Meet Etsy Artist & Potter: gracesheese

I discovered this next artist on her opening day at Etsy...

Grace was born in Taipei, Taiwan, but later moved to the US when she was 8. "My parents worked really hard to help my younger sister and I retain our heritage," she says. "We spoke only Chinese in the home, ate Chinese food, and my mom and sister and I use to religiously watch Chinese soap operas on the weekends." As a teenager she admits that she fought with her dual identities. "I attributed my social awkwardness with being Chinese and found myself rejecting that part of me," she explains. "As I began making pots in college - and painful high school experiences became a memory - I found that I was just naturally drawn to the Asian aesthetic." She realizes now that being a teenager is hard on everyone, no matter their background or heritage, and now fully embraces her Chinese roots. In fact, Asian and Islamic architecture are a huge inspiration in her pottery designs. "I don't seek out making work that looks Asian. It's just something that I naturally gravitate towards. I'll experiment with a new bowl shape and my husband will comment on how it looks just like a rice bowl. To my eyes, it just looks like how bowls should look." Asian fabrics are also an interest of hers, especially the intricate and colorful patterns of the Middle East and India, and the delicate carvings of her yunomi (Japanese footed tea cup without a handle) often reflect the detailed designs of a sari. She's been making her beautiful works of art - and function - for over fifteen years; the last 5 as a full time studio potter. Please check out her shop: http://gracesheese.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: jmoffett

Etsy is the sole website for painter Jennifer Moffett."I am a professional artist (you get to call yourself that if you sell your work, right)?" she jokes. A busy Mom to a young son - and wife to" a wonderful, supportive, great looking husband," she still manages to find time for her art. She's been at it ever since she can remember, "even since elementary school in the mid-80's when a teacher exclaimed, 'I hope this isn't all you do with your time!'" Oddly enough she was actually encouraged by the statement. "It helped me to see myself the way I should: as an artist," she explains. She attended the Columbus College of Art and Design for 2.5 years before finishing her degree at the Herron School of Art and Design. She graduated in 2006 with a BA in Fine Arts and focused her efforts on illustration work. "I (still) do logo designs, graphic design, illustration work, and crafts as well as painting." While her husband and many other family members are also artists that inspire her, she admits that her sister "is always making something new that I am jealous I didn't come up with myself." Gustav Klimt's style has influenced her work as well. "He's just a huge favorite of mine," she gushes. "The job of being an artist is more fun than I deserve. It feels like a luxury to 'work' on things that other people find pleasing because I would create no matter what." Please check out her shop: http://jmoffett.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Artist: sandyklotter

Pensacola artist Sandy Klotter has been painting for over twenty years. "First, as a hobby to learn new avenues for my creativity," she admits, "and later to start a business, which would include my design background and sales instincts." With experience in Interior Decorating, she always "think(s) in terms of what I would like in (her) own home." She often finds inspiration in her beautiful coastal town - and often uses the setting as a theme in her work. "My mood usually dictates whether I paint completely abstract, or with more details," she says of her unique painting process that also combines acrylics and watercolors. While she has been selling her work to shops and galleries for some time, she is fairly new to Etsy. Please check out her shop: htpp://sandyklotter.etsy.com

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: kself

Keena has been interested in art her whole life. "My mother used to be a landscape artist, so I suppose that is where my talent comes from," she explains. An avid animal lover, she often finds inspiration in them. "I like to watch wild life, especially birds," she gushes. Until recently she considered her art just a hobby. "I am going through a transition in life where earning money from home is my best option right now," she says. "I'm recently single again (this is a good thing), I'm caring for my disabled mother, raising a ten-year-old son and an eight-year-old daughter, so I'm needed at home a lot." In her young adult days she travelled to the coats and tropic regions - and even did a little modeling in the 80's. "I always seemed to have more satisfaction drawing the other models rather than being one of them," she says. Etsy has been a fantastic opportunity for her. "I love this place," she says of the community of buyers and sellers. "There are so many nice people here." She, too, likes handmade products and spends a lot of time on Etsy browsing and shopping. "My biggest flaw is being lazy about doing things on the computer, so I haven't updated (anything) in quite a while," she admits. She'd like to pass on some sage advice she received from another Etsian: "'Be true to yourself, do what you do best, and the rest will follow.' I can't remember that those were her exact words, but at the time, I was not being true to myself. When I took that advice, life began to be good again," she says. Please check out her shop: http://kself.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: AtchisonArt

Elizabeth Atchison is a practicing Buddhist, who loves the outdoors and is an "avid animal lover with many pets." She acquired two Boxers (Jack and Hunter) from a volunteer stint with the local Boxer Rescue. She also has a rabbit, chinchilla, turtles, and fish. In her other Etsy shop (http://www.hunterandjacksnacks.etsy.com/) she sells homemade natural snacks for pets. Aside from all of her animals, she is also a new Mom again to a 5 month old baby boy. "I am so blessed to have 3 wonderful kids and such a supportive loving husband to call my own," she gushes. Somehow she finds time to paint. "I really enjoy getting lost in a painting. The best part of art is that is is interpretive...which means I don't have to very good at it," she jokes. Her inspiration comes from her family and living life in the present moment. Currently she focuses on watercolors, but hopes to try oil paints soon. "Painting is just a hobby at the present moment, however I would love to be able to provide for my family through the venue of Art," she admits. Like most of us, she hopes Etsy will help get her name out there. "Network...promote your shop. Meet others that share the same interests. And most importantly, never give up. It is not over (until)...you quit. Please check out her shop: http://atchisonart.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: NicolaYoonDesign

"By day I'm a database programmer," Nicola Yoon explains, "but at night I transform into an obsessive compulsive Super Jeweler, with cape and all." Her inspiration often comes from estate finds or the simplicity of modern design. She describes her eclectic style as "a contradictory blend of restraint and over-the-top ornament." So many of today's items are cheap and mass produced, and she strives to regain the "traditional intimacy between an artisan and her customers." Etsy has been great for her. "I think of it as a global farmer's market for handmade goods," she explains. "Start small,: she recommends, "and do what feels right. I really believe that when making a living gets in the way of making you happy, you've lost your way." Please check out her shop: http://nicolayoondesign.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Jewelry Artist: KathrynHomanDesigns

Although Kathryn is now an accomplished jewelry artist she started out with a love for drawing. "When my kids were little I did cross stitch and crewel, and later got really busy with the Embroiderers Guild of America when I lived in Dallas," she says. "I made beautiful things with silk and gold thread and French wools." Her path towards jewelry actually came out of the embroidery work. "Once, when I had finished a really outstanding evening purse that took me at least 6 months, someone said, 'That is gorgeous, you should make more and sell them.' Right then I decided to find something that would satisfy my love of color and move along a little quicker," she explains. It started with learning lampwork beads. "(I) wondered how to string them, so I took a few classes in Pasadena in the early 1990’s." Now a Michigan resident, she has retired from teaching elementary school - and has "discovered Etsy." The challenge with Etsy, though, is the capturing the true beauty of her classic pieces in photographs. "It took me awhile to get a camera that...would take clear pictures and now I’m trying to figure out how best to light the jewelry so that the details really show up and the color shows true. It’s fun!" She admits she's found some good tutorials on YouTube. As for her designs, she hasn't given into the temptations to make things that are quick and cheap. "I like to challenge myself with the best semi-precious stones I can find and only use the highest quality silver and gold." Her love of elegant pieces shows up in her beautiful work, which can be worn every day as well as special occasions. "I have lots more to put online and way too many ideas than there is time for me right now," she jokes. "I have made some PMC items, but they’re not in finished jewelry yet. Keep checking back. Some surprising things are on the way," she promises. Please check out her shop: http://kathrynhomandesigns.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist & Potter: almapottery

Born in Eastern Europe, Alma emigrated to the US after college. Recently she even lived in Japan for a year, where she fell in love with tea and sushi ware, which is expertly suited to her passion for pottery. She absorbs inspiration from her surroundings as well as from her German/Russian heritage, so folk art and primitivism are as interesting to her as Japanese architecture and minimalism. "Too much cruising on Etsy left me creating some happy gnomes with antlers," she jokes. "I still have a hard time deciding what I want to do each day. I have a ceramic setup and a traditional darkroom, a room where I paint, and a closet filled with fabric and a dusty sewing machine. One day I will combine all in one big crazy piece of art." She wishes she could spend less time on the Etsy forums and more time in her studio, but admits it's tough to stay away. "I love the community I get in touch with everyday," she says. "Many of my customers have become my friends and I love that." Please check out her shop: http://almapottery.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: tamrasart

Tamra has been an artist all her life, but "was never encouraged in that area." She tries hard to encourage her own kids' abilities and talents - and anyone else who needs a little encouragement. "I have a degree in art therapy, so I have a bit of a bent toward that philosophy," she jokes. Her inspiration comes from the people in her life. "I'm a Jesus follower and I know that no one walks through my front door by accident, be it adult, kid or animal. I look for ways to serve the people God has put in my path, especially through my art." Her style runs the gamet, from realism to impressionism, but she strives to make her commisioned portraits "spot on." Although she mostly focussed on drawing and oil painting in the past, she picked up pastels about three years ago and now has "no desire to use anything else at the moment." She says "they do what colored pencils couldn't do for me." She has some of the best advice I've heard so far for her fellow Etsians: "Have a sign over (your) work table that says 'Make stuff!'" Please check out her shop: http://tamrasart.etsy.com/
-Wendy Baylis
Dharma Designs
http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Metalsmith & Jewelry Artist: julsilver

I found today's artist while searching for Buddha earrings. From the moment I saw these I knew I HAD to have them. Believe it or not they are even more gorgeous "in person." I was stunned to discover I was her first Etsy purchase. I absolutely love these earrings and will treasure them always...

Aside from being an artist, Laura Bellows is an anthropologist "re-inventing." She became interested in Buddhism and Hinduism while doing fieldwork for her PhD in Bali, Indonesia. Much of her work is inspired by the wonderful cultures and people she encountered abroad. "I am still really interested in the meanings and intellectual problems I dealt with as a researcher," she admits. "I seek to bring this into my work as much as possible, even to the point of including words or texts that I find fascinating, or which simply contain things I feel I have to say." While she makes many pieces her self, she actually makes a living by designing pieces that can be made in Bali via a Fair Trade model - and sold wholesale to various shops. "These practical things are part of what I do and reflect my interest in making useful items that are not disposable, are produced ethically and also beautiful." She also teaches the casting process out of her own studio, which enables beginners to learn the basics of wax working. Please check out her shop: http://julsilver.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/