Lindsay Obermeyer, LBO Studio and Enjolive

What is your mafia nickname?

Mad Hatter

What is your craft?

Knitting, needle felting, beadwork and embroidery with a dash of crochet.

Why do you do your craft?

I make, therefore I am.

What are you sources of inspiration?

Mother Nature – flowers, cell structures, light refraction.  My family.   The Victoria and Albert Museum.   Architecture.   Candy.

What is your favorite Chicago haunt?

Any coffee shop with excellent pastries, closely followed by the Cultural Center, and libraries.

What is your favorite beverage?

Morning – coffee.  Afternoon – Earl Grey tea.  Evening – Pinot noir.  In-between – Chicago tap water (without ice).

Where do you buy your favorite beverage?

Trader Joe’s and Argo Tea.

How did you come up with your business name?

LBO Studio – my initials.  Enjolive – French (first and third person, present tense) for embellish or to make life better.  The first name is used with my artwork and the second for my design work.

What is its significance?

LBO is sorta obvious, n’est-ce pas?  As for Enjolive, it’s French.  Need I explain more? I like that folks have to ask how to pronounce it.  It keeps me practicing the language.  Besides, it looks like a mish mash of Enjoy + Live or Enjoy + Olive.  Olives are one of my favorite food groups.

What is your weapon of choice?

Needles – knitting needles, bead embroidery needles, felting needles….

What would you be doing otherwise?

Living in France eating chocolate, cheese, and olives.  Oh okay, you might also find me in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Do you have any advice for crafters?

Be true to yourself.  You have to love what you make, because if you don’t, your customers sure won’t.