Work from Fable & Lore. Photograph courtesy of Chelsie Hellige
This Thursday evening, Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. in Midtown St. Louis plays host to Craftoberfest, a lantern-lit night market featuring 40 local makers, artists and purveyors of vintage goods. The evening not only provides an opportunity to get a jump start on purchasing holiday gifts, it also includes musical entertainment by local group Contrabandwagon, tarot readings, and a free DIY craft tutorial hosted by Perennial.
Craftoberfest organizer and maker of a line of jewelry called Fable & Lore, Chelsie Hellige joins us this week for our intermittent conversations with local artists. For more, type “Seven Questions with” into our search engine, or simply enjoy this interview now.
Art school? Self-taught? Some variety of both? Or none of the above?
I actually have a journalism degree, so definitely no formal arts education. I’ve just always had my finger in a lot of different pies, creatively speaking, and if there’s something I wish I could do, I’ve learned to just roll my sleeves up and dive in. I think it’s important to constantly be trying new things and making mistakes. I did recently takes some metalsmithing classes through Craft Alliance, and that has helped me profoundly in terms of developing my craft.
Regarding your creative habits, are you a night owl or an early bird?
Early bird, relatively speaking! At night I become lazy and useless, so I try to keep semi-regular “working hours” and create mostly during the day. I am especially energized in the morning…the only trick is getting up!
In basic terms, can you describe the set up and vibe of your studio?
Oh, in basic terms? It is awesome. My workshop is actually this amazing little sunroom in my house, so it gets really nice light all day. I work at a huge wooden workbench named Mjölnir, after Thor’s hammer. (Yes, it has a name. Anything that imposing and primal needs a severe Norse name.) Around the room I’ve got a lot of crystals and raw minerals in bowls, live succulents, metal jewelry findings in old printer’s trays, and finished pieces displayed on weathered pieces of wood. It’s a very inspirational, kind of magical space. All my tools and supplies are stored in tidy little bins and baskets, out of the way until I need them. That helps me make the most of the space.
What are your thoughts on crowdfunding for the arts? And is that option any part of your own approach to creating and selling work?
I think that if something works for you, go for it. If you have the chutzpah and the hustle to create a successful crowd funding campaign, then good for you. There’s this notion that real artists have to starve and suffer, and, as someone doing this for a living, that idea really bugs me. Crowdfunding has never been part of my own approach, but I’d certainly consider it down the line if it becomes relevant to what I’m trying to do.
Do you have a dream project that lacks only funding (or time)?
Not a dream project, per se, but I’d love to throw some more time and money into learning new metalsmithing skills and improving my current techniques. That’s an investment. I also kind of dream about having a storefront someday…but that’s not an option that makes sense for me right now. I haven’t had my big idea yet.
To what degree do you enjoy having public contact, whether that means selling your work at a fair, a gallery opening, etc.?
Oh man, I love talking to people. That’s my jam. You know, I do a lot of craft shows, and that is a whole lot of work. And every time I’m setting up for one, dragging around heavy displays and suffering, I think I must be crazy for doing it. But then I’m all set up and I get to talking to people, I get to SEE them respond to my work, and that friggin’ delights me. My next show, Craftoberfest, is this Thursday evening, and that is maybe the most rewarding night of my year. It’s a show that I organize myself, so it’s very personal. And to have so many talented makers on board, and all the people that come out and support these local handmade businesses—it makes me feel like I’m contributing something.
What other St. Louis artists inspire or motivate you?
Lisa Colby is a really talented local metalsmith and jewelry designer, and I learned a lot from her. I’m hoping to be under her tutelage again soon. I also really love Scarlett Garnet for their style and intricacies. But you know, I’m most inspired by all the different small business owners I know. They remind me to work hard, and that I’m in good company.
Check out the Craftoberfest website, or the Facebook event page. You'll find Fable & Lore's Etsy page here, and Facebook page here.
