Meet Gigi Deal of krazyHeartdezigns in Loveland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gigi Deal.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Gigi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Orphaned early in life, I went to live my Depression Era grandparents as a very young girl and learned to live as frugally as they did. The waste-not, want-not mindset ran deep in the tribe of gypsies, nomads and eccentrics, I called kin and adopting that into my ethos so early in life definitely shaped who I am today. Things were often handmade instead of being purchased and always preferred. Nothing was thrown away if it could be repaired or reinvented into something new. My Grandfather was an eclectic and an inventor who taught me how to use my hands and heart in all that I did and so it began…

Today, I am an artist, a crafter and a maker and I’ve been creating since I could stand. My paper dolls were however, very different than the other girls, LoL. I started altering clothes as a teen as much because I thirsted for something different as because I was being thrifty. I did craft shows and flea markets as a young mother with my handmade goods to help make ends meet. Doing all these things long before any of them were fashionable, I was “that girl” and not realizing how unusual it was to be quite so creative, it simply became a way of life. I got serious about creating assemblage art pieces and art shrines in the 90’s because I wanted to tell stories with my art. I felt like the past life pieces I was using were trying to say something. I use words in almost everything. It was like they were talking to me. The past three decades I have been passionately creating a reduce, reuse and reinvent lifestyle and business for myself in which I create artisan wearables, home goods and art pieces from pre-loved goods and I call my design company krazyHeartdezigns. I live, laugh, love and create here at Artspace Loveland in beautiful Loveland, CO.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, not a smooth road. But there is beauty in all that life has to offer, even in the up’s and down’s and lessons to be found at every bend in the road. The things I have spent a lifetime creating have been in and out of favour a dozen times in as many different locales as well. What was popular in California beach towns and in the Las Vegas art scene, both places I’ve lived, is not what people wanted here in Colorado when I moved back home after having been away for 15 years. Reinventing myself and trying to remain relevant over and over has not been easy either but I absolutely refuse to give up my own aesthetic which I believe is the charm of my ReLoved goods in the end. I just think the ups and downs are part of the deal in remaining true to myself.

And love it or hate it, chances are, you’ll know it’s mine. Those who love it and love what I do are hardcore fans and never leave me. I’ve been quite fortunate there and have built a little tribe of my own who continue to buy pieces year after year. I never wanted anything more than to express myself fully and completely in all that I do and create and spark hearts and imaginations along the way which I humbly and gratefully do on the daily. You can’t worry too much about what you’re creating if it makes your soul happy. Makers gonna make right? I just keep making and hope something I’ve created strikes your fancy.

Please tell us about krazyHeartdezigns.
I’m primarily an assemblage artist but also a multi-medium artist. I definitely have a hard time confining myself to conventional canvases. I create artisan wearables by altering existing pieces but seriously love to create from paper and cardboard too. I am an avid recycler and happily use recyclable materials to create with as well. I don’t consider myself a paper artist necessarily but nothing is off-limits as art materials for me and I definitely like to dabble in the fantasy paper couture realm with unconventional materials creating paper hair, headpieces and flights of fancy to delight the young and old alike.

I throw an Alice in Wonderland art show and garden party called ~WONDER~ every year here at Artspace in June/July and we love to create fantasy wearables from recyclable goods for that. This year we are contemplating an actual runway show that is Alice in Wonderland art-centric. I dress as the Queen of Hearts here in Loveland for summer events because of the ~WONDER~ events and I absolutely LOVE being the Queen of Hearts in this little love-filled city so famous for its art, galleries, Valentines and summer festivals. I think I’m becoming quite known for the whimsy of my designs, the frivolity of my events and shows and my nature to inspire and encourage the young to create. Inspiring WONDER is a beautiful thing!

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I was just six when I lost both my parents in car accident. I went to live with a grandfather I’d never met. I was practically despondent from trauma and barely spoke but he decided he would take on the challenge of helping me back. Owning an antique store but having no toys with which to entertain a young child in it, he gave me trays of antique typeset to play within lieu of building blocks. He showed me how an old printing press worked. He shared an automaton he’d created with me.

It was a diverse and eclectic life and there were few limits. I spent my youth in Venice Beach. Summer days, bare feet and an unlimited imagination helped me get back on my feet. I’m pretty sure that where my logophilia stems from and my burning curiosity for learning how things are made and creating in general. He showed me WONDER and now I’m on the same path. Life is funny, isn’t it?

Contact Info:

• Website: Krazyheart.com
• Email: Gigi@krazyheart.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/krazyheartdezigns Instagram.com/krazyheart1 Instagram.com/queenofheartsloveland
• Facebook: Facebook.com/@krazyheartdezigns Facebook.com/@queenofheartsloveland
• Twitter: twitter.com/krazyheart1

Image Credit:
Bobby Deal
RealDealphoto.com

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