Meet Tabby Noorbakhsh, Artist

TJ Source is an Etsy shop where you can experience art on a personal level through a unique collection of stylish purses, phone cases, neck ties, and jewelry featuring the art of Tabby Noorbakhsh. TJ Source is made up of dynamic duo Tabby and Jose, who are partners in both life and business.

Tabby's art style encapsulates the bright colors and fun, flirty lifestyle of Miami and her work has been featured for Miami Art Basel 2015 At Art Fusion Galleries in the Wynwood Arts District, the world's largest art exchange. Her original vibrant paintings are exhibited throughout South Florida and we are proud to now be able to offer products that showcase her happy paintings and inspiring color arrays.

Tabby and Jose believe that art can be used as a form of therapy, and their wearable art goods can deliver healing and positive energy while also being fun and fashionable. They love the synergy of this work and how elements from so many industries can be combined to deliver outstanding quality products to their customers at https://www.etsy.com/shop/TJSource.

1. What inspired you to create fashion and home decor product featuring your artwork?

My inspiration to feature my artwork on everyday merchandise and fashion goods like handbags is my spirituality and connection to the earth. I express my connection with our earth through my paintings. Identifying my strengths and honing on them has helped shape this business.

In a stroke of good luck, my real life experiences synchronized, and it all started with art shows exhibiting original art and proliferated to jumbo office bags made of leather showcasing my art designs on a functional fashion medium. The art purses function as a modern day walking canvas.

The first thing I ever merchandised was a mug for a friend's birthday showcasing a butterfly, an orchid, and her name on it. It brought such joy opening the package and took me to my happy place from my childhood. Later, I discovered the same elation and joy as, over time, I put the art on new things and it's like instant gratification to see the art on quality and durable handbags. Having experience as a commercial and print model with years of modeling other designers' clothing and accessories lines, like my favorite MOGRA of South Miami, gave me exposure to the best of fashion that I am lucky to translate into my own merchandising line now.

2. When you create a piece of art, do you have particular ideas in mind for how you might incorporate it into a product, or do you tend to create your artwork freely and then see how it might work with your product line?

Typically, I do the art piece with three or four different concepts in mind. I like to use stretched canvas with acrylic paint and other mediums that create texture and shine, and I often do several varieties in a set for exhibiting purposes. Recently, I started working backwards and have an upcoming new product launch that I created from the handbags reversed to the art.

I am in the process of designing four to five pop-art styles, Leaves of Change, exploring everyday wardrobe colors with a splash of added vibrancy for some good vibes. The latest designs will be launched in Summer 2017.

Painting is what keeps the entrepreneur spirit alive inside me--it's what makes me different and just helps things tick. Creating durable handbags makes me happy because I feel I'm making a functional, authentic contribution to society. Every woman and man needs another handbag, let's face it! It is the way we privileged humans prefer things: no matter how many handbags we have, we always want what's new and cool. Our team thinks we created just that, the something NEW thats fun AND functional. We are constantly trying to fulfill our clients' needs with color to their wardrobe. I've used my unique design clutch handbag, and I've noticed it's very functional, and the double handle helps with the durability. The zipper is durable: my keys and cell phone are always tucked inside the compartment and my credit cards and ID are safely concealed in the secret pockets. I stand by my products' durability.

3. How does living in Miami influence you as an artist?

Living in Miami is a great breath of fresh air that helps me get inspiration for my new creations. The gorgeous environment is tremendously impactful on me as an artist. I love the weather with the warm tropical temperatures and soft nature colors of the ocean meeting the sky. Miami is a timeless place where weeks turn into months and months turn into years effortlessly and without resistance. I am lucky to have found a wonderful and compatible life partner, Jose, who makes the South Florida experience that more aesthetically pleasing and meaningful. What I love most about Miami besides my wonderful family is the sheer beauty of the beaches, city and downtown life, mixture of people, fusion of arts and culture and Latin swing.

4. Why did you chose Etsy as a platform, and how do you choose the designs and products to feature in your shop?

I chose Etsy because it is unique, represents self expression, and caters towards creativity and originality. I love the versatility of Etsy and the easy to navigate features. I have piece of mind with this platform because I know my clients' transactions are secure. I also know that as a small business owner, my marketing budget is spent well because I see results in my sales through their ads and analytics.

My goal is to expand to new platforms like Amazon.com next because we have lots of new designs coming up. Our goal is to really take advantage of technology because we are lucky enough to be able to utilize so many great resources, literally at the tip of our fingertips.

5. Would you tell us a little more about the way that you see art as therapeutic and how you hope customers will experience and enjoy your products?

I see my art as connecting nature with spirit. It is a form of visual and emotional healing because art does heal the body, mind, and soul of a person from the inside and out. Art is non verbal communication the unites the divided in times of verbal and physical conflict. Certain colors can have a positive effect on mood and emotions. I hope to channel soothing nature tones and colors into each painting that the viewer can take in for mood restorative therapy. The colorful art on purses, cufflinks, etc. can have an uplifting and happy effect on a person's mood.

Thanks, Tabby!

Meet Mia Nichols, Social Media Specialist

Mia Nichols owns a small social media management business, Social Media by Mia. The business handles social media for all sorts of companies, with a specialty in social media for crafters and jewelry makers. Learn more by visiting http://socialmediabymia.com.

1. What made you decide to start a social media business?

I love social media. I love figuring out what works to get people engaged. So, it made since to put what I love to use.

2. How did you choose to specialize in working with businesses related to crafting and jewelry making?

I love doing crafts and making jewelry in my spare time. However, health issues and issues with my hands keep me from doing it very often. It made sense to me to put my two loves together to form a business.

3. What do you think makes for good, engaging content when it comes to social media posts?

A combination of things. Videos and quotes from other parts of the internet, photos and links to your products, and general commentary.

4. If someone is posting regularly but finding that people don't seem to be interacting much with their posts, what are some strategies you might recommend?

Set up a social media schedule. Figure out what types of posts you want to post on what days. Then stick to the schedule. Find out what times of day work best for posting based on who is engaging.

5. For people who are just starting out in their craft-related business, what are your top three pieces of advice?

1. Set up your social media accounts so people can find you.
2. If you can afford it, hire someone to do your social media for you, so you have more time to focus on what you love.
3. Just keep at it.

Thanks, Mia!

Interior Design Ideas from Barbara's Design Solutions

If you're looking to bring some creativity into the spaces where you live and work, check out the interior design products for home, office, dorm, and more created by Barbara's Design Solutions.

Barb created her line of affordable artisan bathroom decor products with the idea that people should be able to take the guess work out of decorating their bathrooms and just focus on the paint. Her bathroom decor ideas include shower curtains, bath mats, wall art, soap and toothbrush dispensers, bathroom scales, and wall clocks.

Over time, Barb has created a line of Eco Friendly Aluminum Triptych Wall Art, with a variety of imagery and colors to suit many tastes. She has also designed monogrammed bath sets and coordinated black and white accessories for a classic, yet modern look. Her shop offers a unique and diverse collection of products.

By the way, if you like monogrammed products, Barb also makes monogrammed car floor mats upon request. In fact, she does a lot of products on request, so if you have an idea for art or accessories that you'd like to buy, just let her know, as she is glad to work with you on custom orders.

Learn more about Barb's products on YouTube, starting with the video below.

If you like her work, please subscribe to her channel and tell a friend.

Introducing Angela Millar Soul Art on Etsy

Everybody knows that I love Etsy shops, and even more so, I love to showcase Etsy sellers here on my blog. Most recently, I've discovered the shop of an Australian artist named Angela Millar.

Angela's work includes original paintings, travel photographs, greeting cards, and prints. Her art covers a variety of themes that reflect nature, spirituality, and mythology. I like the diversity of her work; as I scrolled through her listings, I was sometimes surprised by an image that I didn't expect. For example, paintings of Ganesh and the Buddha were followed by paintings of a regal flamingo and a smiling mermaid. Angela's image of the Buddha included in this post is called "Young Buddha."

The profile page on Angela's Etsy shop reveals that she took up art less than five years ago when she moved from Sydney to a small seaside town in New South Wales. As another person who loves the sea, I can perceive the influence of the coastal locale in her work in the swirls of color and the feelings she conveys of the natural world.

There's much to like about her work, and my own favorite pieces are the ones that depict animals, such as this beautiful peacock print of a painting called "One Hundred Eyes" which I think would appeal to art lovers of all ages, young children included.

In Angela's own words, "One of my favorite subjects to paint is Buddha, and a favorite medium is acrylic paint, I love using rich and vibrant colors thickly layering them onto the canvas to create interesting textures."

By the way, her artwork has also been published in a coffee table book called Amazing Australian Artists, compiled by ArtMeGallery.com.au. This book is carried by The Art Gallery of NSW, which is a great honor for her. Angela's painting "Blue Buddha" has been used as the cover image of the inspirational book, Wisdom Within: Awakening the Empowered Woman, by L.H. Owens. I suspect that we will be seeing her work published in many more places over the next few years.

Check out https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/AngelaMillarSoulArt and explore her work for yourself! I love that Etsy brings artists all over the world to everyone's doorstep with just a couple of clicks.

Introducing Health Is Wealth Designer Note Cards

Are you looking for a unique gift item for a health-conscious friend or family member? Or maybe you'd like to treat yourself to a little something to help yourself stay motivated when it comes to maintaining healthy habits? You might enjoy the Health Is Wealth collection of designer note cards from Barbara's Design Solutions on Etsy.

These note cards are scented with a variety of fragrances that evoke the natural scents of fruits. They are designed to be beautiful to the eye and pleasing to the nose. The idea of the Health Is Wealth collection is to share and enjoy cards that give a reminder of healthy eating.

Personally I like to keep blank greeting cards on hand to send for many occasions--sometimes it's nice to send a card just as an everyday way to say hello. When so many of our communications are online, it's a pleasant surprise to receive a card in the mail. The idea of scented cards reminds me of how I used to make scented sachets with my mom to give to friends as little gifts.

Along with the Health Is Wealth cards, Barb also offers other scented card collections, including the Spa Day cards for when you want to send a relaxing message to a friend, the Coffee Lovers collection of coffee-themed cards for many occasions (from birthdays to thank-yous), and the Cupcake Lovers collection.

Barb is always adding new and unique items to her shop. Learn more by reading her profile on Etsy.com.

Introducing Eco Friendly Wall Art by Barb

Not long ago, I posted about the coffee-themed art and gifts created by Barbara Miller, an artist who has an Etsy shop called Barbara's Design Solutions. I wanted to do a followup post to share more information about her original line of eco friendly metal wall art.

Barb's work emphasizes the triptych format, which allows you to get a large piece that is made up of three sections. It is a really cool looking way to display art and goes nicely in offices, waiting rooms, and homes, too. Basically if you want something like a mural or panel for a large wall, these pieces are great. You can purchase smaller format pieces as well. Barb is happy to work with clients and create made to order sizes and designs.

Her subject matter often focuses on nature and landscape, but she does abstract and still life pieces, too. When I asked her about her work, she said, "My interest in triptych art began a few years back. My artworks are inspired by nature's vast array of colors, textures, shapes, and forms."

Her eco friendly wall art is made from aluminum. She also offers pieces that are adhesive polyester fabric art that will stick to most any surface and can be easily removed without leaving sticky residue behind. Check out the art/home/office section of Barb's Etsy shop for more details.

One other way that Barb shares her art is through the form of fashion by creating wearable art, so if you're interested in unique t-shirts and other items, visit the fashion and accessories section of her Etsy shop.

I asked her about the different formats she creates in, and she said that she enjoys "experimenting with many media and styles--metal, glass, wood, and ceramics--and [her] love for fashion."

Barb works out of her studio/home in California. She said, "My art is an ongoing creative process." I think that by following her Etsy shop, we can all enjoy watching her work continue to evolve and expand into new formats and creative subject areas.

Introducing Gifts for Coffee Lovers

If you're a regular--or even an occasional!--reader of this blog, you'll know that one of my favorite things to write about is a unique Etsy shop. Barbara's Design Solutions on Etsy is a cool shop that has a variety of home decor items as well as fashion and gifts, but it also has a special section of Coffee House Blend gifts that sets it apart.

Barbara brings you a variety of unique handcrafted items, including home decor products, home fragrances, unisex fashion, auto accessories, stationery, and bed and bath products--all made in America. She has put together a pretty incredible array of products, especially those related to coffee. I would say this is a great place to find a one of a kind gift for the coffee lover in your life.

What really makes an Etsy shop stand out in my mind is when someone finds an interesting niche and creates a variety of products around their theme. Well, if you like coffee and/or if you have friends who like coffee, I think you'll enjoy Barbara's Design Solutions on Etsy. You can also find the Coffee House Blend items on their own website at www.coffeehouseblend.com.

Her Etsy shop has several different categories such as fashion/accessories, wedding related items, and ceramic or glass mugs and tiles. The largest category is for art for home and office, and you will find a wide selection of big and smaller pieces to hang on your wall, including removable peel and stick wall art and eco-friendly fabric art. When it comes to coffee, I especially like her coffee-related t-shirts, wall art, and jewelry (such as a cute coffee cup necklace).

You can learn more about Barbara's products by watching the video below.

By the way, Barbara also does a lot of custom items. This can range from buying an item with a monogram to buying a completely unique and customized piece of art made just for you. Check out her sites and contact her if you have an idea that you'd like to make a reality!

Meet Tina Cauthorn, Artist and Etsy Seller

Tina Cauthorn is a retired buyer from Fred Meyer, a division of Kroger. She has put her creative skills to work by having fun with buttons. Her "Button Factory" is in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Tina buys all her buttons on Etsy, on eBay, and at antique stores. So many Buttons, so little time! Check out Tina's button frames and other creations by visiting her Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/allbuttonedupbytina.

1. How did you decide to focus on making and selling button frames in your Etsy shop?

I saw a button frame in an antique shop and I thought, "I can do that." I went home and found an old picture frame and started gluing buttons on it. I still have my first "creation," and when I look at it, I realize how far I have come. Once I made enough to give away frames as gifts to friends and family, I decided that I should try selling them. I initially did a few craft shows. Boy, is that hard work! Everyone at the craft events was talking about Etsy. I looked into it and figured I would give it a try! My product seems to find the right customer base on Etsy.

2. What do you especially like about working with buttons--and how do you choose the buttons to work with in your creations?

When I worked as a buyer, I did a lot of design work, and this was a great way to challenge my creative side. One of the things I did as a buyer was buy "Novelty Underwear." All those boxer shorts with hearts on them for Valentines Day? I kind of took that idea and transferred it into button frames. It's fun to think of ideas. Holidays were easy! But then, I thought "Minions." What about "Wine," "Weddings," and "Watermelons"? I love that my customers send me a request for something special, and I'm able to make it happen.

3. In searching for buttons online and offline, how do you distinguish antique buttons from more contemporary ones?

When I started binging on buttons, I bought a lot of buttons on eBay--by the POUND! I got all kinds of old, vintage buttons. Since then, I've gotten very discriminating in only picking buttons that I know will complement what I already have. I've had to add new, current buttons into my assortment. It's tough to find nice, vintage rhinestone buttons or vintage button in bright, vibrant colors.

4. You have some great reviews on Etsy! What has been your experience in selling on the Etsy platform?

I've always said that Etsy is really a fabulous community. I find almost everyone I've dealt with has been a pleasure. I use my many years in retail to set my standards for my shop. "The customer is always right," and I want to make sure its a pleasant experience. I know I love it when I get a package from Etsy and its nicely wrapped and presented. I've had a lot of the sellers I buy from become regular customers. It's a nice world.

5. What is your advice to others who want to start selling arts and crafts projects online?

I think if you want to start selling online, you need to do your research. What is out there? What is the pricing? Does it compare with what you do? I know my first frames were not as nice as they are now. I did not start selling on Etsy until I had it perfected. So, make sure you are putting your best foot forward. You won't get repeat customers if things are not well put together and presented nicely. Think about how you like to receive things. Be patient. It took me awhile to sell my first frame, but now my sales are pretty steady: steady enough for me to say I am an "artist," even if the medium is glue and buttons!

Thanks, Tina!

Introducing Yellow Bee Vintage on Etsy

Did you know that I have another blog where I post about online selling on eBay, Etsy, and other platforms? I like featuring indie sellers, especially those who are running a business that clearly has a strong sense of creativity and thought behind it.

Check out my recent post to learn more about Yellow Bee Vintage, an Etsy shop which has a really nicely curated collection of 20th century items like glass, pottery, home decor, clothing, and accessories.

If you're looking for just the right items for a vintage-themed wedding, Yellow Bee Vintage will have something to pique your interest. Nicci, the shop owner, has a knack for finding quality items that really show an attention to detail. Remember the pretty handkerchiefs your grandma had? This is the kind of thing you can find in Nicci's shop.

Yellow Bee Vintage is clearly a labor of love from someone who loves to find and share those items that bring up our collective past. I hope you'll check out the shop!

Introducing Ol' Curiosities & Book Shoppe on Etsy

Do you ever feel like browsing through shelves of old books but can't find the time to venture to a neighborhood bookshop? Or maybe you don't live near a brick-and-mortar shop that sells rare and secondhand books. Or maybe it's three in the morning, and the shops are closed... In short, if you're a fan of reading and/or collecting print books, check out Ol' Curiosities & Book Shoppe on Etsy.

The cool thing about this particular Etsy shop is that it's run by booksellers who run a physical bookstore that they opened in Alabama in 2012. So really, this is the closest you can get to browsing a mom & pop bookshop from your computer. The shop owners source books from estate sales, thrift shops, flea markets, library sales, and more. They have a huge inventory, and what's listed on Etsy only represents a small part of what they have available; in fact, they encourage customers to contact them if you have a particular book you're looking for.

When you browse the Ol' Curiosities & Book Shoppe's Etsy storefront, you can browse books by categories such as children's books, law books, photography books, and books by Pearl S. Buck. But the bulk of their books are difficult to categorize as they are unique and vintage items. Most of the shop's listings are very brief: it's clear to me that the customer base is people who are looking for specific titles/authors, or people who will find familiar titles/authors while browsing the shop and feel inspired to buy. Who wouldn't be inspired to buy a book you loved in the past, or maybe a book that reminds you of a beloved person or place from your past?

One last thing: the prices are quite reasonable, many around the $5 mark. You can explore an old book for what it would cost to buy a couple of lattes. I got the distinct feeling that Ol' Curiosities & Book Shoppe is both a carefully run business and a labor of love from people who know and deeply respect the book culture of yesterday and today.

Meet Pukka Borg, Clothing Designer and Etsy Seller

Pukka Borg describes herself as a different kind of person. She's always found attractive the unusual stuff but yet interesting and unique things. She is creative, and she spends all her days creating and designing alternative rocker clothing and accessories. Check out her work on Etsy, and follow her on Facebook.

1. How do you get the inspiration for your clothing designs?

Sometimes I spend my time in quiet places and imagine myself wearing an outfit at a certain place with a certain mood. It is like I build up a character. That's why every design I create has a story. After having spent late nights thinking and creating at first, it comes to me more naturally now. My creations have become to be a part of my life, an everyday thing.

2. What are some of the benefits of Etsy as a platform for selling your creations?

I found Etsy is the best platform to promote handmade items. There are so many talented people with different skills and qualities. If everyone tries to understand that all these items are made by a pair of hands, then they will be more appreciated. I thank Etsy for giving me the opportunity to spread my creations to the entire world.

3. Could you tell us a little bit more about the name of your shop and what it means?

Bitten STC stands for Bitten Spread The Curse. The idea behind this name came from dark art culture of which I am currently running a page on Facebook. Once you admire this culture then you are Bitten and will start to Spread The Curse. My designs express this darkness and inspire the "Bitten" culture. Shadow District Project is another page I am running on Facebook. It features my dark creations and the name is derived from the post-apocalyptic theme of my creations.

4. What are some of your favorite materials you like to use, and where do you source your materials?

Studs and leather (vinyl) makes a perfect combination! I usually purchase some of my materials from local shops, but I don't always find what I'm looking for. For certain designs I need to purchase the materials online. Now I am planning to work on new designs which will consist of different types of materials and fabrics. I believe you have to be versatile from time to time.

5. In your own wardrobe, what are some of your "essential" pieces that you love to wear?

I can't separate myself from the SDP Wild Savage Wolf Jacket. I remember one of those terrible cold nights, had to ride on the bike with my husband and I didn't feel even a shiver with this jacket!

The SDP Pointed Hoodie is one of my designs that I wear a lot. It is light weight and I have to admit it I am obsessed with hoodies!

And the SDP Hazard Pants is a unique piece I have. I created this one especially in a Post Apocalyptic theme.

I can't stop mentioning the items I've designed because what I create is what I had always wanted to wear--and most importantly they have to be comfortable.

Thanks, Pukka!

Crochet on Etsy by Michele Whittaker

I posted about California-based Etsy seller Michele Whittaker earlier this summer when she had a special sale on Etsy to celebrate her birthday. I thought I'd follow up with more info about Michele and her creative process--and, of course, her Etsy shop.

Michele makes some really sweet clothing for babies. Not all of us have someone in our lives who can crochet, and having crocheted baby items is always something special. Her baby dresses are charming and unique. She also sells women's tops and purses and a variety of gift items, including pretty designs for Christmas.

What I especially admire about Michele's work is that she creates her own designs rather than working from standard patterns. I asked her about her history with crocheting, and she said that when she was very young, her godmother taught her to crochet. Her godmother also taught her knitting and sewing, but crochet became Michele's clear love. She says, "With just a crochet hook and a some thread, you can create anything, and sometimes I amaze myself when the final product comes out even better that what I expected."

Michele says she likes to just lets the thread guide her as she works. She even does this while choosing colors: "I'll have an idea in my head, and as I keep working, I get inspired to do this or that, and at the end it is completely different from what I had in mind. It goes the same for what color I am going to work on. I'll go in front of my stock of colors, and there will be one that says, 'Pick me.' I know it sounds funny, but this is how it is, and if for some reason I don't pay attention and choose another color, believe it or not whatever I try to do will not work, and I eventually take the color that spoke to me in the first place, and it will work like a charm."

Michele is a master of her craft, and a nice person to work with as well if you have a special project in mind and want to find the perfect crochet artist to create it for you. The video below shows the products Michele makes and sells on Etsy.

Meet Chuck of BurlapUSA, an Etsy Shop for Handmade Burlap and Lace

BurlapUSA is an Etsy shop which sells handmade items created in the USA from burlap and lace. Burlap is 100% natural and biodegradable, and the shop carries unique items for home décor, weddings, and bridal.

1. How did you first become interested in working with burlap?

I used to sell wholesale burlap fabric, but I saw the demand for handmade crafts from burlap fabric, so I started making the table runners using burlap fabric and lace.

2. Why do you think the combo of burlap and lace works well?

I knew it was a great combo after seeing the photos of burlap and lace runners at weddings.

3. Do you find that more people are looking for natural and biodegradable materials when planning weddings?

Yes I do, and I am glad I am a part of it.

4. What are some uses for burlap when it comes to home decor?

Curtains, aisle runners, rugs, coasters, place mats, and table runners are all popular.

5. What else would you like readers to know about your products and your Etsy shop?

They are all handmade out of 100% burlap fabric and top quality lace.

Thanks, Chuck!

Original Crochet Work by Michele Whittaker

Based in Yucca Valley, California, Michele is an artist and craftsperson whose mode of expression is crochet. In her own words, she makes "elegant crochet dresses for elegant ladies." Michele's Etsy shop carries a variety of crocheted items, including dresses, tops, and tanks for girls and adults, plus a really lovely selection of clothing for babies and reborn babies. She also makes bags, bracelets, gloves, and other accessories.

A unique aspect of Michele's work is that she doesn't use a pattern. She takes notes as she works, so you will find similarities among her items, but each one is a one of a kind creation. If you're looking for a custom item, send Michele a message because she is a friendly person who puts a lot of love into her work and will collaborate with you to make just the right piece.

From now through August 15, 2014, Michele is having a special 50% off sale to celebrate her birthday. So celebrate with her and order something special today. I'm always glad to support independent artists and craftspeople on this blog, and if you watch the YouTube video below, you'll see a slideshow of her work and know what I mean when I say that she puts a lot of love into it.

Meet Laura Dufresne, Artist and Craftsperson

Laura Dufresne is an artist in Montreal, Canada who creates unique handmade items. She currently specializes in fabric bow ties and coin purses / cell phone cases. If you like work with a geeky-cool aesthetic, be sure to check out Laura's creations. Learn more about Laura and her work on her website called Retroactive Legacy and in her Etsy shop.

1. What inspired you to start making handmade bow ties?

That's kind of a strange story. My boyfriend and I both have an affinity for geeky items and are both aficionados of the creative process. As my sewing skills grew, I found that smaller accessories with bold or interesting themes or characters became more important than the overall look. As a result, I tested a bow tie. I made a simple, Spiderman-themed bow tie for an event we attended. I received a number of responses--and to my surprise, excitement, and horror, people wanted to order them from me.

The experience blindsided me; I had no clue what to charge, how to proceed, and whether selling handmade bow ties made any sense at all. It turns out it does make complete sense because current mass-produced bow ties are poorly made, kind of boring, and mostly are pre-ties, which detracts from the allure of self-tied knot.

So in essence, what inspired me the most was the ideal of a great tradition, brought into modern times, made into something more interesting than the novelty ties our dads would wear once a year.

2. I see you are expanding into coin purses and cell phone cases. How do you get ideas for your products?

The coin purses was first inspired by this awesome fabric I found on Spoonflower featuring cameo skulls. I wanted to really showcase the skulls because the entire look was so well done. I thought it appropriate to create something heart-shaped and it just so happened that I had a batch of purse frames in my crafts stash. I tested patterns until I found one that suited the fabric perfectly and voila.

I think fabrics often inspire my work: I don't want to do what might be obvious with them; I want to do the unthinkable, the out-of-the-box, without over-reaching and not being relatable. There should be some sort of connection, but it won't necessarily be immediately obvious.

3. How do you choose the fabrics to use in your creations?

For one, most of the fabrics I choose are not commercially available. I do sometimes use commercially available fabrics, typically when it involves creating something using a copyrighted character. I think copyright is extremely important and believe that as customers become more and more aware of the issues of copyright, this will become of significant importance in the future.

It is also important to me to support independent artists. I love finding independent designers and creating something that really highlights their work. Bow ties are great for this; all bow-ties have a "window" of sorts, and I look for designs that meet the size requirements for this 1" by 2" space.

My fishing tie is a perfect example. The fish on this fabric are quite large and take up a significant portion of the window. I chose it because it fit the personality of bow ties as the modern replacement to the ubiquitous novelty fishing tie of our fathers, and also because the dimensions that would allow me to showcase the fabric in a way that might otherwise have been overlooked.

4. As an indie artist/craftsperson, what do you feel are the pros and cons when it comes to selling on Etsy?

I'm really not sure about Etsy anymore. I have found that the philosophy that made me jump into the mix has been lost with the refusal to address resellers in the marketplace. It really has torn me apart. I could continue to sell there, and with a little more involvement, I know I would/could be highly successful, but I am still not very sure I want to continue with this medium. This is a discussion for another day and another interview.

In favor of Etsy, there are still numerous independent artists and producers on the website. It is essential we support that as much as possible. In doing so, we solidify the economic sense of maintaining a handmade marketplace. For myself, even if you don't buy my products, I hope you buy things through Etsy that aren't produced in factories.

Cons: often times it is hard to tell what is handmade. :(

5. What do you think that people creating handmade objects can do to make their work stand out online, where buyers are inundated with cheap, pseudo-handmade imports?

I think it is important not to jump on bandwagons. I know it can be hard to resist, but making a bow tie of blue boxes would be stupid-boring, because it's just too common. I don't want to be mean, but if there are a gad-zillion of something, there is just no way to stand out. If you want or need to be on trend, try to get ahead of the curve. Also, you really do need to KNOW your subject.

Research is the key to connecting with your potential customers. One of my most successful bow ties is a Godzilla bow tie, but customers are not directed to my product through the keyword GODZILLA, but through the keyword GOJIRA, the Japanese word for this awesome monster! Know the fans, know the lingo, and that is how you'll reach your key audience.

Thanks, Laura!

Minnesota Artist Lori Norman on Creating Art with Found Materials

Below is a guest post written by visual artist, Lori Norman. Lori was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and still resides in Anoka County. She is married to a patient man who indulges the visions in Lori's head that result in her unique artwork. She has raised two seemingly normal children, has no credit card debt, and regrets not having the opportunity to ask her Swedish maternal grandfather and Swedish paternal great grandfather, "Of all places, why Minnesota?"

Lori's family is supportive by presenting her with unusual discards to challenge her creativity and organizational skills. She dreams of winning the lottery so she can have a shed dedicated to housing numerous odd findings for her art projects and reclaim the dining room table for its intended purpose. A true Minnesotan, she enjoys each season and frequently complains about the excessive heat or excessive cold, waiting for the day the weather is "just right."

Lori is new to the Twin Cities art scene and has had three public showings of her work. She will be participating in this year's Art A Whirl in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May 2014. She sells her work on Etsy, and you can see more samples of her art on MNartists.org, an online gallery of work by Minnesota artists.

In the first-person essay below, we gain some inside perspective on Lori's process as an artist.

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I work with "found" or vintage items and add hand-crafted elements to create interesting scenes or characters. Used objects have their own personalities or "patina."

It is hard to put my artwork into just one category. Some pieces have a semi-steampunk style, and others have a whimsical folk art style. My art is meant to be fun. Because the materials I combine are not found on conventional store shelves (but rather at estate auctions, thrift stores, or yard sales), it would be difficult to duplicate.

I enjoy watching people recognize the individual components of a piece and seeing the smiles. I am most often asked, "How do you come up with that?" And I guess the answer is really that I have developed a way to look at things differently. Where a sketch artist sees objects as lines to be drawn, I see the things I choose for my art not only as they are, but for what they could become. Using recognizable elements in a unique way draws people into the piece, evokes memories, and generates conversation. The artwork becomes personal to the viewer.

Sometimes my inspiration is the object, in itself. For example, an vintage manual typewriter element may look like a bird's feet, or an clip-on earring may look like the body of an insect. I might also begin with an idea based on a phrase, song, or story, and I'll seek items to illustrate the concept. As I begin a piece, new ideas may emerge as I work with the different elements. The end result may not be what I initially intended it to be.

The pieces combined can be surprising. And the materials I use to craft additional elements can also be unexpected. Although I often use polymer clay, the supplies I keep in bulk include shrink plastic, wire, markers, ink, resin, and paint. Paper is also an option and is more versatile than people may realize. I have also, by trial and error, learned which glues work best with different elements.

Perhaps by necessity, I learned at an early age that one person's junk may become my next treasure. It became fun to search or stumble upon a great item at a great price, and even more fun when people admire it without knowing its history. Weekends of thrift store shopping, visiting garage sales, and attending auctions for fun prepared me to "go off the beaten path" in creating my sculptures. After a period of upcycling functional pieces, it was only natural for me to become interested in assembly art. I continue to enjoy "junk shopping." Thrift stores have become my art supply venue.

Thanks, Lori!

Introducing Vintage Candles Unwined, Maker of Natural Soy Candles

As a fan of candles made of natural materials, I was happy to learn about the natural soy candles made by Vintage Candles Unwined. And better yet, the candles are made using glass cut from upcycled wine bottles.

Vintage Candles Unwined is an independent company based in Boise, Idaho. They buy the cut and beveled glasses for their candles from a local company which employs individuals who have workplace challenges. The candles are hand-poured and do not include any dyes or chemicals; even the wicks are eco wicks which keep your home environment free of crude oil refinements that are contained in paraffin waxes. And after you burn your candle, you can reuse the glass as a drinking glass or small vase or pencil cup or...!

The company offers a variety of scents and will consider ideas and requests submitted by customers. They are currently in the process of designing a new label for their candles, and can add an image of any state you'd like to the labels of the candles you purchase. Each candle contains 8-12 ounces of soy and will burn for 50-75 hours.

Find candles from Vintage Candles Unwined at local retailers in Boise and online at http://www.vintagecandlesunwined.com and on Etsy.

Meet Kathy Reading, Artist and Jewelry Maker

Kathy Reading been making jewelry for over 15 years, using gemstone beads and Swarovski crystals. Popular items in her Etsy shop are necklaces with matching earring sets. She likes to work in her studio along with her beading kitten, who "assists" by napping on her bead stash. Kathy is going to a bead show the end of the month and hopes to find a lot of new gemstones and other items to incorporate into jewelry for the upcoming 2013 holiday season.

Learn more about Kathy and her work by visiting her blog: http://catjudesigns.blogspot.com.

1. How did you first become interested in making jewelry?

I became interested in making jewelry many years ago when my sister gave me a jewelry making kit for Christmas. It had little tiny gemstone chips, and instructions to make a necklace, bracelet and earrings. I was hooked! At the time it was very difficult to get jewelry making supplies, as there was no internet. I found a catalog to purchase from an ad in a craft magazine (of course no color photos like now, just line drawings) and ordered some beads.

I also went to a couple of craft shows and talked with vendors there who were selling their jewelry. They did not want to share their sources with me on where they got their supplies, and were very suspicious when I told them I also made jewelry. Boy, was I glad when the internet came along, especially eBay. In 2001 I got my start with being able to purchase supplies online and even took a few classes. I have been making jewelry ever since.

2. What inspires your designs, and what materials do you especially enjoy working with?

I look for inspiration everywhere, especially unique color combinations. Gemstone beads often have interesting colors and patterns, which helps decide what colors I use in making a necklace and earring set. My favorite material to work with are Swarovski crystal beads--nothing sparkles like Swarovski. They have so many colors, sizes, and finishes--they are just so beautiful. You can really dress up a mediocre bead and make it pop by adding Swarovski crystals.

3. Your pieces related to sports teams are very unique--could you tell us a little about those pieces and the response they've received from customers and the media?

I started making jewelry using sports teams charms when a friend of mine asked if I could make her a pair of Ravens earrings. I found the charms, and of course had to dress them up with Swarovski crystals. Suprisingly enough, the sport team jewelry is very popular the whole year through, not just during the season. And when the Ravens won the championship game, I could hardly keep up with the orders. It also helped that someone posted a photo with a link to a pair of the earrings on the Washington Post website, so that exposure created an increase in visits to my Etsy shop.

4. What has your experience been on Etsy, and do you also sell your work offline?

I have been selling on Etsy for a little over two years, and it has been a positive experience. I have had many repeat customers, which is always nice. I especially like working with brides to make something for them to wear at their wedding. They often send me a photo of them wearing the jewelry, which is truly wondrous to see and know that I have been a part of someone's special day.

I also sell my work to friends and co-workers, and host a show every fall at my house. I am always searching for other ways to expand my business. One of the things I do is donate jewelry to charities to use for door prizes or auctions at their fundraising events. And I do custom work, too: I've made jewelry to match prom dresses and for a 50th wedding anniversary party. What fun!

5. What topics will readers find you posting about on your blog?

Readers can find topics on my blog relating to new Swarovski colors, before and after projects where I take an old, sometimes vintage piece of jewelry and transform it into something else, tutorials, guest blogs, other artists I have met--a little bit of everything!

Thanks, Kathy!

A Tiny Zine about Writing Found Poetry

When I'm not busy blogging or (more likely) working at my day job (teaching English), I like to write poems, and I also like to make zines. I have a special interest in writing poems that use found text. What are found poems, you ask? Well, I just made a little zine to explain what found poems are, and it includes a couple of fun writing exercises so that you can start writing them, too. They are a fun activity to do with kids as well, and the zine focuses on involving visual elements as you compose--in a way, you could say that found poems are the literary equivalent of collage.

Anyway! If you'd like to check out my zine, I've just listed it in my etsy shop. It only costs $1.00, plus the cost of postage!

Meet Koni and Windi of GAWK Apparel

GAWK Apparel is the dream of two sisters, Windi and Koni, who live together in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Specializing in screen printed t-shirts, GAWK stands for Grand Adventures of Windi & Koni, and is symbolic of their unusual journey in life, from growing up apart to getting to know each other and now starting a business together. Windi and Koni grew up without really knowing each other at all, each being raised by their father, Koni in Oklahoma and Windi in California. It wasn't until their mother passed away on February 17, 2007 that they began to get to know one another.

They plan to start out by selling screen printed t-shirts and other apparel through their Etsy shop, as well as through selling products in person at arts events. They hope to expand into custom and wholesale orders. For now, they are funding the start of their dream through a campaign to raise $2000 on Indiegogo; as of March 2, they had reached 10% of their goal.

Keep up with their latest grand adventures on Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook. The interview below is with Koni.

1. What made you decide to start a screen printing business?

Windi and I have both always been really interested in art. Myself digital art and graphic design. Windi is more of a pencil and paper sort of girl. We've done a lot of things where she draws something on paper, and I scan it, clean it up in Photoshop, add backgrounds, etc. We've also both always been interested in clothing design. We both altered our clothes when we were in high school. Put on patches, restructured t-shirts, etc. It just makes sense to put the art we make together on clothes. What better way to do that than screen printing? We can put just about anything on pretty much anything. It gives us a lot of creative liberty.

It's just time to do our own thing and build something that is ours. We have the space to do it. Where we live is the perfect location. Everything in life is pushing us in this direction.

2. How do you get the ideas for your designs--would you say you have certain subjects you especially like to include in your designs?

We're very random and anything could inspire us. The cat with a mustache design was inspired by our cat, Phoebe. She has a mustache, so next thing you know we have a mustached cat design. I also have three kids and they spout off random nonsense things, like kids do, and it makes me think of ideas. Most of our designs will most likely be animals doing human things or having human features. It's just silly and fun to see animals acting all people-like.

3. What are the challenges and what are the fun parts of starting up this new business?

The biggest challenge would have to be figuring out the financial aspect of everything. I've been going cross-eyed with tax laws, comparing wholesale supplier costs, and researching what other screen printing companies charge for custom orders, etc. We have to make sure we are going to cover costs, make a profit, but be within the industry average pricing.

The fun part is the excitement of doing something that is ours! We are starting this business. As long as we stay within legal guidelines, we can make and do whatever we want. That's exciting. Seeing all our friends being so supportive and excited, too, is really fun. I didn't expect people to believe in us to the extent they do.

4. Do you envision most of your sales coming from online customers or from customers you meet in person, or both?

At first they will mostly come from online. It will probably take us a little bit of time to get the hang of everything, as far as packaging, seeing what designs are most popular, etc. Once we have those things mastered, we'll start making more sales in person. We want to work booths at trade shows and art shows and eventually set up a small store front. We also want to do custom orders and bulk orders. Most of those type of orders would probably come from local sports teams, schools, and groups. So, as the business grows, more business will start to be offline sales.

5. How did your relationship as sisters evolve into a business partnership, too?

Windi has lived with me for two years now. We didn't know each other growing up, so we don't have the typical sister relationship that other sisters have. I don't have a typical relationship with any family, so I don't really have a personal understanding of those relationships. Because of this I never know how to answer these types of questions.

A majority of the time she has lived with me it's been very financially stressful around here, and everyone is just doing what we can do to keep the bills paid. We have all that space in the garage that isn't being used. Both of us have been out of work for months now. It's been rough. It just made sense to start doing something together to turn our financial situation around. If no one wants to hire us, fine. We'll make our own work. Sitting around and waiting for things to get better won't help anything. We have the skills to make it better, so we are.

Thanks, Koni!