Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Artfire artisan interview series continues with Vicky who makes some pretty funky bags and jewellery.

Your name
VickyVK :: Artfire shop ::

Where in the world are you?
I currently live in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.

Briefly describe yourself and what you make
I am currently a stay at home mom. I have a daughter who is almost 2 and another little one due in June. My husband is a teacher in an elementary school. We have been married for almost 6 years. We have moved quite a bit over the years, but now with the children have decided to settle down for the time being.

I design, make and sell jewelry and handbags. I work with a variety of materials. I especially like to work with stone, wood, bone, and metal. I make casual, hobo style type handbags. Most of my items are one of a kind and are not recreated. I like to create things that give the wearer confidence and allows them to also feel that they are one of a kind!

Who or what inspires you?
What a difficult question! I find my inspiration comes from all over the place. I am always checking out other people's jewelry and handbags as well as what's in stores. I look at fashion and beading magazines. I also just sit and look at my supplies and play around with them until something really clicks. Most of the time I just go into a fabric or beading store and look at the available materials, and allow that to inspire me as I put the pieces together.

When / how did you learn?
I mostly taught myself how to make jewelry. My mom also makes jewelry so she helped me in the beginning, but I spent a lot of time looking at other jewelry, checking out magazines and just fooling around with my supplies.

About a year ago my mom gave me her old sewing machine. I made a few projects with it but it was quite an old machine (she had it from her mother) so it quit on me. I decided that I did enjoy the bit I had done and splurged on a brand new machine. I also decided to take a sewing course at a local college so I could learn the basics. Just like my jewelry making, I have learned a lot by trial and error as well as from tutorials on the internet!

Why do you 'bother' to make things by hand?
My husband and I always wanted me to stay home with our children at least till they were in school, and I consider my 'crafting' as my creative outlet. I really enjoy designing my jewelry and handbags and feel really good when I've created something unique that I can be proud of. I think I would go nuts if I spent my whole day cooking, cleaning and caring for children with nothing else (though I LOVE my daughter). This way I can get fulfillment another way. It also helps us financially, my business helps pay for those 'extras' like holidays in the summer and Christmas gifts.

What is your craft ”philosophy”?
Hmmm. I suppose my craft philosophy would be somewhere along the lines that my products must be unique and of good quality. If I make something that I'm not happy with, I want to take the time to make it right, even though someone else may not even notice. I want to know that I did my best to create a super item.

Have you always made 'stuff'?
I suppose I've always been creative, but more so in school and writing. I never really saw myself as a 'crafter' or 'creator'. Now that I have tried it though and found I can be successful doing it, I want to create more and more!

Is your art/ craft a business as well? Any advice on running an arty/ crafty business?
Yes, I sell my jewelry and handbags. My biggest advice on running such a business is to be patient! It takes time to learn the ropes on how to create a quality item as well as to promote it. I have been selling my items now for approximately 2 ½ years and I'm still always learning. Be willing to fail and try again. Be willing to listen to the advice of others, and learn which advice works best for you. Be willing to be critiqued. Most importantly, you must love what you are doing.

If you could make any project without limits to cost, materials or even skill, what would it be?
I would love to design and make my own clothes. I'm not usually happy with what malls and stores have to offer and love to wear something unique. I have bought quite a bit of clothing from other 'crafters' , but would like to be able to make them myself!

Labels: artfire, interview