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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Handmade Paper Goods & Custom Design: An Interview with Ruff House Art

This week's interview features Jill Morrison of Ruff House Art. Jill is located in Lawrence, KS.

Tell us a little about yourself:
When I graduated college, I packed myself up and moved out to Colorado. For the next four years I bounced around a couple different graphic design jobs and always seemed to love the people I worked with more than the actual work I was doing. Along came a wedding proposal from my husband which then prompted me to move back to Kansas. I went ahead and took yet another design job that seemed like all the rest. Then about 7 months ago I got the opportunity to start my own business and I dove in head first! What a great decision. About 4 months into the business a friend asked if I ever got tired of designing wedding invites. How could I? Each couple is so unique and it is such an honor to be a part of their special day. I am excited to get to work everyday and can't wait to hear about the next couple's wedding plans!

What special things do you create for weddings?
I mainly specialize in wedding stationary sets. Everything from Save the Dates to invites, programs, seating cards, menus, thanks yous and whatever else you can think of! I also have a small line of custom order wedding card boxes and albums. Whether you want a simple, affordable option or a multi-piece, folded, pop-up, embellished work of art, I can do it all!

Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
I would have to say my own wedding. Ever since I had an interest in becoming a designer, I knew I would want to someday design my own invites. When that day came, I had so much fun making our invites and capturing who we really were. We got so many complements on our own wedding invites and I had so much fun doing them that I thought, how great would it be to get to work on wedding invites every day!

What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
I am always looking for the next greatest thing that will set my work apart from others. One of those things is my line of plantable paper invitations. The paper is actually embedded with flower seeds and can be planted in your flower bed! It is the ultimate in "going green" for your wedding. The paper can be customized in any color and with a huge variety of seeds if you don't want the standard wildflower mixture.

If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t?
That answer is easy. It would be Etsy. When I got married, I didn't know about Etsy and all the fabulous talent out there. You can find it all there - invites, favors, hair pieces, clothing, gifts, decorations, etc. I would have much rather had the one of a kind, hand-crafted pieces from the talented pool of etsy sellers than settling for big box chains.

What is your favorite wedding song?
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra. It was my husband and I's first dance together!

What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
I love it all! But if I had to pick one moment it would be at the reception. After the wedding, after the pictures, after the toasts and dinner, when you can just sit back and take it all in. And enjoy what your months of hard work have led to and see all your guests enjoying themselves.

What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?
To just RELAX! This is the most exciting day of your life thus far and it should be something that you enjoy planning for, not stress about! It is so easy to get caught up in everything and have those Bridezilla moments when you are being pulled in every direction by family, friends, trends, etc! In the end, it is your wedding, your day and your memories. Decide what is the most most important "must have" at your wedding and then pick your battles from there.

What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
Side by side lounge chairs on a beautiful beach looking over the ocean, good music, good weather, good drinks, good times.

If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
Wow that is a tough one! Maybe Tim Burton. Can you imagine how unique, crazy, three dimensional and chaotic his wedding invites would be? How much fun would they be to work on!

If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
Letterpressed invitations in any design. It is such a unique printing style and offers that 3D element that you just can't help but want to touch.

Links where we can find out more about your work:
Website: http://ruffhouseart.com
Shop: http://ruffhouseart.etsy.com
Blog: http://ruffhouseart.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ruffhouseart

1 comments:

AmoreBride said...

So interesting, really enjoyed reading. Your invitations are gorgeous!
Michele at www.AmoreBride.etsy.com