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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?
Sweetgrass Prints (http://sweetgrassprints.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
I create notecards and other fun paper goods. The majority of the notecards in my shop are monogrammed, but I am gradually branching out to other designs. I like to keep my designs simple. I also LOVE photography and I am hoping to create a line of cards with some of my favorite prints very soon.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Simple and Preppy

What is your favorite piece and why?
I guess right now my favorite notecard set is my Summer flower notes (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11598035). These are great hostess gifts and perfect for any birthday girl.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Life is too short to put things off.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Have a thick skin and believe in your work.

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?
Uneekdolldesigns (http://www.uneekdolldesigns.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
I hand craft doll miniatures out of wooden clothespins. I make the outfits, hairstyle, and hand painted faces.
Describe your style in 2 words:
Pioneer and victorian

What is your favorite piece and why?
Hard question but if I was to choose, I would say my Henry Viii character, he was such a rascal in real life!

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
You teach people hwo to treat you….

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Create because you enjoy it, otherwise it becomes a chore

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?
Magickal Enchantments (http://www.magickalenchantments.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
I make handcrafted items to do with the old ways.
I find that people now are looking for more of an earth friendly way of life and my items reflect that way of life. I handblend oils and herbal mixtures for many different intents. All of my ingredients are natural and top quality.
Come and be enchanted at Magickal Enchantments!

Describe your style in 2 words:
Old ways

What is your favorite piece and why?
My favorite piece in my shop…hmmm, thats a tough one.
I would have to say my menstrual oil right now, not only is the bottle lovely but the oil is wonderful!
This oil was created to help with cramps and backaches as well as having oils that are uplifting as well. We all tend to need a little uplifting energies at that time and this oil can aid you with that. It is a wonderfulls scented oil make with top quality essential oils and mixed with a carrier oil so that it is safe to wear on your skin and doesnt leave you feeling oily after.
It is a wonderful massage oil as well as being added to a warm bath to help you relax.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Lets see…the one I remember the most is to take it as a compliment when someone copies your work.
I am still working on that one mind you but it is the most memorable piece of advice…:)

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
That you should get enjoyment out of your creations, when they become “work” then you arent really creating out of inspiration and your items will reflect that.

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?
Chest of Fairytales (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5376404)

What is your art/craft?
Watercolors, originals, prints, ACEO’s and other related beautiful things

Describe your style in 2 words:
Naive and whimsical

What is your favorite piece and why?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11232235
A Hedgehog that made a flying ship illustrates one of my favorite stories from childhood. It is about a little hedgehog who was about to fall asleep for the winter, but before that he wanted to have a little ocean of his own and some ships. He was afraid of loneliness. So he made an ocean in the bucket with water, and made some ships out of autumn leaves…

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Follow your bliss

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Don’t give up. Be flexible. Change and get better. Market yourself as much as possible and nothing is impossible.

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?
Higher Chakra Supply (http://higherchakrasupply.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
I make jewelry supply items… I carry ear wires, headpins, clasps, beads, pendants, charms, connectors, and A whole lot more, I am even working on some chain designs. My goal is to have a one stop shop for unique handmade jewelry supplies.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Unique metal

What is your favorite piece and why?
Probably my wire roses… headpins and dangles as well as something I put on some of my clasps… because they were a design I “found” by accident(while playing with some wire scraps), and they are exclusive to my shop. I even have had a few people ask where I learned to make them… maybe one day I’ll share my “secret”, but for now they are my design only.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t touch metal that is red hot!

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Believe in yourself and your art, but remain flexible, because you never know where your success might come from. Most of all, enjoy what you do.