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! If you would like to be in the Spotlight, click on the ‘Free Press’ link above!

What is your shop?
shelleden (http://shelleden.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
Crochet patterns and wearables

Describe your style in 2 words:
Unique, classy

What is your favorite piece and why?
My newest design, the Shawler. It’s a cross between a sweater and a shawl. A real hit on Crochetville. It’s easy enough for a beginner to crochet, and it’s a very versatile pattern. It can be made with any type of yarn and can be worn with jeans for a casual look or with evening wear for a dressy look.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
My Grandmother always told me “Don’t sell yourself short.”

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Never give up. Believe in yourself and your abilities.

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! If you would like to be in the Spotlight, click on the ‘Free Press’ link above!

What is your shop? MyStringTheory Crochet (http://mystringtheory.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft? I crochet and felt wool. I create purses, bracelets, rings, pins, necklaces, zipper pouches, and I’m creating an amigurumi (crocheted animals) line also!

Describe your style in 2 words: Colorful nature

What is your favorite piece and why? My favorite is my felted Orange Tree necklace. I think the design is very original, and I love the color combination. The texture of the tree is so smooth, in contrast with the felt, and I feel like the tree is me- it stands on it’s own, patiently waiting for it’s fruit to be picked.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received? Follow your heart. Trite, and often given, but I have followed my heart, and now I am a professional musician, and I am creating my own business with a craft I adore. What could be better than that?

What is the one piece of advice you’d give? Don’t get so immersed in creating items for your shop that the quality or heart is lost. Each item should be special to you. That is what handmade is all about.

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! If you would like to be considered for the Spotlight, click on the ‘Free Press’ link above!

What is your shop? 
A Keeper’s Jackpot (http://akeepersjackpot.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
Mostly jewelry - beaded, wire crochet, wire wrapping. I also make beaded bookmarks and lanyards.

Describe your style in 2 words: Versatile, creative

What is your favorite piece and why?
My favorite piece has already been purchased, which was my Bird Nest Choker that received a lot of attention, was on the front page of Etsy, and featured on BeadingDaily.com. The idea came when I was trying to make a crazy pendant with wire. It wasn’t coming out like I pictured in my head so I had a hissy fit and crumpled it up and said, “Wow, that looks sort of like a bird nest.” So I started over, making a bird nest and crocheted beaded wire for the necklace/choker part.

Something similar that I do have for sale now is my Bird Nest Crochet Wire Bracelet, with little mini bird nests with fresh water pearl eggs.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The most memorable piece of advice I have received in general was at the scene of my car accident on the way to my high school graduation. He slowed down, put on his indicator, pulled into the shoulder, but never turned. After I hit his car (nobody was hurt) he repeated about five times, “Haste makes waste, young lady, haste makes waste.” Nearly ten years later I still hear that in my sleep, ha ha.

As far as my jewelry making, the most memorable advice is to take good pictures. It’s something I haven’t perfected yet, but I am improving on.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Just one piece of advice? Oh my, but I have learned so much! I guess I would say to always have your eyes open, you can find inspiration in the strangest things…

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! If you would like to be considered for the Spotlight, click on the ‘Free Press’ link above!

What is your shop?
Creative Hook Designs (http://creativehook.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
Fiber arts, mostly crocheted. I make things that are practical: environmentally friend market totes, purses, scarves… And things totally impractical: weird quirky little crocheted monsters with attitudes…

Describe your style in 2 words:
Quirky, cool.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t fry bacon naked!

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Be yourself.