Getting to Know: Sophie McMahan of You Were Swell

Few artists can so successfully find a niche or a running theme in their work without giving into old tropes.  Sophie McMahan's twisted brand of Americana stands out among the crowded market for retro inspired arts and crafts, with her unique Etsy shop --You Were Swell -- highlighting her kitschy but dark artwork.  I got the chance to talk to her about her inspirations, the process of creating a new piece, and the meaning behind her work.

How old are you and where is your shop based out of?

I’m 28 years old and I’m located in Urbana, IL.  My shop is online only, so I do everything from home.

Was there a specific moment or cultural touchstone in your life that first brought out your creative side?

Yes!  I have always been a huge art and pop-culture lover.  But it was during the summer before my last year of college that I had a total breakthrough.  My aunt had given me a copy of Lynda Barry’s “Naked Ladies, Naked Ladies, Naked Ladies” - which is a sad, tender, and unusual coming of age comic/graphic novel.  It was unlike any other comic books or graphic novels I had ever seen.  I was so drawn to the format and type of story and artwork.  It made me realize that I could sort of do whatever I wanted in making comics and art - I didn’t have to follow a certain formula I once assumed.  That book really piqued my interest in alternative comics, and that same summer I bought Daniel Clowes’s graphic novel called “Caricature”.   That book and his artwork in general made it even more clear that this was what I wanted to do too - create weird art and comics.

What inspired you to share your artwork with others and to open a shop?

I’ve always wanted to create products with my artwork on them, and the internet has been an absolutely incredible tool to get my artwork and products out there.  

I’ve recently been able to quit my day job and focus fully on my art and my own business.  It’s been wonderful so far.

Do you have a specific process for new pieces or designs, and once the idea is formed, are they usually produced as drawings, paintings, or digitally illustrations?

I take a lot of inspiration from old b-movies, vintage magazines, pop culture, and vixens from the past.  I will usually use reference photos  from my inspirations when creating my pieces.  All of work are drawings.  I start off penciling in my ideas.  Then I will ink it - I use micron pens.  And then I color the drawings using gouache and acrylic gouache.  I hope one day to learn how to do coloring digitally - but for now it’s all by hand.

Getting to Know: Jess of Fabuluster

When it came time for me and Doc to find wedding bands, we wanted something special and different.  Fabuluster was the answer, full stop.  Their handmade rings and pendants are perfect gifts for couples, parents, or even siblings.  Fabuluster is run by Brent and Jessica Williams, who live with their family in Maine.  Jess was kind enough to tell me some about their process at Fabuluster, how they got started making jewelry, and what family heirlooms are special to them.

Thank you for taking the time to talk!  Tell me a little about your team at Fabuluster.  How did you begin crafting jewelry?
Brent and I met at Maine College of Art where our major was Metalsmithing and jewelry.  It appealed to Brent because he was into sculpture and jewelry is small scale sculpture.  I went thinking I would major in photography, the department was full so I took a metalsmithing class.... I loved it.

How did you two originally find your creative outlets?
Both of us are curious, we like to make stuff with our hands.  We like being busy and doing things.  We don't sit still long.  We both have been that way as long as we can remember and our families have a history of creativity and industriousness.

What art, besides metalworking, do you practice regularly, if any?
I do all the photography for us. I like to take photos of life and kids.  I garden and do crafts with my kids.
Brent has recently gotten a welding setup and hopes that in the near future he will be making larger scale sculpture during his time off.

Tell me a little bit about the creative process, from the time you receive an order to the time you send it out to the client.Most of the time the process starts with an email from a curious shopper.  We email them back and forth with their wishes in a ring, time-frame and other details we need to make them happy.  After we receive payment, we ship them a kit.  (The kit contains materials to impress molds of your fingerprints for the process.)  When we receive the kit, Brent starts the process of making the model for their ring.  It goes through the hands of Brent, then Adam does the finish work, [then] quality control and then out the door.  The process to make the rings is around 6-8 weeks with our current work load.

Getting to Know: Brittany from Va-Voom Vintage

With vintage and retro styles at the peak of a resurgence in popular culture, and with so many fashion blogs to follow, it can be hard to know where to start.  Brittany at Va-Voom Vintage has a distinct voice among many vintage bloggers, and her blog is a wonderful source of content for ones just starting out in vintage or those who have been collecting it for years.  She is a seamstress, a stylish housewife, and is always eager to both learn and teach about vintage fashion and lifestyles.  She graciously took the time out of her busy life to talk to me a little about her inspirations, the amazing women in her family's history, and her plans for the next year.

Thanks so much for taking the time to talk!  First off, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Thanks for having me! I'm Brittany, I'm 30 and I'm a housewife and mom from the suburbs of St Louis. I'm raising my little boy, Rhys, and my girl, Olivia, in a little 1930s house near the Missouri River. I wear vintage style clothes almost every day and I love to sew, garden and do crafty things. 

How did you originally discover vintage clothing?

 My first vintage piece was a lavender winter coat from the 1960s. I bought it at a shop in the city while I was shopping with my aunt. I didn't start wearing vintage full-time until I was much older. After my daughter was born and I became a housewife, my grandma and I were talking about what housewives were like when she was a girl. The things they did, the things they wore and how they lived. I had been sitting around in pajamas, basically all day, which is no way for a girl to live! I decided to try to do things the old fashioned way. My husband drove me to the city one afternoon and I bought my first few vintage hats and dresses. I looked for comfortable things that I could wear while I was home cleaning house and taking care of my 3 month old baby girl. Once I realized how easy and comfortable it was to wear vintage, I started wearing it every day. I started my blog within weeks, to document my love of vintage fashion. 

Were you influenced by any particular classic films or icons?

          I get a ton of hair and accessory inspiration from old movies. I think Betty Grable is my #1 hair style icon.  I love her iconic poodle curls, perfectly placed victory rolls- oh and she's a Missouri girl too! I love to recreate looks from old films and get inspiration for my sewing projects. I often sit and watch old movies and just watch the background extras! There are so many fantastic outfits and hairstyles that have been overlooked but they're there, just past the starlets! 

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