Glam Garb Interview

As UCU is gearing up to kick off our winter show tomorrow, we want to introduce you to Gunlis of Glam Garb. Gunlis grew up in Sweden and was inspired by her mother. She uses only recycled materials for her embellishments and hand dyes vintage clothing to create her timeless designs.



UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack.
Glam Garb: Robyn, "Fembot", from the album Body Talk.

UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
GG: Wish I would have had a Facebook fan page. You are welcome to join! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glam-Garb-by-Gunlis/164571140240485

UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
GG: Lana is a Norwegian Forest cat and she adopted us 3 years ago. She was a wild one when she started to hang with us. Now she is sleeping on my pillow every night.



UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
GG: I designed a new cocktail dress for the Holidays. Also, this season I have embellished with tulle and ribbons on bloomers, slip skirts and slip dresses.

UCU: What day of show traditions are you bringing to UCU 2010?
GG: Welcome my customers with Holiday Winter greetings and share the joy I feel being part of this fabulous community of handcrafters.

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
GG: Darling!



UCU: What gift are you most excited to give this year?
GG: My first three customers will receive a Glam Garb Holiday secret gift.

UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
GG: Raspberry yogurt covered pretzels.

UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
GG: Glam Garb Bloomers to wear for warmth under my skirt and dress or as my favorite jammies

Giveaway Winners -- Round 2!!!

Congrats to round 2 winners, chosen via comment number with Random.org. Please visit us at the UCU booth to claim your prize THIS WEEKEND!

-Ladies & Gentlemen Studios Daily Affirmation Mirror: Maitreya Comment #12
-Tender Loving Empire Friends & Friends of Friends Comp, VOL. 3 : kitschfruit (Jessica) Comment #10
-Devout Dolls Chirpy Birdy Doll: Lindaci Comment #30
-Fable & Fury (stag, ravens, leaves) necklace: Jessica Comment #49
-Amanda Fiebing 3 mini garland set: Amanda Lyn Comment #4
-Belle Epoch 3 little birds necklace: Kelly Campbell Comment #31
-Victory Garden Yarn Skipjack Cowl: population one comment #8
-Liz, Blue Diamond Stamps tree stamp: Meredith comment #28
-La Ru Skull necklace: Katie comment #9
-Slow Loris Shirts custom shirt: Sarah comment #18
-Crystalyn Kae tweed Matinee in green: Callista comment #31
-Karen Thurman felt ball ornament: Koloud 'Kay' Tarapolsi Comment #8
-Ugly Baby 1 in. shower art and 12 postcards: Aubrey Comment #12
-Jill Bliss two eco journals: Bee comment #28
-Shelly Etc small journal: kjt comment #6
-Queen Bee Penelope Bag: Hutch comment #4
-Ricicli Clothing Animal print wrap/leggings: Samantha Comment #19

Karen Thurman Interview & Giveaway

Karen Thurman is a Portland based artist who works in felts. She uses the traditional wet felting process to create gorgeous scarves, sweaters and housewares. Be sure to stop by her booth to see her unique wares! Karen is offering up this wonderful felt ornament as a giveaway! Please submit a comment by Midnight tomorrow night to be entered to win!



UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
Karen Thurman: I have a dog and two cats. My dog's name is bee and she is one year old. She is the sweetest dog in the whole wide world. She is a rescue dog and we were told that she is a german shepherd and pointer mix. She has german shepherd coloring and she does point.

One of my cat's name is Esme and she is almost 21 years old and black. I have had her forever and she is amazing. My other cat is Franny. I found her in a wheel well in Oakland when she was a teeny tiny kitten. She is very nice but she has some issues.

UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
KT: I have some new felt Christmas tree ornaments. I make a felt ball and needle felt designs on them.

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
KT: Polkadotaliscious



UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
KT: Drawings from my friend, Patrick.

Crystalyn Kae Interview & Giveaway

Crystalyn Kae creates limited batches of handbags in her Seattle studio with details that are not only unique but also functional! Crystalyn is being so kind as to provide a tweed Matinee hobo bag in green as a giveaway! Be sure to comment before Midnight on Thursday to be entered to win!!



UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
Crystalyn Kae: I have an embarrassing genius mix of cheesy british pop that gets me in good mood while working in my studio. . .but I wouldn't want to subject UCU shoppers to that. But I would suggest "No one does it" by Department of Eagles. Does that give me better street cred? :)

UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
CK: My first big 'show' was as a vendor at Pike Place market. . nearly 10 years ago. The best bit of advice I was given is to not worry about extra props and booth decor. Your merchandise that should speak for itself. This advice has stuck with me, I still pack light, (especially since I don't own a car) and allows me to put my focused on helping customers shop for the perfect bag.



UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
CK: I will be introducing a collection of new medium-size tweed hobos that are truly One of a Kind - with unique freeform stitching on the outside and fun patterned pockets inside.

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
CK: fabulous



UCU: What gift are you most excited to give this year?
CK: my grandmother has carried the same leather purse for nearly 20 years, and she has commissioned me (finally!) to make her a completely custom bag. It will have exactly what she asked for, plus a little bit of extra fun that she isn't expecting. I can't wait to see her face when I give it to her.

UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
CK: walnuts from my parent's 100 year old tree in central oregon. there's always an overwhelming plethora of them available and I'm finding creative ways to use them in recipes. . .like rosemary walnut chex mix!

UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
CK: On our first Valentine's day as a couple, my husband made me a HUGE amazing 3D collage of a heart, created from bits of my fashion magazines that he'd cut up.



(Photos by Tonhya Kae)

Slow Loris Interview & Giveaway

Jessica and Arlo are the Slow Loris team. Their motto of "feeling strong and not in a hurry" is indicative of their high-quality, handmade products. Their screen printed designs are created without the use of computers. Jessica & Arlo are kindly providing one of their unique shirts as a giveaway! Be sure to comment by Midnight on Thursday to be entered to win!



UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
Slow Loris: We love anything by Dizzee Rascal, get's the printer dancing and the artist drawing!
Especially this new one of his that came out this summer, "Dance Wiv Me"

UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
SL: Probably to bring more change or make things for sale at a price that doesn't involve needing to give change. We've learned to just make tax included in our prices, and deal with all the math later:)



UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
SL: Jessica-Well I have two dogs and a pig, and Arlo also has a dog who often is in the studio. So i'll introduce all four!
Basil Rathone/Bee/OldDog~ Wise, 14 years strong and has very handsome tendencies. Can't seem to remember if he just went outside or wants to come back in..or go back out? Who knows? He sure doesn't.

Zora/theZub/Zubbles/little-little~ Resident Ewok, ankle biter&foot licker. Also an old lady, likes to just sit around and look gorgeous.

Pig-pig/MarnieBiddles/NarnieNAh- Potbelly Pig. About 8 years old, he likes to stare at us through the window and waits for me to throw him my banana peel from my desk. He's practically blind and sniffs his way around the 5 acres of property quite well. He is quite spoiled and has 3 dog houses filled with hay for him to choose to sleep in depending on the weather.

Pele/Pe-le-Le-pe/rrrreppes ~ The youngest of the pack. She talks a lot, and often. Can leap buildings in a single bound, sweetest girl you've ever met, likes to sport a bandanna around the neck (just like Arlo) and was rescued from a California desert when just a wee skinny puppy.

UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
SL: New zip-up hoodies and skirts with new designs, our belt buckles, and art! We're bringing original screen prints. Our flat file is just getting too full, so it's time to clear out some hand printed art!



UCU: What day of show traditions are you bringing to UCU 2010?
SL: Our traditions are actually after the show, we eat out at our favorite places in Ballard! We love ourselves the food at La Isla or Sushi! mmmmmm Sushi.

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
SL: Impressions

UCU: What gift are you most excited to give this year?
SL: Jessica ~ Jewelry from a Finland Etsy seller I recently stumbled upon. I bought many items for my 3 sisters. Also, for Arlo's birthday, a record player.


UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
SL: Jessica ~Hard to say, it's a tie between a painting by my great, great grandmother or the family portrait painted by my father right after i was born in the late 70's. Both equally odd and amazing.

LaRu Interview & Giveaway

Lauren of LaRu is a Seattle-based artist who started a craft group which led to making accessories from her fantastic drawings. All of her pieces are one of a kind illustrations on clay sealed with resin. Lauren is providing this super cool skull necklace as a giveaway. Leave a comment by Midnight Thursday to be entered to win!



UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
LaRu: Lately I have been addicted to the Mike Snow album.

UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
LR: Make a cheat sheet for figuring out taxes! The first few times I would bring a calculator. I taped my cheat sheet to the clipboard I use to fill out credit card slips. It's way faster and convenient!

UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
LR: I live with my two bunnies (Zim and Madison), a turtle named Tobias (after Tobias Funke), and my boyfriend's crazy cat Xuxa (pronounced Zoo-sha). All the animals like to interfere with crafting :). The bunnies will pick up whatever I am working on and toss it around. Xuxa likes to lay across anything I am working on. She also has a craving for shinny paper...anytime I leave it out she chews it up. I've lost a lot of drawings to that cat! :)



UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
LR: I've come up with a bunch of new designs: foxes, squirrels, crows, and new skeletons. I am excited to see how people respond to them.

UCU: What gift are you most excited to give this year?
LR: I'm not excited about one gift in particular, but I am excited that I will only be giving handmade gifts this year. No factory made things or department stores for me!



UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
LR: Reeses and chocolate chip cookies. I can't stop eating them!!

Amanda Fiebing Interview & Giveaway

Amanda Fiebing is a local artist who works in fibers creating ethereal mushrooms, terrariums and even colorful garlands. Make sure to stop by Amanda’s booth to wish her a successful first UCU show! Amanda is graciously giving away a set of 3 of her mini garlands! Please comment before midnight on Thursday (Dec. 2) to enter!



UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
Amanda Fiebing: Panda Bear and Bjork have been in heavy rotation in my studio. But if I were to choose one song for the UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack it would be James Brown’s Chonnie-On-Chon or Goldfrapp’s Rocket.

UCU: If this is your first show, what are you most looking forward to?
AF: This is my first Urban Craft Uprising! I’m looking forward to what is sure to be a crowd of sweet people looking for great unique gifts.



UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
AF: I’ve got two little grey Persians named Ben and LuLu. They are my studio helpers for sure.



UCU: What items are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
AF: Mini Garlands! What could be more cheerful and up-lifting than candy-colored felted garland? Bright, fanciful and just for fun. They are simple decorative pieces that add a dash of color to rooms, windows, holiday and party decorations and gift-wrapping. My garland also comes in larger sizes for larger spaces and projects. And I will be accepting a limited amount of custom orders for the holiday season.



UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
AF: Lovely

UCU: What gift are you most excited to give this year?
AF: I’ve been stalking my fellow UCU’ers online so I can use my breaks efficiently and do my Xmas shopping during the show. I am most excited about buying all handmade for friends and family.

UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
AF: Snow or no, when winter rolls around I revert to my Scandinavian roots and I head straight for pickled herring on Triscuits. Also, Turkey.

UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
AF: I made the mistake of packing “light” for a summer trip to Iceland which resulted in scouring of the Reykjavik for a sweater. I found a vintage handmade Icelandic wool sweater at the Kolaportid flea market. Its definitely one of my favorite possessions as it reminds me of the trip of a lifetime.

Fable and Fury Interview & Giveaway

Combining the romanticism of Victorian chic and curiously wayward subjects with modern techniques and materials, Fable & Fury creates unique jewelry and wearable art. Woodland creatures, peculiar portraits, and follies of nature appear in imaginative vignettes, cameos and silhouettes intricately crafted in black and satin finished stainless steel. Jennifer is kindly providing this Stag, Ravens and Leaves necklace for the giveaway. Please comment before midnight on Thursday (Dec. 2) to enter!



UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
Fable & Fury: "Possum of the Grotto" by Rasputina

UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
F&F: I wish I'd known how rewarding, fun and stress-free vending at a craft show could be. Instead, I spent a number of anxious nail-biting weeks prior to the show worrying for nothing!!

UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
F&F: Opal, my one year old blue torbie kitty, is a sweet lil' cracker. She chirps and coos like a Tribble from the old Star Trek episode. She loves to get soaked in the rain, and often in the middle of the night while I'm sleeping, she pins my face down with her front paws and kisses me to pieces. Her cuteness is quite unbearable.



UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
F&F: An ornate woodland scene neckpiece, detailed with a stag, ravens and oak leaves.

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
F&F: Askew



UCU: What gift are you most excited to give this year?
F&F: An antique humidor for my boyfriend's cigar collection.

UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
F&F: Sara Lanzillotta's siamese twin plush "Zombaby." I adore everything I have of Sara's!!

Devout Dolls Interview & Giveaway

Sara Lanzillotta of Devout Dolls handcrafts one of a kind creations that are both cute and creative, with a touch of the macabre. Sarah is offering up a Chirpy Birdie as a giveaway! Please comment before midnight on Thursday (Dec. 2) to enter!



UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
Devout Dolls: "Gut Feeling" by Devo, "Super Jellyfish" by Gorillaz, "Charlotte Mittnacht" DeVotchka, "Mishto" by Gogol Bordello

UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
DD: How much of everything to bring, this would include stock, change and bags! You just never know what to expect. My take on it now is, it's better to have too much then not enough.

UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
DD: I have Rubin Monkey Bean the Chihuahua, his other name is Grandpa. He's kind of grumpy and, for being so tiny, he has a very large personality and an even larger bark. He's very sweet and cuddly though too. I also have Momo the cat. A black and white kitty who's not so friendly but we love her anyways.



UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
DD: I'm pretty excited about my new stuff, unicorns, Chihuahuas and taxidermy pins (made of fabric, not animals).

UCU: What day of show traditions are you bringing to UCU 2010?
DD: That would be the "oh god I'm not ready freak out dance". It's all the rage among crafters right now. You start running around in circles and it involves a lot of foul language. Just the thing to get your heart pumping and ready to go!

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
DD: creepycutetastic



UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
DD: homemade vegan soups with homemade bread

UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
DD: Ooh, that's a hard one, I have so many, currently is an amazing sweater my friend Hansi knit for me.

Giveaway Winners---ROUND 1!

Congrats to all of our pre-Thanksgiving giveaway winners! Winners were chosen via comment number through Random.org. Please find us at the UCU Booth at the Winter show to find out how to claim your awesome prize!

For all those who didn't win this time around, keep commenting! We have a ton of great giveaways coming up in the next week leading up to the show!

-R&L Goods notebook set: Elena (Comment #4)
-Texture Clothing mitts: Barrie (#21)
-Matthew Porter print: Jen (#1)
-Debbie Weiss Maude bag: k a t (#8)
-Cakespy mug: Angie (#15)
-Secret Stash Salts: Tara (#4)
-Foamy Wader Roxie necklace: Mo (#12)
-Bunny Lee print: Dawn Edge (#2)
-Danger Peach necklace: Sarah (#4)
-Rakka Deer cards: wastedpapiers (#1)

Ladies & Gentleman Studio Interview + Giveaway

Jean Lee and Dylan Davis are Ladies and Gentlemen Studio, specializing in “good things”. They are graciously providing one of their L&G Daily Affirmation mirrors! The mirrors are one-of-a-kind vintage repurposed mirrors each with a positive phrase laser etched. L&G believes that we all need some encouragement to get ourselves through the day. The mirror is made with wood frame painted in gold. Dimension: 7" x7".



UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
Ladies & Gentlemen Studio: Journey- Don't stop Believing

UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
(Or--If this is your first show, what are you most looking forward to?)
L&G: We're looking forward in seeing the response from the people attending the show, since it'll be our first time at UCU and also doing a craft show for our studio!

UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
L&G: We don't have a pet, but would like to get some ducks....they're the new chickens!
UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
L&G: We're pretty excited about our vintage one-of-a-kind Daily Affirmation mirrors. Also we're excited that we'll be officially launching it at UCU!



UCU: What day of show traditions are you bringing to UCU 2010?
L&G: It's our first year, so we need to think of a tradition. But an idea to start a tradition is to make some hot cider or ginger milk tea for ourselves and whoever wants some!

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
L&G: Cleverly-nostalgic.

UCU: What gift are you most excited to give this year?
L&G: Our Chalk-It-To-Me piggy banks, since we got some friends with babies or young kids, and think they'll really enjoy the use of it.

UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
L&G: Homemade marshmallows or dark chocolate covered pretzels

UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
L&G: Our favorite handmade item as of now is our Chalk-It-To-Me Piggy banks. Essentially this product was our baby where we were part of the whole process from start to finish. It was like giving birth to it without the physical pain. We're pretty proud of the fact that we're able to materialize our ideas and actually make it work! It also has a special sentiment for us in a sense that it symbolizes the possibility of making our dream happen in pursuing our own creative studio/business!

This Charming Candy Interview

Today we meet Kate and Susan of This Charming Candy. They make unusual and delicious lollipops of all colors and flavors.

UCU: Pick a song that gets you in a creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack.
This Charming Candy: Constructive Summer by The Hold Steady. We know it's not summer, but we love that song!

UCU: What Item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
TCC: Our Greatest Hits collection! We've taken the most popular flavors from all the collections we've sold and brought them together in one place! It's an easy way for customers who haven't tried our lollipops to sample the best of the best.



UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would it be?
TCC: Delectable. No wait, delicious. No, um, yummy. It's so hard!

UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this year?
TCC: Kate: I've been enjoying some mulled cider with the mulling spices from World Spice. It's perfect as I relax at the end of the day in front of the television with my husband.
Susan: Honeycrisp apples from Merritt Apples in Mt Vernon - the best honeycrisps I've ever found.

Rakka Deer Interview + Giveaway

Today we get a chance to meet Rakka Deer, a local artist hailing from Bremerton and showcases a range of subjects from Star Wars characters to Kermit the Frog. Kris is generously offering up a set of 5 cards with envelopes. The cards include a mixed media paintings of a Beastie Boys cassette tape, an Atari Joystick, a Maneki Neko and Optimus Prime as well as one card of Inigo Montoya drawn on "Hello, My Name Is..." stickers.



UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
Rakka Deer: "I Sink, I Swim" by Seabear. It's not a super current song but it works for me every time.

UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
(Or--If this is your first show, what are you most looking forward to?)
RD: UCU isn't technically my first craft show but I'm going to treat it as such since it's such a freakin' behemoth. So, in that regard, I'll say that I'm really looking forward to the energy that such a large crowd has. We could power Seattle with UCU crowds for, like, what? A year at least!



UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
RD: My BF and I have four cats. I'll introduce them: Ms. Peel, Ava, Fujiko Mine and Clouseau but I won't tell you much about them because I could very easily slip into crazy cat person territory and bore you. (If you really want to see photos of my cats though, come by my table and you can see the ones on my phone.)

UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
RD: New cards and paintings from my latest 365 blog Stupid F--king Awesome!



UCU: What day of show traditions are you bringing to UCU 2010?
RD: Oatmeal for breakfast? True but dull.

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
RD: Smarvelous? Great. Now I have that song stuck in my head.



UCU: What gift are you most excited to give this year?
RD: Probably some Doctor Who stuff that I'm making for my nerd friends in the UK. NEEEEERDS!! (I love them though.)

UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
RD: British chocolate. It's what I get in exchange for the Whocrafts. I think it's a fair 'cause Brit choccies are where it's at.



UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
RD: I have this fantastic skull that my friend Noah made that I adore. Also, a very happy plush onigiri that I bought on Etsy. There's no way that you could eat rice that smiley!

Material + Movement Interview

Heather Kraft is the designer behind Material+Movement jewelry designs. Her Incarnate Anew line uses porcelain pieces with gold and silver findings. This will be Heather’s first show so let’s give her a warm welcome!

UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
Material + Movement: "What Kind of Woman Is This" By Buddy Guy. I'm a sucker for blues.




UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
(Or--If this is your first show, what are you most looking forward to?)
M+M: As my first show, I'm most looking forward to sharing my work with so many people!

UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
M+M: At the moment I am petless, but wanting! Most of my life I've had dogs, and I've been thinking about names for the next dog I am able to have. Some include: Georgia, Hossa, Herman, and Edwina.

UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
M+M: Some necklaces from my Heirloom collection. They are beautiful compositions comprised of 14 pieces or more of vintage porcelain. They are more like wearable sculpture!



UCU: What day of show traditions are you bringing to UCU 2010?
M+M: This one probably isn't new, but a buffet of snacks! A good days work isn't complete without an array of nuts, fruits, and chocolate.

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
M+M: Providential.

UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
M+M: Brussel Sprouts. I'm not kidding, those things taste amazing.

UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
M+M: A skirt I made from my mother's high school tennis team shirt. Vintage cotton is oh so soft!

Elisa Shere Interview

Today we'd like to introduce Elisa Shere, maker of beautiful jewelry with recycled, non-mined sterling silver that was processed in an earth friendly refinery!


UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
Elisa Shere: wish I would have known how much fun being part of the indie craft community is! My first show was Pile of Craft, put on by the Charm City Craft Mafia in Baltimore. I've met so many friends through that show and all the other shows I've participated in. I can't wait to meet all the great Seattle crafters and shoppers.

UCU: If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
ES: I have two wonderful canine companions, Ladybug and Louie. Ladybug is a basset/beagle mix and is super sweet, but oh so naughty. And Louie is a Jack Russel Mix. He's very polite and protective. They both came from the shelter and are just the cutest things - and they make great studio companions.

UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
ES: I'm very excited about my new ceramic line. It combines my two passions, ceramics and metalsmithing. Each piece is made entirely from scratch, and include handshaped ceramic centerpieces with my own original drawings.



UCU: What day of show traditions are you bringing to UCU 2010?
ES: Well, my crafty friends and I have a tradition of hiding a toy spider in each others show stuff, so perhaps the spider will make its way to Seattle this year!

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
ES: Unexpected

UCU: What gift are you most excited to give this year?
ES: I haven't done any shopping yet, but plan to stop by Sam Trouts booth for a tee shirt for my husband and Steel Toe Studios for one of their key chains.

UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
ES: Pizza to eat and hot cocoa to drink :)

UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
ES: I love my Circa Ceramics mug. They are a crafty duo out of Chicago who make amazing retro graphic ceramics.

Bunny Lee Designs Interview + Giveaway

Bunny Lee of Bunny Lee Designs is an imaginative artist specializing in beautiful things. For the giveaway she has kindly contributed a 9"x12" limited edition print of her drawing "Gabriel" (pictured at bottom of this post).

UCU: Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
Bunny Lee Designs: Good Intentions Paving Co. by Joanna Newsom

UCU: What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
BLD: I wish I would've known how important and how difficult it is to catch a potential customer's eye.

UCU: What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
BLD: My new line of Christmas and winter greeting cards and gift tags

UCU: If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
BLD: Beautiful

UCU: What gift are you most excited to give this year?
BLD: I'm pretty excited to give all of them, because I've decided to only give my own products this year. I haven't yet decided on any particular gift though.


UCU: What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
BLD: Am I doing this way too early? I haven't even seen my breath fog yet. I've been eating mass amounts of PB&J this month. The best one I made was Adams no stir creamy with Bonne Maman Fig on Milton's Whole Grain Plus, lightly toasted in the oven.

UCU: Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
BLD: Dulce, my beautifully caramel colored weird alien head thing plushie. Made by Coco Howard and bought by her son for me.

Secret Stash Salts Interview & Giveaway

Today we'd like to introduce an especially tasty vendor for UCU Winter 2010. Secret Stash Salt's award winning flavors are becoming quite well known throughout the Seattle area. Joseph Conrad and Janna Wemmer blend hand-harvested premium salts with only natural ingredients to flavor. With intriguing blends such as Almond Orange Cardamom and a tasty Bloody Mary to a savory Chorizo, food and creativity blend wonderfully. Their salts make wonderful gifts and make sure to stock up on some for yourself as well!

Secret Stash is providing their delicious Coconut Garam Masala salt as a giveaway!!

UCU: What are you nibbling on this winter as the snow falls?
Secret Stash: In the morning, scrambled eggs tossed with chorizo salt and a cup of strong coffee. We've also been baking a lot of granola with almond cardamom salt and falling back on this gem for potlucks and parties: Coconut Macaroons with chocolate ganache, flecked with coconut garam masala salt.

Wonder Thunder Interview

Wonder Thunder aka Meagan Claire Hall and Sasha Barr is a fun collection of food inspired treats such as their supercute tea towels and vegetable shopping bags. Be sure to stop by their booth at our winter show as well as check out their blog!

Pick a song that gets you in creative mood or you think would make a great addition to a "UCU Winter 2010 Soundtrack".
Wonder Thunder: Great songs to craft to: Ricky Skaggs-Country Boy, Loretta Lynn-Fist City, Tom Petty-Rebels

What’s one thing you wish you had known at your first craft show?
Wonder Thunder: Bring something to eat.

If you have pets, introduce them and tell us a bit about them!
Wonder Thunder: Fatty: Ten year old grey tom cat of the streets. Found in the gutter as a kitten. Lounges on blankets as an old man. Cat food connoisseur. Biter of pomeranians. Avid singer, screamer, noise maker.
Cathy: 1.5 year old rescued fluffy rebel of the streets. Spends her time stalking Fatty and bird whispering. Paper bag obsession. Is the softest creature ever created on this mammal filled earth. Also an avid singer, she and Fatty duet the night with songs of heartache, revenge, and d-i-v-o-r-c-e.

What item are you most excited to be offering at UCU Winter 2010?
Wonder Thunder: We're most excited to be offering our vegetable bags since we weren't able to last year. Grab a fist full and don't ever let go!

What day of show traditions are you bringing to UCU 2010?
Wonder Thunder: The trappings of tradition: This year, we will continue to bring you the most hilarious and heartbreaking creations of usable and anthropomorphic food themed treasures.

If you could sum up your work in one word, what would that be?
Wonder Thunder: witzelsucht

What are you nibbling on as the snow falls this winter?
Wonder Thunder: Paula Deen's donut hamburger, I've never done anything like this, yall!

Favorite handmade item you have? It could be made by you, gifted to you or something you picked up.
Wonder Thunder: Memaw Hall's jam cake, made by hand every year.