Apollo Trigger

 

Hand Born Interview
by Greg Edwards

 

The Behemoth recently had the chance to sit down and chat with Julie Edwards who, along with Tawny Holt, founded the Modesto-based artisan collective, Hand Born. Not even a year old, Hand Born is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world of indie goods with its yearly make-shift boutiques, online sales, and DIY attitude. In our interview with Julie, she breaks down the skinny on this crafty group and how outsiders can join up or get grabs on one of their human-touched pieces of art. Read on.

 

The Behemoth: First of all, why don’t you start off by explaining the name Hand Born.

 

Julie: Well, basically it refers to anything that’s hand made.

 

The Behemoth: I guess we should go back and probably explain what Hand Born is.

 

Julie: Well, Hand Born originally started in December of 2004 to get local artists and artisans all under one roof so they could sell their hand-crafted goods as well as give holiday shoppers an alternative to cookie-cutter, department store gifts.

 

The Behemoth: And by local you mean the Modesto area?

 

Julie: Yeah, it was primarily Modesto artists and artisans the first year. However, we’re now expanding throughout the Central Valley.

 

The Behemoth: So, Hand Born began with a make-shift boutique at your house right?

 

Julie: Yeah, with the help of friends and my husband, we took out all of the furniture in my house and had 21 vendors set up shop at our house for a weekend. It was really cool and a lot different than other craft fairs because of where it was held and the types of items being sold. The items we sell are geared towards a youthful target audience. So, it’s not your average craft fair where you’d find vacuum cozies and vests with teddy bears on them.

 

The Behemoth: Specifically, what types of items were sold at your boutique last year?

 

Julie: We had girls who made clothing and others who did beanies, hemp necklaces, crocheted little wrap-arounds, hand-made cards, jewelry, and more. Hopefully the range of items being offered will expand as we continue to hold our events.

 

The Behemoth: So, are you going to be doing another boutique any time soon?

 

Julie: Yes. The next one is on May 28 and 29 at Bang Bang Hair Studio on J Street in Modesto.

 

The Behemoth: And if people want to get involved with that how would they go about contacting you for more information?

 

Julie: They can call me at (209) 578.1251 or they can visit the website at www.handborn.com, which includes all of the details about how they can become a vendor.

 

The Behemoth: And you also hold craft nights at your house too?

 

Julie: Sure do!

 

The Behemoth: And how often and when do those occur?

 

Julie: We try to do it once a month. Basically, what I do is send out a message to everyone on my e-mail list notifying them of the date and time. So if you’re not on that list go to our website and sign up! And it’s a good time too. Girls get together and socialize and inspire each other to create great things.

 

The Behemoth: What would you say to someone who would say that Modesto isn’t cool enough for something like this to happen here? That there aren’t enough cool people here to make something like what you are doing with Hand Born a success?

 

Julie: Well, I think it always comes back to the individual. What happens here is a reflection of the people who live here. So, if these people are complaining about things that are or aren’t going on in Modesto then what does that say about them? Why aren’t they out there doing things to make it cool? I think people really need to start getting involved instead of wishing they were some place else and make where they’re at better. I think Modesto can be a cool town. There are a lot of talented people here who have the ability to make this a fun place to live, but they just need a little push. Hopefully events like Hand Born will be that little push they need.

 

The Behemoth: That’s cool. Alright, so if you only had one word to describe how you perceive the art scene in Modesto what would that one word be?

 

Julie: One word? Well, I would say "progressive" because I think there are a lot of creative and talented individuals living in Modesto who are trying to make things happen. So, I think . . . yeah, progressive and promising.

 

The Behemoth: That’s two words.

 

*Laughing*

 

The Behemoth: But Modesto’s worth two words.

 

Julie: It is. It is.

 

The Behemoth: At least.

 

-theBehemoth