Design*Sponge Podcasts

john pomp

2007-01-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

last week i hopped a subway up to williamsburg to speak with one of the city's most celebrated glass artists, john pomp. i've been a fan of john's work for some time now- the way he works with color and form always brings to mind a certain sensuality that is often missing from glass these days. john has devoted his time not just to creating beautiful glass, but to creating a place where people can explore and produce their own glass. behind the pomp storefront is 160 glass, a studio that is open to anyone in the area that would like to take classes and learn more about the art of glass blowing. and this february, john is offering a special valentine's day glass blowing class where couples can come and do something different together. so, to hear more about 160 glass' classes and hear john's podcast simply click "play" below. you can hear all that john has to say about glass, the tempermental nature of contemporary design and of course, some words of wisdom (not to be missed) for design students and those looking to start their own design-based companies. enjoy!

[if you would like download the file and listen later just click here. you can also subscribe to the d*s podcast feed by signing up at itunes. just search for "design*sponge"]

[photo above from the nytimes.com and photos below from johnpomp.com]

alyssa ettinger

2007-01-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

kristina and i often brainstorm projects together and a few weeks ago she came up with a great one: women to watch in 2007. we both decided it would be great to team up and combine our knowledge of both european and american design (she's the european, i'm the american) to create a "list" of women we feel are important to acknowledge within the design industry. this will include designers, writers, people in film, etc and even those who do more untraditional jobs within the business. we'll be interviewing each woman via email or podcast to give you a better introduction and will be sharing them on both sites. today we launch with one of my favorite designers, alyssa ettinger. based in brooklyn, alyssa creates some of the most beautiful pottery in the industry. she was kind enough to join me for lunch in park slope on saturday and let me pick her brain about running a business and finding a way to make a living doing what you love. [click here] to listen to alyssa's full podcast and here to visit the site of the women to watch in 2007 section on d*s. i'll be including links to all pieces written by kristina as well. [photos of alyssa ettinger by jennifer lévy and pottery by naheed choudhry]

[just a note: the women featured won't be only european or american, we'll of course include anyone anywhere that we feel should be acknowledged]

jen corace podcast *

2006-10-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

last thursday i took a bus from downtown providence to jen corace's studio. she was kind enough to let me interview her about her work, her childhood in the suburbs of new jersey and even her favorite meal (she has self-described "burrito problem"). i was so nervous to meet her (she's like a rock star to me) but she was incredibly friendly and was kind enough to give me all sorts of insight into her work and how she goes about creating the collections that have made her famous. from brooding problems to her dream collections (think: jen corace for the home) jen had so many interesting things to say- i hope you'll enjoy her podcast. [click here to listen] or right click to save as an mp3. enjoy! [thanks again to jen for taking the time to meet with me]

[photos from okok gallery, music by jets to brazil]

thomas paul podcast

2006-10-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

it's thursday and time for a fresh podcast! last week i sat down with thomas paul at the lovely keena showroom in brooklyn. amid colorful pillows and roost accessories galore we chatted about design, fashion, trends and porkchops. yes, porkchops. [click here] to listen to the podcast and you'll see where the porkchops come in. in 20 short minutes you can learn about thomas' design philosophy, which fashion designer he admires and get all the details about his exciting new project launching this fall. i hope you enjoy it [thanks to thomas for his time and to keena for the comfy podcast setting]

angela adams!

2006-09-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

whenever i think of angela adams i'm transported to a place far north, deep in the woods of maine. a world where trees, flowers and animals frolic together to inspire the richly colored and hugely soulful designs of ms. adams. well-known for her beautiful work with textiles, rugs, tiles and accessories, angela adams grew up on an island off the coast of maine where she was (and continues to be) inspired by the bounty of nature around her. i was thrilled to speak with her and even more excited to hear the stories behind her luxurious rugs and tapestries, how she met her husband (designer sherwood hamill) and what her dream project would be if she could design and create without any limitations. so, click here to listen to the first podcast of fall: angela adams. thanks so much to angela and nanette for their time and thoughts.

[don't forget to sign up for the d*s newsletter to receive an exclusive 10 minute extended interview with angela adams. the newsletter goes out on friday. and don't forget lena's guest blog- she's been posting up a storm today and it looks fantastic!]

lena corwin + rena tom!

2006-06-29T06:06:00.000-07:00

this past tuesday i was lucky enough to sit down with both lena corwin and rena tom for special dual d*s podcast. lena was gracious enough to invite us to her (beautiful) home in fort greene to conduct the interview (thanks, lena!). it was extremely exciting for me to get two of my favorite brooklyn artists into one room to talk about their work, the design industry and their dream projects. want to know what lena and rena have in their homes, what lena's new project is and why rena decided to start a shop for independent designers? CLICK HERE to find out and listen to the dual lena and rena podcast! and don't forget to sign up for the d*s newsletter (going out this weekend) for an exclusive 10 minute extended interview with rena and lena. enjoy! [thanks to rena and lena for their time!]

fred flare podcast!

2006-05-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

tuesday was all about brooklyn designs so i wanted to move our monday podcast to tuesday so it didn't get lost. this week i was thrilled to speak with chris and keith of fred flare. i don't think i've done a podcast that was this fun in a long time (or an interview of any type). i stopped by fred flare headquarters in williamsburg, brooklyn and sat down with chris and keith to chat about design, starting your own store and sing the praises of reality tv. did you know that chris almost made the cast of survivor? did you know that keith went to FIT and dreamed of being a fashion designer? no? well, [click here] to listen! the theme music is "sparkle pop", an original pop song written by chris and keith. [thanks guys, i had so much fun!]

karin eriksson podcast!

2006-05-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

it's friday and time for another podcast. today i'm thrilled to be speaking with swedish design star, karin eriksson. karin is one of my personal favorites and is a huge, huge inspiration to a number of independent designers i know. her work is always simple, clean and innovative. so [click here] to hear karin's interview and more about her dream project that involves renovating a barn in sweden. and you can can click here to see a slideshow of new photos of karin's work. don't forget to sign up for the d*s newsletter if you want to hear karin's extended interview (letter goes out today!). links to shops karin mentions are below! [podcast music by the go team!]

niche modern podcast!

2006-05-08T14:42:00.000-07:00

it's monday and time for a new podcast! today i'm speaking with jeremy pyles of brooklyn based design studio, niche modern. niche is known for their beautiful modern lighting that favors simple forms and subtle colors that let the natural beauty of glass shine through. jeremy was kind enough to let me pop over to the niche headquarters in dumbo where we were joined by mary and their beautiful daughter jacqueline. so, [click here] to listen to the niche modern podcast and here to see a slideshow of niche modern products. be sure to check out niche at icff this year- booth 1234. thanks jeremy, mary and jacqueline! [don't forget to sign up for the newsletter (now out!) if you'd like extended interviews with our podcast subjects!]

the future perfect podcast

2006-05-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

i've been interested in interviewing dave alhadeff of the future perfect for some time now. dave's a huge driving force in the brooklyn design scene (and has become a design celebrity in his own right) so i was dying to pick his brain about some of the great designers in the area and trends on the horizon. dave has created a store that is now nationally and internationally recognized for its innovative selection and knack for showcasing great undiscovered designers. so [click here] to hear dave's take on brooklyn design, who's the next big designer on the horizon and his take on the "form vs. function" debate.

also, my apologies for the weird audio, there was a horrible buzzing on the track i didn't hear at the shop so i had to cut it out and it sounded a little watery afterwards (sorry, i'm still learning). also, don't forget to sign up for the newsletter if you'd like exclusive extended interviews (the letter went out monday, so send an email if you signed up pre-monday and didn't receive it!). thanks again to dave for taking the time for this podcast and be sure to check out the future perfect, a&g merch and the altoids living spaces show if you're in brooklyn this summer. also, [click here] for a photo tour of both of dave's shops discussed in he podcast. enjoy!

good on paper design

2006-04-27T07:10:00.000-07:00

today i was lucky enough to steal a few minutes of lisa wong jackson's time- the designer behind good on paper design and pixel and floyd cards. lisa had all sorts of interesting comments on being a self-taught designer, dealing with demanding brides and having her own wedding in martha stewart's wedding magazine. so [click here] to to listen to the good on paper podcast. lisa manages to run a successful business and still hold down a day job so i think she has an interesting perspective on the design industy- so, enjoy the show! [the photo above of lisa at her gorgeous wedding was taken by photographer lisa lefkowitz. she does really lovely work as well]

[the newsletter will launch on monday. so sorry for the delay. my coder had a crisis so we're a bit delayed. but we will be done in time to send out all the extra newsletter goodies on monday, promise!]

port2port press podcast

2006-04-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

it's monday and (despite major blogger issues today) it's time for another podcast. today i'm talking to maria vettese of port2port press in maine. maria is one of my favorite up and coming letterpress designers so [click here] to listen! maria's perspective on the design industry is really interesting because she's stil developing and growing her business so i think those of you in the throw of trying to start your own business will enjoy hearing all about maria's experiences. click here for more from maria and here are some of the links she discusses in the interview: lisa stickley (love her), ella doran and peculiar pair press [thanks to maria for taking the time for the interview and sending the pics of herself and her studio!]

jill bliss podcast!

2006-04-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

it's friday and time for a new podcast! today i'm speaking with california's jill bliss. jill is a designer's hero among designers- when i speak with independent designers she's often mentioned as someone designers look up to and think is "the greatest" so it was an honor to speak with her. so, [click here] for 15 minutes will jill bliss. also, if you'd like to subscribe to the d*s podcast feed on itunes, search for "design*sponge" and you can sign right up. also, don't forget to sign up for the newsletter (to finally launch next week, hooray!) for exclusive extended interviews with jill and the rest of the podcast subjects. enjoy! [thanks again to jill to taking the time to interview with d*s and for sending that super cute pics of herself, her work and her studio!]

amy ruppel

2006-04-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

another week, another podcast! today i'm talking with one of my favorite artists- amy ruppel! amy is the queen of encaustic painting and does oodles of fun side work for companies like converse (you should see the little bunny sneakers she just designed) when she's not busy designing and painting pieces that make me swoon. amy has all sorts of fun advice, tips and comments on her career in the design industry and her interview is a must-listen in my book. so, [click here] to hear the interview (it may take a moment to load) or right click on the link and save it and take it home with you on your ipod.

also, if you'd like to sign up for an rss feed for the podcasts, click here for my libsyn page (not fancy, just for storing). and as always, all podcasts will be saved right here for your listening pleasure. so, thanks again to the fantastic ms. amy ruppel for taking the time to give such a fun interview (or for sending the fun timeline shots above). be sure to check out amy's site for more of her work. [and if you'd like to receive exclusive extended podcast content, be sure to sign up for the d*s newsletter, coming out this week with exclusive content from amy ruppel, lotta jansdotter and soon- deadly squire!]

lotta jansdotter

2006-04-13T06:17:00.000-07:00

the debut d*s podcast this week is with non other than san francisco's lotta jansdotter. click here to hear the full interview and don't forget to sign up for the d*s newsletter to receive a special subscriber-only extended interview with lotta. enjoy! [thank you for your patience with the sound issues on this first try, i'm learning as i go along]

[an extra special thanks to diane at craftypod and seth at sparrowcast for helping me with all of this. thanks so much guys!]