Olbapi Interview

This Wednesday, September 14th is the release of Olbapi's Petal People a Schmancy Exclusive! I did an interview with Sarah so we could all get to know her a bit better.

1) Can you tell us more about yourself and your work?

My formal education was in textile design, but I really have been sewing and making things since I was very small.  My grandma taught me how to embroider when I was eight, and I grew up in a household with parents who were (and still are) very creative and nurturing when it came to our interests and hobbies.  I have always loved fabric and things that are handmade.  In college I worked primarily in soft-sculpture, and spent a significant amount of time drawing these blobby, abstract creatures and then sewing them into three-dimensional objects with fabric and stuffing.  I switched gears a couple years ago and started drawing images inspired by comics and cartoons.  Eventually these drawings also turned into three-dimensional objects- this is sort of where I am now.

2) What was your inspiration behind this exclusive?

My sister Annalise came to visit for two weeks at the beginning of the summer.  She actually has a baby, so she tends to have a better idea than I do about what parents want for their children, and what kind of toys are age-appropriate for really little ones.  She looked at my collection for kids and was like, "You need something smaller, all this stuff is just too big."  I don't take criticism well so of course I was annoyed, but then I started to realize that she was right.  We worked together (along with my sister Beth and my mom) to create the Petal Pals rattles.  From there I just sort of ran with it and started drawing all these little characters with flower petals on their heads.  It quickly turned into a collection of 20 little Petal People for the Schmancy exclusive.

3) Where may people find you?
www.olbapi.etsy.com

www.olbapi.blogspot.com

4) What exciting things did you do this summer?

My boyfriend Tony and I went on this amazing trip to Snoqualmie Falls, WA to see Willie Nelson play at the casino. It was probably the greatest show I've ever seen EVER- definitely the highlight of my year.  Tony and I are both huge music fans and collectors, and WIllie Nelson is one of those artists that we listen to a lot together.  I think we have nearly every one of his albums on vinyl.  After the show we spent the remaining days of our trip kicking around in the little towns around the falls area where the show Twin Peaks was filmed.

5) Any exciting things you are looking forward to this fall?

The return of the rain, fall and winter vegetables, and Halloween!

6) What is your favorite crafty tool?

Definitely my embroidery needles and DMC Embroidery floss.  

7) Favorite pie?

My mom used to make us the most amazing salmon pie when I was a kid.  I've made it for friends in the past though and nobody seems to love it as much as my sisters and I do.  I guess it's a little weird, but seriously though, it's SO good.  Email me and I'll send you the recipe.  :)