Kelly McCants

Modern June (website)

Circa 2006

What made you start working in your craft? Was it a dream? Was it an accident? Was it payment on a bet?
I was 15 and I wanted to dress like Madonna. So I got some really cheap fabric, drafted my own patterns out of brown paper bags in my bubblegum pink bedroom with the patchwork shag carpeting. A designer was born. It was a nightmare for my Mom, I am sure of that.

Where do you work? What does your fantasy work space look like?
In our home, I have a studio that I share with my hubby. The room is small, dark, hot in the summer and freezing in winter. I cut in the kitchen/dining room, two years ago I removed (all by myself) the wall that seperated the two and put in a tall island. I soon realized it was a perfect cutting table. My husband says I did it all on purpose.

Now I have given my fantasy space a whole lot of thought! I would fill the room with 1950's metal cabinets painted lipstick red. There would be so many drawers that I would have empty ones for at least a year. I would have Boomerang Formica surfaces with the chrome edges.

There would be French doors looking out onto a garden patio. On the patio there would be electrical outlets and a great big table so I could sew out there on nice days. There would be a wall of shelves for fabric and a wall of windows for light. Instead of ironing boards I would have a pressing table, just like they had in the costume shop at Theatre Virginia. I would have a cutting table with the same metal cabinet underneath. Yep lots of drawer there too. I would have place set up just for wrapping, tagging and shipping, all the supplies on hand. A perminate place to take photos would be totally dreamy. It would save so much time to be able to just have it all set up, organized ready to go.

We all have vending horror stories but has anything really really GOOD ever happened to you?
So far the best thing to happen was when a business owner has seen me at a show and has wanted to carry my aprons and bags. That is the ultimate complement. Not only are they shilling out there hard earned money for my stuff, but also I feel like the entire image of their store needs to jive with my products. I love the stores that carry my things and I am honored that they chose work with me. There are a lot of people that do what I do and for someone to buy from me means the world to me!

If you had to pick a superhero spokesman for Modern June who would it be and why?
It would have to be June Cleaver because she is the quintessential housewife and mother. And because she is our namesake! Does is get more kitsch than her? She would wear an apron for a cape!

Working on your craft can be a solitary and sometimes lonely venture. What keeps you company?
Crafty Pod casts, Harry Potter audio books, and The complete set of the BBC Show Ballykissangle on DVD. All of these I enjoy over and over again. I like that I can crank up the machine and not miss out of something important. If I listen to something new I listen to it several time so that I end up hearing it all at some point. Weird isn’t it!

We all have dreams of money – but what would you do if you had the TIME?
Make more stuff! I am a work-a-holic! I would really like to train myself to take in more life. For example take the time to enjoy the wisteria while laying on the hammock. Gardern. Not wish Christmas would hurry up and be over soon. Before Modern June these things were really important, I need them in my life just as badly as before. More time!!

Crafting beverage of choice?
Diet Dr. Pepper

What is the one craft tool you can not live without?
My Bernina!