Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Hannah and I am the owner and chemist of Aromi!  I create a variety of handcrafted cosmetics and fragranced products.  I am based in Minneapolis, MN so I’m really excited to come to Seattle for the Urban Craft Uprising show!

How did you get started in your business?

I spent years working in the industry as a formulation chemist.  I started working for a high-end home fragrance company where I specialized in fragrance product formulation.  After moving to a new role as a formulation chemist at an industrial company, I soon realized that I missed formulating personal care products and some of the more “girly” products.  I eventually started creating and making my own products at home.  Tinkering with cosmetics and fragrances at home eventually turned into Aromi as a business; I now have my own lab which is my dream come true.  I am passionate about chemistry and science as well as cosmetics and fragrances so I feel so lucky to have found something that combines my two passions into one.

Are you debuting anything new at the summer show?

I will have my new cosmetic packaging which I am realized excited about.  I will also have a few new summer lipstick and lip gloss colors!

What's your favorite item that you sell?

I am obsessed with my Jetsetter Lipstick – it is a light pink shade with a lot of iridescent shine.  It is a frosty, opalescent lipstick that is light pink shade with cool color tones.  This is one shade that I created for myself and I wear this shade almost everyday!

What do your customers love most about your product(s)?

I think customers really like the fact that all my products are handmade, formulated from scratch, and use more eco-friendly ingredients.   I think they also like my story that I am a chemist and the fact that creating makeup from scratch is an unusual craft.

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Vanessa, and I make Belgian chocolate truffles. They are all small batch and crafted with the best ingredients I can find. Spring/Summer is always a great time for me as I get to take advantage of all the fresh fruits and herbs that abound. I am always playing with something new, so come see me and taste the latest!

What's the latest thing you've been working on?

I have been test marketing my new Truffle Jars. They are a hit! What, you ask, is a Truffle Jar!?!? It is the center of my truffles, but in an adorable little jar for immediate chocolate gratification. Try the salted caramel (layers of vanilla caramel, dark chocolate and Tahitian vanilla bean sea salt), or my take on S'Mmmores... marshmallow goodness with fresh baked graham crackers and dark chocolate ganache. Yummy!

Is this your full time gig?

Yep, I am covered with chocolate all the time! It's fun!

What's your favorite item that you sell?

Right now it is for sure the Truffle Jar - S'Mmmores. There is something so child-like about digging in with wild abandon.

What do your customers love most about your product(s)?

The fact that my flavors are so pure and melt in your mouth. Whether it is the wine and chocolate lover or the chocolate addict, there is a little something for everyone.

Who are you and what do you do?
Matthew Porter is a children's book illustrator and writer. His stories and imagery present the perfect balance of nostalgia with modern elegance. His work has become ubiquitous throughout the Pacific Northwest and he has been called the undisputed king of the hipster board book genre. His books are populated by wide eyed animals and his cheeky monkeys. Matthew's pieces are acrylic paint on wood. The artwork is sanded to highlight the woods natural grain and is rounded out by his use of strong bold lines.


What's the latest thing you've been working on?
I am working on my next children's book. It's all about a cleaver fox that sneaks into a barnyard and the animals that chase him off.



Any new exciting news you'd like to share with our readers?
I have my first Monkey World picture book ( published by local publishers Sasquatch Books) coming out at the end of September. We are going to have a big release party in Ballard on Sept 28th and I'd love to see lots and lots of people come out to the event. We are going to have kids games, I'll be reading the book, showing the original paintings and of course there will be yummy eats and drinks all around. You can check out my site for details. 

Where do you see your business in 3 years?
I'd love to have 3 children's books published per year. Right now I am happy to say I have two lined up for 2013 & two for 2014 so hopefully I could add one more to that list for 2015!

What's the best experience you've ever had with one of your customers?
I love hearing about pieces of my artwork that people hang in their children's bedrooms. It is so powerful to me that customers find my artwork something that speaks to them and they want to share that with their children. One parent told me how every night and each morning their child says good morning and good night to a painting of a fox I did for them. To have my work be a part of this families everyday life is so amazing to me.

**Tails Chasing Tails Board Book will be part of the online giveaway!**

Who are you, and what do you do?

Bread and Badger is Amanda and Sean, and we sandblast original art onto glassware and ceramics. Our drinkware is a long-lasting gift for individuals who want their housewares to express their personality.

What's the latest thing you've been working on?

I'm always drawing up new things, so the latest designs are a spiny puffer fish, and two designs geared towards the cooking enthusiast and food-lover. We're also working on a constellation design to complete a set of 4 space-themed designs. We're also completely redesigning our booth display, so that shopping is easier for our customers! We'll have more products on display on free-standing shelves, and sturdy gift boxes for sets of 4 items so they're easier to travel with.

Are you debuting anything new at the summer show?

We're unleashing a small line of jewelry items this summer, which are a collaborative work with Rubygirl Jewelry. They're simple brass discs etched with our original designs, which will be available as pendants, and possibly earrings and brooches.

Is this a full-time business for you?

Yes! I started full-time in 2006, and Sean quit his day job in 2008. We even employ a helper for production work so we can keep up with orders and ship things promptly.

Where do you see your business in 3 years?

We're expanding in a lot of directions in the next few years! One of the most-requested things from our customers is the ability to customize all our products. We're working on faster and better ways to offer this so every gift can be exactly as you envision it, with matching packaging. We're also working with a local ceramics manufacturer on a line of custom-made vessels that we can etch.

Who are you, and what do you do?

My name is Irene Akio and I make greeting cards and prints from my artwork. The majority of my work is animal themed and I work largely in ink & watercolor, though I also enjoy exploring other subjects and mediums. I've lived in Seattle for nine years and am originally from Michigan. I try to be conscientious about my business choices, including working with other small businesses, using environmentally-friendly products, and reusing materials/supplies when possible. And like many Urban Craft Uprising vendors and attendees, I enjoy dabbling in a number of crafts, including working with paper & cloth.

What's the latest thing you've been working on?

I have recently started doing pet portraits. I do not expect it to become a large part of my business, but am enjoying it so far. I work from photographs, but have gotten to meet a few of my subjects, which feels like a perk.

Are you debuting anything new at the summer show?

I have several new animal cards, including a deer and a sweet new dog. I also have a couple new grumpy fellows (currently only available as prints), including a vulture and an eagle owl. I am looking forward to seeing which of the new designs people enjoy the most.

Is this a full-time business for you?

My business is part-time, but my other job is in a related field. In addition to running my greeting card & illustration business, I work for a non-profit that helps people in the area with limited resources start small businesses. So my brain is full-time thinking about small & local businesses, which I love!

What's the best experience you've ever had with one of your customers?

Though I absolutely adore meeting and interacting with my customers, I think the best experience I have had was watching a stranger buy one of my cards in the Seattle Art Museum gift shop. The Seattle Art Museum carries several of my designs and I was visiting the gift shop when I saw a woman spot one of my cards (the pile of animals design). She looked so delighted, grabbed the card off the shelf to show her friend, and then got in line and bought it. From the very beginning my hope has been that I would make people smile with my cards.

** A set of deer cards will be a prize in the online give away!**

Who are you, and what do you do?

We are Emily Grosse and Andie Powers of Assemble Shop & Studio. We been selling craft-inspired goods and teaching workshops since 2009. We recently moved the business online to begin making our own line of crafting kits! We are thrilled to be introducing them to the UCU public for the first time this summer!

What's the latest thing you've been working on?

We just successfully completed a Kickstarter campaign to create a new line of stamping kits, and plan to debut those at the summer show!

How did you get started in your business?

Emily and Andie met about 7 years ago and shared a vision of opening a shop that incorporated modern art, craft, and design. We started putting ideas on paper, and before long, Assemble was born!

Are you debuting anything new at the summer show?

Our four new stamping kits are currently in production mode! We are using Assemble's own branded images of crafty cute things like a sewing machine, scissors, a camera, and more! Each kit also comes with an ink pad!

Is this a full-time business for you?

If full-time means 40 hours a week or more, then YES! Running your own business requires constant attention. In addition to that, Andie is a freelance writer and brand consultant, and Emily is busy with her two little boys. If only there were more hours in the day...

Who are you and what do you do?

Rebecca Pearcy, owner & designer at Queen Bee Creations, Chickpea Baby, and Rebecca Pearcy Textiles. I run the company and design the products that we create & sell on our website and our shop in Portland, OR.

What's the latest thing you've been working on?

A really killer rocking deck chair with printed cotton sling - perfect for sipping a cocktail in your back yard or front porch!

Any new exciting news you'd like to share with our readers?

We are about to expand our retail store in size & scope - we are really excited to start selling apparel and may even be offering some of our own designs as time allows.

Who's your biggest fan?

My Mom of course.

What's your favorite item that you sell?

Right now I'm loving the Cassidy hobo bag - perfect for Spring/Summer!

What do your customers love most about your product(s)?

That our items are made to be used and enjoyed everyday, and they are colorful & allow you to express your own style.

Getting excited for the summer Urban Craft Uprising show?

Just a reminder for our online giveaway, we have over ten prizes and counting!

Danny Mansmith, Plastique, Formulary 55 and The Society of National Industry are just a few of our fantastic vendors with swag for the give away!

To participate just leave comments on this summers vendor interviews and winners will be randomly selected on Sunday July 7th.

Who are you, and what do you do?
We're Katey and Chris, and together we make up The Society of National Industry. We make paper lanterns, zines, posters, cards, and other paper-based ephemera/home decor goodies.

What's the latest thing you've been working on?
We've been expanding our illustration-related work! Chris is in the process of making a surreal and spooky alphabet book, while we're both working on a series of screen printed posters with various science education themes.

How did you get started in your business?
We've been making stuff and collaborating for a long time, but The Society of National Industry was born in 2011. We started out at a really great micro-market in Denver, called the Handmade Homemade Market. (http://www.denverhaho.org/) HAHO's focus is on businesses that are just getting their start, so it was a perfect place for us to test the waters. Eventually, we had enough of an inventory and a focus to
start our online shop, and from there things took off!


Is this a full-time business for you?
We've nearly transitioned to the point of doing this full-time, but have back-up sources of income for our slower months. We both do freelance work (design and writing, respectively), which gives us quite a bit of wiggle room when it comes to The Society.

What's something you've learned through running your business in the past 12 months?
It's important to plan ahead and try to anticipate rushes/lulls. Operating for a full year has given us a good idea of what seasons are our busy seasons, and because of that we've gotten better at taking advantage of the slower times of the year. Wedding season and the holidays are our two crazy times, so we really try to focus on stuff like building our website, developing packaging, and working on new
products during the fall and early spring.

**A Paper Pyramid Lantern set  will be a prize in the online give away!**