Usually
when you think of going to see local art, a coffee shop on a Sunday probably
isn't the first idea that comes to mind. But at the beginning of every month
that's exactly the place to be.
--- Craft
Sabbath has been going strong throughout 2009, every first Sunday of the month
at Nobrow, you can find some of the best crafters in the city showing off their
skills and selling their finest. The events have grown in popularity month by
month and have spawned a new interest in the art form. I got a chance to chat
with a few of the ladies behind it about their work, the event and thoughts on crafting. And remember to go see them this Sunday from Noon-4PM.
Meg Griggs,
Mary McClaugherty, Kali Mellus and Sonya Evans
http://www.myspace.com/craftsabbath
Gavin: Hey everyone. First off, tell us a
little about yourselves.
Kali: I’m the glass is half
full kind of person. I love being creative weather its with my art or fixing up
our home.
Meg: Just turned 30, I work full time and
have a beautiful 8 year old daughter Lily.
Sonya: Mom
of 2, Livia-4, Eagan-9 months. Kinda quiet unless in a comfortable setting. Army
brat. Moved every year or two most of my life.
Gavin:
How did each of you take an interest in crafts, or at least the specific craft
you do?
Meg: I began making hair and lapel pins for
myself when I couldn't find any that were large and eccentric enough for my own
style. Before long I was making them as gifts for
friends.
Kali: I’ve always been into jewelry making
and crafts. I use to sell my beaded necklaces in the playground as a kid to
support my craft supply habit. It just eventually evolved into what it is
today.
Gavin: Is it a challenge to develop your
talents and make it your own?
Sonya: No challenge
what so ever. All my ideas come from just being where i am in life at the
moment. My kids interests, grandmas curio, nature, my garden... wherever.
Whenever.
Kali: The ideas are not a challenge for me.
I come up with new ideas all the time, its the construction and trying a
different medium that can bring difficulty. I think its challenging to try
something new but by doing so you become better at your
craft.
Meg: Well everything has been done before its
a matter of taking it and putting your own spin on it, adding your own touch
with your personality.
Gavin:
How did all of you meet each other?
Meg: Well Sonya
and I have been friends since our late teens. I met Kali through Gallery Stroll
and her sister in law Mariah Mann Mellus. As for Mary I met her through friends
and she married a great guy I've known for
years.
Kali: I met Meg when she worked at Slug Mag a
few years back and she introduced me to Sonya and
Mary.
Sonya: Friends of friends and neighbors and
wives of old friends and however.
Gavin: What was it
like for all of you turning what you do into a
business?
Kali: It felt like that was the next step
for me in my life. I enjoyed the creating and making aspect and wanted to do it
all the time. I always knew I would do something creative for a living and
everything just all came together.
Sonya: It came
naturally. I tried it with no stress of making it my career, it just happened.
Blessed I am.
Meg: Well I haven't made that step yet,
its still just a hobby for now.
Gavin:
Where did the idea come from to start Craft
Sabbath?
Sonya: We did a holiday boutique at Kayo
Gallery, and discussed doing it more often.
Meg: Last
winter we banned together to put on a Christmas Boutique. While putting that
together I began reading about all the small alternative craft groups about the
country and thought, "Why hasn't anyone in SLC done this?" From that we decided
to host Craft Sabbath every first Sunday of the
month.
Kali: From Meg’s head…she came up with the
concept and the planning. I came up with the
name.
Gavin: What did it take on your parts to plan
it, and why Nobrow Coffee for the location?
Kali:
Well first off you need to get yourself a Meghann Griggs to do all the planning.
She is great at the kind of stuff.
Meg: It had to be
Nobrow, Joe Evans is such a great friend and a persistent business owner. I
believe deeply in his coffee shop and I am more than happy to do anything in my
power to increase foot traffic through his door.
Gavin:
How did everything go the first time you held
one?
Meg: The first was a blast as have been everyone
since.
Kali: It went very well. The first official
one at Nobrow was in January….that seems so long
ago.
Sonya: The first one turned out awesome! We had
music and cupcakes and a great turn out. Couldn't have been
better.
Gavin: What are your thoughts on the
popularity of it and how its growing?
Kali: I think
its fabulous!
Sonya: I love to see the popularity
rise. The more makers the merrier!
Meg: Each Sabbath
is different. New people come by, just as the usuals do.
Gavin:
How do you go about choosing guests to come every
month?
Meg: Just try to find similar people who have
the same drive as we do.
Kali: We all usually have
someone in mind and then we rock, paper, scissors to see who it is. Just
playing.
Gavin: What have you got planned for the one
coming up in August?
Kali: That’s a good question for
Meg.
Meg: August is our come back group show.
Basically due to the summer madness we took July off. We had so many people ask
when it was going to be next and who was coming we decided to invite some of our
friends to participate. It should be a unique Sabbath we have everything from
picture frames, paintings, glass jewelry to homemade
salsa.
Sonya: August will be the best yet. There will
be several guest artists selling their wares.
Gavin:
A little local, what's your take on the local art scene, both good and
bad?
Kali: I think the local art scene keeps getting
better and better.
Gavin: Anything you believe could
be done to make it bigger or better?
Kali: I think
there is always room for improvement. I just don’t know what it is yet, I
haven’t thought that far into it.
Meg: I personally
would be fine if it just stayed as it is. Its an opportunity to showcase my
hobby and hang out with my friends.
Gavin:
Is it difficult for you to sell your products and crafts, or is there a
naturally built-in audience for it?
Kali: I don’t
think my stuff is difficult to sell because its affordable and unique. I try to
appeal to a large audience.
Sonya: I haven't done
anything but love what I do and be honest and genuine with people interested in
my goods. I think people like to have a connection with what they buy. When I
sell my own products I make that connection for them by telling them a little
about my process or whatever they want to discuss. Knowing a little about the
artist and that what they are selling is a unique item made here in their
community is a huge selling point without mention. It if it's what they really
want, they get it. The response has been more than I could ask for. I am very
grateful.
Gavin: What is it like for you working with
retailers around the city?
Sonya: I am currently only
selling wholesale to one store, Hip & Humble. They were actually my very
first client that I started doing business with, and the only one I have kept
after making the decision to not take the wholesale route. They have been a
pleasure to work with from the start and an adorable local place to buy gifts
for pretty much anyone.
Kali: I have only worked with
a few local retailers and currently do not sell much in stores at this
time.
Gavin:
What can we expect from both the Sabbath and all of you the rest of the
year?
Kali: Always something different and unique…
anything is possible at this point.
Meg: Craft
Sabbath has some fun things planned for the months to come. September is Carmen
Nydeger October is Anna West and Todd Powelson November is unknown at the
moment. December has two Holiday Boutiques with 14
crafters.
Sonya: The Full Spectrum Design, thats me, will be selling at
the Downtown Farmers Market while the season lasts as well as the Park Silly
Sunday Market each week, Craft Lake City, and whatever else pops up between now
and then. Craft Sabbath will continue its first Sunday of the month gathering at
Nobrow Coffee & Tea. You can find me at www.thefullspectrum.etsy.com.