JOB DESCRIPTION: Owner of Alice’s Pocket, handmade home decor that’s sold at the General Store and Co., 7922 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, 816-797-9915; and her Etsy shop, alicespocket.etsy.com
Q. What got you started making things out of felt? A. I had all of this leftover felt from my children’s Christmas stockings. (She has three kids younger than 5). I’ve made flowers and barrettes. I love home design, and I thought the pillows would be a great form of artistic expression. Q. Do you have an art background? A. Want the long answer? I was a hair stylist for 10 years, which I liked, but I couldn’t do what I wanted to do. I also was a student in Johnson County Community College’s culinary program. I absolutely love cooking, but to do it 12 to 14 hours a day? I decided it would be best as a hobby. I have a blog where I cook and bake with my kids, foodiehouse.blogspot.com. I’ve always drawn illustrations and love painting watercolors. The pillows and other felt items are a way to merge my doodling with sewing, which is yet another passion of mine. Q. Is the felt made of wool? A. No, it’s made from 100 percent recycled bottles called Eco-fi. I’d love to work with wool felt but it’s more expensive. Q. What’s your favorite store to get inspiration? A. Anthropologie has to be my favorite. (Country Club Plaza, 531 Nichols Road, 816-531-4429 and Town Center Plaza, 5024 W. 119th St., Leawood, 913-491-0865). You go in there and it hits all of your senses. There’s the smell of candles and perfume, clothes and rich fabrics. But I especially love the kitchenwares since I love to cook. It’s my little happy place. Q. You have a store on Etsy.com. What are your favorite Etsy shops? A. Peggy Wolf Design of London sells prints of women that are extraordinary, as well as collages and watercolor. Everything’s funky, poppy and in bright colors (PeggyWolfDesign.etsy.com). I also love Pink Cheeks Studios that makes little people for kids, but they appeal to adults. They’d be great on anyone’s sofa (PinkCheeksStudios.etsy.com). And I love Timo Handmade out of Israel that makes little dolls (TimoHandmade.etsy.com). Q. What’s next up for you with creative projects? A. I’d love to create journals and note cards with my watercolors. In the spring, I’d like to do floral pillows. Q. Tell us about your house. A. It’s a little ranch house, three bedrooms, two baths. It’s similar to the house I grew up in. It has nice hardwood floors that are easy to clean. I’m really drawn to bright red, and I’ve painted a cabinet and coffee table that color. They’re pieces people gave me. I go junking on big trash day with a friend and found a 1970s mirror — I spray-painted it green and it looks so cool. I incorporate a lot of my own artwork in my house. Q. Do you have a favorite room? A. The kitchen is, as far as function. It’s painted an aqua blue. But as far as design? Not really. I do have a favorite piece of furniture. My kitchen table. It’s whitewashed and is from Now & Then (7917 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, 913-649-4930). I like just a little shabby chic here and there. Everything in my house is whimsical. My favorite books are “Alice in Wonderland,” and I collect them based on the illustrators. Q. Is that where you came up with the name Alice’s Pocket? A. Yes, because after a day in Wonderland, anything was possible. I think Lewis Carroll was the wittiest author ever.Read more H+H Q and A
Posted on Wed, Jan. 25, 2012 08:00 AM
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Q&A | LAUREN ZABANEH, OVERLAND PARK
Q&A | Felt artist Lauren Zabaneh of Overland Park
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To reach Stacy Downs, call 816-234-4780 or send email to sdowns@kcstar.com.
