Necklush

I love the artistic concept of Necklush on Etsy- run by Troy and Stephano of NYC. These pieces are amazing and so different and interesting- I am just gushing now! Get yourself one and make a statement!

What inspired you to make this product?
Stephano just came up with Necklush, it was a magicial moment... He was buzzing around like Edward Scissorhands cutting fabric all day, shreads and threads flying everywhere... and suddenly- BANG! Necklush burst into the material world like a new religion! I came up with the name over quesadillas at our favorite Mexican restaurant and we put them up on Etsy that day and we simply haven't stopped. We are still in awe at the reception we have received. The fact that we make it all by hand, and have such a crazy reaction in such a short time means we are very fortunate, and we thank the gods every morning! People are wearing Necklush everywhere! Lithuania, Poland, Tokyo, Australia, Sweden... it's very, very cool!

What inspires you on a daily basis?
We feel very lucky to have connected with fun and creative people all over the globe. Inspiration comes in little emails spread out all day long, the inbox is addictive when you are getting requests for your handmade, heartfelt creations!

Who are some Etsy artists that you admire?
Etsy is an amazing place. I am very grateful to have found it, and I am only now realizing how big it's audience really is. And it is only going to get bigger. It is like a folk art universe on here, and I feel right at home! My favorite people on Etsy are : CricketsCreations, Kittybutt, and JamesAnthony!

Greenwich Letterpress

Today, I am pleased to introduce you to Beth Salvini of Greenwich Letterpress of New York. I spotted this great card that Beth makes one day on Etsy. I love architecture and I think this is a clever way of showing it off as art on a card. Beth also has her own site at www.greenwichletterpress.com
What inspired you to make this product?
The idea for this card was silly. One night I was looking through some clip art books and I saw the Falling Water image. I turned to my boyfriend and said in a very cheese ball tone, "You're always Frank Lloyd Wright!" The joke between the two of us is always, "That would be a great greeting card!" Then a few days later I sat down and designed it. It was his idea to do part of the impression without ink, so I guess we collaborated on it.

What inspires you on a daily basis?
I am very inspired by popular culture. Since I was a kid I have been into collecting magazine clippings, watching tv and movies, listening to music and learning about art. When I went college all of that blended in with the paintings I made. Now it all turns into greeting cards, which for me makes sense. You can consume greeting cards as easily as you can a magazine or a candy bar. Its more accessible. I really like Andy Warhol and I think somewhere in my mind its all comes back to that.

Where do you live and how does that influence your art?
I live in Brooklyn. Living and working in New York City you see everything or at least have the opportunity to. I do feel like I have seen it all. That's where the pop culture cards come from, it is easier for me to draw attention to something that already exists in culture then to try and make it from scratch. That might be a cynical New York thing.