Rising Stars: Meet Toni Federico

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Federico.

Toni, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Like many artists, my journey has been full of twists and turns. I became a freelance graphic designer in the 90s when the Internet was first spreading and websites were creative outlets. Over the years, I worked primarily with small business handling their graphic design needs. But, everything really changed for me when the Apple Pencil was introduced and suddenly I could draw and have an unlimited undo button! I bought Procreate and taught myself digital illustration. Since then, I’ve expanded my art practice to include commissioned illustrations and surface design.

My practice has recently shifted again to focus more on tangible, hand-made products. I began journaling in 2012 and have a daily practice which includes using a fountain pen (I have a small collection of them.) After years of being frustrated by mass-market journals whose paper quality is such that the ink bleeds through, I finally got frustrated enough to decide to make my own journals – ones where my ink didn’t bleed. Over the years, I’ve taught myself how to hand bind journals in soft and hard cover. I’ve been relentless in my search for paper that doesn’t bleed through and recently launched Twisted Vintage where I make heirloom quality journals especially for fountain pen users.

All of my journals use fountain-pen friendly ink, the paper is acid-free and archival in quality, and, my own special touch: the endpapers feature original artwork by me and all of the covers are made using upcycled fabric to take something discarded and make it new again. I’ve made covers out of everything from vintage silk saris, to my husband’s discarded dress shirts. Breathing new life into these fabrics and producing books that will live long after what’s written has been like finding an artistic home.

Alright, 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?
Definitely not a smooth road. I struggled along the way with feeling like there were all these things I should be doing, or trying, or selling. It wasn’t until I really listened to what made my artist heart happy that things fell into place.

I think the hardest thing was feeling like I just knew I needed to be creative. That I am a creative person before I am anything else and then finding what form of expression was most authentic to me. That took years!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I consider myself a bit of a modern Renaissance woman because I do many things. It was a very revelatory moment for me when I hit 50 and came to the realization that I didn’t need to be one thing. I could be whatever I decided to be. So, I have a few “focuses” if you will. My creative practice is hand-made luxury stationery with a focus on fountain-pen friendly journals. I also still take freelance design clients.

I’m also a writer with several published novels out in the world under pen names. I am currently writing my eighth book while shopping one I recently completed, an upmarket, autofiction novel about a young girl navigating trauma.

I am also a coach and consultant for creatives where I share my expertise in project management and course design to help other creatives make the most of their careers and classes that they want to create.

Lastly, I am a podcaster. I co-host Two Cranky Creatives with Carrie Cantwell, a fellow artist and creative.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
The thing that matters to me most, is the act of creation itself. I believe that when you make something, you infuse a part of yourself, your spirit into that thing. This in turn, makes it an act of courage to share it. The more you make and share, the more courageous you become, and in that, you become more authentic. To be your authentic self is the most free a person can be, so creating – and working to make that thing the best it can be – is the most important thing for me.

Pricing:

• Journals $50
• Coaching $125/hr

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tonifederico.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/twistedvintageluxe
• Other: https://instagram.com/tonifedericoteaches