After The Jump

Mal Blum has been writing songs since the age of fourteen, and she’s here on After the Jump to share her music. Grace Bonney invites Mal into the studio to shift the show’s focus away from visual arts and design. Tune into this episode to hear Mal and Grace talk about their inspirations, and what it is like to be a woman in a male-dominated music industry. Find out why Mal has no problem bearing her soul, but why she struggles to stay organized as an artist. Find out about Mal’s affinity for Kickstarter, and how the music industry has changed in the past several years. What does it mean to be a DIY musician? Tune into this episode to hear a live rendition of Mal’s song “With Samson in Washington State”. This program has been brought to you by BluePrint Cleanse.   “The other aspects of DIY like time management, discipline, and being entrepreneurial – that has always been really hard for me.” [6:45] “You can’t do everything yourself, or you won’t do any of it well.” [8:35] — Mal Blum on After the Jump

Join Grace Bonney on another episode of After the Jump as she chats with acclaimed artist and illustrator Chris Silas Neal. Chris’s work has been commisioned by a variety of magazines, book publishers and television. His first picture book, Over and Under the Snow, with author Kate Messner was praised for it’s “stunning retro-style illustrations” (New York Times), was a 2011 New York Times’s Editor’s Choice and won an E.B. White Honor Award in 2012. Neal recently directed short animated videos for both Kate Spade and Anthropologie and was awarded a medal from the Society of Illustrators for his work in motion graphics. Neal exhibits drawings at various galleries and speaks at events across the country and abroad. He currently works and lives in Brooklyn and teaches Illustration at Pratt Institute. This program was sponsored by The International Culinary Center.   “When an illustrator is first starting out – most likely what they first do is replicate their heros and the work they are interested in.” [17:45] —

How does a blog make money? What tools should a blogger know about? On this episode of After the Jump, host Grace Bonney and Amy Azzarito tackle the top questions they regularly come across at Design*Sponge. Hear what an average day at Design*Sponge is like- including team meetings, scheduling some “you” time, and surviving the flood of emails. Building Design*Sponge also means extensive outreach; this how they find homes across the world- from France to the United States! Hear what motivates them, and what is next for the site. Find out what they would be doing if Design*Sponge didn’t exist, and how they wrangle with their cats’ destructive tendencies. This program was sponsored by BluePrint. “Every adult wants to know how you have a job when you work on the internet.” [5:05] — Amy Azzarito on After the Jump “Start thinking of yourself as a producer of content and that content does not necessarily live where you live.” [10:30] “I am increibly motivated by feedback. Whether it’s good or bad, I enjoy comments

Solo show! Grace Bonney talks about recent obstacles and difficulties she’s faced personally and professionally and how she overcame them. Things don’t have to be hectic! And Grace will show you how. Take a breath, and listen to the words of wisdom of this pro blogger, entrepreneur, and go-getter! Thanks to our sponsor, BluePrint. “Don’t be afraid to cast a wide net.” [18:45] “Having a plan B doesn’t mean you’re setting yourself up to fail, it means you’re a practical business owner.” [19:30] “The big challenges are always out there, they’re always looming, and they’re not always the scary things we think they are, they might the challenges and the little bit of push we all need to really get to the next place with our business.” [33:20]– Author Grace Bonney on After the Jump!

The worlds of food and design collide on this week’s installment of After the Jump! Grace Bonney is joined in the studio by Kristina Gill, photographer and food editor for Design*Sponge. Hear how Kristina made her way to Italy from Nashville, Tennessee. Find out how Kristina’s work often touches on social justice issues such as world hunger and food assistance. Learn how Kristina’s column on Design*Sponge came about, and some of the trickier recipes to prepare and photograph. What are Kristina’s favorite cooking tools and ingredients? Find out what photographers have inspired Kristina in and out of the kitchen. This program has been sponsored by Whole Foods. “Some people discover things visually, but I like to discover through my palate.” [11:30] “Interest in food has grown since the column (“in the kitchen with”) has started. People really come looking for us now, but when it started, we were looking for them.” [18:00] — Kristina Gill on After the Jump

Learn the secrets of quality event design with David Stark! This week on After the Jump, Grace Bonney invited David into the studio to talk about his history with painting, flower arrangements, and throwing spectacular parties. Learn why David was called to New York City, and why he left the life of a painter to find a life that centered around building community. What parallels does David see between painting and flower arranging? Learn how David’s work combines the worlds of interior design, decorating, branding, event planning, and art installation! Hear David describe an average day in the life of an event planner, and why all the details- from invitation design to the party itself- are integral to a great party experience. Find out what types of brands David enjoys working with on this week’s episode of After the Jump! This program has been sponsored by The International Culinary Center. “There was never any intention of ‘building an empire’ or becoming ‘flower designers’, we were just making flower arr

Frances Palmer crafts pottery that is informed by her love for art history and the tactile. This week on After the Jump, Grace Bonney sits down with Frances to talk about her upbringing and the art of the gathering. Find out how Frances’ time in Washington, D.C. and her schooling inspired her to make ceramics. Hear why Frances makes items that are intended to be used, and why dahlias are so present in her work. How do ceramics and gardening interact in her craft? Listen in to hear what artists inspire Frances, and find out why she is taking up an artist residency in China in the next few months! This program has been sponsored by Whole Foods. “The point is that you want to bring people around the table, have a good time, and have fun!” [9:00] “At the end of the day, what you make has to speak for itself.” [21:30] “You have to make what you believe… It has to come from you so genuinely.” [29:15] — Frances Palmer on After the Jump

Hear from Grace Bonney’s mentor and friend, Rena Tom, on this week’s installment of After the Jump. Rena is a California native who has been involved in everything from consulting, to jewelry design, to founding the collaboration-minded Makeshift Society. Tune into this episode to hear Rena talk about her upbringing, and how her family pushed her to start her own business. Learn about Rena’s time in Park Slope, and her experiences owning the jewelry design store, Rare Device. How do small businesses and creative circles differ in San Francisco and Brooklyn? Also in the studio is architect Bryan Boyer. Listen in to hear Rena and Bryan talk about her newest venture, Makeshift Society, and how it has grown and expanded to the East Coast. This program has been sponsored by Fairway Market.   “It’s been a lot of fun dreaming and trying to bring the vision of Makeshift to more people.” [18:10] — Rena Tom on After the Jump

Learn how to turn your lifestyle or design idea into a book with Lia Ronnen, Executive Editor and Associate Publisher at Artisan Books. Tune in to hear Grace Bonney talk with Lia about her background in the art world, and how that led to work in packaging, publishing, and editing. Learn about Artisan’s unique take fashion, lifestyle, and design books, and why they have worked with category killers like Domino and Lucky. How have blogs and magazines influenced the world of books and publishing? Find out how the death of bookstores has affected the marketing of visual books, and tune in to hear Lia explain how to pitch a book idea! This program has been sponsored by Whole Foods. “The toughest problem that we’ve had is the loss of the bookstore. That was our biggest marketing tool… For visual books- coffee table books, books that are objects- bookstores are important.” [18:50] “A book needs to be more in depth; it’s not a blog. In order for it to have a longer life, it needs to have something specific to say.”

Friend of the show and Design*Sponge managing editor Amy Azzarito is this week’s guest on After the Jump to discuss her brand new book, Past & Present: 24 Favorite Moments in Decorative Arts History and 24 Modern DIY Projects Inspired by Them. In Past & Present, Amy presents 24 pairs of essays and craft projects that explore the connection between decorative arts history and present-day design trends. Tune in as Amy shares her professional journey – from growing up in a design-oriented family to working with Grace at Design Sponge.. Hear how odd jobs, blogging and DIY design eventually brought the book idea to life. This program was sponsored by Whole Foods Market “I was devouring blogs on a daily basis – there wasn’t one that I didn’t know about.. it was crazy!” [13:30] –Amy Azzarito on After the Jump

Learn how to “be present” and successfully run your business without stress on this week’s episode of After the Jump! Host Grace Bonney talks about the anxieties that have crept into her professional life, and the best way to stay calm in the world of small business. Learn why it’s important to stay focused, while at the same time not worrying about the future of your endeavor. Hear Grace talk about some of her favorite applications and programs that help her manage the workload at Design*Sponge. Find out why it’s important to listen to your body, and make time for personal relaxation and meditation. This program has been brought to you by The International Culinary Center. “Remembering that the productive, focused work really ensures the possibility of tomorrow is the key.” [8:40] — Grace Bonney on After the Jump

Alex Eben Meyer is a street hockey player, donut enthusiast, and professional illustrator! This week on After the Jump, Grace Bonney is joined in the studio by Alex to talk about his initial interest in drawing. How did Alex transition from drawing superheroes and military tanks to creating work for The New York Times and college textbooks? Learn more about the field of illustration, and why it encapsulates more than just the Sunday comics. Tune in to hear Alex and Grace talk about the illustration community, and why it lives in such a non-competitive atmosphere. Why does Alex love to share his sketchbooks? Find out on this week’s episode of After the Jump! This program has been brought to you by Seersucker/Nightingale 9.   “I think of the sketchbook as the way I think- I’m not a cerebral person… The sketchbook is a way for me to put down my thoughts.” [11:30] — Alex Eben Meyer on After the Jump

Karen Mordechai is a photographer, stylist, cooking enthusiast, and founder of Sunday Suppers. This week on After the Jump, Grace Bonney chats it up with Karen about the arts, cooking at home, and the art of entertaining. Tune in to find out what attracted Karen to the visual arts, and why she often focuses her lens on families and food. Learn more about the Sunday Suppers dinner series; how did it evolve from a casual gathering into a full-blown dinner party? Karen shares her philosophy on cooking instruction, and later talks about chefs that inspire her in and out of the kitchen. This program has been brought to you by Seersucker. “We are able to break down some of the fear that people have in regards to the kitchen, and introduce people to some daunting things.” [12:30] — Karen Mordechai on After the Jump

Julia Rothman illustrates and designs patterns in her own unique, hand-made style! Julia joins Grace Bonney in the studio for the first episode of After the Jump in 2013! Tune in to hear Julia talk about growing up in small-town New York City- City Island. How did that atmosphere motivate her in terms of her artistic career? Find out how Julia eventually grew into her illustration style, and hear how she began making patterns. Why does Julia prefer hand-drawing as opposed to working inside of the computer? Hear Julia and Grace dish on the nature of collaboration, and learn about Julia’s upcoming book chronicling her life in New York City! This program has been brought to you by Whole Foods. “I’m an extrovert… Doing collaborative projects with people has come out of wanting to be around people physically.” [18:15] “You’re going to die… so do what you want to do!” [20:30] “When art is good and personal- that’s number one.” [26:30] — Julia Rothman on After the Jump

Amy Azzarito rejoins host Grace Bonney for the season finale of After the Jump! Tune into this episode to hear Grace and Amy talk about their top ten favorite design trends of 2012, and how they will evolve in the upcoming year! Hear about the resurgence of brick-and-mortar stores, and the myriad of pop-up shops in New York City. Tune in to hear discussions about some of the trends from this year that Grace and Amy hope to see fall out of favor. Later, Grace and Amy talk about the blog world in 2012, and how blogging has officially become a profession for many people. How have social media formats like Pinterest, tumblr, and Facebook changed the way that the online community shares information? Tune in to this episode of After the Jump to hear Grace and Amy’s predictions for 2013! This program has been sponsored by 360 Cookware. “Now, with Pinterest, tumblr, Facebook, etc. – People are making these conversations about their lives in visual ways. People used to ‘talk’ more…” [24:45] — Grace Bonney on After t

On today’s episode of After the Jump, Grace Bonney is joined by Jen Bekman: gallerist, web entrepreneur, and art collector. Jen opened her gallery in the Lower East Side in 2003, and has been heavily involved in the art world. Jen is also responsible for many other initiatives under the name Jen Bekman Projects, including the affordable art print outlet 20×200. Tune in to this episode to hear Jen and Grace talk about the process of selling art. Why do so few people have art in their homes, and what is so intimidating about buying art? Learn more about 20×200, and why Jen thinks it is important for art to be made inexpensive. Jen and Grace also discuss the rewards that come along with owning art, and the inherent dialogue between the artist and the art collector. This program has been brought to you by 360 Cookware.   “I am most interested in democratizing all of the things that I’m interested in because I feel like way to many people are shut out from them. It sounds kind of corny, but I really think that peo

Take a tea break on this week’s episode of After the Jump as host Grace Bonney is joined by the team behind Bellocq, a unique and evocative line of hand-crafted blends, the finest pure teas and a charming selection of tea accessories. Hear from Michael Shannon, Heidi Johannsen Steward and Scott Stewart who tell listeners the inspiration behind their brand. Hear their vision of opening the artisanal tea experience up to everybody and find out how they developed their immersive brand experience over the years. This program was sponsored by Clarkson Potter Publishers.   “We wanted a product that caught your eye immediately – that you wanted to touch. Then, also the tea itself had to be the finest quality tea we could find. It needed to be a complete immerse experience.” [6:00] –Heidi Johannsen Stewart of Bellocq on After the Jump “We’re very much tea people but we’re also about lifestyle. In the tea world, there’s this style of person that only likes tea and we’re not like that. We want to open the experience up

This week on After the Jump, Grace Bonney is joined in the studio by interior designer, Thom Filicia. Thom is perhaps best known for his roles in hit television programs like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Tacky House, but more recently, he authored the book American Beauty published by Clarkson Potter. Tune into this episode to hear why Thom decided to restore and fix up a home from the early 1900s in the Finger Lakes, and why he fell in love with the structure. Listen in to learn about Thom’s original interest in design as a child, and why he almost decided to design automobiles. Want to know more about Thom’s favorite interiors in New York City? Then listen to this episode of After the Jump! This program has been brought to you by Clarkson Potter Publishers.   “One of the things we talk about a lot is the ‘democracy of design.’ I love the fact that design is becoming universal at a certain level, from the Targets to the world to the high end.. There’s this mix of high and low that I think is very appea

This week on After the Jump, Grace Bonney calls into the studio in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy to talk about her top ten business lessons. Tune in to hear about some of the mistakes that Grace made with her businesses, and how they served as valuable learning experiences. Learn about the importance of following your bliss, trusting your gut, and not compromising! Grace talks about some of her personal experiences, and how she realized she needed to spend more time working on her life outside of the work environment. Listen to this episode to hear Grace’s top ten business tips, top five greatest mistakes, and top five achievements! This program has been brought to you by Clarkson Potter Publishers. “Sometimes breaking a rule means rewriting it to be more inclusive, realistic, or innovative.” [9:45] “I really think that mistakes are a wonderful thing because they really allow you to take a time out and look at your business and say, ‘Has this grown to a way that this isn’t manageable anymore? Is this some

Dylan Thuras joins Grace Bonney in the studio for this week’s installment of After the Jump! Dylan is the co-founder of Atlas Obscura, a website dedicated to all things esoteric and unique in travel. Tune into this episode to hear Dylan and Grace talk about the idea of discovery in the age of the Internet, and what is really left to be discovered. Dylan talks about some of his concerns about publicizing some of these hidden gems, and how he has confronted this issue. How has Atlas Obscura affected the communities and areas that it spotlights? Hear about some of Dylan’s revelations that induced his love for traveling. Where would Dylan take some Atlas Obscura users in Brooklyn? Find out on this week’s episode of After the Jump! This program has been brought to you by Clarkson Potter Publishers.   “A lot of times, I’m talking about some exotic, crazy places, but there’s a place a mile from you- where ever you are. There’s some amazing thing quite close.” [7:25] “The whole point of the Atlas is that it’s not jus