Happy Sunday everyone!
Today’s featured vendor is totally fantastic and I’m not just saying that because we both live in the same neighborhood and love drawing animals! If you are looking for some enchantingly illustrated goods for you or those on your holiday shopping list, check out Eloise Narrigan’s space on December 16th!
Hi there! First things first: What’s your name, what’s your business name, where are you from, and where are you currently located/crafting?
Hi yourself! I’m Eloise Narrigan–currently illustrating and designing under that name. You can see my work at eloisedraws.com. I’m from New England (central Mass, western Mass, Providence) and currently living in Jamaica Plain. Come visit! It’s lovely here.
What are your favorite materials to work with?
All my pieces start with a pencil sketch. Then I either ink them with a brush and turn them into a digital piece (like my tote bag or patterned notebooks) or transfer them to paper and make a watercolor painting (like…my watercolor paintings)!
Do you have a favorite color palette?
I love color and try to explore different combinations, especially in my small paintings. That said, I’ve had to hide certain paint colors (Payne’s gray, I’m looking at you) because otherwise I’d overuse them!
Who are some of your favorite indie artist/crafters and why do you love them?
Last year my booth was next to Jordan Elise’s Horrible Adorables and I spent a lot of the time gawking at the awesomeness. (I’m hoping to snag one of her smaller creatures this year!)
I also love the work of my boothmate, Erica Henderson: it’s edgy, it’s nerdy, it’s got pattern and color and linework that I love.
I’m looking forward to seeing Lady Dye (Diane Ivey)’s spread, too. We’ve gotten to know each other over the last year and have been keeping each other motivated as we prepare for Bazaar Bizarre. Plus as a knitter, I know she’s got great yarn.
Any exciting future plans or developments in the works for your business? (Nothing TOP-SECRET, of course!)
This year I’ll have tote bags (see photo for my first design, and I’m playing with another one) and possibly stickers!
I’d love to do more requests and commissioned pieces too, so if you have an idea or an animal you want me to paint, contact me before BazBiz (if you want to pick the piece up there) or during or after to talk holiday commissions.
What are some other things you like to do when you are not busy making awesome stuff?
Mostly, make other stuff! My “day job” is at JP Knit & Stitch, so I get to talk knitting and sewing when I’m not painting and illustrating. I also like coffee a lot. And Pinterest.
What are the top 3 reasons someone shopping at the BBB 2012 should be sure to stop by your table?
1. I’ll have small paintings, cards, notebooks, and bags of often under-represented animals being charming. It’s the perfect gift for the coworker who loves fruit bats or the niece who only loves harp seals.
2. Even more dogs in sweaters than last year!
3. My boothmate Erica Henderson. More art, different flavor. Plus she knows more about Booster Gold than I know about Batman. And I know quite a lot about Batman, thank you.
What advice would you give to a new vendor selling at the BBB for the first time?
It’s going to be a long, awesome day, so get some sleep and bring some snacks. And business cards, too! You never know who will email you the next day because your amazing work is now haunting their dreams.
Thanks Eloise!
You can find more of these sweet critters and Eloise’s other work on her website, her tumblr, and her etsy shop!
