FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

First, Happy Thanksgiving to all!

We have another great photographer to feature. Come and meet



Here is our interview with the photographer...

Briefly describe what you make?

I make fine art photographs. Mostly I focus on nature photography, but I also have some whimsical and some industrial subjects.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I am adoring digital photography because I take A LOT of pictures! Digital allows me to try angles and styles that I might not have with film because of the expense.

How long have you been creating craft?

I've always been interested in photography. My grandparents gave me my first "real" camera when I was about 8.

How did you get started?

When my grandfather passed away a few years ago, my grandma gave me his circa 1970 Olympus and all the lenses and things he had acquired over 30 years. Since then I've switched to digital, but I haven't stopped shooting!

Where does the name of your shop come from?

The name of my shop comes from my desire to show things the way they actually appear. Nature photography is my main focus- hence, the "stone." Presenting nature unaltered, unPhotoshopped, unposed is where the "unturned" part comes from. I don't turn the stones I photograph!

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

I show people what I saw. I rarely alter photographs beyond cropping, and perhaps changing to black and white. I really only use Photoshop to put on my watermark! I like people to know that what they are seeing is real, not the result of tweaking in a computer program. I think that's important to show people real nature before it disappears.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Doing something you love is so important. It's such a thrill to open my new images and find something that makes me proud. I wish that feeling on everyone.

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You know the expression that a picture is worth a thousand words - check out this shop!

FEATURED ARTIST

We have an artist that has taken some time off and is now returning with her work for all to enjoy once again. I would like to introduce you to -



Here is our interview with Tara!


Briefly describe what you make?

I am best known for my OOAK vintage pieces that combine found pendants, charms, and Lucite. Other items I create are scrabble, domino, and glass pendants, rings, earrings, and bracelets.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

Since I have an appraisal certificate in antiques/vintage, I really do enjoy searching for my vintage finds. Creating OOAK necklaces and earrings is truly rewarding. Lately I have reintroduced graphic design to my shop and I am really having fun with that too.

How long have you been creating craft?

I have been creating for a lifetime and selling online/offline for almost 11 years now. The first piece of jewelry I ever made was a friendship pin, very popular in the 80's. I remember that no one showed me how to do it and I severely damaged myself with the safety pins and pliers. From then on I was hooked!

How did you get started?

I've always been crafty and full of endless hyper energy. I constantly needed projects to entertain myself when I was little. No computers, bad T.V., and small New York City apartment = the need to express yourself creatively. I used to make Barbie little soaps from larger bars, and I had rigged up an actual little shower for her in her house.

I started selling when I realized it was getting too hard to leave the house every day and try to cram in a part time job, dogs, kids, errands, and housework. I was doing random craft shows but found it equally as hard to commit to certain times. My husband was extremely supportive and didn't want me to work at all. I felt I needed to occupy myself and since I already had tons of handmade jewelry, the next step was naturally to sell it. Plus, you need to make money to buy new supplies!! LOL

Where does the name of your shop come from?

Honestly, it's not a really meaningful story. About 5 years ago I was looking to buy a domain name. It seems everyone in the universe is also named Tara. I purchased jewelsbytara and thetaracollection. I didn't like it at the time and wanted to make it more specific. Eventually jewelrybytara came up for sale and I grabbed it.

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

That I take it extremely seriously and put a lot of effort and time into each piece. I inspect everything before it leaves my workshop and I redo if necessary. I try very hard to label correctly and give out specifics on pieces. I am always keeping my designs fresh and enjoy bringing everyone new pieces. Customer service is a huge thing with me and everyone gets their problems resolved ASAP.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Searching out answers to questions yourself can actually lead to more knowledge than someone just telling you. I started with absolutely no knowledge of accounting, web design, graphic design, marketing, and selling online. My husband refused to help me when I was setting up my first site and gave me the speech about figuring out everything myself. I was so angry then, but I thank him now for letting me find my own way. I believe that learning by doing is the best way to retain knowledge. Also, DIY (do it yourself), should become your new motto. Everything that you can buy so far as supplies, packaging, etc. Can be made by you for a lot less money. I learned website coding and graphics on my own too.

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Great interview - come an take a look at Tara's shop and of course, come on back and leave a comment for Tara!

FEATURED ARTIST

We have an artist that works in a very different medium - fragrance. I would like you to meet




Here is our interview with Karina -

Briefly describe what you make?

My name is Karina, and I live in New York City although I'm originally from Toronto Canada. I moved to the States in 2003, and love living in such a dynamic and exciting place like New York! My American-born husband, Richard, helps out greatly with my shop and has now become a soap addict too.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I love working with different fragrance oils and blending "odd" ones together to create a fantastic new scent. There's something wonderful about a buyer smelling my soap at a show and going "Oh wow this smells REALLY good" --- to give them a scent combo they wouldn't have perhaps experienced elsewhere is very special to me.

How long have you been creating craft?

Since 2001...I went full-time with Soap That Makes Scents in 2006.

How did you get started?

I went to England on a business trip, and in-between banquets and conferences, it became pretty boring just hanging around the hotel. I discovered a soap-making class not too far away and went on a whim just to have something to do. I didn't believe in love at first sight until then. After I returned to Canada (where I'm originally from) I took a few more locally-based workshops as well as some business classes, and my dream began.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

I would love to say that I thought long and hard about this and then had a great vision in the middle of the night as it would make a fantastic story..but, alas, it was just a moment of quick brainstorming one rainy afternoon. The name definately fits, wouldn't you say?

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

A bar of soap is the simplest and most environment-loving way to get yourself clean.
At Soap That Makes Scents, we believe in minimal packaging. We believe in small batches to ensure freshness. And we believe that using high-quality ingredients should not mean that we have to sacrifice low pricing for you.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Do not expect a flock of buyers in your store the moment you list your first item. Networking is extremely important all of the time, but even moreso in the beginning stages of your business. It does take time to build a customer base, and things won't happen magically overnight no matter how original and exciting your items are. Promote to your target audience instead of just everywhere you can---you'll save a lot of time, energy and money this way.
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Very different and a craft product that everyone has a use for - and great gift items too! Come and take a look at this shop - and then come on back here and leave a comment for Karina!

FEATURED ARTIST

Here is a artist making very nice decorative pillows for your home. Come and meet



Here is our interview with the artist, Cheryl -

Briefly describe what you make?

My name is Cheryl and I have a passion for pillows. I design and sew decorative pillows in small collections to ensure a quality one-of-a-kind pillow. I also have a children, tween and teen line. I have a signature “pocket” that I have used on many of my children’s pillows and expanded into my pocket stockings for people and pets. I like the idea of having little extra hiding places for notes, etc. My original design, the Sleep-n-Stash Pillow, takes this to the extreme by having a complete internal “secret” pocket. This was originally made for a soldier’s return to Iraq to keep his letters and photos inside. Now it is popular from children to teens to stash their special items inside; trading cards, music players, etc.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I love working with many types of fabric from decorative to soft fleece and flannel. My process starts when I place all of my fabric on my cutting table and start matching up the complimenting fabrics and begin dreaming up its design. I like to have some traditional sizes and styles and end up with a few “wow” pillows.

How long have you been creating craft?

I have been happily designing for 6 years now. This all began after I was searching store after store for pillows for my sofa. The pillows were uninteresting, weren't the right color and of poor quality. So, I decided to make my own. I received so many compliments that I began a business creating one-of-a-kind decorative pillows.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

The name is literal, I step into my sewing studio, take a look around and my stress melts away and I am then “inspired”. Sewn Inspirations.

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

I want to make a difference in the way you view your home. I believe that by adding a few pillows to your sofa, beds & chairs, you can create a whole new look without the high cost of buying new furniture. I design, sew and deliver the pillows right to your doorstep, all without the hassle of searching numerous stores for the "perfect" accessory. All you need to do is decide which style and size best suits you and the quantity needed to make your room look distinctive.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Once you find your passion, do what it takes to keep it in your life. I have done at-home parties, craft shows, selling in brick and mortar stores, my own website and Etsy. If you find a perfect location for your craft, approach the owner. Every owner I have approached, has accepted my offer.

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Great interview and really nice work. You must see this shop! Then - come back here and leave a comment and let this artist know your appreciation for her work - then go buy something nice! Nice gift ideas, too!