Helen Dardik is the illustrator of all these gorgeous Blue Q products: Drink the Drops and  People Power Stainless Steel Water Bottles, Pink and Brown Shoulder Tote, Creature Comfort Shopper, Woodland Overnighter, and Forest Home Zipper Pouch.

Blue Q’s Manager of New Product Development, Deborah Sims, interviews illustrator Helen Dardik. Part One of a Two part Series.  Take it away Ms. Sims!
Deborah Sims: Tell me about the fabulous places you have lived. They seem so exotic to me.

Helen Dardik: Aaaah… exotic…. Well, not all of them were exotic. Siberia, for example, is neither fabulous nor exotic. Cold and dark. As a kid I’ve always thought that I would certainly leave and live somewhere exotic. How ironic it is to find myself living in Canada… dealing with the same ‘dark and cold’ for most of the year. I’ve also lived in Odessa (Ukraine) – right by the Black Sea (best climate on the planet), and Haifa (Israel) – probably the most exotic out of the bunch.

DS: How have these parts of the world influenced your work?

HD: Russian folklore tends to slip into my work even if I don’t look into it for inspiration.

DS: Where did you train?

HD: I have attended a graphic design high school in Israel and got a graphic design college degree in Canada. Mostly I’ve figured things out on my own… which is the best way.

DS: You are one of the most prolific illustrators ever AND you have 3 young daughters. How do you manage to produce so much work AND be a very attentive Mom?

HD: He he:) Attentive Mom. That’s a sweet assumption, but it’s not exactly the case. I’m a good mom, but I wouldn’t win any prizes for outstanding achievements in the field of motherhood. I love my girls to pieces and I spend as much time with them as I can, but my husband takes most of the heat. He let’s me work and do what I love… indulging me in my workaholism. I’m like the Sixties Don Draper-like dad, only better:)

DS: If you were not an Illustrator what do you think you would do?

HD: It would have to involve travel, lack of supervision and a healthy dosage of fun…so, an entertainer of some sort. Circus… maybe, or interior designer… these two are very similar.

DS: What is your favorite number? I like 4 and Mitch is crazy about the number 5.

HD: Eleven.

DS: If you were an animal, what would you be?

HD: I’d be a cheetah. Fast, strong and good looking. Would be nice… for a change:)

DS: What are 5 things you can’t live without?

HD: Can’t live without: my family, my mac, colors, humor, caffeine

Stay tuned for Part II – and while you wait, check out Helen’s NEW Dishtowels for Blue Q too!

Another guest blogger today. 

Welcome Jessica Rowe (but don’t call her Jessica.  Jess is best.)  She’s Blue Q’s amazingly talented and dedicated “Purchasing and Inventory Agent I Guess and Close Out Queen and Lot’s of Other Things”.   And she’s too busy doing whatever the heck it takes 2 computer monitors to do so here’s her “talk to the hand” photo and her gorgeous miracle baby, Lylah.

Take it away Jess:

6 Blue Q Gift Suggestions for this Holiday season:

For your little nieces & nephews that you’re sick of getting monogrammed Lillian Vernon gift items for:
 
I Heart Water Water Bottles…if you don’t think these are the cutest things on the planet, you have a problem.  A gator, an octopus and a beaver (shown)?  Perfect for little girls and little boys.

Coupled with a small lunch bag such as the Dick & Jane handy tote- a perfect little preschool combo!  And you’re teaching little tykes early on how to be ‘green’.

For your divorced mother in law:
Cougar Soap…do I have to say more?  I know…it’s embarrassing seeing her at the same bar you’re at on Friday nights.

To the person who has everything and you’ve searched every corner of the web for something original:
Everyone eats & washes dishes so who wouldn’t want or need a new, fresh, crisp dishtowel?  If that person doesn’t cook and they do need a dishtowel…hello???  The Microwave Is My Friend Dish Towel would be a perfect addition to their kitchen.

To all your favorite girlfriends that discuss the best products on the market over margaritas on the weekends:
Miso Pretty Hand & Body Cream.  My favorite Blue Q item…ever.  I love this stuff!  First the presentation is a gift in itself but the cream smells amazing and it’s truly a quality product…you won’t be disappointed.  Note- it will not erase wrinkles or shave cellulite off your ass.

To my police patrolling husband -
Police Are My Favorite People Car Freshener.  Because patrol cars stink!  It’s donut scented.  But policemen really don’t eat that many donuts.  Where did this stereo type evolve from?

Editors note: Ok.  I researched the whole donut police thing.  Looks like easy answer is….donuts shops are open all the time.  But trust me, I’ve seen that hottie husband of hers and I can tell you this, I doubt he eats many Krispy Kremes.

I’m just saying.