WHERE ARE YOU: Phoenix, AZ

COMPANY NAME: Crafty Chica

WEBSITE: http://www.CraftyChica.com

BLOG: http://www.thecraftychica.blogspot.com

CRAFT TOOL YOU CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT: Tool…hmmm…OK, my pinking shears

Every crafter would LOVE to get their own product line how did this turn of events happen for the Crafty Chica. Besides the fact that you are an amazing crafter, one of the sweetest people I have ever known, a host on LifetimeTV.com – how did you get teamed up with Duncan and how was the concept for a Crafty Chica product line born?

I had been chugging along with my websites for years, I love making stuff. One site is ChicanoPopArt.com, and that is art I make and sell, but the other, CraftyChica.com, is all about motivating others to get crafty. There is a strong multi-culti and edgy vibe to it because I’m Mexican-American, I love Bollywood movies, reggae music, the Caribbean, and yet my favorite city in the whole world is London. So all of those flavors are added in everythign I do. I didn’t get paid for it, so I felt free to just have fun. I built a strong following and had no idea that the crafty industry folks were tuning in.

I went to the CHA show a few times to report for my day job as a newspaper craft columnist and met different people in the industry. I kinda knew something might happen because each year I went, different manufacturers would come up to me and ask me about trying their product and if I’d ever consider doing a line. But it was Duncan Enterprises that actually flew me to their head offices, met with me and talked about the idea. A year later they put together a job offer for me to join them create the line! i left my newspaper job, which I loved, to become a senior product designer. I love this job even more!!!

I have seen the product line in person at CHA and was blown away by the breath of the product line and range of the products. There is something for jewelry designers, collage artists, painters and more. Let everyone know what they can expect to find with the Crafty Chica line.

I based it all on crafters like me. I call them “cross-crafters”. We don’t just stick to one genre, we mix and match. So within the display is a bit of everything, kind of like a one-stop-crafty shop. There are 41 items in the line. THHere are the basics like paints in all my faovrite colors that can be mixed and matched together, hologrpahic glitter with shades that I custome mixed myself, a Day of the Dead flocked iron-on, a Sacred Heart iron-on, screen print totes that can be painted or embroidered, and Workshops In A Box – these are kits based on workshops I teach all over the country.

And most everything has a story – the patches for example – the Chihuahua is drawn in the likeness of our dog, Ozzy. The cupcake is a homage to my parents and the time we had a wild, funny, cupcake fight at the dinner table when I was in second grade!

Where can we find the Crafty Chica line? Can I walk into my local Michaels on August 1st and demand some Crafty Chica glitter?

It is supposed to be August 1st, but some stores are still stocking! I know because my crafty spies are informing me! But you can also buy online, just visit my site and there are links that will take you there!

What is your favorite item from the Crafty Chica line? If you had to guess what do you think will sell out first and be the most popular item from the line?

I love the empowerment type of pieces – like the Empowerment Guardian statues. You decorate them for wherever you need a muse to watch over and inspire you. I also love the Love Shrine kit so people can be reminded of what makes them happy. I think the Crafty Chica mojito papers will sell out fast. These are papers that my husband (with the help of the Duncan designers). You get 10 sheets in a pack and they are so vibrant, you can cut them up or use them to line a table – all kinds of things!

Oh! I also love the Crafty Chica Loteria game. It is our version of the traditional Mexican bingo game.

We all know the Crafty Chica line is going to be a smashing success and sell out immediately. That being the case what do you have cooking in the back of your mind as far as products for the second round of Crafty Chica. You are probably the most prolific crafter I know so you could come out with new fun products every year!

I hope you are right!!! The next batch will definately be better, because now I know the process of how it works! I have gobs of new ideas, which I’ve already started to sketch! i would love to branch out into fabric crafts, food crafts, more home accessories.

Visit our sister site Craftbits.com for your chance to win a Craft Chica Hamper

WHERE ARE YOU: Dallas, TX

COMPANY NAME: One Good Bumblebee

WEBSITE: onegoodbumblebee.com

BLOG: onegoodbumblebee.com/blog

CRAFT TOOL YOU CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT: So many things! But I’d say my most precious tool is my Rotatrim paper trimmer.

FINISH THE SENTENCE: When I am not running One Good Bumblebee I am making art for the fun of it.

I saw from your adorable childhood pictures that you have a life long love of all things crafty. When and why did you decide to take this passion to the next level and start selling your goodies?

Although art has always been in my blood, I never really aspired to have a career in art. I always wanted to be a teacher. But while working towards my degree in education, I realized that teaching really wasn’t for me. So then I fell in love with creative writing and poetry and somewhere between sending off applications to writing schools and receiving the acceptances, I switched gears yet again and returned to visual art, which I’m pretty sure is what I’ve really loved all along. I feel at home when I’m making things with my hands. I just knew I couldn’t do anything else with my life. Selling the things I design and create just came naturally to me. My father is a professional photographer so I knew it was possible to make a living selling art.

You have so many fun things on One Good Bumblebee, but the art department is where we can find Ms. Katey Nicosia. What is your medium of choice?

I am very drawn to the idea of cutting up unrelated pieces of paper or images and gluing them together to make something new. I am a collage artist at heart. I literally have urges to cut and glue. I’m a paper addict. And the older the paper or the more history a piece of paper has, the more I love it. I like to work with things that have a mystery about them, like most old papers and ephemera do.

I see that you are an avid blogger. Does the One Good Bumblebee blog have a certain theme or is just whatever floats your boat that day from ice skaters of the 70’s to artists obsessed with detail in their work? What came first your e-commerce website or the blog?

Sometimes I wish I had a very specific blog on one tiny topic but it’s almost impossible for me to do that. I love so many different things and I have so many interests, so my blog can be a bit random, but in the end it’s really just a perfect representation of me and the things I love. I try not to censor myself or be “professional” but to just be me and say whatever I feel like saying. I’m a believer in going with your gut and being as true to yourself as you can, and I think that’s why my blog is so full of different types of posts and ideas. It grows and changes as I grow and change. My blog came before One Good Bumblebee. The One Good Bumblebee blog is not a business blog. I try to remember that it came first and it’s about me, not necessarily about the store One Good Bumblebee. It’s a way of showing the real person behind the business.

According to your website these are you top sellers:

Pile of Paper

Mini Piles of Paper

Kill Time Workbook

Dog Pencil Sharpener

Jar of Whimsies

Could you pretty please tell us a couple of sentences about each and perhaps your theory on why they are your best sellers.

Pile of Paper: I love paper and I’m so excited to know that other people like it as much as I do. The piles of paper are literally piles of old papers and ephemera that I assemble together in special little ways. I try to make each pile look like a piece of art, or to at least be visually overwhelming, and in turn inspire someone to make something from the papers and pieces inside. These are probably a best seller because It’s pretty obvious I love making them. I think my passion shows through and people appreciate that.

Mini Pile of Paper: These are smaller versions of the original Piles of Paper. They are just as fun but more affordable and quick. I like the idea of a customer being able to buy themselves a little something that makes them happy just for the fun of it. The Mini Pile of Paper, I think, serves that purpose. They’re a surprise because you never know what you’re gonna get, and there’s so much fun in that, I think.

Kill Time Workbook: I also sell other people’s products and it’s always a gamble! You never know what people will like, what will sell well, what won’t, but I love the Kill Time Workbook. It’s for people who like to draw and mindlessly doodle. A lot of my customers are creative and this fits them perfectly.

Dog Pencil Sharpener: I think these are a best seller because they’re adorable, functional, and affordable. It goes back to the idea of getting something small and fun in the mail even if you don’t have lots of money to spend. And who doesn’t need a pencil sharpener?

Jar of Whimsies: These are jars filled with vintage whatnots. Each one is different. I like the idea of selling a surprise and thats exactly what these are. You don’t know what you’re gonna get but you know its gonna be good. That’s thrilling and fun!

What is the crafty scene like in Big D? I am from North Texas (McKinney) and between One Good Bumblebee, The Dallas Craft Mafia and The Make Studio it seems like things have really gotten crafty since I left.

I wish I knew! I’m so busy working that I hardly ever have time to get out of the house and find out what’s going on. I’m working on that.

NAME: Chelise Stroud Hery

COMPANY NAME: ZNE

WEBSITE: www.ZNEart.com

BLOG: http://Chelise.Typepad.com

CRAFT TOOL YOU CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT: My imagination.

FINISH THE SENTENCE: When I am not producing the ZNE ConvenZioNE, I am… spending time with my family or playing with glitter and glue.

Tell me the basics of the ZNE ConvenZioNE. What does ZNE ConvenZioNE stand for? How long has the show been around? Do you take crafty classes? Is there an Indie craft bazaar?

ZNE is an acronym for our original group name – variaZioNE – which means “variation” in Italian. Most people know our group as ZNE though, not variaZioNE. Along those same lines, Convenzione means “Convention” in Italian. So, the ZNE ConvenZioNE is the ZNE Convention. (www.ZNEcon.com)

ZNE as a group has been around for close to 4 years. We are an online art group and our membership is worldwide, with close to 2,000 members. Our group has a strong focus on mixed media artwork, however you will see every form of art and craft represented by our membership.

This year, from August 22, 2008 – August 24 2008, we are debuting the ConvenZioNE event, so this will be the very first large scale convention that we are having. This first year event includes three days of activities, and includes 17 different workshops to choose from – being offered by 14 different instructors. Our instructors are joining us from all over the country and our workshops vary from different mixed media artwork classes, to jewelry design, assemblage arts, and a papier clay doll making class.

And we do have an incredible vendor fair planned for August 24 – our Art, Paperie and Pleasantries event. We’ll have dozens of artisans who have been hand selected for the quality and creativity of their offerings.

What else can some attending ZNE ConvenZioNE expect to find this year? Who are some of the instructors and speakers?

This year’s event is going to be really amazing. On our opening day, the boutiques and galleries located in the historic downtown area of Pleasanton are providing our registrants with gift certificates, special receptions, and special discounts. Our local bookstore is hosting a book signing and an lovely private gallery will be presenting a ZNE Member art show. We call this downtown boutique and gallery walk our Bella Galleria portion of the event.

After Bella Galleria, we will meet for a formal program that includes some wonderful live musical performances, and a screening of the film 1,000 Journals.

This “ConvenZioNE Show” portion of the event will also include Michele Beschen of HGTV/DIY Channels’ B Original show, as the MC for the night.

Then, on Saturday morning, we’ll all gather again for a breakfast and keynote speech by Susan Kennedy – the artist known to many as SARK.

After breakfast, we have our workshops. Just a few of our instructors this year include Bernie Berlin, DJ Pettitt, Pam Garrison, Barbe Saint John, Lisa Kaus, and Sally Jean Alexander. We’ve compiled a really stellar roster.

You guys are already planning ZNE 2009 which will be held April 29 – May 3. I am so excited to come out and be a part of the Partito Di Mezzi Media Round Table. Tell the readers what this is all about.

Yeah, sometimes I don’t know whether I am coming or going – working on two different events taking place in two different years – both at the same time!

ZNE ConvenZioNE 2009 will be even larger and longer than our inaugural event. We’ll have five days of activities and workshops and have already contracted with over 30 instructors! We have a lot of really exciting programmatic stuff in the works, but one event we are really excited about will be our Partito Di Mezzi Media Round Table. We are assembling a round table of print, publishing, television and radio media industry leaders – whose focus is in the arts and craft arena. We will have a moderated discussion with these industry insiders to find out best practices and suggestions for getting your product, book proposal, or interview potential into the right hands at the right time. As of today, we have Michele Beschen participating, Cathie and Steve Filian from HGTV’s Creative Juice, and of course – we have you as our artist representive – since you have experience in all these different arenas. We are beginning to add some reps from the publishing field now too. It’s going to be a really amazing experience and opportunity for everyone present.

Variazione is a group for mixed media, collage and altered art artists. How does one join and how would it benefit an artist to join?

ZNE did start out as a group for mixed media and collage artists, but our membership has grown to include artists from all genres. One of the wonderful things about our group is the supportive and welcoming atmosphere. Our membership is incredibly diverse on all levels. Not just in terms of primary art form, but also in any particular genre’s level of expertise. What they have in common is a desire to encourage one another in our artistic endeavors, and share resources whenever possible.

We are always happy to welcome new members – any interested person can join at our main website – www.ZNEart.com. Member benefits include access to our social network, ongoing member discounts and freebies, promotional activities and opportunities, and much more.

So there is more to Chelise Stroud Hery besides being the mastermind behind ZNE. What else can people find you doing?

I love spending time with my family. My kids, RJ and Abigail, are the lights of my life. As far as I am concerned – a good day with the kids at the local park beats a week in Tahiti without them, any day.

We’ve also got a mini zoo in house. Two dogs, two cats (all rescue), a rat, and several hermit crabs. I am an animal lover and really enjoy having four footed (and clawed?) creatures underfoot!

I take it you are either Italian or have a deep and profound love of the country. There were times on your blog I thought I might have to reference Babble Fish for translations. Tell me about your love of the boot. Does that play a role in your art at all.

I have a great grandparent who was Italian – but we never spoke Italian at home or anything. I do have a deep respect for the culture and people of Italy. Interestingly, I am more traditionally Italian looking with really olive skin, dark hair and dark eyes – than most of my relatives.

Several years ago I visited Italy for the first time, and I remember walking on the streets of Milan and looking at the women walking up and down the street and realizing that most of them looked like they could be my sibling, or mother, or aunt. The United States is such a melting pot. Occasionally you may meet someone who looks a little like you or shares your coloring –but this was a whole different thing. All of the women walking down the street shared a striking resemblance to me in terms of complexion and bone structure. It was eerie and really amazing at the same time.

I guess that experience stuck with me, and when I started the group ZNE – I wanted a unique name that seemed fitting for artists who worked with found objects and changed them – so the Italian word for “variation” seemed like a perfect fit for us – hence Variazione.

I know you are a big fan of mixed media artists, who are a few of your favorites?

I’m not big on favorites. I couldn’t pick a favorite color or food or even song – if you begged me to.

I am star struck and humbled by the talent of the entirety ZNE Membership pool. You can see a number of the pieces that I love on and around the ZNEart.com website. I like to change out the artwork on the pages every now and again. When I go into the ZNE Galleries to find new art to feature, I am always blown away by incredible work that our members are uploading.

Speaking of art, how do you feel about the Orphan Works Act being proposed? How do you think it will effect mixed media and for that matter all artists?

The Orphan Works Act is a huge cause for concern for all artists – it doesn’t matter what genre. I think it is really important that people educate themselves on the ramifications of the legislation – a good link to learn more is:
http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/issues/bills/?billid=1132023

I saw the pictures of your house on your blog, um ya the Blythe candy machine is pretty amazing. Have you seen all the crafting for Blythe dolls going on these days? Art School Dropout is making jewelry for the dolls and tons of Etsy vendors and whipping up wee little dresses for them. Do you do any Blythe crafting?

Would you believe I found that candy machine on a street corner in my town, with a FREE sign taped to it! Talk about the “Found Object” of a lifetime!
As for Blythe, I definitely love that doll. All my life I have loved dolls. I also collect kewpie dolls and all kinds of vintage dolls. I love miniatures too – for dollhouses. I don’t really make clothes for the dolls – unless I am creating an altered doll of some kind. More often, my crafty side in conjunction with the dolls comes out when I am working on their dollhouses. I love embellishing vintage doll furnishings, or using scrap book paper for wall paper. Stuff like that.

What is on the horizon for you craftily speaking?

I am excited about the ConvenZioNE events, which we are planning to hold every year – at least for a year. And ZNE, the group itself continues to grow – so I am always runnig a mile a minute trying to keep up with everything happening in the group. I have a few local gallery shows on the horizon – and those are fun too. Really, my life revolves around arts and crafts – and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

WEBSITE: http://www.funkyfinds.us

TOOL YOU CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT: Must have my computer (and internet
access) to post about all my funky finds!

FINISH THE SENTENCE: When I am not discovering funky finds I am spending time with my fiance (and webmaster) Joe and our dogs, Abby & Bradley.

The tag line for Funky Finds is that things were once funky lost and now they are funky found. What sparked your love of independent artists, crafters & designers and made you want to start blogging about them?

I was raised in a creative environment and have always enjoyed creating things. I have also enjoyed sharing my “finds” with friends & family. A couple of years ago a friend of mine said she enjoyed all the links I sent her daily & she suggested I start a website to share with the masses. I decided to start a blog because it was the easiest & most cost-efficient way I had access to at the time. That was in March of 2006 & Funky Finds has continued to grow and gain readership. In November of 2007, I began offering affordable paid advertising spots. I have received lots of wonderful feedback regarding advertisers’ response, as well as to the script we are running on Funky Ad Space (http://funkyfinds.us/funkyadspace.html). It is wonderful getting to know all the crafters, designers & artists I discover & spread the word about.

How do you find all these crafters and artists? Do you scour Etsy and blogs, do people write in with tips, you always feature such fun things inquiring minds want to know how you discover all these treasures.

I subscribe to over 300 blogs via Bloglines that are typically full of lots of links about various creative types around the world. I tend to follow link after link from various sites & discover lots of cool stuff along the way. I also encourage people to submit links to me via email which I receive quite often. In addition, I do check the Etsy homepage, as well as Flickr craft, art & design groups often.

I know that you know a lot about various crafters and love writing about them, but what about Jessica. Are you crafty or artsy?

I am a professional graphic designer & have worked at an advertising company for six years. Joe & I also have a graphics company called Right On Graphics (http://orbispages.com/rog) But, I am also crafty.
My favorite hobby is scrapbooking. It’s possible that I may be more interested in purchasing all the cool papers & supplies, but I still get SOME scrapbooking done! I also enjoy embroidery & have begun learning to sew.

You guys just launched a companion site to Funky Finds this week called Funky Town. Tell us all about it.

Funky Town (http://funkyfinds.us/funkytown) is an interactive site that allows members to post content, such as events, specials, images, comments and more. It is another tool for independent business owners to use in order to better promote their work, as well as network with their peers. In less than a week, Funky Town has had a great reception from users that have already begun posting information related to their businesses. We always welcome feedback from users if there’s something they feel should be added or modified.

As a busy crafter with blogs to write and read, tweets to Twitter, jewelry to make, pictures to upload into Flickr pools and more why should crafters add Funky Town to the list? How will funky town help a crafty business?

I have already seen that content posted on Funky Town is immediately indexed by Google & other search engines because of the script we built the site with, Drupal 6.2. This will help businesses when consumers search for various products, events & more. And it’s significant in the same way Funky Finds is in that I have a large readership that appreciates unique handmade goods & prefers to buy online versus large retail chains. My main objective is to spread the word about independent business owners who are working hard to make a living doing what they love most & all of my websites work together to achieve that.