A beautiful surprise from CrankBunny...

Awhile back I did a feature on CrankBunny - and today I found a package from her in my mailbox. When I opened it I found one of her beautiful pop-up cards. It's actually my all-time favorite one, too! Wow! I am in awe. THANKS CrankBunny! You made my day! She also has the coolest business cards I have ever seen. They are cutouts of her whimsical circus fish - with her info on the other side. Truly amazing. I will have to post a picture soon... http://crankbunny.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 Artist & Sculptor: starshinegallery

Aside from being an artist, Patricia Bill owns a small art gallery and antique shop in Southern Ontario, near Niagara Falls. "Of course, being located so near a natural wonder I am inspired by nature," she admits, "particularly animals; they are the center of most of my creations." Her town is surrounded by countryside, so "wildlife is a constant source of amazement and amusement." She also jokes, "I'm inspired by my dog, who is the wildest life around here!" She has always been "absorbed" by one project or another, and continues her craft even while working at her gallery. "Although I have some graphic art training, I am self taught when it comes to acrylic painting, clay sculpture, mixed media sculpture, and occasionally stained glass. My art has a playful and whimsical quality." She is new to Etsy, but enjoys the creative community. "My goal is to find the joy in each day and reflect that in my work," she says. She advises fellow Etsians to "love what you do, do it as well as you possibly can, and enjoy every moment of it." Please check out her shop: http://starshinegallery.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: shellybedsaul

Shelly jokes that she is a "crotchety old broad on the surface, but my art tells the story of a whimsical dreamer." According her parents she has always been into art. "My mother said I ate a tube of her Prussian Blue oil paint, so it's in my blood." Her artistic eye allows her to "see the humor in tragedy and irony in everything. I see glory in the mundane and perfection in our flaws." Some of her work is inspired by Buddhism and other philosophies, and she has coined the phrase "Symbolist painting" to describe such works. "My art instructor in high school called it Stylized Realism," she explains, "representation with my own twist on the subject." She enjoys dabbling in all things creative ("No medium is safe from me") - and a single piece could include colored pencil, ink, oils, acrylics, textiles, wood, block printing, or the like. "Art is my job, my hobby, my joy," she says. "I'm primarily self taught and have always believed in will over talent. It takes a bit of obsessive/compulsive disorder to truly train yourself to your full capacity with or without the benefit of education. It has been the bane of 3 marriages, 2 children and anything close to a tidy house, but after 55 years, it's finally paying off and my goals are being realized." She hopes to delve even further into her art and "be consumed and maybe bring a little beauty into someone's life." She credits Etsy and it's supportive members for "making this 'Foole's Dream' a reality." Please check out her shop: http://shellybedsaul.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: 22Joanna

Joanna Daneman is an exceptional watercolor artist, who began at the tender age of 5. Travelling abroad and experiencing new cultures has inspired her beyond measure. "India, by far, is the most astounding country I've ever visited. My first visit, a 48 hour trip to Mumbai for business, yielded about 20 paintings from a single tour we took in the car around the city. It was like landing on a new planet, a most profound artistic and personal experience." Like her personality, her artistic style expresses "realism with a bit of sarcasm." Each painting captures not just a scene, but a moment - like a window through time. You can almost smell the cardamom ginger tea hawked by the chai wallahs and hear their shouts as the colorful buses rumble by. Her dream is "to retire to France and paint (but not in Montmartre, too cold and chilly up on that hill)." She describes the art of her fellow Etsians as "a feast for the eyes, and I think Etsy will become the premier site for anything by hand." Please check out her shop: http://22joanna.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: Irinart

Irina Akimova was born in Russia, where she graduated from the Moscow State University. She now resides in the United States with her husband and children, including an 8 month old daughter, who keeps her very busy. The beautiful Georgia scenery inspired her to paint even more than before, "partly as a way to live through the cultural shock of moving to a new country, leaving behind parents, friends, and job." While her Russian heritage has influenced her work, she is also inspired by other cultures, which is displayed in her art. She is new to Etsy, but her talent is astounding and I'm confident she will succeed in the near future. Her shop doesn't yet carry her huge body of work, but she is working to add more in hopes of getting her "artwork out there in a community of fellow artists and people who appreciate it." Please check out her shop: http://irinart.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: lorijaclynsjewels

Lori has been creating her bold jewelry for 15 years. "In the early years I would tear apart old jewelry of my mom's and sister's and remake something beautiful," she admits. She later tried her hand at hemp and fimo beads, but soon fell in love with the higher end metals and stones she uses today. "I love to follow fashions and trends, and in some ways I am a hopeless romantic, and get caught creating pieces that are lovely and timeless. My infatuation with culture, fashion and trends spurs me on to new things." Etsy is currently a hobby, as she is also a full time Mom, but she continually strives to "show people that you can be crafty and cool, and absolutely stunning and stylish." Please check out her shop: http://lorijaclynsjewels.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Metalsmith & Jewelry Artist: aloka

Lakshmi Sonbuchner, the talented artist behind Aloka, is also a medical student living in New York City. Aside from creating her elegant designs, she manages to find time to work on her PhD, researching the organism that causes malaria. "I enjoy science and medicine, but I also need a creative outlet, and that happens to be jewelry design and metalsmithing. I love the fact that I can manipulate a flat piece of metal into a 'supple' flower, and, of course, I like playing with torches," she jokes. Starting Aloka was not only a way to showcase her work, but also to give back to those in need. "Any profit that I make from the shop will be donated to Asha for Education (ashanet.org), which sets up and funds basic educational projects for the underprivileged in India," she explains. In fact her own Indian heritage has been a profound source of inspiration to her. "I draw from images you would commonly see in India -- flora, fauna, and the swirly script of the Indian languages. I want to achieve a look that is sleek and modern, at the same time evoking a sense of the exotic. Indian fashion is known for being ornate and colorful -- I like to take details from Indian textiles and ancient buildings, focus on the basic lines and shapes and incorporate them into chic designs." While she has only been metalsmithing for two years, she is serious about her hobby. "I run my shop as if it's my 'job', just on a smaller scale." She hopes to make enough of a profit in the next year to donate at least $500 to Asha for Education. Please check out her shop: http://aloka.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 Jewelry Artist: mygypsywagon

Laura jokes that she lives in a "teeny tiny town in rural Idaho with my 3 lovely (yes, really) teenagers and my marvelous husband." She also states that she has "chosen to be their full time wife and mother for the past 21+ years. The PERFECT job--but they are getting pretty self sufficient and my job way less demanding." Thankfully this gives her more time to focus on her art. "We live at the base of a beautiful mountain range and in between two majestic rivers that provide me with more than enough inspiration for my earthy, quirky jewelry," she explains. She admits that her daughters clue her in on current trends. Although Etsy is currently only a hobby, she has been designing her classic pieces for friends and family for twenty-some years and has even sold at a fewfarmers markets. "Create from your heart and be patient," she advises. Please check out her shop: http://mygypsywagon.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: pinkdragonfly98

Chicago native Renee Loughlin "worked in Finance in (her) previous life." She was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be a stay at home mom for the last 6 years and has a "very arty daughter who rubbed off on me." She began beading purely as a hobby, but her love of the art has blossomed into a part time business. "I adore vintage and antique jewelry," she admits. "My grandmother gave me a box of her old jewelry and it really inspired me to explore working with it." She is even taking metalsmithing classes and hopes to incorporate her new skills into her jewelry designs. "I feel that I cannot learn enough fast enough." She advises her fellow Etsy artists, "if you want it to be a business then act like it is a business. Plan and work as though your life depends on it. Apply whatever skills you have from all of your previous experiences and research what you don't know." She also warns that - as helpful as they are - the forums can be addictive. "I allow myself 30 minutes a day to lurk in the fora (I don't post very often). The Etsy fora is a goldmine of information, but it is also a huge, swirling vortex that will swallow up your creative time before you know it!" Please check out her shop: http://pinkdragonfly98.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: LesChic

Leslie's fascination with jewelry began at an early age. "I think I got my diverse taste in jewelry from the women who influenced my life. One of my grandma's was my 'city grandma. She loved flashy and bold jewelry. The other was my 'country grandma.' I never saw her in anything but a simple and classic strand of pearls. My mom loved very dainty jewelry, so that is why I can't make just one style of jewelry," she explains. "I love it all!" Aside from making her eclectic pieces she was also a hairstylist and owned a salon for 23 years. "I turned 40 last year and have found the phrase '40 and Fabulous' to be oh so true! Things in my life just started to fall in place. After a lifetime of trying..not trying..to just being happy with my life, I surprisingly found myself pregnant last August," she gushed. "It is such a miracle and my husband (who is the best in the world) and I feel so lucky and blessed." She soon found herself selling the salon in order to be with her new precious gift. "Ironically I started making jewelry as a stress reliever about 2 years ago and found it a perfect creative outlet for me," she admits. She'd love to turn her art into a full time career and vows to improve every day - especially her pictures (which I think are perfect already). "It shows more than the piece if its a good picture...it sets a mood..it tells a story and makes you fall in love with it instantly." Please check out her shop: http://leschic.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Clothier: SugarSandwich

Katrina is an incredible seamstress inspired by fabric. "Growing up, all the women in my family were always sewing something, but I was always too impatient to thread a needle," she jokes. "Finally after two children, I am learning." In fact she began her craft when she couldn't find cute clothes for her children. "Today I surprised myself when I came up with the empire shirt dress, my own original design. It feels 'free' in a way to be able to dream up something and then make it." She is a former first grade teacher, but is currently a stay at home Mom, and Etsy has helped her develop her skill while expressing her creative side. "Enjoy the process of creating, and be kind to yourself," she advises. Please check out her shop: http://sugarsandwich.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

MJulian sent me a fabulous surprise!

Awhile back I wrote a feature on MJulian and her beautiful jewelry after I happened across her Etsy shop. Today I checked the mail and found a GORGEOUS necklace in the mail as a thank you from her. I am truly in awe of her talent and generosity. THANKS MJulian! I will treasure it always!

-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 Jewelry Artist: AJDesignJewelry

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I found a beautiful necklace on Etsy that's perfect for today...

Amy has been making her beautiful pieces for 15 years and selling them professionally for 7, although Etsy is currently just a hobby. "I would love to do this full time, but I live in the Bay area, and have a mortgage to pay for," she jokes. Her greatest inspiration comes from her Grandmother. "I was so impressed with her ability to make something, and to make so many people happy in the process," she explains. "She was truly gifted, I am sorry that I really started my business after she passed. It would have been nice to get her input on things." She started making jewelry for the same reasons I did - she just couldn't find the right piece for her personality. "Two different flowers in colors that don't normally go together could be sitting next to each other in bins, and the next day, I'll have a pair of earrings in those colors. Or I'll spill a tub of beads and make a necklace with all the beads. Happy accidents," she says. Besides her own designs, she also likes adding her own personal style to current trends. She'd like to remind her fellow Etsians that "just because 56 people looked at your item and it hasn't sold, don't get down on yourself, just take it that someone appreciates your work enough to click on it and look at it closer." Please check out her shop: http://ajdesignjewelry.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Metalsmith & Jewelry Artist: sudlow

Full time jewelry craftswoman Rachael Sudlow lives in Lawrence, KS, but her designs can be seen in shops as far as France. She also teaches jewelry making classes at a local Arts Center where she probably takes as many classes as she teaches. "I'm always trying to learn new techniques," she explains. Her inspiration comes from what she calls "familiar & iconic items/shapes." She loves beginning with a simple metal silhouette and transforming it into one of her amazing pieces. "I'm always on the hunt for fantastic & unusual beads that I can incorporate into my work," she admits. Most of her work is influenced by nature - and she has even titled a section in her shop "organic themed jewelry." She recommends her fellow Etsy artists list often. "I don't do much advertising at all...I just make things, list them & keep up with orders." She'd also like to remind everyone of the importance of good pictures. "Without good photographs, your work can't show its real beauty. Remember, people can't pick up your pieces, so plenty of descriptive photos (and writeup), will get them interested." Please check out her shop: http://sudlow.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: MJulian

Mindy Julian was born and raised in Beaverton, Oregon - and is currently raising a family of her own. Aside from creating her "retro chic" designs, she is a full-time Mom to three busy girls. She often finds inspiration in her surroundings. "Oregon has so many beautiful things, the ocean (my favorite), mountains, lots of green trees, and great flowers. So many beautiful, rich colors." She is also interested in the exotic paradise of Hawaii where she and her husband were married. "We collect Hawaiian Art. I love all of the vibrant tropical colors Hawaii offers." She currently prefers to work with silver and natural gemstones, incorporating them into classic pieces that can be dressed up or down. "My jewelry started as a hobby, but I enjoyed hunting and finding great treasures and making them into beautiful pieces of art so much it has turned into a business," she says. "Don't get discouraged," she reminds. "Be vigilant about posting in the forums, re-listing, going to chat rooms, blog, hand out business cards, do everything you can to get your name out there. If you just post your work and sit back waiting for sales it's not going to happen. You have to advertise."Please check out her shops: Jewelry - http://mjulian.etsy.com/ Destash/Supplies - http://mimibeads.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Photographer: pmgraham

Peter Graham has been an American transplant in Vancouver, BC three years. His love of travel and hiking is not only an inspiration, but enables him to indulge in his art. "As you can tell from my shop, the natural world is almost exclusively my inspiration and subject matter," he explains. "When you live in a place like BC, it's hard not to want to capture as much as possible." He admits that he is not a "photographic purist," but rather likes to create "colorful, saturated images, and I certainly don't shy away from digital processing to maximize my images' impact. Plus it's fun to push an image to the edge of realism." In fact, the digital manipulation is as fun much as taking the photographs. "I've recently started creating what I've - for lack of a better term - deemed 'digital collages' with some of my flower photos. Basically I use photoshop to frame the image and bring in some simple texture elements." His feels artistic sensibilities are enhanced by his past experience with painting and ceramics. Right now his art is a hobby. "By day, I work as a research scientist at the University of British Columbia where I'm an inorganic chemist - which believe it or not also has a creative side to it. I basically try to make new chemical compounds that might be useful for turning petroleum products into more useful chemicals." He hopes to keep himself motivated to improve and to "participate in what I think is one of the coolest places I've ever found on the web - I never really considered selling my photos until I ran across Etsy." Please check out his shop: http://pmgraham.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Woodblock Artist: anniebissett

I was lucky enough to happen across a wonderful artist this morning, who opened her Etsy shop less than 24 hours ago...

Annie Bissett makes beautiful watercolor prints from her own hand-carved woodblocks in the traditional Japanese style known as Moku Hanga. While she has been a commercial illustrator for almost 20 years, she has been "furiously making woodblock prints in (her) spare time for the past 3 years." She explains that "the Japanese technique is distinguished from western techniques in its use of multiple blocks for multiple colors, water-based instead of oil-based pigments, and hand printing with a baren rather than printing on a press. The materials used are simple, organic and completely non-toxic -- ideal for working in a home studio." She has examples of a printing setup on her blog (http://on-my-desk.blogspot.com/2006/07/annie-bissett.html). Her subjects tend to be political and spiritual, while "celebrat(ing) this incredibly beautiful planet we all share." Her most recent project is a series of prints based on satellite images of locations that caught her eye through news stories -- "a sort of geopolitical art." Unfortunately the process is quite an undertaking, but a challenge she welcomes. "A single print can take up to two months to produce. It's the antithesis to my commercial illustration work, where I work digitally and turnaround times can be as short as three days. At first I found the contrast too extreme, but now I really value the time I spend making 'slow art.' When I'm working on a print of a place I'm not familiar with (for instance, I just completed a print of Mecca) I often listen to music or poetry from that area while I carve. The process has become a form of meditation and contemplation for me." Her brand new Etsy shop is currently a hobby but she hopes to eventually turn it into a career. Please check out her shop: http://anniebissett.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

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/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jeweler & Rock Hound: JasperPoppies

California resident Mark works as a printer by day and on his unique handcrafted jewelry for JasperPoppies by night. "I like to fiddle and fuss with rocks," he admits, "cutting, grinding, drilling, polishing." He even mines the Jasper for his rustic creations in a small town by the name of Morgan Hill. "My Grandfather turned me on to rock hounding when I was 5 or 6 years old by taking me to Lake Superior to hunt for Agates," he explains. While he's only been making jewelry for a few years, he's created some beautiful pieces. "My process for creating is pretty simple, as far as design is concerned. I will usually size up a piece of rough material and make a couple of preliminary cuts to determine which part of the stone I want to work with. After this I really just try to shape the stone to flow with the naturally occurring movement within the stone itself. I definitely like to keep my silverwork simple to let the stone remain the focus of my pieces." He has found Etsy to be a blessing - and is thankful he accidentally stumbled across it. "Immediately, I was struck by the awesome creativity and presentation of the sellers on Etsy, not to mention the ease of navigation within the site. I figured it would be a great place to set up a little shop and maybe sell a few of my pieces." He acknowledges that great pictures are key - and that he is still learning to improve his. "Good pictures and listing as often as possible seem to be pretty important, as well as getting great feedback and information in the Etsy forums." Please check out his shop: http://jasperpoppies.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Photographer: JaredKS

Aside from being an excellent photographer - something he's enjoyed since he was eight - Jared is a math teacher from northeast Kansas. His inspiration comes from natural beauty - which he often finds in his own surroundings. "I love to explore the natural world and look to find the unending number of beautiful things that are all around us, all the time." He also finds beauty in music, books, films, and people. "It's everywhere." He describes his style as "endless experimentation and occasional success," but I think he's a little too hard on himself. His photos take on an ethereal beauty that speaks volumes while lending a peaceful solitude at the same time. Dynamic, just like Jared. "I have a lot of creative outlets that I tend to bounce back and forth from," he explains. "For a number of years, I would only shoot two or three rolls of film per year. Digital photography has opened the door for me to take thousands of photographs, whenever I feel inclined to do so. It's been a real blessing." So has his insightful photos. "Whenever I notice myself thinking of (my art) like a job, I try to take a step back," he admits. "I personally find my photographs less interesting when financial thoughts start to creep in while I'm shooting. I have a lot more success when I'm just creating for creation's sake." He'd like to remind his fellow Etsy artists to always "have fun and do what you love. Set your prices where you're comfortable, even though some will say they're too high and others will say they're too low. Try to post on the forums at least a little bit each week - the community aspect of Etsy is one of its greatest features." Please check out his shop: http://jaredks.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Soapmaker: dennisanderson

Dennis Anderson was born and raised in Massachusetts by his Dad and Grandmother. "I think they had a big part in teaching me the importance of being responsible and helped give me a realistic look at life," he says. He relocated to the Northwest where he met Brandy, who introduced him to the Indie lifestyle. He credits her for getting him hooked on soap making. "I can be walking down the street and smell a scent, see a strange texture in nature, and all I can think of is how am I going to make this into soap." Although he's only been at it for a year, he's found ways to make his craft fun. "I love the beer soaps in my shop," he admits. "I really want to release more playful soaps and products that reflect my personality." While Etsy is currently a "second job" for Dennis, he plans to turn it into a full time career someday. In the meantime, he makes sure to be a "productive part of the (Etsy) community" while building his client base. "I feel like I was truly blessed to have found this site," he says. Please check out his shop: http://dennisanderson.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artists: awelldressedbullet

I've seen so many unique things on Etsy that it always amazes me when I find another. I stumbled upon this bullet pen totally by accident and - as someone who is writing a novel about a medevac crew in the Vietnam War - fell in love with it right away...

Ontario residents Kathy and Rick have been operating A Well Dressed Bullet since 1983, creating everything from pens to belt buckles out of spent shells. "We have been happily married for 30 years," they gush. "In 2001, we got a little tired of retirement," Kathy explains. "Rick always enjoyed making his Bullet Pens and we thought the Internet would be a great way to sell them." They quickly implemented a website and began selling their creative pens. "We started out with only 6 or 8 styles of bullet pens and look what we have now!" A perfect team, Rick is the creative genius and Kathy is the administrative guru. "We both share the housework and grab meals when we can. We truly enjoy our business and producing such unique items. We are always thankful for our customers and enjoy the wonderful emails they send us." Although their website has always been their main source of income, they realized Etsy was a perfect fit for their endeavors. "I was amazed at the beautiful handcrafted items being sold," Kathy says. "We are happy to be part of the Etsy family!" Please check out their shop: http://awelldressedbullet.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Designer & Artist: Luxedesignworkshop

Peg grew up in Jacksonville, Florida where she spent summers at the art museum taking jewelry making and painting classes. "I think that my mother was worried that I would get into trouble if I had too much time on my hands," she jokes. In high school she fell in love with pottery and started selling her early jewelry designs in local consignment shops. "Life was good and I stayed busy," she explains. While in college she worked in the pottery department and focused her efforts on sculptural work, wheel throwing, and glaze techniques. In 1986 she moved to Atlanta, Georgia as a food stylist and later met her husband. "Wow, I never knew that people could earn a living doing what they loved!" She's been making her beautiful jewelry on the side for a few years. "I think that being a creative person makes me rethink the little things around me and I am always recreating something to make it mine. I started out just playing around with jewelry that I already had and made necklaces and bracelets out of materials on hand. I like for jewelry to be more versatile than just one thing so I tie it in a knot, make it a length that can be doubled or tripled to increase its fun. I make necklaces that are all the same length so that I can braid them together and make one fat happy necklace! To me so much of the fun is just playing with the materials and letting them speak of what they want to be." Please check out her shop: http://luxedesignworkshop.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 Photographer & Artist: Eddyizm

Eddy prefers to remain mysterious, but realizes "that gets old fast," so he reluctantly granted me an interview. "I'm terribly anti social and favor activities that can be done alone, be it hiking, reading, or photographing," he admits. "As a photographer, I like to let my photos do the talking. Some speak volumes, others are as striking and pointed as a 4 letter word." This is what drew me to his work. Oddly enough, though - I found him to be eloquent and moving, and wonder what he'd be like as a writer. Hopefully he'll indulge me some day. He finds inspiration in life and his surroundings, "seeing, smelling, so much in the world gets passed by." Even death inspires him. "I think, what will I leave behind when i am gone? A record of my sights, a history, a look into the window that was my life?" He describes his style as a "skewed perception and an art of interpretation" and his art often reflects his personal interests, "from the dirty grimy textures of a 100 year old building to the burning red sunset that has been seen since the beginning of time." Right now photography is a hobby - one that "soothes my soul. As soon as it becomes a job, a real job, I'll quit," he jokes. "It takes time to get your shop in order and have sales come in. The more sellers there are, the more desperate and hopeless it may seem," he says, "but more sellers...bring more buyers! In the end, you gotta do it because you love it - that's what handmade is all about." Please check out his shop: http://eddyizm.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 Baby Boutique Artist: jkalea

I found the most unique baby gift on Etsy the other day - totally by accident while searching for "sushi." I'm not a big fan of diaper cakes (mostly because I've never seen them done quite like this), but I'm a sucker for anything Asian and JKalea's sushi gift pack is right up my alley. I don't even have kids, but her presentation is so clever and fun I'm in awe. It's everything you need for baby including diapers, blankets, clothing, and toys wrapped up like sushi. Wow. Almost makes me want to have one of my own...

JKalea is a busy Mom, who admits Etsy helped unlock her creative side - and saved her sanity. Not surprisingly she finds inspiration in her "spirited, focused, hilarious toddler Sophie and my talented cousin Heather (who introduced me to Etsy)." She describes her craft as "intricate gift wrapping," but it's so much more - designing original ways of presenting a myriad of presents in one cohesive package. I have never seen something so practical look so fun. "I find Etsy to be the most creative and inspiring concentration of artistic talent I've ever come across. I love seeing the variety of ways and things that people create," she says. I was surprised to find out that she has only been creating her wonderful treasures for just under a year as a "hobby to support my horrendous addiction to buying gorgeous ribbons and all things handmade (my feedback rating is 75% from purchases, 25% from sales)." In fact, she hopes one day her Etsy sales will exceed her purchases. "Love what you create," she advises. "The rest flows from there." Please check out her shop: http://jkalea.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: studiololo2

Aside from Etsy, California artist Laurel Gaylord is a muralist, author, and illustrator. She grew up in New England, but relocated in 1993 to be with her husband. "I'm inspired by nature and animals mostly, and kindness," she confesses, which reflects in her contemporary design. Depending on the subject matter and medium, her style ranges from ethereal expressionism to startlingly lifelike representations. She has been a professional freelance artist for 21 years, specializing in trompe l'oeil, and has created countless custom murals. She started on Etsy in hopes of reaching a wider audience. She recommends fellow artists price their wares fairly and "show only your best work at all times. Keep it real and be humble." Please check out her shop: http://studiololo2.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: SeasideStudio

Jane lives in an old seaside town north of Boston with her family. "I love the ocean and nature. That is what inspires me most," she admits. While she has tried her hand at all sorts of artistic mediums her entire life, she has only started making jewelry in the last two years. She incorporates her love of collecting sea glass into many of her pieces, beautifully wrapping her finds in wire alongside semi-precious stones. "Living by a very old harbor makes it easier for me to find it. Each piece I spy makes me feel like I’ve found a precious little jewel. I love the history in sea glass and find looking for it to be very relaxing." One of her favorite parts of jewelry making is never really knowing how a piece will turn out until it's finished. "The piece takes on its own life," she explains. "I hope that my jewelry will make the wearer feel connected to the beauty in nature." She may have started making her natural pieces as a hobby, but it is now a full time career and she is striving to "become more visible in the market place." She recommends her fellow Etsians "believe in yourself, go for it, and make use of and be thankful for all of the very intelligent and creative people on Etsy who will so generously share their knowledge with you." Please check out her shop: http://seasidestudio.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/