Design Decisions and Theme

Dear Reader,

It has been my motivation and inspiration to design close to a theme. Ideas come to me intended for all kinds of environments, but strength tends to have supports along with it, so a line of 3 jars with a theme is important to me in this process.

I began this journey ready to be abstract because all I wanted to see was something new and different in the mason jar world. I wondered why they dont put something new out? "if it aint broke", no need to fix it I guess! I lost steam in the abstract process, and moved on to something closer to my heart, which is family. So, it is appropriate to say that when I spoke to my very talented and wise brother about artists and their projects, he stated, "Artists' will always do their own work first (unless paid handsomely), not because other ideas aren't good, but projects are completed because you have the passion to see them through.

This resonated with me, and is made clear now that I'm four years past the conception of this idea and living like it came to me fresh everyday.

(my toddler added his two cents on the design)

My current theme is this: I am a third generation illustrator, my grandmother worked for the May Company in Los Angeles, while my grandfather was in the war, and she illustrated until her eyes and hands would not allow her.

When grandma Elaine could not sketch, I was able to watch my mother carry this talent on. My mothers' talent is worthy of great praise, as displayed on occasion to the odd stranger; but she is a steadfast, modest women, so her art gallery is our home and sketch books. Its been a great blessing to be surrounded by their art.

I didn't know that I had a chance for illustration until I had no other idea what to do; so I took classes, realizing it was with me all along.

I honor the crafty generations before me by adorning this art project in their glory. To be more specific, in addition to drawing and painting, my mother and grandmother are skilled seamstress's among other crafts. In particular, my mother has a quilt that was made by my grandmother in the 60's, and this quilt has kept us warm for decades. I am keeping a memory of this quilt, and my family with me by adapting the iconography from some of the patchwork fabric, and re-designing it for my own unique Mason style jar design.

Along with my theme it is important to me that this introduction line of jars also honor the era that these jars were born from; Americana, Folk art, and rich American Romance is associated with these jars, and I wish for this personality to come through in this first line of jars I call "lady of the west".

"lady of the west" jars represent that time in America when the mason jar was picking up momentum. The design of this jar rings of a femininity, displayed through soft rounded edges and floral patterns. The manner in which these jars are produced is also a homage to the industrious hands on workers that brought us into a new world. Each jar will be individually produced, hand blown, and finished, showing intentional care and pride for the process.

Thank you for reading, and check in to follow our process as we begin to spread the word on a new style mason inspired jar.

Westline Design Company

Let's make a designer line of Mason inspired Jars!

My current project is to design a line of mason inspired jars

After researching for several months, I discovered that the potential problems outweighed the benefits if I were to have my jar designs manufactured on a large quantity scale. 

To manufacture in the USA would be very costly, and to manufacture in china was also too costly for my britches, and still too risky, considering I had no previous relationships or connections. This research led me to the idea of bringing back an ancient glass production process that began in Rome when Jars first gained their popularity. In 1-100 BC Romans poured glass into singular molds, and using the art of glass blowing they created beakers, cups, perfume containers, glass windows and so much more. This process is done by the thousands an hour now, with machine injection equipment, but I had never heard of it or seen it done. Now that we are in the makers movement, I thought I could find an artist somewhere who did this. After several calls in search of answers (understatement), I was finally led to an expert glass artisan who taught and worked just and hour and a half south of me. He said,  in so many words,"lets do it".

Holy cow! I couldn't believe it. Now I needed my 3D animation so we could get a mold quote. A colleague of mine who was previously on board with the jar project had respectfully stepped down. So I put an ad out in search of a designer who could help me see this project through. My third reply was a designer who works 20 min south of me, and has skills way beyond my imagination. I cannot afford him, but he's got a history with glass art, and was ready to partner. I couldn't be happier.

Now comes the busy part. Here we are, we have all the pieces of the puzzle and its time to share our mission. This project will be launched on kick starter in order to raise the funds that we need. I will be posting any information that pertains to this project, and all the research that I come across on the way! In the end, I am celebrating something that I find to be special, and I look forward to the ride it will take us on. 

looking forward to sharing

WLD