blogging by archdiva

support local & independent artists...and remember those abroad, too!

2010-11-30T23:49:00.001-05:00

I probably don't need to add too much to that, to be honest! Like many others, I make regular gift purchases on Etsy and in other handmade venues. In fact, I am so looking forward to going to Chicago's Renegade Handmade Holiday Fair next Saturday. The joint is just overflowing with handmade goodness!

Another place I've done some of my holiday shopping in recent years is Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit chain of stores that sell fair trade goods from around the world. I'm lucky to have one located just a couple blocks from my apartment so I can stop in regularly to see what's new.

While I'm a big fan of reducing my carbon footprint as much as possible, I also believe in fair trade practices, as they support artisans and crafters in areas of the world where they wouldn't otherwise have a stable income. So sometimes I give a little on the carbon footprint bit -- those goods still have to be shipped here from overseas, after all -- to help my fellow human beings have a better life.

That's a trade-off I'm so very willing to make. I realize more and more each day how fortunate I am to live the life that I do. My problems are first world problems -- do I have time to get to the grocery store after work? will the gift I mailed get there in time? can my building manager come by soon to deal with the excessively hot water I'm getting in my shower because it's, y'know, kind of uncomfortable?

Big whoop! These are not really problems!

Who cares if my water's too hot or the gift is late or it's tomorrow when I get to the store? I am incredibly fortunate and increasingly grateful for the fact that I have a job that I'm well compensated for, complete with health insurance. I can buy food easily. I can buy and mail gifts with ease. I have hot water whenever I want, even if it's too hot for comfort. Much of the rest of the world, like the artisans supported by Ten Thousand Villages, may not have clean water or a bed or a regular job or food or the simple luxuries that so many in the U.S. tend to take for granted every single day.

Making a few fair trade purchases from abroad, rather than from local artisans, seems the very least that I can do. I'm still purchasing handmade goods, and doing more than a little good in the process.

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2010-11-24T15:44:00.002-05:00

via chrispiascik.com

Ten Commandments of Crafting

2010-11-02T22:04:00.005-04:00

Amy Sedaris is one of those offbeat, quirky comedians that I sooooo wish I could think like. She just thinks different! She's recently written a book on crafting -- which I'm sure will be hilarious! -- called Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People. So when Etsy's Storque blogged about her Ten Commandments of Crafting, I simply had to share. Enjoy!

The Ten Commandments of Crafting (according to Amy Sedaris)

I. Remember the crafting day, to keep it hobby.

II. Thou shalt not attempt crafting beyond thy intellectual capacity — a nitwit can't knit.

III. Thou shalt not craft graven images of thy neighbor's wife.

IV. Thou shalt remember to replace the glue cap so the top of the bottle doesn't dry out and then thou hast to get a pin to poke a hole but the glue never really flows as well as it did before.

V. Thou shalt not fill envelopes with glitter and confetti and send them in the mail. (Editor's note: especially to me!)

VI. Thou shalt remember that popsicle stick crafts only have the illusion of being structurally sound.

VII. Thou shalt not force a mollusk out of its shell by boiling it alive but rather coax it out with a fork when making a shell necklace.

VII. This craft book, which towers above all other craft books, is a jealous craft book. Thou shalt have no other craft books before it.

IX. Remember to honor thy crafting and pastimes for they are a great way to get your mind off all the damage thy parents did.

X. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's crafts, even though those crafts look like they are supposed to, and thouist crafts resemble a random pile of yarn.

2010-10-16T00:12:00.000-04:00

wonderful amazing image by hugh macleod of gaping void

There are moments at my day job, when I am acutely feeling the burdens of campus bureaucracy,

when I have to remind myself of this. My work in college health promotion is inspired by and revolves

entirely around helping students become more healthy and successful until graduation and beyond.

Those thousands of souls need to be touched.

And the moments when the light bulb visibly goes on over a student's head

or one gives me a genuine, heartfelt thank you

or some other less warm and fuzzy (but no less important) moment occurs,

those are the moments that keep me going...the moments when I know I've touched a soul.

That's the upside.

The downside is all that soul-touching can be exhausting for me.

Today was my one year anniversary in this job, a year in which I've accomplished much,

but also a year in which my primary relationship has been with that job.

Not really even with myself, and very infrequently with my creativity, but with my work.

The irony of that is my work is all about promoting self-care and self-responsibility.

So maybe my second year on this not-so-new job of mine needs to be about touching my own soul.

Redefining my relationship with myself.

Maybe even getting my creative mojo back.

That would definitely touch my soul.

Not one, but two!

2010-08-28T16:12:00.000-04:00

I curated two Treasuries in the past week, but completely forgot to post the first one here until I created the second one today. Here are screenshots of both. Click on the linked name of each Treasury to leave a comment on Etsy. :)

The first one, Create! Make! Be inspired!, is, I suspect, a thinly veiled attempt by my subconscious to kick me in the butt and encourage me to start making more frequently. I hear you, subconscious. Really. I get it already. Sheesh.

Today's Treasury creation, How shall I wear thee...let me count the ways...on my fingers!, is inspired by something I don't vary my wearing of too often -- rings. I have two I like to wear and that feel right; nothing else feels the same or just annoy me! So I admire other artist's efforts instead of actually wearing them. I threw in a bit of color whimsy on this one, arranging the warmer colors on a diagonal and in the center, while the cooler colors ring the outside.

I'd love to hear your feedback and for you to visit these talented Etsians!

Small Pleasures: Gorgeous Blooms

2010-08-21T17:55:00.006-04:00

I went to Chicago's Lincoln Park Conservatory today for the first time, taking my inexpensive point-and-shoot camera with me. I was pleased with how a number of the photos turned out, despite how flat the light was almost the entire time I was there. So I thought I'd share a few of these gorgeous blooms with you. Enjoy!

in follow up to yesterday's post...

2010-08-13T16:00:00.005-04:00

In follow up to yesterday's post, I think that says it quite nicely.

image from here.

consuming and creating

2010-08-12T11:25:00.031-04:00

I know, I know, I know. I just posted something from gapingvoid.com last week. But I can't help it. I think Hugh MacLeod, the creator, hits the nail squarely on the head so often with his continuous commentary about being creative. Expect to see more of his drawings around these parts in the future! This one spoke to me enough that I thought it was worth actually writing about it, not just posting it up with a link.

As I've become a part of the DIY and craft movement in recent years, I've also become more aware of my habits related to "stuff". I've come to believe that the desire to create is inextricably linked to my consumption patterns of "stuff". In general, I don't need more stuff -- I tell most people to give me gifts of experiences, such as tickets or a meal together, rather than another tschotske or physical item, unless it's something I honestly need. It's led to a shedding of more physical things that I just don't need to keep.

Though an interstate move helps, too. It makes you painfully aware of how much stuff you own when you see it filling a good chunk of a 53' moving truck and are told it weighs 5800 pounds in total. And you're only one person and a cat living in a two bedroom apartment. But I digress!

As I've make the effort to reduce accumulating more "stuff", I've found that if I'm willing to take the time to create something instead of just buying it from the store, it means I'm probably reducing my carbon footprint just a bit. Well, depending on what I'm making and how, of course! But honestly, China or Taiwan or whatever foreign shore that shiny thing is being made on will be just fine without my purchase.

Being inclined to make things also has encouraged me to slow down and think about whether I really need the item in the first place. Sometimes I don't. And I think about whether I can repurpose something else I already own. Sometimes I can. But if I do need it and I can't repurpose another item, then first I consider the process of making it myself. A few questions float though my mind...

1) will I enjoy making it?
b) do I possess or want to develop the skills to make it?
3) can I make it for an equal or lower cost than simply buying it?
4) does equal or lower cost matter as much if I'm getting great joy and new skills from making it?

There's no magic formula to what combination of answers means I'll make it vs. I'll buy it. Sometimes it's decided by an immediate need, like needing a last minute gift and having zero spare time available. Or the fact that I'm just not interested in doing certain things -- like sewing all my own clothes or canning and preserving foods. While I greatly admire people who have those skills, they're just not my thing. And I'm fine with that.

Sometimes there are physical limitations. For example, I live in a 3rd floor walk up in the city with no private outdoor space. So if I want to work on it at home, it has to be something I can carry up the stairs AND do within the confines of my apartment. So large-scale bronze sculpture or doing my own car maintenance is probably out of the question, especially if I want my security deposit back or don't want to get run over on the street where I park (which I do and I don't, respectively)!!

But when the planets align just so, I'm going to make the item not just buy it. It is a new form of consumption -- one that is more conscious of the ripple effects of simply buying more "stuff". It takes much more into account than just deciding which store to give those hard-earned dollars. In a way, creating is about making something from what others might see as nothing (though I tend to see raw materials as raw possibility, but that's for another post.) Consuming almost can feel like it's about destroying something else to get what you need or what. I'd much rather be on the positive side of that, I suppose.

Create is the new consume.

Given that I have a very busy day job that I started last fall, I haven't had a lot of spare energy or time to spend on "making" for much of the last year. Unfortunately. It's really wearing on me because I feel as if I've gotten away from creating and am simply consuming more. The urge to re-balance that equation is getting stronger all the time though. Perhaps writing about it here is part of my re-balancing process. It's certainly reminding me about some of the reasons why I make instead of buy sometimes!

What helps you decide whether to make or buy something?

image from here

Purplicious Critters

2010-08-10T00:31:00.004-04:00

Check out the latest Treasury I curated, Purplicous Critters.

As I note in one of the comments, I worked on this while watching

the very dark and twisty movie, Donnie Darko.

I can't help but think this was a way to bring in some lightness and whimsy

as a mental counterpoint!

Definitely a bit happier than this, don't you think?

feel inspired

2010-08-06T23:01:00.002-04:00

via gapingvoid gallery

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2010-06-25T19:50:00.001-04:00

oh, so true. don't you think?

image from stuffnoonetoldme.blogspot.com

I Heart ChiTown!

2010-06-09T17:00:00.001-04:00

Click on the image to check out my latest Treasury, I <3 ChiTown, a collection of warm toned items by Chicago-area artists. I love my new city and had to show off the incredible talent that surrounds me!

On Buying Art

2010-06-08T23:06:00.007-04:00

When I'm travelling, I love to buy art from artists local to the area. The pieces usually aren't large or framed -- they have to fit in my suitcase! -- but they are usually quite whimsical and even somewhat comical. I'm sure my tastes were influenced by attending local art-in-the-park events as a child and the Don Nedobeck prints we had at home when I was growing up. He's a Milwaukee area artist who does lovely, colorful drawings of animals, like the one to the right entitled "Little Frog Stella".

Couple my love of whimsical art with the desire to support local artisans and you can imagine what my walls look like! (OK, honestly, they're still kind of bare since I still haven't hung everything up since moving months ago. But I have some really great art in those boxes!)

Today when I stumbled upon Sarah Bush's blog post about supporting living, breathing artists on her blog Make Great Stuff, I knew I had to share! Sarah says it so much better than I could, so read on:

Sarah’s Top Ten Reasons to Buy Art From a Living Breathing Artist

Hang art in your home and surround yourself with images that reflect your taste, define who you are, and resonate deeply for a long time. As with a good book or a great piece of music, your relationship with a work of art can develop and change over the course of a lifetime.|
Support the Arts: Supporting an artist by buying their artwork is directly, positively affecting the stability of the arts in the United States. A lot more middle class, regular people buy contemporary art in Europe…when you buy a work of art or fine craft, you’re having a serious, positive impact on the health of the arts in your community and the country as a whole.|
Become a Collector–make your own mark by collecting art you care about that speaks to you. Building a collection is a unique creative act in and of itself–one you can enjoy over time and hand down to the next generation.|
Set Yourself Apart from the Crowd:  Most people don’t buy art or only buy posters of famous art instead. Buying artwork from a contemporary artist or craftsperson really sets you apart and shows you have the confidence to know what you like before it’s been sanctioned by museums or some other higher authority.|
A work of art is a unique and passionate creation, which not only reflects the soul of the artist, but your soul as well, because you chose it. (This one, and the next two, are paraphrased from Mary Baker’s site, who I thought did a great job of expressing why someone should buy a work of art.)

Click through to read the rest of Sarah's Top Ten here.

Creativity is just connecting things

2010-06-06T20:21:00.002-04:00

While Steve Jobs was quite obviously talking about the computer industry, I think it can apply to just about anything. Particularly a creative arena like making stuff.

If we don't ever leave our studios, are can we expect to be influenced by anything new?

So what are you waiting for?

Go.

Image borrowed from cloverdew.tumblr.com, with a bit of a contribution from Steve Jobs.

Falling in Love with Treasury East

2010-06-01T18:42:00.001-04:00

When the opening of Treasury East was announced on Etsy a while ago, I thought it would be fun to play with when I had the chance. The longer Memorial Day weekend afforded me the luxury of time to create a couple of Treasuries. It's incredibly easy to do and it was enjoyable hunting through my favorites and by using searches to create a unified collection.

My first Treasury was initially inspired by a cobalt blue pitcher by AugustMoonArt that I fell in love with a few weeks ago. I've purchased items from several of the sellers I featured so it was natural to look in their shops for more selections. But as I continued to poke around for more items, I found quite a number of items that also incorporated another of my favorite colors, lime green. I ended up calling the Treasury Cobalt with a Twist of Lime!

By the time I published that Treasury, I was already thinking about the next one because of some of the photography I had seen in my searches. I've always loved art photography, especially that which documents fading aspects of modern life. Several vintage images of carnivals caught my attention and suddenly my theme was set. It came together quickly as I searched for photos of carnival rides, foods and games. This is the result, "What's a summer without a day at the Carnival?":

I love getting the chance to share these finds with others and enjoyed creating each Treasury, but credit really goes to the artists who made all these gorgeous items. I took the time to notify each artist that I had included their item because their effort is what truly made these Treasuries possible!

My poor neglected blog...and readers...but GOALS! We have GOALS!

2010-05-31T19:39:00.000-04:00

The past ten or so months have been all about transition for me. Way back in early September, just as the academic year was beginning, I accepted a job offer for a position at a Chicago-area university, which is 900 miles from where I was living in Connecticut. It had been my goal for several years to return to my Midwestern roots, so I had patiently waited for the right opportunity to come along...and it finally did! Yay!

But wow...how it upended my entire life! I had forgotten the incredibly heightened level of exhaustion that interstate moves induce. Adjusting to my new life consumed every spare ounce of energy -- and then some! New job, new apartment, new city, new everything. Initially, every single seemingly routine task took twice or three times as long -- "Hmmm...I need to go to Target. I wonder where Target is?" -- until I've been able to settle into something resembling a routine at home and at work.

Yet, life being what it is, upheavals continued. Mr. Kitty, my 17 year old feline elder statesman (pictured napping, left), had to be put to sleep in December due to kidney failure and severe anemia. My office moved into temporary quarters in a new building on campus in February and we will move again in August when the construction is finally completed . Recently, my supervisor and his supervisor announced their departures...and we face a reorganization over the summer. Normal things to happen in life, but they all felt much more significant given the volume of change I have already been experiencing.

Needless to say, this hasn't left me with a whole lot of energy for blogging or even making new jewelry. To paraphrase the wise words of John Lennon, life got in the way while I was making other plans for being all creative and arty!

Oh, and let's not forget -- I just wanted to spend time reconnecting with the family and friends I've lived away from for the past thirteen years! That's the main reason I returned home -- I needed My People around me. Isn't that what it's usually about?

And hey, Chicago is an AMAZING city to explore! Though I've visited family in the area my whole life, it's nothing like living here. There is so much to do and I'm loving the discovery of it all, especially around the theater scene. Because I'm a complete and total theater whore. Truly, I am. (This picture is of me in front of Cloud Gate, a massive shiny stainless steel sculpture affectionately known as The Bean here in Chicago.)

I put up a good effort with the blogging and such until early February, when I just plain gave up. I also haven't added a new item to my Etsy shop in...oh, I don't even know when I last added a new item. It might have been while I was still living in Connecticut, to be honest! I've made a few things here and there when asked for a custom order, but in truth, I haven't been making much of anything.

Which has been weighing heavily on me. One of the main reasons that I got back into doing various crafty things more than a decade ago was because my day job doesn't always provide tangible results. Being able to come home and see the beginning, middle and end of a project -- sometimes in less than an hour -- has helped provide some much needed balance.

I've been feeling the siren's call from my studio for ages, but literally haven't found the energy to get at it. But now the academic year is ending and my work schedule will normalize considerably for the summer. While the warm weather and living near the shores of Lake Michigan will certainly draw me outside, I know that I will have more time and energy to get back to making. And I really NEED to as well!

Therefore, I've set two goals for myself:

I will make a minimum of one new piece each week from now through the month of August and post it in my Etsy shop.
I will write a minimum of two blog posts each week from now through the month of August.

At work, we'd call that a SMART goal -- specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. And you, my loyal readers, can help me attain that goal by cheering me on and reminding me of these goals when I start to slack. Deal?

The small adjustments continue and I still have a few boxes left to unpack, but I've found my favorite Target and am rolling with the rest of the changes. And a little goal setting never hurt anyone, right? Right! So let's get on with it! WooHoo!

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2010-02-06T22:07:00.000-05:00

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked.
"You must want to fly so much
that you are willing to
give up being a caterpillar."

image: Ecoagriculture Partners

under a Creative Commons license

Just what was happening on January 8th in Europe that involved mature sperm?

2010-02-01T16:33:00.003-05:00

I was browsing through Google Analytics for my Etsy shop today and noticed an unbelievable spike in traffic on January 8th. I had 234 visits on that day alone, the highest single day's traffic I've ever experienced.

The higher traffic trend continued for about 10 days, though at a lower level of 75 to 90 visits per day, until it dropped back to a more typical 20 visits per day around January 19th.

When I dug into the data, I discovered the vast majority of traffic was landing on one particular item, Sperm No. 2, a sterling silver sperm pendant strung on a black cord. And almost all the traffic was coming from organic Google searches for the term "mature sperm"; both words are part of the necklace's title and description.

On January 8, about two-thirds of the views came from four small European countries -- Italy (75) -- mostly from Milan and Rome -- and then from Poland (35), Germany (29) and Bulgaria (22). The US came in fifth with a mere 18 views and France right behind with 17.

What the heck was going on in Europe on January 8th that involved mature sperm??? Anyone? Bueller?

I attempted a Google search, but mostly came up with references to porn sites, sperm whales, and sperm banking, none of which seemed to be a likely source! And since I don't read or speak Italian, Polish, German or Bulgarian, I didn't bother to check out the websites for the major media outlets in those countries either.

In the month of January, this one page accumulated 989 views - which accounts for 41% of all page views for my entire shop AND blog combined all month. Sadly, even with almost 1000 views, no one bought the @&%$! necklace! I did sell one of my vulva pendants to someone in Australia in that time though, but I really don't think there is any correlation.

If any of my readers can shed any light on the why there is such interest in mature sperm in Europe during January, it would go a long way towards solving this quirky little mystery!

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2010-01-31T15:32:00.000-05:00

"Beware of artists.

They mix with all classes of society

and are therefore most dangerous."

~ Queen Victoria

image: mricon

under a Creative Commons license

be creative

2009-12-27T22:08:00.000-05:00

image from: i can read

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Petra aka Hippie's Creations

2009-12-10T10:50:00.061-05:00

Petra aka Hippie's Creations
Scottsville, VA (USA)

Petra says: "I'm a mother of four children, one who has some special needs. I am pursuing a career as a crafty person to support my family and the ability to stay home. On the side I am studying Mental Health Counseling to work with Children and Adolescents. I previously published my first book growing up as a foster child hence and can tell you that my own upbringing and my children have inspired me to go back to school.

I consider myself a multi-media artist as I do lots of things. I have been crocheting for 20+ years, do some jewelry, burn on wood, make soaps and lotions and whatever else my mind enters. I draw but those drawings tend to just be for me."

1. What is your favorite medium to work in?

Ugh now that's a tough one as I do so many things, lol. I think it depends on my mood and changes periodically. I like tagua nut and my wood burner as that is a challenging for me. The tagua nut burns differently than wood but still allows for some awesome creativity.

2. What is your least favorite medium to work in?

Hmm my least favorite I don't know if I have an answer for that. I don't like to knit as it appears difficult to me, I feel like having to different hands when it comes to knitting.

3. What inspires your creativity? Ultimately I am inspired by nature and what I can do with earth creations. I also get inspired by conversations, watching my kids and the television, so just about anything really.. I often go to the grocery store or outside and wonder "hmm, can I make soap with this" and the research begins...

4. What blocks your creativity?

Excessive talking which is challenging with 6 people in the house.

5. What sound or noise do you love when working on your craft/art?

I like the tv or music and its just background noise and nothing else.

6. What sound or noise do you hate when working on your craft/art?

People talking and walking right behind me. Unfortunately, I don't have my own studio yet and do all my art/craft work in my living room and kitchen and everyone has to walk passed me. Ugh!

7. What are your favorite pieces that you have created recently?

Again a difficult question but the one piece I created isn't for sale ...its a beautiful bracelet with swarovski crystals and butterfly spacers. I generally like all my creations and if I don't well its called a do over...I am my own worse critic...but I have made some other beautiful necklaces with Swarovski crystals and well my tagua nuts.

8. What craft/art other than your own would you like to attempt?

I would like to do learn or play with glass fusing, resin as well as clay but haven't had quite the time nor the space. I am intruided by all that we can do if we set our minds too and ultimately I am merely driven by having the knowledge of yes I could do that.

9. What craft/art would you not like to do?

Wood working...big big table saws kinda scare me and I prefer my own small little power tools.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say about your craft/art when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Handmade awesomeness!"

Petra and her creations can be found in these places:

Etsy: hippiescreations.etsy.com
Web: www.hippiescreations.com
Blog: hippiescreations.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Scottsville-VA/Hippies-Creations/49009567148
Twitter: @hippiescreation

If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

never change your originality...

2009-12-08T21:59:00.001-05:00

http://icanread.tumblr.com/post/275103397/by-tristinalyana

Monday Pounce: Bella Bundles

2009-12-07T16:39:00.001-05:00

Etsy has a fun buying feature called "Pounce ", where you can view items that are "available from shops that have just sold an item and from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale". Since new shop owners need a little love, too, I'm running a regular feature called "Monday Pounce" where I pounce on an undiscovered shop and share what I find with you.

These baby blankets and bibs are just too awesome! So much better than the stereotypical pink bunnies and blue toy boats that fill the big box stores. But that's why we buy handmade anyway, right? Right!

Bella Bundles has a lovely array of funky -- and reversible! -- bibs and blankets many of which match. Perfect for the hippest baby in your life -- and the parents who don't want cookie-cutter baby items.

I have to love Bella's tagline, too -- "handmade for your little bundle". The perfect touch!

Check out Bella Bundles the next time you need something for that bundle of joy...and help Bella get that first sale, too!

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2009-12-05T13:49:00.000-05:00

"To exist is to change,
to change is to mature,
to mature is to go on creating."

~ Henri Bergson

image: fotologic

under a Creative Commons license

One Year!

2009-11-29T22:07:00.001-05:00

It's been one year since I opened my Etsy shop!
My First Sale!

Well, one year and a day. I, erm, forgot to post this yesterday on my actual anniversary! A lot has happened in that year, I must say.

I opened with a mere two items and very proudly dashed off an email to everyone I knew to say "hey! come look at my tiny little shop! I'm so proud of myself!" They were, too, but it still took adding more items and six weeks to get my first sale, which went to a lovely woman in the South. It was wonderful when she came back to buy another necklace a couple weeks later! All told I've had 45 online sales and many more from a couple fairs I've done and offline purchases made by friends.
My Facebook fans!
Early on, I spent a lot of time reading on the Etsy Forums, the Storque, and many different blogs and websites. Loads of credit to Timothy Adam's Handmadeology as he has great advice for the newbie, I must say. So in that year, thanks to much of what I have learned, I have expanded my tiny little empire greatly.

My Twitter Feed

I started this blog, throwing out my thoughts on making, creativity and giving to charity. Sometimes it feels a bit random, but I do have a few regular features like Inside the Artisan's Studio, Monday Pounce and inspiration. And 27 followers! (Hi everyone...thanks!!!!)
I started a Facebook Fan Page, learned how to install the My Etsy app and Networked Blogs, so my blog would feed to my fan page, and to promote my shop without being too annoying (I hope) to my almost 450 fans.
I also started Twittering, @archdiva_etsy, and through various and sundry means, managed to grow to almost 2300 followers. I'm sure it's mostly because I'll follow just about anyone back, but I've also started a list of handmade folks that has grown quickly to nearly 450 tweeps.
I also have 122 hearts! I love the EtsyLuv!

EtsyLuv!Before even starting my shop, I decided that I would donate a portion of all my sales proceeds to charity as this was a way for me to give back by doing something I love. Currently, my sole beneficiary is The BACCHUS Network, an organization that has been very good to me both professionally and personally. I also donate jewelry each year to the silent auction at their national conference. This year, my donations to the auction raised over $135 for the organization and sales have added over $200, too.

And while all that was going on, I was also making more jewelry, expanding my skill set by taking some jewelry metalsmithing classes at a local art guild, polishing up my photography skills, and oh, right, holding down a day job!

Then, just to throw a monkey wrench in the works, I packed up and moved 900 miles for a new day job in early October! So my shop took a nearly two month hiatus during that transition. I still haven't completely unpacked my supplies or set up my "studio", so haven't made anything new in months (which is starting to make me itch), but in due time.

Not bad for a year. I'm looking forward to the next one and seeing where things go! Many, many thanks to everyone for their support, whether by making a purchase or a word of encouragement or simply reading even the dullest blog post I put out there. You're the best!

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2009-11-27T16:27:00.000-05:00

Creativity comes from trust.

Trust your instincts.

And never hope more than you work.

~ Rita Mae Brown

image: denise carbonell

under a Creative Commons license

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Misty aka Wicked Soaps

2009-11-26T11:17:00.031-05:00

Misty aka WickedSoaps

Charlotte, Michigan (USA)

Misty says: "I'm a single mom to the best 6 year old little heathen on the planet! I have a love of all things handmade, and an obsession for handmade bath and body products...and not just my own. I started making soap a little over 2 years ago and just haven't been able to stop!"

1. What is your favorite medium to work in?

My current love is making cold process soaps. It's extremely satisfying to start with raw materials and with a little elbow grease create an extraordinary product.

2. What is your least favorite medium to work in?

When it comes to handmade bath and body, I don't think I could possibly have a least favorite medium. I love doing it all!

3. What inspires your creativity?

I find inspiration everywhere. I keep a notebook on my bedside table because I've been known to wake up in the middle of the night with a great idea for a new soap scent or recipe. Other artisan's items inspire me, also. In fact, one of my favorite jewelry sellers has inspired a new soap that will be coming soon!

4. What blocks your creativity?

Nothing.

5. What sound or noise do you love when working on your craft/art?

My stick blender! Seriously...God's gift to soapers, lol.

6. What sound or noise do you hate when working on your craft/art?

"What flavor is that?" It's a pet peeve...they are fragrances or scents, not flavors. My mom is the worst culprit!

7. What are your favorite pieces that you have created recently?

I'm in love with my new line of Body Butter Cremes and Skin Luster Body Oils! The Pumpkin Creme Facial Mask is one of my personal favorites...my skin feels amazing after I use it. Vanilla Noir is a new scent I recently discovered and I just can't get enough of it!

8. What craft/art other than your own would you like to attempt?

I've always wanted to work with clay. I love the look and feel of handmade pottery. And then I'd have an excuse to play in the mud and get my hands dirty!

9. What craft/art would you not like to do?

Crochet and knitting. I tried crocheting once and all I ended up with was a 6 foot long yarn rope. I can't even imagine arming myself with two knitting needles.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say about your craft/art when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"If Wicked Soaps is sinful, consider me a convert to the dark side!"

Misty and her creations can be found in these places:

Etsy: wickedsoaps.etsy.com
Blog: wickedsoaps.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wickedsoaps
Twitter: @wickedsoap

If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T21:00:00.000-05:00

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

It's the Massive 1st A/BF/CM Blowout!

2009-11-22T23:37:00.003-05:00

I'm having my Massive First Anniversary/Black Friday/Cyber Monday Blowout Sale!

I opened my shop on November 28, 2008 so next weekend I will celebrate the one year anniversary of my Etsy shop (yay!), which just so happens to coincide with the wackiness of Thanksgiving weekend shopping -- Black Friday through Cyber Monday.Which smushes down to be A/BF/CM.Got it? Good! Moving on.

So to join in the celebration, here's the scoop! Now through midnight (in your time zone) on Monday, November 30, 2009, you can take 20% off all items* in my shop! Simply enter the code Massive Blowout in the 'message to seller' during checkout, pay for your purchase through PayPal, and I'll refund the discount off the total of all items purchased.

And...that's not all!

Before the end of the sale, make a comment on this blog post telling me your favorite item from my shop. Be sure to include your email address so I can contact you. I'll select one comment using randomizer.org on Tuesday, December 1 at 7pm (central time). One commenter will win a $20 gift certificate, good in my shop until the end of 2010!

Let's celebrate!!!! Click here to start shopping!

*Discounts do not apply to the purchase of gift certificates.

slightly snarky tidbit #2: photos

2009-11-22T13:29:00.001-05:00

The slightly snarky tidbit:
Ok. You've read slightly snarky tidbit #1 and have made great strides in improving your product. Fantastic! But admit it...your photos suck. Doesn't matter if you have a great product, if no one can tell what the hell it is they won't buy it. So learn to take better pictures.

The slightly snarky detail:
Yes, everyone can take a great picture if you take the time to learn how to do it. Digital cameras are getting cheaper and more idiot-proof all the time, but they still do require a small amount of skill. Which usually starts with actually reading the instruction manual and taking the time to learn about all the cool features your camera possesses. Honestly, you won't ever use half of them, but at least you have the option, right? Here's some really basic things though:

Learn to focus. Nothing makes me click away from a product listing faster than fuzzy, out of focus pictures. This is not a bricks and mortar store where I can pick up your product and fondle it. Your photos are what sell this product to me. Make sure they're damn good. Not like that one to the right that I took. Might be a nice necklace, but I'd never ever buy it based on that photo (and I made it!).
Stop using your flash. Let me just say this: Use natural light. Use natural light. Use natural light! Oh, by the way, did I say use natural light? A flash is too harsh under most conditions, throws shadows and tends to create hot spots on the item. Look at the photos of the pendants; on the left is a flash photo, on the right, natural light. Big difference, eh?
Learn how to use photo editing software. Everyone goes on and on about Photoshop, but I still find it a complete pain in the fannyfeathers to use. I use the editing program that came with my camera software. I can crop, resize and adjust the brightness and saturation very easily. Which means I actually do it. Find the program that works for you and use it. Obviously I didn't do anything on the photo of the earrings to the right. Way too dark and not cropped at all.
Take tons of pictures. See what happens to the same shot when you change the settings on your camera. Move your items around to get unique views. Use a variety of props to pose them. Put them on different backgrounds to pull out different colors. Try using a photo light box to diffuse natural light. Experiment with shooting in that bright but shaded corner of your backyard. You might use one out of ten shots, but hey, just delete the rest. No harm, no foul and you'll learn a ton in the process.

Yes, these photos are all my own "mistakes", that I learned from. Obviously, I'm not above a little public humiliation. ;)

At the pace of a tortoise

2009-11-21T16:27:00.009-05:00

I have to admit that getting back into creating things since moving has been extremely difficult for me. If you've ever upended your life with an interstate move, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

Don't get me wrong -- it's a decision that I don't regret for a minute. My new day job is going quite well and I'm enjoying being back near my family and old friends immensely. Yet the minutiae of establishing my new life here has been sucking up every ounce of energy I normally would have put into creating jewelry...and then some.

Everything I do -- absolutely everything -- takes more effort and/or time than I would like. Establishing new bank accounts and making address changes. Finding the grocery store and then the stuff I like in it. Figuring out the labyrinth that is the Illinois DMV. Memorizing new phone number and passwords and street names. Readjusting to taking public transportation to work instead of driving. Adapting to different weather patterns. Determining who has the best chai tea lattes and Mexican food within walking distance of my house. Knowing where to park without getting ticketed. Again.

I actually felt like I hit a major milestone the other day when I reached for the hall light switch and actually found it in the dark on the first try! That might sound strange, but that says to me that simply being here in my apartment is starting to feel normal to me, not like I'm visiting a foreign country where the light switches are set at some unusually awkward height.

Or how about just unpacking the myriad boxes that are still all over my house, including those that contain all my jewelry making and crafting supplies? I haven't made anything in months because my mental and physical energy for it has been zilch as I slowly navigate this new life of mine.

I've moved enough in my life -- about 30 times actually! -- to know it will get incrementally easier each day. I'm trying to be patient, but it's much like when I took French in college -- I was frustrated when I wasn't fluent by the second week. And I'm well past the second week -- I want to be settled in NOW!

So patience is what I am seeking right now. With myself. With settling in. With finding my stuff in boxes. With everything. It will surely help fuel my creative process once again. And help me cut myself some slack when I'm frustrated with the tortoise's pace of it all.

But if anyone wants to come by and help me finish unpacking, you are more than welcome!

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2009-11-20T15:25:00.002-05:00

Creativity is the sudden cessation of stupidity.

~ Edwin Land

image credit: andryone

under a Creative Commons license

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Audra Jones

2009-11-19T21:26:00.001-05:00

Monday Pounce: FondleMyArt

2009-11-16T09:39:00.005-05:00

I'll admit it. The name really caught my eye. And the pottery kept it. I really wanted to be able to fondle her art!

I think what struck me the most are the organic nature of the designs and the gorgeous textures of her bowls and other vessels, such as the uniquely shaped glass cups.

The platters she calls word trays are very unique; my college French is rather rusty after twenty years though so I couldn't pick out what they said, as lovely as they are.

Before visiting Jennifer's shop I might have seen smoke-fired bowls before, but never knew what I was looking at. These are by far my favorite pieces since each one is utterly unique and influenced not by the potter's hand, but by the capricious movement of fire and smoke in the kiln. Fantastic!

So let's show FondleMyArt some love and get her that first sale!

Visit FondleMyArt here:

Etsy: FondleMyArt.etsy.com

Web: JenniferBarbe.com

Blog: fondlemyart.wordpress.com

New Tools!

2009-11-15T13:00:00.004-05:00

When I was reopening my Etsy shop this week, I quickly became aware of some new tools that have come available recently that can really aid in promotion. Two I took advantage of right away are Twitter Lists and the Facebook "My Etsy" app.

Twitter now offers tweeps the option to create Twitter lists within their followers. Tweets can be directed at this list by using the @username/listname convention and, if people are following your list, they receive the tweets. A great way to target market and to view tweets from those folks who are related directly to something in particular.

I'm using this to pull out the people who are either handmade artisans themselves or somehow directly related to the handmade movement. Originally enough, I named my list "handmade"! I've already added over 360 tweeps from my 1900+ followers to the list, which you can follow if you so choose.

The Facebook app, My Etsy, allows Etsy shopkeepers to create a tab on their profile and/or fan page that showcases items from their shop. I decided to put the tab on both my personal profile and my fan page, but you may decide differently, especially if you are trying to not overwhelm your friends with your shop.

The app mostly recreates the first page of your shop, with links to view the rest. There is also an option of including a link to your blog (if you have one), which creates a box with the five most recent post links on the right side of the page. The one thing the app does not allow is making a purchase directly from your Facebook page, the way the Artfire Kiosk tab does. Despite this, I think there is potential here to help greatly in driving traffic.

I'll definitely be watching my Google Analytics to see how these two tools help in bringing people to my shop and with sales. Please comment below on how you anticipate using these tools, too!

This makes me think of video games & strenuously avoiding being like them

2009-11-15T00:53:00.004-05:00

from keri smith's wish jar

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2009-11-14T16:20:00.001-05:00

The key question isn't "What fosters creativity?"
But it is why in God's name isn't everyone creative?
Where was the human potential lost?
How was it crippled?

I think therefore a good question might be not why do people create?
But why do people not create or innovate?
We have got to abandon that sense of amazement in the face of creativity,
as if it were a miracle if anybody created anything.

~ Abraham Maslow

image: turbojoe
under a Creative Commons license

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Sala Faruq

2009-11-12T08:15:00.007-05:00

"Inside the Artisan's Studio" is a weekly peek into the creative process of artists and craftspeople. The questions are based on those asked by James Lipton during "Inside the Actor's Studio" but with an artistic twist! If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Sala Faruq
San Diego, CA (USA)

Sala says: "I have tried drawing, painting, screen printing and etching over the years, but nothing excites me as much as creating art with gourds. In 2003, I affirmed my love of gourd crafting and have been producing gourd creations ever since.

My primary goal in creating gourd art is to capture the essence of the medium and transform it into elegant works of art. Additionally, I am challenged to create works that go beyond the traditional confines of what gourd art is.

I designed vessels and figurative pieces initially. In 2006, I started working on a line of distinctive gourd jewelry after being captivated by the book, '1000 Rings: Inspiring Adornments for the Hand.'"

1. What is your favorite medium to work in?
The gourd is my medium of choice. Gourds are so versatile. They can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures. And, they lightweight, durable and watertight.

2. What is your least favorite medium to work in?
My least favorite medium is screen printing. I worked in the field for a number of years. It is physically demanding and requires working with various hazardous chemicals.

3. What inspires your creativity?
I get inspiration from any number of sources such as a book, fabric design, or leaf. When I first moved to San Diego, I spent a great deal of time organizing and decorating my new apartment/studio. I surrounded myself with things that I love such as images, textures and colors. My apartment has become my sanctuary. It is like being cradled in a warm blanket, which is a perfect environment for my creative juices to flow.

4. What blocks your creativity?
My creativity is blocked when my environment is chaotic. As mentioned in above, it took me several months to organize and decorate my new space. I lost my muse during that time. My muse came back once I got my place setup. Since then, I have been experiencing a rush of creative energy.

5. What sound or noise do you love when working on your craft/art?
I like working with the television on. The images and dialog softly humming in the background offer comfort. I also like music at times.

6. What sound or noise do you hate when working on your craft/art?
I don't like loud noises, whether talking or music. Loud noises break my inner peace.

7. What are your favorite pieces that you have created recently?
I recently finished working on a gourd teapot entitled "Nina." (top image) I have several other favorites that are not so recent, but my favorites anyway. They are a bracelet design entitled "Ahmadu" (second from top), a ring design entitled "When The Chicks Come Home to Roost" (center image) a figurative creation entitled, "Beauty Is Here Because I Am Here," (right) and a vessel design entitled "Spirit Bottle" (bottom image)

8. What craft/art other than your own would you like to attempt?
I would like to try felting. The organic quality of felting appeals to me. It seems to be a craft that could fit naturally with my gourd crafting.

9. What craft/art would you not like to do?
I would not like to do metal sculpture. I took a metal sculpture course as an undergraduate. I had a romantic notion of being the next great metal sculptress. Well, the stars fell from my eyes fairly quickly. The flame, gas tanks and a classmate getting burned by a piece of molted metal changed my mind.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say about your craft/art when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Sala, you have done well."

Sala and her creations can be found in these places:

Web: www.salafaruq.com
Etsy: salafaruq.etsy.com
Blog: salafaruq.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Sala-Faruq-Decorative-Functional-Fine-Gourd-Art/129249635804

HGTV: My gourd creations can be found on HGTV's "Share My Craft". Go to www.hgtv.com. Click on Crafts. In the search box type, "gourddiva".

If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Small Pleasures: Finding Normal

2009-11-11T23:23:00.011-05:00

Hello Dear Readers...

As you have probably noticed, I've been missing in action for about a month or so. You may recall from our last episode that I moved from Connecticut to Chicago for a new day job.

Exciting? Yes.
Going well? Yes!
Completely and utterly exhausting? You have no frakkin' idea.

My apartment is still mostly in boxes, including my jewelry-making supplies, as I'm too tired most evenings to do more than the minimum after the brain drain of the day. And the minimum sometimes only manages to cover making dinner, eating, maybe a load of laundry or other household task, and then falling onto the couch. This too shall pass as I find a new sense of normal in the coming weeks and months.

All that said, it's my goal to get my Etsy shop opened back up this weekend and get back on track with blogging and other promotion. I think it will help me with that sense of normal I'm seeking. Hope you are willing to come along for the ride with me!
Be well...
Lisa

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2009-10-21T13:28:00.001-04:00

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull
of what you really love."
~ Rumi

image: Vesko Ruychev
under a Creative Commons License

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2009-10-10T17:35:00.001-04:00

"I affirm
- simply, surely, and unequivocally -
that I am a creative person."

~ Eric Maisel

image: Ivan Marianelli
under a Creative Commons License

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Debi aka oneheartjewelry

2009-10-08T08:34:00.003-04:00

Using accidents

2009-10-04T11:21:00.000-04:00

A Craftsman knows how to avoid accidents.
An Artist knows how to use them.

"Nothing paralyzes an artist more than fear of screwing up. The first step toward curing writer's block is to begin writing, even if the most you can manage is to type random words. Writer's block is not the inability to type. It is the inability to type something of value. So you begin to cure it by typing anything. If nothing else, you copy the phone book, or the Bible, adding a word or two of your own now and then. Another approach might be to tear a page out of a book or newspaper, cut the page into pieces, rearrange the pieces and see if any interesting juxtapositions occur that might beg for elaboration...

Mistakes, accidents, and the unexpected often provide the spark that leads to great work. The trick is to plan and execute your creative process in a way that makes room for lots of experimenting and lots of mistakes early. Rehearsing is not mainly for the purpose of "memorizing" what needs to be done. Actually the best reason to rehearse is to discover what needs to be done."

Read the whole gorgeous thing, written by Randy Thom, here.

90? Wow!

2009-10-01T22:21:00.002-04:00

I realized when I signed into Blogger just now that Thursday's Inside the Artisan's Studio post was my 90th post.

WooHoo! Here's to the next 90 posts...and beyond!

So perhaps this is a bit self-congratulatory. And 90 is a somewhat odd number to celebrate. It's not 50. It's not 100. It's 90.

But I started this wacky thing back in December -- just a few weeks after I had opened my Etsy shop -- after reading about how much blogging can help support sales and traffic. I can't document exactly how much it has helped, but kudos to Timothy Adam's Handmadeology for so much of the advice I've (somewhat erratically) followed so far.

Honestly, I didn't know what my voice was going to sound like here, where this blog was going to go (sometimes still don't) and figured there was a really high risk of it living a very short life given the distractions that life provides every day.

Yet, here I am, 90 posts and maybe 9 or 10 months later, still plugging away. That doesn't seem like a lot of posts in the grand scheme of things, especially when there are solo bloggers who make 90 posts in a month. But it's working for me and hopefully it's working for you, too!

Even when I don't have a lot of time to make new jewelry -- like right now, because I'm in the midst of packing up to move 900 miles west for a new day job -- I can still take a few minutes to create a post here. Given my ongoing desire to feel connected with others in the handmade community and the enjoyment I get from writing, that's enough for the time being, even if it only means a few posts a week.

Thanks to all my followers, fans and friends for the encouragement and providing your support! I would love to hear from you in comments about what you'd like to see more (or less) of here. And I'll get to work on it once I'm settled in Chicago.

Cheers!

image by pazdude

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Mary Vogel Lozinak aka Pinkflamingo61

2009-10-01T08:27:00.002-04:00

"Inside the Artisan's Studio" is a weekly peek into the creative process of artists and craftspeople. The questions are based on those asked by James Lipton during "Inside the Actor's Studio" but with an artistic twist! If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Mary Vogel Lozinak aka Pinkflamingo61
Outside of Philadelphia, PA (USA)

Mary says: "Finally I am supporting myself with my art and jewelry. It's been my goal since I was seven to 'grow up to be an artist'! Two days a week I teach painting and mixed media, the rest of the time is devoted to making jewelry, Steampunk and Urban Assemblage and working on fine art projects. My work has been published in several magazines and is sold in a few stores and gallery shops. My day job is ETSY and ART FIRE, I have four online stores now and am on the top sellers list with ETSY. Nine weeks in the summer I teach art to children at the local art center, I do that because I love it and the children really inspire me."

1. What is your favorite medium to work in?
Crayon. I love water soluble crayons! I can't get enough of them. I actually work in just about every medium except oil. I gave that up years ago - I have frequent migraines and that doesn't help. Much of my work lately is mixed media and assemblage. I have such a horde of found junk that I've started using it to make some fun things. The mixed media comes from having a great art space where I can just grab anything and throw it into the project without having to hunt it out. If it's there in front of me it may end up being used or attached in some way.

2. What is your least favorite medium to work in?
Ceramic clay is my least favorite, now having said that-I love clay!! Here's my secret confession! I'm really lazy about the clean up process and there is always so much work with the set up, clean up etc with clay I don't do it as often as I would like. I also have an aversion to certain brands of pastel - the ones that make your blood run cold when the scratch the paper.

3. What inspires your creativity?
Just about everything around me. I'm a very visual person and I take in my surroundings and need to put it back out again. I love looking at people's blogs with lots of great pictures, magazines by Stampington and similar publications and doing art with other people. All of those things get me going.

4. What blocks your creativity?
I'm one of those people who has never had a creative block. If anything, I find I need a few more hours each day. My list in my head keeps getting longer, things I want to make, things I want to try, ideas flood my brain everyday. I write notes to my self, then I lose them! I always tell my students that if they can't find a subject to draw just open their eyes and put pencil to paper, no excuse for there being nothing to draw. I think if I were in a white box my imagination would color the walls for me.

5. What sound or noise do you love when working on your craft/art?
My sewing machine humming along is a wonderful sound. Painting outside with the birds and summer bugs. My husband working in the next room. I love classic rock, but only sometimes when I'm working. The total silence of my concentration.

6. What sound or noise do you hate when working on your craft/art?
That darn telephone. It's always ringing and always when I have wet paint or my hands dipped in something messy. The other thing about the phone is the interruption of the process. There's a flow that comes with working, the breathing, the pace, everything that gets interrupted by the phone. I would love to turn it off but I would worry I'd miss an important call.

7. What are your favorite pieces that you have created recently?
I just sold my favorite piece: Miss Arabella. She can't find a husband, it's such a shame. She's so smart and insists on wearing men's trousers and hats. Does she think a man would ever be interested in her inventions? Doesn't she realize that math and formulas are not for wives? Pity, she has a nice figure and good wide hips.

Another favorite is: Time Only Begins When The Clock Stops Steampunk Sculpture

8. What craft/art other than your own would you like to attempt?
I'd love to blow glass. Just the whole molten, fire globs is so exciting to me.

9. What craft/art would you not like to do?
I like to give most things a try.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say about your craft/art when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
I would like to know that He thinks I've made people smile or think. That I used old unloved junk and made it new and wonderful again.

Mary and her creations can be found in these places:

Etsy: www.pinkflamingo61.etsy.com
Artfire: www.artfire.com/users/pinkflamingo61
Blog: pinkflamingo61.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pinkflamingo61
Twitter: @pinkflamingo61

Other Online Presence:
www.pinksupply.etsy.com
Vendor of steampunk supplies, jewelry supplies, found objects and the unusual. Huge collection of charms and beads.

www.pinksewingroom.etsy.com
Vintage and new sewing store. Materials, laces, old sewing tools and fabulous findings.

Lozinak.com

If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

in⋅spi⋅ra⋅tion [in-spuh-rey-shuhn]

2009-09-30T00:02:00.002-04:00

"Creativity is a type of learning process
where the teacher and the pupil
are located in the same individual."

~ Arthur Koestler

image: malik ml williams
under a Creative Commons License

Creativity in Individuals

2009-09-29T22:12:00.005-04:00

"You don't have to be a special kind of person to be creative – everyone can do it. It's not about who you are, it's about what you do. You just need to start looking for multiple solutions rather than settling for just one, and give yourself permission to be playful and inquisitive, flexible and versatile."
~ 1000ventures.com

Even though the page is really busy (almost to the point of distraction), you can read lots more on this idea here.

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Glenna aka Gnormyle

2009-09-23T22:40:00.000-04:00

Monday Pounce...just ain't happening this week

2009-09-21T08:05:00.001-04:00

This space would usually be filled with some lovely new items from a lovely new shop by a lovely new shopkeeper who hasn't had any sales yet. I call it Monday Pounce and it's a fun way to show off both a unique Etsy feature (Pounce) and new sellers who just need a little love.

However, this week I'm deep in the throes of apartment hunting. I'm moving from Connecticut to Chicago for a new job in a few weeks. Which I'm terribly excited about , but it would be really swell to have some place to put my stuff when I get there. (The cats would probably appreciate it, too.) So no pouncing for me this week since I'll be a bit preoccupied. In fact, posting in general will be a little light for the next month or so, until I get settled in.

But that doesn't mean YOU can't Pounce! So go see what you find. And leave a link to the shop you love most in the comments. I can't wait to see what you find! Thanks everyone!

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Ginger aka PersonalOasis

2009-09-17T08:27:00.005-04:00

"Inside the Artisan's Studio" is a weekly peek into the creative process of artists and craftspeople. The questions are based on those asked by James Lipton during "Inside the Actor's Studio" but with an artistic twist! If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Ginger aka PersonalOasis
Greenville, SC (USA)

Ginger says: "I am a wife and mother of 2 (now school age!) children and I work full time outside of the home as a manager in a stressful assignment. I started designing and making jewelry in 2008 to give myself something else to think about other than the cares and worries of the day. What surprised me was how much I enjoyed it and that I got compliments on my work from other people."

1. What is your favorite medium to work in?
Right now, I work mostly with beaded jewelry. I like how much variety there is out there. You can do anything you can imagine - shapes, textures, colors and so many different materials, oh my! I know it sounds crazy, but it's so exciting to me!

2. What is your least favorite medium to work in?
I don't have a least favorite!

3. What inspires your creativity?
I shop for materials that I like first and foremost (stones and pearls especially.) The best part is that I have no idea what I'll do with them when I get them. The design for my jewelry just comes to me as I am looking around at my stash. It's the complete opposite of who I have to be in the traditional workplace - very liberating. I put on my music, sing at the top of my lungs (much to the dismay of my family, I have to admit) and play around with combinations until I'm satisfied.

4. What blocks your creativity?
Interesting, I'm the most productive with my jewelry when I'm not trying. When I first started my shop, I put pressure on myself to do more and my mind just rebelled. I would look around and see no options whatsoever in my stash. When I changed my mindset and decided that it had to be fun first, everything fell into place.

5. What sound or noise do you love when working on your craft/art?
I have a lot of upbeat 80's and 90's music on my iPod and I like to listen to it really loud - loud enough that I can't hear myself singing with it...

6. What sound or noise do you hate when working on your craft/art?
"Moooooommmmmmm!!!!" I know I shouldn't admit it, but when I'm in the groove, the last thing I want to hear is that one of my children needs help with something or that they are fighting. :-) (Ed. Note: Several other artisans have said the exact same thing!)

7. What are your favorite pieces that you have created recently?
I have found that jasper is one of my favorite materials. It comes in many colors, can be carved into lots of shapes and it's durable. The 3 strand Kambaba Jasper and Obsidian Necklace is my favorite. The greens, blacks and silvers are just beautiful and make a rich necklace.

I was also pleased with the Fiery Reds, Oranges Necklace (pictured at right) - grins from ear to ear when I finished it, actually. It was really fun to pull together so many different materials for this set and the colors really feel like fall to me.

8. What craft/art other than your own would you like to attempt?
I would love to pick up sewing and cross-stitching and wire-work for jewelry. I used to cross-stitch when I was younger and unfortunately, found that my wrists couldn't stand the repetition and had to give it up.

I have thought about learning to sew and maybe try my hand at quilting. My Mom does it (and has a few pieces in my shop), but I haven't found the room or taken the plunge yet. I think quilting may have some of the same joys in it that I find in jewelry.

Finally, I am actually planning to branch out in jewelry making techniques and wire wrapping is first on my list!

9. What craft/art would you not like to do?
Drawing and painting hold no appeal for me. Do you think it could be because I can't draw a straight line to save my life? Ahhh... if only I *could* shape the world to fit my vision.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say about your craft/art when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Hmmm.... In all honesty, I guess it doesn't matter what He says about my craft as long as He actually opens those gates and lets me in!

Ginger and her creations can be found in these places:

Etsy: personaloasis.etsy.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyPersonalOasis

If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Divalicious!

2009-09-15T22:22:00.005-04:00

The other day, I mentioned that I had contributed over 4 dozen pairs of earrings to the September Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Boxes, run by the Delightful Divas in Business. They went on sale today and they usually sell out quickly, so get yours now! :)

Monday Pounce: Anchor497

2009-09-14T08:34:00.001-04:00

Etsy has a fun buying feature called "Pounce ", where you can view items that are "available from shops that have just sold an item and from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale". Since new shop owners need a little love, too, I'm running a weekly feature called "Monday Pounce" where I pounce on an undiscovered shop and share what I find with you.

While pouncing this week, the bright colors of the items in the shop Anchor497 really caught my eye. I was drawn in immediately to find out more. Anchor497 offers a number of different items -- framed and unframed artwork in a number of sizes, accessories such as keyrings, and quite an array of jewelry, both individual pieces and sets.

Anchor497's shop announcement indicates that all items were available in local shops, but the economic downturn meant they weren't moving. That bit of bad news is good news for you, since these are great pieces being offered at reduced prices.

And with some items as low as $1 -- and nothing higher than $41! -- these items are a very affordable way to bring great color and creative expression into your life.

I clicked over to Anchor497's blog at nakedthistle.blogspot.com, after finding the mention in her profile. I love the quote she has at the top -- FREEDOM COMES IN THE FORM OF OBSTACLES.

I think that idea is very much indicative of what she's done with the items in her weeks-old Etsy shop. The obstacle of economic downturn has become an opportunity to share these gorgeous pieces with a wider audience, not just those in her local area. Very freeing, indeed.

Click on over and take a look around! I think you'll find these items really lovely, too.

Visit Anchor497 here:
Etsy Shop
Blog

Making Fine Silver Ball Ear Wires

2009-09-13T10:36:00.003-04:00

I stumbled upon this great tutorial today at the Jewelry Makers Network site. While I learned how to make silver ball ear wires in my metalsmithing class this summer, I don't have all the tools at home (yet!) to make more. Karen, the instructor for this tutorial, covers things so well, I'm now feeling inspired to go get the remaining items I need! She speaks clearly, describes the steps well and offers suggestions for how to do things differently than demonstrated. I think I'll be looking for more of her videos to learn from and share with you!

or view it here.

Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Boxes

2009-09-12T09:39:00.001-04:00

A while back, I was approached by the women who run Sweet Delight Divalicious Sample Boxes. They asked if I might be interested in contributing items to their September boxes, which I agreed to do, after checking with some past contributors on their experience.

I sent off over four dozen pairs of beaded earrings, packaged up nice and cute with red ribbons and a coupon, too! Though as I write this I realized I didn't take any pictures of them, the photo above shows you the contents of the July sample box. So, if you purchase one of the September sample boxes, you'll receive a pair of earrings I made and a ton of goodies from different online sellers. Take a peek here. Only $25 Canadian!

And get this -- the American dollar is actually worth more than the Canadian dollar right now (who knew?), so if you are in the US, you'll save money!

Sample boxes go on sale September 15th and historically have sold out in a short period of time, so get yours today!

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Natasha aka Mother's Love

2009-09-10T08:49:00.002-04:00

"Inside the Artisan's Studio" is a weekly peek into the creative process of artists and craftspeople. I've based my questions on those asked by James Lipton during "Inside the Actor's Studio" but with an artistic twist! If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Natasha aka Mother's Love
Desoto, Missouri (USA)

Natasha says: "I was born in Spain but I've lived in the States for the last 19 years. I earned my associates in Paralegal, but then decided it was too dull of work for me. I am a wife to an amazing man, and mother to a wonderful little boy. I also have two adorable little pugs. I love to read. My husband and I have accumulated so many books already, that by the time we're 50 we could probably have our own library. I also love to sing. Before the baby came, we used to do karaoke all the time. But now it's just in the house. When the weather's nice, I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Going for walks, throwing a ball around, working in the garden... possibilities are endless. Growing up, I was always within minutes of the beach. Not so much now that I'm in Missouri, but I can still find my sanctuary outside."

1. What is your favorite medium to work in?
I love making jewelry. I've done a lot of different things, but that's what I love doing the most.

2. What is your least favorite medium to work in?
Anything that requires a sewing machine. I never seem to get it right. I'll leave the sewing to my mom.

3. What inspires your creativity?
Beauty. Life. One can find beauty in anything. My goal is to be able to capture that beauty and turn it into something I can wear!

4. What blocks your creativity?
Negativity. I just don't like to hear complaining and pessimism. You know how misery loves company. One can't help but feel negative when there's negativism around them.

5. What sound or noise do you love when working on your craft/art?
I usually work on my jewelry in the evenings when the little one is in bed. I just don't seem to concentrate as well without the TV on.

6. What sound or noise do you hate when working on your craft/art?
When the dogs get their evening burst of energy. I don't know what gets into them, but every night at the same time, they start running around the house. They make this really weird whining sound when they run. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have my little work table out and the little one wasn't sleeping. But I get paranoid that they're gonna jump on my workspace and scatter everything.

7. What are your favorite pieces that you have created recently?
I don't know. I love all my pieces. I guess if I had to pick some, I'd say the Ocean Charms set and the Autumn Blooms bracelet. I guess you get the idea of my favorite colors from those choices.

8. What craft/art other than your own would you like to attempt?
Hmmm, I would like to be able to make bath and body stuff. I think it's super neat, and I think I could come up with some really yummy scents.

9. What craft/art would you not like to do?
I just don't see my myself doing much with fabrics. I've tried and it's just not for me.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say about your craft/art when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
I would like to hear that I used my gifts/talents wisely and that I did good in doing what I enjoyed doing.

Natasha and her creations can be found in these places:

Artfire: www.motherslove.artfire.com
Blog: www.motherslovejewelry.blogspot.com
Plurk: www.plurk.com/MothersLove
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Mothers-Love/121380311296?ref=nf
Twitter: @mothersloveaf

If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Monday Pounce: DaidaLOrange

2009-09-07T08:15:00.001-04:00

Etsy has a fun buying feature called "Pounce ", where you can view items that are "available from shops that have just sold an item and from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale". Since new shop owners need a little love, too, I'm running a weekly feature called "Monday Pounce" where I pounce on an undiscovered shop and share what I find with you.

The cute babies got me.

But the adorable hats on the cute babies really got me.

DaidaLOrange makes great hats, cocoons and more for these cute babies. But the photos...oh my!

Back in the day, I worked as a portrait photographer at one of those one hour portrait places in a mall. The average age of our customer was 12, so you can imagine how many baby sittings we did!

And babies of the age depicted in DaidaLOrange's pictures are difficult (at best) to get to pose, smile, laugh, or do anything other than look kind of blobby. (It's true! You just try getting an infant with undeveloped muscle control to hold a pose!)

But somehow our intrepid shopkeeper does this incredibly well. Maybe it's because she's a photographer with way more experience than I was!

But onto those adorable hats. While Daida describes them as props for photographers of newborns, these would be wonderful for any baby to wear. The handspun yarns are unique and look incredibly touchable with their slubby textures. The colors are diverse -- you'll definitely be able to find what you need here for that tiny child in your life.

Oh, and you have to read the sweet story about where the name DaidaLOrange came from!

How she has gone for so many weeks without a sale is beyond me. Someone change that, OK? :)

Visit DaidaLOrange here:
Etsy Shop

all photos by DaidaLOrange (click on the photo to be taken to the item depicted)

395 by 9/5

2009-09-04T19:01:00.004-04:00

Help me reach

395 Facebook fans and get a 20% discount starting tomorrow - Saturday, September 5.

That's my birthday, but you get the presents! Hurry! Only hours remain!

Just go to my Facebook Fan Page and click "Become a Fan". That simple!

Thanks!

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Karina Gallo

2009-09-03T09:17:00.004-04:00

"Inside the Artisan's Studio" is a weekly peek into the creative process of artists and craftspeople. I've based my questions on those asked by James Lipton during "Inside the Actor's Studio" but with an artistic twist! If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Karina Gallo
Queens, New York (USA)

Karina says: "Soap That Makes Scents is the brainstorm of Canadian transplant Karina Gallo and her American-born husband Richard, of Ernest & Julio Gallo Vineyards. They live and play in New York City, one of the best places in the world to network."

1. What is your favorite medium to work in?
Soap, obviously. I help people from all over the globe smell better. I think that makes everyone a little bit happier in the end.

2. What is your least favorite medium to work in?
All of my soaps are done in the MP Process. I don't think I'd like working with Cold-Process methods. Too messy, too long of a waiting period before I could enjoy using my creations.

3. What inspires your creativity?
Scents. Fragrances invoke memories. The smell of fresh lemon makes you think "clean"...the smell of cinnamon might make you think of the holidays and baking..scents are everything, and very much important in our daily lives. I try to offer a slice of life in every bar.

4. What blocks your creativity?
When I have a cold.

5. What sound or noise do you love when working on your craft/art?
Hmm...you know, I really don't pay attention to any sounds around me when making soap -- I'm so focused on what I'm doing. I would have to say that I do love music in the background though.

6. What sound or noise do you hate when working on your craft/art?
This one is a little bit easier. My daughter crying.

7. What are your favorite pieces that you have created recently?
I am abosolutely in LOVE with my Cranberry Peach Vanilla Body Souffle soap. Out of all the scents in this line of creamy whipped soaps, this one is my favorite--as well as the Pineapple Creme Brulee which is quickly becoming very popular. They are like soapy desserts that you just want to dig into with a spoon.

As far as my vegan soap bars are concerned, I'd have to say that Mulled Apple Cider is a nice subtle scent and Blood Orange is such a sweeter, more intense orange oil...and really stands out with my customers.

8. What craft/art other than your own would you like to attempt?
I have always wanted to learn how to crochet. I just am so busy with my shop and shows these days that I don't have the time to right now...someday, though!

9. What craft/art would you not like to do?
Well..I suppose I wouldn't want to paint with my own blood or anything like that..I have a very low threshold for pain.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say about your craft/art when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"Thank Me that you're here!! Paul hasn't bathed in over a century!"

Karina and her creations can be found in these places:

Web: www.SoapThatMakesScents.com
Etsy: www.kreatedbykarina.etsy.com
Twitter: @kreatedbykarina

If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

slightly snarky tidbit #1: it's your product

2009-09-01T15:24:00.001-04:00

The slightly snarky tidbit:
I don't care how much you promote the hell out of your shop or improve your photography, if your product is horrible -- or even just really bad -- it simply won't sell. So do a serious and brutally honest appraisal of your product -- what can you do to make it better?

The slightly snarky detail:
Can't answer that question for yourself? Here's a few wacky ideas, and lo and behold, most are even FREE:

Ask your most honest friends. You want honest feedback from them about improving your product. Not "oh, it's just not my taste, but I'm sure someone will just LOVE it" kind of advice, but really honest "you need to learn how to do this better" advice. Ask them how they would use what you make and what they look for in that kind of product, aside from insanely high quality at a ridiculously low Wal-Mart price. Does it need a zipper? Different colors? An actual purpose? Or just to look like it wasn't made in 1987 by your 4 year old niece?
Ask another artist or crafter. The Etsy Forums and a gazillion other online venues offer a massive number of ways to connect with other artisans. No, they're not dumb enough to give away all their trade secrets and purchasing sources -- they're your competition, remember? But you can ask how they learned what they know. And you can ask for their honest feedback on improving your product, your shop, whatever. Crazily enough, you might even find a willing teacher or two along the way.
Find a like-minded friend. Maybe your friend doesn't make the exact same thing you do. Doesn't matter in the least. You can support each other in improving your skills. Just like sex and going to the movies, it's more fun with a friend!
Take a class. Local community colleges and art guilds usually offer classes to area residents at much cheaper prices than a four year university. Added bonus -- lots of four year schools have continuing or adult education offices that might have something worth your while. In the end though, you probably don't need a bachelor of fine arts. You need studio time and some instruction. Seek and ye shall find.
Make. Just like a musician that doesn't practice, you're not going to get any better if you don't make lots of mistakes (or "happy accidents") while making lots of stuff. So go. Go. NOW. Well, after you finishing reading this incredibly insightful blog post anyway!

Got something to add? Leave your ideas in comments. I'm no where near the world's authority on all this, so type 'em if you got 'em!

Oh, by the way, when I Googled "horrible product" the Cheez-It flavored lip balm is the first image that appeared. Without even trying it, I think it is a horrible product that could only be improved by torching the whole lot of 'em...but your mileage may vary. Especially if you are the biggest Cheez-It fan in the world and can't get enough of that lip-smackin' taste between snack breaks.

No offense intended, of course.

Well, maybe a little. ;)

Monday Pounce: CupcakeAnRazorblade

2009-08-31T08:05:00.001-04:00

Etsy has a fun buying feature called "Pounce ", where you can view items that are "available from shops that have just sold an item and from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale". Since new shop owners need a little love, too, I'm running a weekly feature called "Monday Pounce" where I pounce on an undiscovered shop and share what I find with you.

The name was attention-grabbing, let alone the gorgeous hair clips and accessories! Who could ignore a shop called CupcakeAnRazorblade?

Well, apparently pretty much everyone since these fabulous dames have had their Etsy shop open for weeks without a sale! Let's hope that changes soon (perhaps with you, Gentle Reader?) because it's would be a dirty rotten shame to let these lovely clips languish without being out and about in the world making it a prettier place.

Dixie Razorblade and Veronica Cupcake are our spunky shopkeepers, and big fans of the 40s and 50s they are! Just read their profile. It's a hoot! But mostly, it's about those hair clips. Big colorful flowers...more subtle feathers...a glittering butterfly nestled in a bloom...a tattoo-like image with zebra print ribbon...and is that a skull I see?

Such an array of materials! The 40s and 50s inspiration shines through, but with a contemporary edge. To me, that means pretty much anyone could wear these gorgeous creations. Very cool stuff, Dixie and Veronica. Good luck!

UPDATE: They had two sales on the day this blog post went up! Coincidence?? I think not! :)

Visit CupcakeanRazorblade here:
Etsy Shop
Web

Little Suggestions for Facebook Fan Pages: Wall Interactions with your Fans

2009-08-28T11:40:00.001-04:00

There are some small things that I've noticed shopkeepers doing on their Facebook fan pages on a regular basis that I think can influence how people view their pages, and ultimately, their shops. This is the next in a series of little suggestions for your consideration. These are most definitely my own opinion -- your mileage may vary, so use them or lose them. It's up to you!

The wall of one's fan page can be a great place to interact with fans. It's not just about posting updates, but a chance for your fans to leave comments or even their own photos, links, etc. What I have see most often is other shopkeepers sharing links to their own shops in order to get more fans and increase their visibility on Facebook. Some shopkeepers may prefer to have less fan activity on their wall or may just want to maintain more control over what is visible. Fortunately, Facebook has a variety of settings to help meet your needs.

All settings changes on fan pages are made by clicking on either "Settings" or "Options" immediately under the blue "Share" button at the top of your wall. Which word is visible depends upon how your page is currently configured, so look for one or the other. If you see Options, you will then need to click on Settings.

This is what the "Settings" dialog on my fan page looks like; I've added red boxes to show where to look for different settings (click to embiggen):

Fan Permissions
First up, there is the choice of disallowing your fans from posting anything to your wall. This offers you the most control over content, but will seriously limit fan interaction on your page. To make this change, once in the "Settings" dialog, look for "Fan Permissions", then uncheck "Fans can write or post content on the wall".

Second, you could limit the types of posts your fans can make to your wall. Facebook allows you to check or uncheck whether fans can post photos, links or videos. Again in the "Fan Permissions" dialog, select which are acceptable to you.

If you're not specifically asking for anything from your fans, you are most likely to get links to other fan pages or perhaps items from their shops most frequently. You can encourage fan interaction but indicate the types of posts you prefer by specifically requesting photos, links or videos in your posts. You may or may not get it, but it should help.

View Settings
Let's say you've decided to allow your fans full posting permissions in order to enhance fan interaction. But now you're worried your wall is going to be a complete mess. There's a solution for that, too -- you have the ability to change how posts appear on your wall.

Going back into "Settings", then to "View Settings", the first drop down menu gives you the choice of "Posts by Page and Fans" or "Posts Only by Page". Select "Posts by Page and Fans" if you're willing to have everything show up. This is what my page looks like with all posts visible (click to embiggen):

Select "Posts by Page Only" if you want only your own posts to appear. This is what my page looks like with only my posts on it (click to embiggen):

When adjusting the "View Settings", check out how the links above the settings change as you toggle back and forth between the two choices. Once you go back to the wall, you'll see these links allow you to view the wall in different ways -- just your posts, just fan posts, or both. Your fans can click on those different links to view the varying types of posts as well.

One last item under "View Settings" -- you can decide if you want comments to automatically expand and be visible on the wall or not. The default setting is for comments to be visible. This is what my wall looks like with comments visible (click to embiggen):

If you want a cleaner look, in the "View Settings" uncheck the box labeled "Comments on stories will be expanded by default". This cleans up your wall quite a bit and still allows you the option to see comments by clicking on the "View Feedback" link under the post, though it increases the number of clicks that need to be made. The number in parentheses indicates how many comments have been made. See this highlighted by the red box in the photo below (click to embiggen):

Hopefully this gives you some ideas on how to create a fan page that looks and interacts with fans the way YOU want. Play with your settings to see what works best for you. You may find different settings work at different times -- for example, if you decide to ask your fans to post their favorite tutorial videos, hiding their posts may not be the best idea!

Let me know how these ideas work for you in the comments below.

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Elizabeth Chandler

2009-08-27T08:00:00.008-04:00

"Inside the Artisan's Studio" is a weekly peek into the creative process of artists and craftspeople. I've based my questions on those asked by James Lipton during "Inside the Actor's Studio" but with an artistic twist! If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Elizabeth Chandler
Nashville, TN

Elizabeth says: "I'm 25, and transitioning into becoming a full time artist - I hope to be completely reliant on my artwork by September of 2010. I'm married to a great guy, and I have two cats and a dog. For the short term, I work with software licensing in my day job for a major university."

1. What is your favorite medium to work in?
Glass! I've tried many different things over the years, and I've found that glass gives me the most freedom of expression. I can pick up a sheet of glass and just know what it will become, but I also feel like I could work with glass for years and still never know everything there is to know about it. Glass offers me constant challenges and inspires me into new directions.

When I'm not working with glass, I also enjoy acrylics and collage.

2. What is your least favorite medium to work in?
Fiber arts. I just don't get them. I never like how things turn out, and I have trouble with the finer motor skills involved in sewing.

3. What inspires your creativity?
Nature. I'm most inspired by cycles - seasons, life and death, growth. I also borrow a lot from my own emotional responses and experiences. I majored in psychology in college, and sometimes I find that creeping into my work.

4. What blocks your creativity?
Feeling like I have to do something. I carry around a to do list so that when I'm worried about something that has to be done later, I can write it down and forget about it. It's hard to be "present" in my studio when I feel like there are other things clamoring for my attention.

5. What sound or noise do you love when working on your craft/art?
I don't like quiet! I usually listen to rock or audiobooks while I work. Or the tv. I have to have something going on in the background.

6. What sound or noise do you hate when working on your craft/art?
My torch is loud - so when I work with it, I have a hard time listening to other things. I can't wait to start working on a quieter torch so I can listen to music while I work with it. But even when the torch is loud, it's a pleasant roar.

7. What are your favorite pieces that you have created recently?
I'm working on a new line that I love! I need to get more pieces photographed and posted on Etsy. But basically, these are made-to-order lampwork bead pendants (here and here). I've had a lot of interest, and they're fun to make - and to wear!

8. What craft/art other than your own would you like to attempt?
I would love to learn how to do welding and large scale metalworking. I think it would look really awesome with glass, and it'd be cool just to do. Plus, what girl doesn't want to learn how to weld?

9. What craft/art would you not like to do?
I love candles, but I don't think making them would be my thing. Too tedious.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say about your craft/art when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
That I did what I loved and did it well.

Elizabeth and her creations can be found in these places:

Web: www.moonofglass.com
Blog: moonofglass.blogspot.com
Etsy: moonofglass.etsy.com
1000 Markets: moonofglass.1000markets.com
Bricks and Mortar: Over the Moon Gallery (Nashville, TN)

If you are an artist or craftsperson interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

One of the Mysteries of You

2009-08-26T21:25:00.001-04:00

An article ran recently in New Scientist called "The 10 Mysteries of You". It examined ten eccentricities that defy scientific explanation but that contribute to making us uniquely human. One of them is art. Several theories exist as to why we are driven to create. Here's a snippet:

Evolutionary psychologists John Tooby and Leda Cosmides at the University of California, Santa Barbara, think the drive to seek out aesthetic experiences could have evolved to push us to learn about different aspects of the world - those that our brain's hard-wiring has not equipped us to deal with at birth. In a similar vein, Brian Boyd from the University of Auckland in New Zealand believes art is a form of intellectual play, allowing us to explore new horizons in a safe environment.

There's more, so it's definitely worth clicking over to read the full (but brief) article. Or all ten of them!

Monday Pounce: SweetMarch

2009-08-24T09:01:00.000-04:00

Etsy has a fun buying feature called "Pounce ", where you can view items that are "available from shops that have just sold an item and from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale". Since new shop owners need a little love, too, I'm running a weekly feature called "Monday Pounce" where I pounce on an undiscovered shop and share what I find with you.

This week's pouncee is SweetMarch, whose shop was literally the first that came up when I Pounced. I fell in love with her dolls immediately since they took me back to my childhood!

Meghan, the shopkeeper, offers what she calls "Ragdoll Couture", which I think is just fantastic. When I poked around on her blog, Another Crafty Day in Paradise, I discovered it was her New Year's Resolution to open an Etsy shop and she got it going just a couple of short weeks ago. Go Meghan!

Great care has obviously been put into creating personalities and even back stories for each doll, whether it be the modern City Girl, the old-fashioned Duchess or even the punked-out Rocker with the pink streak in her dark hair. Perfect!

As adorable as all the dolls are, my personal favorite is The Hero (shown at right), probably because I simply adore Wonder Woman. I think every child should be encouraged to find their inner superhero and this doll certainly would help do the trick.

Best of luck in getting that first sale, Meghan. May many children (and adults) love your dolls for years to come!

Visit SweetMarch here:
Shop
Blog

Little Suggestions for Facebook Fan Pages: Include a Link

2009-08-23T14:01:00.000-04:00

While the advent of Facebook fan pages is rather recent, there are some small things that I've noticed shopkeepers doing on a regular basis that I think can influence how people view their pages, and ultimately, their shops.

I'm going to post a few of little suggestions in the coming weeks for those who have fan pages to consider. These are most definitely my own opinion -- your mileage may vary, so use them or lose them. It's up to you!

On Facebook, whether you have a fan page or use your personal profile to promote your shop, be sure to include a link to your shop on the front page. I'm amazed at how many pages I see without this. No one really wants to go digging through your page trying to find it!

In fact, web developers generally say if people can't get where they want to go in three clicks, they'll give up. And it already takes one click to get to your fan page/profile. Think about it.

The easiest way to accomplish this is shown in the image to the right -- include a link in the editable box directly below your profile picture. (It's circled in red in the image.) Just click on the little pencil in the upper right corner of the box to edit it.

To further promote yourself, you may also want to include a brief greeting and other links such as to your blog, Twitter, or other online presence. There is not a huge amount of space there -- just a few hundred characters -- but with some creative editing, it will all fit.

Be sure to include the http:// coding at the beginning of the URL so it is a live link. Without this, it will have to be copied and pasted, which most people won't take the time to do. Let's face it -- we're lazy, right?

By the way, you do not need to include the "www" at the beginning of your Etsy shop name. That saves you four characters right there! And be sure to use the name of your shop in your link, not the long string of numbers and characters that automatically comes up when you open your shop page.

Let me know how this works for you!

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

2009-08-21T19:30:00.005-04:00

I adore TED Talks because they're thought-provoking and often very funny. This particular talk, by creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson, struck a chord with me as I am both an educator and a self-described creative, as well as someone who thinks her schooling almost educated the creativity right out of her. Let's listen in....

or here, if that's not working.

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Jamie aka ShesBattyDesigns

2009-08-20T09:00:00.009-04:00

"Inside the Artisan's Studio" is a weekly peek into the creative process of artisans and craftspeople. I've based my questions on those asked by James Lipton during "Inside the Actor's Studio" but with an artistic twist! If you are an artisan interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

Jamie, aka ShesBattyDesigns
Ontario, Canada

Jamie says: "My name is Jamie. I live in Ontario, Canada. I am a small business owner, avid crafter, university student, and the editor for the Marketing Department of HandmadeNews.org. My passions include creative expression, animal welfare, and psychology. I am currently finishing a Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a minor in Visual Arts. I have also studied Fine Art and Animal Care at college.

As you can see, continuous learning is a force that drives me. You could say I am an information junkie! My favorite creative outlets include photography, crafts (paper, candle making, etc), printmaking and sculpture. I devote a lot of time to my rescue animals - I have 3 dogs (my fuzzy babies) and a turtle. They, along with the love of my life, often steal my attention away from other tasks.

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday and extends its reach into my home decor, my small business, and even my wardrobe. My favorite movie is The Nightmare Before Christmas. I also have a soft spot for cheesy 80s movies.I also have Ankylosing Spondylitis. I am a self-staring optimist that helps me cope and keep going in the face of chronic pain. Life is too short not to try to enjoy each and every day."

1. What is your favorite medium to work in?
Paper crafting the medium I work in most often but it would be hard to pick a favorite medium to work in because I love so many; each for different reasons.

2. What is your least favorite medium to work in?
I don't "work in" any mediums that I don't enjoy. There's too many mediums I do enjoy that I'd rather be using my time and energy on.

3. What inspires your creativity?
Inspiration for me comes from within. I just seem to have a focus inside me that drives me to create and be creative. When I need some fresh inspiration (and ideas of what to do with the creative driving focus in me) I do a lot of web surfing, get out and take lots of pictures in some of my favorite places, look more closely at every day “ordinary” things and search for something that’s been overlooked, or just take a long walk with my man and our 3 dogs.

I'm very inspired by autumn. It's my favourite seaons. I love the sights, sounds and smells. Other spurts of inspiration come from little things like glitter flakes, or a pretty sheet of paper. I also LOVE holidays (Halloween being my favourite) and being crafty fits perfectly with holiday celebrations. I'm also inspired by darker arts, and sometimes, just by anything cute! What motivates me one day can be the total opposite of what motivates me the next.

4. What blocks your creativity?
Fatigue. Since I battle fatigue a lot it is by far the thing that blocks my creativity the most.

5. What sound or noise do you love when working on your craft/art?
I usually listen to pod casts from Blockhead Radio while crafting. My favorite is Inside Handmade.

6. What sound or noise do you hate when working on your craft/art?
Sometimes the sounds of the city can be distractingly loud. Especially around rush hour or late at night when people are coming home from the night clubs and bars. I hate these noises because they interrupt my quiet relaxing studio time.

7. What are your favorite pieces that you have created recently?
I'm super happy with the way my Halloween greeting card and invitation collection is turning out this year! I have lots of new cards being created every week for Halloween so there are lots more to come! I'm also working on new candle melts - mostly in Halloween themes - that I can't wait to share with everyone.

8. What craft/art other than your own would you like to attempt?
I would love to try out DYI bath and body products. I'm really picky about what soaps I use because my skin is really sensitive and I love to clean up with really yummy smelling soaps. I think when I do attempt this craft I'll start out by trying to create something that's good for sensitive and smells like some really yummy goodies! Then I'll get to enjoy cookies or cheesecake without the calories ;)

9. What craft/art would you not like to do?
I'll probably never get into fiber arts, making clothes/bags, or anything that has to do with sewing, knitting or crocheting. I don't have enough patients for these types of arts. I'm so thankful other people do though because these are the categories most of my handmade purchases come from!

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say about your craft/art when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
That He's glad I used the talents He gave me for the purpose they were given for.

Jamie and her creations can be found in all these places!

Artfire
Artfire Ghouls Guild
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
MySpace
IndiePublic
Plurk
Flickr
Handmade News
YouTube

If you are an artisan interested in being profiled, complete the online form here.

How about a birthday present for YOU on MY birthday?

2009-08-18T21:37:00.004-04:00

Help me reach a total of 395 fans of my Facebook fan page by Saturday, September 5 (which is my birthday) and YOU get the presents!!!

My Facebook fans ONLY will receive a big 20% off all jewelry, but only if we reach the goal of 395 fans by then.

That means adding just over 100 fans in less than three weeks. We can do it!

Send the link to my fan page -- www.facebook.com/archdiva -- to your your friends, share it on YOUR fan page, Tweet it, blog it...do whatever...and YOU get to celebrate MY birthday in style!!!!

Thanks!

Monday Pounce: Simply Pretty Prints

2009-08-17T09:00:00.002-04:00

Etsy has this fun buying feature called "Pounce ", where you can view items that are "available from shops that have just sold an item and from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale".Since new shop owners need a little love, too, I'm now running a weekly feature called "Monday Pounce" where I pounce on an undiscovered shop and share what I find with you.

When I first pounced upon Simply Pretty Prints' shop, I couldn't figure out why the shopkeeper hadn't had any sales yet! Her items are adorable!

After poking around the shop for a bit, I noticed the mention of a blog in the shop announcement (yes, I look at pictures first, then eventually bother to read the rest. You should see me with directions for building something. Oy!)

So off I went to Simply Fun Stuff, the shopkeeper's blog. Turns out Sarah -- our keeper of the above-mentioned lovely shop -- only hung out her shingle on August 11th, a mere 6 days ago! You can see the story for yourself here. (And she's running a contest through August 27th! Check it out above the first post.)

I have to say that Sarah really has it together in her shop. Her bold, strong graphics are showcased by terrific photography. She really knows how to use a close-up. I mean, just check out that mug up above. That rocks! Seriously.

And ooo! She listed another item while I was browsing -- personalized Save the Date cards with a tropical tree design. I'm getting the distinct feeling this is Sarah's favorite image :)

So everyone, just run right over and check out Sarah's Simply Pretty Things. It will be well worth your time because she's got truth in advertising going for her -- her things are simply pretty!

how to be creative

2009-08-15T10:57:00.007-04:00

Some years ago, Hugh Macleod started drawing cartoons on the backs of business cards and has managed to turn that particular art into a small empire. One of my favorite images of his simply says "i wanna create" over and over again.

And now Hugh's influencing others. Check out this great video about "How to Be Creative" by Toon Gorissen, Niek Kosten and Martijn Pillards, which is inspired by Hugh's book, "Ignore Everybody".