Hello and welcome to the Minnesotamade Holidays series where we’ll be spending the better part of a month getting acquainted with some local artisans.  If you’re new here, be sure to glance over the introductory post to get up to speed on what’s happening and check out other interviews.  If you’re a returning reader (thank you!), grab a comfortably warm cup of something and read on.  And don’t forget to peruse the accompanying slideshow- its chock full of images of each participant’s work and an occasional glimpse of their studio. 

Now let’s have a warm welcome for Marie Parish of craftyMSP.

Please introduce yourself and your work.

My name is Marie and I am the designer behind craftyMSP. I have always loved making things with my hands and use unique fabric combinations, artful finishing details and traditional sewing techniques to create modern accessories for your home and life. Custom quilted table accessories, embroidered wall art, scarves and fabric jewelry and bags are just a few of the products I hand craft.

I grew up in the north woods of Minnesota - lucky to play in the lakes, snow and trees right out my back door. Now, I find myself in the heart of the Twin Cities and I continuously find inspiration in both: nature and architecture; farms and cities; home and travel. I love colorful fabrics, sparkle, and textures, and always stay on the lookout for that perfect thrift store find.

My head is constantly spinning with new ideas, so craftyMSP is always evolving and I’m always adding new items to the shop.

Where can I purchase your work?

Right now, the majority of my work is sold online at etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/craftyMSP. Salon Stella in NE Minneapolis uses and sells my silky eye pillows. And finally, if you’re up north in Grand Marais, the wonderful yoga instructor, Sherri Moe, also has a selection of my products, such as the yoga mat bags and eye pillows. I am hoping to expand my retail market in the next year, looking for other local shops to carry craftyMSP products.

Is this your full time job? If no, what else do you do?

No, this is my side-job. I work full time as a designer at an architecture firm, designing commercial and residential buildings.

What is a typical day like for you as an artisan?  Which parts of managing your enterprise give you the most energy and which parts do you least look forward to?

Because this isn’t my full time job, I don’t have a ‘typical day’. I steal time for crafting when I can, saving photo shoots for anytime I get home before daylight (near impossible in the winter), and holing up in my basement studio over the weekends. I love creating - using new materials to make something unexpected. Learning a new technique really gets the creative juices flowing too. I just perfected the zipper - watch out! I’m making bags (lots)!

I am still learning how to promote myself - I totally embody the Midwest stereotype of not talking about myself enough. But I’m getting better. Once you start telling friends and family about your hobby, there’s a bit of snowball effect. So many projects I’ve gotten recently were because of a friend remembering that I sew and asking me to work on a custom project (and I’m so grateful to those friends). Also - wearing my creations - people ask where I got my scarf, and pretty soon I’ve sold them one!

What would you make Santa for Christmas?

My favorite Christmas movie is ‘The Santa Clause’ and I love all the detail they give the North Pole. I would make him a cozy quilt for that beautiful sleigh or maybe a coffee clutch for his hot cocoa.

Is there anything I forgot to ask?

Why yes, I do have double jointed fingers!