Crafty Bastards Vendor Q&A with Tina Seamonster
Last year, we didn’t get to post all the Q&As of vendors who participated in the 2007 Crafty Bastards fair, so here they are now!
Today we feature none other than Tina Seamonster, whose quirky ingenuity has contributed to Crafty Bastards in more ways than we can count. Tina gets her namesake from her fantastical world of zombies, cyber warriors, bunnies, and split-second Internet poetry that can leave imprints on your heart for days. She also acknowledges that pandas poop too much, and that tickles to no end.
In addition to her creations, Tina maintains a strong digital presence, providing helpful tips and how-to’s at the Crafty Bastards blog, sending out podcasts on cult sci-fi at Television Zombies, and keeping a colorful Etsy shop that pleases all of our aesthetic sensibilities.
1. How long have you been making things?
My baby book says, “At two, Tina drew her first pircture. She says it is a monster.” This says it all.
2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
Watching my grandfather make doll furniture out of clothes pins. I used to collect them for him, pick them up at the store as a kid, hundreds and hundreds. He made me a set of furniture with fabric that I picked out myself at around 8. The fabric was brown with little white stars. He was nearly blind, but sat for hours carving and glueing.
3. Why do you make things?
So that I won’t turn into someone I don’t like.
4. What sort of things do you make?
Shirts, cards, lots more.
5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
Every time you make something, it is a success. The act of being alive and not being a drone and adding someting interesting to the world is a success.
6. Inspirations?
Color and dreams and the funny small things in the world.
7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
Gocco ink, bulbs and screens.
8. Describe your work area.
Kitchen table. Small corner beside the couch. Sad tiny spaces.
9. Family? Pets? Plants?
Twin two year olds. Husband. 10 year old Boston Terrier.
10. Favorite color or pattern?
Orange!
11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
Every single year.
12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
I really dig Rania Hassan and Sean Hennessey. They are super supportive and their work is just so thoughtful. My favorite handmade purchase are all from Glitterlimes. I get a new one each year for Xmas and they last and last and are so pretty. El Lohse is also amazing because her work is so colorful and inspired by t.v. and movies. Her paintings live right over my work space.
13. Would you like to include a HOW-TO for the blog?
See Tina’s Etsy and Gocco entries on the CB Blog.
14. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Use a computer.
April 15th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
the happy memory of your grandfather painstakingly making you dolly furniture is very charming! it brought a little tear to my eye.