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! 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.