Meet Etsy Artist: CherryLime

I'm a sucker for all things Asian - and found this next artist's idea for tub teas right up my alley...
"At present I live in Dallas with my husband, my Singer 503a Rocketeer, my serger, my grandmother's machine, and my dress form Elanor. It's a rather cramped life but I enjoy it," Alicia jokes. She first learned how to sew through watching her mother. "Honestly, I learned more what not to do than anything else," she says. "My mom is a wonderful person, but not so mechanically inclined." She also took lessons in junior high and found a mentor. "A friend's mom really gave me the foundation I needed and so, when I found myself doodling designs in college, I was able to take my first steps into turning those sketches into reality," she explains. "I'm currently a graduate student and sewing for my shop gives me a chance to get outside the books and spend some time just creating; an outlet I desperately need in such a cerebral environment." She enjoys creating her designs and pattern drafting so much that she jokes she has to be careful to make sure she follows her projects through. "I have a bad habit of drafting, doing a trial version, liking it, and then moving on to another idea," she admits. Her background in architectural drafting has helped her immensely. "If nothing else, (it) taught me to add measurements correctly," she quips. Her inspiration often comes from the fabric itself. "Fabric tends to speak - no, shout - at me when I pass it in the fabric store," she says. "I love the feel and smell of it all. Colors inspire me and I love seeing how different colors mix and meld when put together in a robe." She is also inspired by every day fashion, which she describes as "what people are really wearing in my less fashionable world." A lot of her pieces have an Oriental feel, which accentuates the spa aspect of her plush robes and calming tub teas. Right now Etsy is a hobby and she uses the supplemental income for an occasional night on the town - or even to purchase fabric for her students from low-income families. "Be nice," she advises her fellow Etsians. "That's never a bad idea." Well said! Please check out her shop: http://cherrylime.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Felter: dolittledesign

OK - I admit it - I have a thing for fortune cookies lately, but when you see this next find, you'll understand why...

The felter and toy maker behind dolittledesign is a graphic designer and busy mother of two, ages 5 and 2. "I started making playthings for my kids when I couldn't find what I like," she explains of her creative toys. She has an affinity for food, wine, and traveling - and not surprisingly they are often sources of inspiration as with her whimsical fortune cookie and egg roll pieces. She spends a lot of time playing with her kids, so story books have also been known to influence her work. "I am glad to have found Etsy as my creative outlet," she admits. "Through Etsy, I found so many talented artists from all over the world." The flexibility fits perfectly with motherhood, too. "I can work on my projects a little at a time," she says. And the best part? "Receiving feedback from people who say they enjoy my creations is the best reward!" Please check out her shop: http://dolittledesign.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Fortune Cookie Maker: worthafortune

I'm a sucker for all things Asian - and what's better than a fortune cookie, right? How about a really BIG one! I saw this on Etsy the other day and fell in love with it. You can even customize your own fortune! How cool is that?!

The creative candy maker behind worthafortune is a Utah native and mother to two boys, ages 8 and 5. "I grew up watching my Mom make dinner and desert every night, and...I knew I wanted to cook for a living" she explains. "That led me to working at restaurants, for caterers, and finally my own candy store." She soon discovered Etsy and has been up and running ever since. "I have a very supportive husband and kids, which allows me to experiment with recipes. They are my inspirations, (be)cause they are willing to try everything I come up with," she jokes. First and foremost to her are taste and presentation. "It tastes wonderful, but the packaging is very different and fun, (just like me)." She's been playing with candy her whole life, melting chocolate chips and peanut butter together, then freezing them. "It started as a hobby and still is. No matter how much I am producing, I will never consider it a job." Please check out her shop: http://worthafortune.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com