Interview with Kathleen Ahrens

Oggi vi presento Kathleen dello shop KatAhr su Etsy.

Lei realizza bellissimi mandala e zendoodles, che potrete vedere ed acquistare nel suo shop!

1. What is your name? 
Kathleen G. Ahrens

2. Please tell us a little about your background.
I have been married for 27 years and and am a mother to two sons ages 27 and 22. My life has been blessed indeed!I am a self taught artist who looks at life and nature from a doodlers point of view. I can see a sunset or a tree and instantly can imagine how beautiful it would look intertwined in a doodle. 

3. How did you learn your zendoodle techniques?
I have drawn since the age of 3 and always drew zen-like doodles before they were called zendoodles. For me it was the only way to draw! There is no wrong way to draw a zendoodle!

4. How did you learn digital techniques for make your downloads?
Just as drawing was self taught, so was learning to scan my hand drawn doodles. I always had friends who wanted to purchase them as coloring pages and learned very quickly to send them via email as an attachment.

5. What kind of materials use you? Have you favorites?
I usually draw on Bristol paper that has a smooth vellum surface. I love to draw with TUL and Pigma Micron pens. Both give me a smooth pitch black line. 

6. What inspires you?
The memories of my father keep me inspired. Whenever I have a block and can't seem to draw, I remember my father coming home from work each night, asking to see my latest "Masterpiece". He is my inspiration!

7. What is the best advice you have received?
Draw from your heart. If you can't feel it, you can't draw it.

Interview!!

Today I want to present you.. 

the interview made ​​to 

Theresa

1. What is your name? (unless you want to go by your shop name)

 Theresa M. Harris

2. Please tell us a little about your background (brief summary of where you've lived, studied, and worked)

I have lived all over the US, mainly, California, and the last decade in the Blue Ridge Mtns.

I am a self taught artist with no preference in materials, I love anything creative, though I am better at some than others!

3. When did you become interested in creating art?

I believe I suffer from Asperger's Syndrome, which means, I can only relate on a very limited basis to people. Art has always been my form of communication and release.

4. How did you learn your techniques?

Trial and error. I probably do it wrong, but it works for me!

5. What inspires you? 

I am most comfortable with nature, wildlife and I adore all abstract art!

6. What do you find most rewarding in this work?

There are a couple of ways to look at that. Of course, it's always good to receive compliments! Getting paid is better! It is a double edge sword, though. I have to create something. It is a drive like eating, sleeping, breathing. Exhausting but satisfying.

7. What is the best advice you have received?

I suppose the people who have always supported my creativity were the most important. It isn't always practical or profitable! Their advice, Don't quit painting!

8. What is your best advice to emerging artists? 

Don't quit painting! Some won't be masterpieces. So what. Don't limit yourself. Try everything to express what you want to say!

9. What would you like buyers to know about you and your artwork?

If I have conveyed how I feel or see something and know that they see or feel it too, I have succeeded in connecting with potential buyers. My experiences, my life, my expression is what I want them to know through my artwork.

 Theresa's shop : http://www.etsy.com/shop/Earthspalette

Thank you Theresa!!

Polyvore set

Oggi mi sento modaiola!!

..e poi ho anche aggiunto un particolare molto "famigliare"..

..si riconosce??

BUONA DOMENICA!!

MM ...in the sky!!

To see more Monday Moodboards,

please go to Star-of-the-east

 Happy Monday to you!!

LikeFreja

ArtByBeata

Simplyacircle

P8ButtonArt

Intervista!!

Anche oggi posto una bella intervista!!

Ma questa volta stò dall'altra parte..

ovvero sono io la persona che è stata intervistata!!

Qui sotto trovate il link del blog di Tatiana dello shop ILaBoom su Etsy, che mi ha ospitata!

My day is friday.

..e qui un estratto dell'intervista sul blog dell' European Street Team  

Handmade-europe

Grazie a tutti!!

Stanno arrivando!!

 Eccole qua!! 

Continua la produzione di spille in polyshrink..

Più ne creo e più ho voglia di farne altre!!

MM - I love yellow!

To see more Monday Moodboards, 

please go to Star-of-the-east.

Have a wonderful Monday!!

1. Vintage Italian candy tin box by madlyvintage

2. Earrings by happyment

3. Wool felt bag by MuffinTopKnits

4. Original watercolor painting by galeriaVarte

 

Monday Moodboard - Sea

New Monday Moodboard..

..inspired by the colors of the sea!!

 If you want to see more Monday Moodboards 

you can go to Star of the East blog.

1. Bracelet by  ErikaPrice

2. Print by DUEALBERI 

3. Wool by Eidrasa   

4. Bag by StarBags

MM - Rainy day

..a touch of colour in a rainy day!

Have a nice week..

1. nauli

2. AnnieJewelry

3. OnePerfectDay

4.OverTheRainbowPrints

You can find other Monday Moodboard at Star-of-the-east

Secret Spring Swap - seconda parte

Oggi posto la seconda parte..

ovvero quella riguardante il "regalo" che ho ricevuto

da un'altro membro dell'EST per lo Spring Swap.

Questi bellissimi disegni ed il tenerissimo coniglietto mi sono stati donati 

da Joy dello shop 

Art of whimsy su Etsy (ovviamente)

Thank you ..JoY!!

Secret Spring Swap - prima parte

Lo scorso mese ho partecipato al Secret Spring Swap

organizzato dall'European Street Team di Etsy.

Come saprete in ogni swap c'è uno scambio di "doni" 

tra le persone che vi partecipano.

Ognuno è invitato a creare qualcosa di speciale per un'altra persona, 

che solitamente non conosce.

Questa moleskine è stata il mio regalo per Vanessa dello shop Kirschbits

Una moleskine tematica..

tema borse ..visto che Vanessa cuce borse!

Così avrà un suo quaderno personalizzato sul quale annotare idee e progetti legati al suo shop!

 

  

Protesta silenziosa.

Domani 10 maggio 2012, avrà luogo su Etsy.com 

la prima Protesta Silenziosa

Anch'io aderirò a questa protesta con il mio shop Valeriatelier.

Etsy è stato originariamente istituito nel 2005 per sostenere gli artisti indipendenti, il che significa che la persona dietro ad ogni negozio era un'artista o artigiano venditore.

Nel 2007 Etsy ha modificato le regole, in modo che le botteghe dei collettivi sono state autorizzate ad aprire. E' stato inoltre concessa l'apertura di negozi a persone fisiche che acquistano prodotti artigianali e li vendono come propri (per noi sono rivenditori!).Purtroppo, molti negozi di questo genere sono autorizzati ad operare e prosperano su Etsy.

I piccoli negozi e artigiani che fanno ogni singolo elemento a mano, non possono competere e sono quindi spinti fuori dal mercato.Ci rendiamo conto che può essere difficile rintracciare tutti i negozi che rientrano nelle categorie di rivenditori, ma  riteniamo che Etsy dovrebbe risolvere il problema o semplicemente ammettere di aver cambiato direzione e dare ad ogni categoria una giusta ed equa collocazione con regole adeguate.Gia più di 4100 persone con i loro shop sostengono questa causa!Siamo un gruppo di persone che credono nel valore dell'artigianato e del "fatto a mano" e vogliamo proteggere ciò che tutto questo rappresenta.Facciamo in modo che da questa protesta silenziosa, nasca una sola voce così forte e chiara da essere ascoltata da tutti!Per maggiori info, visitate protesty.com

Monday Moodboard

...great desire to travel ...

1. filofashion
2. AtelierGilet
3. EvgeniyaMaslakova
4. SISTERBATIK

To see more Monday Moodboards, 

please go to Star-of-the-east.

Have a wonderful Monday!!

Tramps & Glams

Today I want to present you.. 

the interview made ​​to 

Milena and Miloš from 

Tramps & Glams

1. What are your names?

We are Milena Babić and Miloš Samardžić from "Tramps & Glams".

2. Please tell us a little about your background.  

We were born and raised in Serbia, a little East European country. Milena is a psychologist and Miloš has a degree in sociology, but now we are both dedicated to our little shop.

3. When did you become interested in creating art?

Art was always one of our main interests. Miloš used to draw comic books while still in elementary school and Milena enjoyed writing and photography. We became more interested in applied arts couple of years ago and that's when we started making jewelry.

4. How did you learn your techniques?

Since there are not many jewelry making courses in our country, we had to do a lot of online researches, which was actually fun and exciting.

5. What inspires you? 

We are inspired by old movies, especially silent and noir films, music and different forms of art - surrealism, cubism, expressionism.

6. Please describe your creative process.

Our creative process can vary in many different ways. Sometimes we work together, sometimes every one of us works alone from start till the end. There's a story behind every piece of our jewelry. We usually think about it a lot before we start creating, but making itself doesn't require much time.

7. What do you find most rewarding in this work?

The most rewarding is, of course, the reaction of a satisfied costumer. We now have many recurring customers and for us that's the proof we are doing well.

8. What is the best advice you have received?

When we started creating jewelry, we were much more occupied by creating than by presenting it to the world. Couple of people mentioned we could take better photos, and since we sell our jewelry online, that is really important.

9. What is your best advice to emerging artists? 

Don't mind to much what people expect and want to see. If you are honest, authentic and devoted to your art, people will certainly notice it.

10. What would you like buyers to know about you and your artwork?

We enjoy creating every single piece of our jewelry and really put our hearts and souls into it. Every piece tells a little story. We would like our customers to recognize this and know that they own something that means a lot to us.

Thank you Milena and Miloš !!

Interview with Paivi Eerola

Today I want to publish the interview made ​​to Paivi.

Her drawings and colours are special, unique and beautiful ..

With these few questions we know her better and discover her magical world..

Thank you Paivi!!

1. What is your name? 

My name is Paivi Eerola.

I have two shops at Etsy: Peony and Parakeet (peonyandparakeet.etsy.com) where I sell my designs and Woolgrey (woolgrey.etsy.com) where I sell wool and yarn that have been produced locally.


2. Please tell us a little about your background 

I live in the southern Finland but I was born near eastern border of Finland. That probably explains why my style is rich of patterns and colors, not plain and simple Scandinavian! I moved near Helsinki after graduating from college and studied a Master of Science degree in computer engineering. Later I studied a Bachelor of Arts degree in industrial design. My day job is to design services and in my spare time I run a small business where I design paper and fiber products.

3. When did you become interested in creating art?



I have been creating all my life. It is a way of life for me. 

I love to learn new skills and have always been like that.

4. How did you learn your techniques?



I have always liked to put things together from pieces whether it is paper, fabric or various techniques when working with yarn. 

I have constantly followed the art and craft world, participated some courses etc. but the biggest thing is that I have done what feels good at the time and believed that by doing it as many times as possible something unique will appear.

In this blog post you can compare my current art with old ones and see the similarities: peonyandparakeet.blogspot.com/2012/04/some-things-never-change.html

5. What inspires you? 

The first is art history. 

My favorite style is art nouveau but I also find many other periods in art history really inspiring. I create my art in the library room of our house and it is decorated in old style. I always get inspired when I enter the room! Another thing is materials. 

I often think of how a material is constructed and get inspired from that. 

The material I think about can be anything from metal to fiber and it does not have to have any relation with the material I use in my artwork.

In this blog post you can see how I was inspired from wood: peonyandparakeet.blogspot.com/2012/04/creating-wood.html

6. Please describe your creative process.

I work with phases and usually reuse stuff that I have already created with my previous works. I work both in computer and on paper and might scan and print the work several times during the process. In the beginning of the process I usually have a pretty clear idea what I want to express, often it is a very abstract thing or a feeling that cannot be put into words. If I try to formulate the idea too much it loses its strength. Using iterative phases I am able to control the end result.

The colors are extremely important for me. In this blog post you can read what I have learned when choosing colors:

peonyandparakeet.blogspot.com/2012/03/5-tips-to-choosing-colors.html

7. What do you find most rewarding in this work?


My dream would be to create everyday energy icons. To give people something uplifting and sacred in the middle of their ordinary life. Sometimes I think I have succeeded in it and it feels so great!

8. What is the best advice you have received?



During the studies in industrial design I realized that there's not ultimate "good" or ultimate "bad". It gave me peace and released me from being too critical when creating. If you are open with your work, you'll get the feedback from the customers find a way where both you and your customers are happy. It may never be the greatest art but it's the best design!

9. What is your best advice to emerging artists?

When you think "I love that" or "I hate that", stop and analyze what qualities or details do you actually love or hate and what are the other thoughts that come to your mind. You might find that there are several great things in something you hate and vice versa. When you do this, your mind will open and you get to know about yourself and your own style. 

10. What would you like buyers to know about you and your artwork?

You are welcome to follow my blog that is all about creativity and love for using colors. I try to include arts, crafts and design into every one of my projects. I have new projects going on every week and often provide instructions for them too. You can find me at www.peonyandparakeet.com See you there!

Monday Moodboards - Colours

I love colours!!

1. anek - 2. woolicious

3. galafilc - 4.subrosa123

To see more Monday Moodboards, 

please go to Star-of-the-east.

Have a wonderful Monday!!

MM.. a touch of brown

Monday Mooodboard is a game played by the members of the European Etsy Team every Monday.   

The moodboard is a selection of items from the team that reflect your mood on that particular day.

Anyone in the team can join in. Just link your very own moodboard to the host of the game Star Of The East.

1. Shawl  by ERGANIweaving

2. Teddy Bear by meilingerzita

3. Natural soap by    SoapLab  

4. Black ring by     VeraNasfa

Baby boom

Primavera!!

Una nuova stagione per la natura e per tutti noi.

Nuove creature che si affacciano alla vita...

Quest'anno mi ritrovo anch'io in questo turbine di novità e nuove vite..

Nuove mamme e mamme future!!

Son praticamente circondata! 

Così anch'io, giorno dopo giorno, mi sento coinvolta in tutto questo..

e mi sta venendo una gran voglia.. 

di creare, acquistare e preparare 

"qualcosa" per questi "esserini" in arrivo da lontane galassie!

Etsy, che è il mio mondo quotidiano, 

rappresenta una fonte inesuaribile di idee e soluzioni a queste voglie!!

Che dire di questo??

Adorabile!! ..come tutto ciò che si trova in questo shop .

..questo fa molto "mamma tribal look"

E questo sembra il trend di tutto

 lo shop lil peeper keepers !

..IRRESISTIBILE!!

dallo shop mrsPTB 

..e infine perchè non cucire con le nostre mani un bel paio di scarpette?

Da sewing with me si trovano modelli per tutti i gusti!!

Monday Moodboard

1. VeraPaperLab - 2.largentolab

3. PilgrimoftheMoon -  4. PetitPlat

Monday Mooodboard is a game played by the members of the European Etsy Team every Monday.   The moodboard is a selection of items from the team that reflect your mood on that particular day.

Anyone in the team can join in. Just link your very own moodboard to the host of the game Star Of The East.

Monday..Gold!!

Monday Mooodboard is a game 

played by the members 

of the European Street Team every Monday.   

Anyone in the team can join in. 

Just link your very own moodboard

 to the host of the game Star Of The East.

1.SilentRoses - 2. Tuuni

3. lessandmore - 4.ErikaPrice