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.

Let’s jump right in by discussing why business planning is a necessary effort in planning for success (you do plan to be successful, don’t you?). The primary intent of business planning is to provide you with the focus you need to prioritize your work, develop your communications, and invest your dollars. There is much more beyond this, but this is where you will want to start. Once you have a business plan, you should be aligning all of your work activities to the plan to avoid wasting extraneous effort on items that don’t support your business goals.

Let’s start by asking the seemingly most basic and straightforward question: What do you want your business to be? In other words, what are you going to be selling? Is it a tangible product such as jewelry or will it be a service such as graphic design? Mind you, services often come with tangible end-products (i.e. Graphic Design may end up with a logo, a banner, etc). Sometimes you can confuse the two, as happens occasionally in sewing. For instance, if you pre-sew plush dolls and sell them, you are offering a product. If you are taking an order for custom apparel, you are actually offering a service, even if the end result is a tangible product. 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?
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?
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.

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?
Shalottlilly (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5276604)

What is your art/craft?
I paint and make strange jewelry

Describe your style in 2 words: Art Nouveau

What is your favorite piece and why?
My favorite piece of Jewelry I have ever made was my Wing Heart Cluster. The composition of it just seemed to flow…it went to a very good home though.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To trust myself, a good friend in Canada told me that

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Patience….it’s the key..if you love what you do…be patient

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? 
M. Augusta Woodland (http://maugustawoodland.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft? 
Silver filigree and beaded jewelry

Describe your style in 2 words: Classic & ornate

What is your favorite piece and why? My favorite piece is currently my Queen Margot necklace. I feel like design-wise it’s a very tight and put together necklace. I love the darkness of it, bordering on gothic. I also love the solid weight of the piece in my hand and how it doesn’t feel heavy around my neck.

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received? 
Don’t go into jewelry-making for a living.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Don’t go into jewelry-making for a living. Just kidding! I’d say don’t give up on following your dream. It’s a hard road, but the thrill of selling your art is addictive.

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?
Beaux Bangles (http://beauxbangles.etsy.com)

What is your art/craft?
My signature pieces are my ornate one of a kind belt buckles. In our shop you will also find handmade glass, and jewelry in different styles. There are two of us and we both have split personalities.

Describe your style in 2 words:
Baroque Bling

What is your favorite piece and why?
At this moment I love white and gold Baroque Bling belt buckle in Gemini. It is just soooooo fancy! Of course my next piece is always my real favorite - right now I’m working on a Pisces buckle using real shells along with the blingy stuff. Coming soon!

What is the most memorable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can point yourself in any direction you choose.

What is the one piece of advice you’d give?
Housework can wait.