DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT – LAMINAK – CASEY TRIPSA
Today, we’re shining a light on the enchanting world of Laminak, a visionary creator known for weaving magic into every piece. Founded in 2007 by the imaginative Casey Tripsa, Laminak has carved a distinct niche with its masterful focus on medieval, gothic, and fantasy furnishings & builds. With an eye for detail and a deep reverence for old-world authenticity, Casey transforms virtual spaces into realms of wonder, where every chair, table, and tapestry tell a story. From hauntingly beautiful gothic thrones to whimsical fantasy decor, Laminak invites you to step into a world where history, legend, and artistry collide. For Casey, it’s more than furniture, it is passion and a portal to another time.
What made you want to start creating in SL?
Casey: It was almost by accident really. Not long after I started exploring SL, I found work selling castles for a castle store. At times the store could be pretty quiet so I’d play around with prims, see what I could make. One day, the owner of the castle store saw a bed I’d made and asked me to put it in one of his castles, to show people what they could do with the rooms. I put the bed in one of the bigger castles and almost immediately, I sold it! I was shocked that someone had wanted something I’d made, but it lit a fire, and I wanted to carry on, because I found the whole process of creating a lot of fun.
Question: How did you pick the name for your store?
Casey: I spent a long time trying to come up with a name! I wanted something that sounded fantasy, but wasn’t obvious, and after a lot of searching online I found ‘Laminak’. Which is a kind of fairy in Basque mythology. I loved it almost instantly, and I thought it fitted well with the types of items I was creating.
Question: Tell everyone about the team behind your success.
Casey: While I don’t have a team who creates for Lamiank – I have always done everything myself from building, textures and advertising – I have had some amazingly supportive people in my life over the years. From a small group of customer service assistants when I first started, Zailee & Princess, the fantastic bloggers that have supported me over the years (too many to name) as well as the community of Rungardvik, especially Alessa, who has always championed my creations and regularly showcase my builds in posts. Everyone at Rosehaven, especially Selena, and Dargason, who have always been very supportive. And last but certainly not least, Mara, my best friend, who I’ve recently started to collaborate with. Mara has always been there with a ‘wow’ or a ‘whoots – that looks great!’ She helps keep me calm, and more importantly, spurs me on to keep going! and I’m excited that Laminak in no longer ‘just me’ I have a creative partner and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do!
Question: What was your very first release? Can you share a photo of it?
Casey: My first “prim’ creation, the bed I mentioned earlier, I’ve managed to locate in my inventory! My first major release for a mesh item was my writers desk set.
Question: The creative process is different for everyone, where do you get most of the inspiration for your creations?
Casey: I get my inspiration everywhere! I have a crazy amount of pin boards on Pinterest. I get a ‘thought’ to make something and then search all over the web for historical examples. I visit a lot of antique shops, and sometimes people will ask me to make something. More often then not though the items I make are a combination of a number of different pieces of furniture I’ve found images of.
Question: Out of all of your releases, which one is your greatest achievement and why?
Casey: Until recently I’d probably have said my ‘Council Table’ set, or my ‘Kings Canopy’ bed, because they were complicated to create, but I stepped out of my comfort zone for Fantasy Faire this year and created my first house. For the longest time I’d wanted to create a home but it seemed like (and I was actually proven right with this hahaha) it would be hard to do. I poured my heart into this build, it took a long time to create but I’m so pleased with how it finally turned out.
Question: What is the best thing about creating? What is the worst?
Answer: The best thing for sure is seeing my ideas come to life, and the wonderful messages I get from time to time from people who love and use my items. The worst has more to do with my own limitations than anything outside of that. I don’t create animations, so I’m restricted to what I can find or re-purpose. I have numerous ideas that I can’t bring to life because of that, which is frustrating. I’m also not very good at photography, or advertising either, which is most likely very evident! I find it a necessary evil, and do it as quickly as I can because every minute spent doing it stops me from creating my next item, which I truly love doing.
Question: Outside of SL, what are your hobbies and interests?
Answer: I have pets! 2 dogs that I love taking on long walks, and 2 cats, that keep me busy. I love walking along a beach, being by the sea always makes me feel better, and recharges the batteries.
- Favourite food? Pasta!
- What song can you listen to on repeat? I love music, and listen to it all the time when I’m creating, but there are two songs that I can listen to on repeat. “Sweet Harmony’ by The Beloved, and one that Mara introduced me to recently, “The Seed” by Aurora. Interestingly there’s 26 years between them but they have the same message, which kind of tell you where my mindset is.
- What are three things you can’t live without? My pets, friends, and family.
- What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done in your life? I moved to London from Manchester when I was 18, because I just wanted to see what it was like living in our capital city!
- How would you define yourself in three words? Tenacious. Kind. Goofy.
- If you could switch lives with one person for a day, who would it be? Actually not sure there’s anyone I’d want to switch lives with, but it’d be fun to switch with one of my pets to see what life is like through their eyes.
- Early Bird or Night Owl? Most definitely a night owl.
- What’s one city you’ve always dreamed of traveling to? Barcelona, because I would love to see Gaudi’s buildings.
- What’s the one talent you wish you had? Animations! And I wish I could play an instrument.
- Cats or Dogs? As you can see above, I’m both, and actually I’m a vegan, so it’s all animals!
Thank you, Casey, for stepping out of your comfort zone and answering my questions. It’s been a delight getting to know you and I look forward to working with you in your partnership with LTD!
Make sure you follow Laminak on all of their social media platforms in order to stay up to date with all events, new releases and more. Alternatively you can find them on all Love to Decorate platforms and at Laminak’s inworld location.