SPT 9-25-09, originally uploaded by Mindless Pursuits.

On Etsy, the craft shop site I belong to, a number of people participate in Self-Portrait Thursdays. The idea is pretty straightforward: take a self-portrait of some kind and share it with the group. A lot of self-portraits are very straightforward: take a picture of your self in a mirror, at your desk, etc. Some are more elaborate. All are generally fun, just because it’s fun to see people you interact with online.

I started doing them a few months ago, and received a lot of encouragement from those I tend to consider the ‘leaders’ of the effort. One of them, Kathy, made the comment that she was waiting for a car wash self-portrait after I had done a few following a ’samurai’ theme, such as ‘Office Samurai’ and ‘Chef Samurai.’

I didn’t really want to do a straight-forward self-portrait for it, as I thought it would be boring. The video above is what I came up with.

So, DesireLines… may I call you DL?

Hahaha…well, if you insist- though you can just call me Ryan if you want. I was going to say that’s what everyone calls me, but…erm…that would be a lie… And, no, I don’t think it would make family friendly reading if I told you!

Let’s start off with a very simple question: how did you acquire your shop name?

I thought long and hard about it for ages- I wanted something that would suit me forever, so I could build a brand with it. Then I came across this name- it’s an ordnance survey term for the wavy, meandering lines that people create in public spaces when they don’t follow the paths set out by the planner. These wandering paths are known as Desire Lines and I liked that it suggested going your own way, making your own decisions and not necessarily going the expected way. Also, at the time I was working on some work about sexual psychology and paraphilias and I liked that it sounded faintly seedy and a bit like a sex chat line 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! If you would like to be in the Spotlight, click on the ‘Free Press’ link above!

What is your shop?
Borealis Art (http://norablansett.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
Actually, I work in a wide variety of mediums. First and foremost, I am a fantasy artist and work in colour pencil, watercolour and watercolour pencil. I also work in photography, jewelry design, beading, dolls, miniature quilts, stone carving and pyrography.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Unique, varied

What is your favorite piece and why?
I honestly don’t think I could pick a favourite piece! I work in so many mediums that I tend to have favourites in each medium, and the favourites change as I improve on my skills and create new works. My most current favourites are the following:
“Invitation to the Sun” ACEO 
“Drift” (Photography)
“Jasper Bead Embroidered Pendant” 
“Mermaid Pyrography” (Wood burning)
“Miss Darling Blues” (Doll)

I’m sure you can see why I can’t choose just one!

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I think the best advice I ever got was to stop comparing myself to other artists. There’s nothing worse than trying to compare apples to oranges and worrying that you’ve only got prunes. You can never base your talent on that of others.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Probably the usual cliche’ “Never give up!”. It’s a hard road — especially if you are trying to make it your livelihood. I also think it’s important to expand; don’t just work in one medium. It’s nice to have different paths to take according to your mood. Right now, my jewelry is flying off the shelves of local stores, but my dolls are taking a backseat. In another month, my dolls may pick up again as well the photography with the visual change of seasons occurring. I try to keep the artwork moving at a gentle pace, never putting too much out at a time and making every piece special because I keep it so limited.

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?
Pink Parchment Soaps (http://www.pinkparchmentsoaps.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
We make luxurious handmade soap!

Describe your style in 2 words:
Absurd

What is your favorite piece and why?
Our favorite soap is Pink Grapefruit because it’s beautiful and smells wonderful!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11564693

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t start selling soap! Advice was given to us by a very sucessfull soap maker. He said there were to many soap makers around already. We obviously didn’t listen.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Don’t give up! Make and re-make and re-do and most importantly: Have Fun with your craft.

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?
hi.cutie.pie (http://www.hicutiepie.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
Mixed media art! From the art work, I also create prints, notecards, keychains, and mini art-to-go necklaces.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Uplifting, whimsical

What is your favorite piece and why?
“We Grow Together”, a piece I created after I met up for tea with an old friend who always finds a way to inspire me. I came home that evening and let my feelings project onto a new creation. Beginning with a recycled canvas where I once painted images representing loneliness, I took my old college math notes, found papers, buttons, fabric, yarn, thread, ink & paint and covered the lonliness I once felt, with my new feelings of gratitude for the journey I have taken along with my friends. We have grown together, and continue growing in a positive direction. I decided to keep this piece. It’s very close to my heart.

where she lives…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonyagallardo/1095120561/in/set-72157600636911193

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
It’s an oldie but goodie… “you have nothing to lose”.

I like this one for its directness and simplicity. The meaning I find in this advice is this: take a chance, take a risk, and allow yourself to be vulnerable. I have nothing to lose. I like to sit and ponder this idea and think of ways to apply this into different aspects of my life. We all like to feel safe inside our own box that we create, but when you make the effort to step up and out of that box, stretch your limbs and go for a walk, we are challenged to take long strides on the streets of Vulnerability. It’s in vulnerability where you learn a lot about yourself, about others, and about life.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Make sure that the work that you do mirrors who you are. When your art is a true representation of you, everthing feels whole, complete and right. You will show pride in your work, and your work will show pride in you. It’s an energy that’s felt and that people respond to.

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?
MKP Art Jewelry (http://www.mkpjewelry.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
Art Jewelry

Describe your style in 2 words:
Eclectic, fun

What is your favorite piece and why?
“Possiblities” I made this last year for a artistic challenge group I belong to. The theme was for mother’s day. I thought about mother’s day, and being a Mom myself, what it meant to be a mom. Some wonderful way it twisted in my head and I ended up making a piece of what it FELT LIKE when your in the process of becoming a mom for the first time. All the worries, all the hopes all the fears as you feel the little thing moving inside of you….. I wanted to design something that showed what that means inside a woman’s head. I sketched this out, and then did a dummy up in copper, wanted to make sure I could capture what was in my head. And this pendant is the result. It’s made with sterling silver wire, and a hollow lampwork bead by Jodie Marshall. I stuffed the lampworked bead with Swarovski crystals, all of my favorite colors, as many as I could fit and still have them tumble about like snow in a snow globe. Then I wired the ball between her hands, like a soon to be momma feeling for her child’s kick. Then I added just a thin red line in her face.. her smile. And realized it was a happy piece, and it dwelt on only the hopes and dreams of the soon to be born child.. it dwelled on the happy possibilities of that child The “baby” actually rotates on the frame, and I realized it was kind of like a lottery ball.. just like being pregnant you never know what number was gonna come up!

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I didn’t recieve this directly, I was listening to NPR and the guy being interviewed was a photographer. He was talking about his influences, and one of his idol’s told him to always leave a corner for the viewer to turn. This really hit me.. he was talking about photography, but it applies to any art.. always leave some of the story for the viewer to create within themselves. That’s the best kind of art, that invites the viewer to be apart of the story.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Don’t be afraid of mistakes. you will make them, both business-wise and artistically. Just accept that, and try new things without getting hung up on if it’s “good” or not, or sellable or not. Just create for creation’s sake. You learn so much by not being afraid to try.

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?
alisonkelleydesigns (http://www.alisonkelleydesigns.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
I designs and make unique handcrafted jewelry for any occasion.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Colorful, unique

What is your favorite piece and why?
My favorite piece has to be a necklace that I call “Square Rainbow Necklace”. It’s very colorful and goes with just about anything you are wearing. I love this piece because of it’s colors. It makes me feel very happy just looking at it. Color has always made be smile and makes me feel alive. What can I say, I’m a lovers of colors.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
A good friend of mine gave me this book called “Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much” with it came a simple saying “May you live everyday of your life”.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Being an artist is not always easy. It can come with many financial burdens. Balancing your creativity while trying to earn money is not easy. In some ways that can take away from your creativity. Don’t ever let that happen. Money will come and go, we all need it and want it. If you are lucky enough to have a tallent that you can share with the world that alone is priceless. Be true to yourself and to your art.

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?
From Sweden With Love (http://miinna.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
I edit digital photographs, mainly taken in magical Sweden where I was born and raised. I love playing with colours and making them look a little vintage. My biggest passion in photographing is capturing nature and the wonders of the world.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Alternative reality?

What is your favorite piece and why?
Hmm. My favourite piece is probably one that hasn’t been added to my shop yet, but will really soon. It’s from a walk in these wonderful cherry blossom days we have in early spring, because it’s still early spring here, and the colours came out so soothing and bright and could make anyone happy.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
In crafting? Probably to never use a flash, but that is probably a really shallow piece of memorable advice. But it’s very true.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Hmm, well I couldn’t say I have much experience in a lot of different crafting, but in art, and especially photography I would probably pass on the very good advice I got myself. Also, I would like to say that even though nature looks better natural, and some might say that computer editing would give a false impression, there is nothing natural in a photograph anyway, and illusion is perceptive.

And to take really good prints, you need to your camera everywhere. You never know what to find

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?
Xabia Jewels (http://xabiajewels.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
Handcrafted jewelry for special occasions and everyday wear.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Functional and unique

What is your favorite piece and why?
My pearl wrap rings is my favorite. They were chosen to be featured in the swag bags that were given to celebrity guests that attended the Grand Gala event of the Kentucky Derby this year. Here is article link:
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200805030430/COLUMNISTS18/805030464

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Pace yourself!

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Do not let the negative words of others discourage you from doing what you love. Do not be afraid to shine.

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?
magicouture (http://www.magicouture.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
Primarily, I craft unusual jewelry from glass, stone, and wire. I’m known for very outlandish rings.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Eclectic extremes

What is your favorite piece and why?
I have a ring called Honeywine Brass Ensemble that I dearly, truly love. It feels wonderful on the hand and design-wise, it just “flows.” It reminds me of an ultra-fantasy take on a musical instrument and the colors are so deep and rich and sultry.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t give up. As far as advice goes, you can’t beat that, really.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Let your art be what it is. Often, I’m tempted to make the sort of things that might have a broader appeal but I feel like I would lose the integrity of my art.