Jun 25
A new friend of mine asked me if I had ever done a ‘100 things about myself’ blog post. Not having done so but seeing theirs, I set about to write one up. So here you go… 100 Things About ME!
100 Things About Me 2008
- I’m a Capricorn
- I could care less about astrology
- I was in speech competition in high school
- I was also in drama in high school and community theater
- I once helped write a play Read More
Jun 23
The ‘Daily Artisan Spotlight’ is a regular feature on Mindless Pursuits intended to provide insight and exposure to the tons of talented artisans working today. Please comment and give them some encouragement and check out their work!
What is your shop?
beadinbythesea (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5743763)
What is your art/craft?
Jewelry consisting of handmade fine silver pendants and components mixed with Swarovski crystals and gemstones.
Describe your style in 2 words:
Classically unique
What is your favorite piece and why?
My favorite piece of jewelry is a great pair of earrings. No matter what you’re wearing they can be seen and are a visual accent to your face and whatever you decide to wear. They can be bold and big when you’re feeling like “Look at me” or small, soft and demure on days you don’t want to stand out. I rarely go out without something in my ears and I don’t feel “quite right” when I forget!
What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My mother always told me to never go to bed angry. I’m not sure how this relates to jewelry making but it’s great to wake up and start your day without excess baggage. It’s much more conducive to getting the creative juices flowing and turning that positive energy into making things that you love and want to share with the rest of the world.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
I have only had my Etsy shop open for a little over a month now so I’m not sure how much advice I could give to other artisans but I have been creating things my entire life. I have learned that you need to promote yourself as much as possible and make sure that the items you’re making are things that you love and would be proud to wear yourself. As the artist, you are your greatest advertisement.
Jun 22
The ‘Daily Artisan Spotlight’ is a regular feature on Mindless Pursuits intended to provide insight and exposure to the tons of talented artisans working today. Please comment and give them some encouragement and check out their work!
What is your shop?
Pegasus Handmade Soaps (http://pegasussoaps.etsy.com)
What is your art/craft?
I make homemade bath and body products from scratch along with my signature specialty soaps made using the cold process method of making homemade soap
Describe your style in 2 words:
Fun and creative
What is your favorite piece and why?
My specialty is my homemade soaps. I started my small business making soap and only soap and I slowly branched into other products. I love making my own soaps from scratch because it gives me piece of mind to know exactly what goes into my soaps without the chemicals. I control how it is made.
What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I was ever giving before I started was to love what you do, put your heart and soul into it and it will show in the end result. And I really do love making my own bath and body products.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
The same advice that was given to me. Have passion and love for what you make and it WILL pay off in the end
Jun 21
Wouldn’t it be a hoot? Take THAT, Cooking Mama!
Jun 21
The ‘Daily Artisan Spotlight’ is a regular feature on Mindless Pursuits intended to provide insight and exposure to the tons of talented artisans working today. Please comment and give them some encouragement and check out their work!
What is your shop?
fede (http://fededesigntextiles.blogspot.com)
What is your art/craft?
Handcrafted Cushions + Children’s Toys
Describe your style in 2 words:
Gorgeous textiles
What is your favorite piece and why?
A Cushion titled “Masai Giraffe” made of vintage & new fabrics from my collection. It was designed for an art exhibition at the Melbourne Zoo called “Natures Diversity”. The cushion was inspired by my travels to Africa and features a series of panels & appliqued organic shapes.
What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
It’s with regard to parenting. “Pick your battles”
With regards to life in general “Everything happens for a reason”
What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Be true to yourself & your style. Don’t follow fashion or trends. Inividuality if what makes the world so wonderful!
Jun 20
(Sung to the tune of ‘Livin La Vida Loca’ by Ricky Martin)
It’s morning in the city
Dark out and traffic calls
I feel a craving in me
That makes no sense at all
I stop off at the Starbucks
Round the corner past the light
To feed my worst addiction
This craving just ain’t right
It’ll make your taste buds stand up
And go tango with your brain
It will pump you up with caffeine
That much chocolate is insane
Like a mullet in L.A. Come on!
[CHORUS:]
Got to have it now
Drinkin’ a double mocha
It’ll pump you up right now
Drinkin’ a double mocha
It’s taste is so sinful
And it’ll never cause you to choke up
It will make you howl
Drinkin’ a double mocha Come on!
Drinkin’ a double mocha, come on!
I’m drinkin’ a double mocha
Got to work in a hurry
Full of too much energy
She took my card
Barista took my money
Too much caffeine’s gonna make me ill
It’s never made with water
Only whole milk will suffice
But once you’ve had a taste of it
You’ll find it very nice
You won’t order it with ice!
[CHORUS]
It’ll make your taste buds stand up
And go tango with your brain
It will pump you up with caffeine
That much chocolate is insane
Like a mullet in L.A. Come on!
[CHORUS]
Jun 20
The ‘Daily Artisan Spotlight’ is a regular feature on Mindless Pursuits intended to provide insight and exposure to the tons of talented artisans working today. Please comment and give them some encouragement and check out their work!
What is your shop?
Blue Orchid Handbags (http://www.blueorchidbags.etsy.com)
What is your art/craft?
I design handbags, all are handcrafted by me in my studio.
Describe your style in 2 words:
Creative, Fun
What is your favorite piece and why?
My favorite piece is Meredith - Asian Cherry Blossom. It’s made of a beautiful fabric creating a fun, creative, yet sophisticated look to it. I think my addition of a tassle gave the piece a signature look as well.
What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Patience is a virtue! Success will not happen overnight…it comes from hard work and even more hard work. Those who have the patience to succeed, will.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Don’t try to copy other artists. Do your own thing, make it with passion, and make your art the best it can be.
Jun 19
The ‘Daily Artisan Spotlight’ is a regular feature on Mindless Pursuits intended to provide insight and exposure to the tons of talented artisans working today. Please comment and give them some encouragement and check out their work!
What is your shop?
Artsy Clay imaginative jewelry and gifts (http://artsyclay.etsy.com)
What is your art/craft?
Handmade polymer clay jewelry, fridge magnets and ornaments
Describe your style in 2 words:
Joyful whimsy
What is your favorite piece and why?
Any of my cats because they are my favorite animal and I am fascinated with their faces and expressions.
What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I struggle with wanting to be perfect and it is frustrating to me that no matter how hard I work at my art, there are always tiny flaws such as fingerprints, uneven places, or a little paint or metallic powder that goes slightly over the line into another area (when I was coloring as a child, that was such a no-no!). The flaws are things that probably no one else would ever notice but they look huge to me. My friends always tell me, “That’s GOOD! That’s what makes it look handmade instead of produced by a machine.” So I do my best to accept the flaws and consider them as an asset. They are what give my creations personality and makes them unique in all the world!
What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Spend at least a little time every day on your art, so that it will steadily improve. Do what you love. If your work doesn’t come from your heart, it is empty. When it comes from your heart, it is filled with love and spirit.
Jun 18
The ‘Daily Artisan Spotlight’ is a regular feature on Mindless Pursuits intended to provide insight and exposure to the tons of talented artisans working today. Please comment and give them some encouragement and check out their work!
What is your shop?
EggTooth Originals (http://eggtoothoriginals.etsy.com)
What is your art/craft?
I create fine silver jewelry featuring textures, patterns and images from nature. I hike the mountains of northern California and my favorite beaches, from Baja to Oregon, looking for natural objects that will translate into beautiful adornments.
Describe your style in 2 words:
Nature inspired
What is your favorite piece and why?
My favorite piece Salal Earring. It features the gorgeous texture from Salal leaves; each earring is a bit different from the next. Salal is a hearty coastal shrub and this time of year, it is covered with beautiful pink and white flowers.
What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Well, actually, it is a quote attributed to Gandhi, “Every moment in your life is infinitely creative and the universe is endlessly bountiful. Just put forth a clear enough request, and everything your heart desires must come to you.” It is a thought I use to keep myself moving forward in life.
What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Create from your heart. Create what has meaning to you. Don’t try to be everything to everybody. Find YOUR style and do it well. The rest will follow.
Jun 17
A quick post to note the timely passing of ‘Keith’s Craftworks.’ Yes, I decided to shut down my second shop and have asked for it to be deleted. While I am very proud of all of my sewing and decorative painting offerings, I was not giving that shop the attention it deserved and it was languishing as a result. I have also put the items in my primary shop into an inactive state and am taking a mini-vacation from selling for a week while I focus on other things.
On a different note, I decided to put the business planning series on hiatus. I wasn’t very happy with the first installment and as I was writing the second, I felt rushed because I wanted to have it out last week. So I have decided to write the entire series offline first, and then will be posting it as part of a new site later.
