Artist Spotlight: Meca McKinney

For many social networking can be black hole that produces nothing but hours gone doing nothing. I will be the first to admit I have lost hours that could probably add it up to days. But I took a step back after my initial addictions (the games the games, oh and picture sight seeing) to really connect with people of same interest or people who I just found to be interesting. Recently I connected with Meca McKinney though we have not met it we have a new cyber friendship brewing. She is a artistan and so much more I wanted you guys to get to know her better so I asked her a few questions. CHECK HER OUT....

So who is Meca Mckinney if you had to describe her in two sentences?

Modern Leather Artisan, Design Consultant,  Author, Lifestyle Blogger,  lover of life, and mommy of a super crafty fashionista 7yr old princess.

How did you start Jypsea?

 

I owned a vintage boutique in 2001. It was only busy on the wknd so during the week, I started sewing, making suede reversible tie-dye tote bags. I was a f/t student at FIT at the time, just switched my major from apparel design to accessory design. My bags became my best seller and a store in San Francisco placed a wholesale order, recommended by one of my most loyal customers who was a music exec. I became really busy fulfilling wholesale orders, running the store and going to school f/t and decided to put Jypsea aside until after I graduated. But I graduated college 2 weeks before my child was born and my husband and I decided I would be a stay-at-home mom for a few years. Fast fwd to 3 yrs ago, I went back to Corp America as a technical footwear designer for a company in NYC and was downsized 6 mos later with the entire technical department. I decided it was my chance to earn a second degree and re-launch Jypsea.

What inspires you?

Natural elements—the seasons changing, ocean animals, botanical gardens  and people watching.

How has your education Associates in Accessory Design from FIT and Bachelors in Fine Arts from Thomas Edison State College impacted your work if at all?

I designed clothes my entire life. My mom was a seamstress who made all of my clothes and I was always very artistic. BUT without my education at FIT, I wouldn’t understand how to make high quality leather goods. I wouldn’t know about the tools and equipment I have come to rely on for handcrafting leather accessories.

My art degree taught me to see the world and my place in it as a creative person in a new light. Art isn’t something others do, ie: painters, sculptors. I, too, am an artist and leather is my medium.

What sparked you to write your book?

A ton of questions in my fb inbox and wherever I go as I’m introduced to people as a designer, Everyone is so curious about how to get started in this industry and some are very disillusioned. They believe that it’s all fun and play, not a difficult business. I wanted to write a book that both dispelled the myths and gave people the help I wish I had.

Where do you hope to see yourself in the next few years?

 

I’d like to teach art/design on a college level and/or author more how-to books. I love to teach help others fulfill their creative professional goals. As far as my own creative professional goals, I see Jypsea continuously growing, building clientele and possibly with a Jypsea boutique or 3. I’ve own a boutique in the past and currently co-own one in Suffolk, Virginia called Down To earth Boutique & Gallery on W. Washington St.

 

What do you want to leave us with?

Care about the impact your purchases make. Investigate the companies you spend your hard-earned cash on. Do these companies use child labor in foreign countries or have deplorable work conditions? Are they taking from the environment but putting nothing back and if so, what does that say about you if you are providing them with the financial backing to do so? Invest your money in unique, handcrafted, artisan made products that don’t hide behind a corporate wall  but instead puts you directly in contact with the designer. This simple act changes the world. 

 

 

You can see more from Meca at the following links:

 

Jypsea~ Eclectic Handcrafted Leathergoods
www.Jypsea.com

Lifestyles of the Authentic & Creative tm
www.LOTA-N-C.Blogspot.com

 

Facebook

www.facebook.com/JypseaLeathergoods