T.E.S.T. Interview: WhatWoodYouWear

We hope to introduce you to all the great etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 83rd in our series and is with Ashley of WhatWoodYouWear. 

What got you interested in designing with wood?

I've always loved sculpting and carving ever since I was little playing with Play-doh. I took a pottery class in high school and loved it but didn't like how you needed a kiln to really finish a piece. Since I grew up on a farm that backed onto a forest I was always familiar with tools and using wood for projects around the farm. When I moved to the big city I really missed that natural feel of working with wood so I decided to try my hand at wood carving. It appealed to me since its similar to working with clay but I could finish a piece without needing an oven or kiln. My first piece was a Genie lamp that I carved right after Robin Williams passed away. Needless to say, my wish was granted and I've been carving ever since.

Where do you get your inspiration from? 

Mainly the wood itself. Each piece I find is different. Since I only use branches that have already fallen to the ground, each one has a different story. Some of them (many of my favourites) have been hollowed out by bugs giving each coin I cut off a true, authentic uniqueness. Things like size, porosity, colour, and grain also play a huge role in deciding which piece becomes what.

What's your favourite design right now? 

I'm actually still working on it. I pretty much have a new favourite every week (just check my Instagram!) but I'm really excited for what I'm working on now which combines wood, stone, and a piece brass from a re-purposed garment.

Do you sell anywhere other than Etsy? 

I'm hoping to start selling at vending fairs in the near future but currently am just selling on Etsy and through word of mouth.

Are you interested in making any other types of jewellery? 

I've always been an avid rock collector so I'm slowly figuring out how to start carving those to combine them into my jewelry.

How long does it take you to make each piece? 

Depending on the piece it can take me anywhere for 2-10 hours. I tend to cut and sand larger quantities at once so that I have several to gloss at a time.

Check out the other items available from Ashley in her Etsy shop. You can also find here at: 
Instagram: @whatwoodyouwear
Facebook: /ashleykingdesign (jewelry plus artwork and photography)
Twitter: (@lovethinkplay (jewelry plus local Toronto storm/weather photos -- she says "I'm a huge weather nerd!!")




Interviewed by Riel from MaBelleNaturelle on June 5, 2015.

T.E.S.T. Interview: Jennifer Rong Designs

We hope to introduce you to all the great Etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 57^th in our series with Jennifer of Jennifer Rong Designs.

Tell us a bit about yourself. What inspired your to start working with reclaimed wood?

I love the look and feel of reclaimed wood. I prefer it to new wood, and also believe in upcycling old material in order to keep production sustainable.

Is this your day job? What do you do when you’re not crafting?

I would like this to be my day job, but I do try to work a bit here and there, freelancing in the area of graphic/web design. When I'm not crafting, I'm thinking about it! My brain never stops thinking about my projects (and I have many on the go).

How do you source and choose your materials?

My materials come from a variety of places: parks, beaches, the scrap bin at the workshop, found objects at the side of the road, in the garbage room of my buidling, etc. Often friends will give me wood they have or random objects they don't need. My parents are also a great source; they help me find material as well. I choose wood based on character, type and quality. Everything else is usually based on need, type of material (I prefer metal and glass), and style/overall look and feel.

What inspires you when designing a new product?

A lot of the time the inspiration comes from a piece of wood, or an object and then just grows from there. Sometimes when I look at a piece of say driftwood, I can see what it will become. I fulfill their destiny. Other times in comes from out of need, to make something to serve a certain purpose. Design out of necessity, but never forgetting about aesthetics. Asthetics, function, and sustainable production are the core pillars of my business.

What is your creative process? What are your favourite and least favourite parts of that process?

My creative process is very random and quite ADD. I have at least 10 projects on the go, and often new ones being started. Sometimes I have to stop myself from starting new projects so I can finish up old ones. My favourite part is that I enjoy the spontaneity of it. I often don't know exactly what the end result will be (though I have an idea) and the piece may transform during production as the design stage is never quite complete. They often are in tandem with each other. I enjoy this approach, but sometimes than can lead to writers block that may halt the production of one piece for weeks or even months.

How long does it take you to create a piece?

It varies. Small projects can be done in a day, others could take months. There are still projects I started over a year ago that I have yet to finish.

Do you listen to music while crafting? What kinds of music help make the magic happen?

Sometimes I listen to the radio, often I'm in a woodshop where it's loud and that's not possible.

What are the most important things you’ve learned about business, your craft, and yourself through Jennifer Rong Designs?

It takes faith, determination and dedication. You have to believe in what you do before you can expect anyone else to.

What one item or design are you most proud of? What piece caused you the most agony (creative or otherwise)?

I grow very attached to every piece I create. it's hard to choose one but one of my favourites is my 3 tiered shelf/stand that's made from an apple wood branch and maple cookies.

A piece that has caused me a lot of agony is an unfinished ottoman which also turns into a coffee table. it's almost complete but has been in the works for a year now due to writers block.

Do you think living in Toronto has influenced your work in any way?

I think most of my life has led me to where I am today. I've always had a love for wood, I just didn't realize it until recently.

What future plans do you have for Rong Designs?

Hoping to become the next Eames or Miles van der Rohe (I believe in dreaming big).

Are there any resources you’d like to share with those starting out?

The internet! Ask it anything and it has answers. Also try to get out to as many craft/flea events as possible and network, network, network. Your peers are the best resources.

Do you sell anywhere other than Etsy, either online or in retail stores?

A number of my pieces are currently on consignment in a shop in kensington called A HOMERUN (165 Augusta ave). I've also been asked to sell on a French e-shop and to expand into the retail stores in France. I also sell at various festivals and craft markets.

What’s your theme song?

Work by Iggy Azalea (motivates me to work!)

Check out the other items available from Jennifer in her Etsy shop! You can find more of her work on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

Interviewed by Maggie of GiroofasaurusVexed in October 2013 in Toronto.

T.E.S.T. Interview: Second Shot

We hope to introduce you to all the great Etsy sellers to be found right here in Toronto. Here at the T.E.S.T. blog, we plan to interview them all. This is the 40^th in our series with Lindsay of SecondShot.

Tell us about yourself. How did you decide to use recycled skateboards?

We are a husband and wife team from Orangeville, ON.  My partner John is responsible for developing and creating all the Skate Art and I take care of customer orders and marketing.

John has been riding a skateboard for fun most of his life and had a collection of broken boards. In the summer of 2011 he decided to make something with them so he could hang them in the house to display and not have to get rid of them. The first piece he ever made consisted of 5 recycled skateboards cut into ¼” strips, compressed together to make wall “Skate Art”. Almost everyone that saw couldn't believe it was old skateboards.

Because almost all skateboards consist of seven layers of cross laminate maple ply, with some layers dyed different colours depending on the brand and manufacturer, the finished Skate Art turns out unique, colourful and one of a kind because of the colours in the maple wood. After the first piece was done John was inspired to see what else could be made from recycled skateboards.

Is there a story behind the skateboards you use?

For sure! We don’t always know the story or person that it belonged to but all the skateboards we get are different from the scratches, dents, cracks, stickers, graffiti, etc. That gives us a little view into its story and life before we get it. We are often contacted and asked to do custom pieces using a certain skateboard that has special meaning to the person. We believe every board deserves a 2nd Shot!

How did you find out about Etsy and why did you decide to join?

I had bought a few things on Etsy before so I knew it was a great place to buy/sell handmade items! When we first joined we weren't sure if the Skate Art would sell, but it did in less than a week! So it began!

How long does it take you to create a piece?

Every piece takes a lot of time. Some pieces a few hours and some have been in the making for over a year. It is a definite process to use old skateboards, because we can’t just go to a store and buy old boards we have to put time in first just finding people, skate shops, skate parks, etc. to donate their old skateboards. Then we have to collect them or have them shipped to us. Once we have the old boards the grip tape has to be removed and both sides of the board are sanded. Now it is a workable medium for John to create with. From there it all depends on the project and details put in.

Where do you find inspiration?

John’s inspiration comes from all sorts of places. He has a real passion for creating functioning art so he’s also looking for something new to make that has purpose.

Tell us where to find you other than Etsy

You can visit our website at www.secondshot.ca to see past work and to order items that are available. If you are in the Orangeville area you can find some of our products at Icarus Skate & Snow at 94 Broadway. You can find us on Facebook (www.fb.com/secondshot2011), Twitter (@secondshot2011) & Instagram (@secondshot) As well, we have a few videos of John making some different Skate Art on YouTube.

What are your future plans for your shop? Any exciting new products in 2013?

We plan to continue to offer one of a kind art and watches made from recycled skateboards. As well, we have a few collaborations with other artists and companies coming in 2013. One we are really looking forward to is the Skate Guitar collab with The Canadian School of Lutherie in Toronto. You can visit our website in the New Year for updates as it gets completed.

Check out the other items available from Lindsay and John in their Etsy Shop! You can find more of their work on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Interviewed by Shabnam of MorningdewPhoto in December 2012 in Toronto.