Crafty Bastards Vendor Q&A with Fort Cloudy
This interview continues a series of Q&A’s featuring vendors who participated in the 2007 Crafty Bastards fair. Last year, we didn’t get to post all of the Q&As before the festival was upon us, so here they are now!
This week’s Q&A features Fort Cloudy, a crafty venture that began as a part-time project in 2005 and quickly developed into a mainstay in the handmade revolution. Spearheaded by Sarah Cloudhopper and her siblings, Fort Cloudy creates colorful appliqued scarves, tote bags, T-shirts and plushies! Fort Cloudy is especially recognizable for its endearing characters (Ninja Fetus, the Sad Muffin, and … my personal favorite Sal Monella the Fried Egg!). What’s not to love?
Look for Fort Cloudy goods in shops and craft shows across the country. Fort Cloudy operates out of both coasts — Sarah in Seattle, and her twin brother Paul and sister Kerry, in Maryland.
1. How long have you been making things?
I’ve been making things pretty much my whole life. In November of 2005 I decided to get serious about it and started Fort Cloudy. Best decision I ever made!
2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
I can remember being about 8 and wanting to sit next to my Mother while she was quilting. So she gave me a piece of muslin and a long piece of red thread and a needle. I made a bunch of straight stitches in no particular pattern. After a while I got up to go grab a bite to eat and realized I had sewn my project to my jeans!
3. Why do you make things?
Because I couldn’t imagine life not making things. I was always encouraged to create as a child.
4. What sort of things do you make?
I create a line of appliquéd t-shirts, scarves, bags (of all sizes from guitar pick bags to tote bags), plushies, and a variety of baby items. Recently, I’ve been trying my hand at painting and shrinky dinks for fun.
5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
I’d say my whole crafty journey has been a great success on a personal level. I started out making things that I liked for me, and was completely flattered when people wanted to start buying my goods. Now Fort Cloudy is sold in stores on both the East and West coasts as well as a few online spots! I’ve made a bunch of really great friends in the crafting world, and it’s just such a joy to be a part of it!
6. Inspirations?
I’m really inspired by traveling. It may just be the rare quiet time, but its when I get some of my best ideas.
7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
Rotary cutter and iron.
8. Describe your work area (photos please!)
I have a nice little set up in my bedroom which consists of a card table for sewing, stacks of totes filled with fabric, shelves piled with tshirts. It becomes a bit of a squeeze when the ironing board is set up, but we make it work.
9. Family? Pets? Plants?
I recently relocated to the West Coast, and have built up a small family of friends out here. The rest of my family are still in Maryland, including my brother, Paul, and sister, Kerry, who help head up Fort Cloudy East.
10. Favorite color or pattern?
By far my favorite color is green. All shades of green! Out of my characters, my favorite is the Ninja Fetus. He’s a lot of fun to take around and introduce to people! And his blog has been a lot of fun to keep up.
11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
We participated in CB ‘07. It was one of my favorite shows to be a apart of to date. I can’t wait for ‘08 registration to open.
12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
There are SO many other crafters I love; a few of them are Lollibomb Beauty, Kate Black, and Gosh Darn Knit, but I could make a really long list. My most used handmade purchase is the custom coffee sleeve I got from Pillowhead on Etsy.
13. Would you like to include a HOW-TO for the blog?
Not at this time, but maybe at a later date.
14. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Thread a needle.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Dear Fort Cloudy,
The east coast misses you. Please come back.
xox.