Featured Artist Interview: Moffit Plush Co.

What is the name of your shop? My name is Sara Auman and I run my shop which is named MoffitPlushCo. My first shop started when Etsy first opened (I don't remember what year) and I made a few pieces of jewelry which did not sell. Discouraged, I waited a long time while finishing art school, to start another shop in 2009. I started at first selling purses then moved to stuffed plush. 

Is this your only job? As of right now this is my only job other than taking care of my two wonderful boys at home. 

When did you realize you had this talent? I have always been interested in art but just recently became interested in sewing and the construction of patterns. I love figuring out patterns and seeing what works best and how they fit together. It's like a really fun puzzle!

Where do you find your inspiration? I find most of my inspiration from my children but also just from my own imagination. 

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My husband has been most supportive of my work and it also makes me happy when my kids like something I make because then I know children elsewhere will enjoy my creations as well. 

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? One thing I would like to accomplish is garment sewing. Designing patterns for clothes seems very challenging yet satisfying. In my mind, fitting clothes for individuals is the ultimate puzzle. 

What are your other hobbies? Some of my other hobbies include running, ceramics (although it has been a while), and just hanging out with my family. 

What is your favorite quote? "Love many trust few and always paddle your own canoe"

Where is the farthest you've traveled? Traveling is something I would like to do in the future when my children are older. I am truly afraid of airplanes so it really limits me. Funny story- I rode a train all the way from Indiana to San Francisco, California!!! It took a REALLY long time and it was not much fun but very interesting at times. So..... I guess the answer to your question is San Francisco, California.

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Featured Artist: Vivid Please

 
Shop Name: Vivid Please

What you like to go by:
We like to go by Vivid :) Our shop and blog name is a combination of both our fist names, Vicky & David. We work together on everything we do and can pretty much finish off each others sentences. Whist I am the one who talks all the nonsense, David is very much the brains behind the operation!

When did you start your shop?
We started our shop in 2010, but only started really working on it in October last year. The rise in interest since we started stocking it properly has been really great to see, but it does take a lot of time and persistence to get on top of things.

Is this your only job?
Not currently, but the other one is to bring in the bacon till it can make Vivid full time. Vivid is our dream and we fully intend to paint the town geek as soon as possible! We are starting to set up stalls at art markets too, so we are hoping that's going to happen sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed...

When did you realize you had this talent?
We met working in advertising and both have creative backgrounds. Neither of us can remember a time when we weren't making, but it wasn't until we met and started working as a duo that we realized we could make a proper go of things. We got quite a lot of good reactions to the stuff we were making for ourselves and decided that perhaps we should go for it. It's a decision we should have made a long time before we actually did.

Where do you find your inspiration?
We love thrifting and car boot sales. A good rummage is always great inspiration. We are both avid collectors so a lot of ideas come from the characters and objects we find. Hanging out with friends and getting the banter is also a great way to come up with good ideas. As we work a lot with double entendres, getting the chat is remarkably important!

Who has been the most supportive of your work?
Each other really! Crafting can get lonely if you don't move in those circles in your general life. Many people hear you are a freelance designer and don't take you seriously; it's just because of jealously so don't let them get you down! If you can find just one person who 'gets' what you do, listen to them. It takes a lot of courage to go it alone, and that is wildly admirable.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet?
We want to see our stuff in magazines and design shops. We're taking small steps towards that every day as we are now selling our stock in the London Fashion & Textile Museum and a really awesome shop in Barcelona specializing in analogue photography. Every day brings a new challenge and a closer step towards our goals.

 



What are your other hobbies?
We love to collect vintage items and urban vinyl toys. We also love to explore Great Britain as there is so many little treasures hidden around - it really is Great!

 

What are your words to live by or favorite quote?
If you can dream it, you can do it.

Where is the farthest you have traveled?
To the moon and back :)

You can find us at
Blog: www.vividplease.me
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/Vividplease
Twitter: www.twitter.com/VividPlease
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/vividplease

We are also doing a special giveaway throughout April! Visit www.vividplease.me to find out more...

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