assemblage : may 2014 by Odeda

is a blog celebrating the homegrown, the handmade, and the simple pleasures of the Slow Movement in Wichita and South Central Kansas.

assemblage is a special edition online magazine with a focus on local artists and craftspeople who are transforming their passions into their professions, offering unique and quality-made goods to the public and inspiring others at the same time. Both entities are entirely not-for-profit and all-for-community. There are no paid advertisements; this is done solely for the joy of sharing the beauty of creating with others.

enjoy! 2

assembled in this issue... Tayla of WildFire Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Spotlight on: Suzy Mattson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Jess of Appendage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Jennifer of The Pink Elephant . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 From Victory Road: Kayann Ausherman . . . .18 Elly & Emma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Cassey of The Pickled Elephant . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Upcoming Event: Wichita Vintage Market Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

cover: work from Picture Attic (page 24 )

An Interview with

Tayla Naden of

Tayla is a Wichita artisan who crafts a v a r i e t y o f o b j e c t s, including quality textile jewelry and bags, but she is most recognized for her penny jewelry. With equal parts imagination and skill, he transforms the humble coins into juicy gems to b e d e c k yo u r n e c k , fingers, and wrists!

Slow Living ICT: How long have you been creating in general? Tayla: Oh gosh, for as long as I can remember. And, I've been trying to sell my work since I was small as well! Some of my first memories are of me drawing or painting pictures of waterfalls and horses and carrying them around the house trying to pawn them off to my brothers and sisters for 10 cents. I've always had a drive to create and it was never centered around any particular medium. I would draw, paint, write, sew, sculpt, whatever inspired me at that moment is what I did. SLI: When/how did you think of using pennies? T: I get this question all the time and I really wish I knew the exact answer! I know it happened a couple years ago when I was really getting in to mixed media work and art journaling. I found myself attracted to mixed media jewelry artists and wanted to try some of it out for myself. Shortly after I learned some basic jewelry making techniques, pennies came in to the picture. It was probably just a lack of funds to buy any real supplies, but I ran with the idea anyway! The first thing I made was a ring, very similar to what I offer today, and that was it--I became obsessed. 5

Penny Bracelets by Tayla

SLI: Do you do custom work? What kind of custom orders have you done? T: Absolutely! I used to feel very challenged by custom orders and would avoid them if I could. It was intimidating to take an idea a customer had and try to match it. However, after a few months I began embracing the idea. There is just so much you can do on that tiny surface and my customers always surprise me with their creativity and unique ideas. I've done pictures and quotes, but my favorite one of all was a key-chain inspired by the show, The Big Bang Theory. The customer asked for three pennies on a key ring, each one with the word, "knock." You know, like Sheldon and his knock, knock, knock, Penny? Get it? SLI: Why is creating important to you? T: Even though my life is based around making things, this is still a difficult question for me to answer. I think art is so important to our society because it touches on a very personal, raw, human side that most people try to hide on a daily basis. For me, I've always been drawn to the practical side of art, or craft, as you would probably call it. It is one of the best, most fulfilling feelings to be able to use something you make and to surround yourself with your own work on a daily basis. It reminds me of who I am on a very deep level. That may be a bit dramatic but it is true! 8

SLI: Where are you selling right now? T: At the moment, most of my sales come from craft shows. I carry my full inventory to these events and love being able to interact with my customers. However, I do have some items in Wichita at a wonderful little clothing consignment shop called Christiane's Closet (in the Green Elephant Village) and a few items at the City Arts Boutique. And, my work was recently picked up by a store in Denver, Colorado! I'm excited to say that there may be many more stores in the country carrying WildFire Accessories soon!  Like what you see? Visit the WildFire Accessories website at wildfireacc.com or “like” the WildFire Accessories facebook page at facebook.com/WildFireAccessories to receive updates on upcoming shows.

spotlight on

Suzy Mattson Working with what others may consider “junk,” Suzy creates glorious, richly textured works of art. Her eclectic “Dream Catchers” (shown at right) are made from found and vintage o b j e c t s s u ch a s s p o o n s, watches, jewelry and baubles, insect wings, and most recently, glass printed with the images from old film negatives. She also creates stunning home decor pieces such as jewelry boxes and coat racks from wooden cigar boxes. You can get in touch with her at craftysuzy@aol.com.

Mosaic box and stained glass feathers by Suzy Mattson.

Jessica Buchanan talks textiles and tat t o o s w h i l e sharing with us her new line of distinct accessories:

Slow Living ICT: Could you tell us a little bit about your art background? Jessica: Growing up I was lucky enough to have a crafty mother who was always working on projects. Her interest in making things certainly rubbed off on me. I also had two wonderful art teachers in high school, Mr. and Mrs. Olais, who helped me discover that art was what I wanted to spend my life doing. I attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2008.

SLI: What drew you to textiles specifically? J: In college, my favorite classes were Accessory Design and Scientific Illustration. In some ways, my textiles merge the mediums. SLI: How did you become involved in creating the insect shadow boxes? J: I did a number of insect scientific illustrations in college at the Field Museum in Chicago. I loved their insect specimen collection, so I began creating the shadow boxes as a collection for myself. People seemed to like them, so I began selling them with my Appendage line of accessories. The insects are now available on my online shop along with my other products. SLI: Where do you find your inspiration? J: My inspiration comes mostly from animals and plants. I collect skulls, insects, and other interesting specimens. I also get inspiration from tattoos and tattoo artists. I designed all of my own tattoos. I depended on my awesome tattoo artist, Mario Venegas, to translate my designs into tattoos. I like designing tattoos for the same reason that I like working with textiles, because it is challenging to create twodimensional designs on a threedimensional surface. 13

SLI: What do you love most about creating? J: My favorite part of creating is the design and illustration process. Do you print your own fabric and art prints? I draw the design for my fabric with a Wacom Tablet in Adobe Illustrator. I have a vendor who p r i n t s t h e f a b r i c fo r m e. Currently, I am having them print the fabric for the art prints and then I stretch it over stretcher bars. However, I plan to soon switch to a print on demand vendor for prints. ď Ś You can get your own piece of Appendage at the official online store, appendageaccessories.com, or from the Appendage Etsy shop at appendageaccessories.etsy.com. Jessica occasionally participates in Craft Shows, and later this year, her Appendage accessory line will be available in a few boutiques. Like the Appendage on facebook to find out about upcoming events: facebook.com/ appendageaccessories.

Pink

Elephant

Embellishments Made by

Jennifer Blundon Using vintage components, brass pieces, glass, exotic beetle shells and more, Jennifer of Pink Ele phant Embellishments creates incredibly unique, elegant, and eclectic jewelry. Visit her facebook page f a c e b o o k . c o m pinkelephantembellishments to stay to date on future shows she will be and check out her etsy shop pinkelembellishments.etsy.com.

at / up at, at

From Victory Road:

Kayann

Ausherman 19

Whether it’s a purse or a painting, Kayann’s pieces are a jubilant riot of texture, color, and wisdom, often featuring inspiring quotes and uplifting imagery. She shares with us her joy for creating and teaching in this interview. Slow Living ICT: How did you first become involved with creating? Kayann: I can't really remember a time that I wasn't creating, but I know that growing up, visits with my grandmother played an instrumental role in my artistic life. She introduced to me a variety of art forms and techniques, but probably her most enduring influence on me was her knack for making use of whatever she had on hand. She encouraged repurposing and thinking outside of the box long before those had become catch phrases. Anything she could lay her hands on was fair game as an art medium, and that has carried over into my artwork today whether it is in upcycling a suit coat as a messenger bag, or using smashed bottle caps and rusty washers in my assemblages. SLI: What are your favorite mediums? K: My favorite medium is mixed media because it can include every other medium. It allows me the freedom to use whatever materials will work best in the piece involved. I love to use acrylics and watercolors, fabric, paper, and collage, and anything rusty, worn or vintage. Words and quotes often show up in my work, as do trees and nature...though whimsical women have been making a frequent appearance lately.

SLI: I know you also teach; how did you become involved in that? K: Like all of us, I have the urge to share with others anything new that I am excited about. Years ago I taught art classes to neighborhood children. Later, as a Creative Memories consultant I taught scrapbook workshops. More re c e n t l y, my g row i n g d e s i re t o teach mixed media classes was matched with Studio 13 owner Chris Block when she saw my artwork hanging at Metropolitan Coffee in Hutchinson. I am currently teaching monthly art journal classes at Studio 13, and have also taught classes on using Citra Solv, an earth friendly concentrated cleaner to alter National Geographic pages to use as collage elements. I hope to soon offer mixed media classes in Wichita as well.

SLI: W h a t i s yo u r favorite part about teaching? K: It is so rewarding to give grown ups permission to play a g a i n . Children are incredibly free in their art making, and I tr y to encourage my adult students to rediscover that joy of creating. I also enjoy making art more accessible. I am an avid consumer of any kind o f a r t s u p p l i e s , b u t the expense can stop would be artists in their tracks. I like to share with others what my grandmother taught me about using whatever is on hand. Most of all, it is just a great way to get together with others and share in the fun of art making. SLI: Why is creating so important to you? K: Hmmm. That is hard to answer because I really can't imagine a life without creativity at its center. Long before I was officially "doing art" creativity found its way into just about everything I did. It is far more than just an embellishment. It is closely entwined with, and an expression of, my faith and my identity as a person. Most of my work is pretty chipper and upbeat, but once in awhile I also express some of the darker realities of life. Art, like life, is a process, a journey. The path does not always go as planned and involves leaving a lot of room for serendipity. I see creativity as more of an approach to life than any specific activity.  To stay up-to-date on Kayann’s classes and other events, check out her facebook where she regularly posts updates, facebook.com/fromvictoryroad. Her blog can be found at fromvictoryroad.com, or visit her Etsy shop, fromvictoryroad.etsy.com. 22

Elly of

Pictur e Attic

Emma of Art by

Ehart

Elly and Emma are sisters who share not only a passion for creating, but also the occasional booth space... Ellie (Picture Attic), sews darling vintage-inspired plushies and creates quirky shadow box collages, among a variety of other things. She currently does not have a website, but can be contacted at fab_greys@hotmail.com. Emma (Art by Ehart) crafts fabulously rustic silversmithed jewelry pieces with a bohemian flair, using gemstones, vintage pieces, and other findings. Her website can be seen at artbyehart.etsy.com.

Hand painted with heart by Cassey of...

Slow Living ICT: Could you describe your artistic background/education? Cassey: When I was in middle school and high school I was in pre-ap art classes, and decided to take my love for art into a Graphic Design degree. I married my high school sweetheart and he joined the Air Force and we moved to Okinawa Japan. I started taking classes while overseas, and then once we were back stateside, I graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK, with a bachelors in Graphic Design. SLI: When did you get involved in sign painting specifically? C: It all started with a pinterest project. They all do, right? I have always had a love for painting, but never wanted to paint murals or anything of that nature. So, I noticed a sign on pinterest, saved it, and finally tried it out. I fell in LOVE! Of course, I started learning my own little tricks, and started growing from that. It really all started getting pushed a little more after I lost my babysitter. I was working full time for a Graphic Design firm downtown. My boss luckily let me work part time while I was home watching my girls, and while I was trying to find another babysitter. I knew deep down, God was pulling me in another direction. I tried several babysitters, but not any of them felt "right". I prayed about it, and was able to stay part time with my job, and started The Pickled Elephant more as freelancing, just to bring home a little more27cash, and not at all in

the sign making business. I started noticing more people were interested in my first little pinterest project I posted, then anything else. So, that's how it all started. I started doing more pinterest ideas, but with my own twist. That’s when the custom orders started flooding in. I never knew there would be such a demand for it. It's amazing, and I truly have found my new home. I am able to use my love for paint and Graphics all in one. I truly LOVE what I do. How many people can say that? God shut one door, but opened another one for our family. I wouldn't be where I am today without him or my family's support. SLI: Your signs look old; are they reclaimed material? Where do you find it? C: They are. We use a lot of old fencing and other old materials. I pretty much take in anything I think I can revamp. I tend to find these just about anywhere. Flea markets, friends tearing down fencing, to old farmers with a stock pile of old wood.

To enroll in Cassey’s class and create your own Pickled Elephant design, click here:

The

Pickled Elephant Painting Class

SLI: I believe you have a painting class coming up; could you give us details that class? C: Yes! The class is May 17th at the Sedgwick County Park. The class fee is $125 and that includes a wood sign and all the paint and supplies you will need to create your own Pickled Elephant design. I will be teaching everything that you need to know about painting on reclaimed wood! Once you start enrolling, you will be able to choose from several different Pickled Elephant designs that you would like to create. They range from Medium to Large. Once you send me the sign you would like to create, I will have all the supplies, paint and board ready for you when you come to the class. All you have to do is show up! Snacks and drinks will be provided as well. It's going to be a fun class, and I hope that I will be able to teach several people a few tricks that I learned along the way. Registration ends May 9th! 

Like the The Pickled Elephant on facebook at facebook.com/ thepickledelephant to stay up-to-date with Cassey’s classes, shows, and more! Her next show will be Junk Hippie on June 14th at the OKC fairgrounds.

Upcoming Event:

Vintage Market Days

Wichita Vintage Market Days

is an upscale, vintage-inspired indoor market featuring original ar t, a n t i q u e s , c l o t h i n g , j e w e l r y, handmade treasures, home dĂŠcor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and a little more. This year, it will be held from June 20 to June 22 in Derby, KS, at Mattox Arena, 4418 E 83rd Street. For more information visit the website: wichita.vintagemarketdays.com. 33

assemblage The Art of Craft, Commerce + Community