Interview with Virginia Valdez of The Head Shop
Once upon a 2005, I applied at a restaurant in good ol' Downtown Fullerton and got a job. What's the point? The point is that one of my managers was Downtown Fullerton's own, Virginia Valdez. You see... I worked with Virginia for a while. As time past, we both left the restaurant and did our own thing. Eventually we found each other on good ol' Downtown "Facebook" and kept in touch. As I scrolled through her photos, I noticed her art work. I never knew she was an artist. She was always unique, creative with her style, and down to earth, so it didn't surprise me to learn that she was an artist. I'm a huge lover of art as you all should know by now. I learned that not only does Virginia love to draw and sketch, but she sells her art, makes tees, totes and accessories with her art and HER ART IS REALLY GOOD. So, I got a hold of Virginia to ask her a few Q's to get A's on how she turned her love of sketching little heads and faces into "The Head Shop". Don't worry ... she explains the meaning to the name in the interview. Heads up for Virginia. Go HEAD Girl!!!!
What is The Head Shop?
The Head Shop is an online shop featuring super soft tees, tote bags, art prints and other accessories featuring art of the Head Master, me: Virginia V. Our collection features illustrations of Vincent van Gogh, John Lennon, Yoko Ono and our latest series; The Bobs: Bob Dylan, Bob Marley and Bob Marley.
You're the "Head Master" of The Head Shop. Do you do everything on your own? If no, who helps you? What is your role as the "Head Master".
Although I am the Head Master, I could have never fully opened up shop without the Head Honcho – Shawn, my best friend, business partner and husband (just married!). Although the shop was thought up in 2007-2008, it wasn't until 2009 that Shawn pushed me to get the shop up and running. I do all the design and marketing and Shawn deals with the business end, figuring out pricing, vendors, consignment locations etc.
When and where was "The Head Shop" established?
The Head Shop was created in Fullerton, California in the summer of 2008 inspired by a collection of sketched heads from a notebook I had while I was in art school. I developed the concepts for the shop with help from my pal Beth Livesay, editor at Stampington & Company (check out her blog: http://coutureovercoffee.blogspot.com/), who coined the tagline “headgear for the neck down.” It wasn't until the summer of 2009, that my husband and I developed our brand and released a series of design collections. Currently, we have our classic headgear series and a “Head Lines” series, featuring one line type tees. One of our bestselling being the Vegan Feminist Bitch tee, this collection also features a “Peace Pilgrim” and “Going Downtown Fullerton” design.
How did you come up with the name "The Head Shop"?
The Head Shop is a play on words which I'm sure lots of people recognize the obvious. We wanted to take a saying that people knew and make it our own. In this case our shop sells heads of our favorite musicians, artists and poets --- headstrong people if you will.
When you create something for The Head Shop, what goes through your mind?
When we come out with a new design series we like to think of a concept first. Shawn and I will brainstorm ideas of who we want to see on our tees. We usually come up with things we find funny and interesting. After we decide on our subject matter, I sit down and concentrate real hard and make our concepts come to life. I usually have to be alone when I'm drawing, otherwise I get so distracted. I rarely use pencils or rulers. I just sit down focus and put pen straight to paper. My pen of choice is a Kuretake Archival Writer and a Sharpie. I will spend hours meticulously making hatch marks and lines until I feel it's finished.
What was your first design for The Head Shop?
My first design was a drawing of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. I commend their efforts to promote peace and love. Although a lot of people don't especially like Yoko Ono, I find her story interesting. John met Yoko at art show and they immediately fell in love and were inseparable. Americans criticized her for her for being Asian and “not pretty enough.” Instead of being vengeful about the remarks, she was gracious and continued to spread messages of peace. Hair Peace! Bed Peace!
Do you remember your first sale?
Yes! It was so exciting. My first order for a pink John & Yoko tee came in about a week after my Etsy shop went live. It was so memorable because it came all the way from Italy! We continue to get the majority of our orders from across the globe and out of state. We have customers in Germany, Spain, Canada and all over the US.
Where can we find The Head Shop (websites... stores..etc)?
You can find us online at www.theheadshop.etsy.com. Although our business is mostly home-based and online, one of our favorite things to do is interact with the community. We have several DIY craft events and art shows throughout the year. At these events we get to set up shop, talk to our customers about our merchandise and our favorite part is meeting people in the DIY community.
*You can also get your headgear at the following retail locations:*
Any upcoming events happening for Head Shop that you'd like to share with readers?
In the winter, we'll be releasing our fourth design series. This design series will be an ode to old time country music.
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The Head Shop recently curated an art show with their friends at Brunch! Magazine at The ARTery, located at The Lab in Costa Mesa called Apopcalypse: Pop Goes the World. The show opened on September 18th and will run through October 3rd 2010. Be sure to go by and check it out and pick up a copy of the latest Brunch! There are also some items from The Head Shop for sale in the gallery shop.
Other things:
Follow Me: www.twitter.com/gigihead
Follow Shawn: www.twitter.com/shawnwich
News&Updates: www.stuckonheads.blogspot.com
Visit our shop: www.theheadshop.etsy.com
That's really cool! Go HEAD girl! Haha. Wow she's so creative, and her art really is good! Headgear. Headlines. Headmaster. How clever. Thanks for sharing Tina. Oh, and I'm going to Downtown Fullerton tomorrow with my friends. What a coincidence! Maybe we can stop by that Hibbleton Gallery and check it out.
ReplyDeletePlease check out the gallery. There is also the Apopcalypse at The Artery in Costa Mesa going on until this Sunday! YAAY! SO glad you liked it. Check out The Head Shop links. I can see you wearing a Bob Marley shirt!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow amazing to see other creative FEMALES handling it. I love your blog T, it's so inspiring and celebrates us gurls. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for all the comments! Feel free to email me or message me on Etsy for a custom order. If you mention FemFort I will give you a 20% discount! Holler!
ReplyDeletemrsvirginiavaldez@gmail.com or http://www.etsy.com/shop/theheadshop
Thanks for the mention. Im so glad Virginia and I were able to put our heads together on this project that became so dear to both her and her husband. Glad you gave them the recognition they deserved, Tina! I loved the interview : )
ReplyDelete