Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Famous again!

Sarah and I were interviewed by Scoutmob recently and it just hit the interwebs. Check it out! http://www.scoutmob.com/atlanta/scoutfinds/532

Here's the interview in case you are too lazy to go check it out:
Meet Third Half Studios

In the words of Lori and Sarah, “Everybody loves a Zombie squirrel!” And you know what? We couldn’t agree more. The two ladies are engineering and designing the kitschy Third Half Studios; Lori began as a traditional quilter and went under the business name of Sew Sew Def. When she joined forces with Sarah, they wanted a name that did not implicate just sewn items (or the famous Southern rap label). They chose "Third Half Studios" because, between the two, they have so much brains they had to keep the extra half in a jar. Or maybe between the two, they only have one and a half brain pieces. It's fuzzy math. But since we love crafty and cutesy things you can’t just find at Urban Outfitters, we wanted to get to know these fun-lovin' ladies a little bit better:

SCOUT: Tell us how might people know you?
L&S: Third Half Studios is made up of Lori Kishlar and Sarah Marks. We have a mix of hand-crafted as well as manufactured items emblazoned with our original designs. Our zombie forest animal melamine plates are the most popular item right now. Everybody loves a Zombie squirrel!

SCOUT: Describe Third Half Studios to someone who has never seen it?
L&S: Darling yet sinister graphic characters on a variety of items mixed with homespun craftiness. Old-fashioned crafts like your grandma would make...if your grandma was disturbed in some way.

SCOUT: My grandmother is luckily not too terribly disturbed. But does love Zombie Squirrels. Go figure. Tell us how you ladies met?
L&S: Two years ago Lori was invited to attend a secret craft society meeting. Sarah is the Master of Ceremonies for the local chapter. We hit it off and Lori was formally initiated in. We've been inseparable ever since.

SCOUT: That a super secret fairytale. Your designs are pretty eclectic. Tell us your personal faves?
L&S: Sarah likes everything: fabrics, housewares, light fixtures, jewelery, doorknobs. Everything. Lori just tags along. Lori likes the less wholesome items. She just made a sock monkey in tribute to the movie ”The Human Centipede” (Be warned if you watch the trailer.) Sarah is currently working on making some hilariously disturbing fabrics for Lori to incorporate into quilts.

SCOUT: Now that you have combined your crafty powers, what is your favorite project you have done together?
L&S: We both have the most fun brainstorming for themed art shows. There was a Star Wars inspired art show at the Highlander recently that was fun and the next that we are creating for is a Day of the Dead show coming up at Youngblood in the Highlands.

SCOUT: When you aren’t oozing creative juices, where in Atlanta to you go to escape & kick back?
L&S: Sarah loves going to the bookstore more than anything and sometimes she goes to the White Windmill Bakery to have fresh red bean buns and sketch. The rare times Lori goes out past bedtime she ends up in East Atlanta, usually Gravity Pub, or at a friend’s house. Both love going to kitschy places for roadtrips: Pasaquan, the Georgia Guidestones, Ave Maria Grotto…

SCOUT: Another local Atlantan that inspires you or your work?
L&S: There are so many: Chris Hamer of Urbnpop Studios, LoriGami, and Jay Hornsby, the Belligerent Monkey are a few that pop up immediately. Chris and Lorigami are great inspiration in that they actually are making a full-time living on their arts/crafts which is what we both are aiming for. Jay’s style is complimentary and we try to help each other out when one or the other can’t make it to a festival.

SCOUT: Where do you go to get new ideas?
Lori: Sleep.
Sarah: I don’t really have to go anywhere. Ideas fly around me constantly and hit me like a frying pan to the face. Real life for both of us is bizarre and inspirational.

SCOUT: Tell us your favorite “curious find” in Atlanta?
L&S: Buford Highway Flea Market ”Holiday Mall” is always an adventure. Everyone should go at least once! At least three stores sell accordions and there is a special photo-booth where they snap your picture and when it prints, you are holding hands with Jesus! One time a man asked me for money in the parking lot and when I said I didn’t have any, he cursed, removed his leg and angrily shook it at me.

SCOUT: What are you currently working on?
Day of the Dead show caskets and new products for upcoming holiday shows and festivals like the L5P Halloween Fest, the EAV Strut, and Indie Craft Experience (which we are currently applying for). We are also working with Netherworlds people on a special line for their gift shops.

SCOUT: Finally, throw out a shameless plug of where people can see your work?
Libertine in Little 5 Points carries our products and our website is www.ThirdHalfStudios.com. Also check out our Etsy page for one-of-a-kind items like the now infamous sock monkey sculpture.

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