Vendor Interview- Kneehighs n Pigtails
Tell our readers a little bit about yourself and your work.
Hi! My name is Camille Anne and I spend much of my time in my studio surrounded by a multitude of little bits and baubles that I spend the rest of my time hunting for. I think in another life I must have been a magpie... I am my happiest digging thru boxes of vintage components in dusty warehouses! I feel very lucky to have found an outlet for my creativity that I do not find frustrating. I have always been drawn to colors and textures and after many years of dabbling in everything from painting, to sewing (some INCREDIBLY wrong items), to bath products (YAY!), to knitting (very awkward scarfs that were always bigger at one end) and misc. other endeavors I rediscovered beading about 6 years ago! I love that some of my pieces combine parts from different eras and countries! I have been happily building my collection every since!
What are some sources of inspiration for your work?
Oh my! Lots of things! I love the Art Nouveau and Victorian periods.. Italian Renaissance paintings have lovely jewelry on the subjects and wonderful color pallets.. Sometimes it's as simple as some beads that got mixed together randomly in a dish.. I tend to use a muted color pallet with a bit of jewel tones here and there.I also have a soft spot for the great colors that Japan, Czechoslovakia and Western Germany used for there glass beads in the 50's there is something so happy about them. (that's where the random bright colored jewelry comes into my line occasionally)
I have also been blessed to be surrounded with wonderfully creative people in my life! My day job is at a bead store-go figure-so I am inspired daily.
What is the best thing you did with your summer?
My summer was really busy! I did a lot of shows and met tons of people! I also took a couple trips to buy supplies! Go figure :0)
I also went a grade/middle school reunion and got to hang out with my childhood friends and some of my teachers from back then! It's good to hang out with people you used to throw rocks at, ride bikes with, trick or treat with, fight with, all that good kid stuff! People who know where you came from !
Are you showcasing anything new at the winter UCU show?
I've always got something new! But I'm introducing some cute new hairpins at this show! They will start at $5.00 for pairs with resin flowers on them!
What are you most excited about for UCU?
MOST excited? Heck I don't know! The whole thing! It's funny.. I was in New York when the vendor list went up and I didn't go look to see if I'd gotten in because I didn't want to be sad in the middle of my trip if I didn't, but one of my lovely friends sent me a text saying that I'd gotten in.. There I was, buying beads of course, when i got the text and I was so excited that I ran around in circles and told the owner of the store that I'd gotten in.. He had no idea what I was talking about but acted excited for me :)
See more of Kneehighs n Pigtails here and at the show!
