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/

Meet Etsy Artist: CherryLime

I'm a sucker for all things Asian - and found this next artist's idea for tub teas right up my alley...
"At present I live in Dallas with my husband, my Singer 503a Rocketeer, my serger, my grandmother's machine, and my dress form Elanor. It's a rather cramped life but I enjoy it," Alicia jokes. She first learned how to sew through watching her mother. "Honestly, I learned more what not to do than anything else," she says. "My mom is a wonderful person, but not so mechanically inclined." She also took lessons in junior high and found a mentor. "A friend's mom really gave me the foundation I needed and so, when I found myself doodling designs in college, I was able to take my first steps into turning those sketches into reality," she explains. "I'm currently a graduate student and sewing for my shop gives me a chance to get outside the books and spend some time just creating; an outlet I desperately need in such a cerebral environment." She enjoys creating her designs and pattern drafting so much that she jokes she has to be careful to make sure she follows her projects through. "I have a bad habit of drafting, doing a trial version, liking it, and then moving on to another idea," she admits. Her background in architectural drafting has helped her immensely. "If nothing else, (it) taught me to add measurements correctly," she quips. Her inspiration often comes from the fabric itself. "Fabric tends to speak - no, shout - at me when I pass it in the fabric store," she says. "I love the feel and smell of it all. Colors inspire me and I love seeing how different colors mix and meld when put together in a robe." She is also inspired by every day fashion, which she describes as "what people are really wearing in my less fashionable world." A lot of her pieces have an Oriental feel, which accentuates the spa aspect of her plush robes and calming tub teas. Right now Etsy is a hobby and she uses the supplemental income for an occasional night on the town - or even to purchase fabric for her students from low-income families. "Be nice," she advises her fellow Etsians. "That's never a bad idea." Well said! Please check out her shop: http://cherrylime.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: gerebdesign

Izabela Gereb studied furniture design and graduated with a Master's Degree in Art Nouveau furniture from a University in Brasov in Romania. "I never had a chance to actually use my knowledge of Art Nouveau, but 'C’est la vie,'" she jokes. She spent much of her adolescence in museums and galleries - and considers this the most important part of her education. She later studied drawing and painting techniques in galleries in Montreal, Canada. Truly a unique artist, she even made her own clothing. "When I lived in Paris many times women actually wanted to buy whatever I was wearing on the spot." Her real joy comes from "making fun staff out of useless objects." She explains, "Basically most of my home accessories and furniture I developed primary from discarded materials. For example the series of portraits on MDF blocks was born because my neighbours furniture makers had lots of MDF pieces going straight to the garbage. I sold tons of these prints on canvas on unwanted MDF frames." She has designed and built thousands of "unique and crazy" furniture pieces and painted literally hundreds of paintings, selling every single one. "I am a product of split heritage and background," she says, "Polish and Canadian, artist and designer rolled into one." A part of many cultures, she speaks eight languages and "feel(s) at home in many places on this planet." Currently she lives on Vancouver Island where she continues her interested and exploration of human nature. You can view more of her work at http://www.gerebdesign.com./ check out her shop: http://gerebdesign.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Recycled Ecofriendly birth announcements with a twist from RecycledIdeas...

RecycledIdeas is a fellow Etsian I respect and admire very much. She is dedicated to preserving animals and their habitats and - of course - recycling. She has found ways to reuse every day objects that many people throw away. They are not only functional, but beautiful as well. This next find is so cool and so ingenious on so many levels I don't even know where to begin. It's a birth announcement made of recycled paper and embedded with seeds, so the recipient can cultivate a variety of seedlings. It's symbolic of the whole birth and growth process and while it announces a new footprint onto this planet, it helps reduce our current carbon footprint. I am just astounded by her depth of creativity that I am truly at a loss for words. Please check out her shop: http://recycledideas.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: natureallwell

The life-long artist behind Natureallwell is a 21 year old newlywed from Alberta, Canada, who - aside from Etsy - is passionate about biology and the ecology. She has successfully combined her love for her craft and the environment in her eco friendly jewelry. "It’s so sad that we’re destroying this vast planet with our human greed and ignorance. Hundreds of species are endangered or extinct every day, we add tons of waste to landfills, burn and chop down forests, pollute the ocean and waterways. In doing so, we’re killing ourselves." She believes a natural lifestyle is the answer. "Handmade itself is better for the environment, helping to stop mass-production and the massive waste (it) causes." She even donates some of her profits to animal charities and buys organic products. Many of her pieces incorporate recycled, natural, and vintage materials - and all of her props and displays are second-hand or natural elements. She has even gone as far as switching to corn-based biodegradable bags for craft shows. Additionally, she offers restringing and jewelry repair so less material ends up in landfills. "I’ll happily take old jewelry and revamp it for new life in this generation." Her hip retro style definitely reflects her eco-centered mission, each beautifully showcasing aspects of earth and life.

"Currently my day job isn’t satisfying at all and I think my jewelry is what keeps my sanity right now," she confesses. Although Etsy is not her current career, she acknowledges that it is more of a business than a hobby. "I spend far too much money on it to justify it otherwise," she jokes. She actually maintains two shops - one for her beautiful jewelry and another for supplies (naturefinds.etsy.com). Eventually she hopes to make Etsy her full time job, but in the mean time is working diligently to get her name out there. "Concentrate more on your store than talking the forums," she advises. "Forums chat is great and helps advertise somewhat, but it’s your product, photos, packaging, prices, customer service, etc. that really get customers coming and coming back for more." Please check out her shop: http://natureallwell.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Eco Artist: RecycledIdeas

RecycledIdeas is an artist with a mission. "My passion for primates led me to study them and in doing so, I learned of their precarious position on earth. So many are endangered because their habitat is being destroyed everyday. " She is a "newly minted PhD (in psychology) who conducts interdisciplinary research on primate behavior."

Her passions are primates and paper - and RecycledIdeas has successfully combined the two in her eclectic crafts. "I can't just make one type of thing. I've got to draw, paint, mold, sew, bead, alter, and most of all CREATE. If one thing tied my art together, it would have to be my love for the natural habitat and diverse species we are lucky to share the planet with."

She's been crafting her entire life. "I think I came out of the womb creating. I constructed Lego spaceships, melted crayons to form collages, and put together a 3D pilgrim nativity-like scene when I was 6."

Even with a PhD it was difficult to find a job. "I am either over or under qualified." With bills from a student loan soaring to $300 a month, she had to try something - and decided to follow her heart. Etsy won't be her only source of income, but she plans to persue her craft. "I want to finish my 12 Monkeys series (pastel primate portraits). I have 4 down and 8 to go. If I go into work every morning an hour early, I can use the time before my shift starts to work on a pastel. I also want to see my Monkey of the Month OrnaMonkey Club take off. The OrnaMonkeys are felted monkey face ornaments that are dated on the back and collectible."

RecycledIdeas advises fellow Etsians to "take pride in what you make, strive for quality craftsmanship, and market actively. Find your niche and thrive there. And start a blog :-)" Please check out her shop: http://recycledideas.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com