A few questions with Laura Teeler, one of the vendors at our Holiday Booty Market on December 15th in Washington, D.C. (One more week!)

1 What do you make and do you have a website?


mostly i make purses out of vintage, unusual and reclaimed fabric. i don't have a website (anyone wanna make me one?). i have a myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/latebloomdesigns) and soon to come an etsy page tho.


2 Why do you make things?


why not? because it's fun. a creative outlet. because i think of things i want to exist that i can't find. because there is something beautiful about a handmade object, imperfections and all (especially as a gift). poverty.


3 When did you start making things?


it's very natural to make things and be arty and crafty when you're, like, in elementary school. i guess i never really grew out of that. my sister and i would alter thrift store clothes when we were in high school. the first time i made stuff to sell was for the first crafty bastards, so that was in 2004.


4 Why buy handmade?


better quality. made with love. support d.i.y. just the special, unique, wabi-sabi-ness of having something created by an individual in a factory-farm world.


5 What craft supplies would you take to a deserted island?


hmm, the dreaded desert island question. just kidding. if we're talking electricity-less then i'd say... knitting needles and yarn. needle, thread, fabric. the print gocco is a very handy and fun little device. nicely portable. a polaroid camera and film. beads and beading supplies. drawing paper and pencils. scissors, duct tape, glue - all very handy.


6 What crafters or artists do you love?


i am constantly impressed and inspired by what i see other crafters doing. there is really so much great stuff out there. just to name a few: rachell sumpter, susie ghahremani (boygirlparty), wonderland q, friend or foe, daisy lacy, tinymeat, smallthings, andrea haffner, elizabeth scott (es designs) jewelry, matt hollis.


7 What new craft/skill do you want to learn?


gosh, so many things. printmaking. more with silver and jewelry-making. i want to start making lampshades. woodworking and wood inlay. actually i'm pretty interested in trying anything crafty. learning traditional arts and crafts and adapting them in new and unexpected ways.


8 Tell us something funny about yourself.


everything about me is a little funny. a few months ago i sewed through my finger on the sewing machine. although i guess that's more gross and painful than it is funny. don't worry, i changed the needle though.