Meet Etsy Artist: metalwork

Aside from creating beautiful zen inspired home decor and furniture from copper, Tom Petrilli is also a roofing contractor. Most of his art displayed on Etsy was created in the slow winter months when work as a roofer slows to a screeching halt. "On most projects we have scrap metal left over, it always bothered me to see these shiny beautiful pieces of copper crushed and sent off the scrap yard, so I started making little things out of the remnants," he explains of his artistic beginning. "It started with really simple stuff like ashtrays (event though almost everyone I know has quit), birdhouses (they are all vacant and I can’t figure out why), and useless but lovely little boxes," he jokes. "I would give some of the stuff to clients if they paid their bill in a timely manner, some people really liked it, but I think most of the time my gifts would wind up in the back of their garage." Thankfully he kept at it. In fact, a large part of his inspiration came from a classified ad for a lot of old tools. "I love old tools," he admits. "When I saw what the man had to sell I bought everything he had. They were all sheet metal forming machines, cranked by hand, they make curves, beads and edges and they are all at least 150 years old. I wanted to put the machines back to work, despite their age they perform flawlessly." Although it took some time to learn how to use them with the aid of 90 year old books, he has developed quite a knack. Oddly enough, being a roofer has helped him as an artist - and vice versa. "I've been roofing for 17 years, almost every house has a weird little corner or oddly placed chimney that requires a creative solution to keep the building dry. The copper smithing work has made me a better roofer and roofing has made me a better coppersmith." His copper tables are generating interest, so although this is just a secondary job, he hopes to transition over to it one day. "For now this is my job http://www.lyonscontracting.com/ and I’m very happy to do it," he says. As for Etsy, he says the "real payoff is when someone writes to tell me how much they love something I’ve made." He admits that "when I’ve finished a roofing project and the client just gushes about how much they love the work we’ve done, about how beautiful it came out; that is a thousand times more satisfying then getting their final payment." He half-jokingly added, "I still need the check though; I can’t pay my mortgage with compliments." Please check out his shop: http://metalwork.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Metalsmith & Artist: mollyheltsleydesigns

Molly, now 49, didn't discover her "creative groove" until the age of 45. "Too busy raising a family I guess," she explains. All of her pieces are created with recycled materials and found objects. "The word of Buddha inspire me, it's very empowering to know that all the strength I need to embrace life, comes from within. I hope my pieces send peaceful thoughts and action to every corner of the world I send them," she says. I was lucky enough to find the gorgeous Buddha cuff bracelet pictured above and purchase it from her Etsy shop before anyone else found it. When she started making jewelry a year ago she was advised to "make less peace and Buddha stuff and you will probably do OK." But, always the rebel, she decided to make only what she wanted. "I can't handle any more business, so that tells me people are crying out for unusual organic pieces." she says. It began as a hobby but is quickly turning into a successful business. She's found re-listing to be helpful, but above all else recommends her fellow artists stay true to themselves. "Don't try to design to please others, and most of all focus on PEACE in every aspect of your life." Please check out her shop: http://mollyheltsleydesigns.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: IndustrialPoppy

Leanne has worked with textiles her entire life. "I feel old now," she jokes, even though she has barely made a dent. Most recently she has turned her attention towards metals as seen in her gorgeous dragonfly necklace. "I am working on a collection for spring inspired by nature. I love the sense that everything can be transformed - that we and everything around us is changing with our influence, whether or not we want it to." Her designs exude this sense of transformation, taking on a natural, lived-in appeal. Right now Etsy is a hobby for her, but she intends to make it into a career someday. "Follow your passion," she advises. I am confident she will be a success! Please check out her shop: http://industrialpoppy.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

African safari, anyone?

I love experiencing other cultures and faiths - and when I saw the beautiful copper pendant I knew I had to make a necklace out of it. This one is inspired by tribal Africa and is part of my personal collection. It includes beads of bone, coconut, wood, brass, copper, shell, and various natural elements.
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artisan: CyndieSmithDesigns

The talented artist behind CyndieSmithDesigns lives in sunny Florida and spends as much time on her boat as she does in her studio. She quit the healthcare business to persue her passion: Art Jewelry. Cyndie loves anything handcrafted and was a natural fit with Etsy.com. She describes her craft as "playing with metal." She "lets the metal tell (her) what it wants to do." The result? Astoundingly beautiful pieces with an organic feel. She says, "The torch and the hydraulic press are my two new best friends. With them, I can play endlessly! I call my creations Wearable Art." She admits they're not for everyone..."they're mostly for people with a BOLD spirit!"

Cyndie has an art degree, but didn't begin metalwork until 4 years ago as a hobby. She says it "turned into an adventure, then a business." She began wearing her masterpieces and people literally stopped her and asked to buy them right off her body. For Cyndie, it's not about the money - it's about the passion. She delights in seeing people enjoy her creations. "Nothing could be more flattering," she admits.

In the three months since she's joined, Etsy has been a good venue for Cyndie and her craft. She respects her fellow Etsians' talents and her goal is to introduce as many people to Etsy as she can. Her advice to fellow sellers is simple: "market, market, market." She admits "it can be a full time job, and you have to love what you do, but once I started getting my shop out there, I started making sales." Please check out her Etsy shop: http://cyndiesmithdesigns.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/