Featured Artist: Amuse Tee's

Pam and Carla at aMuse have made the simple t-shirt into an art form. Though their favored medium is the t-shirt, you can also find their art on a variety of cards and jewelry. I really can't get enough of their fun designs!


1.) Tell us a little about your craft, what is it and how did you get started in it?
Our main technique is screen printing, but also do gocco, sewing, resin, and anything else we feel like playing with. We got the idea to start printing when we went to the mall and got frustrated trying to find cool shirts. Back then they were all covered in glitter and wayyy too small and said things like "I'm hotter than your girlfriend". We're both artsy and creative and knew that we could do better than that. Our goal became to make shirts that are a piece of art in themselves.

2.) What inspires you or helps you create?
We're inspired by anything around us, especially nature. We like to find the magnificence in the ordinary mundane things, and make them extraordinary. Usually we get our ideas from having conversations with each other and saying "Hey we should put that on a shirt" and put it on the list. Us being sisters is and being there to bounce ideas off each other and brainstorm is the best motivation.

3.) What do you love most about being a crafter?
There's just something so soothing and therapeutic about crafting. It's great trying new techniques and materials, pushing yourself to see what you can do, and seeing the end result. We love the creativity involved. For us, screen printing is like a natural high. It gets us so pumped up and happy and wanting to do more. Half the time we'll make things just for ourselves. It's tough to remember that we have an Etsy shop to stock and we can't keep everything we make.

4.) What one thing would you tell a new designer that you wish you had known when you first started?
Never stop trying. Never stop drawing. Never stop trying to break your limits. But mainly, just relax and have fun with it. Oh and join Etsy, because it's basically the best thing ever.

5.) Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hmmm... In five years we'll be out of college and hopefully living somewhere near each other so we can print more often. We'll have our own studio set up and craft full time. That's our dream.

Featured Artist- Crickets Creations

Celeste at Crickets Creations specializes in luxurious and fun hand knit scarves. When you visit her shop, you realize scarves aren't just for winter anymore. Whatever the season and whatever your mood, she has it!

1.Tell us a little about your craft, what is it and how did you get started in it?

I design & craft one-of-a-kind, handmade scarves from vintage & novelty yarns, and have sold over 300 worldwide since August 2007! I have sensitive skin myself, so I make every piece super-soft, comfy & nurturing. I love the glamour of wearing scarves in every season, so I offer a large variety of colors, thicknesses & styles.

I took an elective class when I was eight years old. From there, I studied knitting books and tried out patterns. Now I design all my own work.

2.What inspires you or helps you create?

My muse, inspiration & support is my sweetie, Nicky. I made my very first scarf for him (see that first scarf, modeled by Nicky at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cricketscreations/2181004294/in/set-72157603673305394/). He loved it so much that he said, "You could sell these and people would love 'em!" I guess he was right.

I love scarves that are reminiscent of everything that either gives us life or brings joy to our lives. I have nature themed scarves (Sea Colors or Embers & Ashes, for example), food themed scarves (Chocolate Mint and Oat Bran Muffin are two current favorites) and fun-themed scarves (Carnival or Gothic Disco). My favorite inspirations are animals (Macaw, Octopus, Animal Print, etc). 3.What do you love most about being a crafter?

The colors & textures of fiber slipping through my fingers are as mesmerizing as flickering fire flames or a cool, gliding river. It’s like meditation. I typically work with over 10 different yarns per scarf; it’s my creative playtime!

4.What one thing would you tell a new designer that you wish you had known when you first started?

The best way that I’ve been able to sell almost 300 scarves in less than a year is to have fun, create a quality product, and cherish the many people who choose multiple scarves for themselves or for gifts. It’s been a blast and I appreciate the opportunity! I offer a special price of only $30 per scarf to those who contact me before checking out, because I so enjoy the chance to interact with my customers and get to know them as people or even friends.
5.Where do you see yourself in five years?

Right here in Southern Utah near the Grand Canyon, knitting a special order scarf in the garden under one of our big trees.

Featured Artist- Jashme

Jen Ashman of Jashme sells whimsical, beautiful original paintings. She is also a freelance muralist. You can see more of her work on her blog.
1.Tell us a little about your craft, what is it and how did you get started in it?

I've always painted, ever since I was a child. Two years ago I received my bachelor's degree in painting and art history from the Savannah College of Art and Design. I prefer oil paints, but lately I've been experimenting with watercolors and ink.

2.What inspires you or helps you create?

Painting makes me happy. Coffee keeps me motivated. My cat is a constant source of beauty and inspiration.

3.What do you love most about being a crafter?

What I love most about creating art is knowing what I've done could not have been done by anyone else. It is unique and my gift to anyone who will take the time to look.

4.What one thing would you tell a new designer that you wish you had known when you first started?

This is an easy one. I'd say, "Not everything you paint needs to be a masterpiece. Just paint!" I think the hardest thing for me to get over was accepting that not everything I create will be as beautiful as I intend. Some times you have to get through twenty bad paintings before you get a good one. Keep at it.

5.Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully, my art will be in galleries. I also am trying to jump start my career as a designer and illustrator. I'd love to succeed as both a fine artist and a commercial designer. I try to keep the two seperate.

On Hiatus

You may have already noticed there has been no morning coffee this week. I will be on hiatus through the 17th. I am still here, still getting a bit of work done, but officially I am on vacation. So what work I decide to do will be done when and if I feel like it! I will be updating the "Quit Your Day Job" series towards the end of this week, and featured artists will still be on Wednesdays. Just no Morning Coffee (as I plan to sleep til noon!).