Meet Liana Owad.

I am an artist working in a variety of techniques and materials to create sculptures and woodblock prints. My work largely explores the ideas of comfort and confinement in the domestic space. Shop Liana's Store Artworks by Liana Owad

How and why did you choose to work with your current medium?

As an art student, I explored many mediums and found that sculpture lended itself best to my ideas and how I wanted people to engage with my work. I continued to study sculpture through both my undergraduate and graduate studies. More recently, I started to explore woodblock printing. I lived in Okinawa, Japan for a few years and decided to step away from sculpture for a bit at that time. The printing process suited my life style there and through this new medium I found a connection to patterning and layering. I can see the work evolving into a mix of both mediums. I believe the medium is important for the delivery of ideas and changes with each piece. The medium and material choices are inherent to the meaning of the work for me and when needed change to accommodate the ideas.  

 What is your favorite/most inspirational creation?

I draw inspiration from many artists and their work. I cannot choose just one! Some favorite artists of mine include Do Ho Suh, Sara Zhe, William Kentridge, Rachel Whiteread, Roxy Paine, Andrea Zittel, and several others. There is nothing like experiencing their artwork in real life to feed your own desire to create.

What is your goal as a maker?

As a maker I have many goals: to practice my craftsmanship, learn new techniques, open my mind to new ideas, see as much art as I can, listen closer, and of course to show my work to the world. I work on several projects physically and in my mind all at the same time, and each individually has a set of goals I am working to achieve. I think success comes from a pragmatic standpoint of checking off a few items a day from a long list of tasks culminating in a messy array of lines on a scrap of paper. Some of those tasks are more complex than others but it is the accumulation of the list that speaks to how I spend each day. My work in many ways is derived from the tasks on this list and how I take pride in accomplishing some of these tasks and how others restrict or confine me to a stigma. I want to bring these conflicted feeling I have about how I have chosen to live my life into the work.  

Meet Rachel Heck.  

Rachel makes crochet items, mostly scarves, shawls, and blankets. Rachel is open to trying anything upon request.  “Part of the fun is learning and trying out new ideas!”  We are sure that Rachel can work her magic to create many beautiful products. Shop Rachel's store Cozy as Heck. 

How and why did you choose to work with your current medium?

“I started crocheting years ago as a way to stay busy during some difficult things that I was going through. For me it’s therapeutic and relaxing, as well as satisfying to see a project completed. I really enjoy being creative with colors as well as making something that can bring someone joy.” 

What is your favorite/most inspirational creation?

“I actually really enjoy making blankets although I don’t do them as often because of the time and planning involved. The amount of creativity in mixing colors, patterns, and stitches really speaks to me.” 

What is your goal as a maker?

“I want to make things that people will love and enjoy for years to come. Seeing my creations make someone smile is the absolute best feeling!” 

Meet Stephanie Ayala.  Stephanie is a woodworker, creating functional pieces from rough sawn wood as well as repurpose wood from used pieces of furniture. Visit Stephanie's Shop From Food to Wood

Even as I write my first post for Frederick Maker Market, I am hesitating to get started. Where do I start? Put pen to paper as they say and go.

My passion as a maker is quilting. Sometimes I find fabric that I must buy. Other times, I find a pattern and I have to make it. But like many things in life making that first cut is not without hesitation. Is the pattern right? Are the fabrics going to go together the way I envision? Will the person who wraps themselves in the finish project feel the love that went into making them warm and cozy? And then I make the cut. No stopping now. I may have to use the seam ripper or square up some wonky pieces but I am going to put the quilt together. The quilt may be a weekend project. The quilt may be a continuous work that is waiting for the next snowday. The project may end up in the UFO (unfinished objects) bin. I may later reach into the bin and finish the project when I feel inspired, when I have time or when a loved one needs a gift. The quilt may be done, what is next?

As with my hopes and visions with quilting, I also had the same hesitations with beginning Frederick Maker Market. The idea and excitement was there but what about all the steps, processes and learning. All the what ifs rushing through my mind. How do we make this project successful? How do we let makers know that we want their businesses to be successful? We start, we read, we type, we click, and we learn. There may be "seam ripping" and "squaring up" along the way but we go forward.

So we get started. Every morning. We put our feet on the ground and get on with the task of the day. I make coffee, a to-do list and "MOMMY". Well I started but things will pause for a moment. Then I will start again.