A new beginning--clearing out the old

This has been quite a month so far, opportunities to be in an art show "Disturbia" and a 'Cash Flow Art Show' coming this Thursday and Friday. My beloved grandma Lisa died one day before her 90th birthday...and so its been a strange topsy turvy feeling. I did get to visit with her before she died...about 2 weeks before when she was visiting my parents. She was a great supporter of my art work and her life was full and creative so she was a great role model of a working writer. I have a great feeling of creative momentum inspired by her and a wonderful non-traditional doll-making class.
As for my etsy shop, I am going to clear out most of the art that has been there too long and list my newer work. And on my blog I want to hear from you my viewer and reader and hear what you are interested in seeing. I want to hear what you like about my blog and what more you'd like to see. I appreciate all of you that comment and read here, thanks very much for your support!

the MiniBlog

check out this cool blog...this is a great way to promote your etsy shop too...I am still figuring out how to do it so let me know if you made it work.

Meet JMTolman and her fantastic characters!

I think that I met JMTolman in etsy chat as I've met many of the artists that I post here...I felt that you needed to meet her and see her characters. Some of these people I think I've met and have made me laugh out loud.

1) How long have you been selling on etsy?
Since January 2009

2) Do you have advice for etsy newbies?
You must advertise outside of Etsy! Promotion within the site is good, but you're advertising to other sellers. Join forums, find site that are relevant to your shop and advertise them, use other social networks, etc.

The other piece of advice is for artists: Art is hard sell, unless it is a product (ex: Jewelry, stationary) or a custom piece for the buyer. Keep an open mind about what you can sell.

3) What are your fave etsy shops and why?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mscorley- Fantastic illustrations. Just wonderful.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/gloomth- The clothing designs are one of a kind. You can tell they love their work!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/brainscan- I bought Stolen Sharpie Revolution and it changes my views on print, design, and the DIY scene. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to publish on their own!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Shrinkle- Another clothing line. I have one of their dresses and I love it.

4) What are your fave pieces in your shop and why?
Whip It!: This was the first gouache/pen painting I ever did, and I still like it!

Everyone is Disappointed in You: This is a painting from a workshop- the setup was the two woman (sans part hats) and the table of booze. Well, the models and the class started cracking jokes, and I decided to add my own twist. The angry Victorian portraits is my favorite part, hands down.

The Dopiest Vampire Necklace: I just think it's funny.

5) What plans do you have for your shop?
I want to be able to sell enough so I can pay off my tuition for college. Right now that's all I have planned for it. As for my art, I do a variety of commissions- I'm only 20 years old, so I need to establish myself and prove I can do the work.

6) How long have you been creating art?
Since I was three or so. A very long time, heh.

7) Who are your art heroes?
Alphonse Mucha, JC Leyendecker, Brom, Junko Mizuno, Amano, Toulouse LaTrec, Jhonen Vasquez, Junji Ito, Edward Gorey, and JH Williams!

8) Where do your ideas come from?
I'm honestly not sure how specific ideas come about, but they're all influenced by my interests- I'll explain below.

9) What do you do when you have a creative block?
Take a break for a hour, or start over with a new approach. Sometimes a design just doesn't work, no matter how much work you put into it.

10) What other interests do you have that feed into your art?
Horror, music (I have music-to-color synesthesia, so this is a big influence) fantasy, sci-fi, pop culture history, punk, fringe culture, cabaret, magic shows, the paranormal (from a skeptic's point of view) old movies, and fashion.

Some of my favorite things from etsy artisans....

Three Rabbits drawing by HellsSewingCircle
Surreal art card by WoebegoneArts
Red cloth slippers by netamir
Zoli painting by shealeigh
Tourmaline and sterling silver ring by Menno

The delightful TemporaryInsanity

This seller is relatively new to the etsy selling world but has been working in her medium for many years and is also an interior designer. She also has a wonderful sense of humor that comes through in her work that I think you will enjoy.

1) How long have you been selling on etsy?

I have been selling on Etsy since October 2009.

2) Do you have advice for etsy newbies?

It’s hard for me to give advice to other Etsy newbies, since I still have so much to learn myself! I have started a Facebook Fan page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Temporary-Insanity/179811324930?ref=ts and I made a marketing postcard at www.vistaprint.com with pictures of The Vintage People that turned out great. Vistaprint has so many free offers! I got free business cards from them and a free banner for my craft shows. I don’t think you can really beat free! I haven’t gotten the hang of twitter yet, but I’m working on it. For now, I talk, talk, talk about what I’m doing. I’m a Gemini so that’s pretty easy for me.

3) What are your fave etsy shops and why?

There are so many sellers whose work or shop I admire, I don’t think I could possibly begin to list. The fact of the matter is I could easily spend my whole days shopping on Etsy and I’ve told everyone in my family that we should just have an Etsy holiday! There’s definitely something for everyone there and part of the fun is in the searching. It really is a treasure hunt, something that is near and dear to my heart.

4) What are your fave pieces in your shop and why?

My favorite pieces in my shop are Helen Makes Heavenly Music, Ruby says, LOL and Randy Randy. Helen is just so sweet with her toy xylophone body and her slightly tipped halo. She’s a good girl, but not too good. Ruby is named after a good friend’s alter ego. She’s like me…just getting into the social media thing and LOL is her catch phrase for everything. Her little skirt is the rack from a toy pool set. She was fun to make…like a puzzle and she’s colorful and whimsical and I find her very entertaining. LOL! Randy is, well Randy and I think we’ve all known a guy like him. Or…is that just me? Randy has some stunning springy body parts and his pulley…well, it makes things go up and down. And his heart belongs to mama. What more could you want in a guy? You can probably tell I have a soft spot for saints and sinners. As I design each of The Vintage People, they come to life for me. Their personalities start jumping out and I begin to hear their story. It’s fun.

5) What plans do you have for your shop?

In the future, I’m going to add some beautifully decoupaged cigar box purses and mixed media jewelry that will also be made of found objects. And I plan on being featured on the front page one day!(I think I can, I think I can….) You have to believe! It’s very likely that I will start another Etsy shop for vintage items as well.

6) How long have you been creating art?

I have been creating art all my life. I had my first art show at my grandmother’s house when I was about five. My relatives obligingly paid dimes and even quarters for my first creations. If I remember correctly, they were crayon, the big box of 64 colors. Then I moved on to painted rocks that my uncle sold for me in his flower shop. Later, as a rebellious teenager, I began fashioning deerskin leather halter tops and purses. (Am I dating myself now?) They were adorned in hand cut lacing, feathers, and turquoise stones. As an adult I became a floral designer and later I started the first incarnation of Temporary Insanity. I wanted to work at home with my then two small children and I started a hand painted clothing business that had a cowboys and Indians theme.(I live in Colorado.) That lasted for seven years and we had a great run. Fun times! Now I juggle my art with interior design, which I also consider to be an art form. Interior design is really a giant 3D collage, mixed media assemblage of colors and textures, space and form. I love it too. I need to be creating at all times. My people come from all the stuff I’ve collected over the years, simply because I was attracted to it and knew that one day , it would become something real, like Randy.

7) Who are your art heroes?

I have one art hero and that is my uncle, Charles Maloy Love. He is in his seventies now and still creates the most fabulously delicious floral designs in his shop in Mountain Brook, Alabama. He taught me about art, exposed me to design and taught me to always do my best. That’s what I’m trying to do now.

8) Where do your ideas come from?

Most of my ideas come from the way I look at something. I’m very visual. I’m always processing, processing what I’ve seen. My favorite thing is making something out of nothing. When I’m looking for parts for The Vintage People, I am thinking of body parts and suddenly that’s what different objects become!

9) What do you do when you have a creative block?

When I have a creative block, I either spread my treasures all around me to look at them or I flip through files I’ve made of magazine pictures. I always see something different later. Of course, I’m listening to music the whole time too!

10) What other interests do you have that feed into your art?

I am a scavenger at heart. There’s nothing like the thrill of the hunt! I love to look for antiques, shop at thrift stores, garage sales, anywhere I might find something different or unusual. That sets the tone for my other passions, art and interior design!





Terrie Hall

Interior Designer

designthehallway@gmail.com



DESIGN THE HALL-WAY

11533 Running Creek Lane

Parker, CO. 80138

303.332.6835

303.840.6418 fax

A peek into the world of artist LivaRutmane...

I don't remember when I met Liva Rutmane but I know it was in an etsy chat room and I was instantly fascinated. Her style reminds me of some Russian cartoons and surrealist artists but she has a unique interpretation. I just know that I like visiting her world and I hope that you will too!

1) How long have you been selling on etsy?

it will be a year after month and a half

2) Do you have advice for etsy newbies?

I still feel like a newbie, still don't know what is my target market and I still feel really confused about what other people find interesting, so it's an experiment for me
but after a year I have discovered, that patience and learning constantly is very important, I have never sold my works before on internet, so there's so much to learn, forums and blogs are great place to find information.

3) What are your fave etsy shops and why?
I really don't have favorite shops, on etsy, I like a lot of stuff around here, for example - I really like http://www.etsy.com/shop/sealmaiden because shes a great person, she have nice style, then I like http://www.etsy.com/shop/ruffeoheartslilsnoty because their style is very specific and colorful, http://www.etsy.com/shop/michelemaule because of traditional printmaking, http://www.etsy.com/shop/etaletc way of photographing things is unique, and so on, I really like a lot of shops, there is so many talented people, that to choose something ir very hard...

4) What are your fave pieces in your shop and why?
I like this one
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26712874 I feel like I have accomplish something new, I like to draw illustrations, and somehow this is the best ;)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33715580 just a weird sketch, something interesting about this
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33329899 - it's shiny and golden and I love how it looks on my wall, I don't want to take it off, haha

5) What plans do you have for your shop?
none, really, I know it's not right, but I feel little confused when it comes to goals for my shop, it's a great feeling when I sell something, so I guess, my goal it to have this feeling more often

6) How long have you been creating art?
for a while, since 2000, it's when I discovered art school, and how great place it is, then I started to draw, paint, and make plans for the future, and since then I know what I want to do for a rest of my life, it's a very calming thing.

7) Who are your art heroes?
and again, it's not that easy to choose some, there is so many - Yayoi Kusama, Hyungkoo Lee, Hundertvasser, Misha Gordin, Terry Richardson, so many interesting ideas!

8) Where do your ideas come from?
Just living, things around, thinking, talking to people, thinking again, sleeping is a very important part of my creative work

9) What do you do when you have a creative block?
I don't have those, I just start to do something and then it's all ok again, and usually I have something that need to be done, something for a larger project, so I can't just have creative blocks

10) What other interests do you have that feed into your art?
I love photography, but not as work, I could never be a commercial photographer, I have tried, it's not working

thank you!

For better views of her images, visit her shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LivaRutmane?ga_search_query=LivaRutmane&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

New green leaf necklace with plum pearl!

Here are some pics of my new necklace! I took them with my Mom's phone camera and it amazes me how good her camera is actually! I was inspired to make these by the green silk fabric that I made the leaves out of and I've always liked purple and green together. Let me know what you think!

The magic of dogzillalives

Here is the interview with dogzillalives...i've chatted with her and seen her shop on etsy grow and been amazed at the new pieces she's added. I learned through this interview that she is self-taught! Be sure to check out her shop and see her fabulous bracelets and necklaces.

1) How long have you been selling on etsy?

Since late April of this year.

2) Do you have advice for etsy newbies?

Don't give up! Keep creating, keep listing, and keep promoting!!

3) What are your fave etsy shops and why?

That is a hard question!! There are so many talented people on etsy, its hard to choose! I found this one the other day,glassaddictbeads.etsy.com they make these lampwork beads and the colors are just WOW.

4) What are your fave pieces in your shop and why?

The octopus arms have to be my favorite right now. I've never seen anything like them, I amaze myself sometimes. hahaha

5) What plans do you have for your shop?

Well, I'm trying to start making simpler, more inexpensive pieces, but its been hard for me to grasp the whole "simple" concept. O_o

6) How long have you been creating art?
For as long as I can remember. I am self taught, there is always something new to learn. Art is an amazing never ending process.

7) Who are your art heroes?
Hmmm, I wouldn't say heroes, but some of my all time faves are H.R. Giger, Salvador Dali, and Alphonse Mucha.

8) Where do your ideas come from?
My head, haha. I don't think I could ever get all the ideas out even if I lived to be 100. Nature, plants, fungi, sealife. The possibilities are endless.

9) What do you do when you have a creative block?

Go outside, or read a good non-fiction book, and of course hang out with my 2 year old.

10) What other interests do you have that feed into your art?

I love going to thrift stores and looking for junk that i can use in my next masterpiece. ;^D
Here is her lovely shop http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7266795

The many colors of Ravencolours!

I have known ravencolours in chat for as long as I've been selling on etsy so I'm delighted to show you her work. Her photos have many moods from the happy to the mysterious.
1. How long have you been selling on etsy?

I have been selling on etsy for about 10 months, I started my shop in January.

2. Do you have advice for etsy newbies?

Be patient and promote. Don't expect your first sale right away, it takes awhile for people to discover your shop, so don't give up hope! Promote, promote, promote. Go to the chat rooms, create a facebook page, anything to help word of your shop to spread around. And participate in shop critiques the advice you get from those is invaluable. Also, stay true to yourself. If you try to change your style to something you think may sell better then your not selling your work anymore. You're deceiving your customers and yourself.

3. What are your fave etsy shops and why?

This is a very hard question, haha. I have way to many to list. i'll just narrow it to say all the amazingly talented photography shops on Etsy. It's all so inspiring and there is so much talent. Also, graphic tee shops. I'm a sucker for any quirky unique design that I know no one else will have.

4.What are your fave pieces in your shop and why?

I have to say I love Color Me Multi and Morning Coffee. One, because people really seem to like them and two, because I love the colors and I think they really say a lot about the direction I'm trying to go in as a photographer.

5. What plans do you have for your shop?

To sell photos! I just hope to get bigger and start selling more. I'm in college right now and it's just great to have something like this on the side to help me decompress and take the stress off. It'd be great to have it as a way to support myself reasonably well, but that's just me dreaming big. Right now, I just want to get my name out there and have people learn something about how I see the world.

6.How long have you been creating art?

I have been dong photography for about four years, I started as a junior in high school. I learned in the darkroom with the chemicals and the film, it was very retro and I loved it. I now do pretty much digital but my heart and inspiration will always be with film.

7.Who are your art heroes?

Claude Monet is definitely one of my major art heroes. I grew up working in the garden with my mother and watching a movie called Linnea in Monet's Garden at my Nana's house so you can see where that originated. Sandro Botticelli's Birth of Venus painting. I love all the history behind that piece. Photographic heroes I'd have to say Sebastião Salgado, Richard Avedon, Harry Benson, Dorothea Lange and James Nachtway just to name a few.

8.Where do your ideas come from?

Everyday life, a great song, me daydreaming during class. I guess my ideas come from just me trying to put my spin on everyday objects and giving my thoughts and emotions an outlet.

9.What do you do when you have a creative block?

I'm majoring in photography right now in school so whether or not I have a creative block I have to go shoot. I just try to power through it and see the beauty in whatever it is that I happen to be shooting. Always have your eyes open and try to be seeing pictures, no matter what your doing.

10.What other interests do you have that feed into your art?

Photoshop definitely, though I'm not sure if you can call that a hobby or not. I love just getting on it and experimenting and trying out new filters or combinations just to see if it works or not. Music in general is a huge inspiration to me, it's even in my materials list in my shop! I've been involved in some type of musical activity since kindergarten so whether I'm listening to it or participating it's a huge influence on my work.

Show some love for ArtfulGoodies...a great etsy shop!

I've chatted with ArtfulGoodies on etsychat and seen her shop grow in variety...here is her interview so you can get to know here too.

1. How long have you been selling on etsy?

I opened my unique jewelry shop this year in February

2. Do you have advice for etsy newbies?

My advice for an etsy newbie would be promote all you can, list regularly, have something unique about your ahop and stay positive.

3. What are your favorite etsy shops and why?

hmmmmm..... There are so many! I love everything from soaps, crochet, pottery, jewelry, kid items and so much more.

My chat friends I love because they know how to make my day better when I need a lift and they have a variety of wonderful shops.

4. What are your favorite pieces in your shop and why?

At the moment
My cute and adorable BEE BLUE earrings. I love the style and they are super comfortable to wear.
The beautiful RED POPPY pendant beacuse I adore poppies! So much so that I have them tattooed on my back.
FALL LEAVES is just perfect for this time of year. I love the colors and the picasso beads.

5. What plans do you have for your shop?

To keep things fresh and be open to change. I would love to become a great seller in this large world of handmade.

6. How long have you been creating art?

I have crafted since childhood and tinkered all my life. Jewelry has been a passion of mine before but in the last year my love for jewelry expanded into my unique etsy shop.

7.Who are your art hereos?

Oh soooo many! I find hereos in every area of art. I love murals and there are alot of great muralist that I look up to. I also enjoy fine art and local artist in my area. One of my favorite artist is my 7 yr old daughter. It is such a joy to watch your child create something spectacular at such a young age. She will be so much better than I ever thought of being.

8. Where do your ideas come from?

Inspiration comes from things I love like nature, birds, buttflies, scrolls and all things pretty. My darker side loves skulls, crows, and tattoo related items. I throw everything I love into my pieces so that they are as unique as I am.

9. What do you do when you have creative block?

Well...I GO SHOPPING! lol Being creative all the time is hard. It helps that there are so many cool and unique products out there now. So when I get in one of those slumps my best cure is to go shop the craft store and get inspired.

10. What other intersts do you have that feed into your art?

I own and operate my own business WALLEXPRESSIONS. As a decorative finsher/muralist for 12 yrs now I have my hands dirty often. My painting relates to my jewelry in many ways like being creative with color, texture, and materials for pleasing finishes.

More pics of porcelain heads!

Finally took pics of porcelain person in progress...

One of the pictures I took the other day while working on my porcelain woman sculpture/puppet.I've been going to my mom's clay studio to work on her for the past month or so,which is pretty disciplined for me, and she has no cracks or anything! I just went to work on her more this Sunday which meant hollowing out her insides so she isn't heavy and doesn't explode. Solid clay figures will explode because tiny air bubbles in the clay expand in the heat of the kiln oven. I will post more photos as I recieve them.

the Art category is hidden on Etsy...sign this petition if you agree

This petition will hopefully help the Art category from getting hidden on the front page of etsy. Please take a look and if you agree, sign it.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/artonetsy/index.html

An Interview with Dutchfeltart...

This artist makes everything from handbags to shawls and she makes them so well and with a distinctive touch that is all her own. Felting is a process that I don't know much about and so how she creates these pieces is fascinating to me. I hope you'll check out her shop to see the full range of what she is capable of.


1) How long have you been selling on etsy?
I have been selling on Etsy since April 2009

2) Do you have advice for etsy newbies?
I think you have to be original, both in your creations as well as your photo's and titles.

3) What are your fave etsy shops and why?
I have a few favorite shops and especially the shops where i can buy exclusive fibers, mostly wool with other materials carded in a unique bat. Furthermore, when I am looking for something special for my daughter or myself I look on Etsy.

4) What are your fave pieces in your shop and why?
I had a seamless felted fairy coat, it was not on Etsy (on flicr it is showed) which was my absolute favorite because of the colors and the model. This has been sold yesterday in a fair. My favorite in my shop now is the "Hole in one" 3D felted boa. This is in my opinion very unique.

5) What plans do you have for your shop?
I will link the etsy shop to my website. At first my website www.dutchfeltart.com was just a gallery but a lot of people ask for a shop.

6) How long have you been creating art?
Since I can remember I have been busy with fabrics and fibers approx 8 years ago I started with woolspinning and I suggested the group to do something else with the fibers and I started small workshops at home.

7) Who are your art heroes?
Brigitte Krag Hansen

8) Where do your ideas come from?
Ideas come when I am playing with my daughter or when I read a bedtime story (most of the times it is about elves, pixies and fairies) , walking in the nature, or when I am sitting on my attic with all the fantastic fibers around me.

9) What do you do when you have a creative block?
Nothing. A few years ago I just kept on with felting projects but when I finished them I just was not satisfied about the creations. Nowadays I accept not to play with fibers for a short time and I noticed inspirations comes much quicker in that way.

10) What other interests do you have that feed into your art?
Fantasy world, walking in the nature, or just sitting on a terrace and observing everyone and everything.

11) How did you get interested in your medium?
Wanted to do something with the wool from our sheep and then I got fascinated the way felt was made.

Here is her contact info:
Share Your Website Address:
http://www.dutchfeltart.com

Visit My Shop @
http://dutchfeltart.etsy.com

See More of My Crafts @
http://dutchfeltart.blogspot.com/

My Twitter:
http://twitter.com/dutchfeltart

The wonderful work of Tanya Pshenychny or razorberries

I just met this accomplished artist the other day in chat and knew that you all would want to know more about her.

1) How long have you been selling on etsy?
Since June 2006, a little over 3 years.

2) Do you have advice for etsy newbies?
I've learned tons of stuff.. let's see.
- Your customers are #1, so always reply your convos asap and don't forget to thank them. Send a handwritten note with their order, it might make their day.
- Don't list everything you've got all in one day, list a couple things a day so your things don't get buried in the search.
- Talk with people on Etsy -- participate in the forums, go chat, but be friendly -- it all reflects on your shop.
- You might not have a sale for a while, but don't let that discourage you, just keep going, research, ask questions, and try to have fun. It takes time and luck. When the right person sees something you've made and falls in love with it, they'll buy it.

3) What are your fave etsy shops and why?
This is hard. I let my favorites list get out of control and now it's 63 pages long! Here's a few at random:

http://skunkboycreatures.etsy.com - caution: these little stuffed animals are so cute, your head might explode.

http://DirtyAssSoaps.etsy.com - who knew soap could be so fun? And I love the name.

http://ozknits.etsy.com - gorgeous yarn. I don't knit but Helen's shop makes me wish I could. She is a sweet person, too.


4) What are your fave pieces in your shop and why?
Weathered 11x14 Archival Print - I created the image while going through a rough time in my life and it exists a reminder that there are storms everywhere, can be unpredictable, some are worse and last longer than others, and eventually they have come to and end. And if you make it to the other side, you're stronger.
Pink Freud 8x10 Archival Print - Because striped pink giraffes are awesome. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. But now you see it, right?

5) What plans do you have for your shop?
Well, I'm working on creating some ACEO (Art Cards, Editions and Originals) -- originals only. And I want to do portraits with my spin on them, so I will be trying to emphasize that in my shop.

6) How long have you been creating art?
Drawing probably almost as long as I've been breathing, really. Being an artist seriously, as a career, since graduating high school in 2003.

7) Who are your art heroes?
Again, there's a ton.. but the most famous are:
James Jean - http://www.jamesjean.com
Salvador Dali
Tim Burton

8) Where do your ideas come from?
Connections of random things, people, animals, observations/conversations/experiences, colors, textures, music, weather, media, metaphors, stories.. Actually, my head is pretty empty except for a tiny mouse who sits in my skull and does crossword puzzles all day.

9) What do you do when you have a creative block?
I look at pretty pictures, roam around, go on walks, drive to random towns, wasting gas. If that doesn't work, I tell the mouse that if he doesn't get back to work, I'll feed him to my neighbor's cat.

10) What other interests do you have that feed into your art?
My second love is photography, don't know how it feeds my art -- it just does. It's the peanut butter to my raspberry jelly sandwich. Yes, it has to be raspberry, says so in the mouse's contract.

Here's her lovely shop on etsy! Razorberries

Looking at pictures of older sculptures..

Remembering the apartment destruction

Here are some slides I hadn't looked at for several years of an apartment tear down. I was fascinated at the process and yet felt guilty for documenting it. I talked to a man who was originally from an African country and he thought it looked like a war had hit the building. It was a window to a world that I never knew.

New Twisty bracelets!

I can't seem to stop making these wrapped bracelets...they are fun! I'm putting different bead combinations from my stash of beads. It's interesting to see how the wrapped toggle is part of the design for me. Let me know which are your faves!