When I first looked through @bobcatandbirdie and witnessing all their cool designs and reading "hook kits." It really caught my interest, but I began to doubt myself as someone who has never done this before. When I begin to think about the "Yee Haw" and the cow print it makes me want to tackle this new activity! Let's dig into fiber and digital art with this week's feature, Bobcat and Birdie!
Introducing herself first is Birdie "my name is Yvette and I go by the nickname Birdie." She continues by sharing some of her recent activities "I’m in the studio for up to 15 hours a day lately, a ridiculous amount of entertainment is consumed! Currently binging through old favorites like iZombie, Stranger Things, and Gilmore Girls. Also streaming dystopian audiobooks and listening to a ton of music in between." I recently picked up a new book and I've been enjoying it so far, but currently, I have a small list of films I want to get through.
She continues by naming a couple of her favorite local businesses and artists "My favorite store front is Little Thrills in McAllen— a beautiful salon and boutique. Procured Life+Home and Bandera Coffee in Harlingen. Favorite online stores and artists include: Gloria Reyes (@tofu_squares_bench, jewelry available to purchase at Procured Life+Home) @uniko_art (MissUniko on Etsy), @PaperCaperCo, and @LaSierraArte (same name on Etsy) to name a few." I know a couple of these individuals/businesses, but I'll be sure to check out the rest!
I always have to ask how their interest in the type of art they create come to be from painting, fiber art, and music to which Birdie says "I’ve been interested in fiber arts for as long as I can remember. My mom got me into latch hooking really young, I was about 9 years old I think. I grew up loving yarn and embroidery, creating texture, making something out of nothing. It’s all very relaxing to me. Over two decades of love for fiber arts, there’s always something to learn." When she mentioned "creating texture" I thought about how it feels and about @miichimich when she told me the same thing when it comes to "creating something out of nothing" when it came to her crochet. When I think about the hook kits I can imagine the progress the individual sees and the texture they also create as progress continues. Overall, just reading the word "creating" and knowing that each individual with their respected genre of artistry has their own blank canvas to create is really something outstanding.
From the start of Birdie's interest in fiber arts to the creation of Bobcat and Birdie, how did "BobcatandBirdie" first start as she explains "I first started my online shop under a different name (Shop Space Face) and I specialized in making sequin alien patches. Around 2018 I got a Wacom tablet and fell in love with digital art. Started drawing and selling 956 merch and pop culture things. I rebranded my shop a couple months later as Bobcat and Birdie (the name is based on my husband and I’s nicknames)." We all start somewhere and changes come in due time. We may not all stay in the same place due to wanting to progress in what we enjoy or in this case Birdie went from patches, 956 merch, to her kits. It's how creators experiment in their work and grow with their work whether it may be changing styles/incorporating new things they have learned or progress their current style.
Looking through the @BobcatandBirdie Etsy page I was reading the descriptions and seeing what they offered in their store and I had a couple of questions as an individual who has never created something with fibers to which I asked about the "latch hook" and if it was a necessary part to creating these works of art to which the explanation was "The process of latch hooking is one of the many methods you can use to create a rug, wall hanging, texture, etc. The tool itself is called the latch hook which has a handle, metal hook, and 'mouth' that opens and closes. This creates a type of knot that secures yarn to rug canvas. By filling in squares with different colors of yarn, like pixel art, you can create images on the canvas." The way I think of the "latch hook" could be like a paintbrush and we brush our "paint" being the yarn onto our "canvas" being the squares being filled in. I'd have to say that's very interesting and being able to see the pattern slowly come together must amazing to witness.
There are so many designs to choose from on their Etsy page and many of them to see upon their Instagram page as well from the "Yee Haw" to the "Portal" but how does deciding on a design to become a pattern come to be as she explained "When I’m creating a new latch hook pattern, I try to keep a few things in mind: a limited color palette, bold lines, and streamlined sizes help to keep continuity across my collections. I’m personally into bright colors, traditional tattoos, and pop culture. I think you can see a lot of that in my work."
As I looked through the list of designs and the things Birdie keeps in mind such as "limited color palette" and "pop culture" she's got her latch hook patterns down when it comes to designing them.
As individuals who may be interested in creating fiber art and completing a latch hook kit, but have never done this type of activity/art before can it be accomplished by those who have no experience as she tells me "latch hooking is very beginner-friendly! Many people I know got started super young. The process itself is super easy and relaxing, especially compared to “harder” fiber art crafts like knitting or crochet. I think the most intimidating part of my Bring Your Own Yarn latch hook kits is the yarn cutting aspect, but even then I provide a bunch of resources for buying pre-cut. If you want to try out a new easy craft, low effort, something you can chill with then latch hooking might be for you." Reading this made me feel less worried about it not coming together or just not being able to complete it. I look forward to completing my first latch hook kit soon!
From all the designs created does Birdie have a favorite design to which she replied with "The Portal design! But my favorite personal piece is the pink tiger wall hanging in my home. Her name is Antonia and I credit my growth in the fiber art world with the creation of that piece last year" The Portal is pretty cool, but my favorites as the Cow print, the S, and the "Yee Haw." Overall there's a lot of great designs to check out on their page.
With the changes Birdie has gone through how does she wish to grow with BobcatandBirdie as she says " I have so many dreams for my shop. Despite the name, it’s just me running things around here (with alllllll the love and support from Bob!). Someday I’d love for there to be a team to grow with!" I do hope for the best for their shop and for positive growth!
While looking through the shop there seems to be a latch hook kit and a pattern only option? This confused me, but upon further inspection, I have come to the assumption that it's just the pattern and does not include what the kit has? How does this work? As she explains "so in my shop, I have kits but also sell everything individually. This is so that future customers that already have materials at home can create without the entire kit. Also, the patterns can be used for more than latch hooking! Anything that requires pixel art (like cross-stitching) can utilize the patterns." Oh now I understand and it totally makes sense for returning customers or customers that may not be beginners and just want to purchase the design.
Birdie now shares her thoughts on the local art and business scene,
"I love the valley SO MUCH. I grew up in the punk scene here and there’s always been a sense of community above all. The community vibe that the valley has extends from musicians to artists to small businesses in ways that most regions just don’t have."
She continues by saying,
"I love the Rio Grande Valley with my whole dang heart and getting to share my story and Bobcat and Birdie means a lot. Puro 956 forever!"
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