In Residence: Cari-Jane Hakes, Hybrid Handmade

No. 1

This is the first in the new Mercantile Muse series, In Residence. I love learning more about creative people, their process and their inspiration. I hope you will too.

First up is Cari-Jane Hakes of Hybrid Handmade. I can't quite remember how I met Cari, was it through etsy and then her blog or the other way around. I think perhaps the other way around.  No matter, it's time for you to meet her too.

 

 

MM: What is the first thing you remember creating?

Cari-Jane: I think it was teeny tiny 'self published' illustrated books on my typewriter!

 

MM: Was your creativity nurtured as a child?

Cari-Jane: Not particularly and I don't mean this in a bad way - I think as a family we were always a bit busy moving house!

 

MM: Where did you grow up and do you think it has an impact on your current designs. If so, how?

Cari-Jane: Hmm, where didn't I grow up? I went to 7 different schools as a child spread all over the UK. I think the biggest influence on my designs are what I'm surrounded by right now but bits of wild remote Scottish highlands definitely creep into many of my pieces.

MM: How do you nurture your own creativity now?

Cari-Jane: I'm always amazed at what can occur when I create a little time and space and sit down with my sketchbook and just draw and draw and draw.  That and getting out and about with my camera.  Getting right down in the dirt on my hands and knees and looking at teeny tiny things up close is a constant source of wonder to me. 

 

MM: What’s your favorite thing to listen to while you work?

Cari-Jane: Ohhhh podcasts!  There is nothing better than someone talking in your ear when you are a solitary workshop based artist!  It is the second most wonderful thing about my work that I get to listen to wonderful, inspiring and informative things while I work. 

 

MM: What’s your greatest inspiration in your work?

Cari-Jane: Colour, nature and architecture. 

 

MM: Having studied architecture, how did you come to be a jewelry designer and metal-smith?

Cari-Jane: I started studying jewellery at night school when I was pregnant with my second child.  Designing teeny tiny perfect things in silver became my retreat from the rigours of motherhood.  It used all of my architectural design skills but I didn't have to go to site meetings or deal with builders!

 

 

 

MM: Can you share some of the steps to your process?

Cari-Jane: It will often kick off with a theme, like the current one 'Into the Wild' (or the one before that 'The Myth of the Aurora Borealis').  I'll collect colours and images connected to the theme and then I make prototypes.  Precious metals are so expensive now so I need to know that a design idea is going to work before I commit to cutting any silver.  Paper and card models are all very well but I often have to go the extra mile and actually see it in brass or copper. 

 

MM: What are you favorite materials to work with and why?

Cari-Jane: Silver, naturally.  I find it amazing how many guises it can take - the way it accepts leaf skeleton textures still knocks me for six every time I get a really good print.  I love the way silver patinates (when it oxidises and goes black) which gold doesn't do.  It is a very versatile material. 

 

MM: What tool can’t you live without?

Cari-Jane: Rolling mill!  It's the way I get all my textures into my silver.  That said, my brother is building me a hydraulic press - so I reserve the right to alter this declaration at a later date. 

 

MM: What’s your favorite thing about creating?

Cari-Jane: Sending the pieces off.  I love the thought of these pieces scattered all over the world, becoming part of people's heritage, story, being passed down and on.  It is a privilege to be asked to create these special pieces.

 

MM: Is there something people would be surprised to learn about you?

Cari-Jane: I accidentally moved to France for 4 years.  No one saw it coming, not even me! 

 

MM: When is ‘your time’ in the studio when you’re really ‘on’?

Cari-Jane: Solitary, no distractions, probably late at night (although, I don't make a habit of it). 

 

MM: If a song was written about your work, what would it be called? Or if there is a song that reflects your work, what is it?

Cari-Jane: I think I have a mini-play list.  I often get completely hooked on songs in films - it is the combination of the music, the story and images and often I create my deigns with a whole world of images and stories and music in mind.

So......

1. Falling Slowly from the film 'Once' composed by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. 

2. Comptine d'un autre été -L'après-midi from the film Amélie composer by Yann Tiersen

3. Hard Sun from the film 'Into The Wild' composed by Eddie Vedder

 

MM: What’s your favorite memory of creating?

Cari-Jane: Getting messy on the kitchen floor with a big long roll of paper and two small paint covered boys!

 

MM: Messy or organized?

Cari-Jane: Organised - but messy when I'm actually making. 

 

MM: If you could sit down and enjoy a glass of wine with anyone (living or dead) and talk about the process of creating, who would it be?

Cari-Jane: Barbara Hepworth. 

 

MM: What does it mean to you to be creative?

Cari-Jane: I honestly can't imagine NOT doing what I do.  I'd go as far as to say that it is essential to my being as a person.  In moments when a design comes together I feel completely whole. 

 

 

MM: Is there anything that frustrates you when you’re working in the studio?

Cari-Jane: When things don't solder properly. 

 

MM: What’s your studio space like right now?

Cari-Jane: Right now, it is busy with a new commission so there are a couple of paper models, my sketch book is out covered in copper dust from the two prototypes I have been making. 

 

MM: Favorite sound?

Cari-Jane: The chattering sound of pebbles when they roll around on a steep beach as a wave retreats.

 

MM: Favorite place?

Cari-Jane: Besides HOME, it would have to be West Dean College, Chichester.  I went there once for a residential course.  It was like heaven on earth.  So, so beautiful. 

 

MM: Favorite thing to create?

Cari-Jane: Rings!  They are so expressive and dynamic.  I love expanding the canvas of a ring, making them almost armour like, fiercely feminine, tough enough to smash through glass ceilings and go adventuring with.

 

MM: Is there a quote that speaks to you as a creative person?

Cari-Jane: My late Grandfather once wrote to me following a disappointing time in my life.  He sent me a watch from the Oxfam shop he was volunteering in, and wrote me a letter telling me….'you've still got time'.  Wise words from a wise wise man.

 

MM: Can you share two pieces of advice with other creators? 

Cari-Jane:

1.  It's good to look around and see what is going on, what other people are doing,  but then you just have to shut that all off and do it.

2.  Doors close for a reason.  Get up, dust yourself off, and get on with something else.

 

On a side note, I can't close without mentioning the uuber cool shoes Cari is wearing in the last photo. The award-winning Mojitoes, designed by none other than the Hybrid Handmade husband, Mr. Julian Hakes. 

Many thanks to my friend Cari for sharing and having the guts to be the first creative person featured. I truly appreciate the thought and time that went into answering my many questions.

In case you missed them the first time, here's two of the reasons that make me so happy to have connected with this creative, talented and thoughtful woman.

"The chattering sound of pebbles when they roll around on a steep beach as a wave retreats." I never would have thought of 'chattering' myself, but that's exactly it. I too love that noise. I could sit and listen to the waves retreating for hours. 

"I love expanding the canvas of a ring, making them almost armour like, fiercely feminine, tough enough to smash through glass ceilings and go adventuring with."

Merci, mon ami.

 

Hybrid Handmade shop/ Hybrid Handmade blog

 

Freeform Friday

Here's a little something from Cari's interview. If you don't know Glen Hansard, you should.  Enjoy this lovely song. This video makes me really miss Dublin. If you're reading via email, click here.

 

 

Any plans for the weekend? Tonight is hockey night. Have I told you I'm a rabid hockey fan lately? It's scary. I do love my Bruins.

Have a good one whatever you do.

 

Ciao for now,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summertime Mantle & Input Please

July, America's Birthday Month

As I prepped for the annual Bates Independence Day Lobster Bake, I decided it was the perfect time to change up the mantle.  All I had to do was a little tweaking to go from Spring to Summer.  In honor of the red, white and blue, I went with my version of a patriotic summertime theme.  Here's the mantle as it was all dressed up for Spring.

A few quick changes, and viola, the Summertime mantle.

I took away a few things, and added some, including the beautiful flag my Dad made me, handcarved to boot. 

Also, you'll note the lobster, which really is a salt and shaker holder my nephew Pat and his girlfriend Ashley gave me on last 4th of July. I took the salt and pepper out of his arms and moved him from the pantry to the mantle. He makes me laugh.

Then I spied my Jeter bobblehead (Garrett had just glued him back together after a terrible mishap) and thought the 'boys of summer' would be a perfect addition.  Poor Jeter lost part of his cheek and it was unrepairable (is that a word?). I'll have to do a little flesh color paint job on the poor boy. Baseball can be rough.

I kept things on the mantle that had gold, silver, blue or red and also kept my big Ireland print because, well....because it usually hangs out there. Plus, the houses are very Summery colors, don't you think. Again, not sure if Summery is a word, but it is today on Mercantile Muse.

My mantle extends a bit to the top of my bookcase, which is where Uncle Sam landed. Yup, you guessed it. My Dad made him too. He's quite the folk artist don't ya think?  Uncle Sam reigning high above all else. Perfect spot.

As you can see, I added some beads. Our 'neighbors-in-laws' Emile and Carol gave us a bunch when we saw them just before the 4th. I think they made a pretty big statement for a small detail.

Please ignore any dust that is still visible. That's life, right?

Do you have anything in your home that you change out for the season? This is really the first year that I've been doing the mantle change-a-roo and it's been fun. It's a nice change since it's one of the first things you see when you walk into our house. I'll keep the mantle like this for at least the rest of the month and maybe the entire Summer, unless I'm feeling a need for another change. Variety is the spice the of life, after all.

Photo Challenge Input

I was overwhelmed with the positive response to the potential photo challenge.  You guys are totally on board which makes me happy. I really appreciate your input and more is welcome. I'm thinking, instead of so many days 'straight', which can be hard for a lot of people to keep up with, probably 3 days a week for 4 weeks? How does that sound?  Perhaps Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday's? It will probably begin next Monday. If that's what I settle on, I'll be outlining all the info on the challenge at the end of this week. How does that sound? I've got a few good ideas for topics, but if you've got any I'd be happy to consider them. Feel free to share. 

Check That Off the List

I was able to get all four photographs that I featured yesterday, listed and up for sale in Bates Mercantile Co., our etsy shop. Yay for me. Darn it all, I just love checking things off the list (hey, that reminds me- I still have a 'how do you juggle it all' post to write for Kristen at Milo & Molly....can I just say, not always well!!!). When I actually get to cross things off the list it makes me happy as a clam. I'd like to know where the heck that saying came from...has there been a study on the happiness of clams and I don't know about it? Did someone interview them about their state of mind and word spread across the world about the Bliss of Bivalves? Just wondrin'. Back to the subject at hand, and in case you're interested, you can find the new photographs for sale here.

On another note about yesterday's post, I told you the story of a little pebble from France making it's way to me in the mail. The sender, Cari-Jane, told a much better version on her blog yesterday. One little beach pebble spreading happiness the world over. I wonder if he's related to the clam?

Here's hoping you have a great day. You've already made mine super just by being here.

Ciao for now,



In Progress & A Small Surprise

Flowers & Rocks

First, the flowers. My garden is bloom which always leads to inspiration for me. I am going to add some more photographs to our shop, Bates Mercantile Co.  I am very neglect in updating the ones I already have listed.  I've had my archival printer since October, but hadn't adjusted my photo listings for new sizes and archival printing in-house.  I'm in the process of working on some new shots from the garden, and old shots (like the beach ones below) as well, in photoshop.  This all means I have to order some photo art paper. Thankfully, this is isn't a problem. I found a fantastic source for paper when I got my printer, Red River Paper. Their suggestions for paper for specific purposes, turnaround, and customer service have been great.

I haven't been as serious as I should be about the photographs in our shop, but I think it's about time I was.

Here's some that are in the works.

I named that fellow 'one legged Pete'.

Aaahhh, the beach. Heaven.

I've also been mulling over the idea of hosting a photo challenge like my etsy pal Elle Moss did a while back. I would post the subjects for each day of the challenge and people would submit links to their photos and I would also feature them, here on Mercantile Muse. What do you think?

I wasn't able to participate every one of the 21 days of Elle's, but the days I did participate were a great way to practice my photography skills, get to meet other people who submitted and see how each person had a different take on each subject.  It was very cool.

So, would you particpate? I don't think mine would be 21 days, but perhaps something a little more manageable. However, it wouldn't be much fun if it was just me.

And Now, All The Way From France.............

The best thing about blogging to me, is meeting new people all over the world. The same can be said for having a shop on etsy. 

Well, yesterday, out of the blue I got a package from my pal Cari-Jane of Hybrid Handmade. Sweet girl had remembered that I was smitten with the beach rocks she had featured on her blog a few times. She calls them 'time pebbles'. I just call them awesome.

Lo and behold, one made it's way to me from the seaside on the South coast of France. I'm so darn lucky.

The talented Ms. Hakes, draws the beautiful design on the rocks she finds at the beach near her home and then seals them.  Mine now sits on my little kitchen windowsill altar of sorts. The altar currently houses a picture of my great grandmother, one of Gar's little planters, a lucky trunk-up elephant, a toasting glass of my gram's and a wishbone. The candy dish in the corner was also my grams and contains more wishbones for whenever someone needs to make a wish.

This little stone made me so very happy. Thanking you Cari, my dear, thoughtful friend.

One more thing.  The lucky Leona Weaver, winner of the blogaversary giveaway obviously likes to give as much as receive. She was a sponsor of the giveaway as well as the winner. As such, she couldn't really send her lovely dandelion photograph to herself, so she sent it to me. Nice, yes?

via leeswhimsy

As tempted as I am to keep it, I think it would be a better gesture to incude it in the next giveaway. If you are interested in particpating as a sponsor, please shoot me an email. I'm in the process of gathering things and it's sure to be another treasure trove of goodies, so keep your eyes and ears at the ready for details.

That's about it here gang. What's happening in your corner of the world today?

ttfn,

I Like It Like That

via welovelaughkiss

Piqued My Interest 

A few things that are tickling my fancy and piquing my interest. Who knew, right? I've think I've probably been thinking and writing 'peaked' for years, but I digress. Back to things I'm liking right now.

Can you say strawberry season? I must make these strawberry shortcake popsickles. The look delicious and they're easy.

via bakersroyale

These are even easier. Hello chocolate chip cookie dough popsicle.

via girlichef

Doilies! More than one way to craft 'em. 

via the happyhomeblog



via welaughlovekiss

Seeing artists, crafters, creators in their workspaces making things.  

via hybridhandmade

Check out this great video that Jess made of her process.

So, what are you liking lately?

Bring on the Love

Last night we said goodbye to our friend Mike who passed away last week. I loved what his stepdaughter had to say about him. 'When I first met Mike, I didn't like him. I thought there is no way this guy is so nice, mellow and laid back. There is now way he can make my mother, who is as uptight as me, happy. But he was and did.' Rest in peace Mike.

We also said goodbye to our dear friend Bern (next to Gar) and his daughter Molly. He'll be back home in Cork in less than 24 hours. Our friend Olive, Bern's wife and Molly's mom will join them soon when she's done managing a stellar restaurant opening at the beach.  Sadly, we won't see them again until our next trip to Ireland. Damn oceans, getting in the way of everything. Otherwise we'd just take a road trip.

We'll really miss you round these parts Bernie Mc. So sad to see you guys go. You're great friends and we've certainly had a lot of laughs and made many lasting memories.

Until we meet again, be good Miss Moll.

Love you guys. Wishing you the best of luck.

On today's plate: ad design, AR/AP (you know how I love bookwork), organization! What's on yours?

Ciao for now,

Little Christmas, It's a Wrap and A Designer to Know

Christmas Eve Eve, Now Forever Known as Little Christmas

OK, not in the truest sense of the 'religious' meaning, but in the meaning that has to do with the celebration we have with our friends the Harringtons (Thomas and Terese).  You see, we used to have our Christmas gift giving extravaganza on Christmas Eve Eve. Then a few years back, it just wasn't happening so we moved it to January.  Why stress ourselves out? Why not start a new tradition.  So, being the first weekend after the New Year now, our celebration fell right on Little Christmas this year. How perfect.

This year sister Di and brother in law Al swung by too. It's a pretty relaxed night that involves (well half the time anyways) wearing your pj's if you want and eating pizza. What girl doesn't love hosting a pizza night? Hello, Mama Lenas? Can I place an order to be delivered? Why yes you can, thank you very much.

I enjoyed a blueberry Cosmo (made with Stonewall Kitchen Blueberry cocktail syrup- yum).

I also enjoyed opening all my gifts. So did the Harringtons.

This hat was screaming Thomas when I found it. The Harringtons head to Jamaica in March and I know Thomas will be styling this baby and working it to the max.

We also gave him something for before he leaves.

Terese loved the color of her new planter. Gorgeous turquoise. Again, reminded me of their Jamaica trip.

In addition to enjoying the presents and the company, we all had a good laugh watching the 'Honey Badger Don't Care' video on YouTube.  Cracks me up, because honestly, it really does seem like 'the honey badger don't care.

We also enjoyed the pizza (shroom and onion, one of our regular orders).............

....and the salad that Di brought. (Yay Di, thanks for leaving the leftovers that I wrestled you into leaving. I needed a salad fix.)

Oh no, it's over so quickly. Friends saying goodbye and,......

.....apparently solving all the world's problems.

I think that's the end of the Christmas gift giving and receiving. OK, so we milked it out. Why the heck not?

If You Haven't Heard of Sania Pell, Let Me Introduce You

My blogging/etsy friend Cari-Jane from Hybrid Handmade introduced me to Sania Pell via Pinterest.  I am so happy she did. I've featured design by Sania on Mercantile Muse before and I probably will over and over again.  I love her  use of neutral color with pops of brightness, her mix of styles, her combination of old and new, her clean yet warm aesthetic.  I could go on.  Here's some pictures from her website, which you really should visit.

Add to that her homey-craftiness, her flair for styling a photo, and I think she's downright brilliant.

Moonset Meadows

As I got up from my desk this morning to turn the tea kettle off, I spied this and grabbed my coat and camera. I wish I'd seen it sooner. It was so fleeting. The moon saying 'until we meet again'.

The people that travel our road to work and the kids on the school buses must think I'm a nut. I'm always out there, regardless of weather, in my pajamas taking pictures. That's what happens when you see something that pretty in the morning.

Have a Tuesday to remember. We are sure to as we're off to the Bruins game tonight. I do love my Bs. Fingers crossed for a win.

Ta ta for now,