Featured Artist Spotlight....NewEnglandQuilter!!!

I've really been enjoying learning about my fellow Fabulous Artistic Moms. This week's feature is Amy a.k.a. NewEnglandQuilter. She and her little boy are gorgeous, aren't they?!!! Her shop on Etsy is fantastic too. I've really loved seeing all the new products available. The fabric blocks, crib rails, the memory matching games, baskets, etc. Amy is enthusiastic about her crafts and it really shows in her product line. She is also really loving motherhood...have you ever seen a happier child?

Okay...here is more information about Amy in her own words. I asked, she answered!


MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
Amy: I have seen crafting since I was a little girl. After school, I would go to my grandmother’s house. She is the one who taught me how to crochet. My cousin lived across the street from my grandmother and would visit us after school. When we weren’t playing dress up or having adventures she taught me how to knit. I didn’t learn to use a sewing machine until I was in college. I wanted to make some holiday skirts for my sisters and scrunchies for myself. My mother taught me how to sew. I can thank the women in my family for teaching me the basics of crocheting, knitting, and sewing.

MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
Amy: There are many things that inspire me. My son is one of my main sources of inspiration. He loved his inflatable beach ball so much that I decided to make him a fabric one. He is also my inspiration for the quilted crib rail guards in my shop – he likes to chew on those crib rails! When he started throwing everything in site, I decided that it was time to make some fabric blocks. They do not hurt as much when I get hit in the head.



Another thing that inspires me is looking at fabric. I bought some fabric to make some blocks and as I was pairing up the fabric squares, I thought that they would make a great memory matching game.



I am motivated to create something new to me. I love a challenge. Two of my biggest challenges this year were sewing curved crib rail guards and designing a pattern for pajamas and an outfit that would fit Webkinz Cats and Dogs.



MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
Amy: I love playing with my one-year-old son and spending time with my husband. This fall I will be going back to teaching high school mathematics. I also love to cook and go for long walks.



MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
Amy: I belong to Fabulous Artistic Moms and Etsy Moms.

MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
Amy: I just came out with a new product this past week – the No Sew Fabric Crib Rail Guard Tutorial. In the near future, I will be listing all inclusive kits to go with the tutorial. I am also going to be making my son some fabric slippers and leather shoes. I may add these items to my shop – we’ll see! I have never worked with leather before and am excited about trying out a new textile. I am also working on my first rag rug for my Etsy shop as a custom order. Here is a photo of a mini rag rug I made for fun! I will be blogging about the process of making the rag rug if anyone is interested in that craft. NewEnglandQuilter Blog



MJ: Share one thing about you that you think would surprise people.
Amy: I have never been to a quilt show. My mother-in-law and I are going to attend one next month and I am very excited to go!



Check out Amy's Etsy Shop.... NewEnglandQuilter.

To see additional photos of Amy's work, please visit her on Flickr.

Front Page Etsy Treasury!

I seem to be on a roll lately with the Front Page! This treasury, Funky Cold Patina, was inspired by the Tone-Loc tune, Funky Cold Medina, which I recently heard at the supermarket. It came on just after New Kids on the Block's, The Right Stuff. Luckily, I remembered all of those words too. Looking back on my junior high school crush on Joey McIntyre, the song suddenly made me feel old. Ah, the truth comes out :)

Anyhoo, congrats to the artists featured...JSurine, wirestormcreations, amieking, JMNPOTTERY, yellafish, photolena, CharmdImSur, sproutonline, ShannonAmidon, PatinaQueen, museglass, and jperegrine.

Featured Artist Spotlight...ValeriesGallery!!!

I had a hard time choosing some favorites from Val's shop to highlight. Everything in her shop is incredible. Is there anything she can't do? Bowls, vases, bracelets, booties, clutches, hair accessories, pins, oh my! I have had the pleasure of getting to know Valerie through Etsy's Street Team, Fabulous Artistic Moms. It's always great spending part of my day with this fine group of women...fabulous moms and fabulous artists...especially when they are as wonderful as Valerie!

Okay...here is more information about Valerie in her own words. I asked, she answered!



MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
Valerie: Although I am a yearling in selling my work, I have always been creative. I started knitting and crocheting as a teen, ummm, sometime in the 70's. Then when I started having children, I tried to make everything that I could for them, ranging from clothes, sweaters, hats and mittens to quilts and toys. I love working on a project that is being made for a particular individual as I am thinking of that person the entire time that I am making it.

MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
Valerie: My inspiration usually comes from nature. I love colors and textures that remind me of the great outdoors and living in Central NY provides a perfect backdrop! My motivation to succeed does not rest soley with monetary gain, but the fact that someone will actually buy something that I made thrills me to no end.

MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
Valerie: I have been working at a major insurance company for the past 19 years, most recently as a Business Consultant. So you can imagine after a very dull, dry day of insurance work, crafting provides a great creative outlet. I also love gardening and fixing up our old farm house with my husband.

MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
Valerie: I belong to FAM (Fabulous Artistic Moms), Etsy Hookers (a crochet group), Etsy For Charity, Working With Felt, and Indiepublic


MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
Valerie: I have just started branching out to include knit and crocheted non-felted items. My Icraft Site will be dedicated to childrens accessories and toys and my Silkfair Site will feature adult knit and crocheted accessories.

MJ: Share one thing about you that you think would surprise people.
Valerie: Well, I also like to refinish furniture and wood items. My dad always had a little wood shop in the basement when I was growing up, so I feel that I learned from a master. I love going to auctions and buying a table for a dollar and turning it into a beautiful and useful home accessory.







Check out Valerie's Etsy Shop.... ValeriesGallery.

To see additional photos of Valerie's work, please visit her on Flickr.

Front Page Etsy Treasury!

Another Gold for AquaMan was created as a tribute to Michael Phelps.

This treasury made Etsy's front page on 8/16/08! One gold medal for me and these wonderful artists; 8 gold medals for Phelps!

Featured Artist Spotlight....BamDesigns!!!

I met Tiffany through the Etsy group, Fabulous Artistic Moms. I am a huge fan of her designs and have enjoyed getting things in the mail for my own son and also for my friend's children. As you can see, she designs adorable clothing and accessories for both boys and girls. With three children of her own, she definitely knows what kids want! It has been an absolute joy getting to know the woman behind BamDesigns and an even bigger pleasure introducing her to my blog readers. For even more information, check out Tiffany's profile.

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



MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
Tiffany: I have been creating for over 20 years now. It kind of all started when I took a wood shop class in 9th grade. I had a lot of fun in the class and ever since then I have been designing.

MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
Tiffany: Brenden, Adam, and Megan are my inspiration which is how I came up with the name BAM Designs. I like creating clothing and accessories that I know they will like to wear or play in. It gives me a sense of pride and the drive to create more when I see how excited they get over a new design or the finished product. Adam hates going to the post office because he knows it means that we are mailing out more of his favorites.

They are also my motivation to succeed. I love having the opportunity to be home with them so that I can help them grow. That is part of the reason I want to succeed so much. I want more days like this with them. The other part is the feeling I get when I see some of the happy feedback from people.

MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
Tiffany: Chasing three kids! I don't get much time to read and I watch very little TV. There is not much down time for me. I am almost always thinking of new designs or ways to do a design different. We do like to camp and take the kids on mini trips during the summer time.

MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
Tiffany: I belong to EtsyKids, EtsyMoms, Military Brats, Fabulous Artistic Moms (FAM TEAM), and CCCOE- a group of Etsy sellers from California.

MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
Tiffany: I am working on a few new products still for boys and girls as far as clothing and accessories that will be added slowly over the next few months. The store is going to go through a complete overhaul next month with a bunch of new product but still keeping some of the old favs around too. You will be seeing a lot more applique work - I am having lots of fun with that right now.

MJ: Share one thing about you that you think would surprise people.
Tiffany: I get claustrophobic in stores - I hate shopping the day after Thanksgiving because the crowds give me panic attacks.







Check out Tiffany's Etsy Shop.... BamDesigns.

To see additional photos of Tiffany's work, please visit her on Flickr.

Etsy Front Page!

I am so totally psyched! Fellow Fabulous Artistic Mom, Winklepots, put together this lovely treasury on Etsy featuring red and aqua. This awesome treasury made Etsy's front page this afternoon. Notice that my earrings are in it! That means my earrings were on Etsy's front page for an hour this afternoon.



Congratulations Winklepots for pulling together this wonderful list and getting it to the much-coveted front page. And congratulations to all the sellers featured: JaneyWaney, TheArdentSparrow, fancygirlsbows, sycamorestreetpress, merkabajewelry, kikuhandmade, MichelleBrusegaard, sweettweets, whileshenaps, valeriesgallery, dahliahousestudios, ericalyndesigns.

Featured Artist Spotlight....Wysiwigs!!!

I met Jen through the Etsy group, Fabulous Artistic Moms (FAM) and have been a big fan of her and her shop since. Her store, WYSIWIGS, stands for What You See Is What I've Got (Smile o:) and offers an assortment of crafty goodies. From amazing prints of her pencil sketches and original origami art to notecards/ACEOs and awesome woodburned earrings. Her talent is endless and her sense of humor leaves me in stitches. It's always fun *hanging out* with her in the Etsy forums. For even more information, check out Jen's profile.

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

MJ: How long have you been creating/designing? When did you first learn you had a creative side?
Jen: I've been drawing since I was big enough to hold a pencil. I started kindergarten at age four; about the time I started asking my parents for a horse. All the other little kids were drawing stick people and I was drawing horses with ridiculously long manes and tails :o) I guess my sketching evolved from there. On the crafty side, my grandmother had a bunch of friends over every week to make something specific as a group, like a beaded Christmas ornament for example, and she always let me do one too (I loved it). The origami started just last year while I was recovering from reconstructive surgery - I've been addicted ever since.

MJ: What is your inspiration to create? What is your motivation to succeed?
Jen: I don't think I can classify inspiration any other way than Divine. Something will just catch my attention and I "just gotta" draw it or make it. How else can you classify creative things that just pop into your head from nowhere? I don't know that I have a motivation to succeed precisely; more like a space problem and financial issues (I HAVE to sell some of this stuff so I can go make something else and buy more supplies, you know? :o)

MJ: When you are not working on your craft, what are you doing?
Jen: I am a full-time interpreter for a deaf student in high school as well as running a private operating foundation (a pending 501c3) with nine horses and a 4-H leader (we stay kinda busy around here...)

MJ: Do you belong to any groups on Etsy?
Jen: I belong to the FAM (Fabulous Artistic Moms) Street Team - which is the most amazing group of women you'll ever meet; and also to EFA (Etsy for Animals) via my other shop EPICFARMS.

MJ: What is on the horizon for you? New products? Etc.?
Jen: I don't know what tomorrow will bring, I've learned to take things one day at a time (cancer causes a definite attitude adjustment). I am just now getting back to the life I left behind a couple of years ago - well, actually maybe its more like running to catch up to it! I was just released from treatment in May of this year (yay!)
I will be adding more photo prints, cards, and magnets (I have a friend that is an awesome photographer) to my Wysiwigs shop soon and there is a set of pastels staring at me from the dining room table...I'm still afraid of them, though. I've opened a second Etsy shop to help support the foundation - I think I mentioned it earlier. We also have a foundation website; EPICFARMS which I am learning - the hard way - to build (oy :o)


MJ: Share one thing about you that you think would surprise people.
Jen: I hate soda, coffee, AND tea. Isn't that awful? (I am, therefore, forced to seek my caffeine in solid form...CHOCOLATE - that part probably isn't surprising though :o)








Check out Jen's Etsy Shop.... WYSIWIGS.