MyImaginaryBoyfriend

Today I am featuring Erika Kern from Bakersfield, CA of my imaginary boyfriend. She makes bags, pillows, logs and such. Most items feature felt, embroidery, and hand applique. All items are inspired by my love of vintage goods and traditional techniques . I stumbled across her work while on somebody's blog (forgive me- I forgot who it was) and her log pillows were shown in an Etsy mini of the bloggers favorite items on Etsy- I saw these log pillows and I was in LOVE!

What is your "real" life like?
I started the business when I lived in Brooklyn and worked during the day in the city. About a year ago, I moved back to my home town of Bakersfield, CA so that I could work on "the boyfriend" full time. Since I've been here I've just been sewing like mad!
Other than the boyfriend. . . I live in an awfully cute little house with a very understanding roommate and 2 sweet dogs we're fostering for a local no kill animal shelter.
On the rare occasion I'm not working on items for the boyfriend I like to cook, watch tv and movies and listen to all sorts of music (though I do a lot of them while working), ride my bike, haunt the thrifts, collect all sorts of odd do-dads and knick-knacks, and decorate my home.

What is your process?
I usually start with the thought "Wouldn't it be funny if ___?" which is usually followed by "was made of felt." Or I get an idea for a bag or I see a fabric that wants me to make something out of it. I usually start with sketchs for bags and embroidery pattern but for something like the logs or the rocks I just sort of organically start painting or stitching. I use a ton of felt and boxes and boxes of DMC embroidery floss but I also love to work with vintage fabrics that I find at thrifts, from old clothes, at flea markets, or on eBay. As for special techniques. . . I use a lot of blanket stitching to construct my more soft sculpture items (like the logs or rocks) and I also screenprint my own material for the logs. I used to hand paint them but my friend, Hannah, of "Made with Love by Hannah, showed me the light and taught me to print.

What are your goals and vision for your business?
I'd like to become more focused on my work. I get a bit scatter brained at times. I'd also like to update the shop more often and more regularly, maybe pick a day every week to do updates. . . like every Friday is date night with the Boyfriend! Make it an event. I also need to figure out a way to deal with demand. Especially with the logs. . . people LOVE the logs and it's hard to keep up. I get a lot of wholesale requests that I have to sadly turn down because I just can't fill them printing and sewing all of them by myself by hand. My mom has recently started to help me which has been a huge relief but it's just a drop in the "I need help!" bucket.
As for long term. . . I honestly don't know. I know it's bad but I'm the least business saavy person you'll ever meet. I dream of meeting someone who knows all about business and who will help me make this into something I can truely do as a living. Right now, though this is my only "job" I rely a lot on help from my family and roommate and the random odd job here and there.

How and where do you market your business?
Again, I'm bad here. I've been lucky enough to get a lot of blog attention without even looking for it and with each blog post I get sales. I also do a lot of indie craft fair all around the country. Every show helps me get more press and fans. I know. . . I'm really lucky!

What inspires you?
Nature, trees and wildlife, especially when I lived in the city. One summer, I went with friends to Hunter, NY and the picks from that still inspire me. I also have friends in Woodstock, NY and I always get ideas when I visit there. I'm mad about bright colors, especially greens and yellows. I love going to close-out fabric stores to find kooky fabrics and to run my hands through the big bins of buttons and zippers. I love Christmas and old Christmas decorations from the 50's and 60's. Actually, I love all sorts of things about the mid-century aestetic and collect vintage fabric, magazines, clothes, home decor items, and books from the period.

Who is your favorite musical artist? (click on the artist name to see a video)Only one!?!? Okay. . . easy. . .Elvis Costello! I'll link to "Alison" since my only tattoo says "my aim is true."

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Robot Christmas Ornament: pictured above
The Happy Day Tote:pictured above
If this doesn't sell this year, I'm sooooo taking it for myself!

I am a fan of:
Tell us 5 of your most visited websites, on-line stores or Etsy stores (include links):
www.televisionwithoutpity.com - For my TV based snarking needs.
www.jezebel.com - For all sorts of lady related awesomeness.
www.dinosaursandrobots.com - So many wonderful things live on this blog!
www.craftzine.com - The folks who currate this site find the most wonderful craft projects from all over the web.
www.ebay.com - For all sorts of collecting finds, especially when I don't have the time to poke around in the thrift stores around town.

Find me:
Website and clearing house for all things MIBF related: www.myimaginaryboyfriend.com
My blog: myimaginaryboyfriedlovesme.blogspot.com
My shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=14938
I also blog about crafting and post projects on over at www.craftstylish.com

LoveLeeSoaps

Today I am featuring the wonderful Leeana Provan of Daytona Beach, Fl from LoveLeeSoaps. She sells colorful, fantastic smelling soaps, body butters, lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and lip balms in all different shapes and sizes. She has incredible soaps that look like donuts, ding dongs, cupcakes- they are remarkable similar to the real thing- but don't eat them!

What is your “real” life like?
There is real life out there besides soap!? When I do find free time I try to always be near the water whether it is spending the day at the beach, jet skiing, or fishing. Most of it is spent with my wonderful boyfriend and chihuahua named Tank. I am also attending college majoring in graphic design.

What is your process?
My soaps are all made using the melt and pour method. I use high quality soap bases that do not contain any harsh detergents, SLES, or SLS. My products are made with all different techniques from swirling to layering that tend to change with my mood.

What are your goals and vision for your business?
My short term goal for my business would have to be making new products and styles and improving all that I can to help it grow more and more everyday. My long time goal would have to be fulfilling my dream of opening a successful bath and body boutique.

How and where do you market your business?
I do some in promoting in the forums on Etsy and pass out business cards when ever I can. I also just signed up for advertising on majaba and I am really excited to see how it turns out.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_main.php
http://majaba.org/heartomatic.php

Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines? http://www.onthedotcreations.typepad.com/
http://soap-queen.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/storque/

What inspires you?
I am inspired by so many things around me. Its so amazing how anything you can imagine can be made into soap or something soap related. I am especially inspired by bright colors, fun shapes and interesting designs. I recently came across a necklace on Etsy that I was so inspired by, that I immediately made a soap after it. Pictured Above.

Necklace

Soap

Who is your favorite musical artist? (click on the artist name to see a video)
Just like the styles of my soaps, I change the music I listen to with my mood. Most of the time I listen to Jack Johnson.

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
This is so hard to choose!

Here are my favorites.....for now :)
Popcorn Soap
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16452630

Sock Monkey Soapsicle
pictured above

I am a fan of...
• www.WildOliveKids.etsy.com
• www.EricProvan.com
• www.Flickr.com
• www.FredFlare.com
• www.Layercake..etsy.com

Find me...

• www.LoveLeeSoaps.etsy.com
• www.trunkt..org/LoveLeeSoaps
• http://flickr.com/photos/22311796@N05/
• http://seekingdesigners.com/loveleesoaps

Klewism

I have had my eye on the creations of Lindsey Bucklew of Klewism from Washington DC for awhile. I am in awe of her work! She sells extremely intricate, one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art. I was checking my inbox for her response to my questions because I couldn't wait to see what she said about her process and inspiration...and it doesn't disappoint.

What is your "real" life like?
I have a 'pet' bat (rather, a bat that has chosen my window screen as it's daytime sleeping spot) who, though not cuddly, is cute... in an ugly sort of way. Sometimes, however, I get to play with a very cuddly and fluffy Siberian Husky, named "Loki". I'm quite an animal enthusiast.
I also love to swim in the ocean, paint pictures, try new artistic mediums, read books, travel, and collect curiosities. I'm intrigued by people, objects,
and subjects that are fantastic or eccentric.

What is your process?
I use just about anything in my jewelry: wire, buttons, beads, rhinestones, screws, nuts, bolts, bones, shells, vintage jewelry fragments, buckles, drawer handles, photos, paintings, fresh water pearls, needles, and semi-precious stones. I grab a pair of pliers and wire cutters, then the jewelry just "happens." I just start working and the piece evolves organically as I go. It's a stream-of-consciousness process that I really only try to analyze in retrospect.

What are your goals and vision for your business?
Put simply, I want to keep exploring and creating jewelry for my own pleasure.
I'll be making jewelry whether I have a business or not. I want Klewism to thrive, in part, so I can afford to continue this creative obsession.

What inspires you?
I'm inspired by details and 'imperfections'. Cracks in plaster, the infinite network of wrinkles and ridges on human skin, old books with splitting spines... the juxtaposition of contrasting textures is endlessly fascinating to me.
I love nearly every color, so colors usually 'jump' out at me in pairs or groups depending on my mood. If I could have my ideal work space, it would always smell like cinnamon, evergreen, or like "Christmas"... those smells probably trigger childhood fantasies of walking into a room of whimsical toys.
I mainly listen to audio books while I create, so whatever narrative or lecture
I'm listening to influences the final product in some indirect way.

Who is your favorite musical artist ?
Wow, that's hard for me to say... I'm a classic rock nerd, really. I love The Who, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles.... I also love classical music in a naive way- I know absolutely nothing about it- it's way beyond my musical comprehension, and yet it's transcendently beautiful.
For stimulating the more primal parts of my brain, listening to a performance of The Who at the Isle of Wight never fails to do the trick.
You-Tube link

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Usually my favorite thing is the most recent creation, but the most epic projects, which tend to be necklaces, are never far from the top of the list. One of which, The "Helen of Troy" Necklace was my first truly grand project.
pictured above
Another favorite, also a 'statement' necklace is the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil"- the mixture of vibrant jewels tones makes this piece look like a thick cluster of multi-colored berries on a tree with golden leaves.
First picture

I am a fan of.....
My favorite online jewelry store is MocaShop. Every item in the shop is unique, and really edgy: http://mocashop.com
World Artisan Gems: http://worldartisangems.com/
The Wire Artisans Guild Blog: http://www.thewireartisansguild.blogspot.com/
An absolutely brilliant Milliner, Katie Burley: http://katieburley.com
The Wire Artisans Guild Team Store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5750321

Find Me....
My Website: http://klewism.com
Etsy Store: http://klewism.etsy.com
Flickr Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindseybucklew/
Indiepublic: http://www.indiepublic.com/profile/LindseyBucklew
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/klewism
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=686887937
Stylehive: http://www.stylehive.com/person/klewism

A Blond and A Torch

I am pleased to introduce Jen Nixon from Nome, Texas of A Blond And A Torch. She makes and sells mostly sterling silver jewelry--rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and now cuff links. She likes to keep things simple, but elegant. She says, "Sometimes less really is more."

What is your “real” life like?
My real life is crazy right now! On top of being a domestic goddess, I am trying to recover from hurricane Ike, raise my 12 year old son, and still find time to hang out with my husband. On top of that, I have two dogs outside, Layla and Lucy, and two inside cats, Ginger and Max.

What is your process?
I typically work with sterling silver, sometimes gold-fill and brass. I prefer using simple soldering techniques and, of course, I love to beat things into submission with my hammer.

What are your goals and vision for your business?
Well, when this started it was just a hobby to lower stress. Now I am selling online and in a few stores scattered around the U.S. I would like to see my online business grow in the short term, and my wholesale accounts grow in the future. However, I am terrified of success......LOL

How and where do you market your business?
Mainly I try to get myself out there online. I am on Trunkt:
www.trunkt.org/ablondandatorch
Flickr:
http://flickr.com/photos/jennixon/
And I have my blog:
http://ablondandatorch.blogspot.com/

What inspires you?
Nature inspires me--I love flowers and I have been working on a series of flower-like rings. I also love the shapes that I find all around me.

Who is your favorite musical artist?
Oh, such a tough question! I really don't have one. I get sick of songs so easily so what I like is always changing. I have to say that when I am the car I will catch myself speeding if Saving Abel comes on!

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
This always changes too! Right now I love these Striation Rings:
Pictured below
They just catch so much attention when I wear them!
And of course my bangles:
Pictured above
Which I wear many of!

I am a fan of...
Sandra Eileen-Jewelry For Your Good Life:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5168107
Funky Quail:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5420568
Une Petite Etoile:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5085211
Passemeterie:
http://www.shoppassementerie.com/

Find me...
www.trunkt.org/ablondandatorch
http://flickr.com/photos/jennixon/
http://ablondandatorch.blogspot.com/
http://www.smashingdarling.com/item/hammered-band

Wednesday Wandered

Today I have Carla Rey Lankford from Nashville, Tennessee of Wednesday Wandered. She sells prints of her original artwork and is planning to add other items soon, like note cards featuring her images. Her work is a very ethereal feel and a glow that draws you in. Carla is new to Etsy and I am sure she will be a huge success!



Describe what you sell
So far, I sell prints of my original artwork. I am planning to add other items soon, like note cards featuring my images, and perhaps some of the experimental stages that happen before an image reaches it's "finished" state. My images continue to evolve, if you bought one that was printed last week, and compared it to one that was printed last year, the two wouldn't be identical. I'd have added something, subtracted something, changed it in some way. It might not even be evident unless I pointed it out. Sometimes I use an existing piece and it becomes the base for a whole new image.

What is your "real" life like?
I'd have to say my "real" life is awfully darn nice. I am married and have an eight year old son. We live in a neighborhood where you can't see most of the houses from the street, and deer and foxes and owls roam around taking little notice of us.

My work is pretty much producing my style of photographic illustration for the publishing and marketing fields, and a few interior designers. I've been very lucky to develop relationships with clients who want me to use my particular style for their products. I get to spend all day, every day doing this.

I love to travel, which you can see from my work. It was the traveling and taking photos that led directly to what I do now. I was an art director for an ad agency, and as clients would see my own images on the walls of my office, they began to ask me to do that sort of thing for them. Finally there were enough requests that I left the agency and struck out on my own.



What is your process?
My photographs, to begin with, and watercolors that I paint. I keep trying different ways of combining the two to create something that is more interesting than either would be on it's own. I guess a plane ticket and my camera are my two most reliable tools.

When I was studying photography in school, I loved the test sheets from the darkroom. I was always picking them up off the floor and saving them. I was fascinated by the accidental beauty that sometimes happened there. The same with printer's test sheets. I used to come back from press checks with the sheets they ran through to clean the presses and the mistakes. Sometimes the colors would get printed in the wrong order, and it changed everything, the way the unrelated layers built up to make something so different from what was intended. I began experimenting to find a way to create those accidents. I'm still finding new ways.



What are your goals and vision for your business?
I just want to have a way to reach people who value individuality, who see something in my images that speaks to them. With etsy I don't have to convince a marketing director that my work appeals to a certain type of person who has X amount of disposable income, or that they could move 500,000 units for the holidays. I like the idea of making a comfortable little living without having to compromise.

How and where do you market your business?
I only joined etsy a couple of months ago, so I am still sorting out those details. I think we are only beginning to recognize the power of this personal form of marketing, through blogs and allowing customers to get to know the person behind the product. Never before have artists been able to get their work in front of so many eyes without going through some kind of middle man, an agent, a gallery owner or a publisher. It's wide open.



Do you subscribe to any business related blogs, zines or magazines?
I read etsy's articles in the Storque, but not a lot of others.The best information comes from other artists going about things the same way.

What inspires you?
History and travel are my biggest inspirations. I am mad for old books, photographs. When I was a kid, I covered the walls of my room with National Geographic maps. Besides buildings and statues, I photograph any interesting texture I see, tree bark, stones, leaves, cracks in the sidewalk, shadows. Before I started shooting with a digital camera, I used to get really funny looks from the guys at the photo lab when I would go to pick up my 200 prints of tree bark and rocks and concrete. I use it all. I am inspired by anyplace with a long history of civilization. I love the crumbly and the crooked and the weathered, and the smell of damp autumn days, and scent of black walnut hulls on my hands.


Who is your favorite musical artist? (click on the artist name to see a video)
My hands down personal favorite is Me'shell N'degeocello
Depending on what I need to produce, these artists I can always count on for inspiration,
Cesaria Evora
Misia
If I need to produce something dark and gloomy, there's an endless supply of goth anthems.

What are two of your favorite things from your shop?
Wow, it's hard to choose a favorite. The things that are in the shop have never been used for a commercial project, they are all images I created purely for their own sake. They all have really fond memories attached to them. I suppose The Guardian (below), because he reminds me of the books I read as a child, and Cesare. (above) Catching the bird in flight in that image was purely accidental. And it was on film, so I had no idea whether or not I had caught it until I got home and processed the film. One of those happy surprises.


I am a fan of....
I have a list of bookmarks you wouldn't believe, all organized into folders with names like Inspiration, Social Responsibility, People I Know, People I Wish I Knew, The Byzantine Empire. Looking at the list of folders is like a catalog of what I have worked on, what I have found interesting, or where I am planning a trip.

Here are a few that I check out all the time.
http://www.moleskinerie.com/ - always something here to set you thinking about art
http://www.hillbillyplease.com/%7Ehillbill/blog/ - Her photographs are amazing, she reads the most interesting things and posts excerpts, and she has an etsy store. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5154453
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page - my daily shot of "Hmmm, I had no idea..." I always scroll down to the image of the day.
http://www.ted.com/
http://prettylittleworldfashion.blogspot.com/
http://www.poppytalk.blogspot.com/


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