per item



10. Post office: ...... depends on the line. =)

Handgrown Pottery by Leesa Brinkley

Leesa Brinkley, Carey, NC, USA Brand: Handgrown Pottery Shop: lgbrinkley.etsy.com

I could flip through Leesa's work all day long! Every single piece makes me happy and although I haven't had the opportunity to meet Leesa in person, I can tell just by reading her words that her work really comes from somewhere deep and genuine.

Have you ever looked at something - whether it was a blog, a cupcake or a soap dish - and you can tell how much fun someone was having while working on it? Well, that's how I feel about Leesa's pottery. It's as if, each piece was her first!

“Last year I turned 40 and made the whole year one of celebrating and trying new things.”

1. I know that you work as a full-time graphic designer. How did you get into pottery and where did you learn your craft?

I’ve always been artistic. My mom has boxes full of things I created as a child so art and creating has always been just part of my existence. Last year I turned 40 and made the whole year one of celebrating and trying new things. I’d always wanted to take a pottery class, so I enrolled in our town art center’s 6-week course in basic pottery and I was hooked! So I’ve really only been doing pottery for a short time – not even a year.

>> continue reading Leesa's interview

2. When did you start selling on Etsy? There are those who feel that the exposure they get online isn't necessarily all good - some believe that a high percentage of those viewing their work are lurkers with negative intentions. How do you feel about this?

“... I was running out of friends to give them to, so my husband suggested I start trying to sell them.”

Well, once I started doing pottery, I found that I had these little pieces starting to pile up and I was running out of friends to give them to, so my husband suggested I start trying to sell them. I had been an Etsy buyer for a year or so, and thought I would create a shop, put a few things in and see what happened. My goal had been to get my shop up and running in January of 08, but it was so easy it just took a few hours one afternoon! So my first official selling date was December 27, 2007.

As far as the online exposure, I’ve never been one to worry or have much fear, so I didn’t even hold a thought in my head about any negative impact. For me, any difficult situations that have come about have just been lessons for me on how to let go and let be. I can’t control what other people do or think, I can only control how I react to any given situation and I’ve learned that holding on to any resentment or anger only really hurts me. I do try to let go and forgive and keep a soft heart; otherwise I’m just really only keeping myself from happiness.

“Make your work from the heart, from a pure place of blessed happiness and humbleness for the gifts God has given you, let all the other stuff go and when your work comes from truth - the blessings come.”

3. One of the hardest things for artists to do is to stand apart from everyone else. How long did it take you to come up with your own style and signature look? What advice can you give aspiring artists struggling to find their own voice and look?

I can only speak from my experience, but here’s my secrets for success. First, put God first in your life, then make sure your work just makes you happy and is something you love to do, and that you do it from a place of giving back.

Don't worry about money, or sales, or numbers, or figures, or what someone else is doing, EVER!

Make your work from the heart, from a pure place of blessed happiness and humbleness for the gifts God has given you, let all the other stuff go and when your work comes from truth - the blessings come.

If you can come from that place, then there's peace and honesty in your work and in yourself and come what may - you remain centered and joyful through it all.

“Don't worry about money, or sales, or numbers, or figures, or what someone else is doing, EVER!”

4. How would you describe your style?

My style is deep simplicity. By that I mean, deep thoughts and ideas presented in a simple form. I have always been a fast artist. I can’t work on a piece for days or weeks at a time, I just don’t have that kind of attention span. I like instant gratification I guess… :)

5. How do you come up with your lovely designs?

Most of the words and phrases I use come from personal growth experiences in my own life. I am also a collector of words, so to speak, and keep journals of poems, words, phrases that whisper to my heart and touch me. I try to live with my eyes wide open, seeing the beauty all around me – in nature, in other people, in books and magazines, it’s just all over really, if you look for it.


6. Can you briefly describe the process to us pottery newbies?

Basically you start with a lump of clay and roll it and shape it to your desired form, and then it drys to a point where you can carve designs in it and then it dries some more, until it’s ready to go into the kiln for it’s first bake which takes 16 hours with the heat slowly rising to about 2300 degress or so. That’s HOT! Once it’s cooled, it’s ready to glaze and add all the color and shine to and then it’s back in the kiln for another bake. The 2nd firing is a quicker rise to the same 2300 degrees or so, but this time it only takes about 5 hours. Once it’s cooled enough (usually a whole day or so), you can open the kiln see how everything came out

“My favorite part is definitely opening the kiln on that 2nd and last firing! It’s so fun, it’s like Christmas morning every time I open it!”

7. What part of the pottery process is your favorite? Which part makes you tear your hair out?

My favorite part is definitely opening the kiln on that 2nd and last firing! It’s so fun, it’s like Christmas morning every time I open it! I’ll wake up all sleepy and then I remember that I can unload the kiln and I pop out of bed and hurry to get dressed to see how things came out. It’s a part of the process that just never gets old for me!

As for tearing my hair out? Hmmmm, I can’t think of anything that makes me feel that way… I try not to have too many things in my life that ever make me feel like that! It’s a process but I’m trying!

8. Who is your idol/current craft-crush?

There are so many talented and creative folks on etsy that are just amazing, but my favorite artist of the moment is Andrew Goldsworthy. His work and talent with nature photography is just out of this world! I would love to just be his coffee girl for a day or a week!!!


9. What can we expect to see from you in the future?

I’ve got some totally new designs coming up that will probably be out and posted very soon. Cute new little things that hopefully will bring a smile to people’s lives.

“That’s one thing I love about what Etsy has brought to my world – a connection with people from all over the world that you normally wouldn’t even know existed.”

10. What are the first 3 blogs that you read everyday?

I don’t really have time to read my mail, much less blogs, although I’m fascinated by them. When I do visit someone’s blog, I’m always utterly and completely amused by them and am just blown away by people’s creativity. I love seeing photos from people’s lives and their creations and hearing their thoughts about random things that we all see or deal with! That’s one thing I love about what Etsy has brought to my world – a connection with people from all over the world that you normally wouldn’t even know existed.

It’s like when we took a vacation to the Bahamas one summer and we swam way far out to this reef with our snorkeling gear and discovered all these amazing, totally awesome, unbelievably gorgeous colorful fish and sponges and grasses and anemones and wildlife existing here. Every single day such beauty and majesty exists under the ocean and when you discover that all that amazing stuff goes on every day while you are just living in a little subdivision somewhere in a little town in North Carolina, it just puts a different perspective to your world. So reading people’s blogs and hearing about the lives they lead is similar to peeking into the wonderful undersea world. You just feel a little bit richer from the experience.

Thanks Leesa!