Etsy Artist Feature - ptitebaloue

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items, and I plan to do this one artist at a time. Today I feature ptitebaloue of Quebec, Canada. She has an amazing shop full of handcrafted plush animal toys.


Below you can read her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

I remember threading ribbon across two heart-shaped pieces of cardboard to make a Valentine's day card... ...when I was still in day-care, so probably not even 4 years old! :) Plus numerous memories of myself learning to knit with my grandmother... I started really young!

2. What are some of your favorite past times?

...I often think I have too many and not enough time ;) I love to knit (of course!), but also to draw, play guitar, write fiction, learn and practice foreign languages... I actually spent two of the last summers in Tunisia learning arabic!

3. What do you specialize in?

Although I recently finished a bachelor's degree in international studies and modern languages, job search has not been very successful until now so I've taken out my needles and re-started knitting... soft toys, since I've always loved them :) I also recently taught myself how to spin yarn so my latest creations are made entirely from 100% handspun, natural fibers :)

4. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I discovered the site very randomly, reading a newspaper article about home-made, and just fell in love with it... I spent 2-3 weeks just browsing Etsy for hours and finding new favourites... Then I decided I absolutly had to try it too! :)

5. How did you choose your shop name?

I called it A-knit-thing since my "things" - plushies, creatures ;) - are both knit and... neat ;)

6. What are your hopes for the future?

I'm currently trying to work out a governmental subvention that would allow me to buy more supplies, offer my products to "real" (physical) shops and maybe even build my own website to sell them on... If it works I should get it within a month or two... I'm keeping my fingers crossed, I really, really wish this could become a full-time job!

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

I haven't got that many sales yet but I've already done two custom orders and love that!! :) I'm always open to any request, either a reproduction of something that has sold or any variation of an existing model... or a whole new one, why not! Bring it on! ;)

8. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

It doesn't take many words to describe ;) Basically it's the left side of the sofa (the right one being occupied by my boyfriend to watch TV) and a mountain of supplies boxes piled up around a little table in my bedroom... I really wish I'll have my own room for crafting eventually, when we'll buy a house :)

9. Is there anything else you would like to add?

As I've written on my Etsy page, some toys may appear expensive but they reflect the cost of supplies (natural fibers are expensive, as is shipping!!) and the time spent spinning and knitting - often 5, 6, 7 hours on the smallest toys and even more on bigger ones... but it's an investment you'll probably keep for life, and even transmit to the next generation! :)

How can people get in contact with you?

Please contact me through Etsy - I love to receive comments on my work!! :)

www.ptitebaloue.etsy.com

You can find the pictured soft toys by following the links below:

Leo the handspun - all natural - alpaca polar bear

Marley the wooly -pure wool- lion

Tweet, the itsy bitsy penguin

Thank you so much for reading. I hope that you enjoyed ptitebaloue's soft toys, and please feel free to forward this feature on to your friends and family.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.] Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

You can also find _1337 Art on:

Twitter / Myspace / Live Journal / Deviant Art / Etsy / Artfire

Holidays coming to a close and a feature mention!

I hope everyone had and is having a great and interesting Holiday season!

The wonderful plant decked out in red Christmas lights is my fiance's alternative to a traditional Christmas tree. We have been snowed in for several days so we weren't able to go get a regular tree, but we all liked this Christmas plant quite a lot.

Now the snow is being washed away by the pouring rain, and we regrettably all have to start going back to work.

I'm already starting to think about my New Year's Resolution - it's never too early! There are a lot of new things I want to experiment with and possibly contribute to __1337 Art. I also want to get my workspace cleaned and organized once and for all! Any tips on that would be fantastic!

I have a lot of beads and supplies and piles of things that make it *slightly* hard and/or overwhelming to create new things. I'll definitely post my workspace organization progress if and when I can conquer it!

Blazer, my sleeping kitten, was napping from an exhausting morning of annoying our dog and my older cat, playing in boxes, and getting lost under chairs and wrapping paper. I like that he is sort of photogenic.

I wanted to say a special thank you to dzfantasy for the wonderful blog feature of __1337 Art that she published on her blog! You can view her blog here and my feature here. She offers a wonderful variety of fiber fantasy sculptures. You can follow the link below to view her colorful and fanciful Etsy Shop:

http://dzfantasy.etsy.com

Thank you so much for reading,

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com/
http://1337art.artfire.com
[Elite Art for the elite at heart.] Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, bookmarks, brooches, cards, cell phone charms, clip on earrings, cuff links, hair accessories, wine charms, and more!

Etsy Artist Feature 21 : clairelaraine

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items, and I plan to do this one artist at a time. Today I feature Claire Laraine from North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Below you can find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

Since I can remember I have had a love of fabrics, colour, pattern but most importantly, creating. I have spent years gathering and hoarding scraps of fabrics, beads, buttons, ribbon, anything that I thought might just be useful for something!

2. What do you specialize in?

I specialize in making accessories (bags, purses, pocket mirrors, jewellery, notebooks etc) and follow the mantra of 're-new and re-use', no little scrap of fabric can escape, I am always on the hunt for faded remnants, or a fragment of jewellery I can bring a new lease of life to. My mission is to find all the 'forgotten' fabrics in the world and make them beautiful again. I like the idea that when you make a purchase from Claire Laraine, you will be helping us to do 'our bit' for the environment together.

3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I already had my own website with an online shop, but decided to become a part of Etsy because I liked the idea of being 'surrounded' by other great creative people.

4. How did you choose your shop name?

I chose to use my actual name!

5. What are your hopes for the future?

In the immediate future I hope to continue to build my online business, and branch out into other areas, I hope to be able to provide every accessory anyone could possibly want! Then further in to the future I hope to be able to open a bricks and mortar shop, and sell all my lovely handmade creations, as well as some of those that I have featured in my 'Partners in Crime' venture.

6. How do you feel about custom orders?

I am always open to custom orders, especially as I work with re-newing and re-using fabrics and 'found' items, I would be happy to make something for somebody from a special piece of fabric they might have, or a favourite button or something similar!

7. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

Quite small but very full! Inspiring to work in, and it says lots about me.

8. Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would also like to mention in more detail about my 'Partners in Crime' blog, where I feature other UK sellers and their lovely creations, and I will soon be running monthly give aways. So, please have a look and support lots of other fabulous crafters. http://www.clairelaraine-partnersincri me.blogspot.com

How can people get in contact with you?

email me - mail@clairelaraine.com

Thank you so much for reading! Feel free to visit Clair Laraine's Etsy Shop today!

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Sign up here!

Etsy Artist Feature 20 - KreativeKarryAlls

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items, and we plan to do this one Etsy Artist at a time. Today we feature KreativeKarryAlls from Lancaster, PA.

Below you will find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

As a child, we didn’t have a whole lot of money so making handmade Christmas ornaments with my mom was something we would do, and she still hangs them from the tree every year. I also LOVED to color – give me a coloring book and a box of crayons and I was set!

2. What do you specialize in?

Sewing – handbags, keyfobs and my newest addition fabric business card holders, which have been a big hit.

3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

With some encouragement from a co-worker, I brought some of my items into the office and people went nuts! Thank you Michelle! Then our IT Coordinator (and friend) informed me of an “All Things Handmade” website and suggested I check it out. I did and here we are almost 2 years later. Thank you Ommie!

4. What are your hopes for the future?

At some point it would be WONDERFUL to make this my FT job or at least enough to compensate enough for me to be able to work from home. Don’t get me wrong, I love my office job, but there is something about working at your own pace and being able to use my god given talent to make a living that would be so fulfilling. I get such a rush every time I see that I sold something and then to hear from my customers that they love their items when they receive them.

5. What are some of your favorite past times?

Spending time with the family, going to the beach, the park, or on a hike. Sitting around the campfire with friends and family making smores (even though I don’t eat them myself). I also love to scrapbook, and do home decorating/remodeling. My husband and I would love to someday flip a house, we keep looking but haven’t found “the right one” yet.

6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

An organized mess. There is fabric and ribbon everywhere, but I know where everything is!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I have a wonderful and very supportive husband who allows me the time to work on my projects and a little boy who is my world! Even though I love my craft, and that rush of joy when I sell an item – nothing can compare to being a wife and mother!

How do you feel about custom orders?

Love them! I also do special pricing on bulk orders.

How did you choose your shop name?

It just came to me one day, and I liked the idea of being “kreative” with the wording.

How can people get in contact with you?

Via email:

mhlgall@yahoo.com

Visit my website:

www.kreativekarryalls.etsy.com

Thank you so much for reading, and please check back for more Etsy Artist Features.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.

**All items featured can be found for sale at KreativeKarryAlls's Etsy Shop:

http://kreativekarryalls.etsy.com

Pictured in order are Micah, Heather, and their son, Logan.

Etsy Artist Feature 19 - mizui

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items, and we plan to do this one Etsy Artist at a time. Today we feature mizui from Atlanta.

Below you will find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

The first memory I can recall is being taught how to sew by my older sister.


2. What do you specialize in?

I specialize in a lot of things really, ties, pillows, aprons, kitchen accessories.

3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

My daughter thinking it was a great idea.

4. What are your hopes for the future?

To have my own Brick and mortor shop selling EVERYTHING I can make.


5. What are some of your favorite past times?

Reading and sewing.

6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

My workspace is my livingroom/sewingroom.

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

I love custom orders. I get a lot of them for custom sizes (on my aprons)0 I don't charge more for big people, NO DISCRIMINATION! (I only charge for buying fabric I don't have!)

8. How did you choose your shop name?

It's a more fancy version of my "mother shop" mzkitchen. I wanted to stick with Mz, and my daughter wanted it to be fancy so there your have it.

You can find mizui's fun and playful pillows for sale at her Etsy Shop:

http://mizui.etsy.com

You can also email her at mzkitchenshop@yahoo.com

Thank you so much for reading and please check back for more Etsy Artist Features.

-
Christina
CM Designs dba 1337 Art
http://1337art.etsy.com
http://1337art.silkfair.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collage, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, hair accessories, key chains, kilt pin brooches, wine charms, and more.

Custom orders are accepted.



Featured Items:

Coffee Time Cotton Decor Pillow
Dorm Time - Ripstop Blue Circles Pillow

Both available for purchase at mizui's Etsy Shop.

Etsy Artist Feature 18 - lsdl

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items, and we plan to do this one Etsy Artist at a time. Today we feature lsdl from Franklin, Indiana. Dani, the owner of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie makes lovely and crafty items for your pets!

Below you will find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

Coloring Easter eggs! Not sure if that counts, but at our house it was a big event with all the trimmings. First serious crafting memory is learning how to crochet. My grandma taught me when I was 7/8 years old. My first project was making pot holders for a Christmas gift for my mom.


2. What do you specialize in?

Pet items, mostly for dogs but many items will also work just as well for cats.

3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I was referred to Etsy by a friend to get some graphic work done for my website. While searching for a graphic artist I feel in love with the place and started my own shop.

4. What are your hopes for the future?

This may be silly but, I would to love to be out at the park with my dogs and see another dog with one of my products.

5. What are some of your favorite past times?

Geez where to start? I'm one of those people with too many hobbies. Camping/hiking, training my dogs (I have 3), sewing, gardening, playing the piano, photography, reading, and salt water fish.

6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

My workspace is our spare room. I have a 6 x 2.5 table with my sewing machine at one end and a cutting board at the other. I also have an ironing board set up against one wall and a medium size plastic organizer (need more!) on the other wall with a small TV. It also has a closet for hanging and storing finished product. The room is all white which helps me see the colors I'm working with better. It's my little piece of heaven!


Is there anything else you would like to add?

I just want to mention the inspiration for all my products. My three dogs. Cabo a black short hair Chihuahua (4 yrs old), Chico a blonde long hair Chihuahua (2 yrs old), and Artie black and white lab mix (5 months old) - he's my logo.

How do you feel about custom orders?

I love doing customs orders. There is no better way for the customer to get exactly what I want. Plus, I get to shop for new fabrics! ;)

How did you choose your shop name?

When I first went to etsy I wasn't planning on selling so I just used the initials from my website name: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.

You can contact Let Sleeping Dogs Lie through her Etsy Shop:

http://lsdl.etsy.com

Or through email:

letsleepingdogsliellc@yahoo.com
customerservice@letsleepingdogsliellc.com

Thank you so much for your interest! Feel free to check out Let Sleeping Dogs Lie today!

Christina
CM Designs
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collages, awareness items, bookmarks, beverage charms, cell phone charms, key chains, and more! Customs are accepted.

Featured Items:

Designer Collar and Leash
Crate Cover
Reversible Crate Cover Burgundy/Khaki
Pet Mat

Items can be found for sale here:

http://lsdl.etsy.com

Etsy Artist Feature 17: creativehook

It is important to show the world the charm of handcrafted items, and we plan to do this one Etsy Artist at a time. Today we feature CreativeHook from Norwood, North Carolina. She has an amazing crochet talent.

Below you will find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

I was about 7. My grandmother had just taught me to knit. I was enthralled that I could create from strands of yarn a swatch of knitted fabric! Some time later, a crotchety great aunt came to visit, and I guess I wanted to show off my "grown up" skills. "What are you making?" she asked of my current work-in-progress. God! I didn't know that I had to have a NAME for it. So I just quickly mumbled: "handkerchiefs", because it was the first square item I could think of. She laughed and laughed. I grabbed my needles and yarn and went outside and wept in total humiliation. (I was a tender hearted soul). I quit knitting for a while, then learned to crochet from my mom. I've been on and off with the fiber arts for many years. Somehow -- in spite of the crotchety old aunt -- I manage to carry on. And in spite of the crotchety aunt, I sometimes have no real "name" or purpose -- other than to create, and hopefully, to give someone else a smile in the process.


2. What do you specialize in?

I am an artist and an art teacher to children grades kindergarten through 8th grade. I did my time in art school, workshops, etc. But nothing speaks to me like the fiber arts. Crochet is my medium of choice these days. I love making market totes and purses more than anything. I love my monsters too, but they're more of a challenge, because I have to be "inspired" to make one. My "Shiddy" doll, who is giving the finger, was born because of a really "shiddy" day I was having. I just wanted to flip off the world. :)


3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

Oh my god! I had given away so many blankets, purses, scarves, totes, etc. to everyone in my family and friends to the point of redundancy! My house started filling up with stacks, piles of crocheted items! I just simply could not stop making things... An art teacher friend of mine told me about Etsy. It was not only love at first sight, but a profitable answer to my "overstock quandry".


4. What are your hopes for the future?

To continue teaching, and to crochet to my heart's delight as relaxation.

5. What are some of your favorite past times?

I like running. Try to keep in shape that way when I don't have injuries. I love to read. And photography has become a new love and obsession. I also paint murals. I painted one last year, which took me most of the 2 months of mu summer vacation to complete, and I have another mural commissioned for this summer. This one is a nursery room mural.

6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

Chaotic, unorganized and colorful.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you!

How can people get in contact with you?

http://www.creativehook.etsy.com



How do you feel about custom orders?

Love 'em!

How did you choose your shop name?

Sort of a play on the phrase "literary hook", I kind of liked the sound of a creative hook.

You can find Creative Hook's lovely creations for sale at her Etsy Shop:

http://creativehook.etsy.com

Thank you so much for reading! We hope you enjoyed it.

Christina
CM Designs
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collages, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, key chains, and more! Customs are accepted.

---

Featured items (as pictured):


Bathtime monster scrubbie mitts for mom and baby
(sold)

Geometry experiment purses
Purple and blue
Tan Octa-Hex

Earth from Space Market Tote/Beach Bag
(sold)

Shiddy, the Monster
(sold)

Wanda Ho - Native Island Beauty

Items can be found at http://creativehook.etsy.com

Etsy Artist Feature 16: eringarrisondesign

It is important to show the world the charm of handcrafted items. We intend to do this one Etsy Artist at a time. Today we feature Erin with eringarrisondesign. She specializes in fine art photography, and she does it with a very interesting style.

Below you will find her interview:


1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

Well, I can remember back to arts and crafts in pre-school. My very, very first drawing ever was a single brown crayon line streaking across a blank sheet of paper. Thats it. Just a brown line. I think I was boycotting structured arts and crafts! I then remember my next attempt at drawing, and, although I can't quite remember what it is I drew, I do remember my aunt (who is an artist herself) telling my mom that she needs to put me in as many art classes as she can. She did, and here I am now, an architect who is also a photographer and graphic designer! And I still have that drawing of the single brown crayon stroke.

2. What do you specialize in?

I specialize in fine art photography, and I also offer graphic design work, which can range from wedding invitations, greeting cards, and announcements to advertisements, and even once in awhile I'll take on website design.



3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I had just started to re-fall in love with photography, I had lost touch with it once I was out of college and had a 'real' job. I would show people my work, and would always get the same response, 'You should sell that!' So, I started to look for a place to sell my work as a side activity. A couple of people who work at my office are Etsy sellers themselves, and they suggested I open up a shop there, too. I checked it out, and it seemed like a fun, supportive, stress-free environment to not only sell my work, but to network with other artists and people who share common passions, and to meet people who can introduce me to other forms of art as well.

4. What are your hopes for the future?

I hope that I can continue on the path that I'm going with my photography and graphic design work. Everyone has to start out small, which is where I am currently at, but I would love for both of them to grow into more than just an occasional side activity. I love the freedom of creativity I have when doing these things, and would like to share my work with as many people as I can!

5. What are some of your favorite past times?

Well, architecture and design, of course! I have been passionate about art for as long as I can remember, I've had a love of architecture since I discovered it in the 8th grade, and I've been interested in photography since early college. So, obviously those are very big in my life. Besides all of that, I love to travel, my husband and I are trying to go someplace new every year. I also love food and wine, especially when combined with the traveling! I enjoy going to movies, shows, sporting events, any sort of entertainment! I also have a love for animals, I have 5 'kids' - 2 English Bulldogs and 3 cats! And of course spending time with my friends, family, and my husband!



6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

My shop is a collection of fun, interesting, beautiful, inspiring creations, with enough variety for everyone to find something that they enjoy!

How do you feel about custom orders?

I gladly accept custom orders! I very much enjoy working with people to create just the right thing for them. I offer custom framing/matting of my prints, graphic enhancement of prints (if someone finds a print that they like but would rather have it in black and white, for instance, or maybe cropped differently, or color added), plus custom graphic design work, as mentioned above. Just contact me and ask!

How did you choose your shop name?

Well, the first part is obviously my first name, followed by my maiden name, and I chose to use the word design rather than 'photography' or 'graphics', because I don't label myself as an architect (even though that's my formal training!) or a photographer, or a graphic designer. I call myself a designer, because thats what I do. I design.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to also add that a portion of my sales of animal prints will be donated to benefit no-kill animal shelters.

How can people get in contact with you?

I can be reached by email: eringarrisondesign@gmail.com, or by visiting my shop, http://eringarrisondesign.etsy.com and sending me a message there.



Thank you so much for taking the time to read this feature. Feel free to visit Erin's Etsy Shop today for great fine art photography.



Christina

CM Designs

http://1337art.etsy.com

Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, art collages, awareness items, bookmarks, cell phone charms, key chains, and more!


Featured Photographs:

Venetian Canal
What Are You Looking At
Nature in Motion

Italian Wine Making

Etsy Artist Feature 15: ladyjinxjewelry

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items. We plan to do this one Etsy Artist at a time. Today we feature ladyjinxjewelry. She is new to Etsy, and she has a fun, growing selection of jewelry.

Below you can find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

It's a tough question but I would have to say the days of my little creative self inside my bedroom, where I always had tons of tons of plastic beads that I strung on simple string and made necklaces for my mother to hang on her cars rear view mirror. I always made little key chains too! They were always fun.

2. What do you specialize in?

Handcrafted jewelry and accessories made of glass beads and gemstones and stretchy bracelets made of plastic beads.
3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I started to notice Etsy.com a lot around blogs and beading sites and even deviantART.com where I first started showing my pieces. It looked like a great community and possibly good place for me to start selling some of my jewelry pieces. I read as much as I could on it, and signed up!

4. What are your hopes for the future?

I hope to expand my shop and continue beading jewelry. As for personal, I hope my abilities will grow from this experience.

5. What are some of your favorite past times?

I really enjoy being with my birds, Ash and Kiwi, especially Ash, since he'd attached to me and doesn't like being away from me too much. He's out when I draw or at the computer. I keep him away from my beading though, he might try and snag a bead. Other than my birds, I enjoy doing photography, drawing, and being a gamer girl on guild wars and other video games I own!

6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

My workspace is the small corner in my room right now, across from my birds cage, who always enjoys my company. I have plastic buckets with lids from the dollar store to keep loose beads and spools of wire in. And I have different bead boxes; one for findings, one for gemstones, and one for glass beads. It's small and cramp right now, but it's always fun to make jewelry there!

7. How do you feel about custom orders?

I always think of custom orders as being fun and practice for me. You're making the piece that accommodates the customer, and you're getting the satisfaction of making them smile and expanding your personal skills.

8. How did you choose your shop name?

I wasn't able to come up with a fancy name like some of the shops I've seen on Etsy. So I looked towards my nickname I've had for years now, Lady Jinx. It's been my nickname in real life and online for a lot of people and it's now stuck to me. So I thought, I'm Lady Jinx and what do I make? Jewelry! So there we go, Lady Jinx's Jewelry!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Nope. I think I said all of it :)

How can people get in contact with you?

On Etsy: http://ladyjinxjewelry.etsy.com
Blog: http://ladyjinxjewelry.blogspot.com

deviantART: http://ladyjinx-shop.deviantart.com
Myspace: http://myspace.com/ladyjinxjewelry

Thank you so much for your interest,

Christina
CM Designs
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart. Featuring jewelry for men and women, awareness items, art collages, bookmarks, cell phone charms, key chains, and more!

Featured items:

Ocean Spray Gemstone Bracelet
Vintage Red Cross Bracelet
Elegant Purple Bracelet

Etsy Artist Feature 14: maiaart

It is important to show the world the charms of handcrafted items. We plan to do this one Etsy Artist at a time. Today we feature maiaart. She does beautiful artwork with watercolors and pyrograph gourd art. I purchased her freedom horse (as pictured) greeting card to give to mom for Mother's Day. Maia is so nice to work with and she is so very friendly and helpful.

Below you will find her interview:

1. What is the first memory of crafting that you can recall?

My first memory of crafting would be mud pies. They were great mud pies, I made them with the neighbor kid “Brian”. We decorated them with leaves and beautiful little rocks. They were very unique, I have never seen any like them since!!!

2. What do you specialize in?

I am finding a love for painting, this is something I have never done before except for using the dyes on my Gourd art. Using the watercolors and bottled inks have been very interesting. My specialty or my great passion has always been Pyrograph Gourd Art. I have been an artist in that field for over 20 years. My hands are whining and I needed to find some other way to create and share. So, painting is a wonderful way to share emotions with other people. I have purchased art for so many years because of how it makes me feel, now I can try to share that with others.

3. What made you decide to open up a shop on Etsy?

I kept running into little icons that talked about “etsy” when I was selling ACEO’s on eBay. Finally I asked one of the artists what they thought. The thing that struck me was that it was so affordable to list and it was a community. I was not sure what she meant by that, but once I got started then I really realized how incredible of a community it was!!

4. What are your hopes for the future?

In the future I hope to be doing what I am doing now only different, in the sense of change and growth happen so I am excited to see where it leads.

5. What are some of your favorite past times?

My bliss time is spent kayaking, walking, and learning the obvious that I did not see. Cultures, I love learning about different cultures. When the Monks from Bhutan stayed with us I learned so much in 3 months. Even with language barriers, because body language is very telling when that is what you have to communicate with!

Much laughter goes with that!

6. Try to sum up your workspace in as few words as possible.

My workspace, well it is an optical allusion of chaos, it truly is so organized!!

How do you feel about custom orders?

Custom orders are not something I do much of at this time. I do have people send a specific amount of money and say “use this up” for gourd art etc.. They may choose a theme such as Hawaiian or Maori or what ever they come up with. Then the rest is up to me!!

People can contact me through; maiaart.etsy.com or; joylife3@olypen.com

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

It is artists like Christina that help support and promote the camaraderie between artist.

Thank you so much for your interest! Feel free to leave comments for Maia to see!

Christina
CM Designs
http://1337art.etsy.com
Elite Art for the elite at heart - Featuring jewelry for men and women, bookmarks, art collages, cell phone charms, key chains, and more!

Featured items:

Moonlit Seahorse Greeting Card
Freedom Horse Greeting Card
Momma's of Africa