Meet The Artist Behind: Lu and Ed

Tell us a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff, fun stuff. 

My name is Cody, and I live in Kansas City, Missouri. I moved here about 4 years ago from the East Coast and I still think it's pretty weird here, haha. I moved here to be with my fiance, Trace. :) We have known each other for like 13 years now! I have a young son, and when he's in school is when I do most of my monster making.

Apart from creating things, what do you do? Do you have a day job? 

I am really lucky to be out of the corporate day job world. All of my past work history is in customer service and marketing, and every job I have ever had I was quickly promoted into either supervisor or management positions (probably because I am an over-achieving workaholic), and while I LOVE that type of work, I enjoy what I do now way more. That experience though... It definitely reflects on how I operate with Lu & Ed - I pour my soul into my work and love every single moment of it!

What first made you want to become an artist?

You know, if you had asked me this a year ago I would say I had no idea. But now I realize I come from a really artistic and crafty family! My dad quilted and sewed, my mom sewed our clothes, canned foods, and made all kinds of homemade treats like fruit rolls and stuff, my oldest brother is a wood worker, my other brother a ceramics artist as well as a calligrapher, my sister is amazing at embroidery and cross stitch. And it goes beyond that. My cousin went to school for graphic design and also culinary school to decorate cakes, she also sculpts, paints, and makes huge wire sculptures. My uncle is also a wood worker, and my other cousin is a hair stylist, and another cousin is a jewelry maker. I have been creating as long as I can remember, starting with hand quilting when I was about eight, embroidery, cross stitch, painting, ceramics. I actually entered some juvenile ceramic competitions when I was about 12 and won a few ribbons. :) I started sewing with a sewing machine three years ago this month - when I made my very first Mon-stor!

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.

I am a very inspired creative person - when I am creating I typically have music on and I completely and totally zone out. To select fabrics for Mon-stors I typically grab one fabric that is screaming at me to be used, and toss other fabrics on it until I have a THE match. Then I set in to 'em with a pair of scissors, pin 'em, and crank up the tunes and get lost in my thoughts. The entire process is exciting for me, when I start seeing the monster come together I start telling myself how awesome it is and how cute it's going to be. I don't plan anything about monsters, it all just kind of flows and jives. When it's time for the face I just start cutting pieces, shaping them, placing them, sewing them down. When it's all done I am always thrilled and excited by what I have created!

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
 
Oh, that's a tough one! There are a few. One of them is a rainbow necklace from The Mollie Shop that the owner sent me as a gift because I wouldn't shut up about how much I loved it haha! Another is also from The Mollie Shop, and it's a goodie she tossed in with my latest order - a super duper cute Mon-stor bow made with an image of my mascot, Gabos! There are a few pieces of handmade jewelry I wear very frequently, a rainbow ribbon ladder necklace from Streeter, Ltd, a rainbow seed bead bracelet from Melli's Trinkets, and a clay heart pendant made by a dear friend of mine.

What makes you giggle? 

Punny stuff, most definitely. And my kid. He is hilarious, seriously, one of the funniest people I have ever met in my life.

What inspires you? 
My kid, he is as much of an art enthusiast as I am. And I don't mean I stand there and scratch my chin while I gaze at art, I get REALLY excited by art. If I see something that I love or that excites me I get all bouncy and start talking (read, exclaiming) how awesome it is. My son is the same way, when I show him a monster I've made and he starts bouncing and talking about how cool it is I know I've done something right! I'm also really inspired by color and patterns. :)

What’s your superpower?

If I had to name one, I would have to say optimism and positive vibes, I shoot them like lasers. ;)

Wishes for the future?

Lots of monsters! :) I'm not much of a planner so it'll be a surprise. More of a fly by the seat of your pants kinda gal. I never thought Lu & Ed would be where it is now, but it has grown and changed so much. I love it! Can't wait to see how much more it evolves in the future.

Meet the Artist: Jenipher Lyn

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi! My name is Jenipher Lyn, I'm almost 28 years old, and I currently live in Orlando Florida, but am moving to New York in February! {eek!} I've been making jewelry since i was 9, and have two different jewelry lines, and have had an illustration business since 2010. My ULTIMATE goal in life is to inspire and encourage others through colorful, whimsical artwork! Most of my drawings are little bits of wisdom I've learned through my trails and tribulations that I feel like others need to know too! "It's okay to cry" "Don't lose Hope!" and "Let Things Go" are my personal favorites!

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

Go for walks, drink LOTS of tea, draw lyrics while I listen to music, and am the social networking person for my parent's car and guitar business.

What would be the title of your memoir?

Yes, blessings DO come from life's struggles!

Where does your inspiration come from?

I know it's cliche, but literally everywhere! From funny things I hear at work or while walking around, while adventuring in new places, when I'm reflecting on my life, while just playing around in my studio...

What does handmade mean to you?

To me, handmade means creating from deep down in your soul and pulling out parts of you you don't even realize you have hidden. It means experimenting with people and new materials to create unique works of art.

Who has been most influential in your craft?

Mary Engelbreit my boss from Timothy's Gallery; Carolyn Luce, my amazing friends,

How would you describe your creative process?

Quick bursts of creative lighting!!

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be?

Hmm....that's tough... especially since the internet provides SO many peeks these days! Maybe Jess Constable, Linda Trent and Ananda Khalsa.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

My friend Tiffany just made me the CUTEST bunting, the greeting cards my boyfriend writes for me are amazing, and the collages my best friend Amanda made me for my birthdays.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?

When I'm in a creative rut, it usually means I'm in an emotional rut. Luckily for me, I doodle the MOST when I'm in a creative rut. That's where my BEST Nightly Doodles come from; the deepest part of my emotional soul.

Where would you like to be in ten years?

I would like to keep inspiring people with my Nightly Doodles, and growing as an artist. Hopefully I will have published a few books [perhaps children's books], reinvented a few new jewelry lines, and happily married. :)

Anything else we should know?

I get a rush from talking about business related topics. One day I hope to teach creative business classes to others. Oh! I 'd also like to write and photograph a cook book too. :) :)

Check out Jenipher's site and fun goodies here>