Motivational Monday

Here is another one of my Motivational Monday Etsy artist interviews featuring Treacher Creatures. I stumbled across her shop through an Etsy thread, and I found her little creations to be super cute and fun.. I'm thinking about getting a few as Christmas gifts this year! I love how they seem to have personality in the photographs. Really cute! Here is what she had to say~


1. What is the name of your shop and where are you from?

Treacher Creatures.
I am from North Yorkshire, England.

2. Please describe what is it that you make, and how long have you been making your handmade goodies for?

I make one of a kind sock creatures. I have been making these for just over a year now. I make any and all animals. I have been sewing all my life though and also make traditional teddy bears and fleece animals.



3. What made you begin "crafting" or "art making"?
I have been creative all my life. I am not only a crafter but also an artist and have always loved creating things with my own hands.

4. What made you take the leap into creating a business with your art/craft?
My house was so full of sock creatures I had to find homes for them.

5. Is your business full time? Where do you sell your work other than Etsy?
No, I am a full time and carer and mother too. This is an outlet for my creativity. I also have a shop on Folksy.com



6. Where do you create?
In the family sitting room.

7. What is your creative atmosphere like? Loud and crazy, soft and sweet?
I like sewing in front of the telly or listening to music.

8. What inspires you?
Socks and animals and all things cute.



9. How has Etsy been positive for your art/craft?
It has inspired me to stretch my creativity and take newer and harder challenges with all the custom orders I receive.

10. Where else can we find you online?
Folksy.com
Facebook
Stuffed Team - a plush team on Etsy. We have our own team shop.

Thanks for sharing your process with everyone here on my blog! You can buy her creations here in her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/TreacherCreatures

Happy Monday! xoxo

Motivational Monday Etsy Interview

It's Monday...and EVERYONE needs a little extra Motivation on Monday right?

Well, here you go! Here is a fabulous Etsy artist interview that will motivate you to get off your computer and into that studio and work work work!

This week's artist is with Tiffany from Varga Art and Prints

Please describe what is it that you make, and how long have you been making your handmade goodies for?

I sell prints and original art. I haven't posted any original art yet because I need them for a show! But afterwards, I'll put more original works on my shop!

What made you begin "crafting" or "art making"?

I began art making in college. Before then I was just a doodler. I always thought I would be some sort of scientist. But when it came to finally choosing a major in college, I had to really think hard about what I want to do with the rest of my life. I turned to animation. After that came a long career in video games. 2 years ago, I picked up a brush and began one of the most exhilarating journeys of my life... Watercolor!

What made you take the leap into creating a business with your art/craft?

I took a leap to create my etsy business because a lot of people around me seemed to really believe that my art was any good!

Is your business full time? Where do you sell your work other than Etsy?

No, my art and print business is not full time, unfortunately. I do engage in digital art making for a living because I work for a video game company doing 3d animations.

Where do you create?

I create everywhere. Everytime I go on a trip, I leave the camera at home and paint the moment. For the kids illustrations, I am sometimes in the living room, or the kitchen. I'm quite restless and don't have a designated space for my art. I like being where the action is.

What is your creative atmosphere like? Loud and crazy, soft and sweet?

My creative atmosphere varies from quiet to loud, neat to messy, inside, outside, hot, cold. I actually have an intensely high tolerance for distraction when it comes to painting.

What inspires you?

Life inspires me. Books inspire me. I am actually very fond my own artwork, I know it may sound egotistical, but I don't love it for the skill and craftmanship. I love it because almost every painting carries a personal meaning. For instance, on my website, you will see a painting of a man and 3 dogs walking at a park.


That's my husband and my dogs. It was an actual moment when we went to a dog park in Austin together. It can't get any more life-inspired than that.


Or this piece, which is a tea set given to me by my mother-in-law. These are special things to me. I rarely paint things that mean nothing to me.

How has Etsy been positive for your art/craft?

Etsy has yet to be a positive thing for my art. I haven't made an art sale, but I've only been around 3 weeks? I am very optimistic about the future, because I stand by the quality of my work.

Where else can we find you online?

You can find my official watercolor website here: www.tiffannyvarga.com
my blog here: www.tiffannysketchbook.blogspot.com

If you are interested in being a featured Etsy artist/crafter on another Motivational Monday.. please let me know!

Thanks for reading! xo

Another Motivational Monday Interview!

It's Monday...and EVERYONE needs a little extra Motivation on Monday right?! Well, here you go! Here is a fabulous Etsy artist interview that will motivate you to get off your computer and into that studio and work today!

This week's featured Etsy artist is from Crafty Willows,
And here is what she told us about her business~


What is the name of your shop & where are you from?
My etsy shop is called CraftyWillows and I am from Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

Please describe what is it that you make, and how long have you been making your handmade goodies for?
I primarily create wire wrapped pendants and necklaces as well as earrings and a few rings. I have been making wire jewelry since May 2010, but I have been making beaded jewelry for a lot longer. Additionally, my mother and I have collaborated to produce tatted earrings as well. She has been tatting for around 35 years and wanted to help create something new.



What inspired you to begin making your jewelry?
Well, I have been crafting for a long time, but found that I didn't have time for it in college. When I graduated and moved from California to Wisconsin I had a lot more free time on my hands, so I returned to crafting shiny things.

What made you take the leap into creating a business with your art?
Originally I just opened my etsy shop to list items that I had made and didn't want to keep, but since I don't wear jewelry very often, I found myself listing all my creations. It is such an adventure to make something new, that I just wanted to share my work with others.

Is your business full time? Where do you sell your work other than Etsy?
I guess you could say this is my full time business at the moment, but I have to admit that I definitely don't treat it like one. I am afraid that the minute I start treating my crafting like work, it won't be fun anymore. I only sell my creations on Etsy at the moment.



Where do you create?
I primarily use the kitchen table at home!

What is your creative atmosphere like? Loud and crazy, soft and sweet?
I always like to put a movie in when I craft. Something I have seen so many times before that it is pleasant to listen to, but not distracting. The last movie I watched was "Lost in Austen." I love "Pride and Prejudice"!





What inspires you?
It is really hard to say. Sometimes it is a craft tutorial I find on the internet. Other times, it is a tv show, like how "The X-Files" inspired my crop circle pendants. Then there are times when I just take a piece of metal in my hands and just begin to work and the piece creates itself.


How has Etsy been positive for your art?
Just having an Etsy shop has given me the drive to want to always make something new. I like the accomplishment of listing a new item!

Where else can we find you online?
You can also find me at my craft blog: http://littlebitcrafting.blogspot.com/
I created the blog before my etsy store to explore jewelry making and other crafting tutorials.

If you are interested in being a featured Etsy artist/crafter on another Motivational Monday.. please let me know!

Thanks for reading! xo

Looking for Etsy Artists!!!

I've been flirting with the idea of hosting weekly blog interviews with Etsy artists every Monday for a "Motivational Mondays"

I know I need a little extra encouragement to get off the computer and down to my studio to begin my work week.

I have always found other artists/crafters to be very motivational to keep working, so I thought it would be fun to share some insight here with you on a weekly basis!

So here is a thread I started on Etsy looking for some potential "Motivational Monday" artists! Please join in~

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6629867

*photo above of Kiki Smith... I've been in love w/ her work since I began college! Amazing! :)