Interview with Noflutter: The premiere Lolita accessory
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Interview by: Jillian
Lovers of Lolita and princess accessories be ready to fall in love and Cosplayers….saddle up for some epic inspiration because I was lucky enough to grab a Q&A session with Jennifer Karp the lovely lady behind NoFlutter Felt! This stunning beauty not only is a cosplayer herself but she hand crafts tons of delightful hats, knickknacks, and hair adornments. Besides making addictively adorable accessories she is also a very talented artist who has been influencing cosplayers by storm (not only myself but does super nerd caliber hottie Jessica Nigri ring a bell???) Let’s take a peek inside her world and dive into the expertly crafted world of NoFlutter Felt.
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Jillian: Jennifer you do so many different things and wear so many…well… hats in your business! What would you describe yourself as?
Jennifer: I consider myself an Artist and a Crafter… nothing fancy hahaha! I design, create and sell my entire line of accessories myself!
Jillian: When did you start making your amazing Lolita hats and gear?
Jennifer: I started getting into them around 2005 and I bought one from a vendor at a con in 2007. It was more a gothic Lolita design, which at the time was all the rage.
I went to more cons, but tiny hats were hard to find, so I decided well..I guess I will have to make my own! 2008 was when I officially started making them.
Jillian: What conventions do you attend each year? At which ones can we purchase your products?
Jennifer: I try to go to all the central Florida based cons and a few in Tampa. Florida has quite a few anime conventions, but I only have sold at Holiday Matsuri, Khaoticon, Swampcon, Metrocon and Orlando Anime Day. For 2013 I hope to branch out to more cons, including maybe some out of state cons. Now I go to have fun at Megacon and Dragon*con … Dragon*con is my FAVORITE!!!
Jillian: Is there any way to buy your hats outside of actually going to anime conventions?
Jennifer: Yes! I take custom orders via email at the moment while my husband continues to work on my website,
noflutter.com!
Jillian: Tough question… what is your ALL TIME favorite hat and why?
Jennifer: Oh God! I have a –ton- of favorite hats! After I make a hat I try it on, test it, and see if it works with clips and ribbons (quality control for my customers!) Half the time I fall in love with the hat and try to see if I could just keep it hahahaha! I have to remind myself that they are for sale… nothing like shopping at my own booth! As far as picking a favorite I would have to say my Ice Cream Float hat. It is my favorite since it was the first food platter style hat I made for myself. It had actually begun as a joke for my sister!
Jillian: What materials are your hats typically constructed out of?
Jennifer: Originally I used veleform hats and just decorated them. Then I started to realize I wasn’t a big fan of the shape and wanted a certain look, which led me to start making my own. I make the bases out of sturdy poster board. Someone once told me I should use buckram instead, but then I couldn’t go crazy with the decorating since it would then become so heavy. After I make the base I cover it in material and felt to hold the shape. It is really sturdy, I wouldn’t suggest playing out in a rainstorm but it does hold up to a toddler (I know this from personal experience hahahah!)
Jillian: Approximately how long does each hat take to make?
Jennifer: While my daughter is at school I can make 2 hats over the standard school day (about 6-7 hours). My daughter is special needs so once she is home I simply cannot focus on large crafts. I usually can make hair clips or just the little food pieces while she is home.
Jillian: What is your favorite thing about making these lovely pieces or wearable art? What is your least favorite?
Jennifer: Favorite thing would be decorating it! It is very similar to decorating a cake and you can get really creative! My least favorite would have to be covering it in material… it gets to be SO boring!!!
Jillian: You are an AMAZING artist! Everything from your own created characters to your fan art is sublime! Where do you get your inspiration?
Jennifer: I get my inspiration from weird objects, nature, my surroundings, nature etc. I just tend to day dream…. A LOT! It drives my husband crazy!!
Jillian: Your work is becoming widely popular in the cosplay circuit! Why do you think that is?
Jennifer: Honestly… I don’t know hahaha! I am happy everyone loves my designs and I am honored anyone would be willing to cosplay them. A few girls would leave me thank you messages for designing a Harley Quinn they could actually do. I think a lot of girls, regardless of body type, are scared to wear a spandex suit. My illustrations give them the opportunity to cosplay a character they love without feeling so self-conscious.
Jillian: How do you feel when you see folks cosplaying something from one of your designs?
Jennifer: Usually I stare at it for a second thinking, “… Wait…. Is that … mine???” It is more shock and thrilling at the same time! I am glad there are people out there who like my ideas enough to cosplay them!!!
Jillian: Your portfolio is constantly being updated. What is a drawing you are currently working on?
Jennifer: I have a few things at the moment; I just did a pirate variation of Poison Ivy! Mostly though I am focused on crafts…. But crafts always lead me to ideas for more drawings! It is quite a cycle!
Jillian: What is something you have always wanted to draw?
Jennifer: I don’t really know actually. Usually if I have the urge to draw something I just do it, even if it is a bad sketch on craft paper! Sometimes those bad sketches turn into great ideas. My Harley Quinn was a bad sketch for another character that ended up having me look at the sketch and thinking, “You know what I always wanted to draw? Steampunk Harley Quinn!” and I just… -did it-.
Jillian: Can we purchase prints of your work???
Jennifer: I am getting there believe me! Right now you can buy them at any convention I attend and when my website is finally up I will definitely have them for sale.
Jillian: Sometimes our creative reserves can become barren and dry…What inspires your creative spirit the most?
Jennifer: Color Spectrums! Seriously… every time I pass the paint section in Wal-Mart with all the swatches I just want to craft!!! Inspiration can come from the craziest and yet also simplest things, you just have to keep looking!
Jillian: What would you have to say to cosplayers who look up to your set of skills and dress as your characters?
Jennifer: Thank you!!!! Every cosplayer who cosplays my work I am –insanely- grateful!! I hope to continue to design more cute characters and fan art that inspires people!!!
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March 16 2013