Monday, April 30, 2007

Featured Artist of the Week

This week's featured artist is actually two artists - two SISTERS who work together.



Here is their interview -

Briefly describe what you make?

We are sisters who make handcrafted treasures for women and children.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

Love working with felt and fabrics (preferably decorating fabrics because they are more durable.

How long have you been creating craft?

We have been crafting since childhood; having a very creative mother was helpful.

How did you get started?

Mom

Where does the name of your shop come from?

Mahalo is a Hawaiian word meaning "Thank you" or "Be in divine breath" We love Hawaii and wanted something unique and beautiful.

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

Each project is fun for us. If it weren't fun we would probably stop doing it. We also want everyone to know that 10% of our profits go to an organization known as Winghaven. Winghaven rescues women and children from domestic abuse and cares for their emotional/spiritual and physical needs for an entire year. www.winghaven.org

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Keep God and family first in your life!

____________________

These talented sisters are making wonderful tote bags, purses, children's puppets, and more. Visit their shop at Etsy and see their work. As always your comments are welcome here!

While at Etsy, be sure to visit




Sunday, April 22, 2007

Featured Artist of the Week

Our featured artist of the week is TANISALEXIS. She has two on-line locations, one of which is her Etsy shop that she shares with Babs Bird from London -



and the other is her own website - www.tanisalexis.com

This shop is shared with another artist. Our features are going to take a different direction from now on and we are going to present an interview with our featured artist - and let the artists speak for themselves!

We are speaking with Tanis -

WHAT DO YOU MAKE?

I make art. I love to paint and draw, my first mediums, and like to keep my hands busy. Fibre art & handmade felt have been a recent adventure for me in creativity.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

Naturals;
Fibre- wools, veggie fibres, silks, curly locks-
Wood, glass, stone, paper,
metal, leather, plant, mineral,
recycled, reclaimed, re-loved, thrifted, salvaged, vintage
colours, paint, inks, dyes, & I never leave home without a black felt tip pen.

How long have you been creating craft?

For as long as I can remember I’ve had a pencil, piece of paper, or a paintbrush in my hand. Both of my parents were artists and designers, so I’ve had the creativity-bug in me since I was very young.

How did you get started?

I think it was an inevitable and gradual process. I attended a high school for the arts, took design/visual communications in college, and spent a few years of wandering about the world travelling, working in art departments for film & t.v, retail window display & events coordination. I wound up on the west coast of Canada where I met my husband; he encouraged me to follow my dreams to be an independent artist. I launched my online portfolio, www.tanisalexis.com in 2005. and it’s been a dream come true since.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

www.mwahcreations.etsy.com
Mwah! Creations was opened by Babs Bird, of London, U.K. in 2005. I am the Canadian half of this ‘international venture’.
Babs and I met online a few years ago and have been very close friends since. We’ve never met in person (yet~) but that doesn’t stop us from co-running an etsy shop together. We collaborate through the mail & online, and have a synch in our own personal tastes that jive together--plus Babs has a seriously dark and wicked humour to boot so she keeps me laughing.
The Meaning of Mwah Creations; I think Babs and I have a big love for each other and for being creative. We sign a lot of our correspondence to each other with a big Mwah! xoxo
I’d like to believe our shop name sounds like two friends sharing our love with you through our creative goods.

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

My work comes through me, not from me.

If I create a piece, I usually have a sense of knowing that there is someone, somewhere, out there that the piece already belongs to.

If my work inspires hope and joy in others, and I can continue to be a full-time artist, I am eternally grateful.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Always trust yourSelf.
and never take yourself too seriously.

____________________

Tanis's work is beautiful. Follow the links and take a look. Visit shared Etsy shop and treat yourself to art!

While visiting etsy, also stop and look at

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Featured Artist to Take on New FORMAT

Starting next Sunday our Featured Artist of the Week will take on an interview format. We are going to let our featured artists speak for themselves! Make sure you check in and see who will be the first!

Sunday, April 8, 2007

Featured Artist of the Week

Our featured artist of the week is



Lane Designs is run by a very talented artist who makes the most wonderful bags, purses, and other fabric accessories for women. The work is very unique and deserves your attention. Please visit
www.lanedesigns.etsy.com

While you are at Etsy also stop by and visit



Come and read this site every week for a new featured artist and shop!

Friday, April 6, 2007

Silhouettes

I have been cutting silhouettes and sherenschnitten (German for paper cutttings) for many years. My work has been exhibited in many locations and has won many awards. There is a traveling exhibit of my paper cuttings called "Shadows in Time" that has been showing for several years and moves from exhibit space to exhibit space monthly.

Most of my silhouettes are large and include several elements of people in various situations of life. Some are family scenes, some are military-related, and some are political in nature. The sherenschnitten are nature related and are composed of animals, plants, or both. Due to the complex nature of these cuttings and their large size they sell for a great deal of money.

Recently I decided that I would like to offer my silhouettes in a more affordable format and have begun to create them in the popular Artist Trading Card medium. The first of these is currently for sale for just $13.00 at my etsy shop - Q Branch Ltd. This is what it looks like



This has been drawn and cut by hand. The silhouette is then inked black - in the 19th Century manner and then dry mounted on the backing paper. This is then dry mounted on heavy mat board and is protected by a removable poly envelope.  This is truly a one of a kind work of original art. It is made affordable by its size and my desire to bring my work to collectors with limited budgets.

Sunday, April 1, 2007

Featured Artist of the Week - Elegant Scarf


Our featured shop of the week is Elegant Scarf. This is an Etsy shop and an artist who specializes in crochet scarves. These scarves are, as the name, states elegant. They are also fashionable and chic. Some are designed for warmth and pretty. Others make a beautiful fashion accessory. Take a look at this shop. We are certain that you will agree.

While at Etsy, take a moment to drop by and see us too!