Meet Etsy Artist: innerlightarts

While Kristena sells her beautiful jewelry and art on Etsy, it was not always her primary site. She has also been very successful on Ebay, but with the site's downfall - and Etsy's uptick - she is focusing more on Etsy these days. "I am...rebuilding my Etsy (shop) and my http://www.innerlightarts.com/ site," she explains. A professional artist, she has also been a teacher for over 30 years. "I studied with shamans for years and taught basic & advanced shamanism and had a private practice for years," she says. With two degrees - one in fine art and the other in psych/communications - and a love of drawing, she has created many spiritual pieces, such as the one pictured above. In her work "you will see lots of images of powerful women." She uses humor and fantasy in her works to create joy and promote inner clarity. "I love supporting women making art," she admits. "A life long dream of mine was to design women's clothing, so I started http://www.sunheartclothing.com/ and am now designing and sewing small collections - which I am going to sell on Etsy." Please check out her shop: http://innerlightarts.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Artist: JaneDaviesStudios

Jane Davies "is about using color with passion and panache." Talented artist and published craft book author, she has been creating ever since she can remember. "I've been doing it as a full-time job since 1991. I used to be a potter, doing craft shows for a living; then in the early 2000's I transitioned to licensing my artwork to manufacturers," she explains. Her professional career started with ceramic tableware designs, garden decor, and greeting cards - and took off from there. "Now I am focusing more on writing and teaching," she says. "My newest book, Collage Journeys, is doing well and I am excited to teach more in-depth workshops on collage." Etsy has helped her get her art "out into the world" quickly, something licensing her artwork to other companies did not provide. "I miss(ed) the direct to consumer relationship I had as a potter selling at craft shows," she admits. "It is refreshing to have a direct connection with the person who is buying my work." Please check out her shop: http://janedaviesstudios.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: printmakerjenn

Jenn is a busy Mom to a 13-year-old daughter and 10 week old baby boy. She earned a degree in Art with a minor in Art History and then "promptly returned to school for a degree in Computer Science." Like me, she's been working in the high-tech industry - as a Software Developer and Linux System Administrator. "This week I officially quit my job," she declared, "(when my maternity leave ended) so that I could stay home full time with little baby Oscar!" Her teenage daughter was also a big part of her decision. "She is thrilled to have more time with me." Her graphic, modern creations are often inspired by Vintage and mid-century images. "As the saying goes, 'everything old is new again,'" she explains. Etsy is now her full time job, and she feels blessed to be able to create her art while being involved in her children's lives. "I'm looking forward to becoming a better participant of the indie community," she says. Please check out her shop: http://printmakerjenn.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Digital Collage Artist: synchronicity313

Ken Rougeau is a 32 year old fellow Portlander (Oregon). He and his girlfriend and her 8 year old son are not only artists, but a "family of Etsy enthusiasts & each of (them) has at least one store." He finds inspiration everywhere. "Life, fairy tales, science fiction, whimsical expressions, other artists, standup comics, music... You name it," he says. "I've got little notes written everywhere (many in the margins of other notes) in an attempt to keep track of the crazy notions that float across my mind during the course of the day. It's a mess, but it's great fun too!" His digital collages tend to take on a Victorian noir - sophisticated and classy, with a ting of darkness and mystique. Although he has only been working with digital media since 2007, he has managed to create some brilliant montages. "I'm pretty happy with how my portfolio is coming along," he admits. It may have been a hobby to start with, but his art is now his job. In fact, he strives for a sale a day. "I'm not currently meeting it, but I do have some nice runs here and there." He aims to "maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, continue networking with other Etsy users, and...to keep bringing fresh traffic into Etsy (both buyers and sellers)." He advises his fellow artists to be patient. "If you build it, they will come (and yes, eventually they will buy too). Secondly, get out there and let people know you're there! Network with other Etsy users through the forums and chat rooms. Follow the golden rule (do unto others) - promote them & they'll promote you. Blog! Not just about yourself, but about the other fantastic crafters & artisans you encounter." Please check out his shop: http://synchronicity313.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Collage Artist: liliandjojo

I was searching Etsy one day and found this lovely collage that reminded me of my sister and I when we were younger. We grew up in a sterile "white-bread" family and yearned for something more exotic...

Julie is a full-time collage artist and mother of a 14 month old daughter she adopted from Vietnam 6 months ago. "I have always loved making things and I try to make as much of the things I use on a daily basis, as I can." That's why Etsy is the perfect place for Julie. "It is a great place to not only sell all the things I enjoy making, but I feel that I have found a real community of like-minded people!" Her inspiration comes from "books, other artists, films, and seeing other cultures around the world while traveling." She is a "collector at heart and am constantly going to flea markets and thrift stores to find unusual pieces to use in (her) work." She's fascinated with Victorian photos and finds that "the overly serious expressions on their faces lend themselves well to humorous, tongue-in-cheek artworks." She uses old photos, found objects, Japanese papers, vintage fabric, and a myriad of other items in her eclectic pieces. "Now that I have joined Etsy, I have started using the same style of imagery in more 2-dimensional work to make cards and other printed pieces," she says. Like many of us, her goal right now is to sell enough to keep up with her Etsy purchases. Please check out her shop: http://liliandjojo.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Collage Artist: IslandSong

Canadian artist Kate Iredale lives on an island with her husband and "a very hairy (but beautiful) Sheltland Sheepdog named Molly." She was fortunate enough to retire early seven years ago and is finally able to take time for herself and "explore (her) long dormant creative yearnings." As her gorgeous collages show, she is definitely making up for lost time. "My creative thirst took a back seat for too many years while my three children were young and growing up," she explains. "Around the time they were leaving home to follow their own dreams, I began working at an Art and Design Institute in Vancouver, Canada. This experience opened my eyes to the excitement of the creative process and the passion with which the students embraced their love of art. When the opportunity came for me to leave work, I began delving into photography and that drifted very naturally and easily into a love of digital art." Her inspiration often comes from words. "My work usually evolves out of something I've read or heard. Words from a conversation, a quote or a song will catch my attention and I write them down in my journal as soon as possible," she explains. "Often I'll see an image in my mind of how the words could be visually expressed and then I start searching for photographs to alter and manipulate until they begin to morph into my mental vision." Her intricate designs are very spiritual, "but not in a religious or dogmatic way, but rather through nature, beauty and through my own personal search for joy and peace." She believes that creating art comes from the heart and reccomends we nurture our inner artist. "That little child who eagerly held up her drawing to the class, only to be told that grass was never, never orange but always green, needs you to believe in her. Encourage rather than critique this inspired creator insider of you. And have fun with the process!" Please check out her shop: http://islandsong.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Collage Artist: stilettoheights

Mixed media and collage artist Jennifer Gordon is originally from New Hampshire, but currently resides in Columbus Ohio. She was "transplanted here 4 years ago, and still feel like a fish out of water." Self taught, she jokes, "I think I picked up a lot through osmosis while working as an artist model in college." She studied acting "before retiring to the quiet life of a starving artist." Love is her inspiration - "more specifically unrequited love, I love the idea of longing for someone or missing someone. I love bittersweet love stories and that is what I am trying to convey with my work." She also has a fascination with "old photos, French wallpaper, manor houses that have fallen into almost ruin, handwriting, and fashion." She eloquently describes her style as "Neo-Victorian with a hint of melancholy and film noir." Although she's been collaging since she was a little girl, she became serious about it two and a half years ago. She has managed to turn her art into her career, but admits that it is "both scary and liberating." Today just happens to be her wedding day. Please check out her shop: http://stilettoheights.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: artsygemini

Sandy Sappington-Broschat lives in northern California with her husband of 23 years. "I have 4 grown beautiful kids, three live close by and one is overseas in the Army." She has been "trading art cards all over the world for about 3 years." Although she enjoys all mediums, her favorites are drawing, collage, and altered art. "I enjoy looking at and collecting other peoples art work," she admits. "I am one of those people who sees art all around, whether it is how someone decorates their house or on a canvas." In fact, her surroundings are often her inspiration. "I have an art room and the walls and ceiling are covered in art work of others, my kids as they grew up, my hubby who is a hobby photographer and art I have done over the years." She tends not to plan her work ahead of time. "I just let my imagination go wild and work on an item 'til it is finished. If I am not happy with a piece I set it aside and leave it alone and often when I come back to it I either like it or I have new inspiration to finish it. I love vintage and distressed looking things when I collage or do altered art. Most of my items have a real warm patina and look to them. When I draw or paint I tend to use bold colors and strong lines. I love using either charcoal or my prisma color pens and pencils." To Sandy, creating has always been "therapy and comfort." One of her biggest joys is hearing from people who enjoy her art. Please check out her shop: http://artsygemini.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 Mixed Media & Collage Artist: Vintagesnapsandscrap

Kathy is the dedicated and creative artist behind Vintagesnapsandscrap. "I stay at home right now in an effort to get my business going." She finds her inspiration from vintage photographs and "other artists, many whom (she has) posted on (her) blog." She has been creating her mixed media pieces for two years, feauturing elements of vintage and altered art. It began as a hobby, but she is thankful to have turned it into her job. She strives to offer excellent customer service and "to make people happy with the things (she) creates. " She advises other Etsians to "take it day by day, stay positive, treat others like YOU want to be treated, list often and promote." Please check out her shop: http://vintagesnapsandscrap.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Collage Artist: tcatalano

Besides being an Etsy Artist, Tara Catalano is a "feisty Mom of a crazy two year old and a proud wife." She is "eager to crush the cliché 'starving artist.'" Last January she stumbled upon the movie "The Secret" and it touched her so deeply it changed her life, opening her soul to an artistic path. "It sparked a fuse that has been inside me forever. I always wanted to pursue an artist career, but never had the ingenuity. Now, I am addicted." Her other addictions include chocolate, coffee, Kombucha tea, and sushi.

"It's quite difficult to describe my paintings or style, mostly because it comes from within," she admits. "I call it 'Art from the Inner Spirit' or 'Yoga for the Eyes.'" She is deeply influenced by Buddhism and Eastern philosophies and her spirituality and inner soul transcends each of her ethereal pieces. "My application of the acrylic paint is whimsical, abstract, colorful and full of texture and emotion." She has been blessed with her gift her entire life, but admits can sometimes be a curse. "Even as a kid, I could spend hours drawing, cutting, pasting, sewing, or designing. However, just recently I have overcome my inhibitions and started selling my creations." Her work is not just a job or hobby, but her passion. "Unfortunately, money makes the world go around, so I hope to prosper from my PASSION every day. Also, I have this rebellious side of me because so many people within my inner circle advised me that you can't prosper from art! My mission is to prove them wrong....and decorate the world." When she first joined Etsy her only aspiration was to obtain a treasury and and sell one thing. "When someone would send me positive feedback, I would seriously get tears in my eyes." Her goals later shifted to building a regular clientele and keeping her shop on the cutting edge. "Selling high quality paintings and having perfect customer service are my priorities." She is also relentless when it comes to more exposure. Although she feels as though she is just an Etsy "rookie," she has sound advice to offer. "Artists are a quirky, small network and we should all stick together. Believe in your craft! If you seek advice, feedback or questions, please feel free to contact me at anytime. Also, watch 'The Secret.'" It may unlock your inner path as well.

Meet Etsy Photographer and Artist: StoopidGerl

She may be known as StoopidGerl to Etsy fans, but the artist behind the name is brilliant! Kim is a 26 years-old from Michigan, who dreams of relocating to fabulous Las Vegas someday. In 2005 she graduated from Wayne State University with a BFA in photography. Recently she began exploring collage work and making resin jewelry. "I am still very passionate about photography and I love shooting colorful things with my Holga camera," she confesses. "Right now my main interest is resin jewelry. I am fascinated with the medium. I love embedding little things inside. I've become quite the sprinkle-whore lately!" Combining both of her passions, she now creates photo pendants with her stunning original artwork and photography.

StoopidGerl describes her style as "very colorful, funky, and fun!" Ever since she could "hold a crayon or swirl paint around with (her) fingers" she's been dabbling in artistic endeavors. Her creativity and raw talent has helped her turn Etsy into a fulltime job. "I love every minute of it too. I work around the clock creating new necklaces and collages, or editing my photos."

"My number one priority right now with Etsy is making sure my customers are happy! I make sure the customer always comes first," she declares. With that in mind, she makes sure orders are well-packed and quickly shipped. Even in the fast-paced holiday rush, with every order she includes a handwritten thank-you note and is almost always online communicating with customers. Needless to say, her excellent service has earned her repeat business.

Stoopidgerl reminds fellow Etsians to avoid the negativity trap. "It is so important to be positive while selling handmade items online. Know that you are 'good enough' and don't ever let slow days bring you down! Keep promoting and offer amazing items and shoppers will find you." Well said! Please check out her shop: http://stoopidgerl.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/