Indie Artist Spotlight: Sarah Walsh of Petit Reve

October 28, 2014September 27, 2017 ~ jama ~ 18 Comments

Today I’m pleased to welcome Kansas City-based artist, illustrator, and hand letterer Sarah Walsh to Alphabet Soup!

Pictured above is a collage she created this past summer called “Aqua Daydreams.” I loved it the moment I saw it — mermaids, jellyfish, the different shapes, lines, colors, and overall composition of the piece with its touches of whimsy and playfulness. It feels childlike and sophisticated at the same time, definitely invites a closer look, and much like the rest of her work, elicits unabashed joy and happiness.

A graphic design major, Sarah worked at Hallmark for 12 years, has also illustrated for other card lines, helped Crayola create a character-based tween girl brand (Pop Art Pixies), and has designed typefaces and surface patterns (client list includes Usborne, Peaceable Kingdom, Land of Nod, Perseus, Red Rooster Fabrics). She and her artist husband Colin (love that name!) share a basement studio in their home and sell prints and other goodies via their Etsy shop Petit Reve.

*Artists and illustrators Colin and Sarah Walsh of Petit Reve*

Most recently, Sarah published three awesome coloring books for Rockport’s Just Add Color Series: Day of the Dead, Carnival, and Circus. (Have you read the recent HuffPo article about how coloring books help adults combat stress? I think we should all order Sarah’s coloring books ASAP! ):)

I know you’ll enjoy learning more about Sarah and feasting your eyes on her charmingly quirky, fun and vibrant creations. She counts among her major influences 50’s and 60’s illustration, family, friends and love in general. It’s so easy to see the ♥ in her work. 🙂

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creativiTEA: cecelia levy’s exquisite paper art

March 18, 2014September 29, 2017 ~ jama ~ 24 Comments

Today’s spot of creativiTEA is brought to you by Swedish paper artist Cecelia Levy, who creates stunning three dimensional pieces with old book pages and glue, using a papier maché technique. Of her work, she says:

The choice of material is no coincidence. As a graphic designer and bookbinder, I have a strong interest in paper, typography, small details. Text and symbols are sometimes used as decoration, deliberately or randomly. The tactile experience is determined by the quality of the paper. I cherish the traces of the previous owners; dedications, notes, stains, and also the signs of time passing – discolorations, scratches, rust stains and holes after binding.

In my work I explore concepts such as time, memory, transience, traces, resistance and adaptability. Recycling and environmental aspects are important factors, but not the main purpose of my creations.

Isn’t it wonderful how she’s illuminating the personal histories of these old books by assigning them a new form? I like to think of her delicate and seemingly fragile paper cups and saucers as vessels for dreams.

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what are those indie artists up to now?

November 13, 2013November 12, 2013 ~ jama ~ 12 Comments

pilgrims — Pilgrim Dolls (John and Priscilla Alden) by Uneek Doll Designs

Of course I’m referring to the nine perky, uncommonly good-looking, crazy-talented women who’ve visited Alphabet Soup this past year to share their wares in our Indie Artist Spotlight series.

If, like me, you’ve already shifted into holiday gift-buying mode, you’re probably hungry for some good ideas. Supporting independent artists is always a win-win — your lucky friends and relatives receive unique heartmade-handmade gifts, and you’re helping to ensure that these ingenious, inventive people can continue to make the world a more beautiful place with their delightful creations.

Just to refresh your memory, I’m linking to all the Spotlight interviews and sharing two new items from each of their Etsy shops. Click on any image to be taken directly to the listing. Be quick about it, especially if you want to place a custom order. Enjoy!

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Indie Artist Spotlight: Bossy’s Feltworks

February 5, 2013February 4, 2013 ~ jama ~ 46 Comments

bossysfeltworks_1 (2) — The Bossies: Kari Van Gelder, Mandy Troxel, and Amy Lum

Today I’m pleased and excited to welcome three very bossy artists to help launch my new Indie Artist Spotlight series!

Three is a good number, I think — three times the talent, beauty, spunk, ingenuity, and brilliance. Three times the luck, three times the inspiration for us all, and yes, three times the bossy craftiness. 🙂

Kari, Mandy, and Amy work together as a needle felting cooperative called Bossy’s Feltworks on Orcas Island, a 57-square mile creative Eden north of Seattle in Washington state.

bossysfeltworks_18 (2) — Valentine’s Pin Cushion featuring Suffolk lambs

If, like me, you love and appreciate the handmade and heartmade — you’ll enjoy hearing from this enterprising threesome who, back in 2006, took piles of fleece sheared from the sheep on Amy’s farm, gathered around the kitchen table with their five young daughters underfoot, and began fashioning colorful balls and adorable little white sheep.

bossysfeltworks_11 (2) — Basket of felted balls at the Orcas Island Farmer’s Market.

bossysfeltworks_3 (2) — Tools of the Trade: hands, wool, needles

In no time at all, they set off on regular flights of fancy, fueled by endless cups of tea and snacks (!), a shared love of children’s books, inspiration from a menagerie of pets and farm animals, and steadily built an enthusiastic customer base via Etsy and a local farmer’s market. Their felted critters are irresistible — not only well made, but infused with the good feelings of friendship, family, and the joy of maximizing what each is uniquely qualified to bring to the table. Thanks so much for visiting today, Bossy Ladies!

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