2008 Crafty Bastards Vendor Spotlight: Raygun Robyn
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.
Raygun Robyn is a badass incase you can’t tell from her punk-inspired, cyber-flavored fashions. She’s a self-professed lover of rayguns, robots and zombies. She even handmakes panties from the future (see below)! Perhaps one day, the rest of us will learn to catch up with her. Check out more of Raygun Robyn’s designs at the official website and Etsy shop.
1. Using just three words, how would you describe your work?
Radass, Futuristic, Robots!
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?
I’m creating more accessories with lower prices and freebies to give away at the show. It’s totally worth it to give someone a free sticker if they appreciate your stuff and will help you spread the word. Plus, who doesn’t want an awesome robot sticker for their spaceship? I’m also working on a line of underwear for super hip space babes!
3. Is your craft widespread in the handmade community? What makes your stuff different from others in your craft genre?
T-shirts are a hard thing as there are so many other artists making such amazing stuff. I’m always inspired by what other people come up with. My stuff is unique because of the subject matter and technique. I love robots and retro sci-fi stuff as well as anything
cryptozoological. There is definitely an audience but not a lot of merch that caters to those particular tastes so I’m hoping to connect more to those people that appreciate what I do.
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?
I’ve always been crafty. I started young as my mom always had some weird side project she was working on, so from when I was a shortie I started learning a lot of different techniques and was encouraged to run with them. When I was in junior high/ high school I started selling earrings at a local consignment shop and have been making stuff ever since.
5. Where are your favorite places to find your supplies?
I’ve moved a lot recently so every time I unpack another box I find some supplies or weird stuff that I had been hoarding so I’m trying to use what I already have to make cool stuff. For new supplies I usually hit up a crafty art supply store.
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?
I think people are starting to really appreciate the handmade genre but don’t necessarily want to pay for handmade prices. I try to have the highest quality product I can while still making it affordable and having lower price items for people who might like my stuff but can’t quite commit to a more expensive item. And anytime I can recycle an item or re-purpose an item I do. I made some earrings and necklaces recently from an Ikea lamp film. It already had grommets in it so it was perfect for that use!
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?
I am always happy to talk to people about my technique and how to do it themselves.
