11/07/08 ~ Etsy Featured Artist

Friday, November 7, 2008

Keri Rounding

Today I am excited to have Keri Rounding from Ontario, Canada of "Keri Rounding". She sells hand felted jewelry inspired by sea life. These are the perfect price point for gift giving so make sure that you check out her shop and see what she has to offer.

What is your "real" life like?
When I’m not creating, I work part time in an office at a hockey arena. My free time is spent with my cat Phoenix. I also love to enter contests when I have the time. I have won chocolate for a year, makeup, a cell phone, an ipod and lots of other fun things.

What is your process?
First I do a little sketch of what I want the piece to look like and then start experimenting with the wool. I have about 9 styles of brooches now but am always coming up with new ideas. I do every piece by hand using a wet felting technique. The little balls are done using needle felting. I love to work with merino wool- it felts easily and feels great! Each piece takes about an hour each to complete.

What are your goals and vision for your business?
My short-term goals are to make more products and work on new ideas. I’m currently working on expanding into a line of felted bags. I have also opened a new etsy shop which showcases my embroidered brooches. Long-term, I would like to continue to expand the business- maybe into clothing.

How and where do you market your business?
I am always adding new photos of my work to flickr. I also use www.weloveetsy.com and http://buriedtreasury.ning.com/ to showcase my work.

What inspires you?
Receiving a new shipment of dyed wool is always exciting. I am inspired by the
possibilities of colour combinations. I can’t wait to get to work on matching them up. I also like to flip through photography books. I’ll go to the library and check out books on sea life or biology. The images inspire me to create.

Who is your favorite musical artist? (click artist name to see a video)
Jack Johnson