Meredith Bridges Designs

Recently we added Meredith Bridges Designs to the merchandise cabinets at the shop. 

Meredith creates impeccably beautiful leather pouches, baby and adult moccasins and other leather goods.

We have a small selection of leather travel pouches,blue and pink baby moccasins and a banjo strap for sale!

I asked Meredith a few questions about her work...

When did you know you were an artist?
I have always enjoyed creating. From the time I was very young I spent a lot of time making things. It is something I have continued throughout so many changes in life. Everybody has their thing... I really believe that anything you put your time into will come back to you exponentially, whether it is playing music, cooking, public speaking or crafting.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I get inspiration from lots of different sources. I am always observing.. looking at patterns, colors, etc. I love making things that reflect my natural environment. I compile lots of visual images. When I am feeling uninspired , I go to the fabric store and the overload of patterns and textures always get me back on track.

 

What is the most challenging part of your craft?
Honestly, the hardest part of making art is not having enough time to make all my designs. I have more ideas than I have time. It takes a considerable amount of time to refine an idea and really get to the essence of the original intent.

 

What is your favorite piece that you have created?
My favorite piece is always the one I have in mind to make next. I am always so excited about making art. I am constantly coming up with new ideas and things to experiment with and finding mew materials. Once I get an idea, I can't wait to see it materialize. I thrive on the newness of the next idea.

 

What are your goals for your art?
My main goal is to make work is both durable and exquisite. I like to use my products because for me that is the fun part. Having handmade items that use use in daily life really brings elegance to mundane tasks.

What do you love most about Atlanta?
Atlanta is my home. I was born and raised here and I love it. I feel like we have so many options here: places to go, things to see, great restaurants and people from all over. The variety in Atlanta is my favorite aspect. My two go to places for lunch are Soul Veg. on Highland Ave and the hot bar at my own DeKalb Farmer's Market. 

 

What is your favorite thing to order at the coffee shop?
I love to treat myself to a chai latte with extra cinnamon.

 Thanks for letting us know a little about your world Meredith. 

We adore your beautifully crafted items.

MEREDITH BRIDGES DESIGNS can be purchased at 

Hodgepodge Coffeehouse and Gallery

720 Moreland Avenue

Atlanta, GA, 30316

(404) 622 8525

Relax, Relate, Create.

There's a whole lot of creative energy in the gallery today because were having a "Relax, Relate and Create" painting party!

In the creative process.

Finished Examples.

Enjoying the afternoon

Next Class is December 1st 2-5pm.

$5

For more information check the Hodgepodge Facebook Page.

Brown Dog Paper

Meghan of Brown Dog Paper brought us some beautiful and super cheeky cards for our merchant wall yesterday. 

 She was sweet enough to answer some questions for us so we can learn a little about her craft.

When did you know you were an artist?

I'm an artist? Hold on... I need to make some phone calls.  Honestly, I mostly fell into it. I've always loved letterpress and curiosity drove me to learn as much as I could about it. I love a challenge, so once I felt like I was equipped with some solid knowledge, I jumped in head-first. I learn something new about it every day.

Your cards are very cheeky, where do you get your inspiration?

I'm focusing on learning how to put my foot in my mouth in writing rather than in speech. I love things that make me laugh, and my friends and family are a clever group who keep me in constant supply of inspiration. 

What is the most challenging part of your craft?

Letterpress is an intensely manual process, and offers a collection of challenges.  Mixing custom ink colors is tricky, setting perfect registration for images will often elicit swearing, and the process of printing the items themselves involves turning a huge cast iron wheel over and over again for each individual greeting or print. I find press maintenance to be the most physically challenging and tedious element of letterpress, though. My largest press weighs well over a ton, has a ravenous appetite for oil and grease, and is in constant need of cleaning. 

 

What is your favorite piece that you have created?

It changes from day to day, but my current favorite is my dodo birthday card. It reads, "Happy birthday, you old bird". I like silly humor.

What is the piece of art you would most like to own and display in your own home? 

I love the work of Geo Ham, a ridiculously prolific French illustrator who produced illustrations of motorcycles, automobiles, and airplanes in the 1950s and 60s.  His work was used in a tremendous array of product advertisements, and helped to bring racing into popular culture. I'm very slowly building a collection of his prints, and would one day love to have one of his illustrations in every room.

 

What are your goals for your art? 

Letterpress is a beautiful medium influenced by centuries of history and techniques passed down from Gutenberg himself. My goal is to exploit that and enjoy the heck out of what I do.

What do you love most about Atlanta?

I'd struggle to choose just one thing. I love the heat, the food, the art, and perhaps most of all, the strange and wonderful people that Atlanta has to offer.

 

What is your favorite thing to order at the coffee shop? 

A mocha with an extra shot of espresso and some divine freshly whipped cream. 

 

Thanks "a latte" for answering my questions Meghan, we're so very glad to have you be one of our partners!