Thursday Spotlight On: Eric Young of Tangled Metal

Eric is a metal smith and April's Army team member, who I see everywhere in the team forums. He's continually commenting, being active and supportive toward the other team members. After reading 'The Lord of the Rings' series, at thirteen, he decided he wanted to make himself a set of chainmail for himself. Twenty five years later, he's made dozens of suits of armor for other people, all kinds of cool chainmail items and has expanded into the all-too-awesome territory of steampunk items and still has yet to make a suit of chainmail for himself.

Mechanical Crow Pendant

Tell us three things about yourself.
1. I come from a long line of metal smiths and stone masons. My ancestry is mostly Irish and Scottish but I was born in America.
2. I am a Master Stone Mason and Master Armorer. I hope to one day be a Master Metal Smith.
3. I am a professional stage technician. I have worked with touring Broadway shows to Heavy Metal concerts. I can run sound, video, stage curtains, and hand set pieces.

What’s your medium and how did you get into it?
I am primarily a chainmail artist. I started when I was 13 by taking coat hangers out of my closet and making rings and linking them together. That was how it started. Over the years I have worked for museums, movies, stage plays, reenactors and plenty of other people making chainmail from armor to jewelry. I recently started making Steampunk jewelry and am having a lot of fun creating things from recycled antique and vintage clocks, pocket watches and hand watches.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve made?
I like my 3D chainmail items the best. I do not have any of them in my shop at the moment, but I have made all kinds of creatures and such. I am working on a line of 3D chainmail to add to my shop soon.

From where do you take inspiration?
I am inspired from many things from nature to movies. I like to be challenged. It is great when someone asks if something can be made in chainmail. I say yes, then I create it.

Name one piece of art you wish you’d created and why?
Cher wore a chainmail dress once. I really wish it had been mine. I would be a lot more famous and probably a little better off had that happened.

Birdcage Chainmail Bracelet

What are you doing when you’re not crafting?
Well, up until the beginning of April I was working a 9 to 5 job that was more like 7 to 7. It paid the bills. After the layoff, I have been making as much as possible and hoping that it will start to pay the bills before I run out of money.

If you had to give up your medium and pursue another, what would it be and why?
I am not sure what I would do. I did take a break from my art for a while and did a few other things. I learned how to run sound equipment and worked with stage and such. I am not really interested in trying to learn anything from scratch. My father is a silver/gold smith. I guess I would start apprenticing with him and learn more about how to make things with torches and precious metals.

Tell us about a time you were making something that came out better than expected and how it happened.
That would be tough. I have made so many things. I guess my first full chainmail shirt came out quite a lot better than I expected. It was also one of my very first pieces. Coat-hanger-mail! The shirt sold before it was even finished. That was pretty shocking.

Who is one person living or dead, famous or not, who you wish owned one of your creations and why?
See the above answer about Cher.

How would you explain how to do what you do to an eight year old?
Funny enough, 8 year olds understand what I do better than adults. For them learning is just a part of who they are so it is easy for them to understand. I have shown several young kids how to make chainmail and they pick it up quick.

Chainmail Dice bag

What’s your favorite part of the process?
The end result is always my favorite part. Taking a pile of rings and organizing them into a piece of jewelry or armor is quite satisfying.

One random thing you think people should know.
Though compliments are very nice they do not pay the bills. :)

Your shop address/facebook/Twitter/blog/website. Etc.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TangledMetal
http://www.artfire.com/users/TangledMetal
http://www.facebook.com/TangledMetal
http://www.twitter.com/TangledMetal
http://TangledMetal.blogspot.com
http://www.TangledMetal.com

If you could go anywhere in the world, at any era in time, for one week, where and when would you go and why?
I would have to say sometime during the Victorian or  Edwardian era. I have always loved those time periods and would love to get more inspiration for my Steampunk jewelry.

Monday Spotlight On: Heidi Carpenter of, well, HeidiCarpenter.

Another April's Army team member and an awesome one at that, Heidi loves jewelry and her horse.  As a matter of fact, all of the sales from her colorful, chunky jewelry go to covering the costs for taking care of her mare, Limerick.  As a matter of fact, the whole reason started selling jewelry in the first place is for the love of her animal and it's well being.  That is something I can get behind.

Tell us three things about yourself.

I’m deaf, have about 50 hours of tattoo ink on my petite frame, and met my husband on an online forum for tropical fish keeping! I swear, we’re not as nerdy as we seem!

Amethyst and Pearl Double Strand Bracelet

What’s your medium and how did you get into it?
Jewelry—semi-precious gemstones are my favorite part of this venture. I began making my own jewelry a few years ago because I wanted more bling yet could not afford it. So I figured, why not make it and satisfy my artistic side? Those initial necklaces were much, much more difficult than I thought they would be, however, and I now cringe at the techniques I used. I’ve come a long way!

What’s your favorite thing you’ve made?
Right now, a necklace and bracelet set I made for an aunt in the UK. For these pieces, I tried wire-wrapping for the first time and used a beautiful combination of amazonite, “African turquoise” and opaque white Swarovski crystals. The result is stunning!

From where do you take inspiration?
My own desires—I consider myself something of a fashionita, and every single piece I make is something that I would personally love to wear. Of course, that makes it a little difficult to put anything up for sale… I also love to play with color combinations, and draw inspiration from nature (everything from trees and flowers to thunderstorms) for color combos.

Agate, Aventurine and Gold Earrings

Name one piece of art you wish you’d created and why?
Any painting by Richard Stone Reeves—he is a famous racehorse artist, and all the horses in his pieces convey majestic elegance. I greatly admire the man, his skill, and the love for horses that he has.

What are you doing when you’re not crafting?
Spending time with my husband and animals (four cats, lots of fish, and my 20-year-old Thoroughbred mare, Limerick), running, and working my 9-5 job.

If you had to give up your medium and pursue another, what would it be and why?
Creative writing or perhaps drawing. Drawing is my first love, but sadly I was burned out with it after my AP art class in high school and never truly recovered. Writing is more likely; I love working with words and have a B.A. in fiction writing.

Agate and Tigereye Necklace

Tell us about a time you were making something that came out better than expected and how it happened.   I found some beautiful fire agate tubes a few months ago, and set out to create a necklace around them. The end result far exceeded my expectations—I am honestly not sure how it happened; all I know is that everything seemed to click together beautifully. I used a carved owl centerpiece for my necklace and while I don’t typically (or, ever) use these types of focals, I think it fits in so well here. And if it doesn’t sell soon then I’m keeping it! (http://www.etsy.com/listing/68594436/triple-strand-carnelian-owl-red-fire)

Who is one person living or dead, famous or not, who you wish owned one of your creations and why?

Angelina Jolie—I secretly love her and think she perfectly walks the fine line between bad-girl-style and high class.

How would you explain how to do what you do to an eight year old?

“I make necklaces, earrings, and other sparkly things!”

What’s your favorite part of the process?

When I create things, I first pile beads onto a beading board and slowly start to piece things together. If all goes well, then after about twenty moments the jewelry really begins to take shape and I am suddenly very inspired. It’s a magical moment when you can finally see the piece coming together before you.

One random thing you think people should know.

I am working on animal collars and jewelry for horses. I have no doubt that my mare will be a happy guinea pig for my horse jewelry--she is rather vain! :-)

Your shop address/facebook/Twitter/blog/website. Etc.

Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/heidicarpenter, 

blog: http://heidicarpenterdesigns.blogspot.com/,

Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/HeidiCarpenterDesigns

If you could be a character in fiction, who would you be?I would be Sonja Blue from Nancy Collins’ series about her. She was the cool, badass vampire girl long before vampires became hot. My old Volkswagen Jetta is even named Sonja!

Monday Spotlight On: Jennifer of Poops

Yes, you read that right. Her shop name is "Poops."  I love people with a sense of humor.  I especially love knitters with a sense of humor.  And Jennifer is definitely one of them.  It is actually a craft I totally understand and appreciate as it's one I seasonally participate in myself (I only ever knit in cold weather), and my personal opinion is that all knitters undercharge, because the time and effort that goes into making each garment is just amazing.  She has not only some amazing items, but great knitting patterns, and an ability to make me laugh.

(And on a sidenote, please read all the way to the end of the interview for some special news about the April's Army charity). 

Tell us three things about yourself.

1. I think there is humor to be found in any and every situation, but only truly intelligent people can find it, and only geniuses know when to share it.

2. I'm from lovely, scenic central New Hampshire. I was born here, raised here, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to die here. And that, my friend, is a good thing.

3. I sometimes do what the voices in my head tell me to do.  But don't tell anyone.

Knitting Pattern for Felted Wool Mittens

What’s your medium and how did you get into it?

I'm currently a Knitter. I started in with the sticks and string in 2004 after a friend and neighbor of mine died of cancer. She was Norwegian and was probably born holding knitting needles (which I imagine was quite painful for her mother) and did some of the most exquisite knitting I've seen to this day. When she got sick, I felt the swift and sudden urge to learn to knit and I'm glad I did. As sick as she was toward the end, whenever I'd see her she'd ask how my knitting was coming along and did I love to do it. She is my inspiration and my muse.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve made?

I don't really have a favorite. It's like choosing which child you like the best. My favorite thing to knit, for reason I can't explain, is mittens. I find making mittens relaxing.

From where do you take inspiration?

I love Norwegian knitting. Both the traditional style and the new, modern twists that designers put on them just amaze me.

Name one piece of art you wish you’d created and why?

It's not so much an "I wish I had" as it is "I wish to knit this someday" kind of thing. I've always felt that the day I can make a Norwegian ski team sweater is the day I'll consider myself an expert. I know there are other styles, other benchmarks of knitting success, but for me, that's what I want to make.

What are you doing when you’re not crafting?

Yarn shopping. No, but seriously folks, when I'm not crafting, I enjoy doing crossword puzzles. Really hard ones. If I look at the first five clues and I have no idea what the solutions might be, I'm a happy camper. I also write, though I seem to be inspired to do it only in fits and starts. Oh, and I also have three kids, so I might be paying attention to them, too. Maybe.

If you had to give up your medium and pursue another, what would it be and why?

I just learned to spin, so I think if I had to set the needles aside for awhile, I'd really go headlong into getting better at my yarn-making skills. And if I had to choose a hobby that's not fiber- related, I'd like to learn woodworking. Specifically furniture and cabinet-making. I love handmade furniture, and I've done some building that I've found very satisfying, so I think that kind of carpentry would be interesting to learn.

Handknit Lace White Baby Cardigan

Tell us about a time you were making something that came out better than expected and how it happened.

I was most pleased with my wedding gown. I had it made by a local seamstress, but I hand-embroidered fall flowers all around the neckline, from the shoulder seams, down the front and wrapping around the peplum of the jacket. I knew when I came up with the idea that it was a good one, but I was pretty impressed with how striking an effect it was when it was all done. It totally surpassed my expectations.

Who is one person living or dead, famous or not, who you wish owned one of your creations and why?

I would love to be featured as one of Oprah's favorite things. I bet I'd make sacks of cash from that kind of exposure.

How would you explain how to do what you do to an eight year old?

That depends. As a surface explanation to a simple question, as in "What are you doing, lady?" I tell them I'm knitting. I use a pair of pointed sticks called "needles" to turn yarn into mittens, sweaters, or whatever. Anything beyond that kind of turns into knitting lessons and I don't honestly know if I have the patience to teach an 8-year-old how to knit. I'm way better as a doer than a teacher.

What’s your favorite part of the process?

I think design is my favorite part. Ideas just come to me, and I love sorting through yarns to find just the right ones to make what's in my head a reality. I love being able to make an idea into a tangible item.

One random thing you think people should know.

I believe in all things in moderation, especially moderation.

Your shop address/facebook/Twitter/blog/website. Etc.

I blog semi-regularly at www.askpoopsplease.wordpress.com and I sell things at www.poops.etsy.com. I'm working on transferring my inventory from Etsy to EvenBadgers over the course of the summer as my listing expire, and my new shop will bewww.evenbadgers.com/poops. I don't tweet, and my Facebook shop page is currently both sad and pathetic.

Handknit Strawberry Wool Baby Hat

If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?

Hmm. That's a tough one. All superpowers seem to come with a burden of some sort, don't they? I think I'd like the power to blink from one place to another instantly. I could be here one minute, at the yarn shop in the wool section the next, then home before the toddler looked up from his Legos. That'd be awesome.

*****

Okay, folks, happy Memorial Day, and happy re-opening of the April's Army team shop as well!  If you've been paying any attention at all, you know I'm a member of this lovely team, which has a collective shop which opens for one week once a month.  During that week, everything sold goes to support a different cause or charity.  This week we are helping Katey and Ron, who lost everything in a fire, even their pet rabbit (you can read more about their plight here).  If you wan't to help, there are three ways you can assist.  You can either go to back to page I just linked, scroll to the bottom and donate via Paypal; or you can go to Katey's Etsy store Chickatey and buy something or you can visit the April's Army collective shop and buy something from one of the many wonderful sellers who have contributed (including me!) and know you're doing something great for a couple who really could use the help. 

Spotlight On: Meg of Red and Main

I love RedandMain. I found Meg's shop the exact way I've found all my interviewees lately-- the April's Army team on Etsy.  However, when I saw her little monsters, I automatically fell in love.  They remind me of my own work.  They are strange, whimsical, unique.  I could actually picture her little creatures tromping through my landscapes .  Even her owls are a bit odd, in a very cute and colorful way. Like they should be perched in trees on Mars, rather than Earth.   She also makes beautiful organic-looking dishes that come in softly spotted colors, if incredibly adorable beasts aren't your thing (but they really should be).

Ceramic Moss Bowl

Tell us three things about yourself.

1.) I once met Henry Winkler (aka: The Fonz) and he was incredibly kind

2.) I consume an unhealthy quantity of both coffee and marshmallows daily

3.) I recently left a very lucrative consulting job to pursue ceramics full time (sub-context: I may or may not be completely insane)

What’s your medium and how did you get into it?

I work in white earthenware clay and various glazes.  My first experience with ceramics was in high school- I took an advanced ceramics class with a totally awesome teacher.  She pushed us to do projects well beyond the scope of what we thought we could do.  Even though I've taken lots of ceramics courses since then, I still look back on her class for techniques and inspiration.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve made?

I absolutely adore my mom and my favorite piece is one that I made for her birthday.  My mom and I are both year of the Rat in the Chinese Zodiac.  We took a trip to China 2 years ago and had the best time, so for her birthday this year, I made her two small ceramic rats holding paws.  Her birthday is May 9th and I am so excited to give these to her.

From where do you take inspiration?

I really love animals, so most of my inspiration comes from trips to the zoo or videos of cute animals online.  I also really enjoy creating new creatures and monsters, which I put in scenarios in my head (i.e.: two yetis having a picnic or a monster eating an ice cream cone).

Name one piece of art you wish you’d created and why?

Anything by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.  His work is phenomenal.

What are you doing when you’re not crafting?

I'm probably doing accounting, site development, blog posting, or craft show preparation for Red & Main.  If I'm not doing that, I am hopefully at the gym.  But realistically I'm probably drinking coffee or wine... or coffee and wine... and catching up on TV I've missed through Hulu.

Cleft Chin Dashing Yeti

If you had to give up your medium and pursue another, what would it be and why?

I think I'd go into hand-carved stamp making.  I think there's something really awesome about carving away at something to make a beautiful object. It's like you're taking away all the parts that don't belong and substituting your creativity- that's the awesome part.

Tell us about a time you were making something that came out better than expected and how it happened.

I was glazing a new creature- my Dapper Swamp Thing- and I decided to get a little creative.  Generally, you're not supposed to mix glazes due to chemical reactions that may occur when firing that can turn your piece all kinds of crazy colors.  I threw caution to the wind and put 4 different glazes on the Swamp Thing- and he turned out looking pretty great.  I was expecting an oozing mass of greenish brown, but he came out green with black speckles.  I'll definitely be using that technique in the future and I don't think I'll shy away from mixing glazes in the future.

Who is one person living or dead, famous or not, who you wish owned one of your creations and why?

I wish Oscar Wilde owned one of my Yetis.  Can you imagine flamboyantly-dressed, verbose Oscar Wilde tooling around an exceptionally well decorated flat with a Yeti in his hands?  I can...and it's amazing.

How would you explain how to do what you do to an eight year old?

I play with clay all day and make fun things that hopefully make other people happy.  Man, my job sounds pretty sweet!

What’s your favorite part of the process?

The creation of a finished ceramic piece takes so much time- molding and sculpting the piece; letting it dry; first-firing the piece in the kiln; glazing the piece; glaze firing the piece; and then putting on the finishing touches.  The best part, for sure, is opening the lid of the kiln after the final glaze firing; it's like Christmas morning.  Glazes can be tempermental and you don't always know what the result is going to look like.  Sometimes you're thrilled, sometimes you're horrified...but it's always a surprise.

One random thing you think people should know.

Not to drop a product reference, but I think it's important- Peter Thomas Roth's Complexion Correction Toning Pads will change your life.  I tell 90% of people I know about these- that is how awesome I think they are. 

Ceramic Cat with a Bird Friend

Your shop address/facebook/Twitter/blog/website. Etc.

www.redandmain.etsy.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Main

If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?

Invisibility.  Hands down.  Having the ability to go anywhere you wanted, listen to any conversation, anytime?  Sold.  Where can I sign up?

Spotlight On: Kelly LaRoche of SpecificallyRandom

Thank goodness Blogspot is finally back up after being down since last night.  I thought I would go insane if I couldn't blog again soon (I've really taken to blogging like an illustrator to ink, much to your misfortune).

Anyhoo, today's blog is about another lovely April's Army member, Kelly of SpecificallyRandom, a shop specializing in headbands that pretty much cover every range of tastes, in terms of color and pattern.  I also love the name of her shop, because it reminds me of my favorite word, serendipity, which means finding fortune by accident.

Tell us three things about yourself.I love vintage retro goodies and architectural salvage.  My husband and I have rehabbed our home, built in 1894, and I love finding new ways of adding vintage character to the decor.

Mustard Yellow Hairband

I have two children, and my youngest will be starting kindergarten next year.  I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with myself once he starts school since I haven't been alone in the house since 2003.  I imagine it won't take me long to figure it out though!

I sew all of my headbands on a vintage 1950's sewing machine that I absolutely love.  The machine was destined for the trash when my husband salvaged it and it has become one of my favorite possessions.


What's your medium and how did you get into it?My first craft was sewing.  When I was a little girl, my grandmother made almost all of my clothes and continues to create incredible quilts to this day.  She taught me the fundamentals and I dabbled a bit before moving on to drawing, then jewelry.  Recently however, I've come full circle and find myself back behind the sewing machine.


What's your favorite thing you've made?I'm not sure if this counts since it's not something I could sell, but my favorite creation is my bathroom.  I had everyone pretty worried when I announced I was going to use wood stain to create a navy blue and brown diagonal checkerboard pattern on the newly laid wood floor.  But it turned out beautifully and I'm so glad I took the risk.


From where do you take inspiration?Getting inspiration for my headbands is a bit different than it is for many crafts because my product appeals to such a diverse clientele.  I try and think beyond what I like personally and feed from my customers and what they request and purchase most.  Fabric headbands can have such different looks, from preppy to bohemian to hippie, based on the fabric chosen and how they are worn.

Knit Raspberry Headband

What are you doing when you're not crafting?When I'm not sewing I'm trying to keep some sense of order in our household. Keeping the house clean, caring for our two children and trying to cook as many homemade meals as possible keeps me pretty busy.


If you had to give up your medium and pursue another, what would it be and why?While I love what I do, if I had the opportunity to rehab older homes I would definitely do that.  I love old homes, their inherent character and the stories they could tell "if walls could talk".


Tell us about a time you were making something that came out better than expected and how it happened.Actually, Specifically Random headbands were made quite by accident.  My daughter had a headband that she had worn out and I couldn't seem to find a comparable one anywhere.  So, I came up with a design I liked and made a couple of headbands for her.  She immediately began receiving lots of compliments and she was so happy with how comfortable they are that I got the idea to try and sell them on Etsy.  I immediately received a positive response and my business has continued to grow ever since.


Who is one person living or dead, famous or not, who you wish owned one of your creations and why?I guess I'd have to say Oprah because, honestly, who has more power to propel a product towards success than Oprah?


How would you explain how to do what you do to an eight year old?Actually, my seven year old daughter is pretty familiar with the process behind my headbands.  In fact, she loves helping me pick out fabric and assembling the headbands.  She'll be thrilled when I let her graduate to using the sewing machine!  However, I put more effort in teaching my kids how I run my business.  I like them to understand why I work hard and how my efforts pay off - with actual money!


What's your favorite part of the process?My favorite part of making Specifically Random headbands is the interaction with my customers.  Whether they're telling me that they've finally found a product that stays on and remains comfortable all day or that they just love the new look it gives them, it's always fun to put a smile on someone's face.  Many women who purchase from me are suffering from some form of hair loss and I love knowing that I'm providing a fun and fashionable accessory that helps these woman be more confident with their hair style.

Vintage Look Hairband

If you could go anywhere in the world, at any era in time, for one week, where and when would you go and why?My favorite book is "Jane Eyre", set in early nineteenth century England.  I can't help but be drawn to the rhythm of life, the simplicity of the time and most of all, the architecture.  I would really miss modern conveniences, but I think I could swing it for a week.  Especially in exchange for an invitation to a formal ball and a dance with a dashing young gentleman.

One random thing you think people should know.I love the show Survivor.  I've seen almost every season including the very first.  If I wasn't quite so wimpy I'd love to audition to be on the show myself.


If you want to keep up with Kelly or see if she's got something to match your wardrobe, check out the links below.
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpecificallyRandom
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpecificallyRandom
Artfire: http://www.artfire.com/users/SpecificallyRandom
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SpecificallyR


Keep on following us for more April's Army member interviews coming soon, along with the latest on my artwork and more about what's going on in the craftworld.