Featured Handmade Artist-Onelatenight
I am **so** excited to introduce you to this weeks Featured Handmade Artist-- Kyla from Onelatenight. I received a plush polaroid camera she made as a gift for my birthday last week and I absolutely LOVE it! Not only is it the cutest camera ever, but it's really well made!
Check out some of the other awesome finds at Onelatenight (I'm also loving the little plush tv too!)
Hi Kayla! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Kyla and I currently reside in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I have a love for all things Crafty, Thrifty and Beautiful. My Camera is never far from my side. Currently I'm Keeping up with my Photography, and Crafting 100%. I went to Art College years ago and I’m still really trying to get into a “real” job involving what I know I can do, rather than sitting in a cubicle all day. Thus far ETSY has really offered such a lovely platform for me to do both!
How long have you been creating?
I have been creating ever since I can remember. When I was little I wanted to be 4 things when I grew up; a Figure Skater, Marine Biologist, Artist and a Dinosaur haha. I think I have found my balance within a creative path.
What is your inspiration for making your pieces?
For my handmade pieces I really try and come up with something fun that both children and adults can appreciate. I have a super huge love for photography and my camera’s adventure everywhere with me! I remember when I was little and the camera was always the item that I couldn’t really “play” with as it was breakable and expensive. When I was about 10 Crayola came out with a bright yellow film camera and I was in heaven; I finally had a camera that no one was concerned with me breaking. I was addicted for life!
That memory really stuck with me, and I thought about making something for that in between time that children could really benefit from; thus the Plush camera was created.
I get to custom these little babies into the buyers taste, and each and every one I make seems to get cuter!
What is your most prized possession?
I’m going to cheat because I have two. My camera is like another limb I never go anywhere without it! My second is a letter that my parents wrote to me on my grade 9 graduation; it described dreams, wishes and how proud they are. It is the most wonderful gift they have ever given me; I get teary eyed whenever I think about it!
What would your dream job be?
Oh gosh there are so many jobs I would LOVE to do. I think writing and illustrating a children’s book is so high on my list! Also a friend and I wanted to hybrid this boutique together called “Muffin Tops” because really that is the best part of muffins haha. It would be a baked goods store complete with fun candy and Plush toys. It seems super whimsical and totally me. When I win the lottery that is what I’m doing!
Please describe a little bit of your creative process
I really like to dig back in to my childhood for creative ideas. I think the market is so chalked full of really manufactured 100 times duplicated things, and I like to think that out of all of those things on your shelf the unique ones are the most talked about! Just think boxes and rows filled with shiny plastic toys, and a cute handmade plush thrown right in there. I would be drawn to it instantly.
I like to brainstorm, and then create. If I mess up it’s all part of the process. When I’m happy with a shape and product I create a pattern. I really like to incorporate color and texture. If I can put a button on it, I will! I love them.
One of my big rules is don’t create it just because it’s popular! Ultimately you do want to sell, but you don’t want to sell yourself out. When creating each item; as well as finding thrifted goodies I stop and think would “I” keep this or buy this. I create for myself first and foremost. If I am 100% behind an Item, I can put my name on it and be proud of it being in someone else’s home.
What item would you be secretly heartbroken if it sold?
My plush cameras! I love to make them and get giddy and sad when I mail them out. They are just so cute when they are done I just want to create a wall filled with them! I have a few that I have made just for myself!
As for a thirifted item currently in my shop it would have to be the Creamy Maple Vintage Samsonite Travel Bag. It is literally 2 inches short of fitting my laptop inside. If it did I would rock this bag everyday!
What are some of the ways you promote your work?
Truth be told that is the one thing I’m still struggling with more or less. Right now I advertise on some blogs, but when you first start it’s SO hard to get your name out there. I’ll get the hang of it someday! I do however have my own blog that I love to post in daily!
Etsy: http://www.onelatenight.etsy.com/
The Fiction We Live - Blog: http://onelatenight3point14.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/onelatenight
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33124996@N02/
What are some of your favorite books, movies, musicians, and websites?
Truth be told I’m terrible at picking up a book to read it. I’ll do you one worse I actually specifically look for vintage books based on the cover and use the covers and inside pages for crafts! Yikes!
As for movies, I love anything in the Horror genre. Also a good laugh is perfect. Anything with Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd are big on my watch over and over again lists!
When it comes to music I can pretty much listen to anything! I seem to lean towards Florence and the Machine and Marina and the Diamonds a lot lately. Also the fact that No Doubt is making a new album is feeling like Christmas!
Websites I visit regularly are my favourites on Blogger, Flickr, Etsy, We Heart It, Once Wed and The Superficial!
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
There are definitely lots of things I would want solely for selfish purposes; and really would make me feel worse if I really thing about it. The most beneficial would be to have a cleaning power. You know in Mary Poppins when she snaps her fingers and the room cleans itself? I would DIE for that. When I was little would snap and try; but it would never work haha.
Thanks sooooooo much Kyla for the awesome stuff you make and for letting us get to know you a little bit better! Please be sure to stop by the Onelatenight etsy shop and check out all the great things she's made and thrifted!
onelatenight.etsy.com
Check out some of the other awesome finds at Onelatenight (I'm also loving the little plush tv too!)
Hi Kayla! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Kyla and I currently reside in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I have a love for all things Crafty, Thrifty and Beautiful. My Camera is never far from my side. Currently I'm Keeping up with my Photography, and Crafting 100%. I went to Art College years ago and I’m still really trying to get into a “real” job involving what I know I can do, rather than sitting in a cubicle all day. Thus far ETSY has really offered such a lovely platform for me to do both!
How long have you been creating?
I have been creating ever since I can remember. When I was little I wanted to be 4 things when I grew up; a Figure Skater, Marine Biologist, Artist and a Dinosaur haha. I think I have found my balance within a creative path.
What is your inspiration for making your pieces?
For my handmade pieces I really try and come up with something fun that both children and adults can appreciate. I have a super huge love for photography and my camera’s adventure everywhere with me! I remember when I was little and the camera was always the item that I couldn’t really “play” with as it was breakable and expensive. When I was about 10 Crayola came out with a bright yellow film camera and I was in heaven; I finally had a camera that no one was concerned with me breaking. I was addicted for life!
That memory really stuck with me, and I thought about making something for that in between time that children could really benefit from; thus the Plush camera was created.
I get to custom these little babies into the buyers taste, and each and every one I make seems to get cuter!
What is your most prized possession?
I’m going to cheat because I have two. My camera is like another limb I never go anywhere without it! My second is a letter that my parents wrote to me on my grade 9 graduation; it described dreams, wishes and how proud they are. It is the most wonderful gift they have ever given me; I get teary eyed whenever I think about it!
What would your dream job be?
Oh gosh there are so many jobs I would LOVE to do. I think writing and illustrating a children’s book is so high on my list! Also a friend and I wanted to hybrid this boutique together called “Muffin Tops” because really that is the best part of muffins haha. It would be a baked goods store complete with fun candy and Plush toys. It seems super whimsical and totally me. When I win the lottery that is what I’m doing!
Please describe a little bit of your creative process
I really like to dig back in to my childhood for creative ideas. I think the market is so chalked full of really manufactured 100 times duplicated things, and I like to think that out of all of those things on your shelf the unique ones are the most talked about! Just think boxes and rows filled with shiny plastic toys, and a cute handmade plush thrown right in there. I would be drawn to it instantly.
I like to brainstorm, and then create. If I mess up it’s all part of the process. When I’m happy with a shape and product I create a pattern. I really like to incorporate color and texture. If I can put a button on it, I will! I love them.
One of my big rules is don’t create it just because it’s popular! Ultimately you do want to sell, but you don’t want to sell yourself out. When creating each item; as well as finding thrifted goodies I stop and think would “I” keep this or buy this. I create for myself first and foremost. If I am 100% behind an Item, I can put my name on it and be proud of it being in someone else’s home.
What item would you be secretly heartbroken if it sold?
My plush cameras! I love to make them and get giddy and sad when I mail them out. They are just so cute when they are done I just want to create a wall filled with them! I have a few that I have made just for myself!
As for a thirifted item currently in my shop it would have to be the Creamy Maple Vintage Samsonite Travel Bag. It is literally 2 inches short of fitting my laptop inside. If it did I would rock this bag everyday!
What are some of the ways you promote your work?
Truth be told that is the one thing I’m still struggling with more or less. Right now I advertise on some blogs, but when you first start it’s SO hard to get your name out there. I’ll get the hang of it someday! I do however have my own blog that I love to post in daily!
Etsy: http://www.onelatenight.etsy.com/
The Fiction We Live - Blog: http://onelatenight3point14.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/onelatenight
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33124996@N02/
What are some of your favorite books, movies, musicians, and websites?
Truth be told I’m terrible at picking up a book to read it. I’ll do you one worse I actually specifically look for vintage books based on the cover and use the covers and inside pages for crafts! Yikes!
As for movies, I love anything in the Horror genre. Also a good laugh is perfect. Anything with Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd are big on my watch over and over again lists!
When it comes to music I can pretty much listen to anything! I seem to lean towards Florence and the Machine and Marina and the Diamonds a lot lately. Also the fact that No Doubt is making a new album is feeling like Christmas!
Websites I visit regularly are my favourites on Blogger, Flickr, Etsy, We Heart It, Once Wed and The Superficial!
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
There are definitely lots of things I would want solely for selfish purposes; and really would make me feel worse if I really thing about it. The most beneficial would be to have a cleaning power. You know in Mary Poppins when she snaps her fingers and the room cleans itself? I would DIE for that. When I was little would snap and try; but it would never work haha.
Thanks sooooooo much Kyla for the awesome stuff you make and for letting us get to know you a little bit better! Please be sure to stop by the Onelatenight etsy shop and check out all the great things she's made and thrifted!
onelatenight.etsy.com