This might come as a surprise but making something uniquely yours is actually hard to come by these days. Even in this age of personalization and customization (see NIKE, M&Ms – even ketchup labels), it’s not really about creating something personal but buying something personalized. Anybody can get something personalized, but for it to be truly personal, it has to come from you.  And for that you have to use your head. And your hands. And your heart. Clicking a button to select font styles or background colors or clip art just isn’t the same as the creative process of doing it from “scratch” - and by scratch I mean the idea, the design, the color selections, etc. are all yours.   

So let’s get personal. 

When it comes to school supplies, students seems to have a natural proclivity for the personal but I have a couple of theories on that:

Students are often on tight budgets, so they are forced to get inventive with boring school supplies.  And not all parents are inclined to buy “designer” stuff, like backpacks and jeans and sneakers, especially not in these tough economic times.

School is often a sterile environment, with long rows of lookalike lockers, industrial size gyms and uninspiring cafeterias. School is a canvas begging for a splash of color, a brush of ingenuity.

And finally, sometimes there’s a break in the action in class and it’s just fun to doodle and express yourself on stuff!    

I guess this is the long way home to telling you that Office Depot has just launched a contest where you can design your own backpack, enter it in their “Project Backpack” contest and win a chance to have your backpack actually reproduced and sold in their stores (that, and $5,000!).  Go to www.myprojectbackpack.com and enter your design.  

Here’s info but be sure to visit www.myprojectbackpack.com for complete details: 

• Go to your nearest Office Depot store to pick out the qualifying backpack and select 2 FREE Sharpies to decorate it.
• Decorate your backpack and take a picture of it. Need inspiration? Visit www.sharpieuncapped.com 
  Fill out the online entry form and upload the image of your decorated backpack.
• If you do not have a qualifying backpack, there is an alternative way to enter the contest. Simply download the Sharpie Backpack template, decorate it and upload your design.

One of Sharpie’s favorite artists and a member of the Sharpie Squad, Jon E. Nimetz  got busy with his design. Mind you this guy is an AR-TEEST, so his is pretty fancy. You don’t have to be good, just good enough. I like his Peace dove. It has heart, just like anything that is truly your own personal expression…

Maybe it’s just me, but when it comes to internships, a summer spent learning the ropes at Sharpie sounds prettysweet. Even better, how about a Sharpie social media internship?  Now that’s phat!  (See what happens when you hang out with college students? You start talking like a middle-schooler : ) ; )  JK!  LOL.  IDKYUTALKLIKEDAT.  Anyway, enough of the hyroglyphics.  Meet Sharpie’s new interns — or INKterns as one of my Twitter followers named them.  That’s Lauren on the left holding some of the new Caribbean colors not even on store shelves yet (check for them around Spring Break time next year).  In the middle is Stephanie who has set all sorts of track records at school and is already off and running on the social media front  And that’s Whitney on the right, clearly a Sharpie pack rat holding an as yet unreleased version of the Sharpie Pen (little secret, Whitney’s dad Terry works for Sharpie - she’s got the connects!) 

So now I’ll shut up and you can find out what Sharpie’s amazing INKterns are up to over here at Sharpie HQ:  

Sharpie INKtern Stephanie Williams with shiny new stainless steel Sharpies

Twitter Handle: @SharpieSteph

School: DePaul University, Chicago

Graduation Date: June 09

Major: Communications; Minor: Marketing (Sales & Leadership)

Hometown: Chi-Town!, IL

Activities/Interests: Sports! (Track and Field, Football, basketball in that order)

Favorite TV Show:  I love America’s Next Top Model and CSI: Miami

Favortie Movie:  My favorite movie is the Wizard of Oz AND the best video game is Super Mario Bros. No questions asked…

Favorite Sports Team: Surprisingly, none. I like specific players from a variety of sports

Favorite band: SWV (they’re not really a “band” they’re an old R&B 90’s all girl group). My favorite song is “Rain” by them

Favorite Sharpie: All of the Highlighters!

Sharpie Story/Incident: I told some of my track teammates at DePaul that I will be working for Sharpie for the summer and I have constantly received requests for Sharpie through text messages and my Facebook.

Stephanie Uncapped? If I were uncapped, you would find a bunch of donuts (powdered please!), track spikes, more food, my DePaul track meet footage throughout the years and family photos because family is first in my book!

What I hope to gain? Three things: The ability to put into practice what the books have taught me, being able to love my job and not feeling like its “work”, and finally, having the coolest Sharpies.

Sharpie INKterns Lauren Loro with the first Sharpie Pen on top and an as yet unreleased version.

 Twitter Handle: @SharpieInktern

School: DePaul University

Graduation date: June 2009

Major: Marketing Honors, Management Minor

Hometown: River Forest, IL

Activities/Interests: Working at Sharpie J Traveling, Volleyball, Reading, North Ave. Beach, Muscle Cars, University of Michigan (go Big Blue!), and Jet Skiing

Favorite sports team and why: Wow close call between Da Bears and the White Sox. I think Da Bears win this one. I love the Bears because of the action. My father played football through college so it was always something I have watched. It will be interesting to see how they will do this year with our boy Cutler.

Favorite band and why: Ah such a hard question! I am super eclectic when it comes to music, but if I had to narrow it down I guess I would choose No Doubt or Jack Johnson.

Favorite Sharpie? The Sharpie Pen… it’s just writes so well!

Personal Sharpie incident/sighting/story: My fiancé and I just bought a condo down in Lincoln Park and we just started moving everything so I have great usage for the Sharpie Magnum I just got today!

Lauren Uncapped? Hmm…deep question. Basically, I am a simple girl who loves the little things in life. But if you had to delve deeper you would find I am a very driven person who puts everything into her work.

Besides free Sharpies, what do you hope to get out of this internship? Well, free Sharpies are the main reason I’m here. Well not really, but I hope to gain knowledge of the implementation of social media. I have researched and read about social media, but I have never seen a company first hand employ these innovative marketing tools.

Sharpie INKtern Whitney Kelly with her favorite Sharpie Magnum

Twitter Handle: @SharpieWhit

School: University of Kansas (RockChalk!)

Graduation date: December 2008

Major: History & Communication Studies

Hometown: Darien, IL

Activities/Interests: Family, friends, music, art and working for Susan Wassel.

Favorite sports team and why: KU Basketball. Why? I wouldn’t be a true Jayhawk if I didn’t say KU Basketball. We invented the sport and nothing compares to a Rock Chalk chant in Allen Fieldhouse.

Favorite band and why: The Rolling Stones - The Stones have influenced so many genres of music, especially rock! Who doesn’t love a little Jumpin’ Jack Flash?

Favorite Sharpie? Narrowing it down to one is difficult, how about top 5:

Sharpie Magnum
Sharpie Pen RT
Sharpie Twin Tip (best of both worlds!)
Sharpie Mini
Sharpie Poster Paint

Personal Sharpie incident/sighting/story: Growing up with mounds of Sharpies surrounding me at all times, I feel like Sharpies follow me wherever I go. Recently, at a restaurant in St. Louis, a frustrated looking girl walks out of the bathroom, black Sharpie in tow. I walk in and see (in huge black letters) written on a bathroom stall: “CHILL OUT & carry a Sharpie …SERIOUSLY!” What I’d like to know is, who are these people taking the time to write things on bathroom stalls?! Well, it’s not me, but if you are, I suggest using a Sharpie — pencils and pens (obviously Bic) simply will not get you any attention. (I took a picture from my phone. If you want to check it out, my cube is 2158 Parker Place.)

Whitney Uncapped? You would definitely need a directory that leads you to where you want to go. Music, Art, Sports, Fashion, Politics, OFFICE PRODUCTS, Books, TV…you name it, I’m interested in it! Everyday these interests grow and I don’t see that slowing down anytime soon.

Besides free Sharpies, what do you hope to get out of this internship?  I hope to learn as much as possible about Social Media and the impact it actually has on sales. The world of social media still has several avenues that are yet to be discovered and it will be interesting to see how far it goes. Sharpie is a leader in this market. I’m excited to be a part of this team. Networking is always a plus too! Hopefully by the end of the internship I will have built some credibility and made enough of an impact that companies will be lining up and begging me to work for them!!

I just customize things…I believe in recycling and giving use to things that normally you would throw to waste …

That’s how Reavel describes her work, which includes breathing new life into everyday objects like clipboards and sneakers.   She has a special gift for taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary.  Reavel lives in Puerto Rico and says many of  her country’s vibrant colors inspire her work. On her website, she free associates the following words with her thoughts and ideas about art:

Feeling creative, Sharpies, acryllic paint, graffiti, aerosol, wood, music, documentals, art books,movies, photography, history channel, moleskine notebooks, colors: blue, red, black, white.

Reavel is her stand-alone name.  You can find her work for sale on Etsy.com  or you can read more about her on her blog.  For now, here’s a sneak peak into the creative mind of a “makeover” artist: 

How did you get started as an artist?

Art has always been a huge part of my life. When I was younger I discovered that my dad used to draw and loved art. I think that was the biggest motivation to keep drawing, to become good. I later on found his sketching book and I was amazed of what he could do. He always helped me out to do my school works related to drawing things. Even when I never took an actual drawing class I always loved to draw things on my notebooks and do things for school, family special events. I normally carry a notebook/sketchbook with my beloved markers.

Tell us a little about your genre.

I honestly don’t know if there is certain or specific genre of art. I just do what I feel at the moment with what I have at the moment. I would say that I just customize things. There are many people that do what I do. Many great works done by many artists but every one has their story to share. I believe in recycling and giving use to things that normally you would throw to waste or just use it the way it was meant not as a piece to display your art or your feelings. I think that is what makes my work stand out.

Some could see a simple clipboard but once you drop some ink on it, it becomes a piece of art. It is funny because sometimes I draw abstract things and people try to like guess what I felt when I did that. Sometimes they get it sometimes they don’t. Some other times they are just reflecting their state of mind on the what they see. Also I get a lot of notes or attention because of the colors I use. Seems that people forget or dont know that markers come in lots of colors too.

 How would you describe your style?

I wouldn’t say that I have a style. I know it is edgy, colorful, messy, bright, simple yet complicated at the same time.  People comment that some of my works look like stained glass because of the fat lines [outlines] that I always do on my art no matter what I am drawing you will notice the fat lines on the works. I remember that someone even believed it was etching and when I told them that it was just a black Sharpie marker over a canvas they were amazed. Others even request or ask if I did stained glass. It was kind of funny but good. That is what makes this a great experience; the things you can do with a simple marker and a simple color. The only thing I know for sure is that once you get used to watching it you can say: “Hey that looks just like this person art/style” but in the end it still doesn’t have a name.

How did you come to use Sharpie markers in your work?

I think that we all have a Sharpie in our house.  It has become like a household item. I always had Sharpies around so it was kind of meant to be. It is a simple instrument that you can apply to almost all surfaces. It doesn’t fade and dries quick. They are not expensive and you can get them even at the pharmacy on the corner. The ink last like forever.  Later on I saw the variety of amazing colors that they had and went crazy. Since then I have been using Sharpie color markers along with my glorious black Sharpie. People hardly believe that you can get amazing colors and effects with them but if you know how to deal with colors you can do wonders. I learned how to blend them with practice. It is not rocket science I say. I don’t go around wondering if this or that marker will work with this or that project because I know that Sharpie does the job.

What about Sharpie markers makes them your medium of choice? Is it the variety of tip sizes, colors, other? Please describe how you use Sharpie as an art tool.

The ink is great.  Like I mentioned, it dries fast and you won’t have a mess on your work area. Since I like to do many details and experiment with objects [plastic, textile, canvas acrylic paper, etc.] I have to use different types of points or tips for every detail/effect I want to get. The ink is water resistant which is a great plus when you work with so many different type of objects. It is good to know that you can paint some made of plastic, wood, paper and that it won’t run if it gets wet. When creating you will also need something that doesn’t mess up the surface or change its color, when you use Sharpie you know that won’t happen.  For example the King Size and the Fine point are great for the finishing touches of the outlines. The Extra fine point marker great for shading and defining dimensions on a drawing. When I paint on a canvas with acrylic the only thing that worked for me to paint over it was Sharpie. I also use them with the watercolors for shading too.

Tell us about some of your own favorite work. What seems to get the most attention or is most coveted by others? Why do you think people are drawn to your work?

What I love to do the most is draw random or abstract things. Lately I have made myself draw more conceptual/concrete things or objects. I’ve been practicing a lot to learn to what point I can get and where I have to stop -  making strange color combinations in the shapes then accentuating them with the darker tones. People always pay attention to the colors. It is all about the colors and the irregular forms. People sometimes stare at them like trying to see things on my works because of the shapes I give to the drawings.

Customizing things caught the attention of some people. I am a big fan of DIY [do it yourself] projects, I like to invent and make things up. So why not make everyday things different when you can. A pair of white shoes doesn’t have to be always white. Give a little of life to them. Re-Invent them, make them look more like you. A normal clipboard has no use unless you work in an office that really uses it. Then you see a clipboard like the ones I have customized and you are proud of your clipboard. I ended up opening a shop on Etsy.com because people asked if they can have some of the drawings, work on canvas and watercolors.

Can you describe the process you go through to create your work? How many hours does it take? Is it a free-hand approach or do you create a template in advance?

Most of the time I start free-hand and it just happens, a simple line or an idea of what I am going to do. I always strart with the Fine Point black marker. That is my favorite weapon of choice, as I call it. Then I get carried away and end up making complex things full of textures and details, even when I tell myself that I won’t do it I just can’t stop drawing lines until I feel there is no space left. There are some times that if I start to do a template and try to make everything look almost perfect. I always say to myself I have to do a template. I start throwing lines and shapes and then when I remember the template issue, I am almost half way to what I think is a great piece.

Now that people share with me their ideas or tell me what they would like to have, I try to do a template of that and work around it. It is good because people get carried away with you and that feels great when you see that they want to be part of the final work. I like to finish things the same day I start them. The less hours I spend the best I think they get done. If I think way too much, I will end up putting it apart and then it doesn’t feel inspired, it feels like I have to do this now and this exact way like in a mold. No muse involved. If this are certain objects, animal or a specific thing, I then do a template or use an example to guide my free-hand drawing.

What are your inspirations?

I am from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean where we love and live by colors. So it has to show up at some point in what I do. The people in the street, music, friends, daily news, good times, bad times, everything inspires me to create. I am a very moody/emotional person. I would like to say that I wait for the muses to stop by my house and move me. I have to feel the need to make something. When they strike, I better be prepared because I don’t really know what I am about to do. It just flows and ends up on paper.

Vincent Van Gogh colors are the most amazing thing a human will ever get to see. His works explode with all this brilliant and vibrant color. That is one of my biggest influences. You can see the “deformed lines of his shapes,” the textures he made with colors. Romero Britto when you see his paintings you will know why, just Google him you will see why I like his works.

Graffiti and Urban Art have become great teachers too and opened my eyes to all these new things, types of “techniques” and mediums like stickers. Stickers are like the new run around the city gallery for me.

What statement are you trying to make, if any? What do you want people take from your art?

It is great to have an art education but I think that real art comes from the heart. Like many other things, artists are born artists they are not made into artists. Artist go to school or get a degree to shape or define their styles and learn more so in the end they have plenty of ways to express their needs and leave a mark on the face of the earth.

I hope that people get the sense that art can be messy it doesn’t have to be picture perfect or just plain boring. Art is fun to do and not just a bunch of methods or techniques told to you by a teacher, professor or trend.

Dare to express yourself, be loud. Don’t fear what you can do with a marker. Enjoy what you are doing. I know people told us when we were kids that it was wrong to write on things that were not paper but hey, if you don’t like the way something looks, grab a marker. Experiment. Change the way it looks. You might end up making it look even new and feeling way better.

 Please list the types of Sharpie markers do you use to create your work:

King Size, Fine Point, Sharpie Paint Extra Fine Point, Sharpie Bold Point, Retractable Fine Point, Chisel Tip, Ultra Fine Point Store Tip Down and Rub a Dub Laundry Marker.

I seriously had no idea we had so many creative people in our midst. Below are some of the entries. We picked two first place winners - can you guess which ones won? Also among them is one designed by our president. Can you guess which is his? Be sure to post a comment so I know whether you’re a good guesser or not. After is the big reveal - the two winning entries and their creators, along with some insight on how they did what they did with Sharpies.

I’ll never walk by their offices the same way again. Enjoy!

BIG REVEAL

 AND THE WINNERS ARE… 

Ron Ruvoli and his winning Wrigley Field nameplate

I love the Cubs so I just thought it would be great to do my name in lights on the Wrigley Field marquis. It’s the only chance it will ever be there.

I found some pictures on the internet.   I also had some books at home.  I kinda got the details there. I tried to add as much detail as possible. It’s not a lot. A lot of red and white. I tried to get it as close to the original sign as possible.

I used the Sharpie red ultra-fine to outline all the letters. I used a Sharpie Pen in black. And I used one of the new Cafe Coleurs for the brick - the Pomegranate one.   I used Sharpie fine points for coloring.

I did it at home on a Sunday, after my kids were in bed.  I have two girls, 6 and 4.  My wife was in bed too. It was pretty pathetic.

I wanted bold colors and I really like red, I figured why not open up the cardstock.  I figured most people probably did there’s in half. I opened it so I could get more color. I wanted to color the whole entire piece of paper.

It took me about 3 hours. All the outlining really took awhile.

Growing up as a kid, all that was on in the house was the Cubs. I grew up in the South Suburbs of Chicago so I’m supposed to be a Sox fan. We Cubs fans kind of band together -  there’s actually a lot of us on the South Side.  Cubs are a real passion of mine. I follow them everyday. My friends and family, it’s all we talk about.

I havent’ taken an art class since 6th grade, but I doodle a lot in meetings. I like to goof around. I get a lot of inspiration form my kids because we do a lot of art projects. I got back into drawing and coloring beause of them. I’m not really an artist, I wouldn’t say. My brothers and sisters and dad are all very artistically inclined.

I’ve always been a fan of Sharpie. I worked retail in high school and college and we would always go to the stationery section and take out markers and use them for work purposes. You always looked for a Sharpie laying around and not being used and swipe it.  I love the markers. Absolutely love them. I don’t know what it is I love – the colors, the design, the way it looks and feels in your hand. The retractable version. Office supplies and pens, pencils and markers in general, I don’t know what it is, I just love them.

Mariola Dudzicka and her winning monogram nameplate

Mariola Dudzicka on her monogram nameplate (Mariola is in our consumer affairs department):

I used the Sharpie Pen to create my nameplate. I chose it because of the nature of the drawing and I needed something very fine.  It’s a miniature, a very small picture, so the details are very small and tiny so I needed something I could finish. Sharpie actually gave a very fine line.  I’m not an artist but I think I have the gift. I like to draw. I like to play with the pens and markers. In my spare time, I draw.

I learned to draw in high school.  I had an art class.   I’ve always had an interst in art. I am very touched by the arts. I like to collect things, drawings, pictures. I’m in a museum on a regular basis.

I really like to be around the arts and I admire impressionism.  I like Monet, Van Gogh, Rembrandt.

Sometime ago I collected monograms for embroidery to make with a needle and I had a small collection. I had the embroidery monogram pictures in front of me but made the nameplate drawing freehand.

I’m was born in Poland.  I’ve lived here for 16 years and worked at Sharpie for 4 years.

I do laces. I learned all kinds of styles but my favorite is bobbin lace. It’s a little tool that you tie the threads and wave them in your hands. I learned in Poland from my mother and from a friend, and at a culture center where I took classes.

I made the nametag at home, gradually over the weekend.   It wasn’t that much time.  I made the composition in pencil first.  It took total about 5-6 hours.

I was stunned when I won. I didn’t expect that I would win.  It was a really nice surprise. I had a lot of fun doing it and that is the real reward.

Ben Gadbois’ nameplate (Ben is president of Sharpie):

I know when it comes to presidents and fun, that Zappos guy gets all the glory. But I think Sharpie’s president Ben Gadbois deserves some snaps.  Look at his entry! 

This took some time and effort, people!  I haven’t had a chance to talk to Ben but my take is it’s an ant farm.  See those little black stick figures in there?  Those are ants.  And all the swirly trails and the green grass?  That’s a farm.  Of course art is a matter of interpretation (is that yellow for the sun and blue for the sky?  And whose reflection is that in the the gold nameplate???)  Art can be so mysterious.  And personal. Speaking of, get personal with Sharpie and send us your Sharpie creations.  Visit sharpieuncapped.com and hang out your own Sharpie shingle.

Sharpie Bench by Alysa

This is one of my very favorite things ever created with a Sharpie. It’s a music bench delicately decorated with henna-inspired art. The woman behind this beautiful bench is artist (and cellist) Alysa Sallade (you can see her work on Flickr).  I found Alysa and her bench on Cafe Mom.  

Alysa is also a member of a group called Henna Tribe where she is known as Satharielle. Henna Tribe is an online community and professional network for anyone interested in the ancient art of applying henna to skin.  I don’t know why I should be surprised to find such a group - henna art has a huge following! Henna is actually a plant that is made into a powder and then a paste to create Henna body art. It has a long history and is often associated with marriage and fertility. It has a distinct look that can be easily replicated with a Sharpie (fine and ultra fine tips are ideal) when more permanence is needed (note: Sharpie is not recommended for use on skin).  Here’s a link to some templates on Henna Tribe if you want to give a henna design a try yourself.

Now, a little background on how Alysa created her Sharpie bench, and some insight into what inspires her art:

Alysa, Artist

How did you get started as an artist?

I started with pencil drawing and then pen and ink. I currently love body art via henna, watercolor painting, sumi-e, acrylic painting, and digital art using Adobe Paint and Photoshop.

Tell us a little about your art. Are there lots of artists who do what you do? What makes your work stand out from the rest?

I’m not much for self promotion. There are so many wonderful artists out there with so many styles. There are ways to say we’re all similar and then if you really look, see that even if the medium is the same and the style is similar, the art is actually totally different. All true art is an expression of some aspect of the artist’s vision and ultimately their soul, be it their light-hearted stream of consciousness on a sunny spring day or their dark subtle nightmares from a memory best forgotten, or anything in between or beyond.

How would you describe your style?

In this piece, more flowery mehndi mandalla style. Styles are so hard to catagorize.

How did you come to use Sharpie markers in your work?

Henna Hand

I wanted to do my henna body art on my bench and other non body objects but wanted something that would mark treated fabrics. So I picked up a Sharpie from my desk and started drawing.

What about Sharpie markers makes them your medium of choice?

I like the variety of tips and the strength and flexibility of tips. I like how they tend to be a bit more permanent than some other inks (though could be more permanent imo)

Tell us about some of your own favorite work. What seems to get the most attention or is most coveted by others? Why do you think people are drawn to your work?

People really like my bench, I think mostly because it’s a custom job and to non henna/mehndi artists, it looks complicated and hard to do while being delicate and flowery.

Can you describe the process you go through to create your work? How many hours does it take? Is it a free-hand approach or do you create a template in advance?

I’m totally free hand, each piece is different though. Some pieces take only a couple minutes, others hours. The bench took a couple hours as I was waiting to make sure the Sharpie was dry before changing spots as I had to hold the bench top where I’d just Sharpied and didn’t want it to smudge.

What are your inspirations?

Life has all sorts of inspirations. From the vines and flowers in the garden, to something someone says.  I just want people to feel something. Don’t just pass by so busy with your mind on work and stresses, stop, look, feel. Emotion heals even if it hurts at first. 

Alysa's fishnet henna hand

I think we assume that being a kid is just fun and games 24-7 (which is exactly how it should be!) but for some kids, there’s a little more to it, like the added burden of having to take care of a disease.  Kids with diabetes (adults too, for that matter) often are required to undergo insulin therapy.  In the past, that often meant having parents or caretakers inject them daily with insulin, or even inject it themselves.  Recently, medical science has come up with insulin pumps, a HUGE advance and GIGANTIC help to the kids and their families, not to mention more effective in making sure they get what they need when they need it. 

Insulin pumps deliver rapid- or short-acting insulin 24 hours a day through a catheter placed under the skin.  Insulin pumps mean fewer needle pokes and a lot less hassle!  The only thing is what to do with the insulin pack they have to carry around.  The American Diabetes Association recommends a pump case that can be attached to a waistband, pocket, bra, garter belt, sock, or underwear.   That’s great, but here’s an idea that takes it one step further — an insulin pump case that kids can customize themselves. 

Nicholas (left), and younger brother Nathan (right), both have Type I diabetes, and are big fans of the customizable insulin pump paks from Pump Wear, Inc.

And here’s Nikki at work on hers… 

Smiley faces and flowers - oh my!

I think this is an awesome idea.  I know you will too after you read more about how Draw Pak came to be from Pump Wear Inc. co-founder Julie DeFruscio:

Nathan's brother Nicholas gets in on the fun

  Tell me a little about your business.

Pump Wear Inc. was started by myself and my best friend Dawn Juneau, when my daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and went on an insulin pump. Quickly realizing that products out there for holding the insulin pump were very medical looking, we started a company to fill the need for fun creative ways for my daughter to wear the insulin pump. Pump Wear Inc. is a place where kids are kids and adults just have fun!

How did you come up with the idea?

We were always looking for ways to let children have fun.  We believe in making wearing an insulin pump a positive experience. Kids and adults love to draw and color so why not let them create their very own cases! Each Draw pak is unique to the child or adult and a true original.

How are Sharpie markers incorporated?

We like Sharpie’s because once the drawing is finished the marker stays on nicely no smudging or wiping off a Sharpie! Also the ease of using the Sharpie markers makes drawing on the pak fun and creative. Plus they have lots of fun colors!

Sharpie. Glad we could help!

The Draw Paks benefit everyone who does one, they are able to come up with their very own designs or simply say something they want to say, simply by saying it or drawing it with a Sharpie Marker! All age groups can enjoy the Draw Paks, and the thing that we truly love is that children and adults can just have fun and show their creativity.

Why are Sharpie markers a good fit for this?

Sharpie Markers are reliable, easy to use, and readily available with a large selection of colors to choose from.

Tell us about some of your favorite designs. Why do they resonate with you?

Personally I like the pictures that the kids themselves draw, they are so cute and original!

Nathan and Draw Pak ready for action

What is truly inspirational is that my daughter’s friends enjoy doing the pump cases and they don’t have diabetes! So how great is it for children with diabetes to have friends wanting to create cases like them! Children without diabetes loving products that children with diabetes wear to survive.

Can you tell us a little about how insulin pumps are used why your product is helpful in that process?

Insulin pumps are used to dispense insulin, they are the size of a beeper and worn as life support for children and adults that suffer from type 1 diabetes. Our line of cases are used to hold the insulin pump.

How has this product been received?

The product is new but the feed back so far has been positive. We see this as a growing concept of allowing people the ability to create items themselves.

Do you think you’ll expand the idea to other items?

Yes, we actually have a spin off company called http://girlygirlstudio.com and the Draw Paks are being incorporated into our Birthday Parties where kids can have a party and all do a Draw Pak. They get to walk away with their very own design!

Anything else you’d like to add that I didn’t ask?

Yes, we would just like to thank Sharpie for their continued influx of fun colors and reliable easy markers!

Nathan with his blank canvas Draw Pak and Sharpies. Ready, set, go!

The life of a sculptor, designer and shop owner is apparently a busy one.  See Hazel Colditz below, better known as @BuddhagirlAZ on Twitter, on her cell, taking orders, shaking up the sculpting world. One has to ask, where does she find the time to design Sharpie dresses like the one she’s wearing? No matter, it is done. And now it is mine.

Buddhagirl and I met on Twitter and became fast friends.  I admired her Sharpie dress et voila, it magically appeared in a box on my desk! It has since become a cause-celebre over here at Sharpie HQ as everyone stops by to check it out. Below is background on how it was born, followed by info on how a sculptor/designer uses Sharpie to get the job done:  

Buddhagirl in her Sharpie dress

How and why did you come up with a Sharpie dress?

It came about through my daughter, Mariko Burton, wanting to create an eco-fashion line. The Sharpie dress was something that I came up with due to the @platea (Twitter) project called Co-Modify Project II (editor’s note:  participants pick a brand to fictionally “sponsor” them).  I chose Sharpie as my sponsor…I wanted to utilize Sharpies outside of their perceived uses.  

Did you sew on all the Sharpies yourself? I noticed you matched the thread to the Sharpie. Nice detail. 

Yes, we sew ALL the Sharpies (by color with embroidery threads) on!

What is the dress made out of? Can someone buy one of these? 

The dress was made as one our “green” wears. It is made of recycled, re-use/renew drop cloth. It is lined with recycled bed linens.  Of course these dresses are for sale!!  It can be commissioned for sizing or just from our salon, Kuzu, ready made. The dress is multi-functional…one can keep the Sharpies on or remove for washing or wearing with only a few choices, none or ALL!

Which Sharpie color do you use the most?

Every moment decides which Sharpie color…depends on mood/medium!  I use black mainly but all colors have a purpose, for those rainbow moods!

The dress is now in my possession. What types of functions do you recommend I wear it to? I’m not going to Prom this year, so that’s out. But others? 

Please wear to any functions that require some funkiness, cutting-edge fashion statement for Sharpie…that would include ALL TV spots and celebrity events because you ARE a celebrity!

How did you get started as an artist?

I have been an artist/metal sculptor for over 10 years. I have always felt a passion to create and a connection to “solid” Earth-like elements, such as metal, rock, wood and even water. I am also a recycling fanatic and these media are perfect from an impact standpoint. Finally, I was a competitive swimmer for 15 years and I suspect that somewhere in the recesses of my “self” that competitive nature still lives. I met with significant resistance when I began welding, grinding, sawing and creating large sculptures. This particular artistic arena was a man’s world and that made me even more determined to succeed.

On March 23rd, 2009 I opened Kuzu Salon. Kuzu means “rubbish” in Japanese. For me and my daughters who are partners in the boutique, it would be more appropriately translated as “re-used”. One premise of the boutique is to use recycled materials whenever possible. In addition to the actual boutique, the salon space and warehouse serve as my work-space and gallery. We like to say “Kuzu….not just a galley, not just a store, but an experience!” Sharpie is a major participant at Kuzu ranging from patterns and accessorizing clothing to graffiti and drawings.

Tell us a little about your genre. Are there lots of artists who do what you do? What makes your work stand out from the rest?

There are many sculptors but again, primarily men, as the size, weight and mass of the sculptures increases. My inspirations have been Isamu Noguchi (the master), Andy Goldsworthy (amazing nature installations), and Maya Lin (Viet Nam memorial) who is female. Much of my personal inspiration has evolved from my Buddhist spiritual beliefs although it is often subtlety represented in my work. I firmly believe the goal of my art is to evoke a response in the viewer. The nature of the response is different for each person and that is what I find so fascinating and compelling.

How would you describe your style?

I generally attempt to keep the sculpture visually simple in terms of the overview. On closer inspection, however, I love to put in some detail or create a symbol within for contemplation.

How did you come to use Sharpie markers in your work?

I have always used Sharpie markers in my everyday artwork. Their ability to permanently mark metal, wood and rock is essential to the construction process. The variety of colors and tip sizes are perfect given the variety of materials I work with. In reality, I use Sharpie markers throughout the entire process from design & construction to signing personal cards for each patron. 

Buddhagirl's pretend Sharpie ad as part of Project Co-Modify II and her fictional sponsor.

My most recent “Sharpie Adventure” was the result of my participation in the Co-Modify II project by @platea. The project was designed to explore how art with web-based social networking (combined with consumer goods) influences our lives. I chose Sharpie because they are so universal in nature. Obviously Sharpie markers are an essential part of my work and life but what I find even more intriguing is Sharpie’s truly have no bounds in terms of age, social status, gender, or use. I found the creation of Sharpie ads that had a connection with my work and boutique to be very fun, creative and liberating! I have always been a Sharpie fan and my choice just seemed so natural.

What about Sharpie markers makes them your medium of choice? Is it the variety of tip sizes, colors, other? Please describe how you use Sharpie as an art tool.

I have always used Sharpie markers in my everyday artwork. Their ability to permanently mark metal, wood and rock is essential to the construction process. The variety of colors and tip sizes are perfect given the variety of materials I work with. In reality, I use Sharpie markers throughout the entire process from design & construction to signing personal cards for each patron.

Some of Hazel's big, beautiful work

My current hallmark piece is “The Four Noble Truths”. It is a stainless steel and bronze piece (24″x 50″x 144″). Other than the visual and emotional impressions that my works evoke, I think people are drawn to the size, symmetry and creative nature of my work.

Can you describe the process you go through to create your work? How many hours does it take? Is it a free-hand approach or do you create a template in advance?

In simple terms, the process is straightforward:

Idea/concept
Design
Mechanical/structural considerations
Material selection
Fabrication
Finish

In terms of hours & labor, the process is incredibly long (months) and difficult which is also why the finished piece is so satisfying. All pieces are created from a “Sharpie sketch” by free-hand! I then create a maquet which is a small version of the piece to make sure the structure and proportions are appropriate. I often make templates for the various components of each piece.

What are your inspirations?

I mentioned my personal inspirations in Isamu Noguchi, Andy Goldsworthy and Maya Lin but clearly my most powerful inspiration is “Nature”. Nature truly creates the most perfect works of art with unsurpassed power, beauty and detail.  More than make a statement, I hope my art will capture the viewer’s imagination and generate a personal emotional response. I am a small artist (in stature) creating large, powerful & provocative pieces without limits. When I think about it, I am like a human Sharpie!

Favorite Sharpies?

Sharpie Stainless Steel Permanent Marker (My fav, I love stainless steel!) - Black; Sharpie Permanent Markers - Super, Fine & Ultra Fine, all colors.

Buddhagirl likes to make her mark wherever she goes

www.joseishe.com
www.theasianwelder.com
www.kuzusalon.com

Fish sandwich anyone?

Looks like lunch is getting a facelift.  No more unsightly bags.  I bet even a meatloaf and pickle sandwich looks good wrapped in one of these little gems. 

I’m talking about sandwich bags. Sandwich bags like you’ve never seen them before. Sandwich bags covered with turtles and cats and footprints and sharks.  Sandwich bags adorned with neckties and computers and fish bowls and  large ants and socks.  And all done with Sharpies by this super-creative guy named David Laferriere.  Imagine one of these cuties staring up from the bottom of your lunch box, begging to put a smile on your face. No doubt that carton of luke-warm milk from the school cafeteria will go down a lot easier with one of these fun treats in your hungry little hands.

David is a a graphic designer and illustrator who does what he does professionally for newspapers (that’s a picture of David from his Linked In profile). David is also the father of two boys ages 10 and 12.  Here’s the scoop straight from the sandwich bag artist’s mouth: 

What are the boys’ reactions to your bag art? How about their friends? Are you their sandwich bag art hero?

Their friends often ask to see what’s on the bag. (Editor’s note:  no comment from David on the hero worship)

Do they always have one of your sandwich bags in their lunches?

Yes. I didn’t do it once and heard about it first thing when he got home.

Are they budding sandwich bag artists themselves?

Sometimes when I am making a sandwich for myself and they are around I ask one of them to draw on the bag. Like them I can’t see what they did until I open my lunch.

Do you think sandwich bag art will ever have a gallery showing? The Louvre, perhaps?

Not the Louvre, at least not until after my death. I can see these hanging in a theme gallery show about sandwiches or lunch.

Do you think Dali would approve of your sandwich bag art? Rockwell? Christie Brinkley (designed Billy Joel’s River of Dreams album cover)?

I just hope they react the same way others have when seeing them. That’s all I ask.

What’s your favorite sandwich?

Not so much a favorite but sandwiches made often: Ham, cheese and lettuce, and peanut butter and jelly.

And now, on a more serious note…How did you get started as a graphic designer/illustrator?

I’ve always like to draw. When I was 9, a teacher noticed that I could draw and suggested to my parents that I should take some art lessons. In high school I took Commercial Design and went on to Rhode Island School of Design where I got a BFA in Illustration. Up until this year I had been working in the newspaper business as a designer/illustrator.

Tell us a little about this new sandwich bag art genre?

I draw cartoon-like images directy onto plastic sandwich bags.   

Are there lots of people who do what you do?

The Wired blog GeekDad had a piece called ‘Cool Little Parenting Rituals - Lunchbag Edition’ that featured a few parents that draw on the outside of the lunch bag. Other than those mentioned in GeekDad I don’t know of any who draw directly on the plastic sandwich bag.

Where can we find your sandwich bag masterpieces?

On my flickr site.

What makes your work stand out?

Each drawing is unique and my sometimes warped imagination shows in the drawings.

How would you describe your style?

My illustrations are an editorial/cartoon style.

How did you come to use Sharpie markers in your work?

I used to draw directly on a slice of bread with food coloring. They were simple drawings but it was a time consuming process so I only did it on special occasions.  On Cinco de Mayo, 2008 I figured I could try to draw directly on the plastic sandwich bag. I had a few Sharpies around and knew they would work on the plastic. At the time all I had in the house were a few black Sharpies along with a red and a purple.

What about Sharpies  make them good for creating amazing sandwich bag art?

The colors are stable and rich. They adhere nicely to the plastic sandwich bag. I also use Sharpies and colored pencils for drawings on paper that I do for my other son who has a sandwich container that fits in his lunch bag, and for doing some rough drafts for clients.

Is it the variety of tip sizes, colors, other?   We like when sandwich bag artists go on and on about our product.

They are perfect for drawing on plastic bags. They dry quick but not too quick so I can smudge the ink with a napkin to create shading. I prefer the fine point markers in a variety of colors. If I need to color a large area I use the side of the fine point.

Tell us about some of your own favorite work. What seems to get the most attention?

I like when I am working on a multiple-day theme. One week I did superhero snowmen, around Halloween I did a pumpkin being carved.

Can you describe how a piece of sandwich bag art comes to be?

I would make a sandwich and put it in a sandwich bag. Then I would try to think of something to draw on the bag.  My inspiration would have to strike quickly for I would only give myself no more than five minutes to come up with the idea and do the drawing. After I did the drawing I would take a picture with my camera phone and send it to my Flickr account.  My kids had no idea what I would draw for them. They would find out when they sat down to eat thier lunch with their friends.  The most difficult part is that there is very little margin for mistakes. I usually just go with a mistake, make it look like I meant to do it. There have been a handful of times that I did not like what was happening and began again on a fresh sandwich bag.  (Editor’s note:  The whole sordid story is right here).

What are your inspirations?

My family and what is happening around us. Sometimes it’s the weather or a video game or animals. In the course of a conversation I may pick up on something said that sparks an idea.

Sharpie signing off...It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

When it comes to people passionate about Sharpie, we didn’t have to look far. They’re everywhere, just Google! What was hard was deciding who to invite to “represent” and become members of our first-ever fan club, of sorts. The Sharpie Squad is made up of people who talk and teach and tantalize us with their amazing Sharpie ideas and creations. From thrifty Sharpie decorating tips to Sharpie-designed skateboards, art, illustrations and more, these are the people who breathe life into our product and make it shine.  

And for their efforts, we want to show them some Sharpie love. As inaugural members, they’ll be among the first to see and try our new products. We’re also going to showcase their Sharpie ideas and creations on our new community site, sharpieuncapped.com.  And it wouldn’t be official without a personalized Sharpie Squad marker, arriving to members soon! Visit mysharpie.com and you can get one too, personalized your way.

Please be sure to visit their sites as they continue to show us what’s possible with Sharpie. 

THE SHARPIE SQUAD LINEUP

Savvy Mommy® Victoria Pericon is the family lifestyle expert and mother of three who dispenses parenting advice and product picks online and on national television shows. As the editor of an award-winning parenting website, Pericon provides families across the country with smart solutions for their parenting challenges.

Linsey Knerl is the mom behind Lille’ Punkin Reviews and is always on the lookout for the next best thing when it comes to making her life easier. As a free resource for parents and friends of parents, Knerl offers regular, unbiased opinions of a variety of family-friendly items.

Lauri Harrison is founder of MomToBeDepot.com and is a blogger for several media sites including Working Mother magazine and Examiner.com. She’s the mom of a tot and a teenager and informs parents about great new products. 

Lunchbagart.com is where Derek Benson shares the designs he creates on his kids’ lunch bags every day with intricate drawings of cartoons, super heroes and a variety of other artwork. During his own lunch breaks in San Diego, California, where he creates art for video games, Benson uses Sharpies to create his unique designs. His drawings have been featured in Parents magazine and can be seen on his blog or via his twitter account.

Mark Rivard is known for his skateboard art covering a wide variety of genres and designs. Based out of Breckenridge, Colorado, Rivard’s work has been seen in exhibitions around the world, including shows in Belgium, Denver, Detroit, Seattle and New York City. Rivard takes his Sharpies with him while traveling to teach and inspire with art.  

Jon E. Nimetz and his website, superfineart.com, are both based out of Venice, California, where Jon is a producer, marketer and advertising producer. He is known for his loud personality and passionate style that he emphasizes in his art. He uses a combination of acrylic paint and Sharpie paint markers to create nature-inspired paintings that are both unique and self-expressive.

Jeffrey Fulvimari began his illustration career in 1993 with commissions for Barney’s New York and Interview magazine. He went on to work in all aspect of printed media, and his illustrations have been animated on Nickelodeon, MTV and VH-1, The Food Network, and in numerous television commercials in Japan. He has also produced a broad range of licensed goods in Japan, with popular product lines launched in the United States, the UK, France, Italy, Mexico, and other territories.

James and Karla Murray are professional photographers who began documenting the world of graffiti artists in the mid 1990s. They started first with New York City (and two books about the scene there), and eventually traveled south to Miami where their interest resulted in Miami Graffiti, a new book just out showcasing some of Miami’s most vibrant work.

This is where I have to point out that graffiti has its critics and Sharpie wants to be sure you understand that we don’t condone its use to deface or damage property or hurt or harm people. That’s not the intention of most graffiti artists anyway. The artists featured in the book are clearly people driven by a passion to create. In fact, the majority of the works are located in places that are invisible to the public eye, painted inside abandoned factories and along trackside buildings.  And the graffiti artists seem to like it that way. 

Sharpie was part of the book’s release party in Miami Beach, serving as the official marker of Graffiti Miami. Sharpie markers have been used for years by many graffiti artists to create the works they draw on paper and in their “blackbooks’ (sketchbooks).  Check out the action below:    (For info on where to buy the book, contact Ali Gitlow at Prestel Publishing, agitlow@prestel-usa.com). 

The Crew