Inleaf Design

Artist: Lotta Helleberg
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Web site: Inleaf Design 
Blog: Inleaf

What do you create?
I make hand printed linen objects, using a technique called leaf printing, where real leaves and other plant materials are used as printing plates. The ink is brushed onto the back of the leaves, which are then pressed onto fabric. The final prints are made into pillows, wall hangings, quilts, bags, table linens, and sachets.

How did you come up with your business name?
Since leaves are such an integral part of my work, I knew they had to be incorporated in business name. I also think inleaf represents freshness that I hope that my art evoke.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
I was a successful graphic designer with a long career, when I started to look for another creative outlet a few years back. I stumbled upon an article about leaf printing and after some experimenting I was hooked. I loved the intricate prints, the details of the leaves, and slight variations in the impressions. Inleaf was founded in 2003 and my business as well as my art has grown and evolved ever since.



Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
My inspiration comes from nature itself, the texture of a plant in the garden, the shape of an old twig, or the colors of seashells. I also love patterns and repetitions found in various places such as modern architecture, vintage wallpapers, and old quilts.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
The leaves are my favorite tools. I love searching for them, collecting and cleaning them, applying the ink and the whole printing process. I never know exactly how it will turn out.

What keeps you motivated?
The relationships that I have developed with my customers and my constant desire to test and learn new things.



How do you get the word out about your work?
Marketing is my weakness; I am not good at self-promotion. I have a mailing list that I use to announce new work and events, and my blog is a great way to promote my art, processes, and inspirations. But I know this is an area where I need help and improvement.

What is your main goal for the next 6-12 months?
I want to focus more on larger pieces such as wall hangings and quilts and I would like to find gallery representation for my work. I am also looking for a textile/print manufacturer, preferable in the US, where I can produce my collection of home goods and accessories on a larger scale.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Be patient and don’t expect financial triumph right away. Strive for high quality in everything you do, from the execution of your work, to photography, labeling and packaging. If you are passionate about what you do it will shine through, and success will follow.



What part of your business gives you the most satisfaction?
The printing part of my work is always fascinating and satisfying. I also love putting the finishing touches on the pieces. Like ironing of a perfectly stuffed pillow, bundling up the sachets with linen string, and finding the right branch to hang a wall piece from.

What’s the most important thing you’d like people to know/understand about your work?
Everything is hands on and done in my studio – designing, dyeing the fabrics, mixing the inks, the printing, assembling the pieces, the stitching, labeling, and packaging. I am always trying to be environmentally conscious. I only use natural, organic, or vintage fabrics. My inks and dyes are water-soluble and non-toxic and the pillows are available with super-soft organic wool inserts as an alternative to down. My supplies and materials are mostly of domestic origin, and everything from fabric scraps to packaging is reused or recycled whenever possible.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned while running your business?
To realize that perfection is not always attainable or even desirable, that it is ok to say no, and that it is impossible to do it all. Having said that, these are still three things I struggle with the most, so I can’t say for sure that I have learned from these lessons.



If you had the time, what new craft/medium would you like to learn or use?
I would like to learn how to dye with natural pigments, and experiment more with screen and block printing. It would also be fun to try something totally new, like pottery.

What's your definition of a perfect day?
Wake up early with coffee and toast. Spend 2 hours in the garden before the rest of the house wakes up and then take a family walk with the dogs by the river. I would spend the afternoon in the studio just tinkering – testing new stitches, plotting a new wall piece, sifting through my stash of vintage cotton – without a deadline or any must dos. The day would end with a delicious outdoor dinner with my husband and two boys, accompanied by chilled wine and evening bird song… These kinds of days don’t come around that often. Life is just too busy most of the time. Bur it is always something to strive for…


Thank you Lotta!

Cicadia Studio

Artist: Michelle Engel Bencsko
Location: New Jersey, USA
Web site: Cicada Studio
Blog: Cicada Daydream

What do you create?
Printed fabrics both in 100% linen and a linen/cotton blend. I also create home accessory items with my fabrics. It's sort of secondary, but I feel it gives me good perspective, and also, I enjoy doing it.

When and why did you decide to start your business?
My business officially began in 2004, when a lot of things in my life went up in the air, then came firmly to the ground. I met my now husband, who helped and supported me to realize my full potential and dreams. Over the years Cicada Studio has morphed from one focus to the next- taking it from purely graphic arts, to greeting cards, to gift items and housewares, to finally textiles. I have never felt more comfortable than being in this particular skin. I have always loved textiles, it's been my professional career for over 15 years and now, I have embraced these skills, have created my niche and learned the art of focusing. I can't see myself veering from this for years to come... if ever.



Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
I'm mostly attracted to color and balance. I find that I get a lot of this in many places, but nature is probably the biggest resource. That's sort of vague, I know, but I can't really be too specific. My eye is always sharp for things of interest. Nature offers that most to me. I am also heavily influenced- though not always literally so- by art nouveau, art deco and elements of the 50's and 60's (though almost every decade of the 20th Century holds something for me). Fine artists such as Josef Albers, Milton Avery, Georgia O'Keeffe, Mark Rothko, Agnes Martin, Richard Serra, Christo and Andy Goldsworthy, just to name a few off the top of my head. I'm also a big fan of good marketing: I love concise, clean ideas with a pinpoint perspective and driven focus. So, I can easily say I'm influenced by a lot of things. Basically, I keep my eyes, mind and heart open.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
At the risk of sounding like a geek, my iMac. I really do love my computer. Of late, I have been actively challenging my hand's on roots- those skills exist, but the computer and I understand each other well... and in my mind, it's where I shine. I am a very fast thinker, and the computer can keep up with me and I love the rush of getting things done instantly. Everything begins with a sketch- in my opinion, a rather lack luster one- but working with Adobe Illustrator really helps me to create the vision of my concepts accurately and fluently. Unfortunately patience isn't one of my virtues! My second favorite tool is my X-acto blade.


What keeps you motivated?
People. People enjoying what I do. My husband's support and belief in what I do. My family and friends, too. I am genuinely thankful for every person who takes an interest in what I create, including the author of this lovely blog. Without an audience, it would be just for me. As much as I like to create, I find I don't always create for me alone- I want to connect with someone else. If it's truly a personal project, chances are, I wouldn't share it. Another thing that keeps me motivated is seeing something I dream up become a reality. Each time that happens, it propels me to the next project. It's like a momentum I can't stop.

What part of your work do you enjoy the most?
The conception has always been my favorite part. Somewhat contrary to the above statement about my favorite tool being a computer, this is part I most enjoy. I believe the reason for loving the computer is to make my concepts reality quickly... so I can go on to the next idea quickly... because for every one idea I have, there are most certainly 5 more right behind it. It just seems there isn't enough time or energy to get them all done. And in all honesty, they probably aren't all worth pursuing, but that spark of concept is potentially something bigger and I want to see it happen if possible. I give it a good try. I also enjoy doing pattern repeats. To me, it's fun- almost a break from work.

How do you get the word out about your work?
Self promotion has always been a challenge, but I've felt very comfortable exposing and promoting myself through my blog. It's about 80% creative, 15% personal, 5% fluff. I think that's me in a nutshell! The thing about promotion is you seem to only have one opportunity at a given moment and that one face to show your stuff. With the blog, I have daily opportunities and can wear a few faces. And again, getting back to people as a motivator, nothing has been more motivating than the support and interest shown to me on my blog. As a result of all this positivity, I've been a bit stronger in the self-promotion aspects and have contacted people I admire, and forums that I'd like to be a part of. It's been a good life lesson, all of it.



What is your main goal for the next 6-12 months?
More than anything I'd like to find a manufacturer and rep for my linen and linen blend collections. I am managing OK with the self-production, but the profits are slim and the free time even slimmer. I have two wonderful boys and a loving husband and I want more than anything to have more time to relax and enjoy life rather than keep up with the dailies of producing and promoting- along with the other 100 things a household requires of you. I also want more time to be creative rather than producing goods. My professional life for the last 15 years has been of design director over a staff of talented people, working with a team where each person does what they do best, and I genuinely enjoy working with people to their strengths- and my strengths don't lie in production, so it would be great for me to work with those who do it well.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Stay focused, find what you love to do and do what you're good at. It's fun to try all sorts of new things and it's even educational in ways that you don't always realize. Never regret the turns you might make in the interest of "trying". I bounced quite a bit from one thing to the next over the last 4 years. At the beginning of this year, I resolved to really buckle down and stay true to my one idea of making textiles. It's been a pretty tireless pursuit, but that's literally what it took for me to get where I am at this moment... and I'm not where I want to be yet. So, if there's something you really want to do, you have to DO it- and do it with everything you've got. No one is going to hand you your dream, but the dream is completely within reach if you go out and make it happen.



What’s the most important thing you’d like people to know/understand about your work?
That my work not arbitrary. That I take the time to really pull it together as a whole. As much as I want and need each print to stand alone and be great for what it is, it's the collection that is my main focus, then the pieces fall into place. I'm all about the "series". I love merchandizing, big-picture projects, deciphering what works and what doesn't and considering all the elements to make a whole. Each print has a reason for being there. All this is not the most important thing for me that the customer realizes this- certainly, it's just as wonderful if they love only one print alone, but this process the means to my end, so I am hoping it's evident.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned while running your business?
That I can't do it all. Or, maybe, I sort of can, but then I'm not functioning at 100%. That's not what I want for myself or my family, so this has to change. I definitely need people. Which leads me to two other lessons I've learned: it's not always easy 1/ to find those people and 2/ to allow them to help! I get in such a groove that it's all mine to do, it's hard to give up the reins to another person, but without a doubt, it's something I will have to do and soon.



If you had the time, what new craft/medium would you like to learn or use?
I'd like to get back into silk-screening. I recently took up, after about a 20 year hiatus, lino printing. It was great fun and I had good success. Unfortunately, that "time" thing isn't allowing me to really get into it the way I'd like. I'd also love to learn to throw pots on a wheel better. I took a class and loved it. Loom weaving looks like great fun too!

What's your definition of a perfect day?
To get up at 6am and not feel tired or achy and have about 2 hours solid to myself before the family awakes. I'm a morning person and I find my solitude is often at night, when I'm worn out from the long day- that's not the best time for me to work. Also, it's a real drag to know that when I'm done with the tasks, there's no one awake to share that exhilaration. I just drag myself up to bed and pass out. That's so not the life for me!
But really, I've had lots and lots of perfect days that didn't include what I stated above- life is wonderful at giving you lots of perspective and experiences and perfection comes in all sorts of ways and events. But if this little daydream of mine could happen on a near daily basis, I'm pretty sure I'd have little to complain about.


Thank you Michelle!!

Lily Pottery

Artist: Lily Wikoff Stratton
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Web site: Lily Pottery
Blog: Lily Pottery

What do you create?
Lily Pottery consists of several segments all related by medium, clay. I have created and developed a line of hand stamped porcelain wearable art. All of my stamps are hand-carved and “one-of-a-kind”. My collection of jewelry includes necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings. I also have a children’s line called “little lily”. Little Lily is made up of hair accessories for sweet little girls as well as smaller versions of necklaces to match “mommy”. The final facet of Lily Pottery is my wheel thrown line of pottery. My pottery line consists of pottery citrus reamers, bundt cake pans, mugs, plates, vases and so much more!



When and why did you decide to start your business?
After working for a year marketing for a company in the corporate world, I decided it was time to put my degree in 3-D Studio Art and market my own product. I quit my job last April and dove right in to being a “full-time artist”.



Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
My love for nature inspires me to create. I am in love with the simple elements in found nature. The soft and organic lines of the petals in my flower garden and the knobby pecan trees growing in my back yard. The colors that splash across the sky and paint the clouds just before the sun sets over the foothills to the north of my house. The vibrant hue of my poppies on the rise in the field. I also glean inspiration from my artist friends, whether it’s online or my studio partner creating away in the space next to me. I love to soak up all the creative energy of other artist friends around me at gallery openings and shows and visually online via blogs and websites.



Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
It’s a tough call… but it’s between my clay and hand carved stamps.

What keeps you motivated?
Being able to get up every day and go to work in my studio doing something I love. It may be twice as many hours as the job I had working 8-5 in the corporate world, but I love watching something with my name attached to it, my finger prints all over it and many hours of my work into it, grow and become a successful business keeps my trucking! It is also very motivating to hear how customers who’ve purchased from me come back to my studio and tell me how happy they are with their “lily pottery”.



How do you get the word out about your work?
I have a website. I blog.—the internet is a HUGE resource for marketing I have found. I try to self-promote through print advertising whenever I have a show. I have postcards and business cards in every local coffee shop and community bulletin board every time I have a show. I take every opportunity to slap that lily pottery logo all over town! Also, I network with small new businesses in my town whenever possible, and collaboration with other businesses, charitable organizations, and other artists is a great way to get the word out, not to mention it’s so great learn from other small business owners.

What is your main goal for the next 6-12 months?
To develop a catalogue of my products and begin to expand my customer base by wholesaling.



What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Be passionate about what you’re doing. If you are willing to throw yourself into something and work as hard as you possibly can to make it successful, it will happen. Don’t be afraid to just get out there and try. Never be intimidated by the size of your business. Take it serious and be proud of your work. Believe in your product and do be afraid to just go for it!



What’s the most important thing you’d like people to know/understand about your work?
Each piece is hand crafted. The only machine used when making my products is my kiln to glaze fire my pieces. Each pendant is hand cut out of a slab of clay and hand stamped. I sign the back of every pendant just as I do every pot I make.



What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned while running your business?
It’s HARD WORK, but oh-so satisfying. I never really knew what all went into “running a business” but I’m still learning every day, and it’s an amazing journey!



If you had the time, what new craft/medium would you like to learn or use? I would love to delve into screen-printing and textiles!

What's your definition of a perfect day?
I pretty much live my perfect days now! I’m living my dream come true by having my own studio, creating a product I love. Not every day is “peaches and cream” but on a perfect day, I’d wake up, have some really good strong coffee. Get down to the studio early and create jewelry all morning, break for lunch, then throw at my wheel all afternoon. Come home. Have a good hard run. Enjoy dinner with my amazing hubby. Sleep sound that night, then wake up the next day and do it all over again!


Thank you Lily!

thank you

Thank you to Holly form Decor8 for making Crafty Synergy the blog of the week! Welcome to those of you who are visiting via her blog. Sit in your favorite comfy chair and take your time to look around!

Creative Thursday

Artist: Marisa Haedike
Location: Los Angeles, California
Web site: Creative Thursday
Blog: Creative Thursday

What do you create?
I paint. I LOVE to paint! My medium of choice is acrylic. My surface of choice is wood and my size of choice, while I do like painting large, is mostly small and lately very tiny. What originally started as a mission to create daily paintings, and post them on my blog and website has grown to include sculpting in polymer clay and most recently, just this month actually, sewing by hand and machine. The inspiration to expand mediums over the last year has been to bring the characters in my paintings to life, to make them 3 dimensional ~ and to continue to challenge myself creatively.

How did you come up with your company name?
I realized that I am happiest when I am being creative and this realization happened when I was working my 9 to 5 job in Colorado, as an interior designer, and hardly getting any creative time in. It was then that I also decided that at least one day a week had to be set aside for Fun and Creativity! Thursdays have always been my favorite day of the week, so Thursday it was and this is how CREATIVE THURSDAY was born. I felt that since “Creative Thursday” was the inspiration and the beginning of me following my creative path; this would be the perfect name for my business. It is also a broad enough name and concept, that it will be the “umbrella” to all my creative ventures, especially since I am an entrepreneurial spirit who will never be boxed in.



When and why did you decide to start your business?
After designing for other people both as a graphic designer and an interior designer for many years, I honestly thought how much fun it would be to create a business based upon my own designs.
I officially started Creative Thursday in early 2004 with the launch of a line of re-designed vintage chairs. It has taken many attempts and creative incarnations for Creative Thursday to be what it is now.



Where do you get your inspiration for your projects?
So many, many things. I can look at dishes stacked in a dish rack and the colors will inspire a painting. Sometimes I get ideas right before I’m falling asleep, where I’ll see a glimpse of the entire painting, or a new character to introduce. Mostly, like so many artists, nature is a constant source of inspiration. The color combinations in nature are simply brilliant. I also love to thumb through magazines, books and now more than ever, I love to visit blogs and flickr ~ the never ending internet trail. I am constantly amazed by the talent and inspiration so many people are sharing via their blogs and websites.

Which of the tools you use is your favorite?
My tiny, tiny paintbrush, a winsor & newton size 000. Honestly I don’t know what I’d do without it.



What keeps you motivated?
Honestly, since my creative voice is finally finding its way…and there were moments along the way where I didn’t know how it would come together, let alone know how I would survive financially ~ I haven’t had a time where I haven’t been motivated. I spent so many years dreaming of the life I now live, that there’s hardly a day I wake up that I’m not excited about the day ahead. I love what I do so much.

How do you get the word out about your work?
Blogging really did wonders for introducing my work to the “world” literally. And as it turns out, blogging is something I really enjoy. I find that building a community online and connecting within that community is such a powerful way not only to “meet” so many talented people, but also to introduce them to you and your work. Word of mouth via the internet is incredibly powerful.



What is your main goal for the next 6-12 months?
I have my first children’s book that I am working on. I’m so excited to finish it, as I can’t wait to share this book.
I also want to continue to develop more streams of passive income via licensing channels, as I would like to take more time to start traveling and/or living part time in Europe to inspire the next chapter of creativity.

What advice would you give to someone starting a creative business?
Oh so many things, which you can listen to more of in my podcast. If I had to break it down to just one thing, I would say learn to listen to your own heart and follow that guidance. We always have the answers within us and even with all the best meaning advice out there, the best advice will be from you to you.



Can you talk to us about your podcast? How did it get started?
When I was desperately trying to find ways to supplement my income while my business was still coming together, I would often check out the work opportunities on Craigslist. I came across a post for a company looking for people to do podcasts. Since I ‘m rarely at a loss for words, especially when I’m inspired about something ~ and I happily share my thoughts, opinions and ideas with almost anyone who asks, I thought this might be the perfect opportunity for me to express that part of my creativity, while also sharing the knowledge I had become so passionate about, with others ~ that of pursuing and living the creative life.

What’s the most important thing you’d like people to know/understand about your work?
I would like them to interpret it for themselves and since I hear again and again how my work makes people feel happy, if it does just that ~ I’m thrilled!

Who are some of your favorite indie designers/artists?
I’ve decided I can no longer list them all in interviews. I have so many and I never like to leave anyone out. If you really want to know, just visit my Etsy favorites and the category called “favorite artists” on my blog. That should get you started! And I have to say the list continues to grow every day.



If you had the time, what new craft/medium would you like to learn or use?
I would love to write my own music.

What's your definition of a perfect day?
I’m so lucky. I already get to live so many of my perfect days. It’s starts with a hot cup of coffee (with frothy milk!), warm sunshine, a cool breeze, sitting and visiting with Sean (my boyfriend) and our trio of furry friends, Lulu, Garbo and Riley, in the comfiest of chairs, followed by time to be creative, followed by a walk to a delicious lunch with my creative girlfriends and my family if they lived closer, maybe a shopping excursion to Anthropologie, then an afternoon nap, a yoga class, cooking a dinner with food from the local farmer’s market and having that with a really nice bottle of wine, with Sean of course, watching an inspiring movie and did I mention this could all be taking place in Italy?

Thank you so much Marisa!