Meet Etsy Artist: AtchisonArt

Elizabeth Atchison is a practicing Buddhist, who loves the outdoors and is an "avid animal lover with many pets." She acquired two Boxers (Jack and Hunter) from a volunteer stint with the local Boxer Rescue. She also has a rabbit, chinchilla, turtles, and fish. In her other Etsy shop (http://www.hunterandjacksnacks.etsy.com/) she sells homemade natural snacks for pets. Aside from all of her animals, she is also a new Mom again to a 5 month old baby boy. "I am so blessed to have 3 wonderful kids and such a supportive loving husband to call my own," she gushes. Somehow she finds time to paint. "I really enjoy getting lost in a painting. The best part of art is that is is interpretive...which means I don't have to very good at it," she jokes. Her inspiration comes from her family and living life in the present moment. Currently she focuses on watercolors, but hopes to try oil paints soon. "Painting is just a hobby at the present moment, however I would love to be able to provide for my family through the venue of Art," she admits. Like most of us, she hopes Etsy will help get her name out there. "Network...promote your shop. Meet others that share the same interests. And most importantly, never give up. It is not over (until)...you quit. Please check out her shop: http://atchisonart.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Metalsmith & Jewelry Artist: julsilver

I found today's artist while searching for Buddha earrings. From the moment I saw these I knew I HAD to have them. Believe it or not they are even more gorgeous "in person." I was stunned to discover I was her first Etsy purchase. I absolutely love these earrings and will treasure them always...

Aside from being an artist, Laura Bellows is an anthropologist "re-inventing." She became interested in Buddhism and Hinduism while doing fieldwork for her PhD in Bali, Indonesia. Much of her work is inspired by the wonderful cultures and people she encountered abroad. "I am still really interested in the meanings and intellectual problems I dealt with as a researcher," she admits. "I seek to bring this into my work as much as possible, even to the point of including words or texts that I find fascinating, or which simply contain things I feel I have to say." While she makes many pieces her self, she actually makes a living by designing pieces that can be made in Bali via a Fair Trade model - and sold wholesale to various shops. "These practical things are part of what I do and reflect my interest in making useful items that are not disposable, are produced ethically and also beautiful." She also teaches the casting process out of her own studio, which enables beginners to learn the basics of wax working. Please check out her shop: http://julsilver.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: Inor

I was lucky enough to stumble upon another fantastic artist on her first day on Etsy. She has been creating in one form or another her entire life, but has recently been inspired by Buddha's teachings and "felt inspired to express (her) gratitude through drawing." She "look(s) forward to sharing more images and (has) hopes for some prosperity." Please check out her shop: http://inor.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: GreenGoddessGoods

Jaimee Smith is "your typical (or maybe not so typical) artist, who enjoys living and creating." She describes herself as "an observer and a documentor of everyday occurrences of the world around us." She feels that with modern day technology and every day stress, many people are deprived of nature and tries to incorporate the simple joys of living green into her art. She is "fearless when it comes time to working with new materials and mediums," and her varied subjects always "come as a whim." Currently she specializes in whimsical pet art, Buddhist paintings, belly dance hair adornments, and gardening. "As long as I am creating something with my hands, I am free," she says. "I have been considering giving up a day job and devote more time to Etsy and selling my wares, but will have to plug along the semi-nine to five for a little longer. A wedding is coming my way in October and these things are so darn expensive!" She advises her fellow Etsians to "be true to (yourself) and your craft and buy handmade items." Please check out her shop: http://greengoddessgoods.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Potter & Artist: thebuddhabuilder

Seattle artist Anita Feng is 55, and has been "a working potter/ceramic artist for 35 of those years." She is also a published writer and teaches creative writing at Cornish College of the Arts. "I've recently completed a novel about a young woman's coming of age through her passion for clay (loosely based on my own story)," she explains. Her love of clay began in 1974 when she saw a friend's finished piece. "I admired it so much that I signed up for a six-week intro to pottery class, then promptly spent all of my savings to set up a studio." A year later she was doing the craft show circuit, selling her wares. She eventually moved to the Internet - and just found Etsy a few months ago, where she also has a second shop (http://anitasocarinas.etsy.com/). She has been a "practitioner of Zen" for thirty years, which is beautifully showcased in her work. As for the creative process, she describes it as "a kind of conversation that I'm having with clay. I listen carefully to what kind of mood the clay's in and I respond. I do have a plan in mind, but I'm always open to the fluid suggestions of the moment at hand! The word, Buddha, means 'to wake up' and therefore I try to find an alert and spontaneous presence in each of my sculptures." She hopes her pieces help "open our consciousness to a modern western sensibility to Buddhist art." Please check out her shop: http://thebuddhabuilder.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

My Hand Painted Tibetan Cabinet

As you may know by now, I am infatuated with the cultures, faiths, and arts of Asia. I have always wanted a painted Tibetan cabinet, but am saddened by the occupation and worldwide export of Tibetan culture. I could not bring myself to purchase something that may have been taken from a family - or sold as a last resort to make it in an occupied territory. So - I decided to paint one myself...

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/