Melissa is an inspiration and a talented artist. She also has posted a tutorial on how to stencil using Butcher paper! Please take a look...its genius!

Gothictany: Tell us about yourself..name, location, affiliations, and personal stuff...

mlssfshn:

-Malissa Long, Austin, TX
-Husband Leo, son Tobias (10 months), and step son Titan (7)
-Austin Area Quilt Guild, last show I was the wearable arts chair, aaqg.org
-Austin Fiber Artist, founding member, current but out going communications chair( term end at end of month) austinfiberartist.org, also a subgroup of Texas Federation of Fiber Artist (no website)
-FAB, Fiber Arts Bee, local group of 15 various Fiber Artist who have Art Shows together
-TMFA, Texas Museaum of Fiber Arts, texasfiberarts.org has annual Jurried show at State Capital Memoral day weekend I've been acepted last 2 years, 3rd annual show
-ETC, Etsy Texas Crafters
-Team Etsy Austin
-TBGuild

I forgot Layin' in the Cut, a local fashion dance, video, and photography event, layininthecut.com
I've also applied for Austins Fashion week in July and Project Runway but I want to keep that hush hush because they seem to want people who are very secretive.


Gothictany: What first made you become and artist?

mlssfshn: My mom was always creative and I was an outcast so it was something to fill my time so I didn't feel alone.

Gothictany: Tell us what inspires you?

mlssfshn: Different things I seam to get hooked on something for a while and then get inspired by something else. I've been inspired by ties, bottle caps, wood bark, silk threads, currently I'm obsessed with aluminum. It started when I found the Art of the can entry for Red Bull and then I bought Threads for the first time in 2 years and there was an article about embellishing with it.  My Mentor Kathleen Fasanella and her website http://www.fashion-incubator.com/ . I have learned so much from her about the do's and don't about being a design entrepreneur. Check out her book too!



Gothictany: How would you describe your style?

mlssfshn: Funky but elegant I can't really say avant guard because i use classical lines with alternative materials.

Gothictany: What are your favorite websites?

mlssfshn: Style.com, threadbanger, burdastyle, I'm constantly searching for new sources of fabrics on line I get lost in fabrics.

Gothictany: What advice do you have for other Threadbanger artists like yourself?

mlssfshn: Value your work, never be afraid to go after your passion, it took having my son and being laid off twice in 9 months to push me out on the edge. Do what you love, be happy.

Gothictany: What are the "3" items in your shop that you absulutely LOVE?

mlssfshn:  My new headband, bottle cap jacket, and my black scarf dressz. 

Thank you to Malissa for inspiring us and sharing your talent with us!

Interview By: Gothictany