FEATURED ARTIST :: VickiDianeDesigns

If you are a devoted etsian, then you are sure to already know my next featured artist: Vicki Diane of VikiDianeDesigns. She is legendary around there -- for her fabulous wearable art jewelry, for her infamous "Artists of Etsy Exposed" treasury series, and just for being one of the most genuinely nice people around. I'm so delighted that she agreed to do an interview for my blog. So without further ado...


......................... the interview .........................


A random fun fact about yourself:
... ADDICTION TO AVOCADO PEARS

The first 3 random words that pop into your mind:
SEX, CHAMPAGNE, SUNSHINE

How would you describe your work?
FUNIQUE, PROVOCATIVE, VIBRANT

How long have you been at it?
24 YEARS AND 2 weeks !!!

So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?
FROM VERY ARTISTIC BACKGROUND

From where/how do you find inspiration?
MY MEDITERRANEAN SURROUNDINGS...THE SEA, MOUNTAINS, MUSIC AND CHAMPAGNE.

What was your most memorable creative experience?
I STILL PAINT AND DID A PORTRAIT OF TONY CURTIS ON MARBLE. HE RANG ME THEN SENT ME A SIGNED STILL LIFE DRAWING AND IT SAID *TO VICKI *. I LOVE AND CHERISH IT.

What do you do when your inspiration and creativity is tapped?
HAVE ANOTHER DRINK

Any memorable low points that you've learned from?
NEVER GIVE UP !!

What is your formula for success?
PROMOTE LIKE THE CLAPPERS !!

Was there a moment when you realized that you'd achieved success?
STILL WAITING FOR THE BIG TIME !!

Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?
SPEND AN HOUR ON A HOT SUNNY WINDY BEACH WITH A CAMERA ( AND A DOG IF YOU HAVE ONE ).

When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?
PLAYING TENNIS OR DANCING BAREFOOT IN THE SAND

In a parallel universe where you are not a fabulous jewelry designer, what would you be?
I WAS A PROFESSIONAL BLUES SINGER AND PIANIST FOR BEFORE MEETING MY HUSBAND. I'D GO BACK TO THAT.

What are some of your favorite etsy shops?
BLUE MOOSE, IMAGINESTUDIO, GLASSGYPSY, SLAVKO

What's at the top of your etsy wish list?
TO BE A FEATURED SELLER AND REACH 500 ARTISTS OF ETSY EXPOSED TREASURY'S. ( AM ON PART 24 now )

Any suggestions for my next featured artist?
I THOROUGHLY RECOMMEND BROWNBUNNYIRIS FROM BERLIN, WHO HAS THE MOST ORIGINAL FUN HAT DESIGNS AND AS YET HAD NOT ONE SALE.

......................... end interview .........................


Thank you for sparing some time, Vicki!

so I learned something from Martha Stewart

When I was pregnant with Jax, I watched a lot of baby related shows (Baby Story, John & Kate plus 8.. I probably had TLC on all day long). So when Martha Stewart had an all baby special, guess who was watching! There was a lot of cutesy stuff and great mom finds and such, but the only thing I made a note of from that show was this photography idea: for the first year of your child's life, take a picture of him/her each month wearing the same outfit. Such a simple yet clever idea. So that is what I did with Jax. Now that he is approaching 13 months, I've compiled his 1-12 month pictures. It's amazing the amount of change babies go through in the first year!

So did anyone else do this with their child? And if you have any other cool ideas like this, please share!

FEATURED ARTIST :: Oktak

If you've spent your time wandering around etsy, then surely you've come across oktak. This shop is full of the most adorable and stylish purses you'll find on etsy, featuring vibrant and fun textiles, and even her own hand embroidery. Aki, the artist behind these beautiful creations, was kind enough to spare some time in her busy schedule to be a Featured Artist.


......................... the interview .........................

A random fun fact about yourself:
I was trained to do something totally different - I worked for the Japanese Foreign Ministry before I started this.

The first 3 random words that pop into your mind:
cat,lunch,party (OK, I'm an airhead..)

How would you describe your work?
Bright & fun with a special attention to detail.

How long have you been at it?
I started making bags in 2003, but it wasn't until 2005 that I launched my own website and Etsy shop.

So for you, is it an innate talent or practice makes perfect?
I definitely think it's both. My aesthetic and creative ideas are innate, but my technique is something I had to acquire and prefect over time.

From where/how do you find inspiration?
Never really thought about this, but I guess from a lot of things. Definitely materials - when I see a gorgeous textile, I immediately know what to make with it.
Photographs and paintings, old dresses and kimonos, food (beautiful fruits & veggies), flowers, and sometimes my kids' drawings.

What was your most memorable creative experience?
About 6 months ago, I started making "special edition" frame pouches which were very labor-intensive. Some were hand-embroidered, and some were patchwork, and they took hours to make. I wasn't confident at all that they would sell - I guess for me, it was more "art" than "product", and I just needed an outlet for my creative energy. But to my surprise, these high-end pouches sold very well. I then realized that people did recognize and appreciate "art" and hard work, and were willing to pay extra for these special pieces. Since then, I'm not afraid to make what I want :)

What do you do when your inspiration and creativity is tapped?
I've never had this problem. I don't know if I'm lucky or not, because I have the opposite problem - there are constantly about 100 ideas in my head, but I don't have the time to materialize all of them! It's a huge dilemma.

Any memorable low points that you've learned from?
Oh, too many to share here .. it's constantly trial & error, both in creating and in doing business.

What is your formula for success?
I'm not sure if I'm qualified to give such a tip, but I believe that you have to make what you really love and want to make. This should come before considerations about what is selling in the market, or what other people are making. If you make what you love and work hard to improve it, your work will shine and people will see that.

Was there a moment when you realized that you'd achieved success?
Again, I don't know if I've "achieved success" yet ..
But it sure felt great when I was featured in several national magazines this year, and hit 1,000 sales on Etsy!

Any advice for those having a bad case of artist woes?
If you think your work is great, but is not selling - examine every factor that is not directly related to your art. Most importantly, photos - improve them by any means!
Description, price, promotion, customer service, selling venues, packaging etc. ..
There are always many things that can be improved. It may be scary, but get other people to critique your shop and be brutally honest.

When not hard at work on your designs, what would we most likely find you doing?
Being a mom to 2 kids (ages 9 & 4). Not much time for anything else!

In a parallel universe where you are not a fabulous designer, what would you be?
A ballet dancer or lawyer.

What are some of your favorite etsy shops?
Kinchi
Abigailpercy
PataPri
dazeychic
moonteaartworks
and many, many more ...

What's at the top of your etsy wish list?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15859086

Any suggestions for my next featured artist?
Any of the guys mentioned above!


......................... end interview .........................


Thank you for your answers, Aki!

always on the lookout

I have always been a huge fan of versatility (in case you didn't know) and I tend to look for it everywhere... from clothing, to accessories, to writing utensils, to kids' toys, to furniture. To me, it's always a great value if I can use any given item in different ways. It keep things interesting, I can utilize my creativity, reflect the kind of mood I'm in, and get more mileage out of my things.

One of the many reasons I love etsy is that it is not lacking in creative artists who design items with versatility in mind. I'll share these versatile finds with you whenever I come across them during my (many hours of) perusing the wonderful world of etsy (and beyond).

My first and one of my most favorite finds is this hat by Terry Graziano. I've never seen such ultra stylish and truly truly versatile hats like these before and I'm sure you'll agree. I'm not a hat person, but will probably convert just to wear one of these amazing creations. The Acapella is one of my favorite designs by Terry. LOVE it!

Acapella - Blue Tweed
by Terry Graziano

I am also a big fan of this hooded scarf. One side is vibrant, for when you want the world to see you, and the other is subdued, for your incognito days. But regardless of your mood, you'll still look super hip. Can't beat that!

Reversible Black/ Orange Check Hood Scarf
by ilikeyouworld

And I don't know when or why my love for fingerless gloves began, but I love fingerless gloves! Here is a pair that is reversible and you can wear it long or rolled down for a shorter look. Love love love.

extra long reversible fingerless gloves
by hannahsas

There are more finds, but I will save them for another day. Please PLEASE share your versatile finds with me if you happen to come across any.

Time to VOTE!

Even if you choose to do nothing else today, please get your butt to a voting booth and VOTE! :)

I hope these people all got dressed and went to vote!