Without much further ado, I present to you this week’s Featured Etsy Shop! It’s ErinBowe.etsy.com, a jewelry shop focused on traditional metalsmithing techniques. I sent Erin some questions and she had some pretty spiffy answers. Read on!
Here is some rambling in answer to your questions:
So, tell us about yourself. Metalsmithing is my life right now – a full-time job. And oh yeah, I have another full-time job during the day too. I don’t ever have “free time” to just relax, but I don’t really need it because sawing and soldering is what relaxes me anyway! If winter ever ends, I’ll get outside to rearrange my perennial gardens – it’s like art on a really large scale.
How long have you been running your etsy shop?I registered on Etsy last October, but I didn’t start listing items until early December. I also just set up a second shop for handmade supplies and other findings – FundamentalFragments.etsy.com.
What is it that really turned you onto metalsmithing in the first place?I actually started working with metal to give myself an outlet where I didn’t have to be perfect. Well, that didn’t quite work out as planned, but now I’ve found “my” medium.
Tell us about your studio; it sounds very interesting from the mention on your profile.
My studio….well, my house is about 120 years old, and we have a nice fieldstone basement. The original owners of the house had built a little room down there, making the walls from long planks of wood. The door was trimmed with wood detail that was also on the pie-safe that had been left in the house. A massive old workbench and tools were also in the house when we moved in. So, now this space is my studio, and I even use some of the tools that were left here.
What is it that gets you in the mood to create? Do you have anything habits or rituals to get yourself inspired to work? I’m in the mood to create 24/7! Most of my inspiration comes from every-day things, especially nature and architecture. I do get even more motivated when listening to music though. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds often keep me company.
And be sure to check out her links:
http://erinbowe.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/erinbowe
http://www.flickr.com/photos/erinbowe/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1663811690&ref=profile
Thanks, Erin!
And here it is, the return of my Featured Etsy Shop…. Feature! This week, it’s unoriginalsinner.etsy.com, a jewelry shop definitely worth checking out!
So introduce yourself to us! I’m in Louisville KY, a recently graduated art student just enjoying the school-free life at the moment. I’m into any kind of art i can get my hands on- photography, ink drawing, painting, even modeling. Jewelry making is actually my most recent artistic endeavor but something I’ve really jumped into. I like elegance with an edge; anything that is beautiful but also kind of creepy or dark is a go!
Skull and Crossbones Steampunk Necklace - $20
How long have you been running your etsy shop? I started on etsy last summer but didn’t really do much in the way of promotion; I really got into it around this past Christmas when I discovered all the wonderful supply shops on etsy and the inspiration just took off!
Winged Yellow Rose Necklace - $12
What really turned you on to making jewelry in the first place? As a kid my aunt was a jewelry maker and general crafter and I would spend hours playing with her supplies. I inherited her collection when she passed and I still put something of hers in to almost everything I do.
Do you have a special workspace or studio where you do all your work, or are you more scattered, working all over the place? I think people’s workspaces are interesting. Right now I have a little space on the corner of the couch where I flip open my supply case and spread out on the side table while the boyfriend plays video games :) I just moved into the place, so I’m hoping as things get more organized that I can claim a little table space of my own.
Steampunk Swallow Necklace - $14
A pic of the seller herself!
photo - vintage doll studios 2008
Thanks to Unoriginal Sinner! Be sure to check out her shop. Check in next week for the next featured shop!
Every Wednesday I’m going to be featuring a different etsy shop. The first one up is DIY/screenprinting shop makeshiftapparel.etsy.com! I sent a few questions to Amanda, and she was nice enough to answer them. Behold!
1. Tell us about yourself— who’s the brains behind Makeshift Apparel?
My name is Amanda Weselman, I’m 20 years old but I’ll be 21 on January 27th. I’m from Gilbert, Arizona. I love sewing, tattoos, and I play guitar. My favorite kind of music is thrash metal.
2. How long have you been running your business? How long have you been screenprinting or sewing?
I’ve been running Makeshift Apparel since May 2008. I learned how to screenprint about three years ago using the Speedball Screenprinting kit and then I got a job at a screenprinting shop where I learned a lot more about it. I started sewing in junior high just by hand, and then I got a sewing machine and eventually took some classes.
3. Makeshift’s shop description mentions being environmentally friendly— what does this entail?
Recycling fabrics and reconstructing clothes that may have ended up in a landfill into something new.
4. Work spaces and studios are always interesting to me… Do you have a special workspace or studio where you do all your work, or are you more scattered, working all over the place?
I work mostly on my dining room table, haha. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to get a studio.
5. Between screenprinting and reconstructions, do you have a preference? What do you like to do more?
I enjoy sewing more than screenprinting, I love making unique clothing.
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Be sure to find Makeshift Apparel on Myspace!
So I’ve been talking to the owner of a really great little etsy shop to be featured on the blog in the next few days…. I hope/plan to make this a weekly feature. A step or two further from just randomly finding something neato mosquito on etsy and posting it… which is cool too! But now I’mma be all talkin’ to the seller and finding out a bit more about them and the items.
…It’s hard to focus on this blog and watch a dvd simultaneously… so… gots to go!
I guess I spoke too soon! Yeah, I’ve been so so sooo busy since my last post. I’ve barely cracked open my laptop much less logged into blogger. Blah.
In other news, I’m going to definitely move ahead with my etsy seller feature on here… and I just got a Project Wonderful publisher account. That’s a pretty neat site, I’ve been reading about it here and there; it seems like a great tool.
So, I’m gonna do this thing… I’m using my insomnia and free time (the family is asleep— jet lag!) to post here about it. So, I’m going to do an actual weekly feature on specific etsy sellers… you know, the whole shebang! It being Christmas this week, I certainly won’t be expecting to have any takers… OR time to pursue them. But just an fyi!
For now, to get yourself even more firmly into the Christmas spirit, check out the art over at ArtJumble! They’ve got some awesome ‘A Christmas Carol’ character designs up this week.
by robert islas
