DIY City Blog

 

by: Kate K of ohsosuite.etsy.com

When Wendy Paula Patterson listed the words: unique, feminine, luxurious, delightful and exquisite in her profile as the words that best describe her products, I couldn’t agree more. The ultra-feminine cards are so beautifully designed  with embellishments in all the right places. They strike a perfect balance of old world charm with a modern twist.  Wallpaper-like designs serve as the backdrop to lovely graphic elements such as chandeliers, the Eiffel tower, English roses and mannequins to a name a few. My personal favorite is the “Paris Chandelier card“. It’s just so perfectly girlie in every way!

Kate K: WHAT MADE YOU START CREATING PAPER GOODS?

MULBERRY MUSE: I love paper goods. I have worked in the packaging industry since leaving art college, but only recently had the opportunity to start my own line and explore the wonderful world of creativity (come about).

Kate K: HOW DID THE NAME OF YOUR COMPANY COME ABOUT?

MULBERRY MUSE: I spent a lot of time pondering over just the right name, it came about when browsing through a beautiful cookery book called “Cloudberries,” I began to think of berry names, muse just fit so well - meaning inspiration.
Kate K: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT IN YOUR LINE?

MULBERRY MUSE:  My favorite is the “French collection,” I just adore vintage and the French provincial style.

Kate K: WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR COMPANY GOING?

MULBERRY MUSE:  I would love to see Mulberry Muse products selling around the world in exclusive boutiques and maybe our own brick and mortar shop.

Kate K: ANY ADVICE TO NEWBIES STARTING IN THE INDUSTRY?

MULBERRY MUSE: Be willing to ask for help and advice. Be prepared to work long hours but take pleasure in the joy of being able to create.

Kate K: LIST 5 WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE YOUR WORK:

MULBERRY MUSE: Unique, feminine, luxurious, delightful, exquisite.

Kate K: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE COMPETITOR IN THE INDUSTRY AND WHY?

MULBERRY MUSE:   I have many favorites; no one in particular. I do love the work produced by the letterpress artists and designers. 

www.mulberrymuse.etsy.com
www.trunkt.org/mulberrymuse

heart paper.
with Kate

You’ll be hard pressed to find anything remotely similar to what Kate Banazi creates. An Australian resident, her striking silkscreen prints caught my eye over at her etsy store, alyoisiusspyker. Kate’s sharp style is spot on. The combination of line drawings, photography and typography with the arresting color choices make for a harmonious yet completely modern take on the art of silkscreening. You can find her work here:
www.alyoisiusspyker.etsy.com
www.katebanazi.bigcartel.com
www.katebanazi.com
Kate K: WHAT MADE YOU START CREATING PAPER GOODS?
Kate Banazi: I didn’t stand a chance - as an inherited trait going back generations. Both my parents are amazing artists & creators.
Kate K: HOW DID THE NAME OF YOUR COMPANY COME ABOUT?
Kate Banazi: I work under my own name & do small run limited edition screenprints under the name of Alyoisius Spyker. That name involves potatoes & school bullies.
Kate K: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCT IN YOUR LINE?
Kate Banazi: Right now it’s “The Langham” screenprint available at bigcartel.com. It reminds me of home.
Kate K: WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR COMPANY GOING?
Kate Banazi: I’m happy doing what I do, that’s enough.
Kate K: ANY ADVICE TO NEWBIES STARTING IN THE INDUSTRY?
Kate Banazi: Work hard, enjoy what you do. Don’t marry anyone unsuitable.
Kate K: LIST 5 WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE YOUR WORK:
Kate Banazi: Um, er, got me on that one. Important, messy, pretentious, give me a little longer.
Kate K: DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE COMPETITOR IN THE INDUSTRY AND WHY?
Kate Banazai: I’m a fan of so many people out there that I can’t answer that question. My sons, godmothers, Zakee Shariff & Kate Gibb are always a huge source of inspiration and constructive criticism.

OhSoSuite
ohsosuite.etsy.com

Welcome to the new column here at DIY City entitled “I Heart Paper.” The idea is to give paper artists of all varieties a visual voice and a way of introducing themselves to all you DIY City readers. I put together a basic questionnaire and contacted a select few artists working in the industry who I think are amazingly talented and creative. I asked them to make this questionnaire their own by injecting their style into it. The response I got was simply wonderful. I have some really great artists lined up and can’t wait to share them with you all!

First up is Cheryl from ScotiaMade paper goods, based in Halifax, Novia Scotia. This papergoods shop has cleverly combined simple and elegant graphics of the sweet animal variety primarily and set them right beside clever and extremely humorous sayings . The combination equals brilliance. Check out Cheryl’s “I heart paper” submission below along with some samples of her work. Be sure to stop by her store and say hi! More information: www.ScotiaMade.etsy.com

By Kate of OhSoSuite

Kate: What made you start creating paper goods?

Cheryl: My love of doodling on the computer, coupled with the hulk like nature of my hands when attempting to create other things.

Kate: How did the name of your company come about?

Cheryl: It seemed geographically relevant. I also felt it alluded to the handmade nature of the products. Four glasses of pinot noir also had their part. Well played, pinot noir…well played.

Kate: What’s your favorite product in your line right now?

Cheryl: Gah! You may as well bring Solomon in right now to split my baby in half! Ha ha, seriously, I love the mini-notes. I’m someone who will tell a person they are being a bit of a cock…so I like to offer that liberation to others.

Kate: Where do you see your company going?

Cheryl: If I play my cards right, I fully believe Hallmark will offer me millions. Alternately I would like to continue to expand at a sustainable rate until, perhaps, I could quit my day job. I see that happening over years, not months.

Kate: Any advice to newbies just starting in the industry?

Cheryl: Holy moly - I am still a newbie myself! Make what you like and what appeals to you…people will dig it!

Kate: List five words that describe your work:

Cheryl: 1. Ha! 2. clean (uh…visually) 3. funny 4. earnest 5. rabid

Kate: Do you have a favorite competitor in the industry? Why?

Cheryl: You know it! Junk Mail Greetings. I am not sure that she is aware of my existence, but I love her. Elegant and razor sharp.