This week's interview is with a Mixed Media Artist
from the beautiful city of Los Angeles, CA
Soaring to
Success
This week's Interview is with a Mixed-Media artist that creates beautiful hand-crafted journals. From the beautiful city of Los Angeles
Kristen Fairgrieve
1. Introduce
yourself. Name, City, State,
Country .. and describe what you do,
what’s your passion?
 |
| Artist: Kristen Fairgrieve |
Hi Joan! I’m
Kristen Fairgrieve, currently residing in Los Angeles, CA, USA. I
design and create one-of-a-kind handcrafted journals. I use brown paper bags as
the foundations for my journals, and I tend to give them sort of a vintage
feel. I love using lots of tags and postage stamps and postcards, tons of fun
embellishments.
2. When did
you know you wanted to be an artist, or writer?
Well
actually, I’ve always been crafting in some form or another, but when I was 5 I decided I was going to be a writer. I was
going to write and publish a novel. I wrote and crafted simultaneously for many
years, but writing was my true passion. After I left my 18-year career in the
film entertainment industry back in 2010, I was free to pursue both my writing
and crafting potential. I opened an Etsy shop (click link) in July, 2010, and also began
feverishly writing my 3rd attempt at a novel [never finished the
first 2]. Then late in 2011, I finished the first draft and put it away. While
my novel was “stewing”, my journals in my Etsy shop started taking off! Orders
for custom travel journals were coming in and I found that I absolutely loved
creating them. This was something I hadn’t planned on – I was going to be a
writer. But the journals brought me so much joy, and made my customers so
happy, that I made the decision to set my writing aside and focus on my
journals and my Etsy shop. And I’m so glad I did because I now love what I do!
I love being an artist.
3. What are
your fears? How have you faced
them? Or your plans of how you plan to
tackle your fears.
I guess my
two biggest fears right now are:
1.
That
people won’t like my work. I actually encountered this head-on recently when a
customer sent me a scathing email ripping apart 2 custom journals I had created
for her. It hurt of course, but also made me realize that was just one person’s
opinion and I couldn’t let it stop me from doing what I do. And, once I took
the time to think about her comments rationally, I realized she actually had
some valid points. She could have been nicer about it, but we’re not all nice
people.
2.
That
I won’t make enough money “in time” and will have to pursue some other form of
full-time employment. I’m learning to just give my money worries over to my
Higher Power [this is an everyday practice], and just let it go. And believe that it will happen.
4. What makes
you different…unique from others?
I think I
have a unique style of combining and layering papers and embellishments.
5. Any
secrets to reveal about the tools you use or your techniques? Tips or tricks? What makes your art special? Are your supplies unusual?
I use plain
brown paper bags, slightly larger than standard lunch bag size, as the
foundation for my journals. I love the crinkly sound they make!
I have 3
stones – rose quartz, amethyst and labradorite – in a heart-shaped bowl with
the word “Create” printed on it. They sit on my workbench and I rub them for
good luck and inspiration before I start a project.
6. What are
your goals and inspirations? Where
will you hope to be in 2 years? 5
years? 10 years?
In 2 years, I’d like my business to be
my sole source of income – no outside part-time work needed.
In 5 years, my shop will be my full
time business. I’ll have a licensing contract or two. I’ll have a large studio
in my home, with an assistant, and I’ll teach creative workshops once a week
out of my home studio.
In 10 years…. Let’s get to 5 years
first!
 |
| Biscuit the Bunny |
7. Where is
your creative space or studio? (example: At home in an extra bedroom, kitchen
table, a rented space for your craft.)
My creative
workshop is in the 2nd bedroom of our 2-bedroom apartment. I do
share the room with our bunny, Biscuit, but he doesn’t take up much space. I have 2 work benches, one for creating and one mainly for
shipping. And I’m surrounded by my creative supplies – papers, embellishments,
etc. My inspiration board hangs above my work bench so I always have something
to look at and draw from.
 |
| Kristen's creative space |
8.How much time do you devote to your work? (Is it at same time everyday? Are you disciplined to go into your studio at 9:00am every morning? Or do you wait until you are in a creative mood?)
I currently work
part-time 3 days/week at a custom invitation/stationery store. Then 3 days I
devote to my business: I’m up and ready to go by 7am, and spend the morning
taking care of social media, promotions, checking emails, writing blog posts,
doing “business” stuff. I’m in my workshop from 10am-4pm. Then the hubs comes
home, and all chance for concentration and quiet fly out the window. I make
sure to take one day a week and use it as my “weekend” day – spend time with
friends, go on an artist’s date, or just relax. But since I am running my own
business, I make sure I’m constantly in touch through emails, internet, etc. Since
I am my own boss 4 days out of the week, if something comes up that throws off
my business schedule, I don’t let it get me too crazy. I just make sure to make
up my work hours elsewhere.
 |
| What better way to save your photos & fun memories? |
9. What are
your “whispers” or callings begging you to do?
(Paint, write a book, sell your items on-line) What made you decide to take this e-course with
Kelly Rae Roberts? What do you want to achieve?
A friend of
mine told me about the KRR course and when I read the description I got chills.
I knew I had to take it. And I am so glad I did. Aside from the immense amount
of incredibly helpful information she provided, I got to meet and connect with
a wonderful group of women – my Fly Sisters!
 |
| Creative way to save those keepsakes!!! |
10. Do you keep a daily journal or sketchbook, or write in a diary?
I’ve been writing in a journal pretty much every day since I was 5. Sometimes it’s just stream of consciousness to get the “gunk” out before I start my day. But my journal has always been a safe place where I can speak my mind openly and honestly about absolutely anything.
11. How do
you market yourself? How do you plan to get “the word” out there?? (web-site, blog, etsy, galleries, boutiques,
on-line selling, do you advertise?) Is
it working? Are you selling?
I try to keep
my web site current, blog and post on FB; tweet; interact with other artists
and pay it forward. I have to say that Etsy search ads have increased my sales
a lot, and are a great investment.
12. What type
of music (if any) do you listen to when you create?
I like quiet
when I create, no music. It helps me hear the whispers better.
13. Who is
your favorite artist, photographer, author? …
In other words, who do you admire, and look up to?
I don’t have
a favorite, but I will say that Sandy Grason’s book “Journalution” is what gave
me the inspiration to start creating journals in the first place. I was going
through a rough patch, and the exercises in her book helped me reconnect with
myself. And it just clicked – I wanted to create journals for other people!
14. Are you
encouraged to follow your creative path by your family or friends?
Absolutely. I
will say that my husband has been my biggest supporter in this. Back in 2010,
when I was in the throes of the grueling film entertainment business [working
20 hour days, weekends, dealing with stress-related health issues], he’s the
one who suggested I quit my job and pursue what I love. It meant giving up our
wonderful house, paring down our belongings, and moving into a tiny apartment.
But almost 3 years later, he’s still cheering me on.
 |
| Perfect way to hold all those favorite recipes ..and so creative!! |
15. Do you
work on one project at a time ..or have several going on at a time?
I usually
have one project spread out on my workbench at a time. But, the
minute I get a
custom order, I start thinking about what supplies I’m going to use for it and
will pull some and set them aside. Sometimes when I’m working on one, an
inspiration for another will hit me and I’ll get caught up in pulling supplies
for it and laying things out, and I’ll have to remind myself to focus on the
other one!
**There's a special one waiting for you.. or Kristen will make one for you! A Journal for a special trip, graduation, new baby, Mother's Day gift?.. maybe for recipes or maybe a creative one as your daily journal!! ORDER yours today!! Thank you!!! Etsy Shop (click this link )
Thank you,
Kristen..
 |
| Kristen Fairgrieve |
for sharing your artistic path with all of us!!! Your journals look so yummy and inviting …who
wouldn’t want to fill that wonderfully decorated book full of their own photos,
notes and fond memories of their life?!? It is such a special way to contain
photographs of each of life's celebrated
moments. To leaf through each creative
page would be such a joy!
I am so happy
you agreed to do this interview, so I can get to know you better and you can
share with the world what you love to create. It is so interesting that mixed
media, journaling and collaging all take a seat into your creations! Best of Luck to you with your endeavor...
JOAN
** If you are an artist or writer and would like to be featured on my Making Waves Blog, please contact me at joanecarver@yahoo.com.
**I owned an art school in
Charlotte, NC for 16 years before moving to Jacksonville, FL., so it thrills me when a classroom full of students,
given one assignment, produces such a variety of ideas. …We are all unique, we
are all special. We all have a different
path, a different way of approaching our art. That is exactly why I want to do
these interviews, to celebrate what makes us, US! Thank you for participating : )
Joan Carver (e) joanecarver@yahoo.com 904-230-6155
www.makingwavesbeachdesigns.blogspot.com
www.JoanCarver.com
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