Meet Etsy Artist: reflectionsoflight

"I've been creating as long as I can remember," Sharilyn admits. "I've always got my fingers into something." Creativity has always been a "need" for her, not just a passion. "Photography is one of my first loves," she explains. "In planning an upcoming trip I am very excited about the photo opportunities I am going to encounter." Although she has worked for years in education, she recently shifted focus to her art, which she aims to make functional as well as aesthetic. Painting ceramics has been the perfect combination for her. An avid hiker and lover of the outdoors, nature often inspires her - as with the beautiful bamboo sushi set. "A country girl at heart, anything in nature is beautiful and appealing and I love to represent a small part of that in what I create." In fact - that is why she named her shop Reflections of Light. "Perhaps I can take a small piece of the beauty of nature and reflect it in something I make." Please check out her shop: http://reflectionsoflight.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: Raku4u

"Beauty, whether found in a glorious sunrise, a galloping horse with mane & tail flying, the glittering Milky Way in a midnight sky or the intricate icy geometry of a snowflake, has always captivated me for as long as I can remember," Lynne says of her fascination with nature. She majored in Art Education "as a way of surrounding (her)self with some of the world’s greatest art/artists and spent (her) family rearing years working as a public school art teacher & sharing that passion with hundreds (if not thousands) of students." When her kids were old enough she returned to school as a student, earning a Master’s Degree in Art Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Although she only took ceramics as an elective, she was hooked immediately. "When my hands first touched a lump of clay on the potter’s wheel, I had the most profound sense of 'coming home,' artistically speaking…..I knew this medium was going to change my life," she explains. She immediately changed her degree to focus on ceramics and the rest is, as they say, history. Her love affair with clay began as a hobby, but she eventually turned it into a successful business. She appreciates Etsy for being a "consistent venue for past & present customers to have full access to (her) work." Please check her out: http://raku4u.etsy.com/, http://raku4ubyshekinahclay.blogspot.com/, http://www.shekinahclay.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Potter & Artist: PlumHome

Bronwyn Simons describes herself as an "artist, entrepreneur, dancer, teacher, mother, partner, homemaker, spiritual seeker, and all around creative woman." Inspiration for her art comes from natural colors and ethnic design (especially Japanese and Italian). In life she finds inspiration in her family and friends - and by "hearing the stories of other artsy, entrepreneurial women." Currently focused on ceramics, she has dabbled in many mediums over the years. "The connecting thread between them all has been my love of line, colour, the decorative, and the inspiration of history." she explains. "I'm passionate about the revival of craft, and the importance of bringing the hand-made back into our daily lives." Happily self employed as a full time crafter for 16 years, she feels blessed to be making a living doing something she loves. "My Etsy shop is a wonderful place for me to showcase new designs, one of a kind pieces, and prototypes - it gives me a chance to play and experiment." She enjoys the sense of community with Etsy and has made some wonderful connections in her endeavors. She recommends her fellow artists "be authentic, post often, communicate clearly, enjoy the community." Please check out her shop: http://plumhome.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Potter & Artist: sumiko

Sumiko has "had a love affair with all art forms since (she) was a teenager." Born in Kumamoto, Japan, she began studying fine arts while in High School. In 1958 she traveled to Italy and studied under local artists. She got married while in Naples and "put (her) artistic endeavors on hold while (she) raised (her) family." She eventually made her way to the US and lived in Washington, D.C. and Honolulu before settling in San Diego, CA. "I became serious with art as a student at Miramar College where I received an AA degree in Fine Art," she explains. Later she attended a class at Mesa College and "found (her) calling." She studied ceramics, sculpting, and glaze technology under Dr. John Conrad, a world famous author and a Master Potter. Please check out her shop: http://
sumiko.etsy.com

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Potter & Artist: GretchenKramp

Gretchen Kramp "consistently work(s) in the grey area between two and three dimensional work," whether it's painting on wood sculpture or creating her expertly textured tiles. "After college I cobbled together a living of odd jobs such as coffee barista, babysitter, and, opportunely, assistant to a ceramicist. Working with her introduced me to a bevy of artists making a living off of their craft. I am also fortunate to live near Pewabic Pottery of Detroit, a historic Arts & Crafts era pottery and tileworks still thriving today. Amidst all these influences, the clay bug bit me hard in 1995 when I made a few tiles as Christmas presents and was irrevocably smitten!" She has been a proffessional clay artist since 1997, pushing the boundaries of her craft. "I'm inspired by most anything from the natural to the whimsical to the downright weird," she admits. Her body of work includes tile murals for the National Amphibian Conservation Center and the Arctic Ring of Life inside the Detroit Zoo. She also sells her tiles at local art fairs, boutiques, galleries - and most recently Etsy. "My biggest challenge these days is trying to achieve balance between work and home life as I currently moonlight as wife and mother to two little girls. I'm hoping that Etsy will allow me to expand my audience without straying too far away from my priorities." She advises her fellow Etsy artists "spend as much time possible pursuing what you love to do...then whatever happens, you will have no regrets!" Please check out her shop: http://gretchenkramp.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Potter & Artist: LureArts

Although Pam began her artistic career while studying at a university, she fell in love with clay the first moment she sat in front of a potter's wheel. Now a full-time highschool art teacher, she enjoys creating textured dinnerware, which includes sushi and dinner plates, olive trays, coffee mugs - even stemless wine glasses. She loves the wheel, but handcrafts many pieces as well. "I am addicted to making bowls and have a kitchen full of them to prove it," she jokes. "My pottery is meant to be used, but still be beautiful. I secretly think that my bowls have souls and personalities," she admits. "They want to be useful and share the joy in your life." From her home studio she mixes her own glazes and fires her own pieces, but "when there is 'down time' in my pottery production, I still enjoy picking up my paintbrushes." Spoken like a true artist. She finds inspiration in the ornate designs of the Rococo and Baroque periods - and Japanese pottery, "especially their earthy color schemes and asymmetrical tea bowls." Sometimes she even combines eastern and western sensibilities in her pottery. Most recently she has started a ceramic jewelry line, integrating the colors and textures from her handmade wares. She also plans to expand into ceramic clocks. "I use Etsy to hone my craft. The best thing that I did on Etsy is join the EMT (Etsy Mud Team). I highly recommend other Etsians to find a team that they can connect with." Please check out her shops: Pottery: http://lurearts.etsy.com/ Paintings: http://lure.etsy.com
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: SofiaMasri/Poopsie

29 year old Sofia Masri makes victorian inspired porcelain jewelry while going to college full time as a Biology student. "Needless to say, my life is a non-stop circus," she jokes. Her vintage designs reflect her love of antiques, history, mythology, and ancient civilizations. "For my namesake Etsy shop I channel the vintage and antique loving, romantic part of me. I strive to recreate that feeling of holding an object from a bygone era." She has another Etsy shop by the name of Poopsie that shows off a more whimsical aesthetic. "There's a part of me that will never grow up, and I fully embrace it," she admits. "My craft is my therapy. Despite the fact that porcelain can be quite temperamental, I find a great deal of serenity in the process." Ever since she was a child she's been creating, doodling in her Sesame Street story books. "I loved to get messy with art supplies when I was younger, but I was also a perfectionist. I remember being accused of having my mom help me with my art homework in kindergarten. I've always been aware of the meticulous care you have to take in order to create something thoughtful, meaningful, and worthwhile." Her attention to detail is evident today in her master craftsmanship, which she successfully turned into a career this year. "I think it's important to make each and every item as if you were making it for a loved one of discriminating taste," she advises. "In other words, put 200% into your work, hold it to a high degree of scrutiny and quality." Please visit her Etsy shop: http://sofiamasri.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com