In the Michigan Studio with JulieandCo and a giveaway

 THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING.  WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.


Here’s my first Michigan artist interview for the new year.  There’s a couple of things about this artist that intrigue me. First, she has taken an ancient craft, Japanese temari balls, and given it a uniquely beautiful contemporary spin. Second, her two shops are somewhat contradictory. The temari balls are very precise and geometric. The fiber arts in her other shop, however, are very freeform and textural.  And all of it is gorgeous!  So let’s meet this artist!

FK: Tell us about yourself. 

My name is Julie. My etsy shops are:  

www.etsy.com/shop/julieandco  

www.etsy.com/shop/julieandco2

 FK: Julie, tell me where you live in Michigan. Did you grow up there or someplace else?

I am not a native Michigander, but I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else (nearly 30 years) so it is home to me now.  I was born in Chicago and then lived in Los Angeles, but came to Grand Rapids when I was 18.  I graduated from Calvin College with an English major and married the man I met there. We have been married nearly 27 years and have four daughters (and now a son-in-law!) as well as a pug, Maggie. 

Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan and is a vibrant, growing and cool city.  Since I moved here in 1982, this city has completed changed, particularly the downtown districts. It has a very hip and artsy vibe now, especially with the annual fall ArtPrize event.  Grand Rapids is known for many things --furniture (home and office), art, medical advancements, colleges, President Gerald Ford’s hometown, Amway, Meijer....so much!

FK: I’m very jealous that you have the ArtPrize competition. I haven’t been to see it yet but I will get there one of these days. Just so everyone knows what we are talking about:

ArtPrize^® turns the city of Grand Rapids into an art gallery for two weeks. Galleries, office lobbies, restaurants, courtyards, parks--most any space can become an ArtPrize venue. It’s part arts festival, part social experiment.  Art is the focus of the competition, but the main event is community, and artists take over the city. The best part is that this international contest is decided solely by public vote. And the awards are not stingy: Almost $500,000 in prizes is awarded, with the top award a whopping $250,000! 

FK: Do you have an art education background? Or are you self taught? How did you get started? 

My college major was English with a minor in history and journalism, however two of my siblings are artists (the other two are scientists!). I am completely self taught in all arts and crafts. If I see it in a book or online, the first thing I think is “oh, I can do that” and proceed to figure it out. I love to create and dabble.

FK: Funny, I say the same thing – “I can do that.” Talk to me about your shops and your art.

My Etsy shop has been going now for two and a half years. I love Etsy.  It’s been a great experience, especially being on some Etsy teams. 

   midnight cranberry - hand embroidered thread ball - japanese temari

I saw temari several years ago in a book and was instantly in love with the design and form of this unique and ancient Japanese folk art. It originated in China hundreds of years ago and was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks. Temari were originally made by noble women using silken threads pulled from old kimonos. 

  filigree blue - hand embroidered thread ball - japanese temari

Used originally for child's play, today the art of temari is becoming more regarded around the world. It is tradition for mothers to pass these little art pieces down to their daughters and teach them the craft as well. I love this concept. I am passionate about bringing together modern color schemes, unique designs, and precise stitching details into my art. I hand-wrap each ball first with yarn, then thread, then stitch my own modern version of the traditional Japanese designs with silky cotton embroidery threads. The unique band around the center of most temari is called an "obi" for the sash worn around the waists of traditional Japanese kimonos! 

 

illusions of blue on white - hand embroidered thread ball - japanese temari 

My fiber art shop (julieandco2) is a new adventure. I love the wild, textural designs I can play with as I explore this new medium for me. So opposite temari, which is very geometric and precise. Fiber art is loose, fluid and free. I guess it satisfies my other creative juices. I have some new plans for that shop, including fiber art brooches and possibly bags/totes.

 meandering - fiber art wall hanging - mixed media - 8 X 10 inches

cerulean - fiber art wall hanging - mixed media fabric - needle felted - 8 X 10 in. 

FK: And it is all just gorgeous! Tell me about your creative life. What do you love doing the most? And where do you do it?  What inspires you?

I have been a home school mom for almost 20 years and have done more crafts and projects than I can remember! I am restless if I am not creating something or cooking something. I would say temari is my favorite pastime and it is very portable! I started out with just a few plastic tubs to hold my supplies....this has grown into many tubs and taken over a whole corner of my basement. I may have to have my own art room one of these days! I am inspired by colors in nature, modern design schemes and often coffee. I seem to make many mocha/latte colored temari balls.

 woodland - hand embroidered thread ball - japanese temari

FK: What part of being an artist is the most gratifying to you? What part of being an artist is hardest for you, or that you dislike the most?

I love to make beautiful things. I also love making functional things, such as crocheted wool throws or cotton dishcloths, quilted bed coverings or crisp purses and wallets. I have been sewing and crafting since I was in high school. I don’t love the business end of things and would rather just craft all day instead of “market” myself.

 

Hand Embroidered Needle Felted iPod Touch case/ iPhone sleeve / BlackBerry cozy 

FK: What do you do when you’re not being an artist? What activities do you enjoy?

I am a wife and mother first of all and that is my greatest joy. I love to cook and we especially enjoy experimenting with international recipes, like Moroccan or Vietnamese cuisine. Yum! I also love to read.

FK: Well, Julie, I have thoroughly enjoyed this visit with you. I still can’t decide which of your art I enjoy the most – the temari or the fiber art. So I just have to love it all!  Now, tell us what your giveaway will be.

I am giving away one of my “starry night” temari balls:

starry night - hand embroidered thread ball - japanese temari 

starry night 2- hand embroidered thread ball - japanese temari

It’s one of my favorite styles and it is exactly like the temari that made it into the Etsy/NASA contest finals (judging to take place this month!)  The contest was a challenge to create handmade art and crafts inspired by the NASA Space Shuttle Program and space exploration at large.  The winner will get a trip to an upcoming launch as NASA's VIP guest, Etsy shopping sprees, and cool merchandise from NASA and Etsy. The winning artwork might even be flown on the Space Shuttle!

FK: Good luck to you, Julie! Now here’s the rules for entering:

You will have several chances to be entered into the random drawing. Each one must be entered as a separate comment.

First entry: Visit Julie's temari shop come back here, and enter a comment about your favorite piece(s).

Second entry: Visit Julie's fiber art shop and enter a comment about your favorite piece(s).

Third entry: Enter a comment that you signed up to follow my blog (or comment that you already follow).

Fourth entry: Enter a comment that you signed up to like my Facebook page (or comment that you are already a fan).

That's four chances to enter for the random drawing!  

Since I will be out of town next week I'm going to allow a few extra days for this giveaway.  I will use random number generator to pick a winner after:

12 Noon EST - Friday, January 21.