We love to hear how other independent designers got their start. What made you decide to come out with your own product line.

It started as a hobby. I was making things for fun, and friends wanted my products and encouraged me to sell them to the public.

The intricacy to your designs are awesome. How has the use of modern technology like laser engravers influenced your products and how you go about the design process.

I learned about the laser-cutter in design school, where architects were using it to make building models. I thought it would be cool to use it for jewelry. Technology really has helped me with the manufacturing process. All my designs are drawn on the computer. Technology allows me to make my products quicker and with less hand labor, so I can scale up the business and actually be profitable.

Besides unicorns and lasers, where do you get your inspiration.

I love patterns, so my designs are often inspired by organic or geometric patterns. I’m also inspired by architecture and technology.

What do you love most about the indie craft/design scene?

It’s amazing the variety of different products you can find in the indie craft/design scene. I love seeing the new ideas applied to old/traditional crafts. I also love how usually artists are extremely friendly. There isn’t the same type of arrogance you find in traditional design/fine art industries. Also, most indie aritsts and designers I meet are self-taught and have started their own business, so they’re extremely passionate about what they do, while being humble and open-minded for the most part.

When you’re not getting your high-tech craft on, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from the studio?

I’m an urban planner, so normally I have a day job as an urban planner. Right now I’m spending a lot of time trying to learn visual interaction design. I also paint and draw, spend a little time outdoors, taking walks and enjoying the fabulous food we have in San Francisco.

Do you have any advice for someone looking to create their own line of products?

Just do it. Don’t wait forever to do a perfect business plan or find investors without testing your product first. Also don’t do anything that isn’t profitable, just to get your products sold. And come up with products that are interesting and new, not just a a copy of what other people are doing just because you can.

We’re super excited to announce that we’ve been included in the book Tees, The Art of the T-shirt. It’s designed by the fine folks at MAKI, a small design and illustration studio based in Groningen, Netherlands. We couldn’t be more humbled and extremely excited to be included with a host of other amazing artists. I remember when we first started PopJunkie, and we’d admire all the t-shirt artists in books like 100% Cotton. There’s something about appearing in a book that is so validating.  Check out scans of our pages here and here.

After months of design and development, we are finally live.  In addition to being full of teals and pinks, it is now easier than ever to search for your favorite products, find something cool you might not have expected to find, and share your feedback. Be sure to check out the new PopJunkie Facebook fan page and Twitter Page. As part of our new site, we want you to play a bigger role and keep us posted on what you’re up to! We also want to hook you up with coupons for exclusive deals. We’d especially love to see you rocking PopJunkie goods out and about so send us some pics on our blog.