An Interview With Marchi Wierson of MarchiMadeIt

I am constantly impressed with Marchi Wierson's ability turn a handful of wool into unique and unexpected pieces of wearable art.  I think I first noticed her work on flickr and was amazed by her big, bold necklaces.  I had just begun working with wool and seeing her designs opened my eyes to the potential of fiber.  When I got to know Marchi a bit more and understand her choice of medium, I was even more impressed.

Tell me about you:

Hi. I'm marchi wierson. I live in Portland, Oregon where it seems everyone is an artist, crafts person, or a DIY fan. There is an inventive spirit here in Portland that I like.

What do you make?

I make jewelry with a focus on wool and textiles. I am motivated by the idea that how jewelry is made contributes to its beauty. So for example, some jewelry looks beautiful, but may have had a heavy environmental or unfortunate social impact on its way to being a finished ornamental object; I think that this factors into its desirability in the end. I want to make things with a light footprint. I want my jewelry to be beautiful in its creation and in the finished product. My favorite material is wool. It can be sculpted into many forms. I am still discovering the range of potential in wool. I also like to work with old buttons and vintage or found objects.

Is there a particular theme in your work?

I think my work is natural modern, with fresh ideas and a bit of surprise. People often ask me about my jewelry when I wear it. They think it's made from stone, or bone, or they just don't know. I had a blue felted necklace that a friend thought was lapis lazuli. It's fun. People I don't know stop me to ask me about some piece I am wearing even as I am walking down the street.

Where do you find inspiration?

I see inspiration everywhere. I find my challenge is to stay focused on my work and where it is going, to do the next thing in a string of things that need to be done rather than be lead by inspiration. Most things I do are a slow process, and the next step reveals itself because of the steps before it. I try to stay in my own voice. Maybe I follow my muse more than inspiration.

What do you love about what you do?

I love that I want to do it every day, I get out of bed and I want to make things. I love the result, I get to wear it or share it. I love that it can make people feel happy.

Tell me about a favorite piece that you've made:

I think I can favor ideas more than pieces. But hmmm, I really can't choose.

What do you do when you're not creating?

I enjoy being outside in fresh air, walking. I like to play with my camera. I like a good dinner party, with a few friends, delicious food, and conversation. Oh and I could spend hours at Powell's bookstore looking at books.

A favorite quote, a good recipe, a funny story?

I have a fun recommendation. I recently bought a cheese kit as a gift for a friend from Urbancheesecraft.  It was brilliant. My friend made delicious cheese and I helped eat it. He thought it was fun and talked about it with his friends. If you like cheese, and like DIY, try making cheese. By the way, I have no relationship with Urbancheesecraft, I am just a big fan. And you can buy the elements to make cheese without buying from them, but they make it so easy to get started.

How can people find you?

I can be found at my blog - http://marchiwierson.blogspot.com/
and my Etsy shop: http://marchimadeit.etsy.com/

I welcome questions and comments from visitors, so come by and say hi!

Is there anything else you would like people to know about you that I haven't asked?

I just want to say thank you Lisa for including me on your blog. I am a big fan of your work and of your blog. You have a kindness that comes through your writing and crafts which makes people feel good. So, thank you Lisa.
 

My pleasure, Marchi.