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Meet Louise Wackerman of da-a tis,
our featured designer for July
da-a tis (day-uh tis): expression:
Etymology: Southern; Common English Translation: "There it is!"
What inspired you to start designing pillows, handbags and those adorable Ghosties? Procrastination! Some friends had asked me to make them 3 large cushions and I kept putting it off, for three years! Then I made them a pillow as a little “sorry it took me so long” present. After that I started selling my pillows around town, then the totes and purses and finally came the ghosties and baby blankets. |
What's your background and have you always been creative? Are there other artistic endeavors you're involved in? My background is in architecture. I studied architecture, art and history in college and now practice architecture as my day job.
Your many items show a clear love for recycled fabrics, organic designs, fun plush toys and baby blankets. What drew you to these types of items? I have always been a bit neurotic about not throwing away things! I either hold onto things for too long or they go to a resale sale, etc. I have also always enjoyed going to junk shops etc for inspiration and treasures for art pieces. But with the bags it started as a necessity, not wanting to buy a bunch of fabric to start with. I have then since found numerous sources of ‘scrap’ fabric that work wonderfully for my items. I then even found a place to take my little scraps to for recycling into other things!
What type of equipment do you use for the whole process? A sewing machine and that’s about it.
What other types of mediums have you worked in? Photography, 3D collage, and encaustics
Do you have a studio or do you work from home? My studio, AKA the guest room or sewing room, is at home.
What was the most difficult thing about starting your own line? And how did you get over that hurdle? There wasn’t really anything difficult about starting to make my own things (well after I got past the procrastination issue with my friends cushions!), it all just kinda fell together. The difficult part for me is going to the stores and asking them to sell the items! I still haven’t completely gotten over it, but I just have to take a minute before I go in and tell myself, ‘They will either say yes or no. No big deal.’ And so far no one that I have talked to has ever been mean to me or kicked me out of their shop!
Whose work do you admire? I am always admiring other artists and designers who have been able to start their own businesses and do what they love and be successful at it. Here in Seattle I feel lucky to be surrounded by so many talented people doing just this! Since I started my business I just keep meeting more and more talented people that I can’t name just one or two. OK, this answer sounds like a Miss America answer, but it’s the truth, honestly!! J
Where do you find your inspiration? Nature. A lot of my designs come from pictures I have taken. And my husband, who is also an artist. His studio is also at the house and we work on our creations together and inspire each other to try different things.
What advice would you offer new designers entering the market? I’m still feeling pretty new at this, so I don’t know if I have a lot of advice yet. But I’d say, I’ve learned the most from just meeting ad talking with new people trying to do the same thing I want to do. I am a pretty shy person, so that takes a lot. Everyone has a different path of getting to where they are and usually have tid bits of their story that have helped me!
What is your vision for your business and where would you like to be in five years? Well, I am about to have my first child and it seems like everyday my vision is changing along with my body, food cravings, and emotions! I would love to see my business take off so that I could make my current ‘day job’ my part time business and my part time sewing career my ‘day job’.
Any other area of fashion you'd like to delve into? At this point I am content. New things always just seem to come to me, when they need to!
What current trend would you like to see go away? ‘Green’ as a marketing and media ploy, rather than a true way of living.
If you could have one item, new or vintage, what would it be? Right now I am obsessed with a new camera lens. Or a sculpture by Dr. Suess.
What was your favorite fashion item growing up? My favorite thing as a child was this wonderful Beatrix Potter dress that I wore as often as I could! But eventually I did grow out of that. I did do the multiple swatch watch thing as well. And yes, thank goodness I grew out of that one.
FUN
FACTS:
What's your favorite color? Let’s say blue today.
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? Well, since I already mentioned the Dr. Suess sculpture, that’s one thing…. I’d recklessly spend a little, give back some to my Mom and Dad for helping me out over the years, invest in a larger house with a larger studio. Then the practical side of me would kick in and I’d invest the rest!
Cats or dogs? Dogs. I do love cats, too, but I’m allergic to them.
What's your favorite season and why? Spring, that feeling of coming out of hibernation and seeing the sun again is so exhilarating. I love that first day that I can drive around town with the sunroof open, the windows down, and the great view of Mt Rainier. I just had that day not long ago and it always reminds me why I love living in Seattle (after a winter of wondering why I live in the gloom and cold of Seattle?).
What you’re embarrassed to admit you can't live without? I can’t sleep without a fan on, yes, even in the winter! I grew up in the heat and humidity of the south, maybe that has something to do with it….
Who is a must for your iPod? I’d probably have to say Johnny Cash. Honestly, I listen to NPR more than my ipod, but just the other day after getting sickened by some of the worldy news on NPR, I started wondering why I didn’t have any Ramones on my ipod.
Paper or plastic? Paper. The recycling thing….
What's your favorite movie of all time? My mind always seems to go blank at these types of questions! So I started thinking what movies have I actually bought for myself…. I’ll say Nightmare Before Chirstmas.
Who/what are you currently obsessed with? Camera lenses and decorating my family’s beach house that hasn’t had a decorating up date since the 50’s! I can’t stop thinking about which fabrics to use where, and yes, most of the curtains will also be made from my recycled piles!!
Eat in or take out? Take out
What was your favorite band growing up? As a kid my best friend and I loved singing along to the Oak Ridge Boys, um boppa, um boppa, moah, moah…. At least I think that’s how I’d spell it! Yes, I thankfully grew out of that as well!! After that phase, I’d say it was Janes Addicition.
If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would it be? This is another one I also go blank on! Since I am a shy person I’d probably be terrified to meet anyone too famous. Another obsession I have been having lately is family history, so I have to say, meeting a deceased relative to learn more about their life, their times and their stories would be who I’d like to have dinner with.
What's your favorite guilty pleasure?
Coca-Cola, not pepsi. |
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Archive
of Past Featured Designers:
Miyuki Ott - August 2007
Seed Clothing - September
2007
Moxie & Oliver - October 2007
MishMash - November 2007
Tarah Prater Designs - December 2007
Effie's Heart - January 2008
Organik - February 2008
Red Delicious - March 2008
Marlo M Jewelry - April 2008
Ugly Baby - May 2008
Like a Rock Star - June 2008 |
