Artist Interview: Fred of Birdhouse Accents

Today I'm quite honored to be interviewing Fred from Birdhouse Accents on Etsy. Little did I know that I was interview quite the Etsy star :). Birdhouse Accents was recently featured in a video on Etsy's website for the Handmade Portraits section on Etsy. Fred told me to pick any items to feature, which I was thrilled about when I started poking around in their shop. I don't think I have ever seen so many cute birdhouses all in one place. Fred was right when he said that they try to make something for everyone! To make the picking easier on myself, I decided to go with birdhouses that matched my blog (all green!) which is good because green is Fred's favorite color too!

To get to know a bit about Fred, his favorite breakfast is hotcakes and sausage. And if he could do any weekend activity he would be outside cooking on the barbecue. And last but not least if he could travel anywhere, he'd travel to one of the Hawaiian Islands. (Which, I might add, works well with this nautical themed house)



Now onto those dear birdhouses:

What started you in your art/craft?
The love of woodworking. I have always enjoyed working with wood and found my niche in making birdhouses.


What are your favorite materials/tools?
I use reclaimed wood for most of my birdhouse projects. Discarded objects that I pick up at tag sales and flea markets such as rusty nails, antique hardware, and really anything that catches my eye.


Who's your biggest inspiration?
I love to make a design around an object that I have found at a tag sale or flea market. These one of a kind pieces are my inspiration. I also enjoy listening to many of my repeat customers when they tell me they had a family of birds in one of my birdhouses, it makes what I do worthwhile.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I have been building and designing birdhouses for nine years now. I made one which led to two, which led to a birthday gift, a house warming gift and before I knew it, became a full time job. I knew I had made the right decision when we were chosen as a Featured Seller (May 2008) on Etsy and featured in Handmade Portraits (June 2009) on Etsy. We have won several awards for our birdhouse designs in juried craft shows over the past few years too.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I hope to increase my wholesale accounts and sales. We do have a following now and many repeat customers search us out at craft shows.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I hope people take away the fact that my birdhouses are one of a kind hand made pieces. I try to make something for everyone.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Enjoy what you do, it will show through your work, offer fair pricing and don't be discouraged at first, it takes a while.

Make sure to check out their shop!

Artist Interview: Buttonwilloe

Hey, everyone - my artist interview will be a little different today because the artist I'm interviewing is swamped with work - hooray for Buttonwilloe! So her Etsy shop is closed down for a bit until she can keep up with all of the orders and fall shows. Check out her artfire shop in the mean time. I'm so happy she's busy!

Here's a little bit of info I've grabbed from her profile:

"Hello. My name is Linda, and ever since I was a little girl I loved playing with clay. I still do!

It all started in the early 1970's making bread dough critters and giving them as gifts to friends and family. With their encouragement, and the gracious help of my husband, Richard, I started doing local craft shows and festivals. We still do them! I started working in polymer clay because of it's durability and resistance to moisture. I just love this clay.

It's my belief we are all given special gifts and talents. Sometimes we're not quite aware of them. But, they're there...just waiting to be discovered.

I have a very special little girl in my life. My puppy Tinkerbelle. We were trained, tested, and she was certified to be a Therapy Pet and we visit the elderly in rest homes. She brings so much joy to those dear folks. Quick story...the other day there was a man who wanted to pet her. I picked her up and brought her to him. He began to cry as he stroked her. He kept repeating "thank you, thank you" as tears rolled down his face. She is a precious gift from God and such a delight to me. I'm so happy she spreads her love to some that need it most.

Whether you select an ornament, figurine or a piece of whimsical jewelry, it's our hope it will bless your heart and make you smile.

We're so happy you stopped by the land of *Buttonwilloe*. Please come back soon."

And, I've discovered that she shares the same birthday as me! :)

Make sure you stop by her blog to find out more about her fall schedule! Below are a few pictures of her work from her blog.

Artist Interview: La Vie de Beaute

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing La Vie de Beaute, a relatively new jewelry shop on Etsy. I asked her some get-to-know-you questions so we can see the person behind the craft. First off, her favorite color is purple. She states "the funny thing is that I don't have many purple items, and if you view my shop, you won't find many purples either :)." Her favorite weekend activity is to walk on the beach in the early morning when the weather is nice with her "ipod in one hand and [her] sandals in the other, listening to music as the gentle waves touch [her] feet." Her favorite breakfast is a soy latte from Starbucks with a blueberry scone, but it wouldn't be what she eats everyday. And last but not least, her dream vacation is to walk the streets of Paris (that sounds pretty good to me to!).

Now to the questions about her art:

What started you in your art/craft?
I started making jewelry because I wanted to wear unique jewelry pieces I could call my own creations.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
My favorite materials are sterling silver, and all sorts of semi precious beads, wood beads, glass beads and natural beads.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
My mom was my inspiration, she use to make her own maternity blouses, and the most beautiful crochet table clothes. I knew I had the creative gene, and that I would eventually find a craft I would enjoy and love. After my first beading class, I was in love!

How long have you being producing your work?
It was after my first beading class, 4 years ago, I started taking more classes and then I went solo. At first it was only for me to wear, soon people started asking, "Where did you get the beautiful necklace?" I would respond, "I made it myself" These people started buying earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, to give away as gifts. I found out about Etsy on T.V. with Tori Johnson in an interview with Diane Sawyer Of Good Morning America. I did my research regarding opening my shop, and soon started designing my banner, avatar, etc. I opened my shop on May 25, 2009. I've sold only 1 necklace so far, but expect to have more sales as soon as more people find out about my shop!

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I would love to be featured on the Etsy Homepage. I hope to have more sales on Etsy, as all my buyers are people from church and in the neighborhood. Recently I participated in an art fair in downtown Chicago and received a couple of invitations to participate in other art fairs, and events, which I look forward to attend to get more exposure and one day be able to focus on my art full time.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I want them to feel beautiful when they wear my piece of work and know that they are unique as the piece they are wearing.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Patience is a virtue. You must plant the seed, and wait for the growth. Just don't forget to water it :) Tell someone that will tell some one. If you are new on Etsy, participate in forums. Let fellow Etsian's know who you are, and what you do. You'd be surprise how many nice people you can meet.

Other crafts I enjoy:
I like to sew, re-design t-shirts, making origami boxes, digital scrap booking, drawing, painting and photography.

Artist Interview: Addition Jewelry

Today I have the pleasure of posting my interview with Addition Jewelry. She's been selling her handmade original jewelry on Etsy since this past June. I sat down and asked her some questions about herself. She says her favorite color is green, and that her favorite weekend activity is to spend time with her family. "I don't care what we do as long as I am with my family." Her favorite breakfast food is bacon and eggs. And in her own words, her dream vacation is "This my sound silly but, I would love to go on a family vacation to California and go to Disneyland and other attractions."

And now onto her craft:
What started you in your art/craft?
I decided to do something for myself. Take some me time. I wanted to learn a new craft. I have always been interested in art, but I never really had the time. I love making jewelry and expressing myself through my craft!!

What are your favorite materials/tools?
Clay, shell, wood, glass and ribbons
Who's your biggest inspiration?
My sister-in-law. She makes beautiful pottery pieces and was inspired to make beautiful things too.

How long have you being producing your work?
I have been making jewelry for 3 years and I have been selling my items on Etsy for 2 months
Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I hope to make more sales on Etsy and do more craft shows. My hope is that my art turns into way more than just a hobby.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I just want people to feel good when they wear my pieces.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Be patient. Don't feel too bad when you don't make lots of sales...remember it's not just you who is struggling with sales, a lot of people are. Just keep working on making your Etsy shop better and I'm sure your sales will pick up!

Any other craft or quirky information?
I love to think outside of the box and create something truly unique! I love to use materials for other purposes other than what it is usually used for. For example..I don't just use beads caps for caping beads but I also use them as beads themselves. Or I'll use ribbon instead of a clasp.
I want my jewelry to be something you have never seen before. It is also my goal to create quality pieces for affordable prices.




Make sure to check out her shop! I especially love the "Convertible" (the last image shown).

Artist Interview: Amy of Avlors Imprints

This week I have the pleasure of interviewing Amy of Avlors Imprints. You may remember that just last week she posted an interview of me on her blog! I've also had the pleasure of getting to know her a bit more through Twitter. Here's a little background so YOU get to know her a bit better. Her favorite color is orange because it is vibrant, warm and reminds her of fall, her favorite season. Her favorite weekend would start out with sourdough pancakes that her husband makes (He's the pancake and cookie master in their house). After such a wonderful breakfast she would hangout with family and friends. Her weeks are fast-paced, so the weekends are when she gets to slow down. And this is what Amy's dream vacation would be: "A walking tour in Japan from Kyoto to Tokyo, then to spend time in the north on Hokkaido. Hubby and I plan to go to Japan after we pay off our house. Hoping for about 6-8 years. Sounds like a long time - but we started planning last year and poof there's a year gone already!"

Now to the "serious" stuff.

What started you in your art/craft?
Doodling and drawing are things I've always loved to do. So relaxing! Even in college as a math major - I took all the art courses I could for the blessed winding down time. Later I learned on my own (practicing every tutorial I could find on the internet) how to digitize my work and to convert it to line and vector drawings.

I also love to peruse a through office supplies and stationery. (This must come from my mom - because we both get a little giddy about them.)

What are your favorite materials/tools?
Quality paper, a sharp X-acto knife, and my computer! Lately I've been having a blast learning to work with upcycled materials.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
Georgia O'Keefe and my mother-in-law, Shirley, are my two biggest inspirations. Both were warm, loving, strong, brave women doing what they loved and not afraid of what others thought of them.

Shirley loved art and you can see it in every piece she made - from chalk drawings to quilts. She taught me about the value of a lovingly made work and how to honor those who made the work.

Georgia O'Keefe did her work boldly, didn't let anything stand in her way, and adapted to where she was.

How long have you been creating and selling it on Etsy?
Avlor's Imprints has been open since December 2008. I started with PDF embroidery patterns, graphics, otedama sets (Japanese juggling sets, that I now sell in my other store), and art photographic prints of orchids.

After trying my hand at my own stationery - it quickly became one of my favorite items to create. I've been working on narrowing what I have for sale and am finding that my stationery, customized upcycled sew-in labels and customized promotional cards are the best sellers. Custom and business orders are just as fun as designs I do on my own. I love helping another business shine!

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
Go ahead and laugh - but right where I'm at! I would love to continue to stay at home even when both of my kids are in school. I love having my two shops and the mental stimulation and interactions they bring. I'm looking at needing to go back to work in about a year so we can catch up on the things we need to do around the house, put more into retirement savings, etc. I started this just for fun. But I really truly just want to continue be a stay at home business lady!

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
My hope is that people will feel the enjoyment in using my products that I had making them. Quite a bit of time and love is put into each set. If people love the products, I know I did well. ;)

What advice would you give to new Etsy artist just starting out?
Do what you love and know your customer! You'll hear know your customer over and again - but it's vital!

Be helpful and don't just focus on yourself when looking at places to promote. If you ask for an interview - be ready to post one on your site in return. Give more than you get. Get involved in Etsy teams. Don't just join, but do something to help out!

Limit what you try to do in a week - you'll accomplish more in the long run. Pick just a few things to do each day, so you don't burn out.



Make sure to check out her other shop, Ojami and find her on facebook!

Artist Interview: Marieke Made by Mo

Today I have the honor of interviewing Marieke of Made by Mo. I asked her some questions about herself before we dove into the interview: Her favorite color is lime green and blue. On weekends she likes to work on crafty projects while she listens to good music, she states "I can't work without listen to music." She loves to eat cereal for breakfast or on Sundays she loves to eat a croissant and backed egg. For a dream vacation she'd love to go to America (though she's afraid of flying). By car she loves to go to Italy (I'm so jealous! I wish I could drive to Italy!). She thinks Italy is a beautiful country with tasty food. Her mother lives in Spain, so she loves to go there too!

And now down to the interview! :)

What started you in your art/craft?
When I was a child I already made stuff for my barbie dolls. Little bags, clothes etc and I drew a lot of Disney characters. When I got older I started to paint more realistic. I was also into music. My mom is a professional singer and I got the 'fever' too. Not by singing but by playing drums.
A few years I totally added to music I played drums in several bands and when I finished highschool I had to make my mind up. Am I going to an art academy or a music academy. I choose for the art of course! And this is when I realised that I can make money out of my favourite hobby. And can teach other children/people more about art, craft and culture

What are your favorite materials/tools?
At this moment I am into sewing. I want to learn more about this technique. I am also a fan of ceramics. But this is more difficult to work with at home.
So I have to go to a ceramic workspace. In my studie I learned to etch, screenprinting and bookbinding. So I use this techniques more often now but I still have to learn a lot.
Besides my webshop I am also into drawing. I draw on assignment. as specially pets.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
My parents are also very creative. My father is a real handy man. He does everything by itself. Making the bathroom for example. My mom is always busy with little projects, she is very creative. Her house looks very cosy and finished with cute little corners. My sister is into scrapbooking and she does it very well.
When we (my sis and I) were little kids we did a lot of crafty projects with our mom. We can still learn from each other. My mom is going to give me some sewing tips and I am going to teach her more about Photoshop.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I am making things to sell for two years now. It started with 'strawbunny' I made a few different characters in my studio. I made little stories about them and painted this. Later on I started to screenprint little books with these characters called, monkey chunky, cookie dog, honey bear and strawbunny. So i wanted to do more with these guys. Beside this I made a lot of different things to try some techniques out. Bookbinding, sewing (bags, toys etc) I got so much stuff so I decided to sell my things at Dawanda and mijnwebwinkel.nl. I want to sell on etsy but don't have a credit card so this makes it more difficult. I hope in the near future that I am going to be able to sell my things on etsy because I can reach a wide range of people.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I hope I will reach more people. I am just graduated at the art academy as Bachelor in fine art and Design Teacher Training and I hope I'll find a job were I can match these two. In September I am going to do my first craft show so I am very excited! My wish is to have my own store were I sell work of young (new) artists and can give workshops.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
The work is inspired by nature. I love being surrounded by nature. It makes me feel relaxed and de-stresses me. In the big city everything goes fast and by bringing these forms and colors in the city makes me feel happy and peaceful. I hope I can give these feelings to other people by showing (and selling) my products.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Just do what makes you feel happy. Start a blog. It is always interesting to read more about the person behind the shop and what moves you..


Make sure to also check out her blog, flickr, and twitter!

Artist Interview: Lucinda of Luli Bags

I'm doing this interview a bit early because with full time work tomorrow (for just the day) and packing to leave for camping, I don't want this interview to fall through the cracks! Because, as with all the interviewees, Lucinda from Luli Bags has some facts and information that you wouldn't want to miss! Luli bags is a fun purse/bag shop on Etsy.
I asked Lucinda first what her favorite color was and she responded "As a fabric hoarder, I cannot possibly answer this question. I love fabric in so many different prints and colours, that my answer changes on a daily basis." I completely understand - my mother has always been a fabric hoarder and has the same mindset! Her favorite breakfast food is smoked bacon ("(as part of a full English breakfast). Fulfilling the stereotype..."). And on weekends she likes to do "simple things" like relaxing at home; watching films, eating, spending time with friends and family. And when I asked her what her dream vacation would be she said "A private beach somewhere tropical sounds good. On a more realistic level, I’d love to visit New York."

Then, I asked her about her art:

What started you in your art/craft?
I have always enjoyed painting and photography and did A-Level art at school. However, I had a creative hiatus for several years while I studied to become a Solicitor. I started sewing around 5 years ago when I found an old sewing machine in a shared house and decided to test it out. It wasn’t long before I was hooked. I grew up around some talented seamstresses, so I may have had a head start.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
My Janome sewing machine and overlocker. I had a false start with a sewing machine that wasn’t fit for my intended purpose (despite advice to the contrary). My current semi-professional machine is really powerful and can cope with a wide range of heavy fabrics, leather and suede. I find my overlocker invaluable; it adds neatness and durability to my work. I’m very protective of my scissor collection! A good pair can make such a difference (and prevent blisters when cutting out in bulk).

Who's your biggest inspiration?
My boyfriend is a talented musician and artist and has actively encouraged me to pursue my creative side.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I’ve been making bags for around 5 years. When I bought my most recent machine, I made a lot of stock and attended various craft fairs in London. I made countless gifts and items for myself, building stock along the way. I eventually opened my Etsy shop in late April 2009, so I’ve been up and running for around 3 months.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I would love to see my business grow into something which can help to pay the bills. It would be fantastic to have a busier Etsy shop and to establish some links with small gift shops, to ensure a steady flow of business. I’d like to set up a blog and promote my shop more effectively. Being the featured artist on the Etsy front page would be fantastic but I’m not holding my breath...

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I hope I can share and enhance the initial impact the fabric had on me, by creating a finished piece of work for others to enjoy. I hope that buyers can also enjoy the feeling that they own something that either no-one else has, or that hasn’t been mass produced.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Think carefully about your product before you build up stock and open your shop. Try to creative a distinctive house style, so people can recognize your products at a glance. Perhaps consider limiting the types of item that you sell, e.g. specialize in a few styles of bags/clothing/jewelry. I notice that sellers who manage to do this are often more successful. I should probably follow my own advice.

She had this to say as her final words, "I’m currently working on a range of clutch purses with metal kiss-lock frames. I have a large stash of beautiful and unusual smaller pieces of fabric and I think this will be the best way to make use of them. I plan to ornament these bags with vintage brooches/buttons (if I can bear to part with them). I’d like to thank Melanie for featuring me on this blog, much appreciated!"

Artist Interview: Valerie of Zebra Lilly Jewelry

Today I have the pleasure to introduce you Valerie of Zebra Lily Jewelry. Her favorite color is any blue that has an aqua or teal hue. She's a girl who loves the sun and for her dream vacation she'd "like to envision [herself] in one of those huts above the pretty blue waters within French Polynesia. One day [she] will also go to the Galapagos Islands." While on her vacation she'd feast of a breakfast of "a veggie omelette with morning star veggie sausage patties and toast! MMMmmmmmm…" And, Valerie gave me her perspective on weekend activities "Weekends? What’s that? No, I’m kidding. I like to rest my feet if I can because I’m always on the go but I will always sacrifice that if I can go spend time with family or friends, especially if the weather is good (not always common in Seattle) and we can be outside."

Then we got down to business and asked some questions about her art:

What started you in your art/craft?
I have been told I was probably a crow in one of my past lives. I love all things sparkly. When I was a little girl I would spend my time pretending I was a paleontologist digging up dinosaur bones or excavating pretty stones out of the back yard. It was a hobby that I never believed would exceed that status. My mother gave me a beautiful wire-wrapped necklace as a graduation gift and I thought to myself, ‘Hey, I can do this!’. I studied that piece and began to teach myself how to make jewelry. I wish I could meet the artist and thank her for leading me to happiness!

What are your favorite materials/tools?
My favorite materials are sterling silver wire and faceted, plump gemstones. The fatter the better : )

Who's your biggest inspiration?
My mother was the person who instilled in me an appreciation for nature, especially geology. She continues to inspire me and support my endeavors.

How long have you been producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I have been making jewelry off and on for 2 years now. I began making jewelry as a junior in college with the idea that it would remain a hobby so it often took place on the back burner while I studied for exams and tried to keep up with homework. I realized that my love for sparky things like sterling silver wire and those juicy gemstones was pretty expensive so I sold a few things here and there so I could continue to do what I loved doing.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
Who wouldn’t love to see more increased sales? Just before graduating college (from the University of Washington), I realized that I would want nothing more than to be my own boss and use my time being creative and making things people love. I want to be able to support myself (at least part time for now) off of my jewelry. I just want to be successful, which for me, is determined by my happiness, not necessarily financial gain.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I want people to appreciate the love and time that goes into handmade pieces. Now that I’m on the inside of the handmade community, I completely understand what it takes to create products that the artist and people can love and appreciate. When I make my pieces, I make sure it is something that I, too, would wear and proudly stand by. I pay so much attention to detail and make sure every wrap is to my liking and every component sharpened or polished. All of us make products because we care about making a quality item that can be shared and/or given to loved ones.


What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Do your research first! Hang out in the forums…get all the legal business paperwork out the way…keep track of all your receipts…don’t underprice yourself…give great customer service and always be willing to go the extra mile….there is so much but I guess most of us just learn through trial and error.

Here is just a sampling of some of Valerie's beautiful work!

Artist Interview: Robin of The Fancy Lamb

Today I have the pleasure of talking to Robin of The Fancy Lamb. It's a fun little shop that repurposes vintage fabric, maps and books for new, fun uses. I asked Robin some background questions to help us understand her a bit more. Robin's favorite color(s) is the combination of pink and brown (good choice!). Because of her shop and her hobbies, her favorite weekend activity is to go and browse through estate sales. Her favorite breakfast food (on a rare occasion) is French toast, but she states "On a day-to-day basis, Diet Mountain Dew. (Does that count?)" Her dream vacation is to go RVing with her husband and 3 dogs: "No timeline, no planes to catch, no rules." Now that we have a bit of a background, let's jump right in. This one's a bit longer, but definitely worth it! :D

What started you in your art/craft?
Well, I have always been pretty crafty, thanks to my family. My mom sewed quite a bit. And my grandma was a knitter, weaver, photographer, and many other things all rolled into one. So when I was a kid, it was not unusual for me to go to a pottery class, then come home and make some handmade paper, then finish the night off by cross-stitching in front of the TV. That’s right, I was cross-stitching at 12 years old. I was mature beyond my years!
Then, once I got into high school and college, I kind of let the crafting bug go by the wayside. I was so busy during those years with school, work, extra-curriculars. And crafting wasn’t exactly “cool” in the circles I frequented during that time.

But then over the last year or so, I’ve had this itch to just MAKE something. Anything. As long as I made it with my own two hands. So I picked up sewing again, which got me rolling, and I started brainstorming other creations.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
Most importantly, all of my crafts have to include at least one vintage component. I’m quite the treasure hunter, and you’ll find me hopping from one estate sale to another on the weekends (and sometimes during the week too, if I’m lucky!). And I’m constantly picking up materials that I can use to create something new and useful.

I suppose my favorite materials would have to be all the lovely old books that I gather. I love everything about them: the feel of the worn fabric covers, the weight of the pages, and even the smell. I use the covers to create my Vintage Book Journals, and I am often able to use the pages elsewhere. For example, I’ll use unique illustrations to create my Upcycled Tile Coasters.

I’m also a huge fan of vintage fabrics, which I use for my sewn goods. Sometimes I’ll find raw pieces of fabric, but sometimes I’ll find a set of curtains that I love and I’ll deconstruction, then reconstruct those to create something new from them. Quality vintage fabrics, in patterns I like are a little bit harder to come by than other materials though. I suppose that makes my Everyday Bags and Zippered Pouches that much more special to me.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
(Warning, this is very cheesy…) I think I get inspired by my husband a lot. He is a graphic designer and a huge art buff and he has given me the courage to try new things, and not be scared of being creative or making mistakes. I’ve loosened up a lot since I met him and I’m very appreciative of that.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
Well, in late 2008, I saw a Call For Artists for a local juried craft show. It was called Green With Indie, and it was focused on arts and crafts that promoted upcycling, recycling, repurposing, etc. I said to myself “Hey, I could really do this!” and I applied. And to my surprise, I got accepted! The next 3 months were a whirlwind, because I was really starting at ground zero. I had to develop my entire brand, gather my materials (and I mean gather…I can’t just purchase my materials in bulk since they are primarily vintage), plan my product lines, develop price points, and design my booth display. These are things that often evolve naturally over time, but I dove in headfirst and was determined to be ready for the show.

And in the end, it all came together. I had a great show that exceeded my expectations, and got awesome feedback from customers. Following the show in late March 2009, I photographed my remaining inventory and started listing on Etsy. And I must say, I LOVE Etsy. I love the community aspect of it. I’ve gotten to know some of the other sellers, and I love talking to people who have similar interests and goals as me. It’s been a huge support system.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I plan on doing more shows over the next year. I already have a few on my calendar (Big A$$ Indie Art and Craft Show and Strange Folk Festival) and have a few others on my short list that I plan to apply to.

In addition, I’ll continue to sell on Etsy, and I’m starting to branch out into selling unaltered vintage items too, in additional to my handmade items. I am considering opening up a second shop to keep my vintage and handmade separate, but haven’t decided yet. I also just opened an ArtFire shop, and am hopeful that traffic there will steadily increase as ArtFire becomes more well known. Eventually, I’d love to be able to bring in a comparable income to a day job by selling my little pretties. But of course, that’s easier said than done!

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
The most rewarding thing has been hearing the personal details that draw people to my work. The Vintage Book Journals are big in this regard. I can’t tell you how many people have said “I loved this book as a child” or “the title of this book reminds me of my sister” or some other personal detail that makes the journal meaningful to them. I recently worked on a custom order for a lovely woman whose daughter was graduating from high school. She wanted to give Vintage Book Journals to her daughter and all of her daughter’s friends. And she painstakingly picked out books that spoke to each recipient’s character. One of the recipients was an aspiring musician, so she gave him a journal that was based on the importance of music in one’s life. “Charm and Personality” went to another recipient who was known for her friendliness and tact. Each of the 10 journals had a special meaning like this, and she was kind enough to share those details with me. It really touched my heart.

I also see this with my upcycled tile coasters. People will often select a set of Road Map Coasters based on their favorite city, or a place where they recently visited and have fond memories. It’s really nice to hear about WHY someone is purchasing a particular item and what makes it meaningful to them.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
I would suggest that you really take the time to learn about Etsy before you try your hand at selling. I spent about 3 months poking around before I started listing any items. Of course, there’s no harm in learning as you go (and I’m still doing that) but there’s a lot of value in having a good understanding of things beforehand. Read the Storque, attend Virtual Labs, talk with people in the forums…there are so many opportunities to learn valuable information.

And make treasuries! It’s a great exercise for multiple reasons. First, it’s putting your name out there. Other treasury-makers will see your treasury, find your shop, and perhaps include you in a treasury, which means exposure for you. Second, curating treasuries is hugely beneficial for improving your eye for good photography and aesthetics. It gives you an opportunity to look at other good photographs, and analyze what aspects about those photos make them so visually pleasing. Then you can transfer some of those realizations to your own photography. You should be constantly improving your photography. It’s a never-ending process.

Artist Interview: Bonnie of Bonnie Boden

Today I'm happy to interview Bonnie of Bonnie Boden. I was very excited for this interview because it's my very first interview of a photographer! She has some amazing work that I get to show you at the end of this interview. But first, a few little details so you get to know Bonnie better. Bonnie loves the outdoors and her favorite weekend activity is "Spending some time in the outdoors with my camera and the local critters and creatures is always both relaxing and refreshing. Just sitting outside reading and enjoying the fresh air is good, too." In the morning before she heads out she'd eat something fresh, seasonal and homemade for breakfast. She loves to cook and try new recipes. Going along with her love of the outdoors, for vacation she'd love to go where there's a stream, hiking, lots of trees and crisp mountain air. (Maybe I should recommend Oregon! ;)). And last but not least, her favorite color. She states "I don't think I really have a favorite color. I like certain combinations of colors -- I like blues and browns together, for instance. And I really like colors that remind me of fall."

After this I asked her some questions about her art:

What started you in your art/craft?
I've been a photographer for as long as I can remember. I started with a little point-and-shoot camera when I was in grade school, and moved up to a 35mm SLR in high school (it's still in the closet -- I don't know that I'll use it again, but I just can't get rid of it!). I had a makeshift black and white darkroom in our basement in high school, thanks to a family friend unloading some equipment -- no running water except for the washing machine, so things were a little, well, interesting. :) I bought my first digital camera back in the mid-'90s, and it served me well for over ten years. I decided it was time to move up to a digital SLR in 2007, though, and I'm so glad I made the move.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
I've also always felt a strong connection to animals and nature, and I enjoy capturing their beauty in everyday surroundings -- often what you can see if you take a minute to stop and look around. I really enjoy the macro work -- many of the insects in my photos are less than half an inch long -- some about half that.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
I don't have any single inspiration for my work, but I've been inspired by artists whose work makes me feel something. I'm also energized by the critters and creatures in my photos. With the macro work I do, since everything's so tiny I often don't have a good sense of what something looks like until I get it off of the camera and onto the computer screen. It's exciting to see the results -- the beautiful colors and the intricate markings -- and it pushes me to want to get out and shoot more.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
It's only within the last year or so that I've started producing prints of my work for sale. Last summer I had the opportunity to sell my photos at a local community day -- the feedback I received there inspired me, and I decided to try other venues as well.
Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
In the next year, I hope to add more product types (notecards, magnets, bookmarks, canvas prints, calendars, etc.), and I'd like to get my work into local galleries and shows. I'd definitely like to increase my sales.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
It's been fascinating for me to see people's reactions to my work when I'm set up with my photos at a public venue, and while there are a few images that consistently get noticed, individual tastes are really varied. My hope is that people find something that they connect with -- something that makes them feel good, something that sparks a memory, something that inspires them.
What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Do what makes you feel good -- the connections you make with people who appreciate your work will be all the better for that.



Bonnie also has some fun names and facts about her images shown above (click on each for the click-through link). Here are her descriptions:

Tiny Insect -- To give you an idea of the scale on this one, that's a marigold flower. This little guy was so tiny, covered in pollen, and so very busy.
SnowPeaFriendship -- This one always seems so sweet to me -- one snow pea tendril reaching out to another. (My tendril images are some of my favorites -- like the cucumber spirals and the intricate snow pea support constructions.)
Clearwing -- I'd never seen a clearwing hummingbird moth before -- they're pretty incredible. I love how its back legs are crossed -- so relaxed while hard at work.

Bonnie has shops on Etsy, 1000 markets and her own website.

One last fun fact about Bonnie: "I didn't know it until *after* it was published, but the subject of my first photo published in a national magazine was...a stinkbug. (And actually, it's the only item that comes up on Etsy if you search on that keyword!)"

Go check out Bonnie's shops!

I've been a bit absent

But don't worry! Come back tomorrow for a fun Artist Interview!! :D

Also, if you know any other artists who would be interested in having a feature (or even yourself!) just email me (eyeletsagestudio (at) gmail (dot) com). I'm starting my list for the August interviews and into the fall. Get your spot now!

Artist Interview: Kris from Laughing Vixen Lounge

Today I'm interviewing Kris from Laughing Vixen Lounge. She creates fun and playful pop culture pendants and bracelets. When I interviewed her, I asked her for some information about herself. Her favorite breakfast food is cold pizza and if she could do anything on the weekends she'd watch movies, " Anything and everything. [She's] partial to horror and a really good romantic comedy." If she could have her dream vacation it would be to take road trips around the United States. She would also love to see Paris again. Her favorite color combination is green and purple.

Next, I sat down and asked her about her work:

What started you in your art/craft?
I've always been crafty but what made me pick the jewelry I do? Seeing bracelets and saying "Oh, I could do that." So I decided to finally do it.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
I love charms and pretty colored beads. I could sit and play with them for hours.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
I'd have to say it's more of a "what" when it comes to the inspiration for my designs. I've been a movie fanatic since birth and I finally have something to do with all that useless information. Plus I've always been a retro kind of girl which mixes nicely with the pop culture stuff.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I've been developing my designs for a year or two before I started selling them. I decided to start on Etsy and have been selling there since the beginning of the year.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I would just love to be able to keep having fun making everything and be able to support myself eventually.

Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I want people to have fun with it. This isn't fancy jewelry is fun jewelry. I like to make things that remind people of something special, something silly or something they love. That's why I love doing custom work because you know it will be something that means so much to the person buying it.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Don't give up. It takes time and persistence. And you have to advertise. Only a lucky few make big sales off of just listing on Etsy. The rest of us have to work at it. I highly suggest things like Twitter, Blogs, Etc. They are free and spread your store around like crazy.



Make sure to stop by and check out more items from her wonderful shop!

Artist Interview: Kieu of Tea Light Shoppe

Today I'm interviewing Kieu from the Tea Light Shoppe. She creates jewelry, hair accessories and phone charms. The phone charms she makes are completely hand sculpted and are baked in her home oven. Kieu's favorite color is green because it "reminds [her] of trees and nature. It also really pops out in clothing/accessories." Her favorite weekend activity would be sleeping [:D]. She goes to school full time on weekdays and works on stocking her shop, so it is the weekend when she catches up with the sleep she's missed during her busy week. Her most favorite breakfast is breakfast pizza which she says she usually makes herself because very few places make it. (I've never heard of it myself!) Her dream vacation would be to tour Asia. She states, "I don't travel outside of the United States much and I would love to experience more of my culture."

Below are some of the questions I asked Kieu:

What started you in your art/craft?
I've always been into doing anything creative. I was at art school for two years and made many trips to the art store. One day, I just stumbled on some polymer clay and I started playing around with it. It eventually expanded into jewelry making as well.

What are your favorite materials/tools?
I love using polymer clay, Swarovski crystals, and more recently air dry clay. Using polymer clay and air dry clay is like sculpting with playdoh. It's so much fun and you just got to be creative. Swarovski crystals look absolutely beautiful illuminated in the light.

Who's your biggest inspiration?
I've been browsing around Etsy and I have found so many talented people. My two favorite that inspire me so are Nataliaraya and Elishalong. Their designs are so romantic and whimsical.

How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I've been creating for several months. I'm still new at this and enjoy learning and gaining experience in my craft. I only recently started my Etsy shop in March.

Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I hope my Etsy shop will be very successful and consistent with sales. I also hope to consign with several boutiques/gift shops if possible.
Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I want my pieces to look cute and fun. That's why I use bright colored roses or cute little charms. I want people to feel cute wearing my jewelry/accessories.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Don't give up! Make good products, work hard on promoting and you will go far.


Make sure to visit Tea Light Shoppe!

Artist Interview: californiablue

This week, I have the pleasure of interviewing Melissa of californiablue. She lives in San Jose with her husband and two cats, Pinky and Newbie. One of her favorite weekend activities is to hang out with her husband and two kitties. Her favorite breakfast food is whole wheat blueberry and raspberry pancakes. If she could go anywhere in the world, she'd travel back to Italy where she and her husband had their honeymoon.

This may come as a surprise to you, but her favorite color is a toss up between green and blue - recently her all time favorite has been aqua blue. Take a look around in her shop and you'll see her wonderful use of the color! Also make sure to take a look at her blog where you can get some fun insight into her work and a glimpse at some delicious looking food and her adorable kitties! Also make sure to check her out on facebook and become her fan!

Here are her responses to our interview:

1)What started you in your art/craft?
After recently having been laid off from a corporate job I held for 13 years, I had an overwhelming urge to create something. I saw a book on making earrings and just felt compelled to try it out! My sister is a painter and has always encouraged me to explore my creative side. My change in employment circumstances opened me up to doing just that!

2)What are your favorite materials/tools?
I really like working with sterling silver wire; it's so forgiving. I also enjoy working with semiprecious stones, and learning about where they come from and other facts about their origin. I'm admittedly most attracted to subtle soft colored beads, especially blues and greens. Also, I like to incorporate recycled glass beads into my work when I can.

3)Who's your biggest inspiration?
I would have to say my sister is my biggest inspiration. She is an amazing painter and has always stayed true to her passion for art both in her personal and professional life. For my 16th birthday she gave me a big box of art supplies which I've moved with me many times. I finally used these supplies to create my californiablue logo I put on my boxes and use for my earring cards!

4)How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I am a Newbie! I opened my Etsy shop in March of this year. Thanks to a colleague at work who introduced me to Etsy, I was really curious how easy it really would be to set up an online shop. I was incredibly impressed with the ease and user friendly nature of Etsy's site.

5)Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I hope that I will continue to dedicate time to the creation process and expand into new styles and techniques in my jewelry making. Of course, I would love to have increased sales, but I feel that this creative outlet is priceless for me personally.

6)Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
First and foremost, I want my customers to enjoy wearing it, and feel good about themselves when they do. When I named my shop "californiablue" I really wanted to create simple, yet elegant casual jewelry at affordable prices which would make you feel like you are on vacation! I love where I live, and strive to work that feeling into each piece I create.

7)What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
I would say to new Etsy sellers, you are not alone! The Etsy community is fantastic and so supportive. I was really pleasantly surprised by all of the advice and support I received thru the forums. All of the tips and resources are wonderful. I would highly recommend that anyone who wants to try to sell their work, that they join Etsy and not be scared. The handmade community is a warm and supportive one, and once you dive in, you won't regret it!

Artist Interview: Jeanne of Three Wishes Studio

{Jeanne with one of her daughters, Kiera}
Today I'm glad to have the opportunity to talk to Jeanne of Three Wishes Studio. Jeanne is a jewelry designer, wife, and mother of three who works full time. Her favorite color is any shade of green, and states "Other than taking this leap of faith with opening a shop on Etsy, I’m ridiculously normal." She loves any sort of breakfast that involves coffee and someone else making and serving her something (sounds like a good idea to me!). On the weekends she likes to enjoy "the gift of time with nothing you have to do [because] that makes a weekend special." If she could travel anywhere in the world she'd go to Australia, Spain or Greece, but really would love to go anywhere outside of the landlocked Midwest. She did say this about her most recent trip "I [...] dog sat for my sister who lives in Solana Beach, Ca. Five days, four nights, with no kids to feed, bills to pay, laundry to do. It was just me and two easy going Jack Russell Terriers. I made tons of jewelry, drank wine, listened to music, walked on the beach and watched movies. It was heaven!"

After discussing some fun stuff we got down to business with her shop questions:

1)What started you in your art/craft?
Beading has been a hobby of mine for some time. So, a few years back when I was between jobs, I started taking classes, learned some new techniques, and eventually ended up having so many things on hand I decided to sell my jewelry on Etsy.

2)What are your favorite materials/tools?
I love, love, love vintage beads and components and am especially fond of Lucite. The material can hold great color and detail and is also very lightweight which makes the jewelry extremely easy to wear. Lately I have become obsessed with enamel and hand dyed ribbon. I’m always experimenting, which is the fun part!

3)Who's your biggest inspiration?
My creative inspiration comes from the materials, of course, but also from colors and patterns in nature, graphic art, fabric, current and past fashion, films and TV. I’ve always had a keen interest in costume and set design.

I have also had the opportunity to work with many fearless and successful entrepreneurs in my former career life, and they have taught me so much about pursuing your dreams and remaining true to your own style.

4)How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I opened my Etsy shop in February 2009 so I'm still a newbie! I've been making jewelry for the past few years. I am hoping to branch out into some other online venues and local craft shows and art fairs.

5)Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I would love to be able to spend more time making things! With three kids and a full-time job my studio time is limited to weekends and evenings. My goal is to slowly replace hours on my 9-5 job with hours in the studio! That will come with lots of hard work and consistent sales.

6)Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
My wish is that my customers have as much fun wearing their jewelry as I have creating it.

7)What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Much as I would like to simply list items and watch them sell, it just doesn’t happen. You really do have to promote. I am considering starting a blog and recently joined twitter. I am a member of the Etsy Bittersweeets team. Our challenge is to list at least one new item every day. That keeps me productive and the team is a super supportive group of sellers. You can find team members' work by searching "dailychallenge" in the search bar. I also participate regularly in the forums. There are so many creative, supportive artisans on Etsy. It really is a wonderful community of creativity!


Her jewelry is so sweet and cute. Make sure to go check out her shop and follow her on Twitter!

Artist Interview: Emma of Russian Doll Designs

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Emma of Russian Doll Designs. She sells art made through a variety of print methods such as lino, etching and monoprint. She also sells jewelry.

For some fun background info. Emma doesn't have just one favorite color because she thinks there are too many colors to choose from! If you had breakfast with her, you'd realize that her favorite breakfast food is a fry-up (for those who didn't know - I had to look it up! Check the link). Her favorite vacation would be to New Zealand "I like city breaks but the best holiday I've had was a trip to New Zealand - I loved the people, the relaxed attitudes and the great food." Emma also states, "that, as a UK seller on etsy, I am hoping etsy will become more well-known in the UK, as a lot of people still don't know about this amazing site. I sell internationally but am also doing my best to spread the word here!"

Here are some questions I asked her:
1)What started you in your art/craft?
I know everyone says this but I really have been making things for as long as I can remember! My mum was an art and textiles teacher so when I was small I was always given a project to keep me busy and got to learn all sorts of skills including knitting, crochet, batik, weaving, drawing and painting. More recently I got into silversmithing and printmaking through taking some courses and I've spent the last few years learning a range of different printmaking techniques and qualifying in silversmithing.

2)What are your favorite materials/tools?
In printmaking, obviously my main materials are paper and ink! I'm also lucky to have access to a print studio with a range of presses. The jewellery I currently have in my etsy shop is made with a lot of beads, buttons and marbles - and I've have to pick out marbles as my favourite material at the moment! I have always loved them and I now love making jewellery which incorporates them.

3)Who's your biggest inspiration?
I don't have one single person who's my biggest inspiration. It would be the people I have worked with and met in the print studio, the people I know through silversmithing and also all the people whose amazing work I have seen on etsy. My work is inspired mainly by nostalgia and childhood memories and toys.

4)How long have you being producing your work/How did you get started in it?
I have only had my etsy shop since March 2009 so I'm still very new to it. However I've been making the prints and jewellery which you will see there for the past few years, along with lots of other things! I am hoping to branch out into some textiles in my shop soon.

5)Where do you hope your art will take you in the next year?
I will be doing some craft shows soon which I have never done before, so I am looking forward to it but am also a bit nervous! I would love to be able to spend more time making things, and my ideal scenario would be to work part time in my 9 to 5 job, and be able to spend the rest of my time making and selling things.

6)Is there anything you want people to get/take away from your work?
I just want people to be happy with anything they buy and I find it very exciting to think that if someone buys one of my pieces it will be out there in the world in someone else's house or being worn by someone! The majority of my work is inspired by memories and objects from my childhood (hence the marbles, buttons, paper snowflakes etc.) and I hope that some of these things spark some memories for other people too.

7)What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
I am new myself so still learning from everyone else, but I think the main thing would be to go for it, and don't think that it's something only other people can do. I wish I had set up my etsy shop years ago, as it's finally given me an outlet for all the work I was producing.

Here are some selections from her shop: