Indie Girl Q&A: Melissa Jackson

We're just six days away from Indie Girl now! Hope you've all marked your calendars and are planning to attend this first-ever-of-its-kind event at THE BLISSFUL this Saturday the 27th from 10 AM - 5 PM.

Today we introduce the fourth of five artists we're proud to showcase this coming weekend, mixed media artist Melissa Jackson.

Q: What would you like to tell customers about your work? What can they expect to see?
A: I will have tons of brand new purses [re-adorned vintage handbags] that no one has ever seen before, lots of new takes on old favorites {like my beaded chandelier crystal earrings}, and possibly even some collage on canvas.

Q: What are some words or phrases that you'd use to describe the style, mood, or feel of your work?
A: Urban Industrial meets Antique Glam.

Q: What or who inspires you as a designer?
A: I am always surfing the net and cruising art mags to get inspired. I love the Impressionists but I also love so many newer artists like Anna Corba, Anna Griffin, Sandra Magsamen, Sarah Lugg, Kaari Meng. I could go on and on about all the awesome women artists and entrepreneurs out there who inspire me.

Q: What goals do you have for yourself as an artist, either short term or long term?
A: My only goal is to keep creating and finding new things to create. If I make money, great, if not, I will do it anyway! I would love to take some art courses at a college.

Q: What's the best part of being an indie artist?
A: I have always been somewhat unconventional, an oddball, so I like being able to be independent and just do my own thing, bringing forth my own interpretations of the world around me.

Q: Where can fans find more of your work?
A: Besides at THE BLISSFUL [who carries Melissa's popular Bibliothèque Bangles], my work is sold at Home Sweet Home [7385 Middlebranch Rd. NE in North Canton] and I may soon have my Etsy site back up and running in the Fall. You can contact me at onebead1@yahoo.com to learn about any possible future events.

Keep watching the blog this week, as we have yet to introduce one artist in our lineup.

Please note that the shop will be CLOSED this Friday the 26th for Indie Girl set-up. See you Saturday at 10 AM! Or feel free to stop in earlier and this week, as Garden Items are now 50% OFF in-store.

Indie Girl Q&A: Angie & Tyson Lamielle

The "one guy" in our Indie Girl Trunk Show artist lineup is Tyson Lamielle, one-half of The Canton Box Company's dynamic designing duo. His other half--more specifically, his wife--is Angie Lamielle. Our Artist Q&A series continues today with them.

Q: What would you like to tell customers about The Canton Box Company? When and why did you start it and how do you see it evolving?
A: The Canton Box Company offers industrial chic home decor items, trendy paper goods, and fashionable prints. We started the company a few months ago while studying for our Masters degrees at Malone University. Tyson's hobby was woodworking and my [Angie's] hobby was crafting and decorating. We simply combined our hobbies and took what we learned from our Masters program to create our business.

Q: Your company offers a nice range of goods. Within the operation, which one of you does which designs?
A: Tyson usually handles all of projects that could result in bodily harm [laughs], such as furniture items. My designs have a softer touch--paper goods, prints, etc.

Numbers framed print. We love the modern point of view.

Q: What or who inspires you both as artists? Can you give us a peek into your creative processes?
A: Our greatest source of inspiration is Canton and its neighboring cities. Most people refer to these as "Rust Belt" cities, like Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. Call them what you will, these cities are rich in character. We get ideas for products simply by taking advantage of what these cities have to offer. We like to visit parks, museums, businesses in old buildings, and we go on tours. We find that these are all great places to take pictures and create ideas for unique and exciting products. We hold regularly scheduled business meetings--real serious stuff like going out to eat, traveling, sightseeing--to find and discuss new ideas for products.

Parisian Themed Gift Tags add that extra ooh-la-la to any gift.

Q: As husband and wife designers, do you have a shared workspace? Do you have great conversations over wine and food about you're working on? {At least, this is my romanticized notion of what working alongside one's spouse would be like.}
A: We do have a shared workspace in the basement of our home, and as long as each of us stays on our side of the line, peace is maintained. Our favorite thing to do is to discuss new products. Our entire weekend is usually devoted to these types of discussions over dinner and drinks.

Q: What's the best part of owning an indie design business?
A: It's always great to know that something we've worked really hard to create is showcased in someone's house or brightening someone's day if they are receiving the item as a gift. We love that we get to work together and that we can each bring our own individual styles together to make some really unique creations.

Super cool Splinter Shelf.

Q: Where can fans find more of your work?
A: They can visit our Etsy shop. We also hope to make more appearances at some local craft and home shows later this Summer. Fans can follow us on our blog and on Twitter for regular updates.

See you at Indie Girl on Saturday, June 27th, from 10 AM - 5 PM!

Indie Girl Q&A: Kathleen Houston

Today we feature another of our talented Indie Girl Trunk Show artists, Kathleen Houston.

Q: What would you like to tell customers about your collection of handmade jewelry?
A: The jewelry must be unique, not something you would find at a department store. Today I am working on a piece where I had observed a beautiful red haired woman with green eyes. She was wearing a stunning shiny green V-neck blouse with nothing at the neckline. I wondered what a beautiful scrolled heart would look like with real jade and a vintage chain. It's so fun to see something in your mind and then see it unfold in real life. I will be bringing this piece with me to THE BLISSFUL [for the Indie Girl Trunk Show].

Q: What or who inspires you as an artist?
A: We live on a piece of land where I get in my golf cart and cruise around to see the awesome animals. We have an India blue peacock that displays, and when the sun hits him just right he looks purple. He inspires me--all of the design possibilities. I actually made a piece that sold at my spring show named after him. [Kathleen hosts trunk shows at her own home where she showcases her works to family and friends.]



Q: Give us a peek into your creative process.
A: I am so grateful for the creative process. It connects me with God, people, family, and friends. My daughters say, "Mom, I would wear this!" It encourages me when the pain is severe and it's hard to think straight. [Kathleen suffers from the chronic pain condition RSD.]



Q: What do you derive, personally, from making your jewelry {emotionally, etc.}? What do you hope your works give to others who behold and wear them?
A: When I create something from a pile of unassembled items, I sometimes am so happy I cry. I hope that the women who wears my pieces feel unique and special. In God's sight we are all different and very special and I would like to inspire confidence in those who wear my creations. One lady bought a piece and immediately wore it to a birthday party. [Others at the party] were asking how she found it, so it was a great conversation starter.



Q: Where can fans find more of your work?
A: In September, I have been asked to be the jewelry artist for the North Canton Art Museum's The Little Art Galley [in North Canton, Ohio]. I will give more details later. The pieces in this show will be substantial and vintage. Fall is a good time to wear the heavier pieces. The Indie Girl Trunk Show will have totally separate things from the Fall art show.

Indie Girl Q&A: Kelly McGreal

Our Indie Girl Trunk Show Artist Q&A series begins today with Kelly McGreal, the designer of Strand by Kelly McGreal.

Q: What would you like to tell customers and blog readers about your jewelry line?
A: I like quality materials, which is why I primarily use vintage beads and natural stones. Vintage beads, mostly glass, have an old-world quality that I can see and feel as I work with them. The weight, colors, and textures of these beads are wonderful to mix with newer materials. Along with quality of materials, quality of construction is important to me; strong metals and good structuring make the jewelry look and feel good.

Q: What or who inspires you as a designer?
A: I've physically been to a few worldly destinations, but I've mentally been to several more. Old movies from the 30's to the 70's and world literature have taken me on many vicarious trips. I also love old photography books; the styling in them makes me absolutely wistful for awhile.

Q: Give us a peek into your creative process.
A: As far as that goes, I usually have a color inspiration first, which then evokes a memory of one of those old films or books that I mentioned before.

Q: Your first jewelry line, These Flowers, This Moon, was carried at THE BLISSFUL a few years ago. How has your craft evolved since that time?
A: My first line was very poetic; in fact, the packaging included small poems. Also, the jewelry tended to be exclusively delicate. At the time, this concept reflected my mood. Since then, my designs have become a bit bolder. I'd say they have verve.



Q: Like many indie artists, you also have another career that pays the bills. Can you tell us a bit about that?
A: I've been teaching English at a local community college for years, and I really enjoy my students and my work. For me, teaching is as creative an outlet as making jewelry. Both allow for self-expression, and just as the written word can be transporting, personal style makes people feel like they're walking down a different street than they did the day before.



Q: What's the best part of being an indie artist?
A: I like the freedom. At one point, I had dreams of having my line carried in stores far and wide. Unfortunately, the logistics and time that it would take to make that happen would involve a second career. Being an indie artist allows me to create one-of-a-kind or limited editions at my own discretion. It also allows me to be more selective with hard-to-acquire findings since I do not have to mass produce.



Q: Since you prefer to do one-of-a-kind or limited edition pieces, does this mean you're open to custom orders?
A: Absolutely! I love designing custom commissioned pieces. If someone can point me in a color and inspiration direction while still allowing me to be creative, it's on!

Interested in a custom designed piece by Kelly McGreal? E-mail her at mcgrealkelly@aol.com to start the conversation.

Catch the complete collection of Strand by Kelly McGreal here:

Meet Our Indie Girls

We're thrilled to introduce the featured artists for our Indie Girl Trunk Show, slated for Saturday, June 27th from 10 AM-5 PM at the THE BLISSFUL.

love, Zoey Designs {Zoey Bond}
Many customers already know Zoey Bond as one of THE BLISSFUL's cheerful Shopgirls, which until recently, she was. An out of town career opportunity for her husband caused the pair to relocate. Lucky for her {and for us}, the timing was just right for Zoey to launch her new line, fittingly named love, Zoey. For as long as she can remember, Zoey has been creating and designing. love, Zoey Designs is simply the natural progression and evolution of her as an artist. A fresh and original line of jewelry where no two pieces are ever alike, the current love, Zoey collection is inspired by Summer's sweetest fruits and freshest veggies. This season's story combines the luxe, weighty details of mixed metals with the colorful tartness of gems and jewels. A few vintage pieces are sprinkled here and there to add a sense of history within these timeless, wearable works of art. Follow the evolution at lovezoey.blogspot.com.

Wild Strawberry Earrings. Already SOLD to, um, me.

Key Lime Necklace

Lemon & Link Earrings

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Strand by Kelly McGreal {Kelly McGreal}

Artful, playful, and wearable, Strand is inspired by every woman in film, photography, and literature that designer Kelly McGreal has ever wanted to be. Imparting a traveled bohemian look through mix-made pieces of vintage and modern components, each thoughtful rendering combines glass and metal construction with an occasional fiber. Her debut jewelry collection, the poetically-influenced These Flowers, This Moon was carried at THE BLISSFUL in 2006-2007. When she's not designing jewelry, Kelly McGreal is a college English professor.

Bracelet with juxtaposition of colors and materials

Honeycomb Earrings for the halcyon days of Summer

Each piece evokes a mood and a personality.

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The Canton Box Company {Angie & Tyson Lamielle}
The wife and husband team of Angie and Tyson Lamielle {Ty being the "one guy" in our Indie Girl lineup} are co-proprietors of the online store The Canton Box Company, which offers home décor handmade from a variety of mediums. Tyson specializes in woodworking to create furniture and home accessories such as shelving, candle holders, mirrors, and more. He always uses reclaimed lumber or lumber that has been harvested from fallen trees. Angie handles the softer side of The Canton Box Company's repertoire, crafting an assortment of creatively designed paper goods, original art, and reproduction art as well as a variety of other home accessories. Learn more about Angie & Ty and their work at cantonboxcompany.blogspot.com.

Check out Canton Box Company's blog for a history of this favorite {and timely} image.

These tealight holders strike me as a great Father's Day gift.

A great piece for displaying your personal collection.

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Jewelry by Kathleen {Kathleen Houston}
For jewelry designer Kathleen Houston, every piece she creates is a dream come true and in the process of creation she feels fulfilled and connected. She came to her craft in a most unexpected way. About one year ago, she was diagnosed with a painful disorder called RSD. Her nerves are constantly firing pain signals. There is no cause for it, and as of today there is no cure. Because walking is so painful, Kathleen spends much time at home. From a desire to create beauty out of her pain, her jewelry line came forth. Her handcrafted works employ vintage stones and wirework, and each one of a kind piece is connected to a story. "I think of the woman who will wear the piece," Kathleen says, "and I pray for her as I build it. If you can walk, dance, or run without pain, never cease to be thankful."

J'adore these embellished metal cuffs.

A myriad of designs.

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Melissa Jackson {Mixed Media Artist}
A self-taught artist, Melissa Jackson's parents once owned an antique shop, so her childhood trips to scout finds with them at flea markets and antique haunts bred in her a self-professed love of "junk." The inspiration behind her eclectic mix of jewelry, vintage re-adorned handbags, and one of a kind works of art is "a continual effort to conserve and recycle." Jackson describes herself as a Mixed Media Artist because most every piece in her always-changing collection contains at least one found object or flea market/thrift store find. Her works espouse that something does not have to be new to be fabulous, and that anyone can surround herself in beauty through the repurposing of uncommon objects.

Vintage re-adorned handbags {this one an old lunchbox} are customer favorites for Melissa Jackson.

Another one of Melissa's repurposed incarnations, Bibliothèque Bangles, carried at THE BLISSFUL.

A look reminiscent of the past.

Over the next few weeks leading up to Indie Girl, we'll be featuring each artist in Q&A-style interviews here on the blog. Check back often for personal convos with each one!

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Indie Girl Artists TBA

To be announced tomorrow. . .the lineup of our featured Indie Girl Trunk Show artists! Check out our Facebook fan page for a preview.

Memo to Shop Owners

For the past two years {almost to the day!}, I've been writing a special blog for women entrepreneurs and indie shop owners in particular called A Boutique Industry. Now, it's time to take that blog to the next level and make it a private forum for brick and mortar shop owners only. If this is you, please click here.

Image courtesy of Flickr.

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