Happiness is a Warm Sunbeam, originally uploaded by Mindless Pursuits.

At least Lexi thinks so. I’m thinking of playing with this to make it a print to sell in my shop….

The Mindless Pursuits forums are now open to the public! Come join the brand new fun!

http://www.mindlesspursuits.com/forum/index.php

We hope to see you there soon!

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

1. I’m a Capricorn
2. I could care less about astrology
3. I was in speech competition in high school
4. I was also in drama in high school and community theater
5. I once helped write a play Read More

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.

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

Wouldn’t it be a hoot? Take THAT, Cooking Mama!

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!

(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]

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.