Stitch Preview: Austinist Interviews Freshie and Zero

My college professors chose me for an award/scholarship for being the “art major with the most potential to be a professional artist.” But when I graduated I thought the only way to make a living as an artist was to paint, and I was really better at drawing so I just kind of gave up for a while. While working in a craft gallery in Atlanta, I remembered that I used to make jewelry as a child, and much of the jewelry we were selling seemed so easy to make, so I bought some beads and some tools and started making jewelry for extra money.

Fast forward a few years and a few jobs later. I was slowly honing my jewelry skills and selling to a few stores on consignment. I bought a hammer and wire, and immediately realized that I had found my signature style. That’s when I decided that I was ready to try and make a living off of creating something; not the original drawings or paintings I had imagined but something that, in my opinion, was much more fun.

What did you do with the Stitch grant you won last year?

Since I had only begun doing jewelry full time in April of 2006, the first thing I did was go to the bank and open a business account. I hadn’t really had capitol to do that yet, since most of my earnings were going towards my credit cards that I used as a sort of “business loan”. The following month I used the money to buy an ad in Bust magazine, which generated a new wholesale account. And then I paid for an accountant to help me with my taxes, and the rest went to Uncle Sam.

How did you originally get involved with Stitch?

I believe I saw their Myspace page first then, after visiting their website and just taking it all in, it looked like such a kick-ass show! I always heard good things about Austin and I just figured it was worth a 14 hour drive if I got into the show, and then I did! I was so excited. I never had butterflies like that the day of a show. You could just feel the energy in the air. It sounds kind of corny but after we set up I started babbling on to my husband about how there was this big amazing craft revolution happening right now and that we were in the middle of it and how cool was that?!? There is just something different about Stitch. Maybe it’s the organizers, maybe it’s the great music they played or the soul squad dancers or the fashion show. Whatever their secret is, it’s just an incredible experience!

Where do you sell your jewelry? Do you go to any other craft fairs?

I have several wholesale accounts across the country, I sell on my website, and I also have an Etsy shop. I did about 12 craft shows last year, and I think I’ve done about as many this year, but they’ve all been crammed into the fall since I got married in the spring. Stitch is in the middle of a four show streak! Before and after Stitch, I have a show in Indianapolis, Alabama and, thankfully, one in my hometown of Nashville. It’s a lot of driving and a lot of hammering but it’s so worth it!

Where did you get the name Freshie and Zero?

A friend of mine coined “Freshie Beth” several years ago because it sort of rhymed with “Bethie Beth”. You know, like “Marky Mark.” Then slowly everyone started calling me Freshie and it just kind of stuck. Zero is my super hyper and stubbornly smart Jack Russell, named after the ghost dog from Nightmare Before Christmas.

Stitch
Saturday, November 10
Austin Convention Center, Hall I (500 E. Cesar Chavez St.)
Doors Open: 4 p.m. / Fashion Show: 9:30 p.m
[Tickets]: $10 (available at the door)