A Shout Out to Previously Featured Artists

I have a treasury on Etsy that features sellers who have been good enough to give their time and knowledge to inspire us through their words and work.

Pieces have been chosen in a red "theme"- I have not provided a link because at the time this is being published the list has expired. If you are a featured artist and I have not included you- take heart- I promise to put you in the next one.
Credits: (from left to right starting in top left corner)
BlackandRedEye "Seriously"
AlisaBurke "Graffiti Bangle"
PartyBots "Hurt Bot"
BallandChain "Underpants"
MyLittleOogaBooga "Red Robot"
Aria Images "Cherry Blossom Series"
Analiese "Painted Cardinal"
TrixieDelicious "Voyeur Plate"
JennGee "Flourish Coffee Corset"
MyFriendRoze "Silver Bubble Seed Beed Necklace"
HowlinDoggie "Sakura Hairstick"
KezBirdie "Killer Koi Heels"
(click any of the names to link to that listing)

AroundtheWorld - Beads

Business Name

Beads "Around the World"

Location
Philippines

Describe what you sell:
I Love traveling. Whenever I travel, I search for beads that I can find in that country. I sell beads that are found around the world.

What are the best sellers in your shop?
The best sellers in my shop are usually the vintage and strawberry finds.

How do you market yourself? What is your target market?
I join indiepublic to market myself. Post some pictures in social websites. My target market are beaders, artist and crafters who enjoy the different variety of beads out there.

What do you offer that sets you apart from the other supply sellers on Etsy?
Variety. I don't focus on one area alone. I create some of my charms as well.

What is your “real” life like?
Creating Jewelries

Where can we find you on the web?
www.aroundtheworld.etsy.com

ClaireLaFaye - Apparel

Name
Claire La Faye

Location
Portland, OR

Business Name
Claire La Faye and CLF by Claire La Faye


Describe what you sell.
One-of-a-kind and ready-to-wear originals, cutting Old Hollywood Glamour with a modern silhouette... luxury with an edge. Claire La Faye consists of a House label, as well as CLF, a secondary label invoking the same street smart sensibility as the House label. Claire La Faye emits a heavy nostalgia for romance and days gone by, yet still rings all things sexy and unique. Inspired by a need for the rare and unexpected, both labels offer a style for women that is wearable, feminine, and most unforgettable.


What is your real life like?
Real life is a house in Portland with a artist husband, two cats and baby on the way. All are work-a-holics and happily work from home, gardening and frolicking in the yard when not raining.

What is your process?
Everything is still hand-made, hand-touched, using a variety of fabrics from new silks and cottons to a combination of vintage tulle, pleating, slips, lace and finishings.


Business Goals and Vision...
Slow and steady expansion of both labels as life allows.

How do you market your business?
Claire La Faye and CLF are available in select stores across the US, as well as online.

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
WWD, and a handful of fashion and art magazines.

What inspires you?
History is an amazing source of inspiration, as well as art, books, film, and people on the street.


What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
French Ruffle Tea Top and Dress are my favorite staples and have evolved as a signature look of Claire La faye over the years.

Am a fan of these places...
style.com
supertouch.com
paintalicious.org
agentprovocateur.com
and the ever changing Etsy home page

Available at
www.clairelafaye.com
www.clairelafaye.etsy.com

BlackandRedEye - Welcome to Etsy

I found BlackandRedEye when I pounced on Etsy- Lauren's unique style jumped out at me immediately. I am a big fan of black and white- so the first two works pictured here are my favorites. Take a look at what she has to offer and add a piece to your collection.

Name
Lauren Denitzio

Location
Brooklyn, NY

Business Name
Black & Red Eye

Describe what you sell.
I sell mostly my drawings and silkscreen prints. My drawings are all mixed media (pen and ink with acrylic)


What is your real life like?
When I'm not working I'm usually playing guitar and singing in my band, The Measure [sa]. Music is a big part of my life and I end up doing a lot of artwork for bands and record labels. I also love riding my bike, reading about latin-american history and politics, traveling, and spending time with my friends.


What is your process?
I mostly draw with pen and ink on dictionary pages and use concentrated watercolor ink and acrylic paint. I usually start out with an image I'd like to draw and work around it with color and negative space. I often use stencil letters to work in type and different phrases. For larger pieces I use acrylic medium to collage pages together as a background. I love the texture it brings both physically and visually.


Business Goals and Vision...
I sell drawings on a regular basis and I would love to start making silkscreen prints of them, as they're easy to separate out into specific colors. That's the next step I have in mind for my artwork. In the long run, I'd love to show my work in more galleries and be able to really support myself through that, prints and commissioned work.


How do you market your business?
I market my business through sites like Etsy, Myspace and Behance, as well as through word of mouth and through my band.


Do you subscribe to any business related blogs,zines or magazines?
I regularly read magazines like HOW, Print, and Communication Arts. I read blogs like drawn.ca, designiskinky and beautiful/decay all the time as well. It's definitely helpful and keeps me inspired and motivated.


What inspires you?
Music always gets me more inspired and motivated. Whenever I listen to an album my one of my favorite bands, Radon, it's pretty much a given that I'll get a lot of work done. Reading books by people like Garcia Marquez, John Berger or Flannery O'Connor are always inspiring as well. And I definitely think New York is an inspiring place to be. There's always something new to see or do and there's never a lack of new people to talk to and exchange ideas with. It's a very hectic and draining place, but right now it seems to be working for me!


What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
My "Word to the Wise" drawing and the new Pedal Printing poster.


Am a fan of these places...
drawn.ca
goodreads.com
designiskinky.com
gettyimages.com
beautifuldecay.com


Find seller at...
www.blackandredeye.etsy.com

PalomasNest- Home Goods

I first discovered Palomas Nest on Etsy during a search for rings. I came upon one of Caroline's listings- it was a bowl similar to one pictured at the bottom of the post that reads "be the change". I think this would be a lovely bowl to have by the sink in my bathroom- a little morning inspiration and a place to put my jewelry when I am washing up. She has a unique style that is easy to recognize- casual yet modern- organic but polished- useful and exciting, always perfectly simple and well crafted. Having her shop in your favorites is a MUST- convo her if you have any special requests- she is a gem of a girl who would bend over backwards to make you happy!

Name
Caroline Colom Vasquez

Location
Austin Texas

Business Name
Paloma’s Nest


Describe what you sell.
Handcrafted gift wares and home goods made of natural materials and stamped with texts


What is your real life like?
I am a full time Mom- that keeps me plenty busy! Hobbies and interests include Art History and Interior Design, and my husband and I design furniture together.


What is your process?
My work is made of pure clays like earthenware and porcelain, wood, cotton fibers, and recycled papers. The few tools I really use, besides my own two hands, are my collection of vintage stamps and my rolling pin!


Business Goals and Vision...
My Etsy shop provides me with an international audience for my work. I love the personal interaction I get to have with my customers there, and the orders from my shop keep my production running at full capacity! In the long term, we are expanding our home-based studio space so that production and my product line can expand over time.


How do you market your business?
Online, photos are the most important part of selling your work. If your photos do not show off your product or attract attention, they will not be noticed.
I honestly feel like excellent customer service is the best way to market and grow your business…happy customers tell their friends!!


Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I wish I had more time to keep up with the design journals! I love the community of blogging, but again, I just don’t have time to explore much beyond Etsy.
For me, the best way to improve my business is by focusing on my own work. It is easy to become distracted by other artists, or to want to modify your designs to be “more like” something you see selling elsewhere…but the most important thing is to be true to your own design sense and your own product line…in the long run, that is what will make you stand out from the crowd!

What inspires you?
Art history and ancient symbolism inspires me when researching texts and words to use in my work. I also pay attention to tactile senses like the feeling of cold stone and or the sound of crunchy leaves on a cool Autumn morning.


What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
That is like having to choose a favorite child!! I do really enjoy making custom pieces, as I love the idea that I am creating an “instant” heirloom for someone to cherish for years and generations to come.

Am a fan of these places...
www.thisisalliknow.etsy.com
www.simplijessi.etsy.com
www.fieldandsea.etsy.com
www.hijackedceramics.etsy.com
www.manimina.etsy.com


Find seller at...
www.palomasnest.etsy.com