Hello
and welcome to my first blog entry. I’ve
fallen in love with this world of sharing ideas, tips & tricks, helpful
products, and fantastic photography. It’s
no secret that our country has gone through a financial hardship in the past
six or so years and it’s been fascinating to see the brilliant creativity that
comes out of survival. I believe it has
forced people to take risks that they never would’ve taken when they were
comfortable.
In October of 2011 I was most honored to be the featured seller on Etsy. The interview was fun as I got to tell about my business, my inspirations, and how I got started. So I thought for my first entry I would start with posting the feature as my introduction.
Featured Seller: Kitty Dune
Published on
Oct 26, 2011 in
Shop
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Kristen Dressler and my Etsy shop is
Kitty Dune.
Kitty Dune comes from a nickname I’ve had since I was very little. My
family still uses the name to this day. When you mix my first and middle
name, Krissy June, with baby talk, I guess Kitty Dune is what you get.
Anyways, it stuck with me and it’s been fun getting to use it for my
designs, so thanks Grandma June!
I would love to tell you that I went to a really cool design school
and traveled the world but that’s just not the case. My education came
from growing up in Syracuse, New York where the winters are harsh and
the summers are cherished. Upstate NY is one of the most beautiful parts
of the country, it’s full of creativity and we have the best local
food. I’m the product of a mother and a father who grew up during the
’60s. No, we didn’t live in a teepee (although I would’ve loved to!) but
there was a lot of creativity surrounding us. I can remember pressing
flowers with my mother and listening to my dad and his friends jam on
their guitars. My brother and sister and I were the kids who could
entertain ourselves with rocks and sticks from sun up to sun down and
like most young families we didn’t have a whole lot but we had the
outdoors.
Fast forward to today, I’m living in Rochester, NY with my husband
Chris, who has been a godsend. He is a professional model maker/engineer
student. I now have step parents and siblings (hate the word “step,”
they are a huge bonus!) and the cutest little niece who we call “Punky.”
How could I tell you about myself without telling you about my family? I
am who I am because of them and their love and support.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I was a nail technician for 16 years and recently stepped away from it to run my Etsy shops full time (my other shop is called
Kitty Dune Cuts). I loved being a nail tech — I was great at it and it was fulfilling but it was time for something new.
When we have free time, you can find Chris and me working on some
sort of project together. If we’re not working on something then we’re
salsa dancing or going to see our favorite musician, DJ Skywire, mixing
it up at the local clubs or just hanging out on the couch eating
brownies and ice cream.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I love the idea of making an accessory that can both dress up or dress
down any outfit. I’m always looking for balance so I make items that
will be a statement piece but at the same time will be that go-to
accessory, worn with whatever you’re wearing. When I’m designing I’m
looking for simple yet brilliant. My color palette is pretty neutral
which makes for versatile accessories.
What does handmade mean to you?
Handmade means creating that perfect piece while allowing the flaws to be a part of the perfection.
Who has been most influential in your craft?
The person who has most influenced this endeavor is my husband Chris
(yes, he is the “dead sexy” guy modeling the Man Cowl). He has a gift
that is so rare — being creative and organized at the same time. I think
that’s why I haven’t turned my creative side into a business until now.
He understands the need I have to create. In fact, he gets more excited
about my ideas than I do! Being creative can be difficult because you
never know when the inspiration will come. Add trying to make a living
off your creativity and you have a potential train wreck. If I get
discouraged and start to think this was a bad idea he brings me back to
being calm. When I get to that point it’s because I’ve gotten
unorganized and overwhelmed. He doesn’t give me the “keep the faith”
speech but instead he’ll sit down with a pen and paper and start writing
lists and making deadlines to get me organized. It helps me regain my
focus.
When did you know you were an artist/maker?
I spent my elementary and some of my junior years in different schools
so I really didn’t take any art classes until I was in the eighth grade.
I remember for my very first project I had to paint my sneaker using
complementary colors. I painted my Adidas Sambas in red and green using
watercolor. It was so much fun! I was surprised that it resembled my
actual sneakers! A few weeks later my parents came home from a parent
teacher conference with my art teacher Mr. Craven. They told me that he
said I was gifted. That word was gold to me and that’s when I knew I had
something special.
How would you describe your creative process?
I had to laugh when I read this question because my creative process
goes a little something like this: I get an idea, YAY!, start knitting,
take some notes, rip it apart and huff and puff (and probably whine and
cry a little too). I go through that cycle for about two days until I’ve
figured out the perfect pattern and it’s YAY again!
If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsman (dead or alive), who would it be?
Although I LOVE all things
Art Nouveau
and any artist from that period, I would have to say my sister Dani
Owens. I’ve seen her artwork and I’ve seen the space that she works in
but rarely have I seen her actual process. When you look at her
paintings you feel like you could step right into them and be in the
most magical place beyond your imagination. I’m waiting patiently for
her Etsy shop opening.
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
When planning our wedding, Chris and I didn’t want to do the traditional
unity candle. So instead we decided to brand a piece of leather with
our initials and frame it. So, my jack-of-all-trades fiancé spent a day
with his welder and made a branding iron for our ceremony.
How do you get out of your creative ruts?
I don’t force my way out of my creative ruts, I just wait them out.
Don’t get me wrong, I go through these ruts kicking, screaming, and
pouting, but I know they will end and there is always something pretty
damn cool waiting to be made on the other side.
Where would you like to be in ten years?
On a vacation!
