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!

This blog is no stranger to the exuberance that is the Peacock Blue Design Studio. The studio is known for its gorgeous collection of feathered hairpieces, cocktail hats and flamboyant coutures. Though the pieces can range anywhere from goth to cocktail to burlesque to pretty in pink, they are unified by a touch of class that makes the accessories downright fit for royalty.

Wendy took a moment to chat with us, and even provided an update in her own words about her upcoming shows!

“Right now my primary project is creating a new line of lavish couture burlesque ensembles for the Convergence fashion show in Ybor City Florida this August. The theme for the outfits is a secret at the moment. I want to make everything a huge surprise for the show.

I also have some local events coming up over the next couple of months. One is vending at DC’s “Goth Prom” on May 22nd at the TOWN nightclub. Another is a fashion show for Exposureon June 5th at club LIV.

My newest lineup on the table for the boutique is a limited edition series of handmade latex millinery flowers for fascinators and hats. I had a recent client request some hairpiece and wigs with latex floral elements to match the latex clothing that was being made for her. So, I transferred what I usually do with fabric to a latex format. I am really excited about the results, and I’m looking forward to unveiling them on the website very soon.”

1. How long have you been making things?

I have been making things since I was at least three or four years old. I come from a pretty creative background. My grandmother sewed clothing for her family and people in the community, and I used to watch her while she made things on her sewing machine. My mom also did a lot of sewing for us as kids, and she has also done ceramics, rubber stamping, tole painting, etc. My Aunt Lynn makes handcrafted cards and jewelry, and has done handmade candy, decorated cakes and all sorts of other fabulous things that have inspired me all my life.”

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?

The thing I recall doing first is making little illustrated books. I would write little stories and then draw illustrations to accompany the stories and bind it all together. Since I was only almost four years old and still learning how to read and write, most of the first stories were spelled phonetically. The spelling improved quite a bit after first grade, though!

3. Why do you make things?

It’s my creative outlet. My day job is kind of dry and very scientific, so making accessories allows me to express the more
imaginative side of my brain. It helps me feel balanced as a person. I consider my creations to be my children, so it is often very hard to part with them for the boutique. I always want to make sure that my creations get good homes where they’ll be appreciated and well cared-for.

4. What sort of things do you make?

For the boutique I create outrageous ornamental accessories, ranging from huge sculptures of hair and odd adornments to cocktail sized hats decorated with feathers to wee little pasties with tassels. I also do some card making around the holidays and for special occasions, because a handmade card really expresses how much you care about someone. I also make clothing for myself and a couple of my friends, although I’ve never ventured into a retail market with my clothing designs because I’m finicky about fit and sizing. I prefer to create and market accessories because they’re usually one size fits everyone!

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?

One of my wigs was featured with an article in Italian Vogue magazine in 2006, which is a pretty neat accomplishment.

6. Inspirations?

My hero is Elsa Schiaparelli. She was one of the most innovative, creative and courageous designers in all of history. Schiap pioneered the fashion show as we know it today, with all of the wild and crazy antics on the runway. I also draw a lot of inspiration from historical and vintage clothing. I have a shamefully huge collection of books about the history of fashion.

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?

I always need hair, feathers, fabric and Swarovski crystals.

8. Describe your work area (photos please!)

Well, it’s definitely too small, mostly due to the fact I’ve decreased the room size by installing wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling cabinets around the room to store all of my supplies. Despite the cabinets, it still isn’t enough storage, as I’ve been crowded out by supplies and finished pieces that I’ve been compelled to keep. I’m also a packrat and compulsive “nabber” - anytime I see something with potential for a project I tend to nab it and hang on to it until I’ve found the perfect idea for it. One of these days I hope to have a larger studio.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?

I have a younger brother and a younger sister, but no pets or plants.

10. Favorite color or pattern?

My favorite color is peacock blue.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?

The September 2007 show was my first year as one of the Crafty Bastards.

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade
purchases.

One of my favorite purse designers is Jenae Michelle of Range of Emotion. I purchased one of her bags from her Torpedo Factory studio. It has the most amazing construction! It is so sturdy I would feel confident carrying a few bricks in it. I also love how she uses recycled and vintage fabrics to construct her bags.

Another favorite of mine is Ellita’s Flying Snail. She makes the most exquisite hand-knit collars, hats and scarves. I’ve collected quite a few of her pieces, and I am looking forward to adding more to the growing collection.

13. Would you like to include a HOW-TO for the blog?

I would absolutely love to write a HOW-TO for the blog as soon as I think of something really nifty with widespread appeal. I’m one of those people who is better with a demonstration than a written description of how to do something. So, it will have to be a pictoral demonstration of the how-to!

14. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?

Everyone should know how to sew on a button and hem a pair of pants.

Each week we feature an advertiser from the Crafty Bastards Classifieds. This week the honor goes to:

The Devil Made Me Do It Clothing!

The Devil Made Me Do It makes one of a kind clothing that is 99% recycled, 100% FABULOUS. The clothing collection includes knit hats and girlishly flowing knit sweaters and skirts.

What’s more, you get to feel great about supporting this crafter. According to Tamara, all work is hand made (so you feel better about the whole sweatshop thing) from 100% fine recycled materials (so you feel better about your impact on the environment), and one-of-a-kind (so you won’t see yourself coming and going on the streets).

See the Devil Made Me Do It website for more items!

Crafty Classifieds for goodies like this and more!

Make stuff? Place a Crafty Bastards ad, it’s FREE!

Each week we feature an advertiser from the Crafty Bastards Classifieds. This week the honor goes to:

My Right 2 Write!

My Right 2 Write is a project by three graphic designers looking to contribute their skills for the good of the local community. Out of a brainstorm came the idea to handcraft blank journals and to donate an unadorned composition book to a local needy school for every original journal sold.

My Right 2 Write’s books are hard cover marble journals covered in vintage & new wallpaper. The covers feature kooky googly-eyed monsters and clever cyberspeak that everyone can relate to.

To see all the journal designs, visit the My Right 2 write Website!

Crafty Classifieds for goodies like this and more!

Make stuff? Place a Crafty Bastards ad, it’s FREE!

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!

Art School Dropout is aptly named, as its creations seem to exude irreverence for everything formulaic, and to embrace, instead, a love for all colors and creatures that tickle the momentary fancy. These creatures include everything from hot pink octopi to the delightful “Funny Little Man” (pictured below).

According to Jessee Maloney, making crafts helps to calm the mind and keep her fingers happy. All hand-cast plastic pieces are made in-house with handmade silicone molds. All embroidered bags are hand-drawn on the computer, stitch by stitch, and also embroidered in-house on Maloney’s own personal machine. To see more Art School Dropout crafts, visit the website, where you can even get gift certificates!

Art School Dropout

1. How long have you been making things?

As a business… almost 4 years now - otherwise I’ve been making things my entire life, my mom and grandma made sure I knew how to sew at a young age and they both did art projects with me all the time.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?

My earliest crafting memory is of making little dolls out of my mom’s scrap fabric, I would sew them up in weird shapes and put little ribbon and scrap fabric cloths on them. They always fell apart since I wasn’t that great at sewing. Sometimes I wouldn’t even make the dolls, I’d just made little clothes to go on my fingers and basically have finger puppets.

3. Why do you make things?

It’s very calming for me. I’ve been told many times that I’m a happier person when I get to make things all the time, and my husband says it’s my therapy.

4. What sort of things do you make?

I make jewelry, small accessories, handbags, pouches, stuffed toys, pillows, screen printed things, embroidered items (hand and machine embroidered) plus loads of other stuff… not all for my business, and I ALWAYS want to learn to do more. I get very fidgety if I can’t learn something new every so often.

6. Inspirations?

I love colorful Japanese art, clothes and toys. Plus I really love the simple designs of the 60’s and 70’s. And lately I noticed that I get a lot of inspiration from my two little sisters. When making my jewelry I think, “Would Ashley or Cori wear this?”

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?

My sewing machine, scissors, wire, x-acto knife and 3-in-1 pliers.

8. Describe your work area.

My work area use to be my entire house, and it was a horrible mess!!! I feel very embarrassed to even own photos of that. I seriously work on 5-10 projects at once! But now since I just got married and we’re trying to save up for a house, I’ve had to down grade. I now work in a 4′x6′ area at the end of my bed in my bedroom. It consists of a table, two bookshelves and a bunch of drawers. In that area I make all my jewelry and package orders. I do all my casting and sewing in the basement. In 2 months I’ll have a proper craft room that I’ll probably want to show off.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?

I don’t have any pets but I do have a husband named JC. He’s extremely supportive of what I do, and always jokes that one day he’ll be able to quit his job and I’ll support him. And anyone who’s ever seen my booth at a show knows all about my little sister Cori who tags along to almost every show and even helps out! She’s a very crafty girl. She’s growing up though, so I don’t know how much longer she’ll think its ‘cool’.

10. Favorite color or pattern?

My favorite color right now is Teal, and my favorite patterns are Damask (old looking wallpaper pattern) and woodgrain.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?

I’ve done the show before… but I’m assuming that’s not what the question meant. Or is that what you’re asking?

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.

The crafter I really love is Heidi of My Paper Crane. I own over 25 of her plush toys, plus I’ve bought even more as gifts, and Heidi is so talented and sweet. My other favorite is Danielle Maveal I LOVE her jewelry, I’m not normally a jewelry type of girl, but I wear her necklaces all the time. And she also is a very nice, talented person!

14. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?

How to sew on a button, I’ve sewn so many buttons on people’s clothes over the years! It’s crazy. What would they do if I wasn’t there?

Each week we feature an advertiser from the Crafty Bastards Classifieds. This week the honor goes to:

Plastic Heaven!

Craftiest Bastard of the Week

Earth Week was last week, but it’s never too late to celebrate earth-friendliness. Plastic Heaven makes t-shirts, jewelry, accessories and tote bags — all while promoting the word of peace and eco-friendly consumer lifestyles!

Pictured above is a t-shirt featuring a phrase that Plastic Heaven’s mother used to teach: Want Not Need. The Plastic Heaven website includes a new line of t-shirts featuring historical icons of peace. Check it out at the Plastic Heaven website!

Crafty Classifieds for goodies like this and more!

Make stuff? Place a Crafty Bastards ad, it’s FREE!

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!

Each week we feature an advertiser from the Crafty Bastards Classifieds. This week the honor goes to:

ChrisCreatures Asian Food Plushies!

Craftiest Bastard of the Week

ChrisCreatures is your place to get Asian food plushies and more! These plushies - all hand-sewn, unique, and one-of-a-kind - are perfect for desk mascots or as pretend play toys. (The only downside is you can’t really eat them)

According to Chris, who makes them: “I love making plushies of yummy foods, anything related to music and breaking, and things that make me chuckle.” Chris is a speech therapist for kids by day, and a dancer and sewing gal by night.

See more Asian Food plushies at the ChrisCreatures Etsy Page!

Crafty Classifieds for goodies like this and more!

Make stuff? Place a Crafty Bastards ad, it’s FREE!

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.

Each week we feature an advertiser from the Crafty Bastards Classifieds. This week the honor goes to:

Je’suis Divo!

Craftiest Bastard of the Week

Je’suis Divo is the artistic vehicle for fashion illustrator and visual artist Rodney Jamon. Based in Washington, DC, Jamon started the company in 2002 to express a unique style inspired by his studies of artists Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Henry Matisse, as well as fashion design icons, Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld.

His artwork ranges from dark dream-like impressions to gorgeous figurines draped in exuberant fashions. See more artwork at Je’suis Divo’s myspace page!

Jamon’s work is available for viewing by appointment. Also, stay tuned for upcoming art shows in the DC area.

Crafty Classifieds for goodies like this and more!

Make stuff? Place a Crafty Bastards ad, it’s FREE!

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!

Honeybear Designs comes straight from the heart. It’s a reference to a fragment of Julia Neumaier’s own childhood poetry, titled ‘My Honny Bare,’ in which she begins: “Where old people cross strets But I see you No Where …” She was 6 years old.

With Honeybear, Julia is well aware of the charm that dwells in the stroke of a pencil. She features her own girlish pencil doodles on a colorful array of soft hand-printed tees. Her jewelry consists of vintage beads such as 1930’s & 40’s Bakelite, 1950’s hand-carved ivory and Japanese molded glass, as well as semiprecious gems such as ruby, quartz and amethyst. According to Julia, she has always loved digging into the past, whether it’s studying history or echoing jewelry styles of the 1940’s and 50’s.

1. How long have you been making things?

Since I can remember.

2. What is your earliest/favorite crafting memory?

This magazine I made when I was little, “The Handy Kitty Work Out.” 4 issues of crafting, like making pinwheels and paper snowflakes. Each issue featured kitties in 1980’s Olivia Newton-John-esque workout gear.

3. Why do you make things?

Because it makes me happy and therapy is expensive.

4. What sort of things do you make?

I hand-print t-shirts of my drawings and design jewelry using vintage beads and findings. I also make paper products, like cards and whatnot.

5. Any success stories you’d care to share?

I got into Crafty Bastards two years in a row and I’ve been self-employed running my own business for many years now. Also, having my jewelry selling in boutiques was a big step.

6. Inspirations?

My t-shirt designs are specifically inspired by childhood, but I find inspiration in lots of things - people, experiences I have, movies, books I’m reading, music, history, etc…

7. Craft supplies you can’t live without?

Pen and paper.

8. Describe your work area (photos please!)

It’s cluttered, it’s a basement and not photo worthy.

9. Family? Pets? Plants?

I have 2 kitties, Scout and Lillie, and a dog named Frannie.

10. Favorite color or pattern?

I like black, grey and red; always been a fan of tartan plaid.

11. Have you been a Crafty Bastard before?

Yes and always a pleasure!

12. Tell us about other crafters you love and your favorite handmade purchases.

A wallet that I got from Handmade Bags of Love. Not only neat looking and functional, but it has held up for three years.

13. What is one thing everyone should know how to do themselves?

Hard to decide on just one thing. How about check your oil - it’s a good starting point and the downfall of many a car. Of course, once you learn to do one thing, you won’t be able to stop.