Crafty Bastards Vendor Q&A with Two Space

Is your wardrobe in need of an update? Then you will not want to miss the fresh designs from Twospace, a husband and wife team from California. Each and every wonderful Twospace item is designed and handmade by Christine Haynes and Kent Bell in their downtown Los Angeles studio.

Christine and Kent will be set up at booth #101 this Sunday. Below are Christine’s answers to our vendor questions.

1. How long have you been making things?
I started sewing when I was in high school. My mom and my grandmother both sewed, knitted, crochet, and were crafty. We didn’t have much money growing up, so my mom would sew trendy looking things instead of buying them. I really started sewing a lot when I left home for art school.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
My mom tells stories of me as a small child using those plastic cards that you would sew yarn into. Apparently I was really into it!

3. Why do you make things?
I have been making things, art, ceramics, sewing, etc my whole life. It is just a great creative outlet for me. I’m sure I’d go nuts if I didn’t do something with my hands!

4. What sort of things do you make?
I sew clothing for women. Mostly dresses, but sometimes I venture out and do an occasional top or skirt.

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
We’re certainly had our ups and downs. We have been featured in the NY Times, NY Post, the Today Show, and Daily Candy three times. But there are just as many horror stories to go along with those successes.

6. Inspirations?
I love fashion, clothes, and glamor. I always have. So the history of fashion is a huge influence. I also collect old year books and like looking at real life fashions from the past.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
Well, obviously a sewing machine. But I also must have a good pair of scissors, a dress form, and a measuring tape. The basics.

8. Describe your work area.
I am actually in the midst of moving my studio from the LA Garment District back into our home in Venice Beach. But all the equipment is the same! I have 4 sewing machines: a coverstitch, straight stitch, overlock, and a commercial straight stitch with zig zag. Bolts of fabric, rolling racks, and my trusty lap top! These photos of my current space.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?
Twospace is named for two of us: me and my husband, Kent. He is a metalsmith and graphic designer. We have 3 cats: Sally, Pinta, and Lloyd. And one plant, who remains nameless.

10. Favorite color or pattern?
I love all things green! Oh, and stripes.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
No! But I am excited to be one this year!

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
I am drawn to good craftsmanship and things that are built to last. I have a great tote bag from india*romeo that I have pushed to the limit and it still holds up. I also have a lovely wristlet from Camp Apparel that I use all the time and still looks great. I also have an amazing hand stitched leather wallet from Jack Blue Handbags that is brilliant.

13. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Replace a button!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 at 4:39 pm and is filed under Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair, Crafty Bastards Vendors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.