Scout Magazine » Vancouver Design

VANCOUVERITES: Talking Shop & Inspiration With “Camp + Quarry” Designer Sarah Rankin

Scout Magazine — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:04:57 +0000

Sarah Rankin is a West Coaster, a Jewelry and Landscape Designer, a dog owner, tree hugger, and a mess maker. Her jewelry line, Camp + Quarry, is nature-inspired and made right here in Vancouver. From hand-dyed organic textiles to raw crystal jewelry, each piece is designed to emphasize the unique qualities of the natural materials used. Travel, outdoor adventures, and daydreaming are essential components of the C + Q design process and finished scarves and jewelry will happily go anywhere year-round. Check out her Etsy shop here. Sarah is going to take part in Got Craft on May 6th, and since we couldn’t wait that long, we caught up with her to ask her a few pre-Got Craft questions about what she’s been up to…

Three things about Dunbar that make you want to live there: I love the proximity to Kits and the University Endowment Lands — the dog walking potential is endless. Mountain views and lots of parks and beautiful gardens. Room to grow: I finally have space for a studio and a garden.

What inspires you? I’m a landscape designer by day and find a lot of inspiration in the landscape work I do. Shapes, compositions, and colours in the landscape inspire me, as does being introduced to new techniques and materials for making things. Often it’s the raw form of a given stone that inspires me to seek it out for use in jewelry. The wooden jewelry that I make uses materials and technology that I originally learned how to use to make models in landscape architecture school.

Tell us about your favourite space to work: (IMAGE: sarah-studio.jpg) Now that I have a studio set up at home, that’s where I love to work. It has great natural light and a good set up with a workbench, storage, and peg board that lets me have much better access to materials that I use. I’d love to say it’s always clean or at the very least organized, but that is not the case.

Where do you enjoy shopping in Vancouver? Tell us about some of your favourite local haunts: I love spending a weekend day in Gastown. For food, I always find myself at Six Acres. I’m loving Oak + Fort these days for clothing. They use natural fibres and make affordable basics that are unique and super wearable. And for jewelry I am absolutely in love with the Arielle de Pinto pieces at One of a Few. Someday, I hope to have one of her bracelets or necklaces to call my own.

Is there a local designer that you admire? There are so many talented designers in Vancouver that it’s hard to name just one. I do have a small collection of Heyday Design porcelain pieces. I love the clean, minimalist look of the pieces and how Heyday’s aesthetic is translated from housewares right down to tiny jewelry pieces. They make really great gifts, too.

What is your favourite Camp + Quarry creation right now? Right now I’m making some new pieces that mix raw stones and brass. I have a particular necklace made with brass tubing and rutilated quartz points that I love making. Adding the brass really reinvented this piece and the rutilated quartz points are my favourite stone to work with, though they’re a bit rare and I usually have a very limited supply of them.

I also always love making Cave Explorer necklaces. It takes the right combination of miniature figure and geode to bring these pieces to life and every one always feels fresh to me.

What sort of music do you listen to when you are working? A little bit of everything. My perennial favourites are Destroyer and Animal Collective, but lately I’ve had Zola Jesus on repeat and I listen to a lot of podcasts, too. Especially This American Life.

Why is Vancouver a good city for indie design? There is so much support for designers here. Vancouverites really care about buying locally and supporting local makers and events like Got Craft? show just how huge the interest is in the work of local designers. There are great shops, like Dream Apparel in Gastown and on Granville Island, that are also supportive of local designers. There’s an eager audience here and that support can go a long way in encouraging an up-and-coming designer.

Describe your favourite part of a typical Camp + Quarry day: A typical day for me involves answering e-mails on my way to and from my day job, and spending the evening packaging orders, listing new items, ordering supplies, mixing dye baths, drilling metal, and photographing new pieces. I’d have to say my favourite part of a typical C + Q day is the time after all of that is done, when I just get to sit with my tools and supplies and make something brand new. Time to experiment is so vital to my work and I love trying new combinations and techniques and seeing what might come of it all.

A Spring 2012 item that every stylish Vancouverite should have in their closet? Every Vancouverite should have a raw crystal or stone necklace. Something a little less refined and a little more unusual. One-of-a-kind and simple enough that it can be your go-to accessory year round. There’s a stone out there for everyone and if you jewelry is locally made — even better! We should probably all own a pair of hiking boots, too. There are so many amazing places to explore around Vancouver and you can even take a city bus to many of them. We should all be getting out there as often as possible for a little fresh air and to enjoy some of the things that make this city such a great place to live.

photo credit Ryan Mathieson

Find out more about Camp + Quarry here

Got Craft? | Sunday, May 6 | 10am – 5pm | Royal Canadian Legion (2205 Commercial Drive) | $3

OTHER INTERESTING VANCOUVERITES

GOODS: Railway St.’s “Union Wood & Supply Co.” Tables More Woods & Goods For Home

Scout Magazine — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:16:03 +0000

Union Wood & Supply Company is located at 503 Railway St. in Vancouver, BC | 604-675-9033 | www.unionwoodco.com

The GOODS from Union Wood & Supply Co.

Vancouver, BC | A new week means a new stock of woods and goods. Here’s a sample of what Union Wood & Supply Co. was either making or unloading this week.

1. Antique Ohio School Clock w/ protective cage.
2. Custom Vintage Industrial, Reclaimed Wood Bar Stools
3. XL Crouse-Hinds Vintage Marine Spotlight, can be mounted/hung anywhere.
4. Adjustable height cast iron Floor Inspection Lamp.

Learn more about the shop after the jump…

Details

Gallery

The People Who Make It Happen

Owners: Craig Pearce and Cara Donaldson

About The Business

Founded in 2009, Union Wood & Supply Company is a retail and on-site furniture-making/interior design shop located in Strathcona North that specializes in vintage/industrial custom furnishing, antiques and home decor. Our multi-faceted custom furniture is designed to be simple, bold and true using materials mostly reclaimed and repurposed from salvage yards, antique stores, demolition sites and other sources. The curated items that we hand pick from all over the continent compliment the same Americana-inspired aesthetic. Every piece is vintage, man-made locally, or part of Union Wood Co’s unique product line. We don’t carry imports or reproductions, as these items lose the importance of the story connected with vintage pieces. We work closely with clients and designers who are similarly inspired by the simpler times of centuries past, but live in (and design for) today’s modern lofts and heritage homes. Our original works are for sale at our store, through our website, and at select retailers. Custom work is also available on commission.

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VANCOUVERITES: Eight Minutes With Local Ceramicist Zoe Garred Of “Fleet Objects”

Scout Magazine — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:28:38 +0000

by Jenny Bachynski | Zoe Garred is the owner and designer behind Fleet Objects, a local design studio that heavily focuses on ceramic goods. With an elegant, fresh, and minimal look, it is hard not to appreciate Fleet’s ability to bring style to any space. Zoe has found a beautiful balance of artistry and functionality in her work. Most pieces seem to reflect the fluid, clean environment that they are surrounded by. I was very excited to meet up with her in person and discuss her best and worst moments (a fire in her last studio being one of them) and how they have allowed Fleet to evolve into the wonderful business it is today.

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Tell us about yourself and how Fleet Objects came to be? I think that everyone owns objects that they connect with on a deeper level. They can have a special history, change day to day living, or just be incredibly beautiful. I aspire to make objects that could become something special to people; that they will want to cherish. I don’t know if I’ve reached that level yet, but Fleet Objects is definitely a product of making the things that I’ve wanted in my life.

How has Vancouver inspired you as an artist? I’m deeply inspired by the ocean. Almost everything I make has something to do with it.

Do you remember the moment when you realized that you wanted ceramics to become a job or a business? I started making ceramics when I was a little kid but left it behind to pursue painting. I did a ceramic piece for my industrial design grad project and fell in love with the medium again. It’s such an interesting mix of art and science. I get a rush every time I open the kiln to see what my lump of clay has become. I think I always knew that I wanted to start my own business but it wasn’t until a fire destroyed my studio a few years ago that I had to make a decision about how serious I was about making that leap or letting my ceramics become a hobby.

Working with ceramics seems like such a technically challenging skill. How do you deal with off days or creative blocks? It’s definitely very technical. Most ceramicists I meet describe it as a love hate relationship. There are incredible highs when you pull an amazing piece out of the kiln but there are also a million things that can go wrong that you could never predict. It takes a lot of focus to try and replicate the same result over and over again. That being said I think that repetition and frustration helps me stay creative. I think most creative people need something to fight against.

If someone in Vancouver wanted to learn how to work with ceramics, how would they go about doing that? There are lots of ceramic courses at local art centers to help you get started. You can also learn on your own from books and online tutorials too. You just really need to have a space that you can dedicate to getting messy and find access to a kiln.

A lot of your work has multiple purposes. Is that something that was important to you in the designing process, or was it something that happened naturally? It’s definitely something I’m interested in. I live in a small space and rarely let anything stay in my house that I’m not in love with or is essential. So if I can make objects that can be used for multiple purposes or that are more efficient I think all the better.

Who is another artist that you look to for inspiration? I love the work of Eva Zeisel. I am very inspired by the fluid, organic forms she creates. I’m also really inspired by the Bouroullec brothers who seem to create effortless objects that you can’t imagine not having existed. I’m also really inspired by the way Jamie Haydon shows off materials in a dreamlike way.

What has been your proudest career moment so far? Pretty much any time I hear back about my work I think is incredible. It’s hard for me to imagine that all of those little pieces of ceramics that have left my studio are living their own lives now. I still can hardly believe it when people tell me that they know my work.

What are some exciting things happening in 2012 for Fleet? I just launched some new lighting and jewelry that I’m really excited about. They’re all inspired by fishing floats. If you’ve ever been in a fishing store I dare you not to want to fall in love with the awesome bright painted balsa wood or the giant crab fishing floats and nets.

If you were not running Fleet, what would you be doing? Still obsessing about making something. I can’t shake it. Maybe textiles?

Thanks Zoe! Find out more about Fleet Objects at www.fleetobjects.com.

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Jenny Bachynski was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. In her teenage years she packed up her bags and headed to Vancouver to pursue further education in fashion design. In 2009 she started her own small business Jenny Andrews Recycled Leather Goods, as well as her blog Jenny Loves. After starting her blog, Jenny discovered that one of her greatest joys was stumbling upon beautiful and interesting things, and sharing them with anyone who would listen.

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VANCOUVERITES: Five Minutes With Randi Obenauer, Designer & Creator Of “Ora Bags”

Scout Magazine — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:40:06 +0000

by Jenny Bachynski | Randi Obenauer is the designer and creator behind Vancouver’s own Ora Bags. With an impressive amount of post secondary sewing and arts education, it is no wonder why her handmade creations have been sparking attention everywhere. Using a mixture of new and vintage leather, Ora bags demonstrate a perfect balance between practicality and style (who wouldn’t want a sleek leather bike bag to ride around with on a nice Vancouver evening?). Randi was kind enough to sit down and share some insight into the world of Ora, and what it has been like running her own business.

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Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how Ora started out? As an artist I’ve always been interested in fashion and fabric as a medium, and once I got a taste for working with leather while working on custom car interiors, I was hooked. The irony of my line of bags is that the first ones were born from a desire to actually have a bag I liked – I’m not much of a ‘purse’ kind of girl, so I always had a basic rucksack or messenger bag. I made my first leather bags while I was still in fashion design school, and was overwhelmed by the result, and it’s just snowballed from there.

Is Ora a one-woman show? Do you do all of the designing and creating yourself? I love to collaborate with other artists for my photo editorials, as Vancouver has so many talented photographers, stylists, and clothing and jewelry artists. When it comes to the making process, it is entirely a one woman show. I’m so happy to have a studio in the Dynamo Arts building, it’s really inspiring to work in an environment shared with so many talented individuals.

What is your favorite aspect of working with leather? I love the feeling of cutting and sewing leather, the smell and the hand of the different types. Leather is equally forgiving and unforgiving, so I enjoy the challenge of perfecting things as you often can’t backtrack and resew. With the introduction of some of my most recent styles in entirely new rather than recycled leather, I am really enjoying the ability to design pieces that are really minimal.

If you could collaborate with any Vancouver designer, artist, or business owner, who would it be? I’m currently in the process of discussing a potential collaboration with local brand Sitka. I feel very in alignment with a lot of their initiatives towards sustainability and their West Coast vibe. I’m also currently the Womenswear Designer for local brand Voleurz, perhaps later down the road there could be potential for an Ora-Voleurz collaboration if we expand into accessories.

Read more and check out the 2012 Look Book after the jump…

Your new 2012 look book is coming out March 1st. What was the inspiration behind it? This spring I collaborated with Stylist Araceli Ogrinc and Photographer Shane Oosterhoff for a new photo editorial. The Ora aesthetic very much reflects my personal style, along with a certain feel to the photography that is perhaps a little rough and raw. This season, with the introduction of new styles and the use of new leathers as well as vintage leather from garments, we wanted to marry the classic Ora aesthetic with a more polished high fashion aesthetic, to emphasize both the luxury and the everyday practicality of the bags, and to also emphasize some of the new unisex styles.

What has been the most important lesson you have learned since owning a small business? Valuing my work has been the biggest challenge for me. It can be scary pricing your own work, but at the end of the day you have to value your time, education, and creativity. I think the world is shifting to a better awareness of ethically made goods and supporting local business, however many consumers at the end of the day still want a cheap quick option, and those options don’t last in the long run. I work really hard to construct each piece with care and to make it as durable as possible. I hope my pieces will wear through multi generations.

Your post secondary credentials are pretty extensive. Is there a certain program that stood out to you, or that you would recommend to anyone who is looking to get into the fashion industry? First and foremost I consider myself to be an artist, and fabric is my favorite medium. I had an exceptional Home Economics teacher in high school, and was a dedicated student and acquired extensive construction and pattern manipulation skills early on. I knew all along that I wanted a career in the fashion industry and that the creative and hands-on processes really appealed to me. So I began my college education with a base in the Fine Arts, and from there I acquired additional certificates and diplomas that have lead me to what I call my collective degree of 5 years of post secondary. I’m glad that I didn’t choose a traditional degree route, as I’ve acquired numerous skills that I otherwise wouldn’t have been exposed to. I love chatting with aspiring students and designers, my best tip is to diversify your education and focus on the parts and processes that appeal to you the most. Seek out mentors and challenge your schools or instructors to give you the most in the areas you want.

Your mini crystal pouches are so great. What was the idea behind them and where do you source the crystals? It took me years to realize it, but my mother truly is one of my fashion icons. In fact I often catch myself leaving my home in the morning, and realizing I’m dressed like my mom. She always had crystals and wore little medicine pouches, and I’ve always shared her love of crystals and often have one in my pocket. Adding the crystal pouches to the line seemed natural, and it’s a way for everyone to have a little piece of Ora whether they are ready to invest in a bag or not. They say with crystals that you must need the ones that you are drawn to, so I source mine from numerous local sources and on my travels.

New or vintage leather – what is your preference? This is a tough question for me. I really love the challenge of deconstructing a beautifully worn vintage garment and then integrating the interesting elements into a one of a kind bag. However, with my recent ventures into making styles out of new leather hides, I’ve really enjoyed the minimalist approach to design and the pleasure of working with really thick, tough and beautiful leathers.

If you had to use three words to describe how you feel when you are in your studio working, what would they be? Peaceful. Driven. Stimulated.

Find out more about Ora Bags at www.orabags.com.

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Union Wood & Supply Company

Scout Magazine — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:50:12 +0000

Details

Gallery

The People Who Make It Happen

Owners: Craig Pearce and Cara Donaldson

About The Business

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