Meet Etsy Artists: ThisIsIt

Dan and Jodi are a husband and wife artistic duo, who "dreamed of creating together while working from home." They started their endeavor in 2005 and named it "This Is IT" becuase "it’s how we felt about each other from the moment we met." Dan is currently in the middle of graduate school for creative writing, so Jodi is focussing on the business until he graduates next year. "My mom also helps us with the journals, which we so appreciate!" Their eclectic handmade gifts range from photo albums, journals, greeting cards, and jewelry. "We are both huge animal lovers and vegan, and we donate 5% of our profits to animal-welfare groups. The charities that we currently support are: Best Friends Animal Society, Humane Farming Association, The Jane Goodall Institute, and The Anti-Vivisection Society." They also share a love of the environment. "I really feel that the world consciousness is changing with regard to the environment and sustainable living –and it’s very exciting to be a part of this change. Dan and I use recycled boards for our journals and cardstock. All of our journal paper is handmade and environmentally friendly. We will continue to move more and more in this direction because I feel that it’s so important for our planet.We cherish mindful living, Buddhist philosophies, and contributing creatively to the world, but leaving as small a mark while doing so." Often times inspiration strikes them just before bed or when they first wake up, so they keep an "idea book" close at hand. "I just sketch it out and then the idea gets put into fruition. I love anything that has Asian influences. I love Jackson Pollock and many other abstract artists. I love Buddhist art and statues. I love the colors of India. I feel like there are so many ideas in my mind—and I just need to find the time to sit down and create them all." Their art definitely shows an open-minded, worldly influence. In some form or another they have always been creative. "When I was small I was the one making cards for anyone I could think of for any holiday I could invent," Jodi explains. "A friend of mine made jewelry, which I thought looked like a lot of fun…she taught me and here I am." Dan and Jodi feel blessed that their artistic passion has turned into a full time job. "(We) will never take that for granted." Fairly new to Etsy, they plan to learn more about the site and the community every day - and "keep making products that (we are)proud of." They advise their fellow Etsy sellers to list often. "I notice on days when I am busy with other things and don’t list frequently, the sales go down. I think it’s so important to have good customer service—follow through with what you say you are going to do. Make as many treasuries as you can. Post often in the forums. Network as much as you can. This is such a great community, and I am so proud to be a part of it!" Please check out her shop: http://thisisit.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/