Supersheroes: Introducing Ismoyo!

Today we are adding a new inspiring category to OneHourCraft: Supersheroes. We will be interviewing impossibly (the only word that came to mind) creative ladies on the Net then posting their interviews and photos here.

The first person I have interviewed is Ismoyo from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Visit her blog and see her amazing creations, softies, quilts etc…

Without further ado, please meet Ismoyo *Ismoyo enters the stage to loud applause*….

(Photo of Ismoyo)

Mia: Hey Ismoyo, it is great to meet you, after having had a bit of contact over the Net. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Where do you live? What is your day job?
Ismoyo: Hi there, I’m Ismoyo. Half Indonesian, half Dutch, turned 30 this year. Currently living in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I have been travelling between my Love’s apartment in Brooklyn, NY and my place in Amsterdam for the last 7 years. If all goes well, I will be moving to NYC soon.

Day job? Hm. I prefer to look at my creativity as my core business. And one day it will be my so called official ‘day job’. But bills got to be paid, so yes, i have to take on temporary/freelance jobs on the side. My last sidestep was working at a recruitment company for executive PA’s. Before that i did some freelance writing gigs back in the day, but mainly worked in the internet branch. Content management.

Mia: What sort of crafts do you like to make the most?
Ismoyo: I’m a crafty person, slash illustrator. My creative roots are in drawing and writing (short stories/poetry). Sewing is relatively new, i got my sewing machine around a year ago and it quickly got high up on my list of favorite things to do. Love making bags and felt softies, anything i can think of really. Always trying something new. I like making mixed media collages, but haven’t done that in awhile. I’m also bit of a whizzkid with computers, so i love learning about webdesign, programming, illustration programs. I am happiest going back and forth between my computer and sewing machine!

Mia: Why did you start your site? What were your goals? and what were your inspirations?
Ismoyo: Until last summer I had another website. A small business selling cuteness (toys, stationery) from Asia. That was much fun and a great learning process. But i missed the part that made it really mine. You know when you’ve finished first grade and go on to the next? That is how it felt moving on to the ismoyo website. Putting myself out there. Learning new things along the way and sharing my creations and experiences. I really wanted to add a weblog to my site this time. The best thing of my former site was when customers sent me emails, providing me with sweet feedback. I like to have that contact with my visitors. A blog is a great way to get response on all I do. Having a shop again was part of the original plans too. Unfortunately that has been postponed until the flowers bloom again, next spring time hopefully.

Mia: Can you describe for us your studio or craft space?
Ismoyo: I call my house my personal playground. Besides the usual bed and bath rooms and the kitchen, I have an office workspace with a huge purple buddha painted on the wall facing me when I’m behind my computer. Then there is my ‘gallery’ which entails the hallway and pretty much all wall space available in my house. Plus my craft area which connects to my livingroom. My sewingmachine found its place on the former dinnertable now surrounded by piles of fabrics and boxes of trims. Next to me is my bookcase which sends out a lot of inspiration. Not only my books live there, but also a lot of cute toy figures and postcards and other small items that are dear to me.

I should take some pictures and put them up on my blog.

Mia: What are the things which inspire you and make you tick the most?

Ismoyo: I can get inspired by the little things like birds or a butterfly, the first spring flowers, kids laughing. Long walks through the city. My family is a big source of inspiration too. My Indonesian roots not to be forgotten. Pretty color combinations get my ideas flowing. Music. The creative people i have worked with in the past. I get bursts of energy when i see other people working hard, being productive persuing their passion. Vintage fabrics and curiosa. Yoga. Friends. Love is maybe my biggest inspiration of all.

(Photo of Ismoyo with her beloved sewing machine)

Mia: Who are the people on the Net or otherwise who inspire you most?
Ismoyo: I admire so many and they all do different things. It doesn’t even matter, as long as the passion shows through. When you see that the art is made with love.

I discover new inspirational artists every day. I admire the ones who already are up on their game and have opened doors for us creative creatures. I admire the ones who are still learning and finding their own creative paths.

Mia: Favourite colour?
Ismoyo:: I can’t lie. If you’ve seen my website or my creations it’s obvious. It’s pink. I’m girly like that.

Mia: Favourite Magazines?
Ismoyo: I devour magazines! Reading articles, looking at beautiful pictures and using old editions as input for crafty paper projects. I can get lost and forget about time with gorgeous interior design magazines. Japanese fashion magazines like fruits, zipper and cutie are cute, colorful and original. Creative magazines like CRAFT and Computer Arts or sewing magazines filled with new patterns to try out. I’m that girl who asks all her friends to not throw out old magazines. The one who goes in cafe’s to ask what they do with the old magazines on their reading tables. Can i have them? *smiles*

Mia: Favourite Music?

Ismoyo: My Love is a musician. So all his music comes first. Obviously. My ipod tells me i have currently been listening to John Legend, Mos Def, Ben Harper, Michael Franti, Finley Quaye, Joni Mitchell, Billie Holiday, Smokey Robinson, and Sade.

Mia: Do you have any future goals for your craft and for your site? What are they?
Ismoyo: There are so many things still on my to-learn list. I’m currently learning to use Flash in combination with my digital illustrations. Next is learning to crochet. I adore those little amigurumi figures I see out there. Would love to be able to make my own versions. The most important goal is to go ahead and open my online shop. Selling my creations and maybe some illustrations or other wall art.

Mia: Well, when you have opened your on-line shop be sure to let us know and we will do a feature on it. Apart from inspiring all of us, what do you hope to be doing in five years time?
Ismoyo: Wow, I’ll be 35 by then. Close my eyes and dream out loud right?

Hopefully settled in NY, found my creative niche. That I’ve learned more and improved my crafty techniques. Five years of extra experience, I can’t wait! Of course, I hope my website is still online and visited by many. I might pick up writing again. I would also love to do illustrations for children’s books if I get the change one day. Many adventures still ahead. But who knows what will happen? As long as I can make cute things, i’ll be happy.

Mia: Anything else you would like us to know?
Ismoyo: I love the crafty community online. It has introduced me to so many sweet, fun and creative people whom i am very grateful for. *waves into cyberspace*
Mia: *waves back into cyberspace* Well thanks so much for letting us interview you.
Ismoyo: Anytime, it was truly my pleasure!

Enjoy!

Be inspired!

Mia

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