a visit with: Kathryn Hunter of Blackbird Letterpress


Over the next few months leading up to our November market, Tuesday through Thursday we'll be showcasing one of our 2012 market artists, their work, and a little peek at where they make the magic happen. We hope you'll enjoy this new series, where we'll ask the same questions of each of our makers. 

You'll get to know a little bit about our talented makers and what inspires them, read about their favorite ways to recharge their creativity, and learn what experience has shown them to be an invaluable piece of the puzzle in selling their work. Come November, won't it be great to walk into a room filled with inspiring, familiar faces? We think so, too!

We're super thrilled to wrap up this week by visiting with terribly clever designer/ letterpress printer and first time Second Storie vendor (all the way from Louisiana!), Kathryn Hunter of Blackbird Letterpress...




a visit with:





- Kathryn Hunter - 



What first inspired you to create/make what you do now?
I don't know if there is one thing that inspires me to make what I make now. My letterpress inspiration is mostly vintage ephemera and paper pieces that offer some kind of interaction with the viewer; holding something, spinning, education, etc. Letter writing and correspondence inspires me too.



Your advice for someone just starting out
and wanting to sell their work?
Go for it. The market  may be saturated but set up at a local arts market/fair and you'll shine! Learn what other people are doing and how they are pricing, marketing, etc. But look with a little distance so not to get overwhelmed.





- her studio -


Three things or people who inspire you?
Kara Walker
Uppercase Magazine
and vintage ephemera.







- her work -


Favorite way to take a break/recharge your creative batteries?
Sitting on the porch at the fishing camp in the salt marsh of the Louisiana coast, 6 miles by boat from the closest marina, with only the sound of water and birds.


Get to know more about Kathryn here:



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a visit with: Erica Bello


Over the next few months leading up to our November market, Tuesday through Thursday we'll be showcasing one of our 2012 market artists, their work, and a little peek at where they make the magic happen. We hope you'll enjoy this new series, where we'll ask the same questions of each of our makers. 

You'll get to know a little bit about our talented makers and what inspires them, read about their favorite ways to recharge their creativity, and learn what experience has shown them to be an invaluable piece of the puzzle in selling their work. Come November, won't it be great to walk into a room filled with inspiring, familiar faces? We think so, too!

Today we're delighted to spend some time with talented jewelry artist and first time Second Storie vendor, Erica Bello...




a visit with:





- Erica Bello - 


What first inspired you to create/make what you do now?
I started making jewelry in high school. I was really interested in the idea of combining art and function.


Your advice for someone just starting out
and wanting to sell their work?
Work your butt off! But don't forget to take time away from your work, it often gives you a fresh perspective.




- her workspace -


Three things or people who inspire you?
I never thought nature would inspire me, but I recently took a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park and have never been so 
awe-struck. Two of my favorite jewelers are Lauren Markley 








- her work -


Favorite way to take a break/recharge your creative batteries?
Getting outside is the best remedy for sitting at a 
jewelers bench all day.


Get to know more about Erica here:



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a visit with: Drew Zangerle of The Maple Ridge


Over the next few months leading up to our November market, Tuesday through Thursday we'll be showcasing one of our 2012 market artists, their work, and a little peek at where they make the magic happen. We hope you'll enjoy this new series, where we'll ask the same questions of each of our makers. 

You'll get to know a little bit about our talented makers and what inspires them, read about their favorite ways to recharge their creativity, and learn what experience has shown them to be an invaluable piece of the puzzle in selling their work. Come November, won't it be great to walk into a room filled with inspiring, familiar faces? We think so, too!

This week we begin by spending some time with endearing and prolific returning Second Storie vendor, Drew Zangerle...




a visit with:





- Drew Zangerle - 


What first inspired you to create/make what you do now?
I'm inspired to make the things that I make from whatever it is that I just finished making. The ideas come from all over the place: books, photographs, various websites, nature, thrift stores, etc, etc, etc.


Your advice for someone just starting out
and wanting to sell their work?
The best advice I could give someone just starting off would be to start small and to talk with as many craft show vendors as you can to find out about new opportunities to show your work and other helpful hints.




- his workspace -



Three things or people who inspire you?
Three things that inspire me to work are spending time with other creative people, going to thrift and antique stores, and buying new supplies.








- his work -


Favorite way to take a break/recharge your creative batteries?
Two ways to unwind and recharge are to one: get out of the house and spend some time near water, and two: read a book (I've been reading a bit of science fiction lately).


Get to know more about Drew here:



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a visit with: Alana & Francisco of Humunuku


Over the next few months leading up to our November market, Tuesday through Thursday we'll be showcasing one of our 2012 market artists, their work, and a little peek at where they make the magic happen. We hope you'll enjoy this new series, where we'll ask the same questions of each of our makers. 

You'll get to know a little bit about our talented makers and what inspires them, read about their favorite ways to recharge their creativity, and learn what experience has shown them to be an invaluable piece of the puzzle in selling their work. Come November, won't it be great to walk into a room filled with inspiring, familiar faces? We think so, too!

We're pleased to wrap up this week's visits by spending some time with dynamic creative duo and returning Second Storie vendors, Alana & Francisco...




a visit with:





- Alana & Francisco - 


What first inspired you to create/make what you do now?
With a background in fine art, we both met and got our start in Art School. We've always loved the idea of making things that are not only beautiful but useful.


Your advice for someone just starting out
and wanting to sell their work?
Truly believe and invest in yourself. Only do what you love and others will respond to what's genuine.




- their studio -


Three things or people who inspire you?
Nature, the nostalgic, and travel. We are happy in finding ways to amplify small details of nature around us or rendering a memory into something tactile. Our families both live far away, so when we travel, we always find something inspiring in the colors, textures, and people of other cultures.








- their work -


Favorite way to take a break/recharge your creative batteries?
Sometimes we need to step away and take a small trip, even if it's just a day trip or weekend. Getting a fresh pair of eyes and new perspective can help the creative process a ton. Sometimes, a quick mid-day nap is a treat.


Any news or upcoming events you'd like to share?
We are going to be launching a new line of work this fall. Some new designs, hand drawn illustrations, and some textile prints.


Get to know more about Alana & Francisco here:



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a visit with: Katrina Rodabaugh



Over the next few months leading up to our November market, Tuesday through Thursday we'll be showcasing one of our 2012 market artists, their work, and a little peek at where they make the magic happen. We hope you'll enjoy this new series, where we'll ask the same questions of each of our makers. 

You'll get to know a little bit about our talented makers and what inspires them, read about their favorite ways to recharge their creativity, and learn what experience has shown them to be an invaluable piece of the puzzle in selling their work. Come November, won't it be great to walk into a room filled with inspiring, familiar faces? We think so, too!

This morning we're spending time with multi-talented, first time Second Storie vendor, Katrina Rodabaugh...




a visit with:





- Katrina Rodabaugh - 


What first inspired you to create/make what you do now?
My mother was always making something with her hands; cross-stitch, crewelwork, knitting, sewing, gardening - so I remember various craft projects was a very little girl. By the time I was in high school I was sewing, drawing, and writing poems at every turn, but it wasn't until I was living in Brooklyn in my mid-twenties that I started my creative work seriously.


Your advice for someone just starting out
and wanting to sell their work?
Just keep making things! Anything. Everything. Just keep making things until you better recognize your personal style. And then get really, really committed to making your creative work into a business. It's okay if it takes a really long time and it's okay if you fail once, twice, or a dozen times along the way.




- her studio -


Three things or people who inspire you?
Mei Mei Berssenbrugge is one of my absolute favorite poets. I'd have to say Miranda July for her "do everything and who cares if it fits together neatly" way of working across disciplines. And then Louise Bourgeois and Kiki Smith are tied, 
they're art heroes.








- her work -


Favorite way to take a break/recharge your creative batteries?
My husband and I are both working artists so non-art moments are sparse. The Bay Area is a treasure of galleries, museums, theaters, and literary readings. But since our son was born a year ago I'd have to say long, slow, meandering walks through the neighborhood are a new favorite.


Any news or upcoming events you'd like to share?
I'm gearing up for several craft fairs this fall, teaching workshops, and also super excited to be sprucing up my blog and Etsy shop. It's a busy, beautiful time in my studio,
so stay tuned!



Get to know more about Marisa here:



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a visit with: Cara Lynne


Over the next few months leading up to our November market, Tuesday through Thursday we'll be showcasing one of our 2012 market artists, their work, and a little peek at where they make the magic happen. We hope you'll enjoy this new series, where we'll ask the same questions of each of our makers. 

You'll get to know a little bit about our talented makers and what inspires them, read about their favorite ways to recharge their creativity, and learn what experience has shown them to be an invaluable piece of the puzzle in selling their work. Come November, won't it be great to walk into a room filled with inspiring, familiar faces? We think so, too!

We couldn't think of a better way to kick off this very fall-like week than by spending some time with terribly talented, first time Second Storie vendor, Cara Lynne...




a visit with:





- Cara Lynne - 


What first inspired you to create/make what you do now?
I love the possibilities of hand drawn type. I started out copying out of textbooks and very old specimen books, but then fell in love with experimenting and pushing the limits of readability and line work.


Your advice for someone just starting out
and wanting to sell their work?
Don't feel pressured to have everything all together at the beginning. (Everything being: cheap supplies, finances, customer service, branding, etc.) Part of learning what your work is all about is learning what it's not, and that can't be learned OR made overnight.




- her studio -


Three things or people who inspire you? 
All wonderful people with a fresh look on life and design.








- her work -


Favorite way to take a break/recharge your creative batteries?
Do something completely different! (But still productive!)When I'm sick of drawing, I cook. When I'm sick of cooking, I photograph. I run a food and writing magazine which is my "day job" and it keeps me incredibly inspired.

Any news or upcoming events you'd like to share?
The fall issue of Cara's Chickpea Magazine, a Vegan Quarterly has just been released. Cara will also be stocking her shop in the coming weeks, in preparation for the holidays.

Get to know more about Cara here:



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