FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

Returning to our articles on great photographers selling their work on-line, I bring you



On Etsy, she is known as xenya, her real name is Julie. Here is our interview with Julie -

Briefly describe what you make?

I dabble in a variety of things, but photography is my main focus. Specifically, photography of urban exploration.

How long have you been creating craft?

I've been into something all my life. I'm a published writer, but the photography bug hit me about 2 years ago. It's become a passion.

How did you get started?

I've always liked taking photos, especially when I traveled. Then when I discovered urban exploration, I began to work with photography seriously.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

"Forgotten Beauty" is the focus of what I photograph. I seek out all the abandoned places that sit rotting and I document their decay. These places usually have a long history and a sort of soul. I try to capture that soul. There is a lot of beauty to be found in these old hospitals and rotting buildings that people have forgotten. For the most part, they sit abandoned due to the cost of cleanup. A lot of them are riddled with asbestos, mold and other nastiness that is expensive to clean up.

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

I love my work. I love what I do, and exploring these places. I get somewhat protective over them, as most urban explorers do. If someone is looking to photograph these places, be safe above all else. Never go alone, and be careful of rotting floors, caved in ceilings, squatters and gangs, and of course the biohazards I've already mentioned. These places are not safe and I do not recommend going to them.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

If you love what you do, it will show through your work. Keep at it and eventually it will pay off. If you don't love what you do, that shows also, so keep that in mind.

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You will see some very unusual and stunning photography at this shop. Please make a point right now to visit xenya!

FEATURED ARTIST

This week I want to feature a graphic artist that I have come across who has taken her design talent and written a children's book incorporating her art with a story about her little girl. This little girl is adopted. The book is the story of her adoption and her travels from China to the United States. The title of the book is Born from the Heart.

This is so special that I am foregoing my usual interview format to tell you what I have learned about this artist and this book. First of all, the book is, at the present time, self-published. Several publishers have expressed interest in the book but until one of them buys the rights to publish the book the artist, Barbara Lynn Greif, has had the book professionally printed from a book printer using off-set printing presses. As Ms. Greif told me, this book is not a computer generated, softbound glue up but a professionally typeset and press printed with a hard cover, saddle stitched binding. The book is of the quality that you will find at any bookstore.

Ms. Greif tells me that she drew and colored each illustration and wrote the story. She said that it was a story that she had to tell and share. This is a child that she did not give birth to the usual way but this child is born from her heart - an emotional experience as intense as if she had natural childbirth.

The book has been selling in local bookshops and children's stores. Ms. Greif wanted to expand distribution of the book and opened a shop on Etsy. This is a unique shop and right now only sells this book and nothing else. Ms. Grief is autographing each book that she sells on Etsy.



The story is enduring, cute, and funny. There is an encounter in the book between this little girl (who Ms. Greif tells me came to her family at 15 months) and a pregnant woman in a department store that is very funny. She tells me that this really happened.

Ms. Greif hopes that anyone with an adopted child or who is thinking of adopting a child will read her book. The book is perfect to teach children about adoption. Schools and religious groups will find this book a welcome addition to their library for children.

I highly recommend BORN FROM THE HEART and hope that you will visit Barbara Greif's Etsy shop and see the quality of the book and its illustrations - and make a purchase!

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

The next in our Featured Photographers with an on-line shop is Tina. Tina is also a member of Photographers of Etsy (P.O.E.) and here shop is



Here is our interview with Tina!

Briefly describe what you make?

I offer mainly photographic prints in my shop at the moment. There are also a handful of select photos that I have turned into Scrabble tile pendants. As I continue to grow, I hope to add more frameable art, home decor, accessories, cards, etc. There really is no limit to what you can do with a good photo! Recently I purchased a much nicer camera than what I used to take the pictures in my shop currently, so I look forward to offering larger sizes as well as more artistic compositions.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I seem to have a penchant for macro (close-up) photography versus landscapes and such. It really depends on what I'm looking at, but I find that sometimes a picture can be more interesting if you cut away the visual noise around the image or object and really capture the essence of it. It's also a good way to focus on detail and color. I do also love a good story that can be told by the everyday candid images you can see, as well. An object lying on the ground out of its element... A random mess made from cooking... things like that. Recently, I acquired a Kodak Duaflex camera to get in on the amazing through-the-viewfinder (TTV) shots that are out there. Sometimes the nostalgic feel the shots give me makes me all giddy on the inside.

How long have you been creating craft?

I've been fascinated by photography for as long as I can remember, but really got more drawn to it about twenty years ago when my dad bought a nice SLR camera when I was young. I'm still working to make sense of all the technical aspects, like aperture, lighting, etc. That's the stubborn, impatient, left-side of my brain not cooperating. I think that's also why I'm more drawn to macro shots; there's less to think about!

How did you get started?

I had a collection of nice shots taken on some trips to Asia that people seemed to like. I already had a more traditionally crafty shop on Etsy, so I decided to just open a second one and see if people liked what they saw. I'm just now doing a bit more to promote it and be visible, but I know that photography can be a hard sell. I just got accepted into the Photographers of Etsy street team, and am confident that will be a great step, even if just for encouragement and inspiration.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

My shop name is actually a spin-off of my main store on Etsy, scatterbox. Scatterbox is what I use as sort of the umbrella name for my creative projects (I also just opened an artsy shop called sketchbox). I wanted the names to be cohesive, which is why they are similar. Scatterbox actually just popped into my head one day and turned out to be quite appropriate. I can tend to be a little scatterbrained at times, and the right side of my noggin seems to always have bits, pieces, and fragments of ideas floating around. VERY scattered. So I get excited when some of them actually come together and form an idea!

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

First, that it is evolving. One of the plans I have for the shop is to feature more series or prints that have themes that I can work off of. I can think of numerous ones, so hopefully the variety will keep the interest there. Above all, though, I would love for people to see something unique in them; something they may not see elsewhere, or have even just one picture that they can look at and say, "Wow."

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

It would be advice that I struggle sometimes to keep in the forefront of my mind, as well: Do what you love. Don't rush things - it will come together in time. And don't be afraid.

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Great interview! YOU must go now and see Tina's SHOP!

While you are there stop over and see us at Past Perfect too!

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

This interview begins a first in a series of photographers who are selling their work on Etsy. There is a team group on the ETSY site called POE - Photographers of Etsy. The photographers that we will feature in the coming weeks are all members of that team.

Our first photographer is Jaimee and her shop is



Here is our interview with Jaimee -

Briefly describe what you make?

I basically create whatever it is that pops into my head the moments before I fall asleep. It’s soothing to me to think of new creations (as much as it keeps me awake into the wee hours of the night). It depends on what type of mood I had been in that day but the things I create are usually connected to some sort of happy memory or feeling. A lot of my pieces remind me of a place I’ve traveled or a childhood memory. As far as my prints over at Modern Classics: Prints, they’re more on the fluff side…usually when I’m in the mood to shop.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I work in a variety of mediums from wire and wool, pen and ink to camera and computer…whatever it takes to get the job done. My favorite medium changes with my moods. I had been on a huge knitting/crocheting kick all of last year but as of late, I’m loving my sketch book and pencils and my camera the best. I can take them with me wherever I go and work whenever the moment moves me. I’ve just recently began using my computer to edit and digitally color my pieces. I find it extremely liberating to alter colors with the click of a button.

How long have you been creating craft?

I was born with the “creative bug” I suppose. I can’t remember a time when I was completely content with a piece of paper and some crayons. I’m always interested in learning how to use new mediums and techniques to bring out what I’m feeling inside…be it illustration, photography, crafting. In High School, I won a small art scholarship which gave me the push to continue in that direction. In adoration of my art teacher, I took her advice and attended her Alma Mater, Kutztown University. I went with the intentions of majoring in Sculpture but once exposed to so many other options, I wound up switching to Textiles. It was hard for me to pick one area to focus on (as you can see from my array of shops), I just love to create in any way possible.

How did you get started?

I suppose I owe that to my family! It’s full of creativity…my Grandmother (the knitter/crocheter), my Mother (the Sketcher) and my Father (the Photographer). They’ve always encouraged me to be creative and taught me a great deal of what I know. Now a days, it’s the thought of free time that gets my mind racing. Being a mother of a four year old is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love every second of it. It’s only recently that I’m finding myself with some spare time, as he goes off to Nursery School and wants to have playdates. I’m finding I have more “ME” time and forgot what it was like. Now I can’t stop myself!

Where does the name of your shop come from?

To be completely honest , I made up the name Modern Classics on a whim wanting to have professional labels made for my earlier work. I was so overzealous that I ordered 3000 of them! So, until those labels are used up…the name is Modern Classics everything!

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

I suppose the most important thing to have people know is that it’s personal. Everything I create is a part of me from the whimsical pair of earrings, to my jovial Children’s Alphabet Series, to my Macro shots. It’s my happiness coming out to be shared with others.

What words of advice to you have for others?

I think the most important thing to remember is that if it makes you happy, people will see that and enjoy it as much as you do. Don’t get swayed by criticism, feed off of it!

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Great interview! Wonderful photography. You must go right now and visit this SHOP!

And while you are at Etsy there is more great photography to see at Past Perfect.

Featured Artist

These artists make so many cute things - come and meet this cooperative of artists called



Here is our interview with one of the artists - Michele!

Describe what you make?

Since we are a Collective, we make many different things. Joanie makes the Caterpillar Fur items, and is branching out into making knitted toys. I make Sockmonkeys, knitted and soft toys. crochet items and knitted shawls. Juanita makes the most wonderful embilished hats. Sadly at the present she is going to school full time, so hasn't made any for us in awhile. Together we also make anything else that catches our fancy. It's all just a bit of whimsy.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

We adore anything of a textile nature. Yarns, wool, fabrics of all sorts. Between us we have enough stashed stuff just in yarns and fabrics to open a small store.

How long have you been creating craft?

Each of us has been crafting for about 30 years.

How did you get started?

I started and learned to knit at a Rennaisance Faire many years ago, as part of an Audience iteraction gig. As well as spinning wool from scratch on an about a 250 year old Giant Walking wheel.

Joanie and Jaunita are part of the same Guild. We love to act together, and all have a passion for our respective crafts. It was just a natural progression that we went in together in this venture.


Where does the name of your shop come from?

The name came from the first knitted toy I ever made. The color of the wool yarn was Rosewood. Which also became the name of the item. Rosewood became our shop mascot.

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

We're old fashioned girls. We love to make things with our hands. We put the same love and attention into the work we do for others, as we would do for ourselves. Often the items we make become gifts for our friends and families.

Sometimes our friends and families just come over and take what we make. For example my two hat snatching grown daughters!

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Always do your homework on any new venture. Market research, keywords, price and cost analysis are all very important. Have a plan, and a road map. Otherwise you just start to spin your wheels,and get frustrated.

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So great. This is our first cooperative featured! Their shop is terrific. VISIT it now!

Featured Artist

This featured artist is in Canada and she makes beautiful creations that are useful as much as they are pretty. Come and meet -



Here is our interview with the artist, Beth -

Briefly describe what you make?

I hand paint household objects everything from telephones to toilet seats.I love taking boring everyday household items and giving them beauty.I also paint on canvas,my favorite things to paint are butterflies,birds,spiders,animal prints and silhouettes of people.I am working on some canvas paintings right now that will be added to my Etsy shop soon.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I use mainly acrylic paint,enamel or fabric depending on the surface i am working on.Because i paint on so many different things i have a very,very large paint cupboard as most items have their own type of paint to be used.

How long have you been creating craft?

I have been painting for about 7 years on and off.

How did you get started?

I have always envisioned how something would look painted from the time i was young,i would see background color and all the different shades in my head.I have always had a great love for art,but did not attempt to paint until about 7 years ago.I am a self taught painter and think it shows when i paint on canvas as i break every rule to painting there probly ever was.But it does make my work unique.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

My shop name CanadianCreationz Canadian-i am canadian Creationz-i create it was the first name that popped in my head when i was thinking up a name and i just thought it had a nice flow to it.

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

I love what i do and get the greatest enjoyment out of every second.When i am painting i am truly happy.Creating my new ideas or even someone elses gives me great pleasure,and i always love a new challenge.I paint household items for fun and i paint most of my canvas pictures more seriously,but still get the same satisfaction in the end result.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

The first thing i ever officially attempted painting on as an artist was a pickle jar,i used dollar store brushes and paint and it looked quite awful when i was finished.But i loved how the brush flowed the paint almost as if straight from my thoughts.My mind opened so wide i felt as is i had found a whole new world.And i had,creating is a world of its own no matter what it is you make its the most wonderful way to express yourself.I still have my ugly painted pickle jar and will keep it always to remind myself as long as i love what i am doing it is all worth it.The most important thing is to enjoy yourself.

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Now, go and look at Beth's great SHOP!