Check out some of my featured work!
“Obsessed.” Hand-sewn felt.
Exhibited and sold at Dundas Valley School of Art’s Annual Art Auction. 2019.
Momentos Art Exhibit, 2017
Proud Beaver
On display as part of the GBHS Art Exhibit in Honour of Canada 150, and now permanently installed at Wiarton Hospital.
Hamilton Spectator, 2016
A trio of Hamilton entrepreneurs get creative in starting their own companies
ARTICLE: Catnip-filled tacos and pizzas for kitties, and customized pillows with cartoon faces are a few of Lisa Bell’s creations. “Basically it’s plush and print treats for geeks,” says the 32-year-old Hamilton maker who designs under the handle Nerdbiskit. “It’s sort of tongue and cheek, kind of cute and funny pop culture type stuff, memes. Anything that sort of makes you laugh.” Bell, a creative designer and art director by day, started making items like slogan buttons for fun while she was goign to school for illustration. It turned into making gifts for friends, selling a little, and escalated from there, she says. The bulk of Bell’s sales used to be at maker’s markets – in the past, she would be at one every month – but now custom orders have taken over. Her hand-sewn portrait pillows are typically given as a gift: for a wedding, anniversary or birthday. For those, Bell asks for four or five photos of the subjects so she can get an idea of who she’s creating. “Hair style is really important. I gotta nail that hair,” she says. “And then colour choices... and then eye placement and mouth placement is important. I just have to cartoon-ize them, basically.”
The Oprah Pillow!
I was commissioned by Copps Coliseum to create one of my plush portrait pillows as a gift for Oprah and her dog when she came to Hamilton for a visit in 2013.
Hamilton Magazine, 2013
Nerd is the word, Geek Chick
ARTICLE: Who says that only the lads should get to wear moustaches? Nerdbiskit’s Lisa Bell is trying to change that, one felt moustache at a time. Bell’s delightfully whimsical line of handmade plus and print treats—for geeks, according to her website—features plush moustaches and felt plush cat toys to tee shirts, tote bags, scarves and mittens, most of which are emblazoned with a quirky cast of animated characters and/or cheeky catch phrases. Our favourite is the Ryan Gosling meme-themed “Hey Girl” bottle opener—it’s also available as a pocket mirror, by the way. Tongue firmly in cheek, Bell designs and crafts everything herself and the Oakville native is a regular at local art shows and festivals in and around Hamilton. Her affection for our city is obvious, hence her regular jaunts down the QEW. “I’ve found an amazing sense of community, support and love in Hamilton that makes me feel so appreciated,” says Bell. “Hamilton just ‘gets’ my humour, and all of my favourite shows are in this city. There’s something honest about the Hamilton art scene—you’re not fighting to stand out, everyone is on the same page and they appreciate and respect one another,” continues Bell. “Even if my ultimate quest to take over the world with my crafts ensues, I will always back for shows in the Hammer. Promise!”
Xalt Magazine, 2012
Get Your Stash On
ARTICLE: Hot Chicks with Mustaches 2013 is just what you need to start off the new year on a high note! this mini calendar features 13 artsy gals (illustrators, designers, writers, crafters) wearing pretty dresses and handmade plush nerdbiskit mustaches. $3 from each calendar sold will be donated to the cover girl’s Movember campaign.
Oakville Beaver, 2012
Oavkille nerds-out at Fan Expo
“...Lisa Bell, the brains behind nerdbiskit was in Artist’s Alley selling her handmade moustaches. Above, Bell shows off one of her creations.”