FEATURED ARTIST

We have an artist who creates something that we have not had before on this site - come and meet



Here is our interview with the artist, Kathy -

Briefly describe what you make?

I have recently discovered my passion for cross stitched greeting cards for any occasion, birthday, thinking of you, baby, congratulations, and most holidays.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I enjoy working with the small cross stitch patterns that nicely stitch on 14 count aida cloth. I mostly enjoy the white and ivory coloured cloth and anchor floss for my projects. Soon I may need to add "glasses" to my ever growing supplies as it can be tedious work at times!

How long have you been creating craft?

I have been cross stitching since 1999.

How did you get started?

I got started on holidays in Florida with cousins of ours. MInd you the cousins that taught me to stitch were an eleven year old and her eight year old little sister! It is something I was always interested in so in one afternoon these two little girls started my passion for cross stitching.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

My shop name is not exciting at all! I joined up just as a curiosity and did not realize at the time I was stuck with this boring KCowie shop name. Though once inside my shop I'd like to go by created4U, maybe one day I will be able to change it.

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

I would want people to know the amount of work and hours that actually go into one of those little cards and that is BEFORE I turn it into the greeting card. It takes a great deal on concentration to complete a pattern, but I love it anyways.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

My advice to others is do not get too attached to a piece of work you have done. I know it can be hard to part with it but in order to succeed you must not get too involved with the piece. Just close your eyes tight when you mail it off I find this often helps! Most of all enjoy what you are doing and the satisfaction it brings when someone likes it enough to purchase.

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Kathy does nice work. Come and take a look at her shop and then head back on over to here and leave a comment for Kathy!

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Like embroidery? Here is something else to take a look at!

FEATURED ARTIST

We have a glass artist to meet. You will enjoy getting to know






Here is our interview with the artist, Steena -

Briefly describe what you make?

I specialize in fused glass bowls, platters, and trays. Fused glass is considered “warm glass” work meaning it is fired in a kiln to usually no more than 1450 degrees. To fuse glass two or more pieces of glass are cut, shaped, ground and cleaned into the desired shape and pattern. Then these pieces are fused together in the kiln. The fused piece is now placed over a mold and put back into the kiln to be “slumped” into the mold shape.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I use Bullseye Glass exclusively for my work. Bullseye makes beautiful glass that is specially designed for fusing. It always turns out lovely. I have worked with many mediums in art throughout my life, but glass is by far my favorite. Its versatility and wide array of colors is wonderful to work with.

How did you get started?

My love of glass goes back many years. During a college trip to Europe, I became fascinated with the stained glass in the cathedrals. Upon returning home, I took my first class in glasswork and learned how to make stained glass windows. This served as a wonderful introduction to the world of glass art. From there I began to learn glass bead making and became intrigued by the amazing transformation that takes place in glass once heat is applied. These glass beads became parts of handmade jewelry that I gave to friends and occasionally sold at small craft fairs. A cross-country move and new neighbors served as my introduction to fused glass. My new neighbors commented on a glass bead necklace I had made which turned into a discussion about kiln formed glass. My neighbor’s mother taught fused glass. We talked about my fascination with glass she suggested I try one of her mother’s classes. I signed up for her class and was immediately captivated by kiln formed glass. Shortly after the class, I purchased my first small kiln and began perfecting the art of fused glass in my basement. After several years, I decided to relocate back to the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle area is renowned for its glass art and is a wonderful location to continue to pursue fused glass.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

I had a cat many years ago who would sit with me while I made stained glass windows. He was fascinated by the glass and the way the light reflected on it. Also, this cat was quite large. He would sit up next to me with his back legs straight out and his front paws to the sides. His large belly would spill over to the sides and this reminded me of the laughing Buddha pose. When I started my shop, I wanted to honor my now deceased kitty who hung out with me on my first glass projects.

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

Most people do not allow themselves to do more than look at glass art, perceiving glass only to be something fragile that must be admired from afar. To me, glass should not be just a flat object experienced only with the eyes--glass is beautiful both seen and touched. For this reason, I endeavor to take fused glass from a two-dimensional object to a three-dimensional experience. To achieve this, I add glass dots, which are tack fused onto the glass base, adding both dimension and texture. My glass dots come from pattern bars that I have built, fired, cut into pieces on a tile saw, and re-fired into dots, creating tactile embellishments for my fused glass pieces

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Make the art you like, not what you think will sell. Your art will find its audience.

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Glass is an ancient art and Steena does it so well! Go now and take a look at Budha Kitty Glass Then come back and tell this artist how much you appreciate the work!

FEATURED ARTIST

Here is a fiber artist from Canada doing something a bit different. Come and meet



Here is our interview with the artist, Sarah

Briefly describe what you make?

I design and sew toys and accessories from recycled wools and cottons—plush dolls, mostly, mittens and pouches, all with hand-embroidery. The dolls, aka “Beasts” come in two sizes: the small ones (about 5” tall) fit snug in a hand and larger ones (about 10”) tuck nicely under an arm.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I’m a scavenger at heart (part hawk, I figure) and love upcycled textiles. I find 100% wool sweaters from thrift shops and shrink them. Cotton flosses and wool yarns are for ornamental embroidery. I avoid synthetics and polyesters as much as possible. Friends drop off their inherited button jars and mistakenly shrunked sweaters, so my stock is growing.

How long have you been creating craft?

I’ve been crafting things since my first dandelion wreath in the sandbox, but since then I studied at art college where I made drawings and ceramics. I taught high school art and now I’m home raising kids. I learned to sew and embroider as a child (my mom was a prolific quilter) and returned to the craft a few years ago.

How did you get started?

The sewing sprang from the need for a birthday gift for my mom, who’s in a nursing home and unable to talk, read, or do much of anything independently. I wanted to give her something small and soft that she could hold and feel my love. I tried sewing a heart from fabric but it wasn’t good enough, I thought, (the first one was really ugly) so I made about a dozen more until I could get it right. I learned about felting wool along the way. I love the freedom of cutting and sewing felted materials—it’s very immediate and almost all your work shows—there are few hidden seams. There’s something honest and upfront about that.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

A “wildebeest” is a gnu, but literally means “wild beast”. I slipped “wool” into the name as a nod to both my material and the goofiness of the plushies’ personalities. Or maybe it’s me who’s the wooldebeast!

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

I’m inspired by the concept of comfort dolls—knitted donations for kids in Africa who have lost loved ones. Comfort dolls are packed in place of Styrofoam chips for HIV-AIDs medication. I made and sent one via I-Cross Canada a few years ago and loved the small scale of the doll. Sewing with recycled wools suits me better than knitting but I still like the idea of the beasts as gifts for anyone in need of a smile or comfort.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Tip 1: Take time to play, to develop a personal style. Experiment. Make some stuff you’d never sell.

Tip 2: Be careful not to smudge your work with the remains of your chocolate stash.

Tip 3: You can find time to make things in strange places. I hand embroider on long car trips, for instance.

Tip 4: Don’t drop straight pins under the table where your husband puts his feet.

Tip 5: Inspiration comes from the most unlikely of places—a faded decal on an antique teacup, maybe. Be ready for it.

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Go right now and visit Wooldebeast - and then come back and tell Sarah what you think!

FEATURED ARTIST

We have a painter to feature this week. Come and meet



Here is our interview with the artist, Amanda -


Briefly describe what you make?

I create original paintings with acrylics in addition to creating mixed media/2D art that has a modern vibe to it but can suit itself in different types of decor as well.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

Acrylics. Although I have not tried oils to date I am totally happy with what I can achieve with acrylics. With 3 kids I have a limited working time so acrylics accomodate that as well. I love working with different gel mediums as well it helps to create the type of texture I desire. Also, I have brought in using papers and really enjoying that route right now plus they are upcycled. I rescued an almost bin bound wallpaper sample book from a local paint shop and use that a lot in my 2D pictures.

How long have you been creating art?

I have had a love of drawing as far back as I can remember! If I wasn't drawing or painting I was doing some sort of arts related thing from sewing, beading, crafting, modelling and professional acting. Infact, I acted professionally since I was 14 with jobs in commercials, movies and various roles in TV series, but again, I have 3 wonderful kids and the amount of hours away from them just wasn't worth it. No matter how much money I could make, no amount would ever buy time back! With this and a series of other events that happened in my life is what brought me back to painting.

How did you get started?

I started getting more serious about selling my paintings after incurring a large stock pile of them from painting so much. The biggest challenge for me to get over was fear! (Crazy huh!? ) But it first kept me from even painting for a while because of all the what ifs...what if it's no good, what if I lost my touch, what if this and what if that. I had people always encouraging me and asking if I was persuing my art and I realized that I had been given a talent to share and use, not to waste! Many sales later through both Ebay and Etsy I have shared my art with people throughout North America and just recently, in Europe as well! These people would have never been able to enjoy my art on their walls if I had stayed in fear and done nothing.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

The name of my shop is simply my last name - Park. Add the art studio on the end and there you have it. I still wanted my store name to represent me but when I googled Amanda Park it is strangely an actual place in Washington! Look it up for yourself.

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

I want people to know that my work is created with passion! I love what I do and in everything I do, I will do it to the best of my ability. That is how I was raised. I will keep tweaking a painting for days and even months until I am satisfied with how it looks. It is frustrating getting to that point sometimes, but so rewarding to see the finished product.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Get around people that will encourage you in what you want to do and DO NOT let fear of rejection get in the way. A great quote from the king of hockey ( I am Canadian so I think everyone here knows this one ) Wayne Gretzky is - " You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. " So true. Look for different ways to get yourself out there and stay positive.

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Fabulous! Please come and take a look now at this shop and then come on back and let Amanda know what you think!