Meet Etsy Artist: margotbianca

While finishing up her printmaking studies Margot created a functional line of batik "to take my mind off of my thesis on the weekends." After graduating she discovered selling her beautiful wares was a great addition to her income. "Making pieces that are small, inexpensive, useful and appeal to a wide audience is key to a production line," she explains of her creations. She definitely focuses on her eccentric artist side, too; "I like to keep my schedule flexible, to avoid having to take a job that gets in the way of me making new work, traveling for shows and residencies, and the other schedule-disrupting activities that are inherent to life as an artist." She enjoys the fact that making functional art is a nice break from fine art. "I can learn a lot about color interaction and the nature of different fibers when I'm not being uptight about creating work with content. The repetitive nature of creating a functional line frees my mind up to consider solutions to dead ends or visual problems in my drawings, prints, project proposals or plans for installations. It also helps me practice not getting offended and frozen by negative responses to my work. If someone doesn't like a batik dishtowel, who cares?" She finds inspiration everywhere - from ambient light, color, lines, and good food." Even a few of her dreams and a cup of coffee or two has influenced her colorful work. Each batik is made with antique Indonesian stamps "that were themselves created by hand." She explains, "the stamps were made to help crafters create less expensive textiles for the European market at the turn of the century. So the designs have this strange mix of Asian aesthetic, made for a European audience. I've collected these beautiful objects from auctions, estate sales, junk stores and collectors." She has painstakingly cleaned and repaired them, learned how to use them, and now creates her earthy, functional art with them. "Figuring out how to use each one is like a little puzzle: some of them were designed to interlock, others are smaller parts of a larger intricate design, and some are still mysteries. It's a great challenge for me to find out how to to give them a new life." Please check out her shop: http://margotbianca.etsy.com
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Fiber Artist: blondechicken

Tenesee transplant Tara (of BlondeChicken) earned a degree in French Literature in hopes of becoming a professor, but soon realized she needed something more creative. "I managed a small business for 2 years and that gave me the confidence to pursue my dream," she explains. "Right now I work as a web content manager in Human Resources and in turn receive free tuition. I plan on starting an MBA program next fall…all the while running Blonde Chicken Boutique." As busy as she is, she makes a point to find time for her artistic outlet. "I think about colors and fibers constantly, jotting down new ideas." She finds inspiration in nature, dark chocolate, the perfect cup of coffee, and "the pursuit of authenticity." While she admits she is still developing her style, she acknowledges that one defining characteristic of her work is that she only uses eco-friendly fiber and yarn. "Everything is either recycled, mill-ends (reducing and reusing!), organic and cruelty-free." This brings a natural, earthy, lived-in feel to her yarns.

Etsy may be her hobby, but Tara treats it with the professionalism and detail that befits a career. "It's relaxing, fun - and a necessary creative outlet," she admits. "I use colors I love, I spin the type of yarn that feels right, I name the products silly names! I don't EVER think about if something will sell, because I'm creating for the joy of creating. That's imperative to my sanity." She advises artists that care about the environment to get together. "Join forums, groups, whatever, just go get to know (each other) and let them get to know you!" Please check out her shop: http://blondechicken.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/