Q+A Alongside Bears Swallow Berries

Today's Q+A is alongside Laura Wentzel from Bears Eat Berries, an independent letterpress pattern studio newly relocated to the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 graphic designer past times trade, Laura’s operate is recognized past times its build clean typography, graphic illustrations, nature-inspired patterns, as well as folk motifs. Her passion for real, touchable as well as beautifully designed newspaper products inspired her to purchase a half-ton printing press from 1911… breathing novel life into a merchandise that has remained unchanged for over 5 centuries.  Recently nosotros sent her a few questions as well as she was variety plenty to equally good post a few pictures to portion here.  Here's what she said.

Tell us a niggling flake nigh you. Where did y'all educate or report as well as what led y'all to the path y'all currently are on?

Even at a immature age, I was drawing as well as creating. Mostly animals. In college, I waffled dorsum as well as forth betwixt wanting to hold upward inward wild animals administration as well as wanting to design. Eventually, I graduated alongside a score inward Art History as well as followed my passion towards graphic pattern (and I was no adept inward Biology anyway).

Prior to launching my business, I was a graphic designer for a major way as well as and thence a national nonprofit. My eyes grew tired of reckoner screens as well as my hands grew itchy to create. When my sis wanted letterpress marriage ceremony invitations, I jumped at the chance to create for her. I drove upward to NY from PA as well as bought a modest antique printing press, ignoring the fact that I never operated i before. I spent the side past times side few months experimenting, Googling, crying, swearing inward front end of my mother, bleeding, as well as ultimately jumping inward triumph.

What's your principal focus currently and/or how would y'all line your electrical current pattern aesthetic?

I've been focusing on designing specifically for letterpress (getting bored of white backgrounds!) exactly I'm equally good interested inward going dorsum to the basics as well as get-go designing/illustrating for other products beyond letterpress or using the letterpress procedure inward a non-traditional way.

My pattern atheistic oftentimes articulates quirky animals, unproblematic graphics as well as patterns, as well as nature-inspired imagery. It's listening to these creations as well as next them equally I grow my business.

Love your operate - tin y'all explicate that pattern process?
Through my work, I became obsessed alongside the tangible product–from the sentiment inward my caput to a packaged production create to post all over the world.

Once I convey a pattern inward mind, I'll strength out my digital designs as well as have a plate of the pattern that adheres to the press. Each slice of newspaper is fed into the press as well as each colouring is printed i at a time. All powered past times my foot, a pedal, as well as a half-ton of metal. Every fourth dimension I line a slice of newspaper from the press as well as run my fingers over the impressed design, I autumn inward honey all over again.

What designers/makers/architects, etc practice y'all expect upward to, are influenced past times or inspire you?

Edward Gorey (surrealist & cheeky illustrator)
Nikki McClure (paper-cut creative someone who shares her globe inward modest moments)
Anna Bond of Rifle Paper (every instance melts my heart)
Studio Ghibli (creators of Totoro as well as other Japanese anime films founded past times Hayao Miyazaki)

Where else practice y'all line inspiration from?
Children's painting books, Japanese design, traditional folk motifs from unopen to the world, as well as whatever nifty purpose of white/negative space.

Any sneak peeks or plans y'all tin portion of novel or hereafter things on the go?
I’m growing my greeting bill of fare line as well as I’m equally good expanding my production offerings to attain customers beyond letterpress thence that to a greater extent than people tin sense my designs as well as illustrations. I’m e'er opened upward to novel creative outlets for my work, as well as I promise to choke on expanding my build into multiple pattern mediums, from wrapping newspaper to textiles.

Bears consume Berries if offering 15% discount this calendar week at her Etsy shop (until Fri May 3) alongside coupon code POPPYTALK.

Website url: http://www.bearseatberries.com
Shop url: http://www.bearseatberries.etsy.com
Blog url: http://www.bearseatberries.com/happycamper
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bearseatberries
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/beareatberries
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/bearseatberries

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