By day Aimee Tuck is a freelance graphic designer working for companies that focus on renewable energy and senior housing. "I’m a gigantic geek at night," she admits, "speaking with earnest about the last Battlestar Galactica episode, but have no idea who played in the last Superbowl." She lives and works out of an old 1917 fixer-upper that she seems to be working on constantly. A large part of her inspiration comes from her "incredibly artistic, talented, and funny husband" as well as the beautiful Pacific Northwest. "Although I primarily work with paper, I’m not limited by it," she says of her craft, "often using beads, yarn, string, metal, and other objects in my creations." She enjoys making things, but the Capricorn in her mandates they be useful. "I love the idea of someone using what I created to communicate – sending a card, writing in their journal, etc." After a 2002 trip to Japan she also began making keepsake boxes. "Even their most mundane store wrappings around a book are just beautiful. I wanted to combine that pleasure of receiving and opening something beautiful with an item that doesn’t get thrown in the trash – that can be reused." A lifelong creative soul, she jokes, "I have vivid memories of learning to sew absolutely horrid doll clothes, of painting a clay dinosaur bright red for a grade school diorama, and an eighth-grade science fair in which I was much more interested in making the display than in the actual experiment." Etsy has been a great opportunity for her to connect with other artists - and customers aside from friends and family. "I love being a part of a world-wide community of so many artisans and crafters, and bore people to tears telling them of the amazing things I’ve found on the Etsy site." Please check out her shop: http://corbaecreative.etsy.com/ and website: http://corbaecreative.com/
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Meet Etsy Artist: Corbaecreative
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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/
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
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/
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Meet Etsy Artist & Cardmaker: crankbunny
Norma V Toraya is the whimsical talent behind Crankbunny, which she named after a mythical creature she describes as a "large magical medicinal fish with rabbit ears." She currently resides in Jersey City, which allows her to periodically work in NYC as an animation director. "I have an office in my apt (one day I will start calling it a 'studio') that's my main creative nest," she explains. "Sometimes my brain likes to take a creative vacation from animation to make paper puppets and pop up cards." Inspiration can strike her at any time, but often comes from her surroundings or Cuban heritage. "Crankbunny has become it's own thing," she says of her 9 year old Etsy shop of illustrated pop up cards and puppets. Sadly she has a full time job that comes first, so her creative designs are only a hobby. "Most of my items are gifts for other people and that's kinda special to me. I never meet those people or see their reaction in person, but sometimes people write back to tell me how it went. It always amazes me," she gushes. "Do what makes you happy, makes you grow creatively, and stop thinking about everything else on Etsy," she advises. "Stop fiddling around with funny numbers and business strategies. Use resources outside this electronic box you are currently staring at (basically what I mean is show people your work in person; friends, neighbors, family, people in your community, church, school, stores when you are shopping, etc)." Please check out her shop: http://crankbunny.etsy.com/
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Meet Etsy Artist: birdandflower
Elaine Jackson has a profound love of nature, both organic and human, which comes across beautifully in her folksy paintings. "I like capturing a moment in time, the moment just before the emotion changes when a person is in touch with peace or joy or just about to say something; in touch with their true self." When I asked about her interests, she joked, "I have so many passions that I could answer this question a thousand times and the answer could be different each time." She did finally pin down a few, though. "I love birds and flowers, and mermaids," she admits. "I love stories of people who do amazing things behind the scenes." Each of her pieces express her whimsical spirit. "I like to do artwork that radiates a healing energy and a sense of play." She recommends each Etsy artist develop their own unique style. "Ask your art where it wants to go and let it take you there." Please check out her shop: http://birdandflower.etsy.com/
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Meet Etsy Paper Artist & Card maker: PurlBoutique
The artist behind PurlBoutique may be a full-time Financial Analyst, but she spends her free time on a myriad of crafts. I was particularly struck by her stunning card designs, which is her main focus. "Laughter inspires me," she admits. "When people are laughing, they are in a good mood. When others are in a good mood, so am I. When I am in a good mood, I am relaxed and more creative." She's been creating her entire life. "My mom taught me to sew, I taught myself to knit and crochet, but I just recently began card-making," she explains of her latest passion. She hopes to meet like-minded artists through Etsy and "build life-long business relationships with them." She feels that "although we are 'competing' for a sale, we can all learn from each other." One thing she has picked up and would like to pass on is that good photos are a must. "A picture and its presentation speak a thousand words to how much you care about your work." Please check out her shop: http://purlboutique.etsy.com/
Friday, March 7, 2008
Meet Etsy Artist: Fioretta
Isabel, the young talent behind Fioretta, earned her BFA in Graphic Design and has an "affinity for all things creative." Her husband, who is also a designer, shares her creative passion - and just recently opened his own Etsy shop. "Nature is a major source of inspiration," she explains, whether it's the subject matter or the colors and textures she uses. "Lately I find myself thinking a lot about what other little creatures I could personify and give life to with my work." Her style tends to be just as varied, depending on the project. "Different styles show up with the different types of work that I do. When I'm working with paper or designing, I find that my style gravitates towards clean, sophisticated, and elegant themes; it's a little more subdued. My felt ornaments are a little bit brighter and bolder - they have more of a cutesy, sweet feel to them."
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