Featured Artist Interview: Jo from Bits off the Beach

Google

Shop name: JosJewelryDesign

What you like to go by: I usually go by Jo... Since that's my name, but I answer to most anything

When did you start your Etsy shop? I started my shop last fall and have been working steadily to add more pieces to it.

Is this your only job? I have been working retail in a ladies accessory dept for the last 25 years... I am officially RETIRED and will be able to devote myself full time to my jewelry. YEAH! I can't wait.

When did you realize you had this talent? I took my first jewelry class in high school art. I have always enjoyed creating things, from pottery to knitting to sketching to making my jewelry it seems I have always enjoyed seeing what I can do. Other than a few classes and reading everything I come across it is mostly trial and error and self taught.

What are your other hobbies? Other hobbies I enjoy... Sounds odd? But I love entering contests and sweepstakes. I love the excitement and dreaming about the great prizes and trips waiting to be won. My best prize yet has been a car... My oddest prize was a stuffed toy of name brand hotdog, but I still have them both.

Where is the farthest you have traveled? My furthest travel... I spent 3 years in Germany with my husband when he was in the service. My favorite places to travel, would be anywhere with palm trees and a beach. Tulum Mexico is a favorite, (my banner in my shop is a picture of the beach near there.) Maui is another favorite that we love to return to as often as we can.

What is your favorite quote? I don't have a favorite quote. I always hear great ones but then can't remember them when I need to. Maybe " you're as young as you feel" in honor of me retiring.

Featured Artist Interview: Valerie of InHeartOnMind

Google Mixed media assemblages designed to touch hearts and minds about what happens to animals every day.

Shop Name: InHeartOnMind

What you like to go by: Valerie

When did you start your shop? January of this year

Is this your only job? Nope--secretary by day

When did you realize you had this talent? Made my first assemblage at age 7, when my dad gave me an empty matchbox and told me to see what I could do with it. Pasted scrap fabric and a shoe buckle on top of it, and I was hooked!

Where do you find your inspiration? Inspiration comes sometimes from the objects themselves. At times they seem to have a story to tell. I'm devoted to Juxtapoz and Hi Fructose magazines--the artists and images jump start my own creativity.

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My husband of 21 years is my muse and the most supportive of my work. He provides a constructively critical eye, and doesn't let me fall into the "it's all crap" trap.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? Wish it was just one thing! Want to start an e-magazine as a resource to people who have rabbits. Want to continue to raise awareness of animal rights issues. Want to start a "meals on wheels" type service including vet care for pets of people who are elderly/shut in.

What are your other hobbies? Other hobbies include learning to play cello, writing fiction

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Favorite quote: "I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well."--Diane Ackerman

Where is the farthest you have traveled?
Farthest traveled was to Alaska growing up as a military brat. Would love to return one day!

I am:
• A self taught creative person who made her first mixed media assemblage piece at age 7 using a matchbox, old fabric and a shoe buckle
• Fortunate to have had amazing animal companions from childhood, including 5 rescued rabbit fur kids

I create from:
• Passion to inspire people to think more about how animals are treated
• Hope that once inspired, people will want to know how they can make a difference
• Expectation that people who want to make a difference, given the tools to do so, will make the world a more humane place for animals

If you would like to learn more/do more, here are some places to start.

Listing of companies that don’t test on animals.


Info on factory farming/compassionate eating choices (please be aware that there are some graphic images on this site).

Featured Artist: Buster Boo

Google

Shop Name: Buster Boo

What you like to go by: Sasha

When did you start your shop? I opened Buster Boo in 2010, but didn't really get serious about it until mid-2011, when the cutest little baby shoes started coming from my sewing machine. I had played with other products, but love these shoes so much, I now focus on them.

Is this your only job? I am wife, mum to 2 very busy kids, and also have my own small business, running a fabric shop here in our suburb, here in Brisbane, Australia. Having my own craft shop is stressful, and crazy long hours, but it does mean that I get to play with all the new fabrics that we buy in!

When did you realize you had this talent? My mum has always sewed, and knitted, so I learned basic sewing from her. About 13 years ago, when I was working as a lawyer, I did a learn to quilt course in the evenings. The feeling of successfully creating things from such beautiful fabrics was all it took for me to be hooked on fabric and creating.

Where do you find your inspiration? There is such a shortage of funky things for boys, that this is some of my inspiration. Also, the endless supply of beautiful unique fabrics, from such talented Australian designers as Saffron Craig, Umbrella Prints, Two Monkeys and Stepping Stones are a constant inspiration.

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My darling husband knew I loved making things, when we got engaged - but as I was working as a lawyer, on track for partnership at t time, I just don't think that he ever imagined where that would take us! But he has been so supportive of me.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? Successfully finishing this knitted jumper I am making for my son. It is my first 'serious' knitting project, and I am about 2/3rds finished.

What are your other hobbies? Yarn is fast becoming a second crafting love for me. I also have a quiet obsession with the Lifestyle and renovation / real estate shows. Otherwise, I will probably be drinking an Earl Grey tea, with my nose in a book.

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. -- basically, make the best of today, and try to let tomorrow and the future happen as they will.

Where is the farthest you have traveled? I live in Australia, and the farthest I have travelled away from here is the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. I lived in London for 6 months, and did a lot of tripping from there - Prague, Scotland, Scandinavia. My husband even went to Iceland! We love to travel :-)

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Featured Artist: mariaHandmade

Google

Shop Name: mariaHandmade


What you like to go by: Maria

When did you start your shop? About a year ago.


Is this your only job? It’s not the only thing I do but maybe it’s the most pleasant. I love trying something new all the time and now I’m just looking for myself in this life. I also love video, photography and everything about design and fashion… I hope I will find the way to combine all these things.


When did you realize you had this talent? It all started with making things just for me, then for some friends of mine… But one day I realized my inspiration flows over this border and I create for someone I imagine. I just see people who could wear my accessories or jewelry – their lifestyle, self-perception and even appearance. It’s always different, of course, but it’s in my head all the time. That’s why it’s always very interesting to communicate people who wants to buy something – I love personalizing things or adjusting them for someone specifically.
That is also the reason why I started my second shop where I sell vintage clothes and accessories.
I just see the person who would be a perfect owner for these things, who would wear it and look like he always used to. So I want these people to meet their perfect things.


Where do you find your inspiration? It comes from everything. It may be some pictures or things I see around but most likely I’m inspired by materials. When I see some piece of fabric, stone or just piece of something I imagine where can it be used. But the interesting thing is that it almost never looks like it was in my head by this time – idea is born only while I’m already crafting. So I never know what will it look like finally.

Who has been the most supportive of your work? I think the main thing is just inside me - I always try to listen to my feelings. My family and close friends are not really getting what exactly I am doing, but I know they are happy to see that I'm making things that I love and doing so well at this!

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? I'd like to graduate my studies and move to the lands where it's warm and mornings are full of sun... I'd to learn how to sew all the things that I have in my head and I dream about meeting someone who could teach me how to create my own pair of shoes... I want to know how to do so many things and I wish I cold find a way to combine it all in together my life.

Featured Artist: Frawn

Google

Shop Name: Frawn

What you like to go by: Fran

When did you start your shop? I opened my etsy shop July 2010 and have been selling in shops since January 2010.

Is this your only job? No, I am a commercial interior designer by day and jewelry designer at night. I enjoy the creativity of interior design but it is confined to the built environment. The jewelry design provides me with a more creative outlet where I can use my design skills in a different way.

When did you realize you had this talent? I have made jewelry ever since I was a kid. I wove bead bracelets and made FIMO beads and necklaces in the 90's. I have always loved working with my hands and the intricacy of jewelry making.

Where do you find your inspiration? I find it all around me in nature, the city, and in my own home. That's the beauty of the laser cutter is that it can work with any image and capture the tiniest details.
 

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My mom and my husband have both been extremely supportive. My mom has always encouraged creativity and she has helped my with numerous shows and has supported me throughout the years. And my husband picks up the slack when I have to go into production mode before a show and we have also collaborated on some of newer geometric pieces.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? I would love to see one of my items in a TV show or movie. That would be so amazing to see something in film.

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? One of my favorites is 'Design is where science and art break even.'— Robin Mathew

Featured Artist: The Tiny Fig!

Shop Name: The Tiny Fig Handmade Gifts & Accessories

What you like to go by: My real name is Connie. Everyone crafty refers to me as Tiny Fig.

When did you start your shop? I started my shop back in the summer of 2007 as a hobby. My Etsy shop was an experimental thing that did so well it never ended.

Is this your only job? Yes, I do Etsy and craft shows full time along with wholesale. It keeps me quite busy!

When did you realize you had this talent? Hmm, probably 9th grade when I took my first graphics class and fell in love with design.
 Where do you find your inspiration? I usually draw inspiration from events or things I experience daily in life. Ex: I get quite obsessed with food and love to incorporate that into my work.

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My entire family. My mom, dad and sister are all very supportive in helping me produce, package, work at shows and ship orders. Not sure what I’d do without them!

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? I’d love to have a studio space someday. Somewhere I can work without having to clean up, somewhere that has good lighting and space for both creating and practicing photography.

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Fight like you’ve already won.

Featured Artist: The Faery Apothocary

Shop Name: TheFaeryApothocary

What you like to go by: Brittany or Fae. I work as a faery at a local haunted attraction and since I've been there for 6 years it seems to fit me lol

When did you start your shop? I started my shop in November 2011 but I've been making crafts since I was a high school student.

Is this your only job? I'm also a full time stay at home mom to an adorable little wild man.

When did you realize you had this talent? Years ago lol. I've always been the black sheep in a family of athletes.

Where do you find your inspiration? Everywhere. If I see it and can make my own version of it from my point of view I'm going to do it.

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My new husband! He believes in everything I'm passionate about and helps to keep me focused so I don't go crazy with too many projects at once.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? I want to swim with sharks. Lol ya kinda random and scary but it's something I'd like to find the courage to do before I'm to old.

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Vita Brevis! It's Latin for Life is Short.

Featured Artist: Coolections

Click here!

Shop Name: Coolections


What you like to go by: My first name is actually Ruth-Rachel but I go by Ruthie-sounds more friendly.

When did you start your shop? I actually started playing with clay in fall 2010 but got busy with work so I opened my online shop on Etsy just for fun in November 2011


Is this your only job? I currently work full-time as a Critical Care RN in the Neuroscience ICU taking care of the brain and the spinal cord. I really love my job but I just can't imagine myself just doing what I do so I started making clay jewelry and in my spare time I also like to take pictures with my DSLR. I'm still learning to use my camera!

Click Here!

When did you realize you had this talent? I've always paid attention to details but never realized that I had this talent until I found some clay in my house that had been sitting for at least a year. Just out of curiosity, I tried to make something out of it. Really enjoyed it and never stopped since then! I really like clay because you're not limited on what you can do with it!

Where do you find your inspiration? I am constantly brainstorming everyday! I find inspiration on everything I see. Magazines, television, seasons, nature, and anything cute!

Click here!

Who has been the most supportive of your work? I come from a very talented family but growing up I felt like I was the least talented! I can't draw or paint! So when I told my family that I started a new hobby that involves making little clay jewelry, they were so excited! It motivates me to create more beautiful little things!


What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? I've always wanted to participate in a craft fair. I've researched it but when I see the applications and the pictures of the other artists' creations, I get so intimidated! I'm still new to this and still learning!

Click here!

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Life is short. Live your life and enjoy it according to what makes you happy as long as you're not hurting anybody. Take the time to enjoy the little things like smell the flowers and spend time with your loved ones. Tell them you love them. You never know when your time ends.

Featured Artist: A List Designs

Shop Name: A List Designs

What you like to go by: Brenda & Alea 

When did you start your shop? We officially launched our shop in the summer of 2010.

Is this your only job?

No, Brenda works for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and I am an independent contractor working promotional events.

When did you realize you had this talent?

In 2004, I got into beading and started making sterling silver or 14k gold fill earrings and necklaces with semi-precious stones.  In 2007, Brenda showed an interest in making jewelry, too, so I taught her the basics of beading.  She caught on quickly and has even taught me a thing or two since then!  In 2009, I enrolled in classes with a professional metalsmith and have been learning how to work in silver ever since.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I tend to find inspiration in a lot of random places: nature, architecture, etc.  Brenda literally dreams up a lot of her designs!

Who has been the most supportive of your work?

Our friends, family and coworkers have been very supportive and encouraging.  Some have even made a few purchases!

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet?

As Etsy shop owners, we hope to dramatically improve our sales over the next year.  It's actually one of our New Years Resolutions!

What are your words to live by or favorite quote?

Follow your dreams.

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