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Featured Artist Interview: Green Rock Creations

Shop Name: green rock creations

What you like to go by: Katie

When did you start your shop? March 2012

Is this your only job? No - I work full time as a Process Safety Engineer in Anchorage, AK. My shop is a great outlet for my creative side, which tends to be hidden in my day job. 

When did you realize you had this talent? In February 2012, I took a sewing class and bought a machine. I had a newborn daughter at the time and wanted to be able to make things for her. I haven't been sewing long, but my mom is an avid quilter and I guess it's just in my genes. 

Where do you find your inspiration? I think about the things that I need or would like to have, usually because I can't find exactly what I want in a store, and then I figure out how to make them myself. I started making burp cloths because the ones I found were so ugly and cheap. My dog collars were created because I couldn't find a cute collar that was big enough for my giant malamute. Recently I started making toddler belts because my daughters pants kept falling down! 

Who has been the most supportive of your work? I am so lucky in that everyone I know has been supportive of me! My family is very happy that I've found a great hobby and my friends are always asking me to make them gifts. I have become the go-to for baby gifts within my circle of friends - even the ones that live in other states. 

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? I would like to have my items sold in local stores here in Anchorage. I just moved here from Colorado, and while a few places in Denver are carrying my items, I haven't had the time to find a great spot in Alaska yet. 

What are your other hobbies? gardening (flowers and veggies) renovating old houses, being outdoors with my dogs and family

What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Anything worth having is worth working for.

Where is the farthest you have traveled? We went to Barbados for our honeymoon in 2010 - it was amazing!

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Twitter: ktrockco

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Beeswax Featured Supplier: Honeyrun Farm! By Jacquelyn Kyle

This post was written by: Jacquelyn Kyle of WillowTreeApothecary

I’ve spent a lot of time tracking down the very best ingredients to use in the solid perfumes that I make for Willow Tree Apothecary. Today, I thought I’d introduce you to one of my very favorite suppliers: Honeyrun Farm, my beeswax supplier. Since beeswax is one of the main components of my solid perfume, it was really important to me to find a supplier that I was comfortable with. Honeyrun Farm fit my qualifications beautifully (no, really beautifully…check out the photos!).
Jayne and Isaac began keeping bees nearly ten years ago, when Jayne gifted Isaac a beehive for Christmas (coolest gift-giver ever, I say!). They now have over 200 hives of bees, and they gather and package the honey, beeswax, and pollen from the hives themselves.
I love the fact that they do all of it themselves, so that they know exactly what they’re selling (and thus I know exactly what I’m buying). For example, they do not use chemicals in their beekeeping practices. They harvest responsibly, taking no more than the bees can spare.
Let’s talk a little bit about their beeswax! First, look at how gorgeous it is. I know, I know, looks shouldn’t matter, but I just love getting a package in the mail from them and opening it to see this:

See what I mean?
The beeswax is harvested as they harvest the honey. Then it is filtered and cleaned, then melted and poured into the molds. There are just SO many things you can do with beeswax, which is often used to keep thread strong, keep needles sharp, make bath and beauty products, and make candles.
Plus, it smells really good.
Here are a few of the other lovely products that Honeyrun Farm makes and sells.

Did you know that honey from the same hives tastes different at different times of the year? This is because the bees visit different flowers and plants during different seasons. This sampler from Honeyrun Farm contains the Fall, Spring, and Summer varieties. They also offer a lavender-infused honey that sounds divine. Click the photo to go directly to this listing in their shop!

Jayne of Honeyrun Farm makes these pure beeswax candles. The beeswax has its own lovely scent, so there is no fragrance added.
I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know a little bit about what goes into your solid perfume.
Find Honeyrun Farm here: http://honeyrunfarm.etsy.com

I've been treasured! Color Splash!

My Rainbow Earrings where listed in this beautiful treasury! Click the picture above to view the listing for these earrings!

I've been Treasured!

Check out my Two Bridled Horses Ring in this Treasury! Yey I love being Treasured!

New Items!

Here are the new items I just updated to the shop today! Again, they are all rings because I went on such a big ring kick lately but they are all really gorgeous! Seems like I'm almost gearing up for Halloween 7 months early! That's okay though because I usually make things that I would like or want to wear, so my personality really comes out as far as taste goes with the items in my shop! Anywho, I'm going to keep working on more items and put them up later next week!

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New Treasury! Unicorns are REAL!

New items!

 

Featured Artist: le animalé

This is Laura. Hi Laura.

Shop Name: le animalé
What you like to go by: Laura
When did you start your shop? May 2011
Is this your only job? It's a full-time job, but I also work as a part-time freelance photographer.
When did you realize you had this talent? Sculpting is something I've done on and off for the past few years.
Where do you find your inspiration? Animals, of course! I get lost in all of the adorable animal photos on the internet. I'm also inspired by my friends and family.

More info

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My boyfriend. He's so supportive of my endeavors and is ALWAYS there for me. But I've really had great support from a lot of different places and I'm so thankful to each and every person who has supported my work!
What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? A balanced schedule.
What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Two Emerson ideas: "Always do what you're afraid to do." --- "Envy is ignorance; imitation is suicide."

Profile Excerpt:

More info

Hi. My name is Laura, and I love:

animals
miniatures
quirky traits
silly humor
& fun gifts.

I tell people all the time that I wish I could have a zoo, or better yet, a zoo of miniaturized animals. Wouldn't that be the cutest? So I created the closest thing possible: le animalé, a place with mini animals full of cute & humorous antics ready to brighten your day. : )

Take a peek into my creative process.
Follow me on Twitter.
Check out my blog.

More info

Featured Artist: Studio By the Forest

More info

Shop Name: Studio By the Forest

What you like to go by: Anna

When did you start your shop? I originally started my shop back in 2006, then named ALDDesigns, where I mainly sold my lampworked glass beads and some jewelry. I became unable to still create glass beads due to some health issues and switched to working with clay. Recently after a move across the state and several other life-changing events I decided to change the name of my shop to StudioBytheForest.

Is this your only job? This is my only paying job, though I'm a stay-at-home Mom to 4 children, so I keep pretty busy! I use my shop income to help with family expenses and to pay for supplies.

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When did you realize you had this talent? My Mom tells tales of me trying to sculpt with any remotely malleable material, be it mashed potatoes, mud, or play-doh when I was less than a year old. Though most of my "pieces" resembled snowmen and not the animals I was trying to make.

Where do you find your inspiration? I find my greatest inspirations in the animals that visit my yard, the leaves and acorns that fall from my trees, and from taking long hikes through the forest nearby.

Who has been the most supportive of your work? My husband and my parents have been very supportive of me. They have made sure I've had the equipment and supplies I've needed. My husband bought me a new large kiln last year for Valentines Day and he and my Dad wired it for me. My Mom is always

More info

finding all kinds of interesting things for me to use in my pieces.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? I would really love to be able to really consistently contribute to my family's income. I love that Etsy has given me a way to "sell my wares" yet still be available for my kids.

What are your words to live by or favorite quote?
Ooh this is tough, this quote represents the way I think very well:

“Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

Featured Artist: sophinegiam

 


 Sophie is from the beautiful Singapore! In this interview she tells about how she left her job to create jewelry for a living! We can be glad she did because her work truly is wonderful!

Shop Name: sophinegiam

What you like to go by: sophine giam
When did you start your shop? 23 Mar 2009
Is this your only job?
Yes, this is my one and only rice bowl; working happily almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since Sep 2009.

Pictures and info

Where do you find your inspiration? From books, magazines, shopping mall, photo and pictures from internet. Almost from all sources where I can see accessories and jewelry.
Who has been the most supportive of your work? Hmm.....tough question. i have always been running on my own. I would said my son and the mental support of all the lovely people who have known me
What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? To grow spiritually and hopefully to fully accomplish my life purpose that has been intended and planned for.
What are your words to live by or favorite quote? This is a long one that i am still living with it:
watch your thoughts, for they become words,
watch your words, for they become actions,
watch your actions, for they become habits,
watch your habits, for they become character,
watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

Pictures and info

Excerpt from profile:

Pictures and Info

"I reluctantly left my job of 7 years in August 2009. This was heartbreaking, because I truly loved my job. Things happened for a reason; a lesson to learn; a new chapter to start.
Now I am working full time crafting jewelry, painstakingly made to be sinfully seductive, wearable, inimitable, affordable and able to pass my standards which means I would personally buy these myself. I sincerely thank those who have supported me."

Featured Artist: Chelsea Girl Designs

More Pictures and Info

Julie has some very interesting and unique pieces in her shop. It seems to me that her creativity works overtime. When I came across her work I thought to myself, there is nothing in this shop that I wouldn't wear! Read more about Julie here.

More Pictures and Info

Shop Name: ChelseaGirlDesigns
What you like to go by: Julie
When did you start your shop? 2009

Is this your only job? No, I am a special ed elementary educator
When did you realize you had this talent? When I was in my teens. But pursued many other creative outlets before I realized about 10 years ago that this is what I love!
Where do you find your inspiration? Creative friends and artists in my local area as well as my love of vintage.
Who has been the most supportive of your work? My friends. They urged me onwards and upwards. My biggest fan was my late father

More Pictures and Info

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who came up with my shop name.
What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? To not be afraid to solder a piece of silver!!!
What are your words to live by or favorite quote? by J.M Barrie, author of Peter Pan, “When the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies.

Photography on Etsy

Now listing my photography on Etsy!

Please check it out! :) 

Use of my images for any purpose is not permitted. Thank you!

Also, 50% off your entire order for my very first sale! (up to 5 items) My shop is still relatively new so to start it off right I'm giving you 50% off your entire order . 1STSALE50 Coupon Code!

Featured Artist: EarRenderings

Pamela is a single mom of 4. She is obviously talented in more ways than one! Here she talks about juggling life while working on her jewelry making! You will also find pictures of Pamela's talented work!

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Shop Name: EarRenderings aka ForHerEarsOnly
What you like to go by: Pamela
When did you start your shop? Sept. 12 of this year
Is this your only job? No indeed! I am a single Mom of four children. That is my calling, first and foremost. And of course all of the roles that go along with it.
When did you realize you had this talent? It was in 1996, I wanted to earn some extra 'diaper & formula' money so I sat down with instructions and created my first earring.

More Pictures and Info

Where do you find your inspiration? From every woman in the world who uses her God given talents to live up to her full potential.
Who has been the most supportive of your work? My children, my sister & my friends. Really very supportive and encouraging.
What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet? I would like to travel to far away places that I have read about and seen in pictures and in my mind. I want to stand in those places, meet those people, eat their food and marvel at their culture!
What are your words to live by or favorite quote? Actually, I will leave you with one that I coined myself. 'Always march to the beat of your own drummer, so long as the Drummer is God.'