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!

Mini Feature: Fleur Avenue

While I was poking around in the Etsy forums yesterday, I came across this shop that captures just what I like about jewelery called Fleur Avenue. Not only are the jewelery designs sweet and feminine, but you can find ones that are super unique and whimsical. And, her photography is amazing! She's from Singapore and if anyone else is from there (or will be visiting there), she will be at the Red Dot Museum at Tanjong Pagar from 11am-7pm on June 6th and 7th - according to her shop announcement. Too bad I live halfway around the world! It's be fun to go and check out her work in person. Also make sure to stop by and check out her blog - it's a sort of behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at Fleur Avenue!

Some of my favorites:



{all photos are property of Fleur Avenue and are used with permission}

My Favorites' Jewelry Box: What I'm saving for the Birthday List

1. This Fruity Fun Flower Necklace from Jamie's Jewels is so much fun for summer. I just love the colors - I can imagine pairing it with a fun sundress, or even with a plain white t-shirt and jeans. Etsy jewelry is so awesome!

2. I love these Pearl Nest Earrings from Dogberry Hill Studio. There's even a necklace that's the same design but with blue eggs. They're just so fun and spring like. :) This one is definitely on my birthday list for this year, as long as it doesn't sell out before my birthday comes!

3. I almost hate to feature this beautiful Ophelia necklace from Mia Sophia on Etsy because I just love it. It's been on my favorite's list for awhile now, but with little cash flow I can't afford to buy it myself right now. I keep secretly hoping that it won't sell for awhile so I can buy it myself someday, but then again I want Mia Sophia to keep making beautiful necklaces like this so she can keep her shop open. But honestly, isn't this necklace gorgeous?? I think I decided that my birthday list this year is going to consist of items I've found on etsy. I keep finding such wonderful things!