Sawatou |
Meet local felt designer Sawatou,
our featured designer for March.
What kind of products do you create and where can people find them? I design wearable and usable felt art-scarves, cuffs, bags and home deco.
You can find my works at www.sawatou.etsy.com, Bouncing Wall, Hip Zephyr.
Also at my own studio in Bellevue (only by appointment)
What inspired you to start doing what you do?
I came to felt by coincidence and I was fascinated! The material wool fascinated me. You start with loose fibers and the result is something you can wear or use. The potential is unlimited and the creativity is endless. |
What's your background and have you always been creative? I grow up in a household with three generations. My grandma and my mum have been always creative. Spinning and dying wool, weaving rugs, knitting, crochet, embroidery belonged to their daily life. I was surrounded by creativity. An escape was not possible.
Where do you get your ideas for your designs? I travel a lot and all my senses absorb everything they get and bring it up at the right time. Nature is my guide-colors, forms, measures, textures and a lot more.
What type of equipment do you use? Do you make all of your pieces yourself? Beyond of tons of wool, I need a big table, daylight, hot water, olive soap, plastic sheets, bamboo window shade and a lot of good ideas.
Every single item is designed and made by me.
Whose work do you admire? I admire all the local artists I met during the last year in the Seattle area. There are great designers out there, and more important to me, tremendous humans. Thank you all for your support!
What advice would you offer new designers entering the market?
If you ever get doubt about your artistic being, just read “Art and fear”! It helps ..
Never give up, there is always a horizon and all you need is to focus.
What is your vision for your business and where would you like to be in five years?
I see my creations represented by the finest high end Galleries across the country and then around the world.
If you could have one item, new or vintage, what would it be?
I think...I would like to have a wonderful dress from Karl Lagerfeld.
What item did you wear to shreds growing up?
It was a dark skinny jeans. Laying on the bed, trying to close the zipper….oh my god!
FUN
FACTS:
What's your favorite color? Dark red
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? Support people around me and still traveling around the world.
Pet of choice?
Definitely cat
What makes you laugh every time?
My kids
What are you embarrassed to admit you can't live without?
Coffee
What do you listen to over and over again on your iPod? Right now Kayne West
Paper, plastic or re-useable shopping bag? Re-useable shopping bag
What's your favorite movie of all time?
All movies with Richard Gere
Who/what are you currently obsessed with?
I have me right now under control
Favorite food? Mediterranean
What was your favorite band growing up?
It was a Greek one, so…
If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would it be? Lady D.
What's your favorite guilty pleasure? Candies…chocolate…candies…
What is something most people don’t know?
I’m a night owl, so I need in the morning sometime to get started. |
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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
Da-a tis - July 2008
Birna Jewelry - August 2008
Lucia Apparel - September 2008
Revival Ink - October 2008
Adorn Jewelry - November 2008
Sam Trout - December 2008
Lady Konnyaku Clothing - January 2009 |
