Crafty Bastard Vendor Q&A with The Cupcake Girls
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!
Readers of this crafty blog would probably agree there’s little that art + craft can’t do. For The Cupcake Girls, art + craft managed to keep a group of friends together as they traversed the Atlantic over the years. Consisting of 6 members, The Cupcake Girls’ story began in London where they first met in art school. They were determined to keep in touch through their work, and eventually set up shop (literally!) along the East Coast where they run their website and Etsy shop.
The Cupcake Girls create a diverse array of delicate, colorful, vintage and edgy, yet sweetly schoolgirlish goods. Starring Courtney England, Lillian Gu, Ann Higgins, Marilyn Steranko, Jenny Lyn Estil, Rachel Goldstein, The Cupcake Girls took a moment to answer some of our questions.
1. How long have you been making things?
Courtney: I’m not sure. I have always tried to make things. But it wasn’t until art school in London where it kicked in really.
Lillian: Since I was a little kid, around 5 or 6 years old.
Ann: Since elementary school.
2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?
Courtney: Shrinky dinking and the Easy Bake Oven.
Lillian: Folding origami with my mom.
Ann: Pillows with scraps from my grandmother’s quilts
3. Why do you make things?
Courtney: I don’t know. Maybe nervous energy?
Lillian: Crafting really relaxes me. Initially, it was a way for me to relieve stress.
Ann: I like Inventing things
4. What sort of things do you make?
Courtney: notecards, necklaces, paper collages, doodles
Lillian: sewing kits, felt plushies, bulletin boards, wall art
Ann: tampon holders, pouches, pillows, and ribbon flowers
5. Any success stories you’d care to share?
Courtney: We have been around for almost a full year now (June 16th is our anniversary). We have Crafty Bastards ‘07 under our belt. We are aiming for 4 craft shows this season. So far we have been accepted to Richmond’s Spring Bada Bing and Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair. We have also been in several blogs like poppytalk, cuteable, design sponge, modish which is super exciting!
6. Inspirations?
Courtney: Yoshitoma Nara, music, funny friends and artsy friends. Oh and my funny friends.
Lillian: My mom… She can knit, crochet, embroider, sew. I’ve always been in awe of her creative abilities and by how easy she makes it seem.
Ann: My grandmother. She loves to sew and makes quilts and pillows all the time.
7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?
Courtney: x-acto blade, cutting mat, PVA(glue), computer, pencils
Lillian: Felt, that’s my favorite
Ann: fabric…
8. Describe your work area (photos please!)
Courtney: It’s all over the place. When I see really orderly craft spaces I get real jealous.
Lillian: Painting at the kitchen table or stitching felt while on my comfy couch.
Ann: I converted my computer room Into a craft room
9. Family? Pets? Plants?
Courtney: I am cat sitting my parents’ cat, Sammy. I am also trying to keep some cat nip alive. And my boyfriend lives in England.
Ann: I live with my boyfriend and our 4 children, Tootie, Kittie, Peter, and Dexter (dogs and cats).
10. Favorite color or pattern?
Courtney: green and stripes
Lillian: pink, brown, florals
Ann: My fav color Is orange, but I don’t use It a whole lot
11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?
Courtney: Yep! We were proud bastards in 2007!
Lillian: I was a Crafty Bastard
Ann: Yep, we were last year…we hope to be one again. Yay!
12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.
Courtney: I have been following Frecklewonder for a few years now. She is my hero. Now that I know my way around etsy and flickr. I have many more heros on there too.
Lillian: I have a beautiful handmade tote, which was a gift, that I love love love!
13. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?
Courtney: Everyone should know how to brush and floss their teeth as well as wipe their own ass, definitely!
Ann: Everyone should know how to sew a button on. Man, woman and child…everyone!
