2008 Crafty Bastards Vendor Spotlight: Red Prairie Press

Get to know this year’s Crafty Bastards vendors! We’re posting a series of interviews of crafters who will be at the CB festival Saturday, June 28, at the Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center in Silver Spring, MD.

Red Prairie Press graces its creations with delightful, original, hand-drawn designs. They are distinctive in their minimalism, their ability to dwell on a single precious visual idea. Rachel Bone, the woman behind Red Prairie Press, uses a manual press with waterbased inks and sells her own apparel at stores around the country.

1. Using just three words, how would you describe your work?

Wicked Snazzy Tshirts

2. What are you doing to prepare for Crafty Bastards? Are there any new products or techniques that you will be trying out for this show?

We are Printing Printing Printing. We will have new tank tops and men’s tees, and kid’s tees, as well as the old favorites!

3. Is your craft widespread in the handmade community? What makes your stuff different from others in your craft genre?

YES. The more shows we do, the more t-shirts we see. We try to remain unique by drawing all of our designs by hand, using less-toxic materials. When this doesn’t entice people, we remind them that we have more freckles per square inch than everyone else.

4. Starting an independent shop takes a lot of dedication, planning and hard work. At what point did you realize you had the chops to start your own indie craft business?

Only when I was angry enough at my old office job did I realize I was crazy enough to work for myself. End of story.

5. Where are your favorite places to find your supplies?

American Apparel, Alternative Apparel, Victory Factory, Screenprintingsupplier, Pla-Za Artist Materials…

6. Crafting is a grassroots revolution of sorts. It’s catching on as people appreciate all things handmade, original, recycled and environmentally/socially conscious. Does this influence/inspire your work? If so, how do you incorporate it into your craft?

Oh boy Y.E.S! We love the handmade and sold in the U.S.A./sweatshop free apparel approach to things. We love printing small quantities, and selling/buying locally when possible. We have started printing on organic cotton shirts (right now, just our kids’ line, but we’re looking to expand) and it’s nice to see people reacting positively to that.

7. After seeing your work, many would-be crafters are inspired to start their own creations. Will you have any DIY kits available for sale at Crafty this year? Could you provide any simple how-to’s or tips for readers who want to get started on their own designs?

We don’t have any kits, but we often give advice on how to burn screens, and screenprint. We LOVE spreading the word about our favorite artform! Also, as members of the Charm City Craft Mafia, we help create crafty & business workshops for new businesses in Baltimore!