Meet A Maker-Samaria Project

We'd like to introduce you to this week's Meet A Maker!
Meet Jessie Skriner, creator of Samaria Project
Location: Chandler, Arizona
the awesomeness: Love Bot Bots & Mr. Fronch Toast


*how did you come up with the name Samaria Project?
My husband, Vin, and I had just moved to Montana from Salt Lake City, Utah. During one of the many 10 hour drives that we had to do before moving there, I was daydreaming about having a creative business. I kept trying to come up with names that would sound neat and was drawing a total blank - at that second we passed an exit sign for a tiny town called Samaria. I kept thinking that was such a cool name....after we were all moved to Montana the creative business idea came up again as my "side project" (motivated by my wonderful husband). The first name that came to mind was Samaria...and Samaria Project was created!

*Can you tell us a little about your background and what compelled you to start a craft business?
A craft business is probably one of the last things anyone would have expected from me! I graduated with a BA in Art with an emphasis in Photography and Printmaking. Soon after graduating I was swept up into the "glamorous" life of music promotion working with Sony BMG as a marketing rep in Salt Lake City. It did that for a few years and went to thousands of concerts! Then life slowed down a bit and I worked the traditional 9-5 for a few years...but eventually the creative itch came overwhelmingly back. Feeling too disconnected because I didn't have a dark room or printmaking studio to inhabit and feeling sick of the stuffiness of traditional art- I started looking for other avenues of being creative I experimented in a handful of mediums and eventually fell in love with plush making. As you can see I am still dabbling in many mediums (since I have 4 etsy stores! LOL!) I love working with my hands and creating something from nothing :)


*Where does your inspiration come from?
A lot of it comes from my family and fellow artists on Etsy. My first plushies were experiments to make one of a kind gifts for my nieces...since then I have been hooked (and they have been equally hooked up with awesome toys from their auntie Jess!) Once I discovered Etsy - it was like a whole other world that opened up! I couldn't believe it had existed for so long without me knowing about it! It has been such a crucial piece in getting Samaria Project up and running. Another HUGE influence has been being a member of the THE PLUSH TEAM. Such a wonderful, crazy, hilarious, supportive group of plush artists who are constantly amazing and astounding me with their awesome creations. I feel so lucky to be part of it and love the constant challenges to expand!


*2 favorite websites?
Only two?? Well, if I had to admit where I spend a lot of time I would say:
Etsy (of course!)
ICANHASCHEEZBURGER (my daily dose of giggles)


*What’s next for Samaria Project?
More and more plushies!! I am currently dreaming up new characters and thinking about other avenues to take them. Did I mention sewing and more sewing :)


*Any tips or advice for anyone starting their own craft business?
Never give up! I think a huge part of any business is passion about what you are doing. I put my whole heart into everything I make. It is such a huge reward to me that my little plushies make people happy!

* 5 random facts about you!
-I am allergic to tons of foods :( which means I usually have a stash of Jess friendly food with me :)
-I am a huge nerd to the core
-I LOVE puppies - especially Dexter :) What a cutie!
- I work @ a toy store!
- Vin and I move a lot. As my mom calls us, "urban nomads" :)

You can find Samaria Project plushies at The Felt Bird!!
Wanna know more about Jessie and Samaria Project?
SHOP:
Samaria Project
Samaria Project Photography
Cloud Labs
Travel..A Go Go...
TWITTER: CLICK HERE
BLOG: CLICK HERE

Thanks Jessie!!

NEW!

We got lovely NEW items in the store this week!!

JDSTAR woven bracelets!


more crochet bows from Sue!!


more cupcake necklaces from hollyrocks!


NEW sock monkey & coffee cuffs from Fried Okra



scarfettes from Kelly Georgette!


This Saturday is the SPCA Wine & Food Festival in downtown Enid! Get your tickets before the event!! We hope to see you there!



About the poll...
GREEN WON!!! WOOT WOOT! That was my color choice (stela). Riley chose the burnt orange. The only problem is that I asked our customers and they chose Riley's color! So it looks like the red/orange really won since everyone in the store chose that one.
But I will use that green for at least one wall! hehe
Thank you to everyone who voted!!

lots of new goods

Look at all the lovely new items we have this week!


Wool robots made from recycled sweaters and suits from Sara!


Chocolate chip cookie pouch!

Taco pouch!

Lots of NEW goodies from The Knit Owl




and lots of NEW goodies from Felix & Jayne






Yay for new stuffs!
We are open 12 to 6 Tuesday-Saturday!!

After work we are going to see Where the Wild Things Are!! So pumped


What's your favorite childhood book?

Have a glorious weekend and...come visit us!!

we can't make up our mind!

Hey Friends! We need your help!
We are wanting to add some color to the store and Riley and I keep butting heads on which one. That's where you come in! Please vote in the poll above to help us out!

We plan to paint the wall behind the register and a nook we have; so not the whole wall.

Below are the color choices! The colors in the middle is our store color scheme.


We'd appreciate your vote!!

Thanks!

Meet A Maker- The Knit Owl

We'd like to introduce you to this week's Meet A Maker!
Meet Amby Franks Barnes, creator of The Knit Owl
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
the awesomeness: fabric button rings & bobby pins, wristlet key fobs, and NEW cowls, fingerless gloves and Grecian style headbands!!

*how did you come up with the name The Knit Owl?
I had just started knitting, something I had wanted to learn forever! I seriously used to ask my friends if they had a grandmother that could teach me. Finally, I made myself just figure it out. Around the same time I had started obsessing over cute vintage owls. So the two just came together in my head one day! It's also kind of a play on words, "night owl."


*Can you tell us a little about your background and what compelled you to start a craft business?
My mom is super crafty, so I grew up watching her make lots of cool things. She was always encouraging me to learn, especially when it came to sewing. I wasn't quite as into it as a child, but a few years ago I got a sewing machine and just got inspired to give it another go. I started by making tote bags as gifts and had so much fun that I wondered if I could sell them. I was really unhappy with the job I had at the time and the thought of doing something I enjoyed sounded amazing! At the same time, sites like Etsy were starting to become successful. Once I did a little research and saw just how many people were trying to make a living by selling handmade, I got so excited and dove in from there!


*Where does your inspiration come from?
I read about 15 fashion blogs everyday along with my magazine subscriptions! It really gets my mind going. I also get a lot of ideas whenever I find a new batch of vintage fabric. I always know immediately what each piece will become.


*2 favorite websites?
I can't get enough of this blog: http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/
This is a fun site if you knit or crochet: https://www.ravelry.com/

*What’s next for The Knit Owl?
Well, it's fall and this is when things get really busy and fun! I plan to be at Indie Emporium and some other shows this year. So I am working hard to make some new products. I'm really focusing on cowls and scarves, both crocheted and knit.


*Any tips or advice for anyone starting their own craft business?
Be sure you enjoy making the product, because if it takes off you'll be making a lot of it!!


* 5 random facts about you!
1. Without realizing it, I obsess over a certain color every fall. Last year it was mustard and this year it's navy! I just start noticing a trend in what I buy. Weird, I know.
2. I drink hot tea every morning. It's like my coffee.
3. I love to bake and cook.
4. Rainy days are my favorite.
5. Last but not least, I am a total Twihard...meaning I love Twilight and think everyone should read and see the movies! It's fun to indulge the teenage girl in me.


You can find The Knit Owl at The Felt Bird!!
Wanna know more about Amby and The Knit Owl?
MYSPACE: CLICK HERE
TWITTER: CLICK HERE
SHOP: CLICK HERE

THANKS AMBY!!!

WE WILL BE CLOSED FRIDAY (10/9) AND SATURDAY (10/10)!!

We are headed to Tulsa for Indie Emporium!!
Indie Emporium is a hip art and craft show that takes place in Tulsa.
I will be there selling Stelabird!

Other awesome vendors that will be there, that also sell at The Felt Bird are:
So Strawberry
The Knit Owl
Lollywood
Simple Splendor
HollyRocks
Paper Lotus
Weather & Noise
Nimish Parekh Photography
Grey Eye Designs

You can visit indieemporium.com to see the full list of vendors!
Also tickets are available here for $5 until today at 6 p.m!

We'll see you Tuesday!! (or Friday & Saturday if you're at Indie Emporium!!)

Meet A Maker-Weather & Noise

We'd like to introduce you to this week's Meet A Maker!
Meet Christine Sharp-Crowe, creator of Weather & Noise AND organizer of the awesome art & craft show Indie Emporium!!
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
the awesomeness: keychain bottle openers & pocket mirrors


*how did you come up with the name Weather&Noise? A long summer drive, listening to happy music and daydreaming. It was part of a song lyric that stuck.


*Can you tell us a little about your background and what compelled you to start a craft business?
I’ve been making things since I was a little girl doing art & craft projects with my grandmother. It has always been one of my favorite things and I guess I just didn’t want to grow up and get a real job, so I’ve started various craft related endeavors.


*Where does your inspiration come from? Art Nouveau, repetitive shapes and lines, muted colors, feathers, Marimekko, Jenny Lewis, whimsy, Scandinavian Design, and many other people, places, and things.


*2 favorite websites?
1. http://www.designspongeonline.com/
2. Etsy.com

*What’s next for weather&noise?
Lately I have been focusing on my fine art prints and mastering printmaking techniques.. some of that work can be found at christinesharpcrowe.etsy.com. I’m still making lots of weather&noise goodies for fall craft shows and plan to debut a line of coasters that feature vintage prints and some of my own textile designs in the near future.


*Any tips or advice for anyone starting their own craft business?
Try to stay focused and consistent, but let your work always be evolving.



* 5 random facts about you!
1. I’m getting close to finishing my degree in Interior Architecture & Design!!
2. September is my favorite month (and The Felt Bird opening is making it even better!)
3. I’m also the organizer of Indie Emporium (www.indieemporium.com)
4. I really miss Arrested Development. A lot.
5. I have a blog. Sometimes I neglect it. weatherandnoisedesigns.blogspot.com

You can find Weather & Noise at The Felt Bird!!
Wanna know more about Christine and Weather & Noise?
BLOG: CLICK HERE
MYSPACE: CLICK HERE
TWITTER: CLICK HERE
SHOP: CLICK HERE

Don't forget to attend Indie Emporium this Friday and Saturday in Tulsa!!
You can purchase tickets here at The Felt Bird!

FIRST FRIDAY/OKTOBERFEST

TOMORROW is First Friday as well as Oktoberfest here in Downtown Enid!!

The Felt Bird will have live music from Daniel Walcher

as well as coffee from Hardback Cafe & delicious cookies!!

Here's what else is going on downtown tomorrow!!
*Live Broadcast by KOFM from 4:30-6:30 p.m
*Carriage Rides around the square!
*Panevino will have an outside beer garden!
*Body Solid will have brats, pretzels and beer cart!
*Soapweeds & Cactus will feature cowboy sketch Artist Darrell Bullard from 7-9 p.m.
*For You will have Chickadees & Friends and brat bites
*Scribner's Gallery will have a new show, live music and food by Angel Delight.
*Callahan's will have live music by Billy Beck
*Muncy Photography-social networking profile pics for donations to fund breast cancer and awareness

SHOP. DINE. BE ENTERTAINED

Lots to do for everyone!! We'd love to see you!
The festivities begin around 5:30 p.m.