Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Featured Artist From Etsy "monkeyminddesign09"

1. Name and a little background information about you and what do you sell in your shop.

My name is Anita Ashfield-Salter.

I have been a graphic designer for 13 years in the advertising agency world. I recently left my job to pursue my new venture. It was time to get back to my roots. I love design, paper and making things with my hands. It's been two months and I love it! I hope to create designs that are positive, inspiring and fun.

2. When and how did you get started in your craft?
At an early age art was my passion. It was very clear the path I was supposed to take. I also graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design. Of course, years of experience in print give me an advantage. And as I mentioned, I love paper and printing!

3. Could you explain a little how is your creative process?
I love to window shop and look at installations for inspiration. I take in color combinations and styles. Anthropologie is a perfect place to lose yourself visually. Then an idea pops up and I get to work. But I usually end up with something totally different than what I started with. And I am my own hardest critic and hardest client to please.

4. How long have you been selling your craft?
I have only been selling for two months. And trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can. I also started selling my cards and calendars at the same time at a boutique gift shop in my neighborhood.

5. Do you have a favorite item from your store and why?

More Than Words Calendar - It was a major decision to leave my job and pursue happiness and a dream. I needed encouragement and inspiration. I spent many hours trying to find the right quotes with courage and change in mind. When I am having self doubt... I read the quotes. I am proud of myself and hope to encourage others to pursue their dreams.

6. What do you want to achive from Etsy?

Happiness doing what I love... and one day the pay day to go with it. I give everything I do 120% and do it with heart and soul. I hope it shows in my work.

7. Where else can we find you?

Twitter: http://twitter.com/monkeymindesign

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Monkey-Mind-Design/264507218759?ref=ts
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/monkeyminddesign09

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Featured Artist From Etsy "brownsco"

Name and a little background information about you and what do you sell in your shop.
We are a husband and wife team. Mike makes paper mache and chalk ware sculptures and I dabble in hypertufa making planter troughs, planters and other garden accessories. We have sculptures for all holiday seasons, and just items for special people.

When and how did you get started in your craft?
We have been hand crafting for many years; but turned it into a business in 2008.
Could you explain a little how is your creative process?
Mike thinks about what type of sculpture to create on his two hour commute back and forth to work and than releases his stress of the day by creating it.

How long have you been selling your craft?
Since January of 2008

Do you have a favorite item from your store and why?
Most all of the characters are favorites because they have been hand crafted individually based on whatever life event may have taken place or how the day went, etc.

What do you want to achive from Etsy?
Hoping to promote our products and initiate more sales
Where else can we find you? (blog, facebook, twitter, etc.)
We have a website of our own called brownscountryoriginals.com and are also on artsaflutter.com
Mike and Donna Brown
Brown's Country Originals
http://www.etsy.com/shop/brownsco

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Featured Artist From Etsy "kavali8"

My name is Cassandra... I am a wife and a mom and I work from home. I paint abstract and floral canvas paintings using acrylic paint. I am from Michigan.

Art has been my passion since I was a child. I am self taught,I never went to art school I learned it all on my own.You will find Canvas Painting, aceos, cards,Prints,and pet toys in my shop.

I have loved to draw since I was very young. My mom and my grandmother are artist as well... not the same kind of art but we all have some kind of creative craft. My mom's shop is THEMONKEYSHOP.

I guess everything in my life gives me inspiration... Depends on what is happening that moment I guess. I have been on Etsy for over a year I think...
I think my favorite painting would have to be my Ayana Painting which I sold to the family that inspired me to paint it in the first place.

All of my items are reasonably priced seeing that the economy is rough right now. I feel everyone should have art in there home so that is why I am giving everyone such a great deal.

I would love Etsy to be a great opportunity to make some great money and also a way to share my passion.
I have a blog: kavali8.blogspot.com

*Specials*

FREE U.S. SHIPPING ENTIRE SHOP!

Pet Toys B1GOFREE!!! (buy 1 and get 1 FREE)

HUGE Markdowns on Paintings!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kavali8

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Featured Artist From Etsy "lou1498"

My name is Louise Nylander, I'm originally from England but moved to California after I met my husband who was born and raised here. My shop is called Coco's Crafting Corner, (named after my 10 month old daughter Chloe, in case you were wondering where the "Coco" came from). I specialize in sewing and started off making baby blankets but have now branched out into other areas too, although blankets and quilts will always be my one true love! I now also do rag quilt bags, dreamcatchers, and I have a little of my pencil artwork in there too. And I love to do custom requests!!!

All the net profits from my shop are donated to the charity Newborns In Need, who help supply babies born into poverty or sickness with blankets and other essential items.

I started out sewing just a little under a year ago when my husband bought me a sewing machine for Christmas, I don't know if he was trying to hint that I wasn't domesticated enough or what, but that's what he got me. After leaving it in the box for about a month, I finally decided to get it out and have a go. I was almost 8 months pregnant with my daughter at the time so I tried my hand at sewing her a patchwork stroller blanket, and although it wasn't the best work I have ever done, I was pretty impressed with myself. That was it then, I was hooked. I havent stopped sewing since, I just love it.

My creative process, hmmm. Well, firstly I have to wait till my two young children are happy and settled before I can even think about doing anything, my home is a bit of a mad house right now. Sewing is therapeutic to me so as soon as the little guys are in bed, I'll be at my sewing machine. My favorite part is picking out the colors for anything I make. I usually just end up on the floor surrounded by squares of fabric, throwing then around till I like what I see.

I started selling baby blankets as soon as I started making them on Ebay, and was pleasantly surprised how many I was selling, although to be honest I wasn't asking much for them back then. I just loved the fact that other people liked them too. I found Etsy last September, and now I hardly list anything on Ebay anymore. I love the community on Etsy, everyone is so kind and helpful to one another. It's a great place to sell.

I guess my favorite item in my store would be my pink and brown rag quilt made from flannel and minky

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39339558

I love the colors in it and also the mixture of fabrics. It's so pretty and girly but also very warm and cozy.

I would love for my blankets to become known worldwide and become a sought after designer, of course, who wouldn't? But realistically, I would just love to sell some blankets here and there, keep myself going and keep bringing in some money for Newborns In Need. I just want to be able to keep buying the fabrics so I can keep sewing.

You can find me here on Etsy, occasionally on Ebay, same user name lou1498. Also I have a facebook page, by the name of Coco's Crafting Corner, and I would always love more fans. I also do giveaways about once a month, randomly picking someone who has hearted my Etsy shop. And I'm always advertising special offers and promos on my facebook page.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lou1498

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Featured Etsy Artist Janice Cordeiro "

Taking a journey through Janice Cordeiro's Wool Fiber Creations

I think the first time anyone picks up a barbed needle and pokes at the wool they are hooked. And the adventure begins. It almost seems magical to take a flat piece of wool and poke it into the shape you want. I especially like to create baby animals. Something about the innocence in their expression.

I've been involved in some area of art for a very long time. I think, however, that needle felting is the direction I will continue. I also have a web site, woolcreations.net however I am shamefully behind on my blog. I can't seem to find the time for everything so far.

My Etsy shop has been opened a year last Fall. I find it hard to let some of them go as they are my creations. From idea to finished sculpture . . . it brings me closer. I started selling because you can keep just so many. I do pop them here and there around the house. Never know what will be peeking out at you. If I had to pick one that I might not let go it would be my "Sleeping Kitten". I still don't know if I will let it go. it always brings a smile to my face.

I have had some exciting things happen since I've been on Etsy. I was contacted by a new art gallery in Silver Springs, Maryland - Artspring. They have some of my pieces included in their gallery. I was also contacted by Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Craft Magazine to have one of my ornaments featured. That will come out this August I think. It has been a joy.

Sales are nice, but it's not always about the sale, it's about the journey.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JaniceCordeiro

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Etsy Featured Seller : lterrill9

1. Name and a little background information about you and what do you sell in your shop.
Hello everyone, my name is Leann and I have 2 crazy, wonderful teenage girls that keep me on my toes! Crafting is my joy and my getaway time for myself. I love to make things out of tile and hope that you will enjoy looking at the items in my shop!

2. When and how did you get started in your craft?
I got started a few years ago when I bought an English Bulldog, Gunner. I really wanted some bulldog coasters and the ones that I had found I didn’t like or they were asking way too much for a set of coasters. I began trying different things and came up with my own. My neighbors, family and friends started buying them. I then began doing craft shows and hence my journey to Etsy.

3. Could you explain a little how is your creative process?
A lot of people want custom things to match their décor or for gifts and a lot of inspiration comes from there. I spend a lot of time fishing and outdoors and love to come up with new ideas while spending time outdoors.

4. How long have you been selling your craft?
I have only been selling on Etsy for about 3 months (still a newbie) but have been selling by word of mouth or craft shows for about 2 years.

5. Do you have a favorite item from your store and why?
My favorite items in my store are my tile tic tac toe boards. They are great coffee table décor and so much fun to make! Especially the custom order ideas that I receive families love to have the two different teams and these are great for those long commercials!!

6. What do you want to achive from Etsy?
I am hoping to learn all aspects of what it takes to run a business, make great friends and of course run my shop successfully!

7. Where else can we find you? (blog, facebook, twitter, etc.)
I am a proud member of Primos Pawtouragehttp://primospawtourage.ning.com/

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

JollyJennifer: Etsy's Featured Seller

1. Name and a little background information about you and what do you sell in your shop.
My name is Jennifer (thus the JollyJennifer ;) I'm 25, single. I have a culinary arts degree but decided that it just wasn't for me. In my shop I sell a variety of items from polymer clay sculptures to my swirl art, all types of jewelry and paper products such as cards, tags, origami boxes, etc.

2. When and how did you get started in your craft?
I've always been a crafter-the creative one in the family. I've collected things over the years and dabbled in this and that until I dated a guy and he told me his mom had an etsy shop. I learned more about it and got more serious about my crafts.

3. Could you explain a little how is your creative process?
I've mostly been sticking to ACEO size work for now. I start off by sketching a basic design with pencil and then taking a thin marker to make a basic outline. Alternating around the page, I fill it in with swirls. If you watched me you'd think I was a little scattered with my technique, but I think the specific order that I do things in a picture is what makes it so captivating. Making each piece of art takes a lot of time and hurts my hands after not too long, so I take my time.

4. How long have you been selling your craft?
I joined Etsy July 2, 2009.
5. Do you have a favorite item from your store and why?
It's too hard to pick a favorite. Each new item is my favorite!

6. What do you want to achive from Etsy?
It would be amazing to be able to just rely on funds from Etsy, but I don't honestly get that many sales (I usually trade as much as I sell). I hope to return to school soon to get my masters and teaching certificate. While that is my end goal in full time employment, I plan to keep up with Etsy. If nothing else, it's a creative outlet for me that I enjoy. I have plans to use my Etsy funds as a savings account to return to Poland for a vacation. I lived there for a year and a half and I've been dieing to return and see all the friends I miss. On a side note, I also have another shop called Crafting4Causes.etsy.com where I donate all proceeds to good causes each month. My goal is just to help as much as I can with that :)

7. Where else can we find you? (blog, facebook, twitter, etc.)
At this time I'm still setting up a facebook page and a video montage with my work and video of me making my work on youtube. For now I have my blog:http://jollyjennifersetsyblog.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JollyJennifer