I have been appetent the work of Sarah from Crafty Folk for months, and I was so thrilled to be able to interview her recently virtually her work. I could literally gush for hours about how astonishing she is, but I think y'all volition come up to that decision on your own after you read the interview….

craftyfolk

-I am super jealous that you alive in Portland, Oregon. What is information technology like there? What do you love and hate about it?

Portland is a fantastic creative city to alive in. The overall speed and vibe of the city is a fleck slower and patient than other major cities, I like that. I felt at dwelling house the beginning time I visited, I moved hither with simply visiting the one time. Lots of green trees, rain, coffee shops, beer breweries, art galleries, boutiques, book stores, bicycles, nifty bands. The only affair that I hate is it'southward far away from whatsoever of my family.

-Tell me nearly your new spring brooch collection .

This is a v piece collection of little autobiographical creatures. Each 1 is i of a kind, illustrated with pencil and painted on ceramic, so sealed. I love creating these little storybook characters that are a piece of habiliment fine art. I get through phases with sure colors, animals, houses, where that's all I draw for a few weeks. Right now I'm crazy for mustard xanthous in my fine art and orangish in my firm. I spend a lot of time mixing that perfect mustard yellow paint.

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-Yous also have a pocket-sized piece of work affordable art series, which I love. What part does art play in your other projects?

Thank y'all, offer original art for affordable prices is fun for me. A projection that I can sit down, go out my paints, put on a moving-picture show and create a few pieces in an afternoon that other people tin can hang on their walls is both spontaneous and satisfying. As for music I've always written with a visual in listen, whether it's a painting, drawing or moving picture. I have a reproduction of The Approach of Winter by Robert Forest hanging in my house, it was my muse for a vocal of the same name which volition be on the adjacent tape. I did drop out of college to pursue music, I majored in art, so things take come total circumvolve and I've constitute a skillful balance in my inventiveness. My vision is to have numerous products and useful household items that I've designed and illustrated and be putting out records, a total decorated artistic life.

-Every bit y'all just mentioned, i n addition to your craftyFOLK line, you are also in a ring, The Boxing of Land and Sea. I am guessing you are the singer and guitar player from visiting the website. And if that is the example, you lot have an absolutely beautiful voice. How practise you juggle a band, your art, and a part-time job? Any tips for staying organized and keeping it all together?


Why thank you, yes I'grand the singer and guitar player. Juggling all 3 is something that I'm always trying to improve on, the part-fourth dimension job is quite new, just I notice that I value my creative time much more than when in that location are boundaries and schedules involved. With the band, it's either very full on with recording or touring, then a huge chunk of time off, and then that's been great for my fine art. I accept a arts and crafts fair coming up in June, where I'll be selling my craftyFOLK wares and playing music, the organizer is a fan of the band and saw that I sell on Etsy, and so she invited me to do both. I'd like to incorporate both more than oft. Equally for staying organized, I've tried a few different computer programs, what I'thou using at present is called Things. Information technology's quite interactive and is helpful for even a casual user, which I like. I take peaks and valleys of beingness totally overwhelmed or feeling on top of things, I try to focus my ideas into tangible steps to realize them, which tin be frustrating when fourth dimension or funds are limited. The more I simplify things, the amend I feel.

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-How practice you promote your work? Any communication for newbies?

I have a web log where I show what's new with my piece of work and myself. I sell on Etsy– since mine are one of a kind items this is my simply online shop. I'll exist adding some fun new items in the next few months that volition let me to quantify my drove a bit and expand into other online venues and brick and mortar stores with more ease.

I have a Flickr and Twitter. My advice for newbies: Consistency and persistence, it'll pay off, perhaps not in a ton of sales right abroad but your work will benefit tremendously. I try non to get caught up in measuring my work success past how many sales I'g making, which is hard non to do I acknowledge. Brainstorming and making goal lists is helpful, especially to look back and see your progress over the months.


Put yourself out at that place, follow blogs for inspiration, make cracking looking business cards and leave a trail, simply continue working. I think with persistence, adept things come.

-Your music and art are inspiring. Can you lot name a few artists, musicians, maker/designers that are inspiring y'all at the moment?

Grandma Moses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandma_Moses
Shinzi Katoh http://world wide web.shinzikatoh.com/english/
Jacob Gilt http://www.jacobgolden.com – My hubby, the hardest working and about talented person I know.