Sunday, August 12, 2007

Featured Artist of the Week

Our artist this week is Tia and she makes small sculptures and assemblages.

Here is our interview with Tia:

Describe what you make?

I love to create and I have many varied creative interests. I design jewelry and hair accessories but my absolute favorite love is polymer clay! Each of my Sculptures are One of a Kind, original pieces of art. I don't use molds or casts in my creations - each piece starts out as a lump of clay and then imagination takes over!

For jewelry, I love to recycle and repurpose old items. Most of my Pendants are hand-made from old game pieces, like RummiKub pieces, old poker chips, etc. I bring them back to life with hand-cut printed paper, painted embellishments, and treasured findings.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I use a lot of paper, glitter, clay and all sorts of found items!

How long have you been creating craft?

All my life. I've gone through all kinds of phases with crafting - from sewing, to creating earrings, pendants and bracelets out of old vinyl records (we're talking 18 years ago!). I have 1/2 my garage made up into a studio and storage - just for craft!

My kids were always the kids at school who brought hand-made Valentine's Day cards and Gifts for their friends and teachers. I've kept one of each and have them in my "Treasure" trunk. (see below)

My family and friends all know that I will make them something for their birthday or Christmas. A crocheted quilt, jewelry of some sort or home made breads. I love one of a kind, handmade items and I've made my family love them too.

How did you get started?

I have been a crafter all my life. The earliest memories I have are of my mother and I creating things. One of the first things I remember creating was "stained glass" art - out of wax paper and leaves or crayon shavings. You sandwich them and then iron - beautiful!

It's been in the last 6 months that I've ventured online to sell. Its an adventure that I'm totally ready for!

Where does the name of your shop come from?

When I was little my mother had decorated an old trunk by painting it with flowers and rainbows (very 1970's.) Inside I keep all of my old school artwork, my old valentines and "treasured" items (plus artwork from my kids). Thus - Tia's Treasures.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

That I create every piece with care and love. I really care about what I create - its a little piece of me - and I hope that you will enjoy it too!

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Believe in yourself, create what makes you happy and gives you pleasure and pride. If you're proud of your work, if you're happy making it - it will show through in the finished piece. Love what you do!

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Come see Tia's shop! Great gifts!
While you are at Etsy come by and visit with us!

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Featured Artist of the Week

This week's featured artist is a leatherworker, and as a leatherworker, myself, I can assure you that this artist does quality leather work.
RAVENSHOLD


Here is our interview with the artist -

Describe what you make?

I mainly make items out of leather and do leather tooling, although I also make beaded lanyards and string beads to make jewelry.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

Leather, particularly tooling leather. I love the effects I can create with a swivel knife and a few stamps and I'm carrying on a very old craft.

How long have you been creating craft?

I can remember making things when I was 5, but I'm sure Mom had me doing crafts before then though. She loved making things herself so she always had craft projects for my sister and I to make. I think she still has some of the salt dough Christmas ornaments we made back then.

How did you get started?

I started doing leatherwork when I started working at the local Tandy Leather store around 10 years ago. After I moved on to other jobs I did leatherwork off and on for friends and occasionally for myself but didn't too much with it. On the recommendation of a friend I had checked out Etsy and put a few little things out there and do much else. Then early this year it hit me that my store here was a good reason to make myself get back into doing leatherwork on a regular basis and I haven't looked back.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

Well, to be honest, Ravenshold was the name I used for my county on an online game. I had chosen it for the game because I like ravens and adding hold made it sound vaguely medieval. When I signed up on Etsy couldn't use my first choice because it was already taken so this was the first thing I thought of. Over time it has become Ravenshold Creations.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

Everything I do is by hand, including the sewing, so I work slow but I think it is definitely worth it because a well made leather item can last for years. (Even centuries if it is taken care of.) Also, leather tooling doesn't have to equal western style carving, there's a lot of other options out there, it can be hip or retro or trendy or whatever.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Stick with it, have fun with what you make, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Don't be afraid to ask for advice, but remember you don't have to follow all of it.

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This is a shop not to be missed. Take a look at Ravenshold.
And while you are at Etsy come visit with us