i made it! market

Meet Amber Coppings

We were really excited to spend some time with local fiber superstar, Amber Coppings, who has had her ‘hand’ in a lot of fiber work all over Pittsburgh and beyond. An educator and artist, Amber is releasing a new line of gorgeous hand-dyed clothing just in time for the Spring/Summer months. Amber is the force behind Xmittens, keeping Pittsburghers (and beyond) warm since 2006.

In fact, you can be among the first to grab your own wearable art from Amber at a trunk show on Thursday, May 10th starting at 5pm. Visit the Facebook Event page for all of the details and to RSVP.

We grilled Amber to get to know how she finds her creative inspiration and to learn how she got a start as an artist and maker.

Tell us about your love for fiber and how you got started in fiberarts.

I started creating with fiberart/textiles when I was young.  My mom introduced crocheting into my life when I was about 8 years old.  I got away from art in high school, but took a fiberarts class in college and it just clicked.
I love the tactile participation of constructing using yarns and fabrics…it’s a process I understand on a very deep level.  Some people really understand how to use paint to communicate their inner worlds, or use wood, or gemstones.  For me, it’s color and texture and textiles all the way.

Describe your style.

Definitely eclectic!   I used to roam secondhand stores, but they get picked over so much more than they used to.  Instead, I roam the internet and find other independent designers and mix and match my clothing and accessories and theirs to make my style.
In general, I love the unusual small details that got a lot of attention by the designer.  Anything that has a sense of command and place in the world, but may not exist everywhere.
Could you share a little bit with us about how Xmittens wearables are unique.

I think there are several things that make Xmittens stand out:
they are handmade with recycled fabrics (new to my customers, but the fabric was constructed out of recycled materials saved from landfills)
the modern design and practical uses are appealing to men, women and teens with a wide variety of lifestyles and aesthetics.  I’ve had 65 year old male golfers love their Xmittens, drag queens add them to their outfits, yoga instructors wear them to class, moms wear the jackets to drop their kids off at school…you name them, they probably would wear Xmittens.
Also, Xmittens items are really durable.  Even with daily wear the fingerless gloves can last many years.  That’s hard to find in a mass market glove!

What is the inspiration behind your new designs?

My love of fabric dyeing started because a friend of mine moved to Japan, so I learned about shibori (the Japanese fabric dyeing methods) to feel like I understood his life a bit more.  So, there has always been a very personal element to my love of fabric dyeing.
This new collection has its catalyst in the unexpected death of my father in January.  He would be very proud of me and the vibrant collection I am putting out into the world.
How can shoppers get their hands on the new Spring/Summer Line?

Come to my Trunk Show on Thursday, May 10 5pm-9pm in Point Breeze!  All the details arehere: http://xmittens.net/2012/04/amber-coppings-designs-trunk-show-may-10-2012/
You can also buy online at shop.xmittens.net and, soon, you will find the new collection at shops who carry my line.  Take a look at the list here: http://xmittens.net/stockists/

You have been an art instructor to so many in the fiberarts. What about the arts community in Pittsburgh gives you the “warm fuzzies”?

It’s unbelievable how supportive the community of Pittsburgh can be for artists, crafters and designers.  There’s always room to grow, but, honestly, there are so few places where an artist can own their own home, house their studio in it, incubate and try out ideas on a receptive hometown audience and then get cheered along the way to national attention.  There are numerous opportunities to give back, too, as a teacher, or to donate to a great cause, etc…  It’s amazing.

Connect with Amber

MAIN Shop:  http://shop.xmittens.net