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.