Ask Around: Eric & Julie Comstock from Cosmo Cricket

Meet the Comstocks of Cosmo Cricket. Julie and Eric. Wife and husband. Collaborators and co-conspirators. Moxie fab designers of paper crafting product we all love. (Most especially recently, Jack's World and Mr. Campy!)

When they walk into a room they are a whirlwind of enthusiasm, positive energy, witty sarcasm, and smiles all around.

Julie says, "We started Cosmo Cricket because Eric and I always wanted to work together...mostly because we are insane. So, when the opportunity came about, we jumped on it. To further torment ourselves, we brought in Lindsay Moore as our partner. It has been painfully fun ever since."

Like I said, you always get a sharp wit and loads o' fun whenever you're around the Comstocks.

What I like about Eric, Julie, and their amazing products is that they are always ahead of the trends. Take their line, Honey Pie. It came out way before the homespun, cross-stitch look was in the mainstream.

Megan from the Honey Pie collection

And how 'bout Dutch Girl? It came out about a year before Dutch influences started showing up on stationery, home decor, and gift wrap:

Klara from the Dutch Girl collection

I've been fascinated by this dynamic duo since I met them and couldn't wait to pick their brains about how their designs are influenced by trends. Here are the answers to the questions I asked them for today's Ask Around. I hope you enjoy reading them as much I as I have!

Is trend-watching important to your creativity? Why or why not? If so, how does trend-watching manifest itself in your work?

Yes and no. Eric and I prefer to start trends, but at the same time, we are always watching for trends so that we can give the consumer what they want. When we notice trends, we try to approach them in a creative, fresh, Cosmo-Crickety way.

Where do you find trends?

Eric likes to look at magazines and websites. I tend to notice what people are wearing and buying.

A sign Eric saw in Japan that inspired him. Makes me wonder if we'll be seeing chairs in upcoming lines? Wouldn't you just love to be a fly on that wall?

Name a designer in the scrapbooking industry that inspires you. What do you like about his/her work?

Mine would be Natasja Verbeek. Natasja is on our design team. I picked her because her style is a bit messy, collagey and layered. She is very creative with an excellent sense of design. Eric follows designers in other industries. His all time favorites would be Charles and Ray Eames.

A layout by Natasja Verbeek

Where do you think trends get started and what propels them once they do?

Eric and I agree that as far as design trends go, we think surface designers, whether it’s fabric, dishes, or paper, are feeding off each other. When someone comes out with something popular, other people notice. Some knock it off almost exactly while others try to put their own creative twist on it. Either way, we are all watching each other, inspiring one another and influencing one another.

The evolution of design: Eric and Julie started noticing robots on fabric,

...dishes,

...and bed sheets,

...sketched out their ideas, and voila!

...a moxie fab line named Cogsmo was born!

What advice can you give to paper crafters who are interested in incorporating more trends into their projects?

If I didn’t have to worry about whether my art would sell, I wouldn’t worry one bit about trends. I’d just do what I like. Mostly I do that anyway, but there are some designs that I know aren’t as marketable, so even though I think they are fabulous, they never make it out of my computer.

An example of a fabulous design that never made it out of Julie's computer...until now!

In your opinion, what paper crafting techniques are trendy right now and why do you think they are appealing?

Like Natasja’s work, layering, messy painting, collage-type layouts are trendy. I see a lot of artists that are much less structured than what I’ve seen in the past. They seem more creative and less concerned with rules. There appears to be a movement toward free expression of one’s ideas. These artists might use non-traditional paper crafting products like cardboard, duct tape, etc.

Another layout by Natasja. This one incorporates bare cardboard.

What is your favorite medium in which to work and why does it appeal to you? Has that changed over time? Why or why not?

My favorite medium is a bit complicated because it is mixed. I love to paint over pumice gel with acrylic washes that have been mixed with retarder so that they stay wet longer. This technique lets you build up color gradually and even wipe it off if you want. I love it. You can get a translucent sort of feel. Eric’s favorite medium is Adobe Illustrator and I’m thinking about getting him a Wacom Tablet for Christmas. Shhh.

What is your favorite part about your jobs and why? What is your least favorite part about your jobs as and why?

Eric’s favorite part about his job is working with me, of course. Just trust me on that one…no need to ask him about it. His least favorite part is dealing with the business side of things because it takes him away from designing. My favorite part is concepting new ideas. My least favorite part is setting up the trade show booth. Actually, taking it down is even worse.

Name some doors that have opened to you as a result of being connected to the scrapbooking industry and what that has meant to you.

Well, it was always a dream of mine to have my own line of fabric. I actually never scrapbooked before Cosmo Cricket, but I sew most of my skirts that I wear at the shows. So, fabric was a big deal for me. I think for Eric it’s been the opportunity to create this company and watching it become successful.

The Hey Sugar line as fabric available at Z and S Fabrics.

Once you spot a trend, do you have a way of filing that idea away for later use that works for you?

Eric doesn’t. We are artists. Organization is not our strong suit. But my mind is like a steal trap when it comes to colors, patterns and ideas. I might forget about them temporarily, but not for long. I can tell you time, date and location of most patterns I have seen in my lifetime. I’m not kidding, it’s like a superpower.

Do the evolving trends change your style, or do you inject the trends into your already established style?

Our styles are changing all the time. We are being influenced by everything around us from music, political movements, color preferences, fashion, even each other. You never know exactly what is going to spark your next idea. Usually, we start by come up with a concept for a line like camping, robots, western, etc. Then we decide which design style and colors represent the idea whether it’s formal and classic, vintage and subdued, grungy and bright, etc. Then we start with drawings and pattern ideas. I think we work this way from being in advertising. You have to start with what you want to say and then figure out how to say it.

I would like to thank Julie for taking the time to provide me with these answers and all these images, and I would like to thank you for joining me here in the Moxie Fab World today. Oh and by the way I just happen to have a Mr. Campy Crafting Kit and a brand new, hot-off-the-press Chemistry Crafting Kit (perfect for Valentine's Day projects!) that I'd just love to give away to one of you. So, leave a comment telling Julie and Eric what you love about them and their products by next Monday, December 22 at midnight and these moxie fab sets could be yours! Consider it a little Christmas present from yours truly.

Now friends, I couldn't sign off without reminding you that you still have two days left (including today) to post a project to the Moxie Fab World Group for the Get Woodsy Christmas challenge. I am thrilled with the response so far, so let's keep it going!

See you again in the Moxie Fab World, but until then, breathe. Just keep breathing. :)