handmade // Fancy Dodo

Fancy Dodo's awesome avatar

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?"

This quote by Lewis Carroll from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass starts OUR adventures with Lorelai (Rory) from Fancy Dodo; it's also the quote that Rory uses to introduce the world to both her Etsy shop and her Facebook profile.  The shop name Rory chose for herself also echoes her admiration of the classic Alice in Wonderland story (and some of its goofy characters).

"'Fancy' was a nickname of mine and dodos are just plain cool.  I love the pop icons of dodos (Alice in Wonderland and Ice Age).  Most of my work is upcycling and working with found items no longer wanted by someone else.  It's taking something unique yet extinct, like the dodo, and making it fancy again."  Hence, Fancy Dodo.

Plaid bottle cap earrings by Fancy Dodo

Items in Rory's Etsy shop (as well as most of her items for sale on Amazon and eBay) involve giving former treasures a new life.  Her Etsy shop focus is on bottle cap earrings: super-cute, upcycled accessories with retro flair.

On top of selling her wares all over the Internet, Rory co-hosts a crafty blog called Adorning Schemes with BFF and fellow crafter Rachel.  The two lovely ladies also just created a "Sh*t Crafters Say" video that'll make Etsy sellers everywhere giggle with recognition.

Check out Rory and Rachel's crafty blog!

Rory also entertained a couple of questions about her crafting, life in L.A., and contents of her refrigerator.  Read on!

What has been your biggest inspiration as an artist/crafter?

Honestly, it's the blog and the Etsy community that has formed around crafting.  Just being able to browse tons of shops run by people just like me gives me tons of great ideas for my own and is a constant reminder that I can be successful just doing what I'm doing.

Can you describe your work space and/or work process?

Right now? A complete and total wreck.  I moved to L.A. from Boston in September and haven't quite gotten a system down.  My boyfriend just moved in as well and he really likes his space empty and clean.  I keep nothing on the desk and in turn he is not allowed to mess with my box fort a.k.a. work space.  As for my process, I usually have 6-7 different projects going on and I pick them up as I feel like it.  I'm starting to get more organized and I made a weekly calendar with a different craft (i.e. knitting, beading, bottle cap earrings, etc.) on each day that I must complete before fun.

Who would you say influences you the most as an artist/crafter?

My college animation teacher was a huge influence on my creative work process.  One thing she told me was, "if you take the time to redo your art, you will never be done.  Instead, take what you learned and make your next project better."  

Red and blue polka dot earring

What is your personal favorite item for sale in your shop?

Currently, it's the retro red and blue polka dotted bottle cap earrings.  I just love the pin up look of them! 

What is your most cherished possession?

Aside from the electronics I can't live without (iPhone, macbook, sewing machine, xbox), I'd have to say it's a tie between my vintage Olympus om-1 35mm camera and my DVD of the 60s Broadway version of Peter Pan.  It was my favorite thing to watch when I was little and I wore out a few VHS recordings of it!

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast in the lead role as you?

Well, I'm always told my celebrity look-a-like is Nicole Kidman, but personality-wise I'm compared to Zooey Deschanel.  My vote would be for Zooey.

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

After investigating, I found milk, shredded cheese, GF beer, eggs, chili, pancakes, butter, roasted squash, and Greek yogurt.

Rory and Rachel, partners in crime.

Where would you like to be in five to ten years?

I would hope to be more grounded where I am.  I'd love to still be with my boyfriend only maybe out of debt and living in our own place.  Within ten years I'd love to be starting a family.  But I hope through everything, I continue to gain support for my crafting and blogging.

Thanks for taking the time to share with us!  

♥

More places to find Rory + Fancy Dodo:

:: Fancy Dodo on Etsy ::

:: Fancy Dodo's Facebook page ::

:: Adorning Schemes blog ::

:: Fancy Dodo Crafts on Amazon ::

:: Fancy Dodo on eBay ::