Northwest Folklife Vendor Spotlight: Material+Movement
Here is a fabulous interview with Heather of Material + Movement, Enjoy!
Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? How did you get started doing what you do?
MM: I am originally from Portland, Oregon (what up PDX!) and I've been an artist all my life. My background is in glass, and I do a lot of cold working - grinding and polishing cold glass- which provided me with the skills to start fabricating with ceramic and porcelain. I made my first piece of recycled china jewelry after I broke my favorite plate and thought it would be a waste to just throw the shards away.
What would we find in your refrigerator right now? Be honest! :)
MM: A few too many half opened jars of pickled vegetables from our garden, greens and carrots, broccoli, yogurt, almond butter, fish oil (yuck!) and beer.
Who has been most influential/supportive in your craft?
MM: My boyfriend, Ethan Stern, who is an amazing glass artist and designer. Also my partners in crime who all have their own craft businesses - Jenny, Miishka, and Rachel. I love them.
If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be? These can be crafty-powers too!
MM: Oh man, I'd love to be able to never sleep, and to never have to pee so as not to be interrupted. I'm not sure if those are super powers, but they'd have their advantages.
How do you find inspiration and/or get out of any creative slumps?
MM: A trip to Goodwill on a plate hunt always helps, as well as looking at eye-candy sites such as etsy.com and designsponge.com. And above all, dancing.
Aside from being a creative master, what other hats do you wear?
MM: I'm a dance teacher, figure model, non-profit office manager, sculptor, and part time barista.
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?
MM: I want to trade places with whoever lives in the top of Smith Tower, in the pyramidal part at the very top of that historic building. I've seen pictures of the interior, it's like a mini palace at the top of the world.
Is there a handmade item that you cherish most? If so, tell us about it.
MM: I wear a ring that my dad made when he was in high school. It's cast out of sterling silver. I haven't taken it off in years.
Is this your first time at UCU?
MM: It's my second time, and I'm so glad to be coming back. A great tip to keep in mind is keeping your booth simple! Trying to have the most elaborate set up can distract from the most important thing... your work. That's what it's all about.
Tell us something unknown about you/your company... Let's hear a random/fun fact!
MM: I once tried wrestling at a sports camp in High School. I was the only female and I won second place! The first place winner was a state wrestling champion.
