I will often interview crafters, writers, artists and creative spirits who combine passion and craft in an intriguing way. Today's interview is with silkscreen artist Shannon Riffe. Shannon discusses her techniques, business goals and the person for whom she'd most like to design a special gift.
Craftnicity: Describe the kind of work you do, that is, the techniques you use and what kinds of items you make.
Shannon: I design and screenprint paper products with my original patterns. I silkscreen all the items myself on Michigan-made papers. Products include gift tags, cards, gift wrap and journals, among others.
Craftnicity: What inspires your drawings? In other words, where does your muse visit you most often?
Shannon: Hmm, inspiration comes when I just doodle and draw without any purpose. Sometimes I'll carve a stamp for block printing. Sometimes I'll use my X-Acto knife and cut designs out of paper. I'm always open to looking at one of my creations in a new way. Lately I've started to return to some block prints I made a few years ago and thinking of ways to reinterpret them for silkscreening.
Craftnicity: Your drawings seem to have a playful geometric nature. Do you consider this your trademark?
Shannon: I do. My drawings always start with a hand-drawn doodle or handmade stamp. I try not to start my process on the computer, though I do use the computer to tweak my drawings and create pattern repeats. Starting with a handmade image ensures that my work never looks too perfect. I like the irregularities that come with working in this way.
Craftnicity: I noticed in your blog, that you regularly set business goals. Where do you see your business in 5 years? What steps are you taking right now to reach those goals?
Shannon: In 5 years? It's hard to say because I feel like I have a lot to learn. I'd like to have some kind of studio space outside of my home where I can have more room to work and can teach classes. With that larger studio space, I hope that I'll be able to ramp up my production volumes so that I can have a healthy amount of wholesale business, supplemented by strong online sales in my own shop.
Craftnicity: In the last year, what has been the biggest lesson you've learned about starting or sustaining a craft business?
Shannon: You have to spend money to make money. I'm not just talking about the start-up fees associated with getting your materials. I mean the ongoing costs of maintaining an Etsy shop, creating new products, advertising, creating a website, etc. Definitely take a long term view about what it will really cost you to run your business for the months to come. You can't expect that you will make back your money right away and be able to funnel it directly back into the business. It may take a while to get to that point so in the mean time be prepared to keep at it and trust that it will all work out.
Craftnicity: If you could design stationery or any other paper product for someone, who would it be and why?What would it look like?
Shannon: Great question! Michelle Obama. I've been obsessed with the election this year so the Obama's are always on my mind. I'm so thrilled Michelle is going to be the First Lady, she's got style and I think she'd be into mixing color and patterns in her personal stationery because she's so great at mixing designers and colors in her personal wardrobe.
I'm thinking the stationery would be an extra thick and luxurious off-white cotton cardstock letterpressed with her personal signature in grey ink. The matching envelopes would be lined with screenprinted patterned papers in a variety of bright jewel tones (like the dresses she wore during the DNC). A little conservative, but also a little trendy and fun.
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