Today's interview is with Etsy shop Beads Of Glass.
Introduce yourselves and tell us about your shop.
Beautiful handmade lampwork beads and jewelry for women who love one-of-a-kind artisan creations by artists Joyce & Harvey Richards. Our art is born out of a husband and wife collaboration. Our talents flow together to create unique pieces of artistic jewelry. I choose to work with glass because of the mesmerizing nature of the molten glass as it passes through the various temperatures of the flame. I feel in control until the flame changes my direction, at which time a miracle occasionally takes place. I try to translate my love of the glass and colors and luminosity into beauty and hope that you both see and feel that love in each bead I create. Harvey takes these artistic beads and with his sense of design, balance and form creates graceful, feminine, wearable art.
What inspires your work? Describe your creative process and favorite materials.
I use soft glass rods imported from Italy, Germany and other far off places to create my beads. I am inspired by nature and often use the glass rods to paint as I once used oils to paint on canvas. Color and the use of layered dots play a big part in my designs. I love to use glass infused with metals. These colors are manipulated in the flame in ways that help me bring out the metallic nature of the glass. Our glass beads are placed into a digitally controlled kiln to remove stress caused from manipulating the glass. Soaking the beads at almost 1000 degrees for hours and slowly reducing the temperature insures it's structural integrity so that you may enjoy your glass jewelry for many years to come.
We use only the finest materials and often combine the glass with semi-precious stones, pearls and either sterling or pure silver. Our aim is to give you a piece of art that you will treasure as you would an heirloom.
How did you get started with your work?
We are both self-taught artists and have exhibited and sold our work at various art festivals across South Florida. Our studio is located in SW Florida. We are members of Florida Craftsmen and have been members of the Englewood Art Center where we have participated in juried fine art shows. We have also been participating members of the Charlotte County Art Guild, The Arts and Humanities Council of Charlotte County and the Aiken Center of the Arts in SC.
What brought you to Etsy?
We found Etsy through other artists and we are still trying to get ourselves out there.
Where else can we find you online?
You can find us at:
http://www.lampworkbeadcreations.com
http://twitter.com/wildorchidbeads
What is your favorite piece in your shop?
You should check out our bracelets. They are colorful yet classy. My favorite is the Cherry Red with leaves and adorned with Bali silver.
You can find it here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18221381
Harvey's has started working with PMC and has made the most stunning earrings.
Aphrodite Pure Silver Earrings 999
His favorite can be found here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24541386
What have you learned from your craft and selling on Etsy?
The most precious gift our art has brought us is the knowledge of how wonderful it is to have work that you love. Too be so immersed in what your doing that you forget it's work. The joy you feel when you have created a beautiful thing is very fulfilling and we think many people on Etsy have discovered this.
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Monday, August 31, 2009
Behind The Art Monday
Monday, August 24, 2009
Behind The Art Monday
Today's featured artist is Belgian native Annik from Vintage Designs on Etsy. She lives in Spotsylvania, VA, near Washington D.C and has 2 daughters. She designs one-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry, incorporating vintage elements.
How did you get your start making jewelry?
It all started with a box of my grandmother's jewelry. I kept this box in a drawer for years and occasionally I would take it out to look at the wonderful jewelry in it. Some of it I could wear, but a lot of it lay broken apart in the bottom of the box. I felt it was such a shame not to be able to wear these pieces that meant so much to me for sentimental reasons. One day, I decided I would repair the broken necklaces so that I could wear grandma's things. From there the idea grew to start designing necklaces with a vintage flair. I decided to incorporate vintage beads into my own designs. Once I made a few pieces I was hooked and knew this was what I wanted to do!
What inspires your work? Describe your creative process.
I am inspired in a lot of different ways: fashion, colors in nature, period costumes, art... Usually, an idea for a piece will pop into my head and I'll try to sketch it out on a piece of paper until I can create the piece. Sometimes, I'll just look at the different materials I use and get an idea of how to put them together. I love to incorporate pearls into my work. I am smitten by the feel of the vintage elements I use; their details, the quality, the difference in colors from new materials...
What are your goals for your shop?
I want to add more & more pieces to my shop and hope to get more business. Who knows maybe someday I can do this full time?
What do you do when your not creating?
When I'm not creating I keep very busy with my children, work, home life, and trying to enjoy a few things I like to do to relax.
What brought you to Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?
I came to Etsy because it is specifically geared towards handcrafted items. I have some of my items on Artfire as well.
Where can we find you online?
I am on Myspace, Facebook, Vintage Rising, Indiepublic & some others.
What is the most important lesson you have learned through selling your work on Etsy?
To be persistent and hang in there. It takes time to build up a customer base.
Anything else you would like us to know about you?
I have always been drawn to things from the past. It is fascinating to me to think who the items might have belonged to and what their story is.
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Friday, August 21, 2009
Weekend Deals
This weekend August 21-23, I am offering Free International Shipping on any purchase of $25 or more (before shipping charges). Shipping costs will be refunded via Paypal as soon as your order is received.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Behind The Art Monday
Today's interview is with Leeya Engel from Modi'in, Israel. Her shop is called Leeya and features fimo clay jewelry and singed organza blossom accessories. Leeya tells us, "I have always and will always love experimenting with crafts and new materials."
What inspires your work? Describe your creative process and tell us about your favorite materials to work with.
I love the way that the organza changes shape during the singeing process. I love making tiny precious details and setting crystals into my fimo creations. I love when something turns out evem more beautiful than I had planned. I love when things turn out beautiful without my having planned.
What are your goals for your Etsy shop?
My goal for my shop besides for having it cover the expenses of he materials I am always inevitably buying from various craft shops is to have an outlet for my designs. If I have a whole bunch of stuff I have made at home then I have no reason to make more. If the stuff starts selling then I have a reason to continue crafting and a justification for what I love to do.
What do you do when you're not crafting? Any favorite hobbies?
When I am not crafting I am probably doing homework or preparing for a lab or hanging with my hubby. I am pursuing a masters in Materials Science and Engineering. In addition to crafting, I like to paint while listening to soft music and to write poetry.
How did you come to Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?
A friend of mine turned me on to etsy one day and since then I've been hooked (serious spend-too-much-time-on-etsy-anonymous). I also sell my fimo earrings and rings in a local store.
Where can we find you online?
I twitter (LeeyaEngel) I facebook (Leeya Engel) and I have a craft blog where I talk about my work: http://LeeyaEngel.blogspot.com
What is your favorite item in your shop?
It's tough to pick a favorite item...I'd have to say these days its my Cherry Lover Earrings
What is the most valuable thing you have learned from your art and being an Etsy seller?
Great question. I have learned so many things. First of all I believe that by selling in a community like etsy I have been able to compare my items to those of others which helps with pricing and uniqueness. I find it so inspiring to admire the work of other crafters. My photography and photoshop skills have improved dramatically. I have also learned that creating an online presence and personality is an important thing and that it is something that you really need to build over time.
I hope that you enjoy etsy as much as I do! Happy crafting, shopping, and wearing :)
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Thursday, August 13, 2009
Weekend Deals
I will be moving from Maine to Oregon September 1st so I am offering great deals this month. Every weekend will be a new special. Here's this week's:
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 14-16, ALL EARRINGS are Buy 2, Get 1 Free. The lowest priced pair will be free. Please add only 2 pairs to your cart and indicate your free pair in the notes to seller section during checkout.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Behind The Art Monday
Today's featured artist is Beth Reiman from BPR Designs. Beth lives in Portland, Oregon and does beautiful kiln fired glass work, making soap dishes, pendants, wine bottle cheese plates, vases, bowls and more. Beth says, "I have always loved glass and a few years ago I decided to take a couple of fused glass classes locally. I was hooked at once!"
I hope you will take a moment to get to know Beth and peek into her wonderful shop.
What inspires your work?
I think the colors in nature inspire a lot of my work. I love the outdoors and gardening. I think that is why you see so much green and blue in my shop. But I really love all color! When I am creating a functional piece (like a plate or bowl), I try to think of how and where I might use it to determine the design. I generally create to my own taste, although I often accept commission work of a particular style or color that I might not normally do on my own. The great thing is that often drives me to something new that I haven't tried before and it opens up my horizons! The primary material I use is fusible art glass, generally Bullseye, which is manufactured here in Portland.
What are your goals for your shop?
The primary goal that I have for my shop is to grow my business consistently and maintain a base of satisfied customers who love my glass pieces as much as I do, and will return to shop with me again!
What are your hobbies when you ae not creating?
When I am not in my glass shop, I like to garden, cook, travel, kayak or sip some wine on my deck! I think that my flower garden is my second favorite creative activity. I keep stealing lawn space to put in more dahlias!
How did you come to sell on Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?
I first was referred to Etsy by a friend when we were looking for a wedding gift for a mutual friend. I couldn't believe how many great shops were out there! It seemed like a great community to sell in, once I decided to try to sell my work. I also do some art fairs locally.
Where can we find you online?
You can find me Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/BPR-Designs/82999911944 I am still "Twitter-free!"
What is your favorite piece in your shop?
My current favorite in my shop is my Galaxy bowl:
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned from creating and selling on Etsy?
The most valuable thing I have learned from my art and being an Etsy seller is the incredible power of networking. It is amazing how things catch on when you start connecting with others.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
New Favorites
I just listed this Wire Wrapped Freshwater Pearl Bracelet and it's my new favorite in my shop. I love pearls. They are beautiful in such a simple way. This bracelet would look spectacular with the matching Freshwater Pearl Necklace and Earrings set.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Weekend Deals
This weekend, Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9, receive free shipping to US/Canada on any purchase. Your shipping charges will be refunded via paypal. Happy shopping!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Behind The Art Monday
Today's Behind The Art Monday Interview is with Lynn Fraser from Liverpool, England. Her Etsy shop features original handpainted artwork in a variety of styles, along with cards and prints of her work. Check out her shop, LynnFraser on Etsy.com.
Tell us about your art. What do you make? How did you come to your craft?
I have always been interested in drawing and painting.I attended nightschool to reawaken my desire to paint. Leaving work a few years ago, I was able to indulge that desire.I love to paint and can throw myself into another world when I'm creating a picture.
What inspires your work? Describe your creative process and tell us about your favorite materials to work with.
I'm inspired by beautiful photography and my imagination.Usually ideas come just before I go to sleep.Then my mind goes into overdrive with ideas rushing in.Hopefully I remember them when I wake up! I like to paint in acrylics on canvas. I love the near instant effects you can get with it,because of its quick drying nature.
What are your goals for your shop?
To open my artwork up to a larger market and learn how to promote myself successfully within Etsy.I find the people in the forums very friendly and like the sense of community.
What are your favorite hobbies?
Reading is my favourite hobby when I'm not painting.I love to get lost in a good book!
Anything from chicklit, a good ghost story to an autobiography. I always seem to be creating something.Otherwise I like to read and walk my dog on the beach.
How did you come to Etsy? Do you sell anywhere else?
A friend on Deviantart introduced me to Etsy. I also have a Folksy shop and my own website.
Where can we find your work online?
You can find me at http://www.lynnfraser.co.uk also on flickr, deviantart, artinliverpool, folksy, almiro gallery, and myspace.
What is the most valuable thing you have learned from your art and being an Etsy seller?
I'm still learning with my art. The more I paint the more I learn. I like to flip from figurative to folkart style and popart painting. Also,I love the pleasure I get from standing back from a finished painting and thinking I did that!. The icing on the cake is when someone feels the same way about your work and buys a piece. I love to think someone has put my work on their wall and is getting the same pleasure in looking at it as I got from painting it.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
I'm moving!
~Weekend Special August 1st and 2nd~
All items are Buy One, Get One 50% off!
Please contact me through my shop prior to your purchase for this deal so I may adjust the price for you. Lower priced item will be discounted.
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Reviyve Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Aik with winning comment #16! Aik said" I love the Organic Shea Butter and Soy Lip Balm Set." She has won the Sweet Orange Scrub and Sampler Set from Reviyve.
You will be contacted by e-mail and have 48 hours to claim your prize. If I don't receive a response within 48 hours I will need to choose a new winner.
Enjoy your prizes!
