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 Jewelry Artist: LinneaSilver

Linnea Milam, the hip talent behind LinneaSilver, was born and raised in Southern California. She has also spent time on the East coast (New York & Massachusetts) as a flight attendant, but missed her West coast roots and eventually moved back home. Her tremendous love and respect for animals led her to become an animal keeper at her local zoo, which she's done for the last 15 years. "One of the loves of my life is a 2 ton rhinoceros," she jokes. Not surprisingly wildlife tends to be a running theme in her work. She even admits one of her hobbies is "raising & breeding exotic animals and children." She reminds fellow artists not to get discourage with a lack of views. "I have found that many of my sales have been items that had few views but just the right person came along who identified with it in some way." Please check out her shop: http://linneasilver.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: anajune

Ana June possesses a myriad of talents: metalsmith, jewelry artist, and photographer just to name a few. Aside from Etsy she also manages to juggles several jobs: Art Director for a newspaper in her hometown of Santa Fe, NM, and graphic design teacher at a private middle school, freelance photographer, designer, writer, and editor. Even more astounding, she also has four kids that "alternately light up (her) life and get on (her) every nerve." As for her style she says, "I'm rather fickle at times, but I particularly love simplicity in any design. I'm into Asian-influenced art (must be my East Indian background) as well as edgy vintage/retro." She particularly enjoys creating personalized pendants. "I think every mom should have a fine silver pendant stamped with her child's name. I wanted one, but couldn't find anything that really fit who I am...so Skye & Soleil was born. Thank goodness for PMC, as I know that metalsmithing involves quite a learning curve." Although she's been creative all her life she didn't pursue anything seriously until 2000. "Crafting hit me when I was pregnant with my second daughter," she explains. "To alleviate my horrendous discomfort as my pregnancy dragged on 11 days past my due date, my midwife and I decoupaged glass bottles and made plaster casts of my belly to paint. I was hooked. I was seized by photography a year later when I went through a painful divorce, and started using PMC last summer thanks to a windfall from a settlement over a photo of mine that was stolen by the State of New Mexico. Thank goodness for copyright infringement...or, at least, discovering that my copyright was infringed upon!" She'd like to remind fellow artists to be patient. "Etsy is a big pool and we're all little fish. Some people are uber successful with it by either kismet or very good marketing...but some, like me, thrill at a sale here and there. Basically, like any business it involves a lot of time, effort, and great product. Good pictures are also a must, and this is a tough one! Even as a professional photographer I have the darnedest time photographing my silver. It takes time, research, a great camera, and good light (full spectrum bulbs!). And most importantly, have fun, be creative...it's a great community!" Please check out her shop: http://anajune.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Potter: StarksPots

It seems women artists far outnumber men on Etsy, but I have found a few more to feature here on my blog...

Ben Stark recently graduated college where he majored in history, but "spent far more time and effort in (his) elective ceramics classes." While he has been creating pottery since high school, he didn't create his own unique style until his later years of college. He hopes to one day turn his passion into a career, but for now has to work a regular 9:00-5:00 job like most struggling artists. "I am inspired by classic forms of functional wares, and am drawn to Asian pottery, as well as many contemporary American potters," he explains. "I want my work to be functional while at the same time a piece of art. To me, my pieces need to be used to be fully appreciated." His goal is "not to have Etsy support me, but I would like it to support my operating costs for making my wares." He offers sage advice he learned from fellow Etsians: "stick with it, and don't let sales determine self-worth. Become a part of a group or team, the camaraderie is invaluable." Please check out his shop: http://starkspots.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Pottery Artist: TuxedoJunction

The self-taught potter behind TuxedoJunction had her first experience with clay at summer camp. She's been in love with her craft ever since, honing her skills along the way. She draws her inspiration from her surroundings and it could come from a walk outdoors, a museum - or even "a repeating pattern on a brand name tissue box." She's a fan of the the Arts and Crafts Movement, Frank Lloyd Wright's art glass, and prefers the Art Deco and Art Nouveau pottery styles. Adept in stained glass techniques, her pottery style combines her two loves beautifully.
Right now her craft is a hobby, but she hopes to turn it into a career. She acknowledges that shipping pottery is very costly, which makes it hard to keep the prices down. To even the score a bit she offers an affordable line of jewelry that is more easily mailed. She advises her fellow Etsians be patient. "Stick with it, make what you love, the sales will come." Please visit her shop: http://tuxedojunction.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Polymer Clay Artist: LunaMom

Diana, a busy 50 year old mother and grandmother, is the creative spirit behind LunaMom. "If an art or craft form interests me I pursue it," she admits. Her whimsical clay creations are lighthearted and fun, and "invite people to touch (them)." She values the enjoyment people get from her work as much or more than creating it. "My first memory is of playing with earth clay that had been a Christmas gift to my siblings and me. Mom was a crafter and encouraged us to explore many mediums. Each type of craft that I have attempted has been brought to the rest of the art forms I love." Right now Etsy is both a hobby and job for Diana. "I try to find a balance where creating is still fun, but the process of conducting business is still done as professoinally as possible." Her Etsy goal is "to become known as one of the polyclay artists to come to when you need something unique and fun made." Please check out her shop: http://lunamom.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Clay Artist: ArtsyClay

Illinois native ArtsyClay relocated to North Carolina in 1979. She earned a degree in journalism and, besides Etsy, works as a professional writer and photographer - and choir director at her church. She is also married with four sons and six grandchildren.

ArtsyClay's polymer creations are eclectic and whimsical. She has a wide range of products available from jewelry to ornaments. "I try to strike a happy balance between making designs that sell well and coming up with new designs to keep life exciting." She grew up crafting with her mother and cousins, which led to persuits in drawing, stained glass, handmade paper, rubber stamping, greeting cards, and candle making. It wasn't until 1997 that she discovered polymer clay. "I love the endless possibilities of color, texture, layers and embellishments, and the constantly evolving techniques that I can learn from books or on the internet."

Although Etsy is a "fairly serious hobby," ArtsyClay has been featured in several galleries and continues to do local craft shows. Her goal is to "brighten the world with (her) imagination and love that goes into each piece (she) creates, and to treat each customer as a friend."

"Love what you do," she advises. "Always do your best. Treat your customers as you would like to be treated. When you’re tired or burned out, take a break and do something nourishing for your soul." Good advice! Please check out her shop: http://artsyclay.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/