Linda Banning left her career in the printing industry to pursue her passion for creating full time. LB Originals is a combination of Linda's background in art, her love of colorful graphics, and her commitment to living authentically. She creates each piece by hand with techniques learned from practicing stained glass, and her years in graphic design are beautifully reflected in the colorful and repurposed glass that she chooses.
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Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Linda Banning and my company is LB Originals. I grew up along the St. Croix River, across from Stillwater, MN. I studied art and have a Bachelor’s degree from UW-River Falls. I make jewelry from stained glass and salvaged glass bottles & aluminum cans.
What was your first memory of making something?
I used to do sand building projects, complete with landscaping, while spending my days on the beach as a kid. I also made my own Barbie doll clothes and puppets with a stage. My grandmother taught me to macramé and my great aunts taught me quilling.
Have you always been passionate about art and design?
I was always drawn to advertising art. Whether it was TV commercials or print ads, I was fascinated by it. That’s why I went into Art with an emphasis on advertising design. (they didn’t have Graphic Design majors back then…) You can see this in my stained glass designs with their clean lines and pops of color. And the Upcycled collection lets me use other artist’s work as inspiration for a reimagined design and purpose.
What do you love most about craft show vending?
The people! I’ve met so many interesting people doing this work. I’ve developed years long relationships with customers and artists. I also love to get immediate feedback from customers, especially on a new design.
Is this a full-time business for you?
YES, I’m in my 12th year as a full-time artist. I was in the printing/graphic art industry for 15 years before taking The Leap into life as an Artist.
How did you get started in your business?
Due to personal experiences of Sept. 11th, I re-prioritized my life and moved to Montana in 2002. My goal was to live a more authentic life so, in the fall of 2003, I left my long career in the printing/graphic arts industry to study Fine Arts at Montana State University. This is where I developed my interest in jewelry making. I brought my love of glass and jewelry together in 2004 and created a line of beautiful, wearable art. As LB Originals, I began selling my work at local farmer’s markets and art fairs that same year.
Why did you start working in this particular craft?
I remembered colored glass bud vases on the window sills of my grandmother’s house. They were like candy and I loved candy! In 2000, because of my need for creative expression, I took a community education class to build a stained glass window panel. I was hooked and the rest is history.
Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?
“LB” was my nickname in high school. There are still people, today, who refer to me as LB. The “Originals” came to me after being a production artist for a silversmith. I made the same designs day after day. When I started making stained glass window pieces, I wanted to make each one unique. Now, with my jewelry, I take pride in using my own original ideas and designs to create.
Check out more of Linda's work online, and be sure to stop by her booth at the Minneapolis Gift & Art Expo, November 2-4, 2018 at the Minneapolis Convention Center!
www.lboriginalsstainedglass.com
www.facebook.com/LBOriginals