I have a big girl crush on Jan DiCintio. She is a powerhouse of art and design. I had the pleasure of meeting Jan last October at Quilt Market in Houston and have the pleasure of calling her "friend" as we have kept in touch over these last few months. She's a really good Mom, fabulous wife to her hubby, and she is a very successful risk taker.
I say that because Jan self produces her own line of organic fabrics. I love what she has done with her business and love her fabrics (you'll find one of my new sewing patterns has Shades of Grey gracing the cover). What I love is her love of design AND her commitment to sustainability in business. Read HERE and HERE.
My Monday and everyday inspiration, Jan DiCintio...
{Since the feature is called Monday Mornings Inspiration, can you tell me what inspired you to a career in art and design?}
The initial spark that started me down this artsy path came 13 years ago, when my son was born, and I began sewing and painting home décor accessories for his room, our house, gifts for friends, etc. It wasn’t long before I became a juried artist with the PA Guild of Craftsmen and sold my wares by commission and at craft shows.
A series of stepping stones later, including painting funky repeat designs in clients’ homes and designing fabric for Daisy Janie handbag collections, and, voila, here I am! (Except that it wasn’t nearly as simple & easy as voila!)
{What continues to inspire you each day and how do you keep your art fresh? Inspiration each day}
I’m inspired by just about everything I see because I cannot NOT see the world through an artist’s lens. From textures, colors and patterns in nature to lines & shapes created by sun and shadows dancing through a window, it all seeps into my psyche and comes back out in the form of doodles and drawings that become designs.
I also love design from the late 1920s to early 1970s, particular mid-century modern. It’s not only the actual styles of these periods, but also the stirring nostalgia I feel when I look at them.
Keeping my art fresh: I have learned to trust my instincts, rather than questioning myself too, too much in the initial stages of creating new designs. I let myself go and see where I end up. Unbridled exploration and happy accidents make great art!
{What 3 words best describe you?}
Passionate, analytical, loyal.
{What could you not live without to get through each work day? Your phone/computer, sewing machine or your coffee?}
Hands down, my computer. If I had a penny for every minute I’ve spent on my computer in the past 5 years, I might not need it so much. Funny how that would work.
{What is the best part of your job as a designer?}
Seeing my fabrics come to life in all sorts of delightful handmade goodies! I always have ideas for things I’d like to make, but I rarely have time to sew for pleasure. It really lifts me up when I see or hear about the variety of items made – people are sooo creative!
{What advice would you offer to someone when it comes to living a creative life?}
Above all, make sure you keep a sense of balance in your life. You have to find a balance between work & family & the rest of the world. Unchecked self-absorption begets more self-absorption…it’s a vicious cycle b/c you never step outside yourself long enough to know there’s more to the world than your deadline, your project, your work. Stop taking and give back instead. You’ll be much happier when you share yourself; your work will feel lighter, your ideas will flow and you’ll become much more efficient & effective. Took me 10 years to figure that out!
{What can we expect to see from you in the coming year in terms of new projects and design?}
I have a few exciting things in the works! First, I just shared my next collection of organic fabrics, Tilly, on my blog this past Friday (available Oct 2011). It’s near & dear to my heart for many reasons, and it’s also the first collection on a beautiful, new base cloth for Daisy Janie. I’m so thrilled b/c this new cloth will allow me to bring down the pricepoint a bit, making my fabrics much more accessible to those who are watching their pennies but still want an eco-friendly fabric. Secondly, I am working behind the scenes with another well-known designer, whose work will be licensed with Daisy Janie. I think everyone is going to love her fabrics!! Look for these in early 2012. Thirdly, I am working on establishing a core group of 1-color mod prints, offered in an array of basic hues; these would be a stock item, and hue determinations will rotate by season or by popular demand.
{if you haven't sewn with Jan's organic fabrics yet -
here's your chance at some of her goodies!Jan is offering a fat quarter bundle from her Shades of Grey line to one of you!} THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Here are the details - if you'd like to be entered in the giveaway for the FQ bundle, 1) simply leave a comment telling us why organics are important to you.
For extra entries, you can do the following:
2) Become a follower of Jans on her facebook page. Come back here and leave a comment - 1 entry. 3) Share this feature on your facebook page with your friends - leave a comment you have done so - 1 entry. 4) Do you Twitter? Tweet this feature, "Go Green. Go Sew. Daisy Janie FQ bundle giveaway http://twopeasinapoddesigns.com OR something like that. Leave a comment that you tweeted!
4 chances to win but if you don't win - hit up your local fabric retailer to get some for yourself! This giveaway will be open until Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 5pm EST.
{thanks Jan! }
xoxo,
Trish