Northwest Folklife Vendor Spotlight: Ex Libris Anonymous
Today we are learning a bit more about Jacob, the man behind the unique handmade journals of Ex Libris Anonymous. Be sure to stop by and find a favorite book transformed to something wonderful and new, just for you!
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? How did you get started doing what you do?
ELA: Originally from the hinterlands of the Oregon coast ((Bandon, Oregon)) I moved to the dismal suburbs of Seattle with my mother when I was 13. ((Lynnwood, Wa.)) where I continued to nurture the love that I received from books of all kinds. Eventutally I became a person that operated as an independent book scout in the world of used book merchants in Seattle and spent my evenings and weekends producing various types of book related art. Many years later (("never mind how many")) I hit upon the idea of producing journals using some of my carefully curated collection of gorgeous but otherwise worthless books. Paul Allen bought the apartment building that I had lived in for many years ((The Lillian apartments, near the REI and greyhound maintenance station below Capitol Hill)) and went ahead with his plans to tear it down and replace it with something "more modern" Paul Allen is in the top ten list of the richest people in America, which probably engenders no very warm feeling from most corners. Which isn't really fair. He could have been a total dick about it and just told us all to fuck off. Instead he rather generously offered us $5000 to leave and relocate. I used most of that money in building the nucleus of the bindery that I continue to use to this day. (( Abeit modernized and improved significantly. Entirely in fact. )) I've endeavored to thank him by sending journals at various times to his various address' but to little avail. Most parcels have either been returned or simply not acknowledged. It's been eleven years now and I'll continue to try to express my gratitude by sending more journals in his directions periodically. Who knows, I may one day reach him and be able to say thanks properly.
What would we find in your refrigerator right now? Be honest! :)
ELA: My refrigerator: Currently I am experiencing a renewed interest in fermenting foods that has resulted in a surplus of various forms of kimchi and pickles and saurkraut. (( Resting after the initial period of aggressive, non-refrigerated fermentation.
Who has been most influential/supportive in your craft?
ELA: A woman of special significance to me in the pursuit of my craft/ craft business is Stella Marrs (( of postcard fame http://www.stellamarrs.com/ )) who I had the great priviledge of being a neighbor to when I lived for a few years in Olympia. Our studios, in the old K building, were adjoining oneanother. She never actually sat me down and imparted any special wisdom or philosophy that has guided me through the years. It was more observation of her life and the choices that she made, the consequences of those choices and the frank and sometimes uncomfortable voice that she uses to express her place in the world that inspire/d me. Anyway, yea. She's cool.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be? These can be crafty-powers too!
ELA: Superhero idea: I'd love to have the ability to recall the empathy for others (( in myself AND others ))that is the forgotten birthright of humans. Hardships, care and habit have driven it mostly from my mind and I'd like to rekindle that spark. I think this question is silly and below my age and dignity to answer but I've tried to bring honesty where it's probably not really welcome to honor the spirit of the question. (( And, no doubt, the innocence of the questioner. ))
How do you find inspiration and/or get out of any creative slumps?
ELA: I fear that my greatest motivator is poverty. Both the very real poverty and deprivation of my childhood that I remember and the crushing anticipation of poverty should I fail to labor at my (( what sometimes feels like )) Sisyphean task.
Aside from being a creative master, what other hats do you wear?
ELA: A friend to a couple of people.
If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional. With whom would it be?
ELA: I think that Artemis had a pretty good ((if allegorical )) life. I'd take that for a week.
Is there a handmade item that you cherish most? If so, tell us about it.
ELA: I collect human teeth, the best of which have been adorned with gold or other amalgam by the dentists and drillers and mouth merchants of yesteryear. Some of the collection are loved, most are merely admired. One that I carried in my pocket for many years has recently gone missing and I mourn the loss severely.
Is this your first time at UCU?
ELA: No, I've attended before.
Tell us something unknown about you/your company...Lets hear a random/fun fact!
ELA: I was the cranberry king in my hometown of Bandon, Oregon during the annual cranberry festival in 1979, I have webbed toes, I dislike music, lack an olfactory never and prefer icecubes in my wine.
