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Headed up by illustrator Baku Maed, Ribbonesia started in July 2010 when he teamed up with 3 friends to launch the site which  features this talented man’s growing body of work.

Little OnNom brought Ribbonesia’s work to the HoBsters eyes and since she did I for one cannot stop looking!

Ribbons are not just decorative trimmings, this is an art form in it’s self.  Ribbonesia are taking origami like designs and turning them into mini sculptures.

I for one am completely agog at their works and find them a complete source of inspiration.  Simply beautiful.

You would be wise to check out their newly relaunched website ribbonesia.com now.  Be prepared for your eyes to fall out like a rapidly unravelling reel of ribbon!

We were greatly thankful that Baku took time out of ribbon crafting to complete our HoB probe!

The best thing about creating something for other people is…

To share the good surprise

The best thing about creating something for myself is…

Finding something beyond my expectations

My biggest inspiration is…

Nature surroundings

Without ______ I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Creative hunger

Who or what can’t you get enough of at the mo’?

Strange creatures of nature

What’s your favorite kind of day?

A day after deadline

What’s next?

Small insects make it big

Check it! We got another interview from one of the mega Improper Books team; artist Chris Wildgoose!

Chris is a phenomenally talented artist with an eye for the subtleties that really make this kind of art great. There is life and movement, death and stillness in all the right places with myriad emotions conveyed beautifully in-between.

Describe yourself in five words

Northern scribble monster likes ink.

The best thing about creating something for other people is…

I love telling stories, that’s the whole reason why i got into this job. i want to take people to new lands and strange times and see what they think.

The best thing about creating something for myself is…

Having the chance to bring something new to the table. You can bend the rules of what you’re doing and go down roads people may not expect you to go. Those can also be the biggest learning curves. Say with drawing, you find out what works and what to improve on when you take chances or try something new. I think the risk takers and the people who are less cautious do some of the best work.

My biggest inspiration is…

Good art. Nothing makes me want to get back to the drawing board as much as when I see somebody do a page or illustration that I wish i’d done!

Without ______ I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

My Dad, and my family on a whole really. They are the best. They’ve always encouraged me to do the thing i’ve wanted to do and to give it my all when it gets tough.

Who or what can’t you get enough of at the mo’?

The Bronx, I’ve recently been soaking up their albums and I still want more! They just blow out the cobwebs and make me feel energised, i’d possibly say they are my perfect kind of band.

What’s your favourite kind of day?

When my drawing hand does the work it’s being told to! However, I do love the Autumn season, tea, biscuits and a walk with my lady through the local woodland. It always makes me feel like my wellbeing takes a boost when we get outside. Possibly finish off the day with a good Hammer Horror film.

What’s next?

Too much! I’m just now about to start on the next episode of Butterfly Gate, which i’m SO excited about because Ben has just packed that and the coming episodes with a mind blowing adventure. Straight after that we’re starting on another GN so far titled ‘Briar’. This will take us back to a more fairy tale setting, which is natural ground for myself and Ben. Also i’m doing a small guest spot in ‘The Pride’ written by Joseph Glass and alongside all that I’m working on another GN called Dream Solver with writer Luke Foster.

Tell us something ace.

I’ve started writing! This may not be ace as i’m not that experienced at the whole word craft lark but i’m learning. Aiming to have a little short comic written and drawn for Free Comic Book day! So keep your eyes peeled for that.

Do your homework! You can find Chris’s blog here and Twit-stalk him here.

Regular HoB readers will already be aware of our love , admiration and sheer agogness over the astounding works of Felt Mistress.

We were completely over joyed with felthusiasm that the lovely, and ridiculously talented Louise Evans put down the felt and needles (and egg custard) for a moment to answer  our HoB questions.

Describe yourself in five words?

Small, hectic, enthusiastic, worrisome, scamp

The best thing about creating something for other people is…

It’s great to make something knowing it’s got a home to go to, I love hearing/seeing people’s reactions to the pieces too. When working with another artist on a collaborative piece, it’s always a bit nerve wracking when the piece has been delivered and I’m waiting to hear if they like it. Working with fellow artists stretches you creatively because you learn from each other.

The best thing about creating something for myself is…

I don’t think I create pieces for me , I think the process is the bit that’s “for me” but the finished article should be for someone else. Does that make any sense? I love making things but I don’t want a house full of my own work.

My biggest inspiration is…

Jontofski

Without Jontofski I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Who or what can’t you get enough of at the mo’?

Egg Custards

What’s your favorite kind of day?

Being right in the middle of a project and so into it that you don’t even know what time of day it is. I love those days

What’s next?

I’m working on some new framed beetles, just finished some characters that are being animated so I’m looking forward to seeing and being able to share those and in April we go to Pictoplasma in Berlin to give a talk which we’re very excited about.

Sell us something ace.

I have an egg custard in the fridge

HoB will let you into a little secret, because y’know…you might not know this already; we love PORCELAIN: a gothic fairytale, the snippet we’ve managed to gobble of Butterfly Gate and all the folks at Improper Books.

Imagine our delight when the wonderfully passionate, friendly and mega-talented Benjamin Read took a bit or time out from writing comics and writing/producing films to answer a few of our HoBby questions. Needless to say that Ben’s fondness of tea had earned hima spot round HoB HQ for a brew anytime!

Describe yourself in five words

Scared of dying before finishing.

The best thing about creating something for other people is:

finding the courage not to. Best thing I ever did as a writer was stop writing for other people and start writing for me. I write the comics, books and films that are precisely what I would want to watch and read. The stuff that makes me go ‘ooh!’. I get a kick writing it, I’m generally much happier with the final product (well, as I’ll ever be – it can ALWAYS BE BETTER), and, remarkably, other people seem to like it too.

The best thing about creating something for myself is:

I may just have accidentally answered this. (sorry)

My biggest inspiration is.:

Bah. God, I don’t know. I read and watch everything I can get my hands on, preferably as far from my own genre-leanings as possible, then go for long walks and let it percolate. ‘Fresh air’ is probably the most honest response, but the Brothers Grimm have got a lot to answer for too.

Without ______ I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Tea. My sole remaining vice *sob*. The punctuation to my working day. (whisky is not a vice, but a medical necessity, so I don’t count it.)

Who or what can’t you get enough of at the mo’ ?

I do a lot of work to music,  so on my current constant replay list is Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s ‘The Heist’, which is the freshest hip hop album I’ve heard in a decade. I’m also head over heels for my mate Liz lawrence’s new album, Bedroom Hero. Sassy, heartfelt, songs tinged with a hundred hungover cigarettes. It just sounds like London to me and I’ve had it on repeat for weeks.

What’s your favourite kind of day?

This is: http://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/c-s-lewis-perfect-day.html. I particularly agree with the bits about walking, tea, and most of all: “And it is essential of the happy life that a man would have almost no mail and never dread the postman’s knock.”

What’s next?

God, loads. Porcelain comes out on Feb 27th in limited edition in the UK. Chris Wildgoose and I have 2 other projects in the pipeline – Butterfly Gate (our long-form sci-fi thing), and Briar, which takes us back into fairy tale territory but is, I promise, not like any interpretation you’ve seen before. I’m doing Night Post with Laura Trinder, our lovely, silent, tale of the Postman whose round starts at midnight and who has to deliver to the supernatural community. I’ve got a series of linked self-contained shorts coming up too – the first one’s called ‘Frost Fair’ and that’s with Alice Duke. There’s a stack of other unnannounced stuff as well; I’ve got a couple of artists I really want to work with this year so I’m grafting away on stuff for them now. Film-wise, Warhouse, my beloved first film (made with partner-in-crime, Luke Massey http://lukemassey.co.uk/) is just negotiating the final fences of distribution, 500 Miles North, our second film, is finishing post, and I’m just about to sit down and write the third to shoot this summer. Sometimes, the caffeine wears off long enough for me to sleep too.

Tell us something ace.

My dad has a small farm and he’s just fenced a portion of one of the fields off and we’re going to plant a wood. How ace is that?

Florence Blanchard adopted the moniker ‘Ema’ in the early 90′s when she began spray-painting the walls of her home town Montpellier, inspired by the worldwide graffiti phenomenon and its instantaneous appeal. It wasn’t long before her works adorned buildings and trains in the South of France, Barcelona, Paris and throughout Europe, before moving across North America.

Flo kindly took time from painting and travelling the world to answer a few of our questions.

Describe yourself in five words

I am a French painter.

The best thing about creating something for other people is…

To be able to share my visions with others.

The best thing about creating something for myself is…

That I can create it the way I want it.

My biggest inspiration is…

A mash up of all the people I met, music I listened to, films I watched, books I read and countries I travelled to.

Without ____ I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Paint

Who or what can’t you get enough of at the mo’?

Unfortunately I’m going to have to say Ryanair. But it’s a love and hate relationship.

What’s your favourite kind of day?

The 48 hours long ones.

What’s next?

Belgium.

Sell us something ace.

http://emarama.bigcartel.com/product/mini-dropmen-plush-toys

A little while ago we featured Moonko on our Fanzine.  Headed up by the lovely and talented Debbie Moon, Debbie is always on the look out for new artists to promote and bring under the Moonko umbrella and is constantly pushing forward to organise exhibitions and events for these artist to promote their work, most recently with the wonderful Ghosts of Gone birds Exhibition,.

Not only are we impressed with Debbie’s own artwork but also by her passion, commitment and drive and generally by how adorable this lady is.  Debbie kindly took some time out of her busy world to tell us a little bit about herself.

Describe yourself in five words

Reflective, patient, determined, honest & quirky

The best thing about creating something for other people is…

Oooh lets have a think, the best thing about creating something for others is that complete happiness when you see somebody appreciate and love your work for what it is.

As simple as it might be, seeing someone smile

The best thing about creating something for myself is…

This is a tough one, as I am such a perfectionist, umm I love getting absorbed in a story, my story, re-living a memory that gets recreated in a visual. I love the process and the repetition of tearing up my Vogue magazines for beautiful paper colours and just thinking about other things, daydreaming, reflecting or making strange kinetic or science inspired installations.

My biggest inspiration is…

Its my dad, he is not famous, a well known or unknown artists, just dad, who taught me to colour within the lines, took me on little adventures as a child to explore the outdoors, taught me all the Latin names of wild flowers, trees and who showed me how to work hard be determined and keep believing.

Without ______ I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

With out my family, my little one, my other half, my friends, i would not be who I am right now, they are always there for hugs, chats, cuppa teas, laughs and tears. They keep me going, believing in me when I lack confidence or am just being plain ole silly

Who or what can’t you get enough of at the mo’?

Sunshine, yummy lemon cake & pink lemonade

What’s your favourite kind of day?

Getting up early, opening the windows, letting the fresh air in, getting my walking boots or wellies on and heading out with my little family to go exploring woods, fields, hills, never knowing where, in some cases were we might end up. Then getting home, drawing the curtains, having a cuppa, cooking food and just talking about our day….

What’s next?

I have a few exciting exhibitions coming up, so its going to be late nights, making and creating ‘Watch this Space’

Paul Vincett from the monsterously marvellous Stitches and Glue took time out from making beasties to tell us a little bit about himself.

Describe yourself in five words.

Hard working, passionate, Illustrator, Maker and Monsters.

The best thing about creating something for other people is…

I always find every commission to be hugely flattering and love working with people to create something special.  It’s fantastic to know that a piece of our creation will be on some ones wall or shelf and bringing enjoyment.

The best thing about creating something for myself is…

I’m lucky enough to be able to create pieces that I thoroughly enjoy making, which brings allot of personal satisfaction. When we do get the chance to develop new ideas its great to push ourselves and explore new processes and develop upon early character ideas that’s what keeps us going.

My biggest inspiration is…

The world around us, its Wild-life and interesting characters that we meet on a day to day basis.

Who or what can’t you get enough of at the mo?

I love the work of Gary Ham and am eagerly awaiting the release of his monster Totem, I cant get enough of his work.

Without ______ I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Without the support of our close friends and my loyal S&G followers we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

What’s your favourite kind of day?

My favourite kind of day is getting up and going into the studio and starting a new piece of work, sticking the tunes on and having some fun.

What’s next?

What’s on the Horizon? Well we’re pretty busy on some movie work until the run up to the festive season and then we’ll  be  launching some new collectables in time to fill stockings. We’re working on a new range of exotic beasties and some other bits and pieces and extending on our existing range of lucky claws.

See our review here http://blog.houseofbetty.com/stitches-and-glue-2/

We got a little insight to some of the stuff that makes Greg Staples tick. HOOHA! (And yep, that is Greg looking 100% badass as Dredd in the feature image).

Describe yourself in five words

Down to earth,passionate,driven, strong, confident.

The best thing about creating something for other people is…

The feeling of entertaining people and making just a bit of difference to someone is worth all the hard effort.




The best thing about creating something for myself is…

The enjoyment of discovery, especially if it turns out how I wanted.

My biggest inspiration is…

Probably Frank Frazetta, he was incredible.

Without ______ I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

‘Practice’ is definitely the word.

Who or what can’t you get enough of at the mo’?

Breaking Bad, its the best tv show I’ve seen in a long time.

What’s your favorite kind of day?

A day relaxing with friends.

What’s next?

A new, highly secret Judge Dredd strip that John Wagner and I have been working on for over a year.

Sell us something ace.

Simon Bisley’s and Pat Mills’ ‘Slaine the Horned God’, its simply the bible and benchmark for many comic painters.

Read our post and / or see more of Greg’s outstanding artwork… 

Describe yourself in five words.

Curly, Long, Smiley, Big Head.

The best thing about creating something for other people is…

Making something to create a smile on someone’s face.  Making someone feel you’ve taken time to create something just for them.  The people I make stuff for are special and I hope that comes across.

The best thing about creating something for myself is…

Creating a sense of pride in myself.  When I make something that I am happy with I gain a sense of achievement and self worth.  It doesn’t really matter if anyone else likes the things I do when I feel proud about them.

My biggest inspiration is…

Friends, Japanese culture, pixels, vinyl toys, my Pops, talented folk with passion.

Without ______ I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Friends…end of.

Who or what can’t you get enough of at the mo’?

HouseofBetty, basil, cross stitch, perler beads, Mollie Makes, cats, Gundam, Good Smile Company, mustard, skulls, fighting/puzzle games, red panda’s, Etsy

What’s your favorite kind of day?

Spending time with the HoB girls, creating things, working on the HoBsite, laughing, adventuring, seeing new things and places, rummaging around craft and vintage shops, sitting with a cat on my lap, getting something awesome in the post.  A day that ends with your happy and content bar being full.

What’s next?

Hopefully making a stock lot of “Storm in a Teacups”, projects with HoB fabric, completing my epic cross stitch and generally just more stitchun’ and crafting and looking out for awesomes!

Sell us something ace.

Obviously this one is going to be HouseofBetty just because I believe it’s ace.  But if anyone wants a Storm In A Teacup…

Here’s mine!

Bloody glad this was as fun to complete as it was to come up with the questions.

Describe yourself in five words

Perceptive. Deep. Warm. Wordy. Purple.

The best thing about creating something for other people is…

When they’re able to share in my sentiment. If only one paragraph or one line – when they really relate to what I’m gerrin’ at – I think that’s aces.




The best thing about creating something for myself is…

That it’s one of the few things in my life, perhaps even the world that’s utterly limitless. I can be whoever I want, wherever I want, whenever I want to be there. The freedom that inspires is totally liberating and the inspiration I get from feeling liberated allows me to really get to the thick of what I want to say or convey.

My biggest inspiration is…

My heart. When something or someone makes it into there, it’s worth writing about. Similarly with the things and people that make it beat a little faster or ache sometimes. Anything or anyone that affects me, in the true sense of the word, is usually worth some chat.

Without ______ I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Learning. I’m constantly looking, seeing, reading, admiring and generally broadening my scope to gobble up as much mega as is humanly or super-humanly possible.

Who or what can’t you get enough of at the mo’?

Locke & KEY. Sweet heck E thump – I don’t know what I’ll fill my late nights with, without that world to absorb my self into. Find another world to explore – that’s what!

What’s your favorite kind of day?

The ones that make you feel like you’ve never felt before – or exactly how you felt a long time ago.

What’s next?

Keep on rolling out the prose on House of Betty. Alla y’all ain’t seen nothing yet.

That, all while my job wraps up, I relocate my anchor to Sheffield and start the epic journey into my Psychology Masters. Back to school for more adventure – though this time I hope I avoid the dead arms and conker theft.

Sell us something ace.

In a few years, I’ll be Dr. Nelson