Monday Etsy Interview - Details Girl
Welcome to the Monday Etsy Interview! This week I interview Details Girl and expose her wonderful creations to the world!
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your work?
I’m a person who loves to laugh and I think my work reflects that. I hand knit, crochet and sew. My favorite things to make are dolls, but I really love anything that gives me a spark and keeps my hands and mind busy. I live in Brooklyn, New York and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my beloved dog, Clark W. Griswold Serbousek (he has been living with my mother while I moved).
2. Pop culture and comics seem to be a big influence. Can you share with us just how much and why?
I think what people like is fascinating. It is such a reflection on human beings as a whole that somehow without common language or religion the most recognizable things on the planet are symbols of Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and the Superman shield. Why? It says a lot about marketing, but even with great marketing you can’t force people to like something and give it that status (Pepsi Clear anyone?)…so what is it that we are drawn to? These are items and celebrity that we have been sold, but you can’t keep selling a product without people to buy it – why do we keep buying? And then you come to Superman. That’s an ideal. It is what we all want to be. The selling point of comics is the human ideals. We wish we were so noble and handsome and strong; the list goes on and on. The evil in comics reflects what we fear in each other and ourselves. There has always been something to like in the Joker and maybe that is something we see in ourselves. I like that my work taps into that feeling of something universally known while still being unique, creative and beautiful.
3. What do you do when you aren't working on your art?
I’m a New York City based improviser in two performance groups. Aww, Shucks is an all girl group that presents The Horoscope in which we perform one audience member’s future after a brief interview. Til, Death is a duo that performs monoscenes where we fight to the death (not really, but it sounds more fun that way). I’m also a writer working on various projects, including a young adult novel.
4. Who or what has been your biggest influence to create?
As a child, I always struggled with expressing myself. I would have these grand pictures in my head that I wasn’t able to draw or paint or songs that I didn’t have the skill to write. Even in conversation I felt limited so I would read dictionaries and write stories. I think it is all that first frustration in life that pushes me to keep writing and creating now. Fiber arts are especially gratifying because I can eventually hold what I saw in my mind’s eye and it alleviates that sense of being unable to articulate feelings and ideas.
5. What came first for you, your desire to be an artist, or your knowledge of the materials you work with?
I’ve always wanted to be an artist—always. I don’t remember anything else. The medium of my choosing has shifted over the years, but the goals are the same. As for knitting and crochet, it was definitely desire over knowledge. I knew how to hand sew and embroider because of a beloved childhood neighbor who taught me, but I hadn’t done any of that in years when I had a dream I was knitting. I woke up and the dream had cured the worst case of writer’s block I’d ever had. I thought that was a sign I should learn, so I taught myself.
6. Your sock dogs are really just the most adorable things I've ever seen. Can you tell us a bit about when you first started making them and how they have done for you?
I started making them about two years ago. I made one as a Christmas present and I wanted really unique socks so I went to Sock Man in the Village. There I found skull and crossbone socks. Everyone at work loved that so much that I made more as gifts. Sock dogs aren’t unique to me (the pattern is readily available online), but what I love is creating different breeds rather than the staple Dachshund. I love giving them Boston terrier faces or little French Bull Dog bodies. So far I haven’t made any etsy sales of sock dogs, but I am going to make more using Sports Team socks, so hopefully some Arkansas Razorback or Nebraska Husker (you can tell where my heart lies, but of course they can be done for any team as a custom order) fans will be interested.
7. If you were to share a piece of advice to a newbie on Etsy or another craft site, what would it be?
Stick to it. This is like any art, you have to keep practicing and auditioning. You are auditioning your work to sellers. If people quote a specific problem with your work more than once, go back to your process, rethink, make changes and audition it again. BE NICE. That’s also the most important thing in life and etsy. When you are out in public making friends or hanging out, recognize opportunities to promote yourself and be nice. People will remember you and respect you. If your work is small enough to travel around with you, take examples everywhere you go, you never know who you may bump into. I met then President of DC Comics, Paul Levitz, at a party and I had my DC Dolls with me, he loved them so much it led to book deal negotiations. You never know where opportunity will knock.
8. Let's say there's a bunch of us coming down to visit you in your town. Where do you take us to party and why?
I love good food, so I would take you to eat first…So many choices! I love Momofuku. It is a wonderful noodle bar in the East Village. Then to the Chinese Ice Cream Factory in Chinatown…the best red bean ice cream anywhere. After that, we would head to the Upright Citizens Brigade to catch a house team improv performance.
9. Ok, I have to ask, what's your favorite comic and why? :D
I love me some Wonder Woman. She has such a funny and strange history. She was created by the man who invented the lie detector. He was married, but he and his wife had an open marriage and mutual lover. He was into BDSM. He believed these were progressive feminist ideas and wanted to promote women as strong leaders and decision makers. The first issues of Wonder Woman depict progressive ideas along with, what we would consider now, very sexist images of women bound and gagged as well as racist depictions of minorities. From these beginnings emerges a character who takes the pulse on American feminism and civil rights. At one point she gives up her powers to become a dress shop owner causing Gloria Steinem to write an article in the very first Ms. Magazine asking where has Wonder Woman gone. In the 80’s Wonder Woman worked at a fast food taco stand and formed close relationships with inner city, minority women and helped resolve the problems of single mothers and women in trouble with crime bosses. And now, she is the only female character considered powerful enough to challenge Superman and Batman. I love the camp, I love the history lessons, I stay for the sexy fighting.
10. Thanks for the interview. Before I go, is there anything surprising about you that our readers might not guess?
Two of my top travel destinations I have yet to visit are Richard Simmons’ Cruise to Lose (my Richard Simmons doll was my first sale) and Dollywood. I’m going to Dollywood in just a few weeks, so dreams do come true!
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your work?
I’m a person who loves to laugh and I think my work reflects that. I hand knit, crochet and sew. My favorite things to make are dolls, but I really love anything that gives me a spark and keeps my hands and mind busy. I live in Brooklyn, New York and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my beloved dog, Clark W. Griswold Serbousek (he has been living with my mother while I moved).
2. Pop culture and comics seem to be a big influence. Can you share with us just how much and why?
I think what people like is fascinating. It is such a reflection on human beings as a whole that somehow without common language or religion the most recognizable things on the planet are symbols of Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and the Superman shield. Why? It says a lot about marketing, but even with great marketing you can’t force people to like something and give it that status (Pepsi Clear anyone?)…so what is it that we are drawn to? These are items and celebrity that we have been sold, but you can’t keep selling a product without people to buy it – why do we keep buying? And then you come to Superman. That’s an ideal. It is what we all want to be. The selling point of comics is the human ideals. We wish we were so noble and handsome and strong; the list goes on and on. The evil in comics reflects what we fear in each other and ourselves. There has always been something to like in the Joker and maybe that is something we see in ourselves. I like that my work taps into that feeling of something universally known while still being unique, creative and beautiful.
3. What do you do when you aren't working on your art?
I’m a New York City based improviser in two performance groups. Aww, Shucks is an all girl group that presents The Horoscope in which we perform one audience member’s future after a brief interview. Til, Death is a duo that performs monoscenes where we fight to the death (not really, but it sounds more fun that way). I’m also a writer working on various projects, including a young adult novel.
4. Who or what has been your biggest influence to create?
As a child, I always struggled with expressing myself. I would have these grand pictures in my head that I wasn’t able to draw or paint or songs that I didn’t have the skill to write. Even in conversation I felt limited so I would read dictionaries and write stories. I think it is all that first frustration in life that pushes me to keep writing and creating now. Fiber arts are especially gratifying because I can eventually hold what I saw in my mind’s eye and it alleviates that sense of being unable to articulate feelings and ideas.
5. What came first for you, your desire to be an artist, or your knowledge of the materials you work with?
I’ve always wanted to be an artist—always. I don’t remember anything else. The medium of my choosing has shifted over the years, but the goals are the same. As for knitting and crochet, it was definitely desire over knowledge. I knew how to hand sew and embroider because of a beloved childhood neighbor who taught me, but I hadn’t done any of that in years when I had a dream I was knitting. I woke up and the dream had cured the worst case of writer’s block I’d ever had. I thought that was a sign I should learn, so I taught myself.
6. Your sock dogs are really just the most adorable things I've ever seen. Can you tell us a bit about when you first started making them and how they have done for you?
I started making them about two years ago. I made one as a Christmas present and I wanted really unique socks so I went to Sock Man in the Village. There I found skull and crossbone socks. Everyone at work loved that so much that I made more as gifts. Sock dogs aren’t unique to me (the pattern is readily available online), but what I love is creating different breeds rather than the staple Dachshund. I love giving them Boston terrier faces or little French Bull Dog bodies. So far I haven’t made any etsy sales of sock dogs, but I am going to make more using Sports Team socks, so hopefully some Arkansas Razorback or Nebraska Husker (you can tell where my heart lies, but of course they can be done for any team as a custom order) fans will be interested.
7. If you were to share a piece of advice to a newbie on Etsy or another craft site, what would it be?
Stick to it. This is like any art, you have to keep practicing and auditioning. You are auditioning your work to sellers. If people quote a specific problem with your work more than once, go back to your process, rethink, make changes and audition it again. BE NICE. That’s also the most important thing in life and etsy. When you are out in public making friends or hanging out, recognize opportunities to promote yourself and be nice. People will remember you and respect you. If your work is small enough to travel around with you, take examples everywhere you go, you never know who you may bump into. I met then President of DC Comics, Paul Levitz, at a party and I had my DC Dolls with me, he loved them so much it led to book deal negotiations. You never know where opportunity will knock.
8. Let's say there's a bunch of us coming down to visit you in your town. Where do you take us to party and why?
I love good food, so I would take you to eat first…So many choices! I love Momofuku. It is a wonderful noodle bar in the East Village. Then to the Chinese Ice Cream Factory in Chinatown…the best red bean ice cream anywhere. After that, we would head to the Upright Citizens Brigade to catch a house team improv performance.
9. Ok, I have to ask, what's your favorite comic and why? :D
I love me some Wonder Woman. She has such a funny and strange history. She was created by the man who invented the lie detector. He was married, but he and his wife had an open marriage and mutual lover. He was into BDSM. He believed these were progressive feminist ideas and wanted to promote women as strong leaders and decision makers. The first issues of Wonder Woman depict progressive ideas along with, what we would consider now, very sexist images of women bound and gagged as well as racist depictions of minorities. From these beginnings emerges a character who takes the pulse on American feminism and civil rights. At one point she gives up her powers to become a dress shop owner causing Gloria Steinem to write an article in the very first Ms. Magazine asking where has Wonder Woman gone. In the 80’s Wonder Woman worked at a fast food taco stand and formed close relationships with inner city, minority women and helped resolve the problems of single mothers and women in trouble with crime bosses. And now, she is the only female character considered powerful enough to challenge Superman and Batman. I love the camp, I love the history lessons, I stay for the sexy fighting.
10. Thanks for the interview. Before I go, is there anything surprising about you that our readers might not guess?
Two of my top travel destinations I have yet to visit are Richard Simmons’ Cruise to Lose (my Richard Simmons doll was my first sale) and Dollywood. I’m going to Dollywood in just a few weeks, so dreams do come true!
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bouncy
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