Designer Christine Schmidt, her husband Evan and baby girl Emmy live, love and work in San Francisco. Christine designs a wonderful line of stamps, paper goods and jewelry, and Evan and Emmy do their best to help out.
Kelly Lynn Jones of Little Paper Planes did a wonderful business-related interview with them for KQED in San Francisco, so instead of re-hashing all the great information in that interview, we figured we'd talk with them about something fun and different.
Christine has been doing an amazing series on Instagram called #GetWise2003M where every single day she's been teaching herself something new through illustrations, drawings and small paintings.
Okay, then, Christine, tell me: What is this Get Wise thing all about?
After I had my daughter, Emmy, my brain went smoooosh.
I had to write down what I ate and what she ate so I could remember.
Ever had a conversation where you strained for the perfect word? I had to strain for every word. Actually my mouth would make sounds and I just had to hope they were words. Pregnancy brain is really cool because it happens right when you are looking great and feeling super confidant.
So this project was a way of recapturing your mental agility? When did it start?
Exactly. I started it this New Years day.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned?
I think my favorite is the one about lye. It makes tacos, pretzels and olives delicious. It is just something that never would have occurred to me.
My job takes up a lot of time and it is humbling to pause and think about people in other fields doing important stuff. Like making me tacos.
Tacos are delicious. And these posts you've been doing are just as delicious, at least for the eyes — any thoughts of turning them into a book?
Books are hard. We just went to press on my newest book "Yellow Owl's Little Prints" and if I were to bring up another big project right now Evan might pack his bags.
Books take a lot of work, but I'm sure these posts do as well. How do you find time to do them?
Some people are good with the fitness. This is a daily exercise workout I do in my pajamas without sweat. And probably a cocktail.
Where do you find the sources for all these things?
Dude, Yahoo! Answers.
Really?
Ha, no. I go for credible sources like Scientific American, newspapers or go through my books.
I usually have to go through a couple of sources to find my answers. A recent one about spring vegetables came from Russ Parson's "How to Pick a Peach." It's a real practical source for humans that eat food.
Random Cat Facts, what Three Sheets To The Wind means ? what other things can we look forward to you learning (and us at home getting to follow along)?
I am not sure what is coming next, but I can tell you what I won't be wondering about: cars, organized sports and magnets.
Don't care about cars and Evan has told me all I need to know about the only sports team that matters- the NY Jets. And magnets- I just want to leave some mystery.
Also I know magnets are just magic and that is the end.
Magic it is, then. Speaking of magic, your colorwheel necklace is one of my favorite pieces you've ever made. How'd that one come about?
The Color Wheel necklace! This business is small and very personal to me. I had a vision of this gold color wheel in a glass vial and had no idea how to make it happen.
We were mostly making stamps and cards so it was a big departure that on paper made no sense, I created a line of ceramic trophies and cameras and, as much as I loved them, it was not sustainable for us.
But as a small but nimble joint we can take risks which keeps me into it.
What other pieces of yours have been your favorites?
I am also proud of the "LCD Write Your Own Message Card" because of the play with analog and digital and it works for every occasion.
And the Carve-A-Stamp Kit because — damn — it really works!
