Ok who the heck are you?

What is the worst craft fail you’ve had?
I have tried FOUR TIMES to make a patchwork fabric ball for my baby nephew, Bruno.  Two ended in such hilarious non-round shapes that I had to give them to him anyway.   As for the more recent two — I can’t even figure out a way to sew them closed, so no ball for Bruno!  I am determined to finally figure out how to do this.  Even if I have to give it to him for his high school graduation.

Where do you get your materials from?
Since I primarily make photographs, I get most of my materials from computer and photo places — locally I really like Schiller’s on Manchester.  For art supplies, City Art Supply, more or less around the corner from my house, on Cherokee Street.  I order some craft supplies from small retailers on Etsy.  And now Paste, of course!

If you could talent swap with another local St. Louis crafter for a day who would it be?
Oh boy!  All of them for an hour, so I could learn all of their skills.  Is that okay?  I love making stuff, even if it never turns into a ball-shaped ball.  I really love the idea of making something practical, something usable — so any of the clothing makers around town would be a delight to be/learn from.

Ok enough about you!  Tell us what you like about Paste!
The support for local artists and events around town is great; that’s what I love about small locally owned businesses!  Also, there is a good variety of what are clearly carefully chosen materials.  I want one of everything!

Ok shamelessly plug yourself!  (Where to find your goods, websites, etsy shops etc,)
At present I have prints for sale at Paste, Firecracker Press on Cherokee Street, and in my Etsy shop.  I’m also happy to answer questions and make anything available that you haven’t found in one of the above locations.  Just contact me through my web site.

http://www.hilaryhitchcock.com
http://hilary-hitchcock.blogspot.com
http://curioush.etsy.com

Allison Rabbitt

What is the worst craft fail you’ve had?

I made a queen-sized quilt, hand-quilted, meticulously assembled in concentric rainbow colors, for a local business man. Not naming names, but my apartment was right behind his shop, so I saw him all the time.  When I finally got it done, he said I had taken too long (2 months, but gee, I was also employed full-time!) and also balked at the price ($600). I quote, “$600? I can go to K-mart and get a quilt for $45!”  I told him to go to K-mart, then, and stomped back into my apartment before I started crying. I was in dire financial straits and really, REALLY needed that money. Luckily, an old family friend bought it for a raffle benefit she was having, so it went to a better place.

Where do you get your materials from?

Fabric stores, garage sales and estate sales for the vintage stuff, friends who sew, and thrift stores.

If you could talent swap with another local St. Louis crafter for aday who would it be?

Anyone who makes pottery.

Ok enough about you!  Tell us what you like about Paste!

It’s easy to direct people to, easy to find, and has all the stuff crafters need here in the city! Plus, it’s not a chain craft store full of fake flowers and disgruntled employees and that horrible potpourri stench. When Paste gets fabric, I will never, ever leave.

Ok shamelessly plug yourself! (Where to find your goods, websites, etsy shops etc,)

My goods are available at Paste and Cranky Yellow here in St. Louis, Wholly Craft in Columbus, OH. Sometimes, I am at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market and am usually in the large craft shows around town like Rock and Roll Craft Show, Big Ass Indie Art Show and the shows the St. Louis Craft Mafia puts on.  I am also available to my customers if they’d like special orders or to pre-shop my inventory before the big shows.
Online, you can find me at www.squaresville.etsy.com.

I am Genifer Brown of Downtown Genifer Brown Designs. I create wearable art. It isn’t quite jewelry because there really aren’t actual jewels involved. My work involves pendants, pins, earrings, and bracelets made of hand sculpted clay and various types of fiber.

What is the worst craft fail you’ve had?

For fun, I sculpted the H.P. Lovecraft creation Cthulhu. If you’ve read Lovecraft, Cthulhu is described as being this huge, horrifying monster that causes the people unlucky enough to see him to go mad. I carefully read the descriptions of Cthulhu and began sculpting. When I finished, the top half of Cthulhu turned out just as I wanted, but when I looked at the rest of my work, I realized that I had sculpted this completely horrifying entity with sexy, curvy women’s legs. It looked incredibly silly…I ended up re-doing the legs a couple of times to get them right. Dread Cthulhu lies dreaming…with his girlish gams.

Where do you get your materials from?

I get my clay from Hobby Lobby or Michael’s depending on who is having a sale or where I have a coupon. The fiber I purchase from various sources, including Goodwill (I “reclaim” any cool looking textiles I find), Paste, and The Bead Store (my source for the fantastic sari ribbon and recycled silk). I also find materials on etsy every once in a while.

If you could talent swap with another local St. Louis crafter for a day who would it be?

Ok enough about you!  Tell us what you like about Paste!

There is a really nice fiber selection! I found some great yarns to use in some of my fall and winter work.

My work is currently available at Paste, and beginning in October at a shop in Belleville called Piece by Piece. I occasionally do craft fairs, but not really often, maybe once or twice a year. I have an etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5151975).