Feltmates Interview

I love the work by Feltmates so I am so excited to release this exclusive!  There are only 1 made of a lot of them and then only 6 hedgehog pins.  So well priced I am sure they will fly out the door.  Released tomorrow, June 22nd.  Until then, read this interview I did with the maker.

S- Please let our readers know more about you and your work.

F- I am originally from Kyoto, Japan.  I studied ceramics at the Kyoto College of Art.  After graduation, I worked as a designer for a Kyoto company which produced handbag lines in collaboration with well-known Japanese designers.  I learned many important skills from this ten year experience.  I was involved in the entire process, from concept and design to making the patterns and the sample handbags. 

Before leaving Japan, I became acquainted with felt artists working in Kyoto.  I was inspired by the idea of making your own material in which to work with. I started to design my own work with my own material, felt.   It merged the skills I had learned from working in ceramics and in fashion design. I am still fascinated by the way that felt can be made into almost any shape.   I hope you enjoy my new work which fuses this traditional craft with contemporary style. 

S- What was your inspiration behind this exclusive?

F- These days there are so many stressful happenings, like the economy and natural disasters in Japan and America’s South and Midwest, but we need to keep strong and be happy in our lives.  I would like my work to make you smile and make you feel happier when you see them.  I always think about this when I make my pieces.  This also helps me to be happy when I’m making my artwork.    I like to put this positive energy in my Feltmates.  And I feel Schmancy is a great place to show my work because you couldn’t visit Schmancy without leaving happy!

S- Have you seen any good films lately?

F- Since I now live in a small Wisconsin town, I don’t get to see movies in a theater as much as when I lived in Kyoto and Seattle.  But I watch movies often on DVD.  I recently saw “Inside Job” which helped me to understand our current economic crisis.  Some of my favorite movies I watched again recently are “Lars and the Real Girl” and “Me and You and Everyone We Know”.  I became a big fan of Ryan Gosling because of “Lars and the Real Girl”.  Both films are quirky bittersweet comedies that I enjoy every time I watch them.

S- If you could have any pet, what would it be?

F- I have had a German Short Haired Pointer since he was 8 weeks old.  Now he is 10 years old!!  He is the sweetest animal I’ve ever met but he’s also quite active and often wants to play when I’m busy felting.  We both enjoy our walks to Lake Michigan every day.  Other than my dog, my dream would be to have goats and chickens in my own yard some day.

S- What is your favorite crafting tool?

F- Tools are so important for me and I love the many tools I have.  But I will say…scissors.  It is important that they are sharp!  In my studio, I have more than 7 different types of scissors now.  Each one is for a specific material or task.  It puts me in a bad mood if I don’t have the right one. J

S- Do you have any shows or events coming up we should know about?

F- Yes!!  I have a few shows coming up this summer.  Please check them out if you are near by the town.

★“The Ham-Ba-Ga Show” - Celebrating the hamburger lifestyle -   June 25th – July 8th

 Opening Reception: June 25th from 7 – 10pm at Q Pop in Los Angeles, CA

★“Stitch Wars Strikes Back”   August 12th – September 25th

Opening Reception: August 12th from 7 – 10 pm at Bear and Bird in Lauderhill, FL

Also one of my product will featured in the “Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2011” magazine coming out before the start of holiday season.  This is very exciting for me!