Meet Etsy Artist and Stationer: lilribbers

Laura Remes is a professional graphic designer with a BFA in Visual Communications from the University of Kansas. "I've spent the last few years in the corporate world doing print, identity and multimedia work for a downtown St. Louis marketing agency, but have always had a love for hand made paper crafts," she says. "A year and a half ago I got engaged, as did many of my friends, and decided together that most of the wedding invitations out there were bland and uninspired. A wedding is about expressing what makes you and your fiance a unique and loving couple and many pre-made invitations from large print-house vendors did not seem to have much, if any personality. So, I decided to draw upon my own knowledge of printing and my hobby of paper crafting to make my own." Soon, her friends began commissioning her to do the same for them - and her business grew by word of mouth. Her classy, modern designs speak for themselves. "I discovered Etsy about the same time I became engaged and promptly ordered many custom items from talented Etsy vendors," she admits. "EVERYONE took notice of these custom items and complimented me on my attention to detail. Details I couldn't have achieved without those talented vendors. I was so impressed by the kindness, hands-on help, and creativity of other sellers that I decided to start my own shop in order to reach more brides." She plans on creating her own website in the near future, but has been too busy with the wedding and relocating to Chicago for her husband's job. After leaving work she discovered that she could actually make a living doing what she loves, making cards and invitations. "I'm proud to say that I am now self employed," she gushes. "Stay true to your style," she recommends. Please check out her shop: http://lilribbers.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 Artist: faeryspellcreations

The unique artist and sculptor behind faeryspellcreations is "a native San Franciscan, mom of two amazing little boys, and wife to the most wonderful husband...who makes (her) living sculpting and sewing dolls based on fairy, mythology, history, and folklore." Her favorite mediums are clay, paper, and fabric. She is inspired by the natural beauty in the world. "I also love reading history, fairy tales, and myths," she admits. "And I always create to music." Although she currently focuses on sculpting her magical dolls, her first love was fabric and "for a long time (she) did custom period and fantasy clothing." While she still works on costumes from time to time, most are for her dolls. "You will find handbags, hats, gloves, masks and fairy wings in my store regularly." She describes her Etsy endeavor as "a job, a hobby, and an absolute pleasure," and hopes to transition into selling there solely within the next year. "Keep creating," she recommends. "When you first start here, it takes a while for people to find you--for those first sales to come in. But don't be discouraged! Instead, use your time productively, create a beautiful store, introduce yourself in the forums and have fun! Please check out her shop: http://faeryspellcreations.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

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/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

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/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

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."

A lifelong artists, she jokes that she's been creating since she "could hold a pencil to paper - or maybe a crayon to a wall, to hear the stories (her) parents have told. It helps that I grew up in an environment that fostered my creativity. My artistic endeavors were always supported." Right now her art is not a full time job, but it still plays an important role in her life. "I put a lot of time, effort, creativity, and energy into - and I love doing it," she admits. Her only goals are for "people to be happy with what they purchase" and to pursue her passions, "especially if other people around me find enjoyment in it too." Please check out her shop: http://fioretta.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: CreativeEssentials

Piper grew up along the Oregon coast, and although she now resides in Virginia, she is still "recharged" by the ocean. "I love walking along the beach and losing myself in the sand and water," she says. Like me, she is also fascinated by Asian culture and imagery. "I love visiting Japanese gardens, Chinese gardens, Buddhist temples, and Asian themed museums." Her eclectic style is as varied as her talents. Currently she focuses her Etsy shop on paper crafts, jewelry, photography, and painting - although she admits that could all change next week if she decides on a whim to try her hand at something else. "To date I’ve managed not to poison myself or burn down the house, so all is good," she jokes. Selling her art began as a way to fund her creative spirit - something she couldn't do at her day job as a Human Resource Information Systems Manager. She is also a full time graduate student earning her Master’s in Technology Management at George Mason University. Somehow she still has time for her art. She hopes to use Etsy to meet fellow like minded artists and showcase her work. "Don’t hold back," she recommends. "Try something new. If it doesn’t turn out the way you envisioned, it can always be turned into something else." Please check out her shop: http://creativeessentials.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Card Maker: QuirkynBerkeley

QuirkynBerkeley is a freelance writer by day - and an eclectic card maker by night. "Rosie the WonderDog" and "Twink the Monster Kitten" keep her company in her Berkeley, CA studio, which is brimming with colorful paper and supplies. "I am fascinated by the juxtaposition of color and space, and inspired by the human ability to take disparate elements and put them together in wholly unique and original ways." She enjoys experimenting with new techniques and admits the only constants in her designs are the materials. "I love rubber stamps," she confesses. She's also interested in origami and would like to try her hand at kurigami. Then there's the new gocco machine - "I can't wait to use, but I've got a lot of other projects I'm working on first." She began making cards as a little girl in Texas out of pressed mimosa blossoms. In the last three years she has created over 800 unique cards, but jokes "this a hobby according to the IRS." She hopes become a constructive member of the Etsy community and continually learn from her fellow artists, whom she admires. Every day she features a new Etsy shop on her blog. She advises her fellow sellers to "help as many people as you can, give other people the benefit of the doubt, learn as much as you can, work as hard as you can at your own craft and at making this a community that you're proud to be a part of. Treat your customers like gold, give the best customer service you can imagine, and then keep your mind open for new techniques to improve on that." Please check out her shop: http://quirkynberkeley.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://quirkynberkeley.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artists: ThisIsIt

Dan and Jodi are a husband and wife artistic duo, who "dreamed of creating together while working from home." They started their endeavor in 2005 and named it "This Is IT" becuase "it’s how we felt about each other from the moment we met." Dan is currently in the middle of graduate school for creative writing, so Jodi is focussing on the business until he graduates next year. "My mom also helps us with the journals, which we so appreciate!" Their eclectic handmade gifts range from photo albums, journals, greeting cards, and jewelry. "We are both huge animal lovers and vegan, and we donate 5% of our profits to animal-welfare groups. The charities that we currently support are: Best Friends Animal Society, Humane Farming Association, The Jane Goodall Institute, and The Anti-Vivisection Society." They also share a love of the environment. "I really feel that the world consciousness is changing with regard to the environment and sustainable living –and it’s very exciting to be a part of this change. Dan and I use recycled boards for our journals and cardstock. All of our journal paper is handmade and environmentally friendly. We will continue to move more and more in this direction because I feel that it’s so important for our planet.We cherish mindful living, Buddhist philosophies, and contributing creatively to the world, but leaving as small a mark while doing so." Often times inspiration strikes them just before bed or when they first wake up, so they keep an "idea book" close at hand. "I just sketch it out and then the idea gets put into fruition. I love anything that has Asian influences. I love Jackson Pollock and many other abstract artists. I love Buddhist art and statues. I love the colors of India. I feel like there are so many ideas in my mind—and I just need to find the time to sit down and create them all." Their art definitely shows an open-minded, worldly influence. In some form or another they have always been creative. "When I was small I was the one making cards for anyone I could think of for any holiday I could invent," Jodi explains. "A friend of mine made jewelry, which I thought looked like a lot of fun…she taught me and here I am." Dan and Jodi feel blessed that their artistic passion has turned into a full time job. "(We) will never take that for granted." Fairly new to Etsy, they plan to learn more about the site and the community every day - and "keep making products that (we are)proud of." They advise their fellow Etsy sellers to list often. "I notice on days when I am busy with other things and don’t list frequently, the sales go down. I think it’s so important to have good customer service—follow through with what you say you are going to do. Make as many treasuries as you can. Post often in the forums. Network as much as you can. This is such a great community, and I am so proud to be a part of it!" Please check out her shop: http://thisisit.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/