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My Victoria Vintage Pearl Necklace was featured on this lovely treasury!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Featured Etsy Artisan:HappySquashToys
I found this wonderful handmade toy shop on Etsy. Wow - well-made, safe, colorful toys. Jim kindly agreed to be interviewed. Enjoy meeting this creative family and do check out their excellent site! I especially like this dragon pull toy and this cute as can be pig. Goodness - I'd play with these myself. What a great gift for the kids, grandkids, neices, nephews...
Thanks, Jim! Keep up the amazing work!
Tell us a little about yourself - your name, where you live, your work.
My name is Jim Harmon and I grew up and live in central Ohio. During the day I work as a Computer Analyst for The Ohio State University. I'm married and have three children, two boys ages 11 and 9 and a 2 year old daughter.
Tell us about your Etsy shop and products
Our etsy shop is HappySquashToys and we sell painted and natural finish wooden toys, wooden ships, play aprons and games. My wife Jenise and I work together to create our toys, I do all the wood work and detail painting and she does all the sewing and paints as well. I also love games and game design and have a few of my original games in our shop.
How did you get into your creating? Do you have a favorite item you've made? Tell us the story!
I started making toys in late 2007 when the lead in toys stories were in the news. At that time we had a lot of made in China plastic toys in our house. We cleared out the plastic toys and started looking for safe alternative wooden toys. Having difficulty finding affordable locally made toys, a co-worker planted the seed when he said "Why don't you try to make your own?". That weekend I made my first toy, I duck pull toy. It was rough and I only and used the tools I had at the time. My daughter loved it and she would pull it all around the house. I was asked to make them for friends and that is when we decided to start happy squash toys. We invested in the proper tools and I started making cars and animals on wheels and it just kept expanding from there. My favorite item is probably the Pirate Ship because I spent a lot of time thinking about the design prior to starting it and I was very pleased with the end result.
What advice would you give a creative entrepreneur on starting a small artistic business?
Create a quality product and have excellent customer service. Don't get discourage when you first start out, it will take time and hard work to make a business successful.
Do you have a book or movie that makes you feel creative? Tell us about it!
I just started reading the Frog and Toad series of books by Arnold Lobel to my daughter. I loved these books as a child and to watch my daughter experience them for the first time is a true joy. I had always loved the wonderful artwork and the simple, pure, uncomplicated tone of the stories. When I finish reading to her and she has gone to bed for the night, I am motivated to make toys that capture the same sense of childhood.
Do you have a person that inspires you (living or historical)? Tell us about her or him!
My daughter definitely inspires me! She is so much fun and I love to watch her play. I often get ideas for new toys from seeing what she is interested in and how she likes to play.
My name is Jim Harmon and I grew up and live in central Ohio. During the day I work as a Computer Analyst for The Ohio State University. I'm married and have three children, two boys ages 11 and 9 and a 2 year old daughter.
Tell us about your Etsy shop and products
Our etsy shop is HappySquashToys and we sell painted and natural finish wooden toys, wooden ships, play aprons and games. My wife Jenise and I work together to create our toys, I do all the wood work and detail painting and she does all the sewing and paints as well. I also love games and game design and have a few of my original games in our shop.
How did you get into your creating? Do you have a favorite item you've made? Tell us the story!
I started making toys in late 2007 when the lead in toys stories were in the news. At that time we had a lot of made in China plastic toys in our house. We cleared out the plastic toys and started looking for safe alternative wooden toys. Having difficulty finding affordable locally made toys, a co-worker planted the seed when he said "Why don't you try to make your own?". That weekend I made my first toy, I duck pull toy. It was rough and I only and used the tools I had at the time. My daughter loved it and she would pull it all around the house. I was asked to make them for friends and that is when we decided to start happy squash toys. We invested in the proper tools and I started making cars and animals on wheels and it just kept expanding from there. My favorite item is probably the Pirate Ship because I spent a lot of time thinking about the design prior to starting it and I was very pleased with the end result.
What advice would you give a creative entrepreneur on starting a small artistic business?
Create a quality product and have excellent customer service. Don't get discourage when you first start out, it will take time and hard work to make a business successful.
Do you have a book or movie that makes you feel creative? Tell us about it!
I just started reading the Frog and Toad series of books by Arnold Lobel to my daughter. I loved these books as a child and to watch my daughter experience them for the first time is a true joy. I had always loved the wonderful artwork and the simple, pure, uncomplicated tone of the stories. When I finish reading to her and she has gone to bed for the night, I am motivated to make toys that capture the same sense of childhood.
Do you have a person that inspires you (living or historical)? Tell us about her or him!
My daughter definitely inspires me! She is so much fun and I love to watch her play. I often get ideas for new toys from seeing what she is interested in and how she likes to play.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Dreaming Of...
We had a wonderful weekend in Staunton, Virginia. But today felt even more Monday-ish than usual. And with a very full weekend in DC ahead - I'm already feeling a bit worn out and stressed.
I keep thinking of my longing for retreat, solitude, quiet. Right now, I'd like nothing better than a few days in a quiet place - cozily enjoying a serene space in my dreamy canopy bed.
Maybe you too are recovering from getting back into "real life." I hope these images inspire you to find some spot of calm in hectic demanding life... I think a canopy bed is the epitome of a bedroom retreat - romantic, private. A soothing cave for solitary thinking and languid naps.
A canopy bed would be sooo lovely.
What sorts of home spots inspire you to feel peaceful? Hearths? Living Rooms? Porches?
images: domino
Monday, May 25, 2009
Featured Etsy Artisan: Nomsa
While searching for some chiffon or organza hair accessories and brooches on etsy, I stumbled upon this lovely shop. This Lovely Layered Cream Chiffon Blossom is GORGEOUS, and how about this Celadon Brooch? I contacted Ashlee, the creator, and she graciously agreed to be interviewed for my Featured Etsy Artisan blog feature!
Enjoy meeting Ashlee, and be sure to visit her shop nomsa, her blog, and tweet at nomsaknits. Thanks for sharing your lovelies with us, Ashlee!
• Tell us a little about yourself – your name, where you live, your work.
Hello! I am Ashlee and I am behind the brand 'Nomsa,' (pronounced nohm-suh). I am a recent graduate from the University of Colorado but I currently live in the heart of Washington, DC with my lovely fiancee John. I spend my days working as an administrative assistant at a Consulting Firm and my evening hours playing house and crafting my heart out. I am getting married in September and also running a half-marathon in September (which I haven't started training for). I firmly believe in the power of one, that making sound effects for simple actions is vital to daily existance, and that one should never wake up a sleeping bear. I enjoy baking, puttering about, channeling my inner 65-year old, wearing pearls and high heels while cleaning, lions, all things fiber and knitting related, buses, robots, tea and avocados.
• Tell us about your Etsy shop and products.
Nomsa is an African word meaning Grace. The brand Nomsa was started because I felt like individuals needed to allow more grace in their lives. Sometimes people are so hard on themselves and others, and that they forget to forgive and accept. By adorning oneself and allowing for yourself to enhance natural beauty, you are giving yourself grace, peace and hopefully accepting your uniqueness. Nomsa was created from all of the above reasons for myself, so I can speak from experience. Right now, I specialize in making hair accessories for everyday wear as well as for special occasions. My personal style and inspirations come from my mom and aunt who really showed me the importance of having everyday basics that fit well and looked fabulous on, but also having a few special items that enhanced your look instead of overpowering it. My items try to do that for the wearer. Highlight rather than distract.
• How did you get into your creating? Do you have a favorite item you’ve made? Tell us the story.
I think like a lot of people in creative fields, I started out young. I have always been crafting, building, and creating. Only in the last few years though have I become extremely passionate about supporting handmade and the individuals who pour themselves into their art. I think their is such beauty and redemption in the act of taking raw materials and transforming them into something that is desirable. I am proud to consider myself among those that can walk into a retail store, look at something and think....'Hey! I can make that!'
• What advice would you give a creative entrepreneur on starting a small artistic business?
Gosh...I am not sure if I am the best one to give advice. I am still learning as I go, since I just got started Nomsa a little over three months ago. I few things that I have learned though are...
1) I think that is really important to open your mind to absorbing as much information as possible. I study and read all I can about etsy, online selling and how to be successful. I think that you have to be extremely proactive in your education and arm yourself with knowledge.
2) I think it's okay to figure out details as you go along. I started Nomsa on a fluke one evening without any direction or knowledge. I am still trying to get all my ducks in a row. If I had waited and done all the paperwork and small details beforehand, I might have been too discouraged to even try to sell my items.
• Do you have a person that inspires you (living or historical)? Tell us about her or him!
My great-grandmother is my inspiration. She could seriously make or bake anything!! I spent summers at her house as a child and she really fostered my creative energy. She taught me how to sew a doll, make a quilt, bake a pie, dehydrate fruit, powder one's nose, apply puffy paint to white canvas shoes, knit, etc. She really was wonderful lady and I cherish all of the fabulous memories that we made.
• Do you have a book or movie that makes you feel creative? Tell us about it!
I don't have a book or movie in particular that I can think of off-hand...but the best inspiration for me is my daily commute to and from my day job. I take the bus and metro each way and get to people watch for two hours every day. I study hair styles, jewelry, knits, overall outfits and it is so awesome. I have seen the most fabulous items on the bus and am thankful that my commute gives me an excuse to stare at people. I like to think of it as market research rather than being creepy!
• What is your favorite handmade treasure?
I honestly can not pick one thing. My stepmom made me this amazing scrapbook for my college graduation which has such sentimental items in it that I had never seen before, my dad has made me so many awesome things out of wood (including a bunk bed and a rubber band gun), and my mom can cook like no other so quite a few of her recipes I consider to be handmade treasures :)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Featured Etsy Artisan: KarenOpp
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Karen Opp, an illustrator and photographer who recently opened an Etsy shop. Her beautiful botanticals are what first caught my eye. I love this lily of the valley and these pixie cups in particular. Enjoy her inspiring interview below, and be sure to visit her lovely shop and blog!
Thanks for sharing with us, Karen!
• Tell us a little about yourself – your name, where you live, your work.
My name is Karen Opp. I'm originally from Dallas, Texas but have lived in central Missouri since 1991. I've always been drawn to Nature and really started to get into doing botanical illustration after moving to Missouri. There were a lot of plants I wasn't familiar with, and the guidebooks were...well, shall we say "less than helpful". So I started drawing and painting my own illustrations, hoping to preserve what I was seeing until I could identify it. I started doing free-lance work in 1999, have done work for both private and commercial clients and had some work published in "The Gardener" magazine's first issue! In 2007, after spending some time in Ireland, I found myself drawn to photography and that's been feeding my soul almost as much as the illustration since then. There's so much beauty around me, and I see beauty in little things, simple things- like a fallen leaf in a nearby creek where I love to walk. Or in sunlight reflecting on glassware in the dish drainer in my sink! As the quote on my bio page says, "In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary."
• Tell us about your Etsy shop and products.
My Etsy shop features both my paintings and my photography. The paintings tend to be botanicals, simply presented. The photography tends to be macro work and has a wider range of subject matter. I love to photograph a familiar subject from a little different perspective. To present something I "know" in a whole new light. And I love to shoot "traditional" color subjects in black and white! So, the photography can include everything from those dishes in the drainer, to a shade-pull in a sunlit window, to water in a creek, or my garden flowers. Or the cat. Or Irish landscapes. You just never know.
At this point, the paintings are all originals. I hope to offer prints and cards soon.
• How did you get into your creating? Do you have a favorite item you’ve made? Tell us the story.
How did I get into the creating? I remember sitting down in my parent's den when I was about 13 and drawing a very realistic pencil sketch of a donkey standing in an arched doorway in a Mexican village, courtesy of a photo in National Geographic. That was it. It just downloaded. Never had an art lesson, although I've picked up a lot by observing and learning from other artists. And trial and error! My favorite piece, and the first piece I ever "gave" myself "permission" to keep is a small watercolor of a white crocus. I'd gone through a rough period a few years ago- separation, divorce, school, new job. I didn't paint for a long time. I wondered if it would ever come back. I remember painting this crocus and feeling reconnected to myself again...it's very special to me. (photo attached!)
This is still the only piece I've ever been attached to. People have asked me if it was hard parting with a piece, and my answer is no! I love the idea of a little piece of me going to be with someone who loves my work.
• What advice would you give a creative entrepreneur on starting a small artistic business?
The same advice a friend gave me recently, and what I feel in my heart: follow your passion, share it with others, connect with them. Be honorable. The rest will follow. I'm just starting out myself, so I can't prove the validity of my advice, but I feel it's true in my heart.
• Do you have a person that inspires you (living or historical)? Tell us about her or him!
Absolutely! My best friend, a man I've known since I was in high school. He came back into my life last year and we've had the best time getting to know each other again. We share a joyful spirit, he's a wonderful sounding board for ideas, and an unconditional support.
I'd also have to say that my 4 daughters inspire me, each in their own way. All are creative and delightful young women.
• Do you have a book or movie that makes you feel creative? Tell us about it!
Tolkein's Lord of the Rings series has been a perennial favorite since my fifth grade teacher read us The Hobbit in class. His works were a window into fantasy and folklore, beautifully crafted. And filled with a reverence for the Earth and for our connection with it. When I was in Ireland, I thought a lot about Tolkein and Middle Earth...I actually think of it anytime I step out my door into the cool grass in my bare feet!
• What is your favorite handmade treasure?
My name is Karen Opp. I'm originally from Dallas, Texas but have lived in central Missouri since 1991. I've always been drawn to Nature and really started to get into doing botanical illustration after moving to Missouri. There were a lot of plants I wasn't familiar with, and the guidebooks were...well, shall we say "less than helpful". So I started drawing and painting my own illustrations, hoping to preserve what I was seeing until I could identify it. I started doing free-lance work in 1999, have done work for both private and commercial clients and had some work published in "The Gardener" magazine's first issue! In 2007, after spending some time in Ireland, I found myself drawn to photography and that's been feeding my soul almost as much as the illustration since then. There's so much beauty around me, and I see beauty in little things, simple things- like a fallen leaf in a nearby creek where I love to walk. Or in sunlight reflecting on glassware in the dish drainer in my sink! As the quote on my bio page says, "In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary."
• Tell us about your Etsy shop and products.
My Etsy shop features both my paintings and my photography. The paintings tend to be botanicals, simply presented. The photography tends to be macro work and has a wider range of subject matter. I love to photograph a familiar subject from a little different perspective. To present something I "know" in a whole new light. And I love to shoot "traditional" color subjects in black and white! So, the photography can include everything from those dishes in the drainer, to a shade-pull in a sunlit window, to water in a creek, or my garden flowers. Or the cat. Or Irish landscapes. You just never know.
At this point, the paintings are all originals. I hope to offer prints and cards soon.
• How did you get into your creating? Do you have a favorite item you’ve made? Tell us the story.
How did I get into the creating? I remember sitting down in my parent's den when I was about 13 and drawing a very realistic pencil sketch of a donkey standing in an arched doorway in a Mexican village, courtesy of a photo in National Geographic. That was it. It just downloaded. Never had an art lesson, although I've picked up a lot by observing and learning from other artists. And trial and error! My favorite piece, and the first piece I ever "gave" myself "permission" to keep is a small watercolor of a white crocus. I'd gone through a rough period a few years ago- separation, divorce, school, new job. I didn't paint for a long time. I wondered if it would ever come back. I remember painting this crocus and feeling reconnected to myself again...it's very special to me. (photo attached!)
This is still the only piece I've ever been attached to. People have asked me if it was hard parting with a piece, and my answer is no! I love the idea of a little piece of me going to be with someone who loves my work.
• What advice would you give a creative entrepreneur on starting a small artistic business?
The same advice a friend gave me recently, and what I feel in my heart: follow your passion, share it with others, connect with them. Be honorable. The rest will follow. I'm just starting out myself, so I can't prove the validity of my advice, but I feel it's true in my heart.
• Do you have a person that inspires you (living or historical)? Tell us about her or him!
Absolutely! My best friend, a man I've known since I was in high school. He came back into my life last year and we've had the best time getting to know each other again. We share a joyful spirit, he's a wonderful sounding board for ideas, and an unconditional support.
I'd also have to say that my 4 daughters inspire me, each in their own way. All are creative and delightful young women.
• Do you have a book or movie that makes you feel creative? Tell us about it!
Tolkein's Lord of the Rings series has been a perennial favorite since my fifth grade teacher read us The Hobbit in class. His works were a window into fantasy and folklore, beautifully crafted. And filled with a reverence for the Earth and for our connection with it. When I was in Ireland, I thought a lot about Tolkein and Middle Earth...I actually think of it anytime I step out my door into the cool grass in my bare feet!
• What is your favorite handmade treasure?
Beaded earrings my daughter made me for Mother's Day :-)
• Do you have any suggestions for creatively weathering these tough economic times? How are you creatively making the best of it?
This is an interesting question, because I was just laid off from my day job again a couple of weeks ago. Second time for me in two years, different jobs. I will tell you this: it's true that what seems like an awful thing at the time can be the very best thing that ever happened to you. I don't know how this will all work out, but both layoffs have focused me more on my creative side. They've been tremendous periods of growth. I'm an optimist at heart, the joyful spirit's not a put on. I really, truly believe that when I lead with my strength, which is the joy and wonder I think comes through in my artwork and photography, that good will follow.
My suggestion to others about creatively weathering this storm is the same advice I give to myself. Have faith in yourself, in your creativity, in your passion. Honor it, nurture it, invest in yourself and in what makes your soul sing. How you do it is up to you, just do it!
• Do you have any suggestions for creatively weathering these tough economic times? How are you creatively making the best of it?
This is an interesting question, because I was just laid off from my day job again a couple of weeks ago. Second time for me in two years, different jobs. I will tell you this: it's true that what seems like an awful thing at the time can be the very best thing that ever happened to you. I don't know how this will all work out, but both layoffs have focused me more on my creative side. They've been tremendous periods of growth. I'm an optimist at heart, the joyful spirit's not a put on. I really, truly believe that when I lead with my strength, which is the joy and wonder I think comes through in my artwork and photography, that good will follow.
My suggestion to others about creatively weathering this storm is the same advice I give to myself. Have faith in yourself, in your creativity, in your passion. Honor it, nurture it, invest in yourself and in what makes your soul sing. How you do it is up to you, just do it!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Make This Necklace a Room: Inspired by Domino
Welcome to another installment of "Make this Necklace a Room" - my twist on Domino's "Make this Outfit a Room."
For today's post, I chose Paper and Pearl Boutique's Daffodil Necklace. The goldenrod colors pop with cream freshwater pearls. How would this look as a room? I think I found a good option.
This is a GORGEOUSLY cheery and bold room image from Domino. What a creative way to jazz up all white built-ins. How sunny.
Citrusy colors are very in right now - isn't it easy to see why? Instant mood boost - and don't many of us need that in this downer economy? Bring on the Brights!
image: Domino
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Etsy Treasury Feature: Amethyst Wisteria Necklace
How fun! My amethyst wisteria necklace is featured on this lovely etsy treasury! Thanks, TickledPinkKnits!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Featured Etsy Artisan: SweetSallysSoaps
I am crazy about nice handmade soaps. Every month I get a special lathery wonderfully scented soap - it really helps me start my day in a pleasant way. I found SweetSallysSoaps in my Etsy browsing and was so impressed with the beautiful photos and clear TLC that goes into creating this product. Sarah graciously agreed to be interviewed for my Featured Etsy Artisan spot. I also like Sarah's shop motto: "Take some time out of your busy life to enjoy a well-deserved affordable little luxury." I agree - the small simple pleasures do matter so much! Thanks for sharing with us, Sarah.
How about this for a sweet mothers day's gift? Or this for relaxation after a stressful day? Note the well-crafted photos as well - Sarah's art background shows! What a lovely shop.
• Tell us a little about yourself – your name, where you live, your work.
My name is Sarah Wagner-Ranes and I live in Central Pennsylvania in a small college town with my husband, my 15 year old son and our very bad husky dog Sitka. My soap making business is full time for me along with homeschooling my son. I have been making soaps for about 5 years now. I sell my soaps mostly at craft shows and farmers markets but since the beginning of this year I have been marketing my soaps online.
My name is Sarah Wagner-Ranes and I live in Central Pennsylvania in a small college town with my husband, my 15 year old son and our very bad husky dog Sitka. My soap making business is full time for me along with homeschooling my son. I have been making soaps for about 5 years now. I sell my soaps mostly at craft shows and farmers markets but since the beginning of this year I have been marketing my soaps online.
• Tell us about your Etsy shop and products.
I started my Etsy shop last summer but I didn’t really start adding products and marketing it until January of this year. Visit SweetSallysSoaps on Etsy.
I started my Etsy shop last summer but I didn’t really start adding products and marketing it until January of this year. Visit SweetSallysSoaps on Etsy.
• How did you get into your creating? Do you have a favorite item you’ve made? Tell us the story.
I went to Art school and majored in photography, which I have pursued most of my adult life. I do traditional black and white photographs and hand colored images. At the moment my photography is sort of on the back shelf since I started making handmade soaps. I came to a point where I had to step away from selling my photographs because I thought the only way for me to sell enough of my photography to make a living, I would have to compromise my art way beyond what I was willing to do. So I discovered in myself that I could quench my need for creating things through other avenues. That’s when I started making soaps. I really enjoy coming up with new recipes and making soaps that are not only beautiful but very good for your skin. I make my soaps out of really wonderful ingredients and scent them mostly with essential oils.
I went to Art school and majored in photography, which I have pursued most of my adult life. I do traditional black and white photographs and hand colored images. At the moment my photography is sort of on the back shelf since I started making handmade soaps. I came to a point where I had to step away from selling my photographs because I thought the only way for me to sell enough of my photography to make a living, I would have to compromise my art way beyond what I was willing to do. So I discovered in myself that I could quench my need for creating things through other avenues. That’s when I started making soaps. I really enjoy coming up with new recipes and making soaps that are not only beautiful but very good for your skin. I make my soaps out of really wonderful ingredients and scent them mostly with essential oils.
• What advice would you give a creative entrepreneur on starting a small artistic business?
My advice would probably be to do what you love and do it with as much integrity as possible. Don’t give up easily; persistence is am important quality in anyone wishing to achieve success with a small artistic business.
My advice would probably be to do what you love and do it with as much integrity as possible. Don’t give up easily; persistence is am important quality in anyone wishing to achieve success with a small artistic business.
• Do you have a person that inspires you (living or historical)? Tell us about her or him!
I went through a period in my life when I was totally enthralled with Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz. I find them both tremendously inspirational. I think the time period of the very early 1900’s when photography was young and Modern Art was just blooming into existence must have been a very exciting time to be an artist.
• Do you have a book or movie that makes you feel creative? Tell us about it!
My favorite movie of all time is the Wizard of Oz.
• What is your favorite handmade treasure?
I think my favorite handmade treasure would be a gold ring I got from a jeweler friend of mine. It is a simple gold band but it has a rather intricate design on it of leaves. I wear it with my wedding band.
I think my favorite handmade treasure would be a gold ring I got from a jeweler friend of mine. It is a simple gold band but it has a rather intricate design on it of leaves. I wear it with my wedding band.
• Do you have any suggestions for creatively weathering these tough economic times? How are you creatively making the best of it?
I not sure how much the bad economy has effected my business. The beginning of the year is always slow for me. I have done a couple of craft shows that I also did last year and made more money this year, so go figure. But I would say hang in there and offer a well made product at a good price. I am not saying low price, because I think too many people sell their handmade items for well below what they should, I am saying people are looking for value in their purchases.
I not sure how much the bad economy has effected my business. The beginning of the year is always slow for me. I have done a couple of craft shows that I also did last year and made more money this year, so go figure. But I would say hang in there and offer a well made product at a good price. I am not saying low price, because I think too many people sell their handmade items for well below what they should, I am saying people are looking for value in their purchases.
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