We make Portland awesome: 11 Stories

"We make Portland awesome" is a weekly series. I’m interested building our community of artists by helping us all find out more about each other.

This week: Erica of 11 Stories

 

Who are you?
I am Erica Maggi. I am an artist and stay-at-home mom. I use the name 11 Stories, because I am totally scattered and it sounds kind of all encompassing.

What do you make?
I make messes and hope they somehow transform into something worthwhile.
Sometimes, I make small drawings of animals, mostly mammals, and sell digital prints of them on Etsy. I’m not overly successful, but I like the idea of generating goodwill. Someday I hope to donate 11% of the sales to the WILD Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to “conservation through building an active relationship between people and Nature around the world.” I took that last bit from their website...Before pledging my support, I did some investigating and support the WILD Foundation’s ideals and believe they allocate donations ethically and responsibly.
I also paint.

 

Besides making things, what do you do?
I manage a purple house, an overworked husband, 2 small children, a large dog, an affectionate cat, a community garden plot, and piles and piles of laundry. [Erica also has a wonderful blog, about walks in Portland, here.]

What inspires you?
When I notice something fabulous that someone else has made, I absolutely have to try it. At this moment, I have a flat of berries waiting for my first attempt at canning, a knit neck-tie that should be cast-off, papier mâché masks drying in the garage, an unfinished novel that lacks direction… And piles and piles of library books.

Where can your work be found?
My work can be found on Etsy. In November, I will show a collection of paintings at the Academy Theater… I also have messy piles all over my house, but they are currently unavailable to the public.

What do you love about Portland?
I love the music.

Happy 100th birthday, Julia Child!

What a wonderful person she was. One of the good people of our time.

Last weekend's show, in pictures

1. It's like my little shop was made to be in the forest! The park where the show was held is gorgeous. My canopy was framed and shaded by old pine trees, and the ground was soft wood shavings.
2-3. My first 8-foot wide display. It's a really good excuse to buy more antique crates.
4. Look at this setting! I could live there.
5. My friend Jennifer of jBold Glass Art! Her stained glass is so beautiful, and it was fun to have someone around that I already knew.
6. Me and my Erik. It was a pretty good weekend for us, despite trying to sell felted wool things on one of the hottest weekends of the summer. :) We got to hang out with our visitors in the shade of the canopy, eat sno-cones, and listen to the roaming fiddle player.

We make Portland awesome: Nomad Unlimited

"We make Portland awesome" is a weekly series. I’m interested building our community of artists by helping us all find out more about each other.

This week: Jeffrey of Nomad Unlimited

Who are you?
Jeff Amrhein - Leather Artisan

What do you make?
I make a range of nomad-inspired leather crafts, specializing in cases for MacBooks, iPads, iPhones and Kindles.

Besides making things, what do you do?
I am a traveler at heart and I've spent several years wandering about various part of our great planet taking photos, trekking, sampling great food, writing, kayaking, diving and just absorbing as much as possible.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by everything I see. I learned my craft from fellow leather artisans in North Africa and many of their motifs can be found in my work, along with many other influences, mostly from nature.

Where can your work be found?
Most of my work can be found on Etsy. I have a few items featured on the Free People website (and soon to be in their stores) and some pieces locally at Cloth and Canvas on NE Freemont.

What do you love about Portland?
I moved to Portland about a year ago and I am amazed at how much has happened to me in that time, from being asked to participate as a designer in the Power of the Purse charity auction last year (and hopefull again this year,) to getting my own studio in a shared workspace. There is such a creative vibe here that I feed off of. I also love the great food, amazing beer and the general 'anything goes' attitude. For once, I think I've found a place I can see myself staying in for a long while.

We make Portland awesome: Urban Creatures

"We make Portland awesome" is a weekly series. I’m interested building our community of artists by helping us all find out more about each other.

This week: Bianca and Carla of Urban Creatures

Who are you?
Bianca and Carla, owners of Urban Creatures. We met 5 years ago and bonded over fashion, celebrities and Twilight. We're both from creative backgrounds so our partnership became very natural. We made one necklace together and we haven't stopped since!

What do you make?
We make necklaces, bracelets, headbands, barrettes - the list keeps growing! - from repurposed t-shirts. It's very important for us to keep be eco friendly and conscious of the materials we're using.

 

Besides making things, what do you do?
Bianca is amazing with the sawing machine and is usually making fun things. She's always going to concerts or soccer games with her hubby. Oh, and just opened an online store that features fabric, craft supplies, and handmade gifts. Check it out at owlanddrum.com/
Carla is a graphic and web designer, you can see her work at cargocollective.com/holacarla. She also loves to cook and explore pdx with her daughter and husband.

What inspires you?
Everyday people! We love people watching and get inspired by outfits and color combinations. We're always looking to add new pieces to our shop and love to play with new materials and colors.

Where can your work be found?
Besides our shop at urbancreatures.etsy.com we're on a few shops around town:
Crafty Wonderland downtown [link: craftywonderland.com/]
Modo on Burnside [link: themodowebsite.com/]
Troolie on NE Killinsworth [link: www.troolie.com/]
Etcetera on N Lombard
Acorn Eco Boutique in Canada!

What do you love about Portland?
We love the mixture of people, the different neighborhoods, the good coffee, the food and the beer! We also love how much Portlanders appreciate handmade things and how friendly our creative community is.

This weekend: Arts Festival In The Forest!

This weekend, House of Moss will be at the 10th Annual Arts Festival In The Forest in West Linn.  (What better place to sell forest-themed fiber art?!) It's held at Mary S. Young Park, and it's looking like the weather will be great for a two-day outdoor show! I'm very much looking forward to sitting in the shade of my new canopy, eating snacks, checking out the other art, and chatting with people all day! Stop by and say hello, Erik and I would be so glad to have visitors at our little shop. Saturday and Sunday (8/11-8/12), 10am-5pm!

We make Portland awesome: The Cozy Project

"We make Portland awesome" is a weekly series. I’m interested building our community of artists by helping us all find out more about each other.

This week: Jenny of The Cozy Project

Who are you?
I am Jenny P of The Cozy Project. I am a Native Oregonian and have lived here all my life aside from time away for college. I have lived in Southern Oregon and Northern Oregon... and I spent some time in the middle too. There are great things about each of those places.

What do you make?
I design and make crocheted cozies, for coffee, beer, mason jars etc. I use all sorts of yarn and buttons and felt.

Besides making things, what do you do?
When I am not making cozies.. I like to spend time with family and friends, wandering outside, absorbing sun if we are lucky enough to have it. Sitting in the sun on a bench with an iced coffee or hiding inside from the gray skies with a beer and some pals. I love being on the water... the ocean, a river, a lake. I love to travel.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by lots of things. I love music. Rare is the day that something is not blaring from speakers while I work. Color is my favorite. I love matching colors and coordinating colors and contrasting colors. I love it when people have ideas for me. It is fun to have someone want something so specific and then work up a design and make it happen for them.

Where can your work be found?
My work is mostly on Etsy. I would love to get the cozies up in a brick and mortar shop. It's one of my goals for the year!

What do you love about Portland?
I love being in Portland. I know everyone else does too. We can all share, right? Its a big city and a small city at the same time somehow. I love that there are super cool places within walking distance of where I live. We have lots of great bars and restaurants and food trucks. And there are loads of creative people here. I love that you can be driving somewhere in the middle of the city and be so surrounded by trees that you feel like you are in the country. Finding vegan and veggie fare is super easy here. I love that on any give day you might walk down the street and in the span of one block see a mime, a man carrying his leashed cat on his shoulders, a boy with pink hair and knee socks, followed by a regular old fam of a mom a dad and two kids. It's really easy to just be yourself here.