2008 Crafty Bastards Vendor Spotlight: Tina Seamonster
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.
Around these parts, Tina Seamonster may well be codeword for quirky, inspired, cyber sci-fi zombie paraphernalia. Tina’s work has decorated many an arts event in the district, her plaques imprinting the most whimsical yet ponderous thoughts onto wood. They have a perplexing way of making you sad and nostalgic, and yet weep, laugh and smile all at the same time. You can check out more of her work, which includes colorful tshirts, plaques, gocco prints and cards! Etsy Shop. Blog.
1. Using just three words, how would you describe your work?
Funny. Melancholy. Affordable.
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 am making lists and hoping to check everything off. I am thinking a lot about bees and time. I am making a whole new batch of the wall pieces like those that I made for Artomatic. I am excited about this! Also, am making some kid’s shirts on organic cotton (new Peanut Allergy design and bringing back the famous Pandas Poop Too Much).
3. Is your craft widespread in the handmade community? What makes your stuff different from others in your craft genre?
I am one of the few people who is serious about printing shirts with a Gocco. Using the tiny Japanese printer is very very limiting. I like that. I like that what I do is lo-fi and different. I like that you can tell that my shirts are printed by hand. I encourage others to try it. Figuring out how to use multiple 4×6 screens to print designs is fun. I also realized that I am one of the few crafters who is really telling jokes with my products. The reactions I got at Artomatic this year taught me that! I also love to tell stories and am not afraid of words as art.
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?
While I started my website just prior, selling at the first Crafty Bastards in 2004 taught me that people would actually like what I do. Before that I just felt a little crazy, making all this stuff. And last year, I decided to take my online shop seriously and it has been awesome ever since.
5. Where are your favorite places to find your supplies?
I buy almost everything online. I like buying supplies on Etsy from real people. A woman in England recently sold me some wood from her yard. I love this. I buy Gocco supplies from Judy at Northwood Studios. Judy ships fast and is a twin mom like me.
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 that the fact that real people can create these micro-brands and work and sell from home is really good for everyone. Getting people out of the office and into the world is so important. I hope that the handmade revolution continues so that more people have the opportunity to work for themselves and live a happier life. So, buy handmade so that people can continue to avoid offices!
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 will have DIY Make a Felt Pin Kits at the Craft Mutiny Supply Swap (Booth #56). We will have a bunch of other kits there and a zine called The Dabbler for people who, um, want to dabble in new crafts. You can find my how-tos on the Crafty Blog.
