Meet Etsy Artist: Antonella72

Antonella was born and raised in Italy, but has been living in Dublin, Ireland, for the last 11 years. "My husband is Irish and now when I think of home, it comes naturally to think of Ireland as my homeland," she says. "I have a beautiful 8 months old baby girl called Zoe, who's 100% Irish," she jokes. Her inspiration comes from her surroundings: "I love nature's way of mixing colours and shapes." She's also in tune with the latest fashion and jewelry trends, but is often inspired by the beads and pendants she uses. "I like to work with beautiful stones in unusual shapes or colours," she admits. Her jewelry is a reflection of her own style: classy and chic. "I like to create unique pieces that really stands out. If there is something I truly hate is cheap mass produced jewelry." She views handmade pieces as "wearable art." Her love of jewelry started as a child when she used to take her mother's old pieces apart to create new ones. Later on friends and family requested her designs and it grew from there. "Five years ago I decided to finally take a proper jewelry making course and started to create too many pieces for me to keep," she laughs. Many of them ended up in the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin Castle (http://www.cbl.ie/), where she's been selling them successfully four four years. Recently she opened her Etsy shop and hopes her hobby becomes a career one day. Right now she is a full time Information Security Officer. It keeps her busy and she enjoys it immensely, but it's not the creative outlet she needs. She may be new to Etsy, but she has sage advice: invest in a good digital camera. "It really shows how proud you are of your creations." Please check out her shop: http://antonella72.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: carrieWdesigns

"'Having patience along this journey' is the line I would use to describe myself these days," Carrie jokes. By day she is a teacher - and by night, a creative jewelry artist. At 30, she has a wonderful husband who is supportive of both her career and her art. Her jewelry making began two years ago when she had custom pieces created for her bridesmaids. "The artist who did the work, now a friend, led me to the right resources to begin," she explains. "I work with sterling silver, copper, pearls (my favorite) and semi-precious stones for the most part." Like many of us, she has a "serious addiction to beads." She has even gotten her mother into the craft. "When we shop for stones and findings, it is a marathon event." Her mother has always been an inspiration. "She is a true artist, teaching me everything I know about color and texture." One day she hopes to turn her passion into a full time career, but in the meantime she's enjoying the creative Etsy community. "I get great tips from the forums and always work on my photos. I relist items almost everyday, sometimes several times during the course of the day. I think relisting is one inexpensive way to get noticed and make sales." Please check out her shop: http://carriewdesigns.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: chendric

Cheryl Hendric is a "chronic wanderer, settled for the meantime in Boston with my boyfriend and two cats." She's originally from the Midwest, but studied abroad in Denmark and has even worked and volunteered in Thailand and Nepal. Her current work will lead her to Africa later this year. "These places I’ve been and the people met along the way continue to inspire me and my designs," she explains of her fascination with exotic landscapes and cultures. Her interest in science and nature can also be seen in some of her metalwork. "I love the versatility of silver, but I also need color in my life - bright color." She aims to keep her designs simple enough for every day wear, but still unique, "whether that be through the use of an unusual stone, intriguing texture, or bold color." A lifelong crafter and artist, she recalls the unfortunate incidents where she played a role in her second grade teacher having her lamination privileges revoked. "I had her laminate so much of my artwork," she jokingly admits. She has "experimented with pottery, pastels, candle making, soap making, and bookbinding, but my love for silver and gemstones has kept drawing me back to jewelry." In regards to her photographs, she has always admired her fellow Etsy artists, but "it wasn’t until my trip to Nepal that I decided to share my photographs with others; the country and the culture were so amazing that I felt guilty not sharing some of the images that I had captured during my time there." Etsy started out as a hobby, but she soon realized how satisfying it was to create for others. "Although I consider this a business, I do have a day-job working on malnutrition research and interventions in Africa as part of a large international development project," she says. She hopes to share her work with the world through Etsy - "and it would be nice to sell more than I buy on Etsy." Please check out her shop: http://chendric.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Glass Artist: panyizsuzsi

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

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

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/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

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/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Potter & Artist: MAKUstudio

Marianne Kasparian (aka MAK) is of Armenian heritage and grew up on the East coast near Washington, DC. Her love of travel has led her on many cross-country drives through the US - and she has lived in many states. "Different cultures intrigue me in their ways of life and especially their food," she admits. "I’m particularly fond of Japanese (sushi), Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and Thai food. Of course, stuffed grape leaves (dolmas) and many other Mediterranean foods are always on the top of the list." She worked most of her life as a bartender, but found her passion in raku beads and jewelry 7 years ago. "Raku pottery was made long ago for Japanese tea ceremonies," she explains. "It was modernized later in the Western world into the process you see today. This involves taking a piece of pottery that has been bisque fired in a kiln, then glazed and then firing it in a raku kiln (which my husband and I built ourselves). The piece is then fired to about 1800 degrees F, depending on environmental conditions, and pulled out of the kiln while still red hot. Then it is placed in a reduction chamber (a metal can) containing organic materials such as newspaper, sawdust, leaves, etc. Smoke is created and reacts with the pot leaving the unglazed portion black (a very unique characteristic of raku). It's so exciting and creates one of kind colors which are very hard to duplicate." Her quirky style is often "down to earth and funky." She opened her Etsy shop about a year ago and has cultivated it into a full time job. "(Etsy) has been a great environment for me to grow even further with my art, as well as share my passion with so many other people and artists," she says. "Follow your heart and live your passion!" Please check out her shop: http://makustudio.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: SkyDreams

Hee Soon is the amazing designer and artist behind SkyDreams. She and her husband are proud parents to a beautiful daughter, Sky, who is her shop's namesake. "I make jewelry while Sky sleeps, so my husband named my business 'Sky Dreams.'" A Korean American, I she feels neither American nor Korean. "I like middle path anyway," she admits. Her evocative designs are always beautiful and often represent the inspiration she finds in nature. "Stones and colors speak to me," she explains. "I rarely sit down and design. I let colors and stones guide my eyes." Her pieces represent a range of style, from classic to romantic - to bold. Surprisingly, she has only been making jewelry for three years. "I am very lucky to call this a full time job," she says. She recommends fellow artists remember to always "respect other Etsy members - both sellers and customers. Please check out her shop: http://skydreams.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Lampwork Artist: helensharvest

Helen Simon is a 57 year old homesteader in SW Louisiana. She's a self-admitted "Jesus freak, ex-hippy," who has always been an artist. One of her current obsessions is lampwork beads - and she has created some of the most ingenious and detailed examples I have ever seen. Although the koi is my personal favorite, she prefers make flowers and other natural items such as birds and shells. "God inspires me through His glorious creation," she says, "and through the work He does in folks' lives." Most of her waking hours are spent on her craft - always 60 or more a week. Please check out her shop: http://helensharvest.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: lindsaykristine

Lindsay is a Detroit artist with an MFA in Sculpture, although for the last few months she has specialized in modern jewelry. "I was trained as a bench jeweler a few years back," she explains, "and really enjoyed the small scale-- so different from sculpture. I also really enjoy making things that people will enjoy wearing- you could say the functional nature of craft delights me." Aside from Etsy she also teaches sculpture and design at a local university and works at a museum. "I feel fortunate to be working in the arts, surrounded by artists and those who appreciate the arts," she says. Her inspiration often comes from her surroundings. "I'm inspired by the texture and color of different materials. I usually respond to the materials first, then create the design." Like me, Asian design is a big influence - as well as art deco and minimalism. "I'm forever inspired by the beautiful and innovative designs of the folks here on Etsy," she admits. Her clean, simple designs often include an element of copper or moving pieces - "and a little wabi-sabi never hurt, so small flaws are expected and honored." Please check out her shop: http://lindsaykristine.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: BrightCircle

Jess is a multi-faceted artist of varying styles, with a great sense of humor, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to get to know this fellow "Firefly" fan better...

"In between helping raise my younger siblings (I’m the second of ten children) and helping catch their stray bunnies, I study the subtleties of human nature, body language, things that change about society and the things that don’t," she explains. "One of my favourite quotes is ‘Just because you’re good doesn’t mean you’ll be successful, and just because you’re successful doesn’t necessarily mean you’re good.’ It keeps me on my toes to be the best I can be, and keeps me from feeling inferior from others because it’s a slow business month." She also jokes, " I live on the edge--I steal icing from cake-eating zombies!" A large part of he inspiration comes from color. "There are few things more enjoyable than happening to see two enchanting hues next to each other and having inspiration strike, or going through my bead stash, looking for beads that bring out a subtle color hiding in a focal bead." Her craft began, oddly enough, while watching the ‘02 winter Olympic men’s skating programs. "For years before that, though, I would read bead catalogs, over and over, and it turns out you can learn a lot about the design and construction of jewelry simply from the catalogs. I also read every book about stones and jewelry that my library had, before ever starting to make things." Although her craft is a business, it's also her passion. "I do it because there are few things that get me as excited as when I’m designing," she admits. She tries to list at least once a day, hoping to snag a weekly sale. She has an Etsy mentor and recommends her fellow newbies do the same. "If you can, buy from the people who buy from you, or heart your shop," she recommends. "Make what you really, really like. Push to make it the very best and the most interesting it can be, but at the same time don’t put so much pressure on yourself to be innovative, to the point that you aren’t enjoying yourself." Please check out her shop: http://brightcircle.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: ImpressionsByMona

Even before I'd heard of Etsy I was into buying handmade. While I rarely sold any of my own handcrafted items on Ebay, I bought items from other artists. One of my favorite sellers was MonaDesigns786. She is the epitome of great customer service - and went the extra mile for me on many a purchase over the years. On top of all of that - she's a fantastic artist and a really neat lady. Last year after I discovered Etsy I wrote to her to try to convince her to make the move. Thankfully she has finally joined our fabulous Etsy community...

Due to health problems Mona was forced to retire early and become a stay at home Mom. "Just 'being' a housewife/mom was not my cup of tea, so decided to convert my hobby into a trade," she explains. She has been selling her earthy spiritual jewelry on Ebay for awhile, but her Etsy shop is brand new. "It's been 2 years since i started making jewelry pieces and now (I) am surrounded with beads all the time," she jokes. "Mostly colors, textures, and shapes inspire me to play with the beads and make (them) into jewelry pieces," she says. Like me, she hopes to promote acceptance of all cultures and faiths through her art. As for Etsy she says, "I like what I see and the way all Etsians are connected. I feel friendship already." She hopes the circle of friendship will grow bigger each day. Please check out her shop: http:// ImpressionsByMona.etsy.com

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Lampwork Bead Artist: kerribeads

I stumbled upon the most amazing lampwork beads the other day and am still completely floored by the talent and creativity. These beads are so drool-worthy I just had to share...

Kerri Fuhr is a full time glass bead artist from British Columbia. To my surprise, this talented artist has only been making her intricate beads since September of 2000. "I have been pursuing this as a full time career for the past four years and it's amazing to wake up every day and get to do what I love for a living," she admits. "I am mesmerized by the transformation of raw glass that happens when you introduce it to the flame.....add a little creativity and a lot of patience and the most amazing things happen! Before you know it, you have a little treasure in your hand that will last (and hopefully be enjoyed) for many lifetimes." She finds inspiration everywhere. "The world is an amazing place and if you open your eyes you can see beauty in everything," she explains. "I am fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world and so there is an abundance of natural beauty right on my doorstep." She enjoys nature and botanical themes, which she beautifully showcases in her "tapestry" series. Another favorite subject of hers are dragonflies. "They are a symbol of strength and transformation and just so darn beautiful," she says. Each bead is handcrafted in minute detail, producing intricately patterned and formed beads. "I believe in keeping a high standard of quality in my craft and am proud of each bead I create." Please check out her shop: http://kerribeads.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist & Photographer: NorthofFebruary

NorthofFebruary is a husband and wife team that specialize in chainmaille and jewelry, but it was this stunning photo that caught my eye (it is now part of my collection). I had the pleasure to converse with Aisling...

"I'm an independent aspiring jeweler, photographer, artist, mailler, and clay worker living in Spokane, Washington," she explains. "I try to keep my work fairly varied, (as much as money will allow) as I love to learn new things." She is also into archaeology, ancient language, and social anthropology. "I enjoy exploring these subjects through my art and jewelry," she admits. "Occasionally (and usually at 2:00 am) I'll get blindsided with an idea that 'must be done now' and the muse (which I usually don't know I have) will kick me until I do it," she jokes. As for her style, she describes it as "throw(ing) everything up in the air and see(ing) how it lands. There is really no order to my art. I just make whatever I have the ability to that also looks good, and catches my interest." She has been drawing for 6 years, but recently got into chainmailling in 2005. Her latest pursuit is clay work and she is "enjoying it immensely." Her art is not only her passion, but her full time job. "I'm amazingly lucky to have a very supportive husband who gets us through the many, many dry spells without complaint." She advises her fellow artist to "pay attention to the people who truly enjoy what they're doing. Take the time to watch them and listen to them with an open mind. These are the people who would teach you because they love what they do and want to share it." Please check out her shop: http://northoffebruary.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: lorijaclynsjewels

Lori has been creating her bold jewelry for 15 years. "In the early years I would tear apart old jewelry of my mom's and sister's and remake something beautiful," she admits. She later tried her hand at hemp and fimo beads, but soon fell in love with the higher end metals and stones she uses today. "I love to follow fashions and trends, and in some ways I am a hopeless romantic, and get caught creating pieces that are lovely and timeless. My infatuation with culture, fashion and trends spurs me on to new things." Etsy is currently a hobby, as she is also a full time Mom, but she continually strives to "show people that you can be crafty and cool, and absolutely stunning and stylish." Please check out her shop: http://lorijaclynsjewels.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: mygypsywagon

Laura jokes that she lives in a "teeny tiny town in rural Idaho with my 3 lovely (yes, really) teenagers and my marvelous husband." She also states that she has "chosen to be their full time wife and mother for the past 21+ years. The PERFECT job--but they are getting pretty self sufficient and my job way less demanding." Thankfully this gives her more time to focus on her art. "We live at the base of a beautiful mountain range and in between two majestic rivers that provide me with more than enough inspiration for my earthy, quirky jewelry," she explains. She admits that her daughters clue her in on current trends. Although Etsy is currently only a hobby, she has been designing her classic pieces for friends and family for twenty-some years and has even sold at a fewfarmers markets. "Create from your heart and be patient," she advises. Please check out her shop: http://mygypsywagon.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: pinkdragonfly98

Chicago native Renee Loughlin "worked in Finance in (her) previous life." She was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom for the last 6 years and has a "very arty daughter who rubbed off on me." She began beading purely as a hobby, but her love of the art has blossomed into a part time business. "I adore vintage and antique jewelry," she admits. "My grandmother gave me a box of her old jewelry and it really inspired me to explore working with it." She is even taking metalsmithing classes and hopes to incorporate her new skills into her jewelry designs. "I feel that I cannot learn enough fast enough." She advises her fellow Etsy artists, "if you want it to be a business then act like it is a business. Plan and work as though your life depends on it. Apply whatever skills you have from all of your previous experiences and research what you don't know." She also warns that - as helpful as they are - the forums can be addictive. "I allow myself 30 minutes a day to lurk in the fora (I don't post very often). The Etsy fora is a goldmine of information, but it is also a huge, swirling vortex that will swallow up your creative time before you know it!" Please check out her shop: http://pinkdragonfly98.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: LesChic

Leslie's fascination with jewelry began at an early age. "I think I got my diverse taste in jewelry from the women who influenced my life. One of my grandma's was my 'city grandma. She loved flashy and bold jewelry. The other was my 'country grandma.' I never saw her in anything but a simple and classic strand of pearls. My mom loved very dainty jewelry, so that is why I can't make just one style of jewelry," she explains. "I love it all!" Aside from making her eclectic pieces she was also a hairstylist and owned a salon for 23 years. "I turned 40 last year and have found the phrase '40 and Fabulous' to be oh so true! Things in my life just started to fall in place. After a lifetime of trying..not trying..to just being happy with my life, I surprisingly found myself pregnant last August," she gushed. "It is such a miracle and my husband (who is the best in the world) and I feel so lucky and blessed." She soon found herself selling the salon in order to be with her new precious gift. "Ironically I started making jewelry as a stress reliever about 2 years ago and found it a perfect creative outlet for me," she admits. She'd love to turn her art into a full time career and vows to improve every day - especially her pictures (which I think are perfect already). "It shows more than the piece if its a good picture...it sets a mood..it tells a story and makes you fall in love with it instantly." Please check out her shop: http://leschic.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: AJDesignJewelry

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I found a beautiful necklace on Etsy that's perfect for today...

Amy has been making her beautiful pieces for 15 years and selling them professionally for 7, although Etsy is currently just a hobby. "I would love to do this full time, but I live in the Bay area, and have a mortgage to pay for," she jokes. Her greatest inspiration comes from her Grandmother. "I was so impressed with her ability to make something, and to make so many people happy in the process," she explains. "She was truly gifted, I am sorry that I really started my business after she passed. It would have been nice to get her input on things." She started making jewelry for the same reasons I did - she just couldn't find the right piece for her personality. "Two different flowers in colors that don't normally go together could be sitting next to each other in bins, and the next day, I'll have a pair of earrings in those colors. Or I'll spill a tub of beads and make a necklace with all the beads. Happy accidents," she says. Besides her own designs, she also likes adding her own personal style to current trends. She'd like to remind her fellow Etsians that "just because 56 people looked at your item and it hasn't sold, don't get down on yourself, just take it that someone appreciates your work enough to click on it and look at it closer." Please check out her shop: http://ajdesignjewelry.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: MJulian

Mindy Julian was born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon - and is currently raising a family of her own. Aside from creating her "retro chic" designs, she is a full-time Mom to three busy girls. She often finds inspiration in her surroundings. "Oregon has so many beautiful things, the ocean (my favorite), mountains, lots of green trees, and great flowers. So many beautiful, rich colors." She is also interested in the exotic paradise of Hawaii where she and her husband were married. "We collect Hawaiian Art. I love all of the vibrant tropical colors Hawaii offers." She currently prefers to work with silver and natural gemstones, incorporating them into classic pieces that can be dressed up or down. "My jewelry started as a hobby, but I enjoyed hunting and finding great treasures and making them into beautiful pieces of art so much it has turned into a business," she says. "Don't get discouraged," she reminds. "Be vigilant about posting in the forums, re-listing, going to chat rooms, blog, hand out business cards, do everything you can to get your name out there. If you just post your work and sit back waiting for sales it's not going to happen. You have to advertise."Please check out her shops: Jewelry - http://mjulian.etsy.com/ Destash/Supplies - http://mimibeads.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/