I might pack a picnic, and become inspired at that moment by butterflies. I might be traveling in greece and become inspired by greeces architectural design asthetic. Or I might flip thru a magazine and become overwhelmed by a series of colors that inspire me to use them in a piece.
Hunter Bates
1- I have a four legged nephew who happens to be THE cutiest chihuhu EVER
and he is also my second best friend.
2- While I'm working, I like to listen to books on tape.
3 - I use to take a map or an atlas, get a coin, toss it and travel where to the coin landed.
4- I am a serial complimenter .
What got you started crafting?
My mother. She was always creating crafts and introducing my siblings and I to all sorts of activities. To this day, there isn't a dull moment for anyone within a mile of my mother.
What is your source of inspiration?
I can't really claim one particular source of inspiration.
I might pack a picnic, and become inspired at that moment by butterflies. I might be traveling in greece and become inspired by greeces architectural design asthetic. Or I might flip thru a magazine and become overwhelmed by a series of colors that inspire me to use them in a piece.
What have you made recently?
I just finished a customed order that included crochet work , beading and sewing.
The piece is a beautiful bib necklace with a base of shiny satin fabric that I sewed an intricately crocheted and beaded piece, of matching shape to and is finished with raw silk ties, that I edged in seed bead pearls.
Before sewing the crocheted element of the necklace to the satin, I crocheted the shape of the satin, then sowed tiny seed bead pearls to the crocheted design and added some sparkle with swarovski crystals. This design was inspired by a swatch of fabric and a magazine clipping given to me by my client. She wanted me to copy the scroll and floral pattern of the fabric swatch and do it in the colors from her magazine clipping. After she approved the final sketch, I went to work.
I think for me , what really stands out about this piece, was crochet work I did with a very thin gauge thread. I had been working on this particular technique for several months and hadn't really had the opportunity to use it, so when this project came up, I suggested it in the sketch. My client approved and it turned out 10 times better than she or I could have imagined.
When I do a custom piece for a client, my personal touch is usually getting an initial sketch done to their exact specifications and trying to allow for enough time to do couture quality work . When I have a client that is less specific, my personal touch is sketching out a piece that I think will greatly exceed their expectations and really wow them.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
I do alot of commision work but have branched out to festivals.
I opened an etsy shop, but realized that I wanted more control over my growing business, so I closed that shop and opened my own online store.
Now I offer commision work as well as ready to wear pieces and I also do parties.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
Handcrafted Items supply PEOPLE with jobs, not machines.
There are countless artists ( of all geners) out there, who would love to make a comfortable living doing what they love, knowing that they are creating things for a marketplace that can appreciate their efforts. Sometimes I like to imagine vibrant communities that not only survive, but thrive on it's people playing to their own skill sets. Getting paid for lovingly and happily doing what they love to do and are very skilled at.
Handcrafted items by their very nature, have the personal touch that mass produced items never will.
Find Me
LocationUnited States
Email Address
Hunter Bates
Personal Website
http://www.lexn7th.com
Store Website
http://www.lexn7th.com
@lexn7th
