FEATURED ARTIST

Our new feature is a shop on Etsy that is a must see for new mothers or anyone needing a gift for a new mama. Here is



Come and meet the artist, Amy -

Briefly describe what you make?

I make a variety of items, just based on whatever idea strikes me, or something I see that inspires me. I started up shop in April of this year with some Baby Bodysuits & cute boutique Baby Wipes Clutches, but have since branched out into Drink Coasters, and beautiful Sparkling Hair Pins & Hair Blossoms. I use only the best designer fabrics, Swarovski crystals, and other ingredients for my items.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

My favorite right now are my Wipes Clutches & my Sparkling Hair Pins...I've found them almost addictive! Every time I see a cool fabric, or a pretty finding, I rush home from work to start making something new. My head swirls with ideas constantly!

How long have you been creating craft?

I have been creating things for friends and family just about forever, but I just decided to open up shop in April. I just couldn't find the right outlet before, but when I found Etsy, I knew I had found a new home for my shop!

How did you get started?

My desire to create started long long ago, as a little girl. My Mom used to sew beautiful things for us to wear, so it started with sewing little projects of my own, cutting patterns, picking materials. I then moved on in college to creating gift baskets for weddings of my friends and family using my crafting skills & premium gifts, but couldn't find a way to translate that into a business that would work for me. I then started making baby gifts, including my Bodysuits & Night Lights for friends & family, and people told me I should set up shop so it would be easier for them to purchase things to give, and to tell others about my items. So in April, I opened up my Etsy shop, and have had so much fun since then!

Where does the name of your shop come from?

One of my other favorite things to do is work in my garden, and though I have many favorite flowers, Camellias are one of the most hardy and beautiful that I grow. When I decided to open up shop, I wanted something that reflected not only who I am, and what I love, but something beautiful and sort of catchy. The Pink Camellia was inspired by my "In The Pink" Camellia plants, a gorgeous hot pink ruffled Camellia. I tossed it around for a few days, and the name just sort of stuck.

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

I would mostly like to say that my work is a labor of love. I don't sell anything I wouldn't be happy to buy or give myself, and I'm proud of every single item I've created. Each item to me is special, and I work extremely hard to make sure they are of the best quality. I also take pride in keeping my prices affordable to just about everyone. There's nothing better than giving a gift that is original, and can't just be picked up at the local big box store! Nobody else will have what you have purchased!

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

My advice for other artists would be to just follow your heart. Sometimes you create something and think nobody else will be able to see what your inspiration was, or nobody else will love it as much as you. I have to say that I have been proven wrong every time! We are always our own harshest critic, and I think people need to believe in themselves and in their own talents, and share them!

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Great interview!!! Come and see this shop! Leave some comments for Amy!

FEATURED ARTIST

This featured artist creates all types of beautiful hair bows and has a shop on Etsy! Come and meet



Here is our interview with the artist -

Briefly describe what you make?

I make luxury headbands and hair accessories for fashion minded women. They're eye-catching and are crafted to stand out in super thick, curly, or kinky hair. Definitely not your standard everyday hair accessories! These are for your divas, drama queens, fashionistas, pin-ups, and glam girls.

What materials do you enjoy working with the most?

I definitely have a tulle addiction! The other day, my baby niece found a scrap of tulle in my pocket. She held it up and said "princess?" That's exactly how I think of tulle. It's so feminine and dreamy. Even though it's light and airy, it has the ability to make a elegant, regal statement.

How long have you been creating craft?

I've been doing crafts since I was a child. My mother is a fine art painter (marvalousartandtile.etsy.com) and always encouraged me to explore my creative side. I was even named for a famous fashion designer. Naturally, I studied fashion design in school and now I use those couture elements in my hair accessories.

How did you get started?

When I started wearing my hair in an afro, I couldn't find any hair accessories striking enough to stand out in my big cloud of hair. I began making my own and then friends of mine encouraged me to start a shop on etsy.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

My friends and I wanted a name that would reflect the high fashion aspect of the hair accessories. You can buy headbands anywhere, but we wanted to differentiate ourselves from the competition by highlighting it's runway style. After brainstorming, we settled on the haute sounding "La Petite Boutique de Bandeaux."

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

I realize what it's like to get a brand new shiny headband only to have it shatter apart after it's first use. That's why at La Petite Boutique de Bandeaux, we use quality materials from around the globe. Our headbands are made from a study yet flexible metal wrapped in satin ribbon, tulle, organza for comfort. You won't find any cheap plastics here!

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Finding a mentor has been key for me. You can always learn from someone more experienced than yourself.

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You have got to come to this shop and see these hair bows!

FEATURED ARTIST

This feature is on a jewelery craftsperson on Etsy. Come an meet



Here is our interview with the artist, Lindsay -

Briefly describe what you make?

I create one of a kind beautiful pieces of jewelry. My jewelry is vintage inspired and created using repurposed vintage materials in combination with other lovely beads and gemstones. Because of this, each piece is very unique and is made with a great deal of love.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

Obviously, I'm a jewelry maker, so I love working with beads, but my favorite thing to do is the days that I go to antique stores or go rummaging through my grandmother's old jewelry to find unique vintage components to use in my jewelry creations. Some of my favorite non-vintage materials to work with are turquoise and freshwater pearls. I love anything with pearls. ♥

How long have you been creating craft?

I have always loved arts and crafts from the time I was very young. When I was little, I could sit for hours and just color in a coloring book or draw pretty pictures to go on the refrigerator. I loved craft time at school when most kids would have rather been on the playground. Though I've loved crafts almost since the time of birth, I have only been creating jewelry for around 6 years.

How did you get started?

I got started creating jewelry after searching for a unique Christmas present for my sister one year. I ended up making her 10 pairs of earrings. After that, my friends and her friends started asking for them and I realized that this could become a business for me. I began to sell only earrings in boutiques and salons in my hometown. Now, my jewelry line has expanded to include necklaces and bracelets as well.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

The name of my shop came from the idea that while each piece is unique and one of a kind, it also represents me. I have never made a piece of jewelry that I wouldn't personally wear, so you are getting a good sample of my style by looking at my shop.

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

I want people to know that my work is not just a business to me. It is something that I absolutely love doing. I take pride in every piece. Honestly, it's hard to decide which pieces to sell and which to keep for myself because I love my work so much.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

If your craft is something that you love, don't give up just because you aren't selling as much as you like. Loving what you do is the most important thing.

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Come visit a great shop! The jewelery has a vintage look and "retro" is hot!

FEATURED ARTIST

Here is another great artist and shop on Etsy. I want to introduce you to



Come meet the artist!

Briefly describe what you make?

I'm a fashion design student, still learning about many creative possibilities, I make all kinds of cute accessories, at a low to mid-low price range :) This includes Kawaii origami handfolded earrings, Handpainted wooden jewelry pieces (my current favorite: The Salima Earrings), and clutches (designed by me, very unique, and texturally intriguing).

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I ADORE fabric, it is my pleasure to incorporate and play with fabric in as many ways as possible. I use fabric scraps in jewelry as a creative eco-friendly way to add interest, in my bag designs, you will sometimes find cute and funky elements (in one of my designs I incorporate the elastic part of a floral sheet as a detail on the back). I also really enjoy origami, I just find it so adorable!

How long have you been creating craft?

I am still young, I have been sewing for maybe only 5 years? I actually did not start making jewelry until this summer, but I feel that I am learning quickly, cannot wait to get back to school to learn more techniques and ideas :)

How did you get started?

I got started by just taking sewing classes at school, my interest was then furthered when my parents bought me a Husquvarna Viking a few years ago. Everytime I learn a new technique, I feel that I create one more "dimension" into which my work can expand, I love mixing ideas. Took a class at school this year based on painting, and am now enjoying being able to use those abilities to make jewelery :)

Where does the name of your shop come from?

Honestly, there is no real amazing story. When I was a little bit younger my mom stressed the importance of not using numbers in my Flickr account name, she said "Just pick two things you love". We had recently been on a trip to China, which I found to be just beautiful (no really, I am slightly obsessed), and I have a problem with my love of the color blue (I currently own 13 blue dresses, some of which I made myself). Blue wasn't really very interesting so I went with Azure, and AzureChina was born.

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

I am still learning, and when I do learn something I go back to improve upon pieces which have already been completed. For example when I first started making my origami star earrings I was just using thread to sew them to the earring hooks, since then I have learned to wire wrap and went back to fix all the earrings, did a photo re-shoot, etc.) This is just one example!

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Promoting is key.
Photos are THE key. You might know your work is beautiful, but if your potential buyers are looking at a photograph that is dark or that detracts from the beauty of the image, they will immediately move on to another seller.
Posting and running in the forums is not attractive, unless the creator of the thread asks you to post and run, it is not polite to ignore the posts of others, and assume that they will still be interested in yours. On the other hand, if you show interest in another's work and idea's, generally they will reciprocate the favor :)

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Wonderful answers! Great shop and things that you must see. Come and visit with AzureChina. And if you want to learn more about her - read her blog!