Meet Etsy Artist HBeliveaux

Heather was born into art. Her father was an architect and both of her parents owned a graphics shop. Close family friends were in the theatre, which led to her brief obsession with ballet and Indian dance. "Art is like oxygen for me," she explains. Growing up she became interested in world cultures, even living in Russia during the early '90s. "That translated into majoring in Russian and Eastern European Studies in college," she says. "The deeper I delved into the ways of the world the more interested I became in human rights issues." Inspired to help, she went to law school and began practicing law, but admits to feeling "out of balance." It wasn't long before she found herself submerged in the world of art again, making cards and invitations in her free time. She and her husband soon started a web based business (http://circleearth.com/) to carry her stationary and crafts from other artists who share their view that "earth is one country, mankind its citizens." Unfortunately she felt as if she was spending more time on business rather than art and ended up starting her own venture - Lucky Bug, which was inspired by her daughter's nickname Ladybug. "Sophia is a surviving twin and my miracle baby," she explains. "After extreme complications during my pregnancy, Sophia and her sister, Lily Grace, were born four months early. My Lily lived two months. Sophia, weighing only 10 ounces at birth, is one of the smallest babies in the world to survive." Her daughter spent 6 months in intensive care, which was a life changing experience. "It was a self-study in the meaning of life and the purpose of our existence. Going through hell and back with her care and struggles, my purpose began crystallizing." As her daughter's health improved she found herself drawn to Yoga and art "as a way to process (her) experience and emotions as a new mother to two children in completely different planes of existence." Many of her creations are influenced by her experience and "curiosities." Inspiration often comes from her world travels and friends of other cultures - as well as her favorite poets: Tagore and Hafiz. Although she still practices law part time, she stays at home to care for her daughter, who requires weekly physical therapy and doctors visits, "bask(ing) in the moments many said would never be possible with her." Please check out her shop: http://hbeliveaux.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/