Featured Artist Spotlight....LJ Design & Photo

I met Lorissa through the Etsy Street Team, Fabulous Artistic Moms. She is one of my favorite photographers and I was thrilled to find the above photo as one of her SNS Secrets! I mean, what a score! This photo is now framed and in my livingroom and I find myself just staring at it for long periods of time. I love browsing through her shop and have found many more photos that I will own along the way. I am especially fond of her Motherhood and Mohave Desert series. Although I am also loving her bleeding hearts plant photograph! Lorissa, it is a pleasure knowing you...you are a wonderful artist, mother, and friend!

Okay...now here is more information about Lorissa. I asked, she answered!

MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
Lorissa: I've been interested in photography for as long as I can remember. When I was little we had a family friend who was a photographer. He gave my older brother and I a box camera and some basic darkroom equipment and taught us the basics. When I was in High School it was the first elective I signed up for. I love all types of arts and crafts, but photography is what I always go back to.

MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
Lorissa: My inspiration is life and capturing a moment, even with landscapes. Recently I have started photographing mothers with their children. I never understood motherhood until I became one myself. It is a whole new world, and I have been trying to capture the emotions and bonds of motherhood with my camera, but nothing can replace the true experience.

I am motivated by my own personal quest to learn and improve. When it comes to digital photography I am self-taught. I try, but don't always, to stick to things that I could do without the computer, but Photoshop is definitely less messy and no chemicals around the house for my little girl to get into. I do miss my dark room, but digital is just as challenging. When I do portraits I give each photo attention, rather then batch editing them. I look for something unique and wonderful in each piece. My husband would say that I'm not driven to succeed, unless you consider success taking pleasure in your work. I create for my enjoyment and the enjoyment of others.

MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
Lorissa: Spending time with my family. My husband and daughter are my world, and my mother lives in a mother-in-law apartment attached to our house, so I see her often. I wish we had more family close, but I try to keep in touch with everyone, including my wonderful in-laws. My husband and I like to travel and we are known to just take the RV out for a week(s) drive. I get some great photos this way.

MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
Lorissa: Yes, I am a member of Fabulous Artistic Moms (FAM), and Photographers of Etsy (POE).

MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
Lorissa: I'm going to be adding more Route 66 photos to my ETSY SHOP and overhauling my PERSONAL WEBSITE to include my motherhood and flower photos. I've also started making ACEO's using my photos in a collage format; you can preview these at my FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM. I haven't listed any yet, but should be soon.

MJ: Share one thing about you that you think would surprise people?
Lorissa: I do not always have my camera with me. I actually leave it at home sometimes, even for some short family trips. This allows me to be apart of the moment rather then an observer. Sometimes the memory is sweeter then even the most fabulous photograph.

Mohave Desert Series


Motherhood Series


Route 66 Series



Check out Lorissa's Etsy Shop.... LJ Design & Photo

Where else can you find Lorissa?
BLOG
MYSPACE
TALENT DATABASE

You Should be Ashamed!

I have always thought Peeps were unnatural, disgusting, and truly an abomination. Further proof that these marshmallow chicks are going straight to Hell.

Handbook to Handmade...I love you!

It has arrived and it looks incredible. I am so happy with the book that I anticipate buying slots in future editions. I am in some great company too! There are lots of people I *know* from Etsy forums, but an even greater number of new-to-me artists!

Thank, Timothy, for making this happen. Please visit Timothy Adam's Etsy shop to find out more about the book and how you can order this edition! And to also see his amazing work!

And for even more information about the book, visit Promo Book

Featured Artist Spotlight....Chloe Boutique (wildlifer78)!!!

Wild is one of my favorite people on Etsy. I first noticed her work in an Etsy treasury and was really drawn to her style. It has been really neat seeing her work progress over the last few months and I love how her designs are constantly evolving. I am also the proud owner of some of her earrings, which I adore and wear all the time! Later, Wild and I would become good friends through the Etsy Angels Team (EANGT) and there we find ourselves being goofy and having a fun time!

Okay...now here is more information about Wildlifer78. I asked, she answered!

MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
Wild: Surprisingly, I’ve only been creating jewelry for a little over a year! I started creating my own jewelry when I got frustrated trying to find accessories to match special outfits. And when I did find something that might work, it was of poor craftsmanship and usually out of plastic or cheap glass and jutting wires! My pieces were super simple at first; not that that’s changed much! I started getting lots of compliments on the pieces I’d wear. That then lead to “ooh, will you make me something to match this outfit?” My first custom order was a three-strand necklace featuring a Mother of Pearl carved angel fish with other Mother of Pearl components and peach freshwater pearls for a beach wedding outfit. And from there it started!

I knew I HAD to have a creative side since my entire family is artists; I just had to find it. It took me 27 years to find my own niche!

MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
Wild: My inspiration to create is from a mixture of reasons. I find creating jewelry first and foremost a hobby that I thoroughly enjoy. When it becomes a job for me, that’s when I’ll move on to something else.

I am ecstatic when I receive a special custom request. That in itself is enough to keep me creating. Just knowing someone out there thinks highly enough of my pieces to request a special gift for a friend, loved one, or even themselves puts a huge smile on my face, and it’s a very rewarding feeling for me. I strive to have the happiest customers. I want them to smile and get compliments when they wear my pieces.

MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
Wild: Unfortunately my jewelry crafting comes AFTER I get everything else done. I’m an Environmental Scientist by day so that takes up 40+ hours a week. My husband and I do not have children, yet I am not sure where all the other time goes! I am very active; I go to the gym and workout 3-4 times a week. When I am not cooking, cleaning, doing laundry and all those other house chores, you will find me in my little office either on the computer chatting with my Etsy friends, or creating at my newly designed workstation!

And somewhere in there I try to find some spare minutes to spend with my Hubby! We both love to travel and plan to do more of it in the near future.

MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
Wild: I currently belong to Etsy Angels Team (EANGT), BeadHive (BHV) and the Louisiana Etsy Street Team. I am in the midst of joining Etsy for Animals (EFA).

MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
Wild: I am always trying new designs and new techniques with my jewelry. I have found myself venturing out into more “elaborate” gemstones lately. I have also started playing with wire; making my own ear wires, making fancy links and loops, and creating wire-wrapped jewelry; mostly briolette earrings. My latest accomplishment was finally mastering pearl knotting!

I hope to branch out into new venues to advertise my jewelry. I plan on taking part in a few local craft shows in the near future.

MJ: Share one thing about you that you think would surprise people?
Wild: I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife & Fisheries Resource Management with a Minor Degree in Communication Studies from West Virginia University (home). I then moved 1000+ miles away from home to earn my Master of Science Degree in Biology; specializing in Ornithology from the University of Louisiana, Monroe. I didn’t know a single soul when I moved to Louisiana. I found my soul mate after moving to Louisiana; we got married 2 years later.




Check out Wild's Etsy Shop.... Wildlifer78

Featured Artist Spotlight....Annie Howes!!!

Annie is truly one of the greatest people I have *met* online. Smart, funny, talented, creative, etc. She is all that and a bag of chips. I came to know Annie from an Etsy Street Team, formerly known as Swanky Designing Moms. The team is now Fabulous Artistic Moms and through this change our sisterhood has grown stronger. I learned of her Etsy shop through this team and a mutual friend, ChamberryCherry, and I was immediately drawn to her pendants. Specifically, the one featuring a Native American Wedding Blessing. This same prayer was recited as part of my own wedding ceremony and I knew I had to have it! I am thrilled to own something so personal made by the hands of a friend. Thanks, Annie!



Okay...now here is more information about Annie. I asked, she answered!

MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
Annie: I’ve always been a creative type person as far back as I can remember. Imaginative play was a big part of my childhood. I spent hours on end drawing horses and later, designing the “Ultimate Barn”. In high school I developed a love for painting and photography. This naturally paved a path for studying art & design in college where I majored in Visual Communications Design at Purdue University.

MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
Annie: My inspiration to create is my drive to learn something new every day. I love to work with both my hands and my mind. I enjoy the challenge of trying something new as much as striving to find perfection in what I create. I don’t do anything half way. I’m also inspired by beauty and textures and emotions and I hope to be able to reach out to people with my creativity to evoke some kind of emotion. These challenges keep me focused and help foster my creativity.

MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
Annie: I have a few interests outside of crafting and design. When I’m not working (ie: building websites, creating brochures and packaging, and other chores that pay the bills), I enjoy spending time with my daughter, my husband, and our 3 dogs. We live on 5 beautiful acres and have a large vegetable garden with dreams of bountiful harvests. Someday, we hope to build a fence and barn for horses.

MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
Annie: I belong to Fabulous Artistic Moms (FAM) and Etsypaper.

MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
Annie: New products are always on the horizon. I enjoy offering products that can be personalized, such as my charms, pendants and matchboxes.

This year I’m focusing on creating a lot of non-personalized inventory and taking part in craft shows. The Mini Albums have been a great addition to my Etsy store and have been well-received and I believe these will also do well at the craft shows. The updated Luxury Mini will be replacing my existing inventory of Mini Albums. It has such a wonderful feel to it and really is a remarkable, luxurious and solid product that I’m very excited to offer.

Being a web designer, I already have two websites, www.anniehowes.com which is an eCommerce site I launched before finding Etsy, and a promotional website www.howesdesigns.com which I use to pedal my skills as a graphic designer. I also have a blog where I update customers on new product launches in both stores, and where I enjoy featuring fabulous items from Etsy anniehoweskeepsakes.blogspot.com. These three websites keep me quite busy, which means I stay out of trouble.

MJ: Share one thing about you that you think would surprise people?
Annie: I served 4 years in the United States Navy as a Radioman, and served overseas during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I’m not really the military type so this little known fact is usually surprising to people I meet.




Check out Annie's Etsy Shop.... AnnieHowes