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Renegade Craft: Julie Dye
06/09/2011 | Designer Spotlight
Julie Dye, the origami expert behind Julie Dye Craft, reveals the inspiration behind her Japanese-inspired handmade line.
TheNateShow.com: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Julie Dye: My name is Julie Dye, and I currently live in Largo, Florida with my musician boyfriend, Will and my crazy cat, Tuesday. I have a BFA in Photography from the Ringling College of Art and Design, and a certificate in Graphic Design. I started my business about two years ago, after living in New York City for five years and then moving back to Florida to be close to family again and to live a more relaxed lifestyle.
My interest in paper began about ten years ago after I took a bookbinding class at art school. I immediately fell in love with the art form and continued to create books of all shapes and sizes for years. When I first opened my Etsy shop and began participating in craft shows, I was selling only handmade journals made with Japanese paper covers, but felt like I wasn’t reaching as large of an audience as I wanted. So I began coming up with ideas for other items I could create with the same beautiful papers I was using for my journals. I now create many different items including jewelry, accessories, and home accents all made with Japanese paper. The ideas just seem to keep coming! I love using my hands, and anything I can create with paper, glue, and a blade makes me smile.
How would you describe your style?
Thoughtful, simple and colorful.
Where do you get your inspiration?
One of my favorite things to do is get comfy on the couch and spend hours surfing the Internet. I find so much inspiration by looking through all sorts of blogs and craft/design related sites. I also find a lot of inspiration in nature. I spend so much time in my studio everyday, allowing myself to take a break to go for a bike ride or a walk to the beach helps me to escape my thoughts for a bit, and return to my work feeling refreshed with new ideas.
Do you have something you like to collect?
The only item I really collect would have to be paper. Aside from needing the paper for all of my creations, I love to look at all the different patterns and textures. I have close to one hundred different kinds of paper in my studio at the moment.
What handmade possession do you cherish most?
My grandfather was a wood worker and gave me several clocks and jewelry boxes when I was a child that he made by hand. The detail and craftsmanship that went into creating all of these pieces has always been inspirational to me and I strive to achieve the perfection of his work in my own creations.
What’s your favorite web site/blog?
Craftgawker.com. It's always my starting point when I am surfing the Internet, and it leads me to so many other great sites on the web.
What’s your biggest challenge?
I’d say my biggest challenge is keeping a balance between my work and my personal life. I am so passionate about creating I tend to bury myself in my work for days at a time. I have to remember to step away from the studio and spend quality time with my friends and family as well.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
I have received so much great advice from my mother it is just too hard to sum it all up into one phrase. She has been a huge support for me in starting my business and is always the first person I call to get advice in any situation. More than anything I would say she has taught me to live meaningfully, remember to breathe, and to make light of any situation.
Where would your pieces work best?
My origami mobiles, kusudama balls, and candle holders make great accents in any living space, while my paper jewelry and accessories can be great additions to any outfit. Overall, I hear a lot my buyers say my creations make wonderful gifts.
Thanks, Julie! And readers, don't miss Julie's guide to creating an origami mobile! Click HERE for her step-by-step photo gallery.
For more information about Julie, visit Juliedyecraft.com, and to shop Julie's line of products, visit Etsy.com/shop/julzbooks. And New York readers, be sure to check out Julie's work at the Brooklyn Renegade Craft Fair on June 11th & 12th!
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