Featured designer; Lily from Gamma Folk!

Hello you!

Today I sent out the first newsletter ever! In that newsletter I promised an interview with Lily Piyathaisere from Gamma Folk! She makes such lovely pendants using the cross stitch technique and I just wanted to introduce her to you! Her work is for sale in the real shop in Rotterdam, but also in the online shop (didn't I tell you; THE ONLINE SHOP IS OPEN!). Yayyy! Well, more about that later on. Here is the interview! Thanks, Lily!

Can you tell a little bit about yourself and what you do?

Hello! I'm Lily, the brains and fingers behind Gamma Folk, a line of cross stitched jewelry. Based in my little studio apartment in San Francisco, California, I'm a graphic designer by day and self-taught cross stitcher by night. The name Gamma Folk comes from the gamma ray which has a very high frequency but is the shortest wavelength of the spectrum, which I see as a metaphor for many crafters, putting their energy and hardwork into handmade goods. And 'Folk' which is inspired by needlepoint being a folk art.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in many places, from the mundane things in life, (like the lovely color arrangement of vegetables in the local market) to films (just watched Lost Highway by David Lynch) to books (currently reading The Philosophy of Andy Warhol) to the people I see on the subway and streets everyday to vintage fabrics.

When and why did you decide to start selling your handmade pendants/necklaces?

I launched Gamma Folk just a few months ago and have been so happy by the overwhelmingly positive response to my work. Its the first time I've sold any of my crafts. I began cross stitching during my work commute which at the time was about 2 hours a day and a way to relieve stress from modern technology. But what I initially loved is that each stitch reminds me of a pixel so I kind of see my work as an analog translation of my graphic design work. And after exploring with different materials, designs and types of products, I decided it was time to launch Gamma Folk.

Do you also make other creative things and are you planning to sell more and different handmade products in the future?

I consider myself a hobbyist, I've experimented with loads of mediums and love learning about new techniques, but cross stitching is the first one I've really stuck with for longer than a few months! I also love hand printing using my gocco or blockprints. And I want to eventually expand the cross stitching pendants into other products, but made the decision to stay focused on one product first.

Who is your favorite designer/artist/painter/illustrator/jewelry maker?

Oh thats tough! There's so many talented folks in the industry. Some of my favorite designers/artists/illustrators/jewelry makers are Vera Neumann, Caitlin Mociun, Lauren Manoogian, Lena Corwin, Matt Furie, Wim Crowel, Otl Aicher, Iris Apfel.

What is your ultimate creative dream goal?

My ultimate goal is to work in the crafting industry full time and turn my hobby into a career, whether that's cross stitching full time or doing art direction/graphic design work in the craft industry.

Thank you for sharing, Lily! You should totally take a look at her work! It's for sale now in the online shop!

Go to Lily's website or Etsy shop!