Interview with a Maker: Brian Messer and Tara Stanley of Good Phamily Fun

You can find Brian and Tara's work here.

Meet Your Maker (MYM): Describe what you make and how you got your start.
Brian and Tara (B/T): We specialize in high fire arts including ceramics and borosilicate glass. This includes ceramic tiles, handblown glass beads, lampworked dichroic pendants, glass marbles and earrings made with our beads and sterling silver. We got started after college when we moved to Tucson and started working at a ceramics wholesaler; Tara as a painter and airbrusher and Brian as a slipcaster. In Tucson Brian also started a glassblowing apprenticeship. About a year later we moved to Eugene where we began working for a glass wholesaler of raw materials and finished product. Eventually Brian became a full-time glassblower and managed the shop. We also participated in the Saturday Market one year.

MYM: Is this your largest source of income or do you have another job?
B/T: Glassblowing is the only source of Brian's income. Tara works at Passionflower Design in downtown Eugene in addition to helping manage the home-based business.

MYM: Any advice to someone about making the leap from hobby crafting to selling?
B/T: Research the market - prices, find out where there's a demand, go to trade shows. Find ways to improve your art/craft or speed up production. Travel. Talk to people that are successful with a similar art/craft.

MYM: Have you had any big breaks? How did they happen?
B/T: We have landed several big accounts with galleries and bead stores by travelling the northwest, introducing ourselves and showing our product. We found a hole in the bead market and have worked hard to fill it.

MYM: Any further info or comments?

B/T: Eugene has really inspired us both to grow artistically and we love it here. We are really looking forward in participating in more craft, bead and trade shows so that we can continue to expand our customer base.