Meet the Maker: Jen of Nautical Wheeler

Nautical Wheeler - Handcrafted Handmade jewelry nautical jewelry anchor necklace anchor bracelet seashell bracelet golf leaf ring vineyard vines summer jewelry gift, gift for her, gifts 02

This nautical-inspired handmade jewelry shop is everything that summer is about – just a look through the collection gives you all of the beach feels you can get. From simple wave bracelets to more detailed feather rings, every piece quickly becomes a summer staple that can be layered upon, or left to star on it’s own. We want to share the story behind Nautical Wheeler, the shop focused on beach jewelry wear.

Let’s get to know Jen and the story behind the Nautical Wheeler (visit the aftcra shop here)!

Nautical-Wheeler---Working-Desk---2

Hi, I’m Jen from Nautical Wheeler Jewelry (shop here) and I handcraft nautical and beach inspired jewelry for mermaids and gypsy souls.

Nautical-Wheeler---Me---1

I live in New England and work from home. I think it’s especially important that when you work from home, you make your office a place you really want to be. I’ve filled my office with pieces that inspire me and remind me of the beach. I always keep seaside treasures nearby, like seashells and driftwood, just in case I need a little added inspiration.

What is your background? How did you get started in your line of work?

I’ve been doing metalwork for 4 years but jewelry making for well over 10 years!

I’ve been very lucky to have family in the jewelry industry. I studied metalwork under my aunt who was a goldsmith for over 40 years. I taught myself other kinds of jewelry making skills, like knotting techniques and beading but found my true passion in metalwork.

How did you come up with the name of your shop?

I wanted a name that rang true to who I was and what I loved. A nautical wheeler is a person who builds ships and is a sailor at heart. Having spent most of my childhood on boats and out at sea this expression really spoke to me.

How do you create your work?

My process starts with an idea. Sometimes it’s easy to bring an idea to life, other times it takes several rough drafts before I get it looking the way I pictured. I usually start by either hand-sawing a sheet of Sterling silver or balling small pieces of silver together. The item is now just a soft notion of what I want it to be. So I’ll go in with metal filers and a variety of shaping tools to add details and get rid of sharp edges. From there it really depends on what type of jewelry I want the piece to be. If it’s going to be a ring, I’ll handcraft a Sterling band using a torch and solder to attach the two pieces. Next the ring will go through a series of cleaning and polishing until I get it just right. That’s when it’s ready to be wrapped and sent off to one of my lovely customers.

Nautical-Wheeler---Working-Desk---1

What is the inspiration for your work?

I grew up in Vancouver and spent every Summer on Vancouver Island. There wasn’t a day in my childhood when I couldn’t smell the salty air, that I wasn’t rummaging on the beach for seaside treasures or out on a boat with friends. I never lost my love for the sea as I grew up and I still find myself drawn to its sandy shores. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what inspires me about the beach. There’s so many different textures and colors, that I always feel like there’s some new form of inspiration. Whether it’s sea glass tumbled by the waves, the glistening water or a small feather found in the sand.

What is your next new exciting project?

I’m planning on doing new designs for Fall/Winter using coastal enamel colors and organic shapes. As soon as the new collection is ready, I’ll be putting it up on Aftcra so stay tuned!

Nautical Wheeler Quote 01

As a small business owner, what is one piece of advice you would share with other small business owners?

The best advice I could give is that if you have a great idea or product, don’t sit on it. Just do it! I thought about creating Nautical Wheeler Jewelry for a year before I finally decided to test the waters. This has always been my biggest regret. There is only so much research you can do, only so many people you can talk to and only so many business plans you can write. At the end of the day you just need to get out there and show people what you’ve got.

What is a quote that you personally live by, or you have shared with others for inspiration?

The quote that has most inspired and motivated me is this one from Roald Dahl, “I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good.”

What handmade-related business resources do you use to help improve your business?

Earlier this year I started taking classes on Skillshare. I had read about it from an article in Inc Magazine (another great resource!). I wanted to increase my presence on Instagram and took every class Skillshare had to help figure out what I was doing wrong. A few months later I went from having 60 followers to over 900! I was elated and not just because my follower count had increased, but because I finally felt that my Instagram account reflected the story I was trying to tell through my jewelry line.

Nautical Wheeler Quote 02

Why did you choose to join aftcra, and what do you enjoy about the community?

I love that Aftcra features products handmade in the USA. I think it’s so important to know where your purchases come from and how they’re created. Aftcra really lets you reach out to the creators of products. It’s people dealing with people and I love that!

What does “handmade” and “handcrafted” mean to you?

Handmade is an endearing term meaning something that is created from the heart. Everyone should own something handmade, even if it’s just one thing. There’s something special about handmade items that you can feel when you hold them. I think that something special is love. With every piece of jewelry I make, I like to think I send out a little bit of love with it. I think that’s something everyone deserves to have.

Get regular updates from Jen and her shop Nautical Wheeler! Connect with Nautical Wheeler’s social profiles here:

instagram: @nauticalwheeler
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nautical-Wheeler-Jewelry-219673108050946/
pinterest: nauticalwheeler
twitter: @nauticalwheel

Want to get featured on aftcra’s homepage! Interested in becoming aftcra’s Featured Store of the month? Send an email to [email protected] and we will send you the requirements. All requests will be considered to become the next aftcra Featured Store.

Have you checked out aftcra yet? Discover handmade goods from American artisans at aftcra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the Maker: Chris and Jason of American Bench Craft

American Bench Craft - Meet the Maker - American Bench Craft - Custom Designed and Handcrafted Leather Goods

We wanted to highlight a maker doing some really badass work this month, so we decided to showcase the artisans behind the aftcra shop American Bench Craft. From beautifully crafted leather wallets to handmade leather herringbone manly bracelets, they’ve got everything covered at American Bench Craft. And we’re sure you’ll find something amazing here for the man in your life for Father’s Day! We also really love Chris and Jason’s story behind their shop.

Let’s get to know Chris and Jason and the story behind American Bench Craft (aftcra shop’s here)!

Hello, we are Chris and Jason Angelini of American Bench Craft (aftcra shop). We created custom designed and handcrafted leather goods and accessories, including wallets, cardholders, belts and other high end, ultra durable gift and personalized specialty items.

We have a workshop, offices, storage and fulfillment center in downtown Reading, MA.

American Bench Craft 01

What is your background? How did you two get started in leatherwork?

My brother Jason went to school for engineering and has been designing and creating things since he was young. He used to make furniture for my parents when he was a kid. He began working with leather when his wallet fell apart and designed this wallet that was ultra durable and pretty unique to anything that was on the market. My background is in marketing and film production. We both eventually quit our jobs, and my brother started making these wallets and I started making videos about the wallets and selling them online and that’s how we started the company.

How long has American Bench Craft been around?

My brother designed the original Hammer Riveted Wallet that would build our company in 2013, which is also when we quit our jobs. It took us several months to design a Web site. We officially started selling the Hammer Riveted Wallet through a successful Kickstarter campaign beginning of 2014.

American Bench Craft 33

How did you come up with the name of your shop?

We knew our name had to have American and Craft in it, since all of our products would now and always be handcrafted in the USA. Before we could afford a workshop and warehouse for our company, we were actually making all of the Hammer Riveted Wallets we were selling out of our parent’s garage using an old tool/work bench my brother had made when he was younger, so American Bench Craft seemed appropriate at the time and the name stuck.

American Bench Craft 08

As a small business owner, what is one piece of advice you would share with other small business owners?

You really have to spend money to make money, but make sure you’re getting something of value for your hard-earned money. I was doing marketing for other companies before American Bench Craft and I saw how companies that spent good money on marketing were generally bigger, more successful and profitable than companies that were always pinching pennies and looking for the cheapest option. So, I knew we’d have to spend money to remain competitive. The problem is you have to make sure your getting something valuable for the money you’re spending and that’s tricky trying to decipher between who’s calling to sell you something legitimate, and who’s calling just to make a sale without any thought or consideration for you or your company. There was definitely a slow learning curve there and because we bootstrapped our company with no outside investment money or capital, it was a challenge and setbacks were difficult. We learned how to be smarter about business and that along with our products which have always been some of the best on the market has been what I attribute most to our success. We know our customers expect the best products and we strive everyday to put out the best products on the market. And therefore, we expect the best from the people we work, be it companies that supply us with raw materials or provide us with necessary services to operate our company.

How do you create your products?

When we get an idea for a product, we first design it using a CAD program. Once we’re satisfied with the design, we begin prototyping it to see if the design works. Usually, the design needs to be tweaked a few times before we get it right. Prototyping is usually a long, tedious process. However, once we have something that looks good, we test it out for a few months to make sure its functional and we make adjustments along the way. To bring a new product to market is a long arduous process, but crossing that finish line is always worth the time and effort.

American Bench Craft 30

What is the inspiration for your work?

Solving problems and being the best. The first wallet my brother designed and created was done so to solve the age old problem that eventually your wallet will fall apart. My brother had no interest in a metal or plastic wallet, as nothing really beats leather, but he was sick and tired of his wallets falling apart so quickly. We continue to design and create products that solve problems, so that consumers can keep our products forever.

What does “handmade” and “handcrafted” mean to you?

We design and create all of our products entirely by hand using only simple hand tools. Even our 8 Ton clicker press runs on good old American muscle, no electrical power. Everything from the cutting, stamping, riveting and finishing is done by hand. That’s what handmade/hand crafted means to us.

What is your next new exciting project?

We’re currently working with our local fire department to design a new, ultra durable holster for their radios, which we are really excited about.

What is a quote that you personally live by, or you have shared with others for inspiration?

“Don’t Count the Days, Make the Days Count” – Muhammed Ali

American Bench Craft 34

Why did you choose to join aftcra, and what do you enjoy about the community?

Aftcra seemed the perfect match for us “Crafted by American Hands” so it was an easy decision to join the Aftcra community and being apart of something that focuses solely on handmade goods is what’s most enjoyable.

 

Get regular updates from Jason and Chris and their shop American Bench Craft! Connect with their social profiles here:

Instagram: @BenchCraft

Facebook: facebook.com/hammerridgeproducts

Pinterest: @BenchCraftUSA

Twitter: @BenchCraftUSA

 

 

Want to get featured on aftcra’s homepage! Interested in becoming aftcra’s Featured Store of the month? Send an email to [email protected] and we will send you the requirements. All requests will be considered to become the next aftcra Featured Store.

Have you checked out aftcra yet?  Discover handmade goods from American artisans at aftcra.

 

American Bench Craft - Meet the aftcra Maker- American Bench Craft - handcrafted Leather goods, wallets, belts, riveted leather bracelets, and luggage tags

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the Maker: Karly of Cloth and Twig Shop

Meet the Maker - Cloth and Twig Shop - Custom Family Portraits - Custom Wedding Portraits - Housewarming Gift Ideas - Handmade Gift Ideas Mothers Day Gifts 2016 Made in the USA 20

We can not get enough of the hip and unique designs that Cloth & Twig Shop creates. From fancy custom wedding portraits, to adorable family portraits, to silly and cheeky embroidery hoops, you’re going to find something you love with Cloth & Twig Shop. And what is super intriguing is Karly’s creative journey and how she eventually founded Cloth & Twig.

Let’s get to know Karly and the story behind Cloth & Twig Shop!

 

Hi there! I’m Karly and my shop name is Cloth & Twig Shop. I create family & wedding heirlooms in cross stitch. I also create home portraits, cross stitch pillows and other fun wall art!

I work out of my home in Southern California. More specifically, my kitchen! I’ve converted a small portion of it into a functioning work space. I started stitching in 2013. I opened Cloth & Twig Shop just under a year ago!

Cloth and Twig - Handcrafted Handmade custom family portrait custom wedding portrait pet portrait housewarming gift, gift for her, gifts for him, gifts - Handmade and Made in the USA American Made 15

How did you get started in your line of work?

My background is not super crafty. I graduated from FIDM (The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) with a degree in cosmetics merchandising and marketing. I worked as a makeup artist for a few companies and then moved into children’s wholesale clothing & accessories. Once I became a mom, I chose to become a doula and childbirth educator. It was an amazing time in my life but my on call schedule and home life was very out of balance. During my time as a doula, my husband started traveling a lot and I decided to take up a hobby. Cross stitch called my name and I gave it a go! It took me 4 months to finish my first project. But I was hooked.

During my last few months of doula-ing & teaching, I had a few friends ask me to make them in cross stitch. And thats how Cloth & Twig Shop was born.

 

How did you come up with the name of your shop?

The naming of my shop was a bit random. I wanted it to reflect the product that I was offering but not include cross stitch or something of the like. I looked at what my portraits were made of and it was essentially a piece of cloth to stitch on and a twig thats been formed into a hoop.

Cloth and Twig - Handcrafted Handmade custom family portrait custom wedding portrait pet portrait housewarming gift, gift for her, gifts for him, gifts - Handmade and Made in the USA American Made 08

How do you create your work?

Each piece that I create is personalized. Each client fills out a short form with details for their portrait & we discuss their photos and outfits they’d like to see. Then I send over a color sketch for their approval or to make any tweaks before I stitch. Then I get to work! It normally takes about 8 hours for a simple portrait of 2-3 characters. More characters = more time spent!

When stitching is done, the portrait is cleaned, ironed, and mounted to be put into a frame or put in a hoop. Each portrait is beautifully wrapped and sent off to its home!

Cloth and Twig - Handcrafted Handmade custom family portrait custom wedding portrait pet portrait housewarming gift, gift for her, gifts for him, gifts - Handmade and Made in the USA American Made 01

What is the inspiration for your work? 

My inspiration is all of my clients! They send me photos and small pieces of their lives for me to freeze in stitches. I never get the same request twice. There are items in my shop that clients have inspired! I feel so lucky to create these portraits that will be in families for a very long time.

 

What is your next new exciting project?

Right now, I have a new product coming out the end of May. I have a large pillow for home decor but I will have a small version for anyone thats planning a wedding to add that special touch.

I am also going to be working on career portraits. Graduations, professions, etc like the doula I have in my shop now. I just need some time to get them in the shop, my clients keep me busy. Stay tuned!

 

As a small business owner, what is one piece of advice you would share with other small business owners?

I would want to encourage everyone to be their biggest cheerleader. Believe in your product. Believe in yourself. Believe in your creativity. If you can do that, you can reach your biggest goals, dreams, and beyond what you imagine. Its not always easy, but don’t give up on yourself.

 

What is a quote that you personally live by, or you have shared with others for inspiration?

My personal quote is verse from Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

It reminds me that I can do anything & I know Im never alone.

Cloth and Twig - Handcrafted Handmade custom family portrait custom wedding portrait pet portrait housewarming gift, gift for her, gifts for him, gifts - Handmade and Made in the USA American Made 02

Why did you choose to join aftcra, and what do you enjoy about the community?

I chose to join to have more ‘eyes’ on my product, and I appreciate that aftcra supports US-based and created businesses!

 

What does “handmade” and “handcrafted” mean to you? 

Handmade means that its made with your two hands! For me, my product is a true labor of love. I put about 15 hours average into each portrait. Usually more! Handmade means authentic, loving, and unique goods.

 

Get regular updates from Karly and Cloth & Twig Shop! Connect with their social profiles here:

instagram.com/clothandtwig

facebook.com/clothandtwig

pinterest.com/clothtwigshop

twitter.com/clothandtwig

Snapchat @clothandtwig

 

Want to get featured on aftcra’s homepage! Interested in becoming aftcra’s Featured Store of the month? Send an email to [email protected] and we will send you the requirements. All requests will be considered to become the next aftcra Featured Store.

Have you checked out aftcra yet?  Discover handmade goods from American artisans at aftcra.

 

Meet the aftcra Maker- Cloth and Twig Shop - creator of custom family portraits and custom wedding portaits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the Maker: Lisa of Little Meadow Studio

Meet the Maker - Little Meadow Studio - Market Totes, Harvest Baskets, Project Baskets, Handmade Gift Ideas Mothers Day Gifts 2016 Made in the USA 20

Spring is here! Are you prepping for upcoming Farmer’s Markets, beach days, and Mother’s Day celebrations that are sneaking up on us? Artist Lisa Coffee of Little Meadow Studio handcrafts understated and incredibly beautiful tote bags and baskets that will be a staple for your spring and summer activities. From Market Totes to Harvest Baskets for your foodie finds, and Project Baskets for creative home storage, you’re going to find something spectacular with Lisa … and fall in love with Little Meadow Studio‘s designs while you’re at at.

Let’s get to know Lisa and how she derives the inspiration behind her work!

Little Meadow Studio - Market Totes, Harvest Baskets, Project Baskets, Handmade Gift Ideas Mothers Day Gifts 2016 Made in the USA 04

 

Hi, I’m Lisa Coffee. My shop is called Little Meadow Studio, and I handcraft rope baskets.

I’m blessed beyond measure to live, along with my husband and two children, on a twelve acre homestead in Western North Carolina, just outside of Asheville. I work from home, and my studio is a hallway room of sorts. It’s a room that connects two other rooms in my house, and is centrally located so I can be working, yet still in the middle of everything. My studio has amazing built-in shelves, a skylight and a window overlooking our flock of chickens – it’s a sweet space!

Little Meadow Studio - Market Totes, Harvest Baskets, Project Baskets, Handmade Gift Ideas Mothers Day Gifts 2016 Made in the USA 05

 

How did you get started in your line of work?

I am a Maker, and I always have been. I inherited my paternal grandmother’s crafty gene, for her hands were always busy with one project or another. As a teenager, I taught myself to make candles, and to sew. During my early twenties I seasonally followed the Grateful Dead on tour, and to fund my travels, I sold dresses and candles in the great traveling craft show known as The Lot. This was a carefree and enlightening time in my life full of adventurous travel and personal growth, and from these experiences, though more than twenty years past, I still draw inspiration. Over the years I’ve dabbled in all sorts of handmade crafts, it’s no wonder that I chose two “hands-on” careers – I spent ten years in private practice as a Massage Therapist, followed by five years working in the Deaf community as an American Sign Language interpreter. Throughout the years I kept my hands busy making beeswax candles, sewing household goods, embossing copper, learning photography, making gemstone jewelry, exploring the art of wheel-thrown pottery at a local pottery guild, knitting, and a ton of gardening. After starting a family, my husband and I moved from Colorado to Western North Carolina to live out our homesteading dreams. We purchased an amazing piece of property nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, expanded our gardens, bought our first flock of hens, began keeping bees, continuing to grow and preserve as much of our own food as possible. With my two young children as inspiration, I began sewing their clothes, quilting and knitting more. When I first spotted a rope basket during an internet search, I just knew I had to make one. And so, one afternoon I sat at my machine, and worked it out. The first two baskets were lovely and imperfect and practical and I was hooked. I didn’t start making baskets with the intent of selling them, but as I shared my process on social media, the response was overwhelming – people wanted these baskets, and I loved making them – et voilá, a small business was born!

Little Meadow Studio - Market Totes, Harvest Baskets, Project Baskets, Handmade Gift Ideas Mothers Day Gifts 2016 Made in the USA 22

 

How long have you been doing your artwork?

I’ve been sewing for 24 years, and sewing rope baskets for nearly one year.

 

How did you come up with the name of your shop?

The inspiration for my shop name Little Meadow Studio comes from the land I live on. If you were to walk with me around this property, I’d lead you first through the expansive gardens where my family and I grow our food. From there we would swing by the backyard playground, and head toward the Tricky Trail. We’d cross the creek at Fairy Crossing, stopping long enough to spy salamanders and play in the rushing water. From here we would first amble, then run along winding forest trails, ducking under hundred year old rhododendron trees, spotting mushrooms, bear scat, and vibrant green moss at the base of each tree trunk. After winding along, we would cross the creek again and follow the path up through sourwood and oak to a little rainbow colored wildflower meadow. Here we would watch how the afternoon light casts through insect wings. We’d notice how the breeze turns each bloom towards us, like a welcoming wave – dandelion, oxeye daisy, goldenrod, red clover, joe-pye weed, poppy, jewel weed, yarrow – depending on the season – the whole rainbow blooms here. We would wander around admiring each bloom, perhaps laying down a blanket, a place to rest and daydream the afternoon away.

Little Meadow Studio - Market Totes, Harvest Baskets, Project Baskets, Handmade Gift Ideas Mothers Day Gifts 2016 Made in the USA 02

 

How do you create your work?

I do most of my sewing in the middle of the day when my children are otherwise occupied around the homestead. However, since my studio is in the middle of the house, they are often by my side, if not sitting on my table as I sew. Each of my baskets is sewn using a continuous piece of cotton rope. I hand dye the rope in small batches prior to sewing. Sometimes I have a specific shape or pattern in mind when I’m dyeing, other times, I make it up as I go. Some of my most favorite baskets have come from those days when I sit down with a hank of rope and start sewing with no particular shape in mind. I love the organic shape building aspect of making these baskets, which reminds me of wheel-throwing clay.

 

What is the inspiration for your work? 

My inspiration for most things in life has always come from the natural world around me. I spend most of my waking time outside in the garden, or exploring the forest with my kids. My work is influenced by the need of having beautiful and functional ways of storing my homesteading tools, harvests, knitting WIPs, and crafting supplies. I often joke that one can not be both a homesteader and a minimalist because the work of growing, harvesting, and preserving food requires a lot of stuff, and I’m forever looking for creative and beautiful ways of storing that stuff. The idea of creating something that is as beautiful as it is useful motivates me. I’m practical but I also like pretty, and I’m not willing to compromise beauty for functionality if I can have both.

Little Meadow Studio - Market Totes, Harvest Baskets, Project Baskets, Handmade Gift Ideas Mothers Day Gifts 2016 Made in the USA 08

 

What is your next new exciting project? 

This spring I’m planting a dye garden on the homestead. The idea of cultivating plants for dyeing textiles has me beyond excited. My seeds are ordered, my garden beds prepped, and as soon as the spring weather takes a firm hold on my mountain garden, I’ll be growing indigo, hopi sunflowers, goldenrod, amaranth, elderberry and many, many more. I hope to transition to completely homegrown plant dyes within the coming months. Long term, I have plans to turn our back room into a pottery studio. It’s been years since I’ve sat at a wheel and played with clay, and I plan to revisit that love affair soon!

 

What is a quote that you personally live by, or you have shared with others for inspiration?

“It’s never too late – in fiction or in life – to revise.” – Nancy Thayer

 

As a small business owner, what is one piece of advice you would share with other small business owners?

Make what you love, and Share The Love with your buyers. Without the people who actually buy my art, I would have a hobby, not a business. I strive to respond promptly to customer inquires, clearly communicate my process, rates and shipping times, and generally try to be available. Sending out a token of appreciation to customers, whether it’s a handwritten note, special discount offer, or small handmade gift are a few ways that I share the love with my customers. I see working from home, creating beautiful functional art, to be a great privilege, and I’m grateful every day to have this lifestyle.

Little Meadow Studio - Market Totes, Harvest Baskets, Project Baskets, Handmade Gift Ideas Mothers Day Gifts 2016 Made in the USA 23

 

What handmade-related business resources do you use to help improve your business?

I don’t use any specific handmade-related business tools. Should I be?! I joke, but really, my most useful tool for the business side of my work is a simple google docs spreadsheet, which helps me keep the numbers in check. I also can’t say enough good things about the instagram community. I am inspired and uplifted daily by Makers of all sorts.

 

What does “handmade” and “handcrafted” mean to you?

I interpret Handmade and Handcrafted to mean, quite literally, the work that comes from one’s own hands. Handcrafted means being involved and “hands on” during as many steps of design and fabrication as possible. It means authentic, personal, unique. It means time well spent.

 

Why did you choose to join aftcra, and what do you enjoy about the community?

I’m new to Aftcra, and I came for two main reasons:

1) I was looking for an online community serving American Makers, and

2) I wanted to find a platform where my work could stand out as unique, and not just one in a million.

I was very impressed with the ease of setting up my shop, and overall the user interface feels welcoming and intuitive. I’m excited for the opportunities within this community!

Little Meadow Studio - Market Totes, Harvest Baskets, Project Baskets, Handmade Gift Ideas Mothers Day Gifts 2016 Made in the USA 21

 

Get regular updates from Genevieve and Little Meadow Studio! Connect with their social profiles here:

Facebook: Little Meadow Studio

Instagram: @littlemeadowstudio

 

Want to get featured on aftcra’s homepage! Interested in becoming aftcra’s Featured Store of the month? Send an email to [email protected] and we will send you the requirements. All requests will be considered to become the next aftcra Featured Store.

Have you checked out aftcra yet?  Discover handmade goods from American artisans at aftcra.

 

Meet the aftcra Maker- Little Meadow Studio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Q&A with Tami of Rough Gem – Handmade Victorian Jewelry

aftcra Featured Artisan Blog Cover - Rough Gem - neovictorian jewelry - druzy pyrite earrings - agate geode necklaces

We want to introduce you to an incredibly talented and funky jewelry designer – Tami from Rough Gem. With a variety of jewelry designs (handmade victorian jewelry and vintage and natural styles) ranging from beautiful agate geode necklaces for the more natural lady to sweet tiny bird earrings, there’s something for everyone!

With the holidays on our heels, this is the time to load up on handmade victorian jewelry – or more of a natural style – for Christmas gifts or for your holiday outfits. Rough Gem offers such a fabulous array of jewelry that you’ll totally find something perfect for the occasion. And to learn more about the person behind Rough Gem, read Tami’s interview below.

Facebook - Rough Gem - Handmade Victorian Jewelry and Agate Geode Necklaces on aftcra American made jewelry

1. Tell us about yourself and your company, Rough Gem

I am Tamera Gagne, my shop on aftcra is Rough Gem, and I have been a jewelry maker for 11 years. I usually create my work from home. I have a studio space in my house, but I’ll work anywhere: outside on nice days, as a passenger on a road trip, etc.

My background is in art and Art Education. I got started in jewelry making when I decided I would rather design my own jewelry than buy it. I tend to think that way with a lot of things, its just part of my creative, practical, and frugal nature.

 

2. How did you come up with the name, Rough Gem?

I have been a maker of many things in many venues under many different names (I sew, make ceramic work, I sell vintage, I make jewelry, etc.) I needed a name that I felt unified everything at one fell swoop. Rough Gem (also The Rough Gem) was a perfect name because it just worked with everything on different levels, along with describing myself.

 

3. How do you create your work?

With my hands, small tools, and small parts. Also gems, stones, crystal, fabric, metal, and the like are helpful.

 

4. What is the inspiration for your work?

When I browse for supplies, I’m inspired mainly by what I see potential in. Colorful stones or gems, for example, can get my mind working in what I could create with them, then going through trial and error in my head will determine if there is good reason to buy it. I can’t say sunsets or “ideas” or ethereal things inspire me, just what I see with my eyes.

 

Tami of Rough Gem - Handmade Victorian Jewelry and Agate Geode Necklaces on aftcra American made jewelry

5. As a small business owner, what is one piece of advice you would share with other small business owners?

Always be kind. Even If someone criticizes your work, that’s fine. You can’t please everyone, just enjoy what you do.

 

6. What is a quote that you personally live by, or you have shared with others for inspiration?

There are two secrets to success:

1. Never tell everything you know.

Rough Gem - Handmade Victorian Jewelry and Agate Geode Necklaces on aftcra American made jewelry 012

 

7. Why did you choose to join aftcra, and what do you enjoy about the community? 

I chose to join because I saw there was a venue that valued handmade, American-made products in a time when cheap, mass produced, foreign junk reigns king. The aftcra community has been a great place filled with positive people, as far as I’ve experienced.

 

8. What does “handmade” and “handcrafted” mean to you?

To me, if something is called “handmade” I expect it to be exactly that: hand made. There is so much to value in the work made by hand – the vision, the quality, the time, the investment, the successes and the failures. All of that from one person for you to love, give, or admire.

 

Get regular updates from Tami and Rough Gem! Connect with their social profiles here:

Twitter: @CrankHeartPony

Instagram: @the_rough_gem

 

Want to get featured on aftcra’s homepage! Interested in becoming aftcra’s Featured Store of the month? Send an email to [email protected] and we will send you the requirements. All requests will be considered to become the next aftcra Featured Store.

Have you checked out aftcra yet?  Discover handmade goods from American artisans at aftcra.

 

 

 

Our Q&A with Moira of Badseed Studio

aftcra Featured Artisan Blog Cover - Badseed Studio Handmade Handcrafted industrial modern home decor made in the USA

Hailing from Milwaukee, we couldn’t help ourselves – we had to share a local artisan’s awesome artwork with you. Badseed Studio creates gorgeous modern and industrial home decor pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. With beautiful neutral colors and impressive attention to detail, these concrete handcrafted decorative items are the perfect amount of simplicity and intrigue.

You may be thinking “these will be a great gift for so-and-so”, but let’s face it … you’re totally going to end up keeping these Badseed Studio badass designs for yourself (and who’d blame you).

Badseed Studio on aftcra - handcrafted industrial modern home decor handmade and made in USA

 

1. Introduce yourself and the products that you make. 

My name is Moira McAdams and I’m the owner of Badseed Studio. I make concrete planters, home décor, and artwork.

I live and work in Milwaukee, my hometown. My studio has taken over my basement and garage, so I’m currently on the hunt for a more permanent workspace.

Badseed Studios Industrial Design Modern Handmade Handcrafted American Made 02

 

2. How did you get started in your line of work? 

I graduated from UW-Madison this spring. I studied landscape architecture which has bits of horticulture and botany, art and design, history, urban planning, environmental science…I loved it all! My broad interests were a good match for the city of Madison and I was able to find a variety of odd jobs and internships that included shopping for restaurants at the farmers market, botanical garden plant maintenance, farming, and beekeeping. I’m currently enjoying greenhouse work back in Milwaukee.

 

3. How long have you been doing your artwork?

I bought my first bag of cement in the spring of 2014, while I was still in school and about a year before I opened my shop. My first project was actually a tabletop for a woodworking class.

 

4. How did you come up with the name Badseed Studio?

My original business inspiration came from a frustrating search for garden decorations that weren’t angel themed or kitschy memorabilia. The idea was to create more modern outdoor décor, so I wanted an edgier name that also reflected the garden inspiration.

Badseed Studios Industrial Design Modern Handmade Handcrafted American Made 01

 

5. How do you create your work?

There’s not a lot of precedent in decorative concrete so it’s been a very experimental process. It’s definitely been a learning experience with lots of trial and error, and I’m finding new and better ways to do things all the time.

 

6. What is the inspiration for your work?

Concrete as a medium is rough and weighty, lending itself to urban influences and bulky geometry. These industrial elements are influential to me, but I’m especially inspired by the challenge of creating something delicate and beautiful that contradicts the traditional aesthetic.

 

7. What’s next for Badseed Studio?

Holiday items, and doing my first craft fairs!

 

8. As a small business owner, what is one piece of advice you would share with other small business owners?

Connect personally with your customers or potential customers. Making an impression strengthens your brand and is what sets your business apart from big box competitors.

 

9. What is a quote that you personally live by, or you have shared with others for inspiration?

‘Life serves the risk taker’

 

Badseed Studio - -Life serves the risk taker.-

 

10. Why did you choose to join aftcra, and what do you enjoy about the community?

aftcra offers a more intimate community than other platforms, and is a great way to connect with other shops as well as buyers who are truly interested in handmade American arts and crafts.

 

11. What does “handmade” and “handcrafted” mean to you?

To me, handcrafted means creating a more meaningful transaction between maker and buyer. It’s a privilege of owning a small business to be able to make a personal connection through a handmade item, and its part of what makes what I do so much fun.

 

Get regular updates from Moira and Badseed Studio! Connect with their social profiles here:

Facebook: Badseed Studio

Instagram: Badseed Studio

 

Want to get featured on aftcra’s homepage! Interested in becoming aftcra’s Featured Store of the month? Send an email to [email protected] and we will send you the requirements. All requests will be considered to become the next aftcra Featured Store.

Have you checked out aftcra yet?  Discover handmade goods from American artisans at aftcra.

 

handcrafted industrial and modern home decor by Badseed Studio on aftcra made in USA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Q&A with Natalie of Natalie V Mason

Natalie V Mason Interview on aftcra - Handmade Handcrafted tote bags - ombre pillow throws - hand dyed table runners

With a line of impeccable handmade pillows in a variety of textures and colors, incredibly handcrafted leather and fabric tote bags, and gorgeous home decor pieces we wanted to introduce you to Natalie of Natalie V Mason, aftcra’s featured artisan for August. We sat down with Natalie to learn more about her business, how she crafts her products, and where she derives her inspiration to keep her collection fresh, current and totally unique.

 

Natalie V Mason on aftcra - handcrafted throw pillows, table runners and tote bags American made 02

 

1. Tell us about yourself and your company, Natalie V Mason

Hi! My name is Natalie Gshwandtner and my business is Natalie V Mason. I make a variety of home goods and accessories from fabrics that I hand dye, screen print, or digitally print with my own designs. For those that prefer to DIY, I offer my digital designs by the yard on my website: http://www.natalievmason.com.

I’ve been in business for about three years now, though I’ve dabbled in the arts since I was a child. My Dad is a talented artist and always exposed me to a variety of mediums.

 

2. Share with us a little more about your work space.

My studio space is located within The Workhouse, an artist collective in beautiful Bend, Oregon. Our brick warehouse is part of the Old Ironworks Arts District and we share the property with an amazing bakery, a clay and ceramic studio, a jeweler, and another artist collective. My colleagues in The Workhouse include a clothing designer, woodblock printer, jewelry designer, lampworker, an encaustic artist, a gal who paints with beer and coffee, and a fine artist. You can learn more about The Workhouse here: http://www.theworkhousebend.com/

 

3. How did you get started in your line of work?

My recent foray into fabrics and the arts stemmed from a need for new curtains and an inherited sewing machine. I’ve always been a bit of DIY’er, and a big time penny pincher, so when my husband and I found ourselves needing a bunch of new drapes, I couldn’t bear to buy them. I had so much fun making the curtains and shopping for fabrics, that I started making more things. I quickly determined that this was an expensive hobby, so I’d better start making money at it. From there I learned how to dye and print fabrics, and how to design repeats using my own watercolors and block prints.

 

Natalie V Mason on aftcra - handcrafted throw pillows, table runners and tote bags American made

4. How did you come up with the name of your shop – Natalie V Mason?

I wanted a business name that would grow with me, wherever I went and for whatever I decided to do.  I’ve been on a creative bender for the past three years, and my business is constantly evolving. So I just went with my own name. I decided to use my maiden name because “Gshwandtner” is a mouthful.

 

5. How do you create your work?

My designs often start out as block prints or watercolors. I then print them onto fabric (by hand or digitally) and assemble them into home goods and accessories. We are always bouncing ideas off of one another here at The Workhouse, and some of my products have started out as suggestions from my colleagues.

 

6. What is the inspiration for your work and Natalie V Mason?

I am a beach baby at heart! My favorite coastal areas often lend inspiration: eclectic Key West, laid back San Diego, the rugged Oregon Coast. My mother in law is an incredible gardener, so whenever we visit I like to wander around her garden and take pictures of the peonies, lavender, bees and frogs.

 

7. What is your next new exciting project?

I am always working on new fabric designs! My latest designs feature falling leaves in a variety of bright colors. Look for new tote bags and pouches in September!

 

8. As a small business owner, what is one piece of advice you would share with other small business owners?

“You” are not your target market. I am a bargain shopper and when I started, I really struggled with the fact that my prices are much higher than places like World Market and Target. I’ve accepted that I simply can not price-compete with mass-produced goods. There are plenty of buyers out there who value handmade and one of a kind goods. The trick is to find them!

 

Natalie V Mason on aftcra - handcrafted throw pillows, table runners and tote bags American made 01

9. What is a quote that you personally live by, or you have shared with others for inspiration?

“I believe that the craftsman, the artist, the cook, the silversmith are peacemakers. They instill grace; they lull the world to calm.” This little quote popped up while I was reading “House of Stone” by Anthony Shadid. I read it during a time that I was feeling very discouraged, and it really helped pick me up and make me feel less “silly” about trying to make it as an artist. On a less philosophical note, I love to tell people that “pain is weakness leaving the body.”

 

10. What does “handmade” and “handcrafted” mean to you?

It’s such a subjective term! I feel like some sweat and tears, pride, care and passion, need to be involved to make an item handmade. When I buy a mug from the ceramic studio next door, I know for a fact that Chad sweat on it when he pulled it out of the kiln. When I buy a ring from Marianne, who works next to me at The Workhouse, I know that she cursed when she burned her finger while soldering. When I attach the leather straps to my tote bags, I saw each rivet from a large brass tube and use a hammer and anvil to shape and flatten them until they are just right. Sometimes I smash my finger and sometimes it takes a few tries and some foul language. Such is the nature of making things by hand. Even when we get things down to a process, there is always that margin of error that makes each piece unique and more desirable.

My digital fabrics sold by the yard? Those aren’t handmade, even though I designed them. My tote bags and pouches made with my digital fabrics? Definitely made by hand with pride.

 

11. Why did you choose to join aftcra, and what do you enjoy about the community?

I’ll be blunt: I initially joined aftcra because it is not saturated with mass-produced goods. Since then I have found that aftcra really does attract the kinds of buyers who appreciate my products and who aren’t afraid of my price points. And, though I have much love and respect for my fellow artisans around the world, it is nice to be a part of a community that supports American-made goods.

 

Get regular updates from Natalie V Mason! Connect with her social profiles here:

instagram: natalievmason

twitter: natalievmason

pinterest: natalievmason

 

Want to get featured on aftcra’s homepage!  Interested in becoming aftcra’s Featured Store of the month? Send an email to [email protected] and we will send you the requirements. All requests will be considered to become the next aftcra Featured Store.

Have you checked out aftcra yet?  Discover handmade goods from American artisans at aftcra.

 

Natalie V Mason on aftcra - handcrafted throw pillows, table runners and tote bags American made 03