artist interview

artist interview, partners, rant, Uncategorized, wednesday wishes

Wednesday Wishes. New Year’s resolutions

January 27, 2016 Andreea

It was definitely time to put together a New Year’s resolutions post. I have so many plans for this year, both major and little things as well! Really, there’s a very wide range here: from buying hand sanitizer to getting a house! Now that’s a fair idea of the wide range of goals i was talking about.

Oh well, let’s see if we can put together a list:

* Turn hobby into actual business. I don’t think this needs further explaining. It’s going to be a dream come true!

* Get a house. Another “dream come true” thing.

* Visit more of Romania. Though it’s going to be difficult because of the other major goals, but hey? Who knows? It might just work out.

* Get an eye surgery. Oh yeah, my sight is pretty bad, but surgery is possible, so i want to give it a try.

* Get braces put on. As it turns out, my eyes aren’t the only bad thing about me. Also, it’s never too late for braces. Basically, if you want something, go for it!

* Create wedding sets designs, have samples made, get them photographed and listed. I have so many ideas, but so little time. Also, it’s quite difficult and expensive too to have letterpress samples made. But it must be done either way.

* I kind of gave up on the number of sales goal because more and more sales are coming directly through mail and i can’t keep up. As for the letterpress shop, actually most of the sales are done through mail. So basically what i’m trying to say here is that i need to organize the sales somehow.

* Get hand sanitizer and thermal water. I so need these!

* Get better at taking photos. I’m so struggling with this! I even considered having a professional take photos for my items, but it’s driving me crazy that i can’t, so i keep trying…

* Get back into sports. Last year i did great at this, so i must pick it up again. Sports combined with a mere 10 minutes round of meditation. I never thought it would do me so much good!

* Read more. There are soooo many books i want to read and my new toy makes it possible for me to have access to all of them. I have a new Kindle and i love it! Currently reading: “The Da Vinci code”.

* Cook more. I think i always write this as part of my goals. The lack of free time is really killing me, but i’m doing my best here.

* Stop taking everything to heart. This has been my problem for as long as i can remember. I let stupid things (and people) get me down. Must stop caring so much.

* Celebrate birthdays. I have a problem remembering birthdays; i would really forget my own if other people didn’t remind me of it.

Weeeell maybe i should stop for now. I think there are a mot more, but there’s always next Wednesday, right? That’s about it with my New Year’s resolutions for this Wednesday.

Until then, take care!!

The Funky Studio team wishes you, as always, a colorful day!

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artist interview, etsy

Interview with Ali of BURNISH + BONE Osteological Taphonomy. Interesting, uncommon, fascinating!

June 5, 2015 Andreea

The interview with Ali of BURNISH + BONE Osteological Taphonomy follows the article in which i talked a little about creating her custom letterpress business cards. I promised then i would be back with inside info directly from the crafter herself. Luckily she accepted to share her story and details regarding the not so common activity she does.

BURNISH + BONE is all about cleaning and preserving animal bones, skulls, claws, tusks, teeth and horns for hunters, pet owners, collectors and enthusiasts. This is something that would catch anyone’s attention, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg! Ali’s interview will reveal a bunch of interesting details about this activity, so without further ado, please enjoy the read!

interview BURNISH BONE — “I received some beautiful custom letterpress business cards.”

1. Tell us something about yourself as a person and also as an artist and a crafter.

I love a good story, especially a good mystery. I think that’s why I like bones — they leave so much to the imagination, you can’t help but create stories around them. Likewise, artifacts of the past invariably teach us about our history, but also our present, and maybe our future. Preserving those moments and stories and learnings to share with other people so that they may feel and learn in their own ways is what really motivates me as an artist and craftsperson.

2. How did you start your business and how did you choose to create the particular items that you make? How did you first get interested in this field?

My business started as hobby that I learned for myself as a young person. When I was a teenager, my grandfather gave me a bear skull from a hunting expedition of his. I was delighted! However, after some time, I noticed it started to discolour and decay. I was desperate to preserve the thing, and so I taught myself how. Long story short, I fell in love with the process and kept doing it more and more. I guess I found a bit of niche market of people who dig it as much as I do.

3. Can you share a little inside info on the actual process of getting the skulls and bones to a finished sellable product? Basically the short version of the journey they go through from the time they get to you and until they leave your studio.

This usually depends on the state that I receive the specimen. If it is still fleshy, it lives outside for a while in a special box to let nature’s little critters clean it up as much as possible for me. This can sometimes take three months given the “freshness” of the skull. Once I think it’s had enough, I bring it in for a lot of soaking in different solutions of environmentally-friendly agents to degrease the bone from the inside out. Once the skull is nearly transparent, I leave it to dry in the sun for a period of time to whiten. Then I start detailing it; gluing the teeth back in, etc. As well as applying several protective finishes to the final product to give it a nice lustre and to protect it from water damage. No paint, no bleach, no varnish. Ick.

4. What would you say are the main aspects that characterize your work?

Water. Soap. and Glue. My studio always has this funky, sweaty, fresh laundry smell.

5. As an artist, crafter and seller, what were the biggest struggles you had to deal with in the past, but also at present?

The traditions we hold for the dead are very firmly sequestered in people’s minds, and getting people to open up to new perspectives of memorializing the deceased are challenging in their delicate and emotional nature.

6. What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of regarding your work?

Simply providing people with a new way to share and remember their stories and memories, and allowing them to proudly display the remains of their fallen animal brothers, rather than stowing them away in a dusty urn is a reward. For me, it’s like giving breath to the dead.

7. What are your plans for the future of your business?

I would like to have more retail stock for collectors to balance my commission-based work.

8. What did you purchase from Funky Box Studio and / or Funky Print Studio?

I received some beautiful custom letterpress business cards.

9. How did you come by FBS / FPS? (recommendation, google search, etsy etc.)

I saw them on Etsy and thought, “Romania? Cool!”

10. Please tell us your general opinion on the purchased items.

So so so impressed. Really, they are precisely what I wanted. Service, quality… everything, five stars. Top notch.

11. Also, what did you think of your interaction with FBS / FPS from a customer service point of view?

Communicating with Andreea was like talking with my best friend. I could tell she was genuinely concerned about the outcome of my business cards, and wanted to make sure I was 100% happy. And she did :) I am 120% happy!

Check out further details on Ali’s website.

The Funky Studio team wishes you, as always, a colorful day!

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artist interview, etsy

Interview with Femke of Dutch Origin Design by FEM. Chic, romantic, European elegance

May 19, 2015May 14, 2015 Andreea

When we decided to take this series of interviews, we knew that for our letterpress items‘ customers, we had to post Femke‘s interview first. We had really just purchased our new Heidelberg Tiegel (that we named Charlotte, as you may have noticed!) and we hadn’t even opened our shop and website when we took on her custom letterpress business cards order. She was our Charlotte’s first customer!

Femke is the artist behind Dutch Origin Design by FEM. She creates unique jewelry, but also paintings and drawings. In order to get to know her and her activity a little better, we managed to steal a bit of her time and had her answer a few questions for us.

necklace african tribe — Necklace – African tribe

1.Tell us something about yourself as a person and also as an artist and a crafter.
Ever since I was a child I have been drawing and painting but I also have a passion for creating jewellery with beads. After high school I moved from the Netherlands to Oxford to study Art & History of Art, but after a while I decided to go “safe” and got a master’s degree in Law. After my graduation I worked for international fashion companies such as O’Neill and Inditex (Zara/Bershka). As I traveled around the world for work, I got inspired by the different cultures and when I moved for personal reasons to Milan I started my own art & jewellery collection Dutch Origin Design by FEM.

2. How did you start your business and how did you choose to create the particular items that you make? How did you first get interested in these fields?
In Milan, I was constantly surrounded by fashion & design and became inspired to explore my ideas for my own collection. With gemstones, which I bought in Indonesia I created my first jewellery and I continued to source for more special & natural beads. This resulted in the launch of my website Dutch Origin Design.com which displays both my art & jewellery collections.

3. Where do you get your inspiration from?
People find it important to differentiate themselves among others with unique pieces of fashion or jewellery. However to find affordable pieces you often depend on the mass production of the fashion industry with little intrinsic value or actual uniqueness. The ambition is to provide people with fashionable jewellery which are unique because of the history of the components and look, but are still affordable. For both my art & jewellery nature plays a key role, natural colors & shapes inspire me to create.

funky box studio tags for dutch origin design — “For both my art & jewellery nature plays a key role, natural colors & shapes inspire me to create.”

4. What would you say are the main aspects that characterize your work and at the same time differentiate your work from others?
I would describe my paintings as abstract figurative art with harmonious compilation of colours & shapes. For my jewellery I always search for natural materials, handmade and vintage beads which result in one of a kind jewellery. The reason I use natural materials is the enduring beauty, little imperfections which add value and emotion. I prefer to source my materials from little boutiques, family companies and relative small artists. I believe their passion for their products will reflect in the end result.

5. As an artist, crafter and seller, what were the biggest struggles you had to deal with in the past, but also at present?
Finding the right balance between quality and price is subjective. For my own business I don’t have the constant pressure of meeting targets and I can focus on quality and one of a kind items. But the challenge to source unique materials for a reasonable price and not have to fall back on mass production due to price will always exist.

6. What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of regarding your work?
The combination of family life and my own work. To be able to express what’s in my head and hands works well for me. Currently I am working on multiple assignments (mostly paintings) for people who want unique but affordable pieces. The latest assignment was received with such enthusiasm, that it inspires me to continue creating & sharing my designs.

pen-ink-drawing-feathers- — “The reason I use natural materials is the enduring beauty, little imperfections which add value and emotion.”

7. What are your plans for the future of your business?
Painting is time consuming but personal rewarding and I hope to be able to focus more on painting assignments going forward.

8. What did you purchase from Funky Box Studio and / or Funky Print Studio?
Printed jewellery boxes , printed hang tags & letterpress printed business cards.

9. How did you come by FBS / FPS? (recommendation, google search, etsy etc.)
I was looking on Etsy for customized (printed) hang tags and jewellery boxes with the right look for my brand. During this ordering process, I asked if FBS was able to print good quality business cards as well. Not knowing that FBS was busy working on the opening of the FPS at that time.

10. Please tell us your general opinion on the purchased items.
Think it’s important that the quality, look and the price is right. The result of all my purchased products is what I wished for. The added value of the letterpress print for my business cards was exactly what I was aiming for.

11. Also, what did you think of your interaction with FBS / FPS from a customer service point of view?
The communication with FBS/FPS was very effective. FBS/FPS listen well to the customer’s “wishes” but give their professional feedback when necessary to achieve the right result. FBS/FPS is in my opinion very reliable for quality and delivery time, it’s important that suppliers don’t make promises they cannot keep.

Check out Femke’s updates on her Website.

The Funky Studio team wishes you, as always, a colorful day!

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artist interview, etsy

Interview with Dana of DanaBassotta. Romantic, eclectic, elegant accessories collections

May 5, 2015 Andreea

Here’s the second interview we prepared on the occasion of Funky Box Studio turning 2 years old and finally starting working on Funky Print Studio as well.

Dana Pelnika is the artist and designer behind DanaBassotta. We are really honored to be the ones creating the personalized packaging for her unique bow tie necklaces! Without further ado, here’s a glimpse into Dana’s world:

1. Tell us something about yourself as a person and also as an artist and a crafter.
DanaBassotta is a brand created by Dana Pelnika, born in Latvia and currently based between Rome, Riga and Paris.
While accomplishing studies in Academy of Arts of Latvia, Le Arti Orafe Jewellery School in Florence, and École Boule in Paris, Dana developed her personal creative activities as DanaBassotta.
DanaBassotta is specialized in decorative hand engraving on jewelry and different gift items, as well as portrait and landscape engraving.
Adding to hand engraving DanaBassota focuses her activities on silversmithing, custom jewelry and stone setting.

2. How did you start your business and how did you choose to create the particular items that you make? How did you first get interested in these fields and where do you get your inspiration from?
It began as a nostalgic and sentimental fairy tale… Walking through the charming streets of Montmartre in Paris area with my faithful friend, my cute dachshund Rex, I received a valuable flash of inspiration. Le Marché Saint Pierre with its colorful and chaotic stores tapes, fabrics and buttons, enchanted me and so i have decided to create something special, using the magic and charm of those magnificent colors.

3. What would you say are the main aspects that characterize your work and at the same time differentiate your work from others?
DanaBassotta is innovative and at the same time it represents unique and very original timeless classics, which bases its strength in the use of high quality materials and craftsmanship.

bow ties packaging — “It began as a nostalgic and sentimental fairy tale…”

4. What are your plans for the future of your business?
The future plans of DanaBassotta are quite big! I would like to expand my business and collaborate with other fashion brands. DanaBassotta already was noticed by some important fashion magazines like GQ UK, GLAMOUR UK, JUTE fashion magazine and others. Besides that creations of DanaBassotta have participated in several photo shootings for the fashion blogs and reviews.

5. What did you purchase from Funky Box Studio and / or Funky Print Studio?
From the Funky Box Studio I purchase the boxes for my bow ties.

6. How did you come by FBS / FPS? (recommendation, google search, etsy etc.)
I found this nice provider occasionally. Was struggling for a while with the ‘’perfect wrapping’’ search for my bow ties. One day going through Etsy I came across Funky Box Studio and I am fully satisfied with their products.

7. What did you think of your interaction with FBS / FPS from a customer service point of view?
I appreciate our collaboration with Funky Box Studio also from the customer service point of view. With them all the client’s ideas are taken in consideration and their replies are very punctual! Funky Box Studio is trying to discuss and offer the best solution for the client also regarding shipping and price. Excellent service!

Check out Dana’s updates on Etsy, Facebook and Website.

The Funky Studio team wishes you, as always, a colorful day!

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