Zsuzsi is a Hungarian architect and a talented glass artist. "It is all started in my preschool years," she explains. "My father was a glass industry engineer...he invented and patented a technology for researching glass ingredients." If you gave him a sample he could recreate it for you. She was fascinated with his viscosity tests, where the glass was melted. "It ended up with little amorf glass 'creations.' I used to play with that when I went to his office." She is influenced by her love of modern mid-century era and contemporary art - and her eclectic pieces showcase her unique retro-modern style. "Bold colors and simple, geometric shapes are the trademark for my unique and quality glass pieces." Although she's been interested in glass her whole life, she's only been creating her glass jewelry and pieces for a year and a half. Please check out her shop: http://panyizsuzsi.etsy.com
Friday, August 29, 2008
Meet Etsy Glass Artist: panyizsuzsi
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Meet Etsy Artist: madmaxxdesignn
His name might be Spencer, but he goes by Mad Maxx. "I am originally from England, but have been here in Arizona for 15 years." He's been interested in art his entire life. "It is the one thing that makes me complete," he explains. He works in all mediums, but prefers pencil for portraits. Please check out his shop: http://madmaxxdesignn.etsy.com/
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Meet Etsy Doll Artist: umaiyer
Originally from India, Uma/Rama has been an artist for over 30 years, although she has only been marketing her work for the last three. I was lucky enough to stumble across her beautifully detailed dolls on Etsy the other day while searching for East Indian art. I am fascinated by the culture, food, and art of this wonderful country - and now one of it's Etsy artists. Uma's inspiration comes from "the vibrant colors of flowers, the splash of colors on the sky while the sun is setting, and any art work." She admits that she can admire a landscape for hours on end. "Right now I am in Switzerland, the cows grazing in the field, the mountains, and the beautiful houses with flowers in their windows inspire me," she explains. Although she currently focuses her Etsy shop on the traditional handmade dolls of her homeland, she dabbles in a wide range of arts and crafts - including many forms of painting. She hopes to "carve a niche for (her)self in the art world" via Etsy. Please check out her shop: http://umaiyer.etsy.com/
Monday, August 25, 2008
Meet Etsy Tea Artist: TeaNoir
Kate is a "recent transplant to Vermont, migrating up from southern New York." She admits she is "extraordinarily caffeinated and sort of obsessed with flavours and cooking - I daydream about different taste combinations and things I can do with tea. It's probably just a wee bit unhealthy, really!" As with her MarTeani blend (pictured), she gets a lot of inspiration from classic cocktails. She also pulls ideas from candy and baked goods. "I love experimenting with flavours to come up with something new and different. I also get inspiration from the names of my favourite noir movies - Maltese Falcon started out with the name, and I challenged myself to come up with a tea that involved black and gold." Just like Kate, TeaNoir is "all about mixing retro and modern. It's all about modernising the ancient flavour of tea, and the retro associations tea often has. English Breakfast is all well and good, but there's so much more that can be done. Tea doesn't need to be stodgy, and there's no reason having a cup of tea can't be as fun as having a triple-mocha-iced-frappa-whatever from the coffee bar." She's been blending her own teas for five years - and selling them with great success for two. "I definitely spend 40+ hours a week with Tea Noir, between blending, listing, keeping up on email, etc., but it's not my day job," she explains, however she hopes to turn it into one. For now, her goal with Etsy is to "keep my customers happy and to make enough sales to allow me to turn around and buy lots of nifty stuff from other Etsians." Her success is due mostly to the quality of her ingredients - and the diligence she spends on the details. "If you have a quality product, it'll speak for itself." Please check out her shop: http://teanoir.etsy.com/
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: Damselle
27 year old artist Melanie Crowe "started Damselle Jewelry after losing (her) well-paying job due the changing economic climate." She explains, "In the midst of the panic, I realized I hadn't been living life on my terms, and my husband and I decided to take more risks in order to do what we love." With a lot of hard work Damselle is now her full time job. "I tend to try to allow myself to be inspired by my materials rather than the other way around. I choose something I find to be beautiful and then design around that material." Often her designs have a dash of vintage elegance. "When I see something very old and very well made, I think, "how amazing that someone cherished this enough to keep it around and care for it, so that future generations can enjoy it.'" Her style was recently described as "Anthropologie meets Ladies who Lunch," and she admits that she likes that description. When creating her pieces she likes to "imagine (her) customer as a beautiful, unusual, and highly intelligent woman, who gets things done." She hopes to use Etsy to bring her closer to the things she cares about and to make a positive impact. "I'd like to get to the point where my husband is able to work less and we can spend more time together and more time on causes that are important to us," she says. "The road to success is different for everyone, and sometimes the road isn't what you expect it to be." Please check out her shop: http://damselle.etsy.com/
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Meet Etsy Metalsmith and Jewelry Artist: WearableByDesign
Bay area artist Jennifer Smith-Righter is a jewelry designer, who formally trained in Art and Architecture. She primarily works in Fine Silver, Sterling Silver, and Gemstones to create her modern pieces. "I have a strong desire to work in an ethically responsible way," she says. "I use reclaimed silver and lab manufactured stones or stones whose provenance I know well, so that to the degree I can, I am not supporting mining operations or human suffering." Not surprisingly, she is influenced by organic beauty. "I like to 'build' my jewelry and tend to conceive of them in components that are pieced together." She has been building her creations for six years now, but acknowledges that Etsy has helped her grow as an artist. "I love the forums because I can freely share my knowledge and experience with others - and I learn a great deal, too." She recommends her fellow artists be critical about their own work. "Try to separate your emotions and passions about what you do from the product. Don’t make a commodity, make art." Please check out her shop: http://wearablebydesign.etsy.com/
Friday, August 22, 2008
Meet Etsy Metalsmith and Jewelry Artist: jenkahn
Jennifer Kahn "always thought (she) was born in the wrong time. Then PMC (Precious Metal Clay) came along and (she) knew (she) was right where (she) belonged." She graduated from the University of Vermont with a BA in Art and English in 2001. During her senior year she worked at Frog Hollow Gallery, where she met renowned artist Celie Fago. "I took one of her classes, then became her apprentice and by the time I graduated, I knew that I was serious about PMC. I moved to Celie’s, as a live-in apprentice, learning PMC and metalsmithing. I’m also her teaching assistant and I get to accompany her in her travels around the country and abroad." She has sold her work at craft shows and galleries across Vermont and has also been featured in National and International exhibits. "I love what I do and I no longer feel like I’m in the wrong time," she admits. "I feel so lucky to be here, now." She has been creating her tribal designs for seven years. "I try to put a contemporary spin on ancient designs, as I’m influenced by both ethnic artifacts and current fashion trends. I’m fascinated by the way things are put together: patched, hinged, riveted, stitched and often incorporate such connections in my pieces...I’m constantly trying to fuse old and new, industrial and natural, urban and ethnic." Aside from design, she also focuses on the craftsmanship of her pieces. "The back must be as compelling as the front. For that reason most of my pendants and necklaces are reversible." Comfort is also key. "Rings must be smooth inside and earrings must not be too heavy." Please check out her shop: http://jenkahn.etsy.com/
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: EricaBapst
Aside from creating her classic jewelry designs, Erica Bapst owns a boutique in the Finger Lakes region of New York State that she's operated for the last four years. She recently discovered Etsy and is excited to open her sales to the rest of the world. "I have been making jewelry for about 9 years now with the start being at Syracuse University where I received my BFA in metalsmithing," she explains. "Since then I was bitten by the bead bug." Her goal is to offer affordable jewelry with style. Her earrings start at $6 and are "the #1 selling item at the store hands down." Modest prices and free gift wrapping make her boutique a favorite stop in town. "My inspirations are my customers as well as the raw materials. Usually one or the other is what prompts the beginning of any jewelry piece I make," she says. "Often it is the custom orders that spawn the greatest ideas because my thoughts become infused with the ideas of others and take me in directions I would have never gone on my own." Please check out her shop: http://ericabapst.etsy.com/
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Meet Etsy Artist and Stationer: lilribbers
Laura Remes is a professional graphic designer with a BFA in Visual Communications from the University of Kansas. "I've spent the last few years in the corporate world doing print, identity and multimedia work for a downtown St. Louis marketing agency, but have always had a love for hand made paper crafts," she says. "A year and a half ago I got engaged, as did many of my friends, and decided together that most of the wedding invitations out there were bland and uninspired. A wedding is about expressing what makes you and your fiance a unique and loving couple and many pre-made invitations from large print-house vendors did not seem to have much, if any personality. So, I decided to draw upon my own knowledge of printing and my hobby of paper crafting to make my own." Soon, her friends began commissioning her to do the same for them - and her business grew by word of mouth. Her classy, modern designs speak for themselves. "I discovered Etsy about the same time I became engaged and promptly ordered many custom items from talented Etsy vendors," she admits. "EVERYONE took notice of these custom items and complimented me on my attention to detail. Details I couldn't have achieved without those talented vendors. I was so impressed by the kindness, hands-on help, and creativity of other sellers that I decided to start my own shop in order to reach more brides." She plans on creating her own website in the near future, but has been too busy with the wedding and relocating to Chicago for her husband's job. After leaving work she discovered that she could actually make a living doing what she loves, making cards and invitations. "I'm proud to say that I am now self employed," she gushes. "Stay true to your style," she recommends. Please check out her shop: http://lilribbers.etsy.com/
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: jensjewelry
"I've certainly come along way since I began over a year ago," Jen admits. A full-time stay at home Mom of 3, she is often exhausted - but always inspired to create her imaginative and classy jewelry designs. Natural colors and textures seem to ignite her creative side - and she always keeps a notebook handy for ideas and sketches. "Sometimes it turns out just like what I imagine and other times, it morphs into something else." she explains. "I often put some things off center because I just love the surprise and think accessories should be fun." Right now Etsy is her hobby since her "first passion and job is raising (her) kids." Of course, like the rest of us, she hopes to turn into more some day. "I'm currently networking to establish jewelry parties instead of having to do craft shows. I like the intimacy of the audience in someone's home and people tend to buy more." Aside from her jewelry, she has also mentored a few new Etsians. "It is all a learning process," she says. "I think we should all learn from each other and use the forums to gain knowledge. It helped me become an international shop and for that I'm so grateful. I pay that forward as much as I can." Please check out her shop: http://jensjewelry.etsy.com/
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Fibromyalgia Success - When Danskos Just Won't Do...
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Meet Etsy Spice Master: ohmasala
Alex has travelled throughout Asia over the last 10 years "in search of anything good to eat." He definitely found a few treasures and recreated them in a traditional style back home in Montreal, Canada. "Unsatisfied with store bought spices and tired of restaurant food that is loaded with fat, sugar and salt, I had to do something," he explains. "After years of culinary research throughout Asia, and years of creating and testing on friends and family, I am now ready to share with all who dare. My goal is to provide excellent quality spice blends and easy to follow recipes to allow the average person to cook tasty and healthy food at home." In his spare time he treats his friends and co-workers to his exotic home-cooked meals. "I am constantly modifying and improving recipes that I've created over the years, and have very loyal customers who answer 'yes!' when I ask them if they want one of my meals, before I even have a chance to tell them what I'm cooking." His spice blends and original recipes are a "great way for me to share my discoveries with everyone." His recipes can be found at http://ohmasala.com/. Please check out his shop: http://ohmasala.etsy.com/
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Meet Etsy Artist: KathyMartinStudio
Aside from being an artist, Kathy Martin is also a professional saxophone player, singer, composer, and "3rd grade teacher, who has a passion for creating." She has lived in 10 different states, but currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she plans to pursue her music career. As a composer she writes New Age piano ballads. "I then layer different ambient sounds and melodies over the top of my piano compositions to create a Yanni or Enya type of piece," she explains. "As an elementary school teacher I plan to begin writing a series of songs that will encourage students to learn and acquire long-term retention of important facts. I have begun research on the brain in regards to how music effects and enhances the long-term retention of knowledge....think 'School House Rock' and 'Conjunction junction, what's your function?'" Aside from music she loves creating visual works of art. "Painting beautiful, unique works of art is very fun and exciting to me. I use a variety of acrylic paints, 18 karat gold leaf, silver leaf, and copper leaf in my pieces. Most of my paintings are base coated with 24 karat gold paint, painted in 3D, and then treated to appear to be antiqued metal." Nature and music are her inspiration. "My favorite subjects to paint are cherry blossoms (and) dragonflies," she says. Currently she focuses on metallic earth tones, but plans to experiment with a bolder palette. "I am afraid of color's beyond shades of gold, copper, and silver for some reason," she admits. "It's time to start branching out." Although she's been composing songs since she was 13, she's only been painting since 2003 when her "EXTREMELY talented sister, who is a gifted visual artist, moved in with (her) for 2 years." To encourage her sister's talent, she purchased an excess of supplies - and one day picked up a brush and started painting herself. "My first painting was so ugly that I threw it away," she jokes. "It took a while to figure out what medium to use and how to get the three dimensional aspect of my paintings how I wanted them...Luckily, as a teacher, I get 3 paid months off a year and can use that time to really focus on my painting." Please check out her shop: http://kathymartinstudio.etsy.com/
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