Posted by Crystal Pepperdine, Founder and Executive Director of Flint Handmade
For our March Second Saturday giveaway, we are featuring Amber of
handleber!
This is Amber in her craftroom with her adorable cat, Champ.
I asked Amber to tell me about her workspace:
"I have a craft room upstairs where I keep all of my materials and items to sell organized. I spend part of my time working up there. Because this is not my primary income, I spend most of my time crafting on nights and weekends. As a result, I have been known to assemble and embroider several pieces whilst catching up with my DVR’d shows in the family room instead of the craft room."
Amber means it when she keeps her supplies and products organized! She has fantastic containers for all of her goodies.
Finished necklaces go in the flower drawers on her desk.
Supplies go into organizers in the desk cubbies.
Projects-in-progess and craft fair supplies go into boxes in her EXPEDIT shelving from IKEA...a system beloved by many of our featured crafters. :)
As I looked around, I realized that mustaches feature prominently in Amber's craft room decor as well as in her
handleber promotional materials, so I asked her how she came up with her company name:
"When I signed up for etsy I did not plan on beginning a business immediately. But I wanted a name that reflected me in case I decided to make something to sell. Handleber is related to my love of mustaches and name (Amber). My friends shortened my name to “Ber” a while back. The shop name seemed quirky and fitting."
Well, Amber's fun and quirky personality shines through in all of her work!
She even made her own red felt flower bridal bouquet for her wedding last year! Behind her is a painting of one of her favorite uncles, who seems to kindly watch over the whole room.
Champ is also watched over in the craftroom while he dines...by a picture of a fellow feline wearing 3D glasses and eating popcorn!
With so many creative elements in her craftroom, I asked Amber how she got into crafting:
"I have always been interested in making things. When I was little I had a craft table in my parents’ basement where I would make holiday ornaments in July or friendship bracelets for friends. I puffy painted shoes and tie-dyed everything I could find.
When I was in college I made several of my presents because I did not have enough money to buy something for everyone in my extended family. I painted ornaments, crated candleholders, made button wreathes, and knit scarves.
My interest in making items out of felt has been fairly recent."
Her interest in felt may be recent, but Amber already has a great stash colorful rolled felt.
She even has catalog sheets of felt swatches! I had a feeling I would know the answer, but I still had to ask about Amber's favorite craft tool/material:
"I am obsessed with wool felt. However, my newest obsession is vintage brooches. I love the idea that there is an added history in the pieces I make. Vintage elements, buttons included, add a bit of drama to my work. The tough part is finding brooches that add a vintage feel without making my products too expensive.
A goal of mine is to create pieces that look luxurious, but can be affordable so everyone can rock handleber items."
And, to ensure perfectly shaped flowers for her luxurious accessories, Amber uses a
Sizzix BIGkick machine in periwinkle with flower die cuts.
With so many different projects, I asked Amber what she listens to, thinks about or watches while she crafts:
"I generally watch movies when I craft. A few recent ones have been Young at Heart, Punch Drunk Love, The Royal Tenenbaums and There will be Blood. I also have a habit of watching some TV guilty pleasures, including Top Chef, Flipping Out, and reruns of 24.
When creating the arrangement of flowers I think of who might wear the product. I want to create items that will work well with simple clothes. I want the statement necklace to be the piece that makes a simple black dress or white tee look simultaneously luxurious and whimsical. Basically, if I won’t wear it I won’t sell it."
As we wrapped up the interview, I asked Amber what projects she would like to work on in the future:
"I picked up several cool fabric remnants at the Craft Swap at the Lunch Studio. I’d like to make some rosette statement necklaces out of that fabric.
I think it would be a nice idea to have lighter fabric necklaces for spring/summer events. I would also like to focus on more home items, starting with accent pillows."
Well, we hope you are inspired by Amber to make a creative leap of your own!
And, perhaps you could make that leap adorned by one of the TWO prizes that Amber donated for the giveaway!
Prize 1 (Statement Necklace, pictured at bottom): "
This mustard-colored trio of felt and fabric flowers showcases an amazing mustard fabric acquired by handleber at the latest Craft Suppy Swap! This necklace is on a simple brushed silver colored chain. The center flower showcases embroidered petals and a beautiful floral sparkly center. A fun statement piece for spring! Value $28."
Prize 2 (Hair Clip, pictured at top):
"This mustard-colored flower duo with white buttons is adorable on both short and long hair. The flowers are attached to an alligator clip, which allows it to clip onto fashion scarves, cardigans, and purses. It is definitely a versatile piece for spring! Value $10."
For YOUR chance to win the necklace OR hair clip from Amber of handleber, just complete steps A and B:
A) Follow Flint Handmade via the blog, Twitter, Google Reader or whatever newfangled "following application" tickles your fancy. Or, if you don't do the whole following thing, email us at flinthandmade@hotmail.com and we will add you to our email list.
B) Leave us a comment in response to this blog post by 5pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012 answering the following 2 questions:
1) How do you follow Flint Handmade?
2) Tell us which prize you would rather win (necklace or hair clip) AND where you would wear it if you won OR any ideas for other items Amber could make with felt flowers!
Please be sure to answer BOTH questions to qualify for the drawing.
The winner will be selected at random and posted on the blog within one week after the deadline. The winner will have 30 days to claim the prize.
We hope to hear from YOU and we hope you enjoyed our March Second Saturday Giveaway!
P.S. Be sure to visit the handleber website...which Amber wanted everyone to know was newly redesigned by the Flint Handmade's very own graphic designer, Yasmin Ladha! :)
