Meet Etsy Artist: glasswench

Kelli Graves' love affair with stained glass began several years ago, after a shoulder injury prohibited her from becoming a potter. A simple visit to the cathedrals of Paris sparked her interest - and after an Adult Education class in the craft she was "hooked like a trout on the line." Inspiration can come from anywhere. "I love color," she admits, "in general; intense, saturated, rich or subtle, it doesn't matter, color is a visual feast for me." She has a soft spot for patterns as well - especially tapestries, batiks, and henna art. "I love the play of light (I almost called my blog by that name), the way it filters through clouds, sprinkles through the leaves of a tree. The patterns and shifts of light from a coming storm, or approaching thunderhead. The soft, caressing light of dawn, and the brilliant, aggressive light of sundown." Artistic, even as a child, she remembers drawing "big fancy Jessica McClintock dresses." Eventually she moved on to gardening and picture framing - and even jewelry design. She had an interest in glass arts since high school, but never really pursued her love until the fateful trip to Paris. "I became completely obsessed with it," she explains. "It satisfies all my creative needs, from finding or making the pattern, to color and texture selection, to the detail of cutting and forming the puzzle pieces of the glass, to joining it all together, for that final glorious moment when you can lift the completed piece up to the light and discover the true character of what you have been imagining." While her art is just a hobby at this point (she is a skincare therapist by day), she admits that trying to turn it into a business "sucked the majority of the joy out of it." For that reason alone, she has resisted selling her creative works, even to friends and family. Only now is she allowing herself to get her name out there because she has so many ideas for projects - and nowhere to hang them all. "So I make them, enjoy them for a bit, and then offer them for sale to my friends - and now the world at large via Etsy." Please check out her Etsy shop: http://glasswench.etsy.com/ and blog: http://glasswench.wordpress.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: gracebaleymosaics

Brooklyn artist Grace Baley has been creating beautiful mosaics for over 12 years. She first fell in love with the art after seeing the tile designs in the NY subway system. She admits it took a lot of trial and error, but eventually she perfected her craft. "I use sheets of stained glass to create my pieces and cut them down to fit the needs of the design," she explains. Her work includes everything from the beautiful Buddha above to landscapes, floral arrangements, and portraits. Aside from being a mosaic artist, she also professionally installs bathroom and kitchen tile. "I work with interior designers to create custom pieces for their clients matching color and design style," she says, which has turned out to be very therapeutic for her. "I become very attached to my pieces when they are finished because they are usually the result of a long enjoyable journey," she admits. "I hope that Etsy will afford me the opportunity to sell my work to an audience that supports and appreciates the emotional connection an artist has to her work." Please check her out: http://gracebaleymosaics.etsy.com/, http://www.gracebaley.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Glass & Jewelry Artist: TNGlassStains

TNGlassStains specializes in stained glass panels and one of a kind dichroic jewelry. This accomplished Nashville artist has been creating panels for six years - and fusing jewelry for only a few months. Etsy is currently a hobby, but she hopes to turn her passion into a full time job some day. She wants "to raise the world's awareness about (Etsy) one person at a time." She advises new sellers to "hang in there and network as much as you can, it will eventually pay off." Please check out her shop: http://tnglassstains.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Stained Glass & Jewelry Artist: Word4WordDesign

Behind the scenes Etsy artist Word4WordDesign is a busy mother of three small children with a full time job, who also finds time to volunteer in her community. She takes a free spirit approach to her one-of-a-kind jewelry designs. Each piece is "made by hand, designed by heart." She enjoys personalizing her art for each customer by using quotes to fit their style. Although she has only been designing jewelry for two years, she has been creating her entire life. Etsy is currently both a job and a hobby for this working Mom. She hopes to promote Etsy not just for herself, but for "all of those who have joined trying to find a place for their unique handmade items." For Etsy success she advises, "Take part in the forums. A lot can be learned from those who have been here the longest and who want to share. Follow the rules. And above all have fun and work constantly on improving your craft and promoting it!" Please check out her Etsy shop: http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/