News — Maker Monday
art+craft markets, featured artist, Maker Monday, Month of Makers, Virtual Market
Maker Monday: Ryan and Lucy of Berkley Illustration
For our fourth and final Maker Monday, we have chosen to highlight Ryan and Lucy of Berkley Illustration. Fun fact: we actually met Ryan on craigslist many years ago when we had a call out to illustrators to draw us as super heroes for another project! Berkley Illustration has drawn every single Crafty Wonderland show poster and all of our logos and printed collateral since we began in 2006!
You likely recognize Berkley Illustration's iconic animal portraits. They have been long time vendors of our craft markets and sell their work in both of our retail shops. You can see them LIVE on their Instagram at 11:00am in our December 12th Virtual Market! They will be setting up their booth at home and giving you a tour of their giftable goods! See all of their work and their full product offerings on their website!
Name: Ryan + Lucy Berkley
Astrological Sign: Ryan - Capricorn. Lucy - Libra
Favorite Color: Ryan - Silver, Lucy - Rainbow
Favorite Food: Ryan - Artichokes, Lucy - Potstickers
Favorite Art Supply/Tool: Ryan - Prismacolor Markers, Lucy - scissors
How did you get started doing art as a business?
We got our start at the first Crafty Wonderland! That was the first time we sold art as a product. We sure didn't realize we'd being doing it full time for the 10+ years that followed.
Do you have any advice for other people who are looking to grow their business and become a full time artist/crafter?
Thinking creatively about where you can show your work and don't limit yourself to one option. You never know where someone will find you.
How has COVID changed the way your business works?
We already worked for our home studio so that part was luckily not a disruption. Having two young kids at home the last nine months doing online learning, howev [What? Please don't yell. Come talk to me if you need something.] er, has been interesting [Yes, you can have a snack.] to say the least. The "funniest" thing is that we need to talk to each [Five minutes until small group!] other to brainstorm and strategize [I don't know where your headphones are. Where did you have them last?] but that has been a major challenge for some reason.
Where do you find the most inspiration for your work?
I'd say it's a solid mixture of real life nature and fake life vintage children's books.
How do you balance your business and your personal life?
Is there a difference? We aren't very good at this. Someone give us lessons after Covid please.
What is your COVID go-to guilty pleasure - either something you're reading, listening to, watching or eating?
Ryan - Black Box wine
Lucy - Watching The Office repeatedly to help me fall asleep.
What artists are you loving these days?
Bisa Butler (@bisabutler)
Naomi Anderson-Subryan (@naomiandersonsubryan)
The Tiny Pricks Project (@tinypricksproject)
And we love pretty much every piece of art from Illustoria Magazine (@illustoria_mag)
What are you doing to stay positive in these uncertain times?
Reminding ourselves to be truly thankful for what we have and how lucky we really are.
You're stranded on a desert island and can bring three things with you - what are they?
Ryan - Sleep mask, rum, sunscreen
Lucy - My family, our dog, and a friendly magical fairy.
See more of Berkley Illustration on their website and Instagram!
And catch them LIVE in our Virtual Market on Saturday, December 12th at 11:00am!
This Maker Monday we get to highlight our friend, Tripper Dungan, who makes amazing 3-D paintings! You may recognize his work from our craft markets - he usually has an awesome booth display along the back wall. We also have a small selection of his work in our retail shops, including the beloved cassette tapes. Tripper is participating in our December 12th Virtual Market! Catch him LIVE on his Instagram from 1:00 - 1:30 with an artwork showcase and painting/mumbling ASMR. You can also see more of his work on his website.
Astrological Sign: Taurus on the cusp of Aries
Favorite Color: Bubblegum pink
Favorite Food: Toast
Favorite Art Supply/Tool: My thin liner brush
How did you get started doing art as a business?
My first attempt at makin' money as an artist was when I was 13. I approached the weekly paper with a comic strip I made called “Childhood”. They very gently declined. Really, though, I started having shows at coffee shops and whatnot my freshman year in college and tried to keep my art on the walls every month if I could.
Do you have any advice for other people who are looking to grow their business and become a full time artist/crafter?
My approach has been to do the things that make me feel good, but keep humble enough to realize I’m here to help other people's dreams come true as well. Also, realize you will have to work very hard, so you better love it.
How has COVID changed the way your business works?
I was lucky enough to have an online presence and I’ve expanded on that. I really miss the face to face interactions with customers and lookie-loos. I’ve been doing a weekly Instagram live hour on Thursdays at 8, and that’s been nice. It does feel a little one-sided, although I do try to answer the questions in the comments.
Where do you find the most inspiration for your work?
I try and find inspiration everywhere, but to avoid being vague and boring I tend to find inspiration in vintage illustrations, packaging, and products. I’ve always loved patterns too. Recently I’ve renewed my love for psychedelic poster art.
How do you balance your business and your personal life?
It’s especially hard now being the stay at home parent, but I try and keep certain things constant like long talks at dinner with my family and movie night.
What is your COVID go-to guilty pleasure - either something you're reading, listening to, watching or eating?
I’ve been getting into mini synthesizer, believe it or not.
What artists are you loving these days?
David Choe has fascinated me for years. He’s got a real unmasked approach to what he does. Some of it’s pretty gnarly, but his lack of fear is inspiring. Femke Hiemstra has always been a favorite. Camille Rose Garcia is ever the badass too.
What are you doing to stay positive in these uncertain times?
I am pretty lucky to have a roof over my head and family that is still alive, so I’m just counting my blessings. And I'm working on being present.
You're stranded on a desert island and can bring three things with you - what are they?
A seaworthy boat, a million dollars, and more wishes. Ok, ok, in the spirit of the game I would bring a good saw with a way to charge it, paints and brushes, and something to make music with. Maybe a piano.
See more of Tripper's work on his website and Instagram!
This Maker Monday we are pleased to highlight Candy Frost Design, a favorite from both our shops and craft markets! Her colorful floral arrangements are all made of felt, so you can give your friends and family beautiful lasting bouquets. The newest addition to her product line is felt houseplants! Perfect for those of us who struggle to keep plants alive! Candy is a vendor at our upcoming Virtual Market this Saturday, November 28th. Catch her LIVE on her Instagram page from 11:30am -12:00pm PST showing and selling her new floral designs in her studio.
Name: Candy Frost
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Favorite Color: Green and Fuscia - I'm a gemini, so I get 2 choices, right?
Favorite Food: Anything from Bollywood Theater.
Favorite Art Supply/Tool: Needle nose pliers from my Dad's old fishing toolbox.
How did you get started doing art as a business?
I have been making things since I was a kid, but this particular line of work has a very specific origin story. The night before my kiddo's last day of his first year of preschool, a fellow preschool parent texted and asked what I was going to give as a teacher gift. Huh? Oops. Teacher gift! So I got out some wool blend felt I had been using for a needle felting project and some wire from the garage and I whipped up some felt flowers. I liked them so much I never gave them away. I posted them on my Instagram and got such great feedback I thought maybe I had something here! I spent months building a portfolio of work and applied to the Crafty Wonderland Winter show. I thought if I get into that, then this is worth pursuing. And I did. And the rest is history.
Do you have any advice for other people who are looking to grow their business and become a full time artist/crafter?
I am not full time but advice for keeping at it, I can provide. Try to carve out time to work. Make a schedule and stick to it. Take on challenging things and put yourself out there.
How has COVID changed the way your business works?
Before Covid, the majority of my work was sold wholesale and at craft shows. This pandemic has forced me out of my comfort zone and I finally got my Etsy page up and running.
Where do you find the most inspiration for your work?
I find inspiration for flowers when I am out for a walk. I am inspired by paintings and fabric surface design for color palettes.
How do you balance your business and your personal life?
Very poorly. Haha. A lot of working on my art at night.
What is your COVID go-to guilty pleasure - either something you're reading, listening to, watching or eating?
I really enjoy Long Way Up and have been rewatching Marvelous Mrs Maisel and all the Marvel movies. I listen to a lot of Spotify, podcasts, and The Score on All Classical Portland while working in my studio. 
What artists are you loving these days?
I love following fellow artists on IG. I am loving Sara Schroeder paintings, Sarah Saunders Ceramics, Martina Thornhill, Anne Katherine Design, Alchemilla Jewelry, Dani Ives Fiber Artist and Kelly B Justice ceramics.
What are you doing to stay positive in these uncertain times?
Spending time with my seven year old. Seven year olds are the best of humanity and so very funny.
You're stranded on a desert island and can bring three things with you - what are they?
A hammock, a good book and a Sat phone with signal so I can call for a ride home after my book and nap.
Our first Maker Monday interview is with local artist and long-time Crafty Wonderland vendor, Adrienne Vita! You may recognize her work from both our shops and our craft markets. Adrienne has been selling with us since back in our Doug Fir days and is now participating in our Virtual Markets, doing live tarot and oracle readings, painting, and showing some beautiful crystals. She'll be vending at both of our upcoming Virtual Markets, so be sure to catch her live on her own Instagram page Saturday, November 28th from 1:00-2:00 PST!
I went to art school and then had a full time art career in design. After 10 years of that I switched to a part time design job so I could start selling my own art. Crafty Wonderland gave me a chance to vend in my very first booth when they were at the Doug Fir Lounge. Things slowly picked up for me so I was able to leave my part time job to pursue my art business full time in 2007 and then adding my crystal shop 2016.
Start by doing your art after your work hours or get a part time job while selling your work until you can move into it full time. Don't look at what's trendy or sells. Make what is unique to you. Keeping at it is key.
How has COVID changed the way your business works?
My business hasn't changed so much because I already had my online shop and shipping in place. Events have been the real change. I haven't had any in-person connection with my clients, customers or stockists during covid. I am now doing virtual events which works really nicely to still connect with everyone.
Nature, architecture, crystals, meditation, my garden and music.
I don't know if I am the best at it, it's a constant balance. I don't have kids and my husband and I both have careers and are both working from home now, so work tends to take priority. But I love to relax and rest, so I always make time for it. I realized over the years that I really need to balance as much as I can because burnout doesn't feel so fun. I love my alone time and social time, so my husband and I make it a point to walk together, cook together, do some fun outside social distance things to break the work routine.
What is your COVID go-to guilty pleasure - either something you're reading, listening to, watching or eating?
Definitely lots of Netflix - I last watched the Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb which was really great. Also, supporting our local restaurants by getting takeout when we can.
I'm actually getting really inspired by sculptors, ancient art and old nature paintings. It's not any particular artist but more of a style I am really liking. I think I've really been missing going to museums!
I have my days but the way I get out of it is to remember that nothing is permanent. Things are always changing. Ideas will come when they need to. And that I don't have to figure out a problem right in the middle of the heat. Meditation, working with my crystals and cards are important to me. But also walks, looking at baby animal videos and jokes go a long way too.
You can see more of Adrienne's work on her website and Instagram! And be sure to check out her other business, Dream Maker Crystals, for some gorgeous crystal specimens!