A Visit with Stevie's Scratchpad + a new Thursday Giveaway!

Print of original skull drawing from SteviesScratchpad.etsy.com

Happy October! I love this time of year! 

The temps cool, leaves change, skeletons come out of the closet and onto front lawns....  plus the new Thursday Giveaway prize is Halloweenie themed! More about that later. Right now we are off to Los Angeles to visit with the artist behind the online shop, SteviesScratchpad.Etsy.com. So, grab your trick-or-treat bag and follow me to Stevie's front door. 

Please note: you can click on any of the captions for more info. Sorry if the text looks a little wonky. Blogspot is acting up today - must be the "trick" part. Now onto the treats!

Hi, Stevie. Thanks for letting us drop by! While we're snacking on your chocolate bars and candy corn, I have a few questions for you: 

When did you first become interested in art?

Stevie: I've been interested for most of my life, but I think that really took off in middle school.  Before, I'd liked my markers, and my colored pencils, and I'd liked drawing, but it wasn't a big deal.  In middle school, I really got into things, and I took better classes, and was more serious.  I got many more materials with which I could play and work.  I also started looking up other artists and pieces that I've heard of.  It really took off from there.  

Duomo in Florence, Italy print from SteviesScratchPad

What are your favorite materials & why?

Stevie: I  used to be a stickler for graphite.  That eventually got old as I couldn't make my blacks black enough, and it was a bit too shiny for my liking.  I then tried pastels, which was fun (and messy!), but then found acrylic paints.  Oh, the messes I would make coming up with new things to put on canvas!  I did a lot of paintings for my family.  The first ever I actually liked was one for my mom, the Red Heart that's in my shop as a print.  I did a few more that I'm planning on putting up.  When I took my first college-level art class, I got forced to use charcoal and pen and ink.  I haven't looked back since.  So, right now, if I were to paint, it'd probably be in acrylic, due to durability and drying time (I can get impatient when I've got an idea in my head).  I like drawing with charcoal, though in a pinch graphite'll do.  I also like pen and ink.  It looks so dramatic! 

Your skull print, the only black & white drawing in your shop just now, really stands out. What prompted you to create this striking piece?

Stevie: I got a plaster skull once, and for a while I stuck it on my shelf and put necklaces, hats, and the occasional wig on it.  One night, I couldn't sleep, so I pulled the skull down, dragged out my pen and ink stuff, and got to drawing.  I guess I just wanted to see if I could make something look good in pen and ink.  I loved it.  I then tried doing it in charcoal, but that didn't pan out as well.  Needless to say, the skull you see in the shop remains one of my favorite pieces, to this day.

Red Heart ACEO print from SteviesScratchpad

 

What are your thoughts on working in black & white vs color?

Stevie: Working in black and white as opposed to full color is interesting.  I think I like it better.  I don't mix colors often enough to be good at it (or I'm a perfectionist and just want the exact....right....shade), but working in black and white lets me focus on value.  Most of the things I draw aren't in color.  I like it in that it's easier to focus on value, and to look at the thing itself as opposed to the colors in it.  I like that you can get so much in with just a few pencils.  In essence, I prefer it.  I'm better at it, and I love the contrast you can achieve in black and white. 

Jungle Cactus Flower Print from SteviesScratchpad

Where do you find inspiration?

Stevie: I find inspiration everywhere.  When it comes to photographs I'll shoot a picture of anything that looks good.  I don't keep many of them, and more often than not I'll sit there scratching my head, "Why did I...what's in here that's worth something?".  For drawings, I'll draw what's near me, unless I specifically want to practice something.  In that case, I'll look it up on the internet and draw from there.  I've done portraits, one of my grandma after she passed away (for my mom), and another of my brother-in-law and HIS mom.  Both of those were from photographs.  I'll doodle random things that pop into my head, say, during class or while I'm reading, and if I like them I'll expand them and make them better.  Sometimes I'll take a picture of something specifically to draw it. 

What was the last movie you watched? Do you think it will influence your future art?

Stevie: The last movie I watched was Alice.  It's a made-for-tv modern adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, one of my favorite children's books.  I think it just might influence me.  It was at times, very surreal, and I loved the originality and the style.  I've always loved it when things were turned topsy-turvy, like in the art of M.C.Escher.  I think finding something and making it my own, but still recognizable, sounds like something fun to try.  

Colosseum in Rome Italy photo print from SteviesScratchpad

Do you listen to anything while creating?

Stevie: It depends.  I prefer to be able to focus.  If I'm up in my room, drawing by myself, I don't often listen to anything.  If I do, I don't notice when it stops playing.  If I'm downstairs with the rest of my family, or in a public area, and I just want to draw I'll turn on some music and just start drawing.  I don't usually listen to stuff with words, as I end up focusing more on the lyrics than what I'm working on, but sometimes, if I think it fits the subject matter, I'll make an exception.  

SteviesScratchPad.etsy.com

How long have you been selling your art? Why did you pick Etsy.com as a selling venue?

Stevie: I've been selling my art for a few months now.  Before, I had no idea how to go about doing it, or even if it'd sell, but my mom and sister, who both also have shops on Etsy, encouraged me to start.  I think the fact that they were encouraging me, and knew how to work with Etsy, what to do, how to promote, got me to start where they were.  I had a better level of familiarity and people to ask when it came to Etsy.  

I am also just stocking my DeviantArt online gallery where I will sell prints in a variety of sizes, both with and without frames.

RavenPhoenixStudio.etsy.com

What are some of your favorite Etsy shops?

Stevie: My mom's (Raven Phoenix Studios and Every Witch Way) and my sister's (Beadiful Baubles) top the list right now.  I like Sassy Steampunk, Vampire Goth Chick, Water Flowing West, Decadent Delusion, and Black Friday Studios are some fun ones as well. 

BeadifulBaulbes.etsy.com

What do you like to do when you are not creating?

Stevie: I like reading, and sometimes watching a movie or TV show.  I'm a college student so much of my time is devoted to studying.  

If you had any superpower, what would it be? Would you use it for good or evil?

Stevie: Oh, wow, haven't thought about it for a while.  If I could have any superpower, I think it'd be the ability to control matter.  I wouldn't use it for evil, I'm too nice for that.  I'd definitely use it for good.  I think it might help alleviate boredom....  

Orange Flower Print from Stevie'sScratchpad

With Halloween just around the corner, any thoughts or great Halloween memories that you’d like to share?

Stevie: I remember one Halloween I went over to my friend's house to watch scary movies.  I'm a wimp when it comes to scary movies, even though my favorite TV show is a horror show.  I was essentially freaking out all night, and she just laughed and laughed at me.  I love seeing my nieces in their costumes, too.

I say be careful!!  Have fun!!  Make good memories!

Excellent advice, Stevie! Wonderful items too. Many thanks for letting up drop by and pick your brains.  (mmm...braiiiins) Hey, you zombies, settle down back there! No, you may not eat the readers - sheesh.....

Guys, step away from the drooling monsters & come check this out. On 10/20 one random reader is going to get a special treat from Stevie's Scratch Pad - a 5" x 7" print of the skull drawing featured at the top of this post. How cool is that ?! 

To enter the random drawing, just leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on October 20th. Prize ships free worldwide.  Thanks for commenting, by the way - the featured artists (& I) really appreciate the feedback. Plus it is your ongoing interest that keeps the giveaways coming.

'Till next time, hope you have a creative day... and watch out for the ghouls lurking around the corner.

New artist visit & giveaway! Meet Clara Boo from Curioddities

ClaraBoosCurioddities.net

The other day Diane Irby of GoodMourningGlory.etsy.com kindly pointed out another terrific Etsy shop, Curioddities. Diane has a (sometimes tongue in cheek) taste for the darkside and I always enjoy her picks - so off I went. I ended up taking home some fabulous finds from Clara Boo's Curioddities shop, including a print of this cute little fellow:

Skelebone Bicycle from Curioddities

And a portrait print on canvas paper of one of my favorite sci-fi celebrities:

Alien from Curioddities

And this cool pocket mirror:

Cat with Doll pocket mirror from Curioddities

If you hang around here much you know I'm a bit of an ART-o-holic. Thanks to this artist's great pieces and reasonable prices I felt like the proverbial kid in a candy store.... Then Clara Boo mentioned that she had the time to pop by for a bit of Q&A ... and was happy to sponsor the new Thursday Giveaway - woohoo! 

Prize info is at the end of this post, but I hope you will stick around for our chat. By the way, you can click on any of the photo captions for details. Now let me stop yammering & introduce you to the wonderful Clara Boo:

Penny Black Umbrella shirt from Curioddities

When did you first become interested in art? & "the dark side"?

CB: Being an only child growing up drawing kept me occupied. I was always encouraged as a child to draw. I grew up in Scotland so I was always surrounded by history. And of course all history has it's dark side. Why I am drawn to the dark side is a question I find hard to answer. I have a curious side to me and it's always just been more interesting to me.
What are your favorite materials & why?

CB: I like to sew or construct things, so I like to work with a lot of different textiles. I studied stop-motion animation at Art School so I enjoy working with puppets and sets. I mostly use left over fabrics, buttons, ribbon etc Whatever I think could lend itself to what it is I am working on.

Chloe from Curioddities

Where do you find inspiration?

CB: I find inspiration in people, places and the past. Visiting new places always sparks new ideas.
Do you listen to anything while creating?

CB: I can't listen to music while I work. It's very distracting to me. I do enjoy listening to NPR on the radio however. I like to feel as though I am absorbing information while I work. However when I am not working I like to listen to my collection of 78's that I play on my Victrola. 

 

The Parlour After Dark from Curioddities

How long have you been selling your art? I see that you've been on Etsy since '06 - any thoughts on the recent changes?

CB: I have been selling art since 2006. I began selling on my website and at Horror and craft conventions. Etsy is an excellent tool for new artists to sell their items. The only thing that has changed is the volume of sellers on Etsy now. I feel it's harder to sell now that there are so many shops to compete with. I do love the new Circle option they have on Etsy now. It brings together buyers and sellers with similar tastes.

What are your 3 favorite etsy shops?

CB: I have so many favourite shops on Etsy I think it would be unfair to whittle it down to three. They are also so many undiscovered stores that I have still yet to visit. There are so many amazing sellers on there. 

What is the last book/movie you read/watched?

CB: The last movie I watched was "The kings Speech". A wonderful movie. I like Period films. I also like to read biographies and books on social history. I just read Frankenstein: A Cultural History by Susan Tyler Hitchcock. An interesting read for any classic horror fan.

What do you like to do when you are not creating?

CB: When I am not stuck indoors I enjoy picking through the local flea market, buying antiques, hiking, visiting old places and having new experiences. I also enjoy the company of my Partner and Pets. I just returned from a trip to Europe. It was very inspiring. Edinburgh and Paris and very beautiful places rich in history and culture.

Were Chick from Curioddities

If you could have any superpower what would it be?

CB: I am not a huge fan of super hero's But if I had to pick a power I would wish to be invisible. I always thought "the invisible man" was a fascinating movie. Imagine the things you could do without being seen. 

Would you use your power for good or evil? 

CB: I am sure I would use my talent for my own selfish needs but I wouldn't do anything too naughty.

Alien & Egg Locket from Curioddities

Isn't this lady just grand?! Victrolas, Frankenstein and flea markets ...sigh... I think I am having a wee-geeky-art-crush moment here.... okay, back to business. As I mentioned earlier our generous guest is sponsoring the newest Thursday Giveaway. (Lucky you -this is one of those drawings I wish I could enter)

On 4/7 one random winner will be selected from everyone who comments on my blog in the next 2 weeks. Leave a message before 1 am (EST) on April 7 and your name goes into the hat. Easy peasy.

What does that lucky winner get? Winner's choice of 1 item (priced at $20 or less) from Curioddities.etsy.com. With free shipping worldwide. How cool is that? 

Thanks for popping by today. After you leave a comment, for more Curriodities goodness check out these links:

http://www.curioddities.net/

http://www.facebook.com/curioddities

http://twitter.com/Curioddities

http://www.curioddities.etsy.com/  

If you can't wait for the random drawing (or find some must-have pretty): Clara is having  a fantastic sale over at her Etsy Currioddities shop. Purchase before April 1st and enter the Coupon Code "Madness" to get 40% off everything in the store.

And thank you, Clara Boo, for sharing your wondrous world with us today! 

Visit with Emily Kircher, Recycling Artist

Peacock Feather Spiral Upcycled Rug from Ekra.etsy.com

“The first rule of intelligent tinkering is to save all the parts.”  - P. Ehrlich

Last month, I was thinking about this fun Paul R. Ehrlich quotation while searching HandmadeSpark.com for folks who create with recycled materials. I was immediately infatuated with Emily Kircher's  fun colorful pieces. Cute & clever, her rag rugs, baskets and bowls are made from reclaimed fabrics. She also makes whimsical necklaces from bottle caps, vintage playing cards and old children's books.

Lucky us! Emily agreed to pop in for a visit today. So pull up a chair and join us for a chat. By the way, you can click any of the photo captions for details about each piece. They are all available in her Etsy shop, Ekra.Etsy.com.

Made to order cupcake rug from Ekra.etsy.com

EK: Hi. I'm Emily of EKRA (Emily Kircher Recycling Artist). I've always been a maker, but it wasn't always my full time job like it is now. I used to be a scientist! 

I was always interested in biology and concerned about the environment. My concern for the environment and love of science and learning led me to an environmental toxicology (ie. the study of poisons) PhD program. I had dreams of working for the EPA, or the DNR, and figuring out how to save the world. 

Little did I know when I started graduate school that what I would really be trained for was to work for a pharmaceutical company. Yikes! That's not what I wanted at all. In fact, working in a lab turned out to be pretty lonely. I was working on a project that so few people in the world new about, I didn't have much to talk about with normal people.

Sad Octopus Crocket Area Rug (closeup) from Ekra.etsy.com

  
So, how did you get from a career in science to creating unique home decor pieces with salvaged fabrics?

EK: Fast forward 4 years. It was getting harder and harder to get up in the morning and go to my lonely lab. My boyfriend (now husband) said to me, "Do you know you don't have to do this?" I had no idea! I could change my course! It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of me and I immediately started actions to leave grad school with a MS and not continue on to complete my PhD. 

Wise Owl Bottle Cap Necklace from Ekra.etsy.com

My science friends were shocked! Everyone wanted to know what I would do. I didn't know, so I told people that I would get my teaching certificate. Others believed that was a viable option, but I didn't. I'm not a patient person when it comes to teaching. I pretended this was my plan, but had a secret plan in my head..... 

I had always been a maker, crafty, whatever you want to call it. I had been crocheting rugs as a hobby and giving them away as stress relief while in grad school. I would try to turn my hobby into a business! I loved crocheting rugs and I had also taken a class in mosaics. I called myself a Recycling Artist because I didn't really know what I wanted to focus on except that I would use recycled materials. 

Cupcake Hotpad / Trivet from Ekra.etsy.com

What are your favorite materials and why?

EK: I like working with / recycling fabrics. When I lived in Madison, WI there were tons and tons of thrift stores and there were limitless amounts of fabric to be recycled.  I could take my pick of the best sheets and linen.  

I recently moved to Carbondale, IL where there are far fewer thrift stores. So... I had to get creative about getting fabric to recycle. One of my new sources is a warehouse that houses factory mill ends. When factories are making things like sheets, or pillowcases, or whatever, they will take an entire roll of fabric and cut it to the widths they need. A small portion is left over called a mill end. This fabric is narrow and yards and yards and yards long. It is essentially waste to the factory but great for making rugs with. I like this form of fabric because I can get large amounts that are the same color and texture which allows me to make solid colored rugs and applique them. Also, it allows me to make style of rug over and over. 

Green beach crab recycled crochet area rug from Ekra.etsy.com

My second new favorite source is from Krista Lawhon, another etsy seller who makes great memory t-shirt blankets (which you can find at KristaLawhon.etsy.com). I contacted her to see if she was using the leftover bits of t-shirt fabric. She wasn't, so now she boxes them up and ships them to me. I like this form of fabric because there is only a little bit of each type of it, there is lots of variation in the shades of each color so I'm able to create interesting fades of one color into another.

I still go to every thrift store I see and do a lot of yard sale shopping in the summertime. I love fabric!

Where do you find inspiration?

EK: Lots of places... I like to browse through the treasuries on Etsy.com and I follow a few design blogs. I also draw a lot from things that I like, and hope others will like too. When I was young, I wanted to be a marine biologist, and I still like sea creatures, so they show up in my work a lot. 

Hello Jelly Ornament from Ekra.Etsy.com

Do you listen to anything while creating? If so, who is on your current playlist?

EK: When I'm working alone, I alternate between watching TV and listening to my iPod. When the TV is on it is usually on some sort of Law and Order. I cycle through "favorite bands" pretty frequently - right now I'm playing Standard Fare, Wavves, and Soft Pack over and over again. One band that is always at the top of my favorites list is Jaill - a band my brother is in.

How long have you been selling your pieces?

EK: I started selling my work in 2004, as soon as I registered my business.

Happy Narwhal Crochet Area Rug from Ekra.etsy.com

  
What is your favorite piece in your shop right now?

EK: My favorite rug right now is the Happy Narwhal Rug which is a collaboration with Aorta.etsy.com. Jessica, the woman behind aorta, makes the most amazing appliques! I found her on etsy when it first started, either 2005 or 2006 and have been a big fan of her work ever since. Everytime I wear one of her pieces, I get tons of compliments. I contacted her to see if she would be interested in selling me her appliques to use on my rugs and she said yes. 

Icy Blue & Brown Kitty Cat Crochet Rug from Ekra.etsy.com

  
What do you like to do when you are not creating?

EK: When I'm not working on making things or running my business, I like to read, travel with my husband, play with my cats.

Emily, thank you for stopping by & sharing your whimsical work today.

And  thanks to those of you who visited with us. Please be sure to leave a comment. Your interest in these features is what keeps them coming! And the artists & artisans love the feedback. 

Want to see more of Emily's recycled creations? Check out these links:

www.Ekra.etsy.com

www.etchouse.com/ekra - also lists retail locations for buying Emily's rugs

www.facebook.com/pages/Emily-Kircher-Recycling-Artist/11474348141 

A Final Note: New Thursday Giveaway Prize

Inspired by Emily's love of cloth (& my ongoing attempts to make some elbow room in the studio) the new Thursday Giveaway prize is an assortment of fabrics, ribbons & other sundries from my overflowing stash. Pop back this weekend for a list & photo of the prizes.

So, on 2/17 one  lucky winner will get a big ole box of fiber goodness! To enter this random drawing, leave a comment on my blog between now & 1 a.m. (EST) on  2/17.  Drawing is open worldwide with free shipping to winner.