Meet Featured Artists Jose and Brandi of Josandi Crafts

What is your business’ name? Our business name is Josandi Crafts and we are Jose and Brandi.

What sort of items do you make? We make hand-crafted items out of various metal wires and beads.  All of which are hand-made pieces including bracelets, necklaces, key-chains, and bookmarks.   Our booth at the indie market features a various array of different styles of necklaces and bracelets, most of which are chainmaille.  We also make bracelets made from glass crystals, charms, and various gemstones. 

When and how did you learn your craft? I learned how to do chainmaille and other forms of jewelry a good time back.  Since I'm self-taught, learning was as easy as watching a few Youtube videos and giving things my own kind of take.

Where do you get your inspiration from? I was actually watching Shark Week on discovery channel a while back and Mike Rowe was fixing a chainmaille shark suit.  I wondered if that style of craft would look good as a jewelry.  I did my research and realized its quite a common form of jewelry-making.

How did you get started doing this as a business? We decided to start doing this as a business when we were working on projects at our places of work and school during breaks and people would approach us with design questions and ask to purchase our items. 

Do you have any advice for other crafters/artisans just starting out? If you have fun doing what you are doing, try not to focus on the money aspect of it so much.  Just do what you do, and the money part will usually come along with it.  All of your pieces will be admired and desired by somebody somewhere, you just have to be patient and wait for that person to get a chance to see what it is you've done that suits their own personal needs.  Who knows, maybe one day your pieces will be on public figures. :)

Anything else you would like to share? A lot of the times when you hear the words 'chainmaille' and 'jewelry', your thoughts instantly go to armor, diamond rings and Pandora© bracelets.  But with Josandi Crafts, it's more than that.  Our jewelry is 100% hand-made, and our chainmaille is put together piece by piece to ensure that our product is worth being put on the shelf with a price tag.  The last thing we want is for someone to purchase an item from us, and not have it be worth their money.

Josandi Crafts will be a featured artist at the First Friday Indie Market on November 7, 2014. The market is located on the corner of MLK and Elm St in Downtown Greensboro, NC and is open from 4-9 pm.

Meet Featured Artist Marianne Donohue of Needle & Thread!

What is your business’ name? Needle & Thread and I’m Marianne Donohue!

What sort of items do you make? I make custom hand-quilted quilts and decorative/whimsical pillows.

When and how did you learn your craft? I learned to sew as a child from my Mom.  She could make anything.

Where do you get your inspiration from? I get inspiration from everything I see.

How did you get started doing this as a business? I started giving handmade items as gifts and people started to ask for custom items.  I officially started as a business about 5 years ago.

Do you have any advice for other crafters/artisans just starting out? Make sure you still enjoy your craft once you turn it into a business.  If you aren't having fun, it isn't worth your time and effort.

Anything else you would like to share? I enjoy going to festivals and craft fairs and meeting people.  I love to see the look on a person's face when they see my items and they fall in love.

Needle & Thread  will be a featured artist at the First Friday Indie Market on October 3, 2014. The market is located on the corner of MLK and Elm St in Downtown Greensboro, NC and is open from 4-9 pm.

To find out more about Needle & Thread:

www.quiltsetcetc.etsy.com

www.mariannedonohue.com

Meet Featured Artist Yarelie Josephs of Yarelie J. Designs!

What is your business’ name? Yarelie J. Designs and I am Yarelie Josephs!

What sort of items do you make? I make an assortment of fabric items such as bags, wallets, and journals. Lately I've been making things that are more technology-focused like bags and sleeves for tablets, e-readers, and other electronic devices.

When and how did you learn your craft? My grandmother taught me how to sew. One of the first things I ever made was clothes for my Barbie dolls. When it comes to the stuff I'm doing now, I'm pretty much self-taught. When I have an idea for something new, I'll make some sketches and then head into my workroom to see what I can do.

Where do you get your inspiration from? I get a lot of inspiration from seeing the kind of stuff people are walking around with. If I see a really cool messenger bag, I might think about making something similar and putting my own twist on it. I also try to stay up-to-date on popular designs and styles.

How did you get started doing this as a business? A few years ago I decided to make a bag as a birthday present for my mother-in-law. I bought a pattern and made it and it turned out really well. Then I started making other things and discovered that I had a knack for it and enjoyed it and that's led me to this point.

Do you have any advice for other crafters/artisans just starting out? Try not to get frustrated. I've made things that sold the first time I put them out, and other things that sat around for months. It's important to believe in your work. If you make a quality product, someone, somewhere will appreciate it. Also, listen to your customers. If you keep hearing the same suggestions or ideas, it's probably worthwhile to explore them. It's important to network with your fellow artists, too. You can't always rely on the Internet to find out where a really good selling opportunity is going to be.

Anything else you would like to share? I'd like to thank the organizers of First Friday for giving me a place to sell my wares. I'm pretty new at this, and I've gotten a ton of support from a lot of great and talented folks.

Yarelie J. Designs will be a featured artist at the First Friday Indie Market on October 3, 2014  The market is located on the corner of MLK and Elm St in Downtown Greensboro, NC and is open from 4-9 pm.

To find out more about Yarelie J. Designs:

http://yareliej.wordpress.com/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/yareliej

https://www.facebook.com/yarelie.josephs

Meet Featured Artist Diane Simon of Lowcountry Elements!

What is your business’ name? Lowcountry Elements and I’m Diane Simon!

What sort of items do you make?  Copper wire jewelry primarily, but I also use silver filled and silver plated wire.  I also make some jewelry from copper sheet, like cuffs, earrings and pendants, usually with etched designs.  I make all my links and jump rings by hand, and pair those with gemstones or various types of glass and ceramic beads.

When and how did you learn your craft?  I started out looking for an idea to help my daughter earn a little extra money for a trip to Greece when she was in high school.  I had seen an article on making beaded earrings, so we decided to try it.  I began with simple beading, then took a metals class at Sawtooth School for Visual Design and I was hooked!

Where do you get your inspiration from?  Both my husband and I are from the lowcountry of South Carolina – Charleston.  Much of my inspiration comes from the nature of the South Carolina lowcountry – waves, sand, shells, ocean colors, sea glass….

How did you get started doing this as a business?  I started selling beaded earrings at work about 4 years ago.  Then after I took the metals class, I began looking at jewelry at craft shows and in shops and thought – Hey, maybe I could sell some things this way!  Then I visited the Kville Indie Flea (a Saturday handmade and vintage market) when it was operating in Kernersville and decided to give it a try.  The Kville Indie Flea has morphed into Eclection, a permanent storefront - handmade and vintage shop in Kernersville and I now sell my jewelry there, and at River and Sea Gallery in Wilmington, N.C.   I also do a limited number of craft shows.  I plan to retire next year and then I hope to expand the number of shops carrying my jewelry and also plan to do a few more craft shows a year.

Do you have any advice for other crafters/artisans just starting out?  Make items that you personally like, not just things you think will be popular and sell well.  That way you really enjoy it. But don’t lose sight of the fact that it is a business, and it’s no fun if nobody buys your items.  Customer service is of the utmost importance.  Making that connection with the customer is what makes it fun for me.  I love to make custom items for my customers and have quite a few repeat customers who purchase annually.  Last year, for example, I had a customer contact me that I had not heard from recently and I created four new pieces for her from some vintage jewelry that was her mother’s.  I took one bracelet and made several bracelets and necklaces by taking the major components and adding new wire links and a few new beads. That was really a fun project!

Anything else you would like to share? I am so thankful to live in the Triad where there is such a welcoming, cooperative community of artisans.  Folks here value local and handmade, and appreciate the time and effort that goes into one-of-a-kind items.  When I make a necklace, there are so many steps – creating the links and jump rings, wiring the components, assembling the piece, cleaning, adding a patina, polishing with steel wool then sealing the patina with microcrystalline wax.  The customers in this area value and appreciate that hard work and it makes the whole process enjoyable.

Lowcountry Elements will be a featured artist at the First Friday Indie Market on September 5, 2014.  The market is located on the corner of MLK and Elm St in Downtown Greensboro, NC and is open from 4-9 pm.

To find out more about Lowcountry Elements:

Website: www.lowcountryelements.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lowcountryelements

Meet Featured Artists Dale and Kimberly Edwards of Redbird Designs for Your Nest!

What is your business’ name? Redbird Designs for Your Nest and we are Dale and Kimberly Edwards!

What sort of items do you make? Our philosophy is “Handmade Items from Our Nest to Yours.” Kimberly makes flowers from recycled materials, including common kitchen and other household items. She also makes mason jar crafts and beautiful yarn necklaces. Dale does oil paintings and other artwork on Readers Digest book covers.

When and how did you learn your craft? Kimberly, who has always been driven by creativity, taught herself to knit about 12 years ago using the book, “Stitch ‘n Bitch.” She began making soda-can flowers two years ago, and the idea for more elaborate blooms ‘grew’ from there. Dale, who is a graphic designer, took up oil painting about four years ago in the basement of their home.

Where do you get your inspiration from? Kimberly: “I’m inspired by looking outside the box. I like to take everyday and common materials and use them in a unique and creative way.” Dale: “I like to take complicated images and strip away the details, leaving simple, almost stark, graphic images. I’m inspired by wide-open spaces and utilitarian buildings.”

How did you get started doing this as a business? The business side of our arts and crafts passion began when Dale was invited to take part in Art in the Arboretum. His success from that show led to participation in other events. At first, Kimberly would join Dale at the art shows as his companion. However, it was only a matter of time before Kimberly’s talents were recognized and she was also invited to take part in shows. Now, we enjoy doing arts and crafts shows together.

Do you have any advice for other crafters/artisans just starting out? Network and build relationships with other artisans and crafters. That has helped us tremendously. Also, learn to pack your vehicle efficiently.

Anything else you would like to share? Don’t be afraid to try different venues. We’ve done church sales, farmers markets, craft shows, art exhibits and other shows, local and out of town. The more you put yourself out there, the more business you’ll attract.

Redbird Designs has a booth at Design Archives in downtown Greensboro. Dale regularly writes on his blog – daleedwardspaintsinhisbasement.blogspot.com – and is on Etsy under the name Tatestreet. You can see Dale’s artwork and Kimberly’s creations on the Redbird Designs Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Redbirddesignsforyournest

Redbird Designs for Your Nest will be a featured artist at the First Friday Indie Market on September 5, 2014.  The market is located on the corner of MLK and Elm St in Downtown Greensboro, NC and is open from 4-9 pm.

Meet Featured Artist Susan Weimer of Itty Bitty Animals!

What is your business’ name? Itty Bitty Animals (Adoption

Center) and I’m Susan Weimer!

What sort of items do you make? This is a low-tech as you can get. There is no sewing machine involved, but only a needle and a thread. With a pattern, hand-sewn sheep, calves, penguins, birds, reindeer, pigs, flamingos, rabbits, and pandas can be fashioned before your very eyes. Since they are hand sewn, each animal is distinctly different. Each animal is given a name and a fictitious history is created. The history describes where the animal was found, a little bit about its personality, and information on its likes and dislikes.

I also make Itty Bitty Friendship Hearts which can be passed on to friends and relatives or just to keep for yourself.

When and how did you learn your craft? I am a retired school teacher who was looking to develop a crafting hobby during retirement. I did a lot of sewing of garments and even darned socks! I never thought of sewing as a career choice or even as a hobby. I started out when I found a project to make a reindeer in a Better Homes and Garden Christmas book. I had a lot of trouble getting it put together correctly, but I love challenges and kept working at it until I got it right. Then I moved into making birds for the Piedmont Bird Club’s 75^th anniversary in April, 2013. I distributed them as table favors and everyone seemed to enjoy them.

Where do you get your inspiration from? I am surrounded by dogs, cats and fish. I love animals and I like to imagine what it would be like to be that animal and picture its story in my mind. Another source of inspiration is Antiques Roadshow. I want my collection to be thought of as “collectibles.” Adopt the animals now, and in 20 – 30 years, they will be worth much more. You can think of it as investment.

How did you get started doing this as a business? My first experience was a December craft fair at St. Pius X School. I literally sold out and was hooked from then on. I gradually signed up for more craft fairs which were not quite as successful but my initial success spurred me on to continue. I also took a business class sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Small Business Center.

Do you have any advice for other crafters/artisans just starting out?Network – network – network. I highly recommend looking into the Business Readiness Certification which is an educational program in collaboration with the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and Guilford Technical Community College – Small Business Center. This will provide not only the background you need to be successful in business, but it will enhance your connections with the business people around you. Check the Internet for local craft stores that will support your product and check the availability of craft fair opportunities to promote your product and get exposure.

No matter what your career is, always have some kind of hobby. It doesn’t have to be something you make with your hands; it could just be collecting things. Your hobby doesn’t necessarily need to grow into a business, but it needs to be fulfilling for you.

Itty Bitty Animals (Adoption Center) will be a featured artist at the First Friday Indie Market on September 5, 2014.  The market is located on the corner of MLK and Elm St in Downtown Greensboro, NC and is open from 4-9 pm.

Meet Featured Artist Gerald Heins of Wood Creations by Jerry!

What is your business’ name?  Wood Creations by Jerry and I’m Gerald Heins!

What sort of items do you make? Woods bowls, trinket boxes, bud vases, cutting boards, earring trees, and candle holders.

When and how did you learn your craft? I started turning bowls during the summer of 2009.  I am self-taught on the wood lathe.

Where do you get your inspiration from? After retiring from Green Bay Packaging in 2006, I needed a hobby and was always interested in wood creations.  As I start the turning process, the grain of the wood helps me decide what the outcome will be.

How did you get started doing this as a business? My wife inspired me to take my crafts to a show.  Interest was very high in my items and I decided to continue selling my product.

Do you have any advice for other crafters/artisans just starting out? Have fun and don’t give up when you get frustrated.

Anything else you would like to share? I really enjoy all the people I meet through the different shows I attend but especially at First Friday.

Wood Creations by Jerry  will be a featured artist at the First Friday Indie Market on September 5, 2014.  The market is located on the corner of MLK and Elm St in Downtown Greensboro, NC and is open from 4-9 pm.