Etsy Love: Fresh Shops

These are from Etsy's undiscovered shops. They have yet to make their first sale but they're worth checking out.

ACCESSORIES:

bluebird bijou ; ruchla
lure feathers ; saffron styles ; kachiner

HOME DECOR:

brooks barrow ; natures designs 2010

staci maloney ; old glories ; vintage jungle


ART:

inkpaperlace ; vanessaquijano
ykaihori ; springflowerchild ; AMDenterprises

Shop of the Week: Bird from a Wire

Last week, I blogged about artistic organizers from different Etsy Sellers and one of them is a shop from Plymouth, Minessota called  Bird from a Wire.  Now, I'm so happy to be featuring Bird from a Wire as our Shop of the Week through this interview.

As I was browsing through her blog and putting this post together, I can truly see how hardworking and focused Jen is to her art and how she is a good inspiration to budding artists out there. She even wrote a book on her craft, titled "Creative Bloom: Projects and Inspiration with Fabric and Wire".  So without further ado, let's get to know more about Jen's wonderful world of wires and collages:

What's the inspiration behind your shop's name? 

My last business, a floral/events business was titled Art and Nature and while I loved it, it didn’t seem right for etsy or for my products. I wanted something a little more playful. I do birds, I do wire, we tried bird on a wire thinking people would remember it easily. Fortunately, that username was already taken on etsy so we brainstormed something else. Now I like it better because it’s a little more individualistic, and Mel Gibson won’t come immediately to people’s mind when they hear it. 

How old is your shop?
I’ll be celebrating my second Etsy-versary in early August.

What inspired you to start your own home business? 

I started to play around with wire after I had to let my floral business go. I was a new mom and couldn’t keep a thought in my head and unfortunately, when you deal with brides, details are VERY important. The floral business was out of my home so I had some experience with setting up a company and when I started to have WAY too much wire in the house and not enough extra cash to buy all the supplies I needed I decided to get real with it. 

It sounds easy now but I was a complete wreck of nerves for weeks before my etsy shop first opened. What I do is fairly unique and at that point I’d gotten very little positive feedback on it. So offering it up to the world felt very very scary. Etsy has been wonderful for that. I just topped 1000 shop hearts this week!

studio wall

Can you give us a peek on the creative process involved in your craft? 

Inspiration always seems to strike when I’m doing something else so I’ve learned to carry a sketchbook with me constantly. Later, when I have the time (i.e. my son’s in bed) I choose the idea that’s been on my mind the most and just go for it. As I’ve worked I’ve gotten better with the wire but I still end up doing 2-3 versions of a new design before I have one I like.

When I sculpt with the wire I feel as if I’m sketching with the wire. It goes fairly quickly and I use up a lot of creative energy doing it. The second phase of my sculptures is when I stitch fabric to the wire sculpture. That feels more meditative, like knitting, and is something I can do in front of the t.v. or in the car (if my husband’s driving).

work desk

What was the toughest challenge you faced so far?

Believing in myself. Each new step up brings new fears. But it also brings that breathless “do I dare?” feeling of being audacious. The night I brought up the book proposal I’d typed up and handed it to my husband comes to mind.  If he’d demurred even a little bit I might never have sent it.  He was wonderful, listened to my wild plan and then said to go for it.  I did, and 6 months later I had a contract with North Light as my reward.

 Creative Bloom: Projects and Inspiration with Fabric and Wire

How did you get over it?

When I feel scared or afraid of the next step I usually ask myself “what’s the worst that could happen?” Usually the worst isn’t all that bad, and the reward for doing it is usually wonderful. That’s enough for me to walk out to the ledge, then I wait for God to tell me when it’s time to leap.  

I haven’t always been successful, the business was slow in the beginning, and after my first couple of acceptances, I received a couple of rejections from magazines.  I keep on though because I know that it will be worth it to be able to stand there knowing I gave it (whatever that is) my best.

 Please Name:

the things you do when you're not busy in your shop:

I have a 5 yr old. We do a lot of make believe and playing. But errands do seem to take up a large part of each day.

Jen's 5 year old son,
taking after his mom's creativity:)

stuff inside your bag you can't leave home without: 

LOL- my car is my bag. I have my oriental shears (in case I need to cut an impromptu floral bouquet), a larabar,  my camera, and I always have a sketchbook or notebook with me. I’ve also started carrying a black sharpie and packing tape with me wherever I go- it’s my portable shipping station.  You know, for those unexpected shipping emergencies that pop up. ;)

your favorite shops: 

I love Single Stone Studios on etsy. She does vinyl decals that are truly art- I’m a big fan. I’ve also purchased quite a few trinkets from 2 if by Sea and Torque, both on etsy. Of brick and mortars I have a serious shopping addiction to the big JoAnn etc. near my home and for fabulous quilting fabrics I go to Common Threads in Garfield, MN. They’re located near my parent’s lake home so I go infrequently, which seems to make it all the better when I can grab some time there.

your top 3 favorite picks from your shop:

I love the Scribble heart, the stitched flowers, and my jewelry tree. 

Jen's personal faves from her shop

What tips would you want to share for aspiring home based entrepreneurs like you? 

You can’t do it all all the time. I really need to prioritize my day or else the house doesn’t get clean and laundry doesn’t get done. It’s also important to get out of your house. I get a lot of social interaction from other etsy owners I’ve met through the years, but I also have coffee with some art friends once a week.  

It’s also really important to keep trying new things and learning new skills. I started my first ever painting class last week. I’m not sure what I’ve gotten myself into but I know I need to feel like I’m growing as an artist- classes do that for me. As far as business, set goals, take small steps, but dream BIG!

 Jennifer Swift of Bird from a Wire

Any message to your customers and the people who support you? 

I am SO GRATEFUL (underlined three times) for your support. I honestly, might never have survived my first month on etsy if I hadn’t received the encouragement I did, from complete strangers! It is kindness. I also love hearing how someone has connected to my work, or has seen something in it that speaks to them, or encourages them. It makes me feel like what I do matters. So THANK YOU- THANK YOU- THANK YOU- ALL!!!!

*~*~*~*

Thank you so much Jen for being our Shop of the Week!

*if you want to be featured as Shop of the Week,
please send me an email at
theshopbug@yahoo.com

New Things from Our Shops of the Week

While I am still preparing interviews for the Shop of the Week series, I decided to check out what's new with the shops we have featured in the previous months.  Many of them have come up with new items in their stores and here are my favorites.

"camille" print by Lovely Sweet William 

customizable name print by English Muffin Shop

lace on canvas zip pouch by chez sucre chez

paper collage magnet by dot + jim

japanese masking tape & alphabet tea cups by Papermash

Hello in Languages by Made by Girl

vintage pattern on tile by Patchwork Harmony

ps
***if you want to be featured as Shop of the Week,
please send me an email at
theshopbug@yahoo.com  
thanks =)

More ways to waste time

You too can paint a "masterpiece"...

Subscribe to ::Surroundings::

Harvard Ceramics Program Holiday Show and Sale

Opening: Dec. 11, Thursday, 3 - 8 pm
Dec. 12 - 14, Friday - Sunday, 10 - 7 pm

Click here for more details.

Merci to Fifi!

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to have been selected to receive a packet of Fifi Flowers fabulous note cards. Aren't these so pretty! I am a big believer in the power of the handwritten note and I particularly love ones like these with original art. I am especially impressed that each card in the pack is different.



Thanks Fifi!

Photofiddle

A couple of weeks ago I received an offer from the folks at Photofiddle to try out their service. All you have to do is upload a high-res photo and their computer system will render the image in several different effects from watercolor to pop art style. One you make your selection, they print your image on canvas or archival photo paper. You can also order the prints to be framed or stretched on a frame. Sizes from 8"x10" up to 70"x 280".

I sent them two different photos:

View of Paris rooftops from the Printemps department store café

From Maison et Objet 2008 - WR Collection stand

And here are some of the options I received:









Although I was very tempted to order the bust photo rendered as a colored pencil sketch, but I decided to go with the city of Paris photo as oil painting.

And here it is, printed on canvas mounted on stretchers:


Thanks Photofiddle!

DIY: Wall Tile project

A couple of weeks ago I ran across this really easy and eye-catching DIY wall tile art project on another blog. But, I am completely embarrassed to admit that I forgot to write down where I saw it, as I really wish to attribute this project to the correct source. So, if you've recently seen a project like this on another blog and know whose it was, please let me know!

Anyway, this easy set of wall hangings is made from 12" x 12"x 1" styrofoam covered with pretty sheets of paper - such as those big decorative pads of scrap booking paper and some black scrap booking paper. Any kind of heavier paper would do, really. Now, I don't actually scrapbook, but last summer I got motivated to try my hand at decoupage and bought various supplies, including a 12"x12" block of decorative paper. I played at a few projects and lost interest, and the supplies have been gathering dust in a basket in the corner.

Then I saw this project laid out on a nice blog that I found my way to (again - who ARE you!??) and it seemed so simple. Plus, I think that her example was using the same paper (perhaps it was blue?) that I knew I had. So, I had to give it a try. Typical of me, I didn't fully read the directions - I got as far as styrofoam and paper, with the black paper used as side borders. Then I figured it out from there. So, what I don't know is how she recommended finishing the pieces. However, this is how I did it:

I wanted to have a hanger for the back of the project, so I used thin ribbon, which I glued down around the front of the styrofoam, under the decorative paper, wrapping around back and tying it off. (I'd suggest measuring so that they end up being the same length in back - it'll help when you're trying to hang these straight!). After I spray glued the papers onto the styrofoam squares, I cut strips of black paper for the edges. I do recommend that you measure carefully and use a paper cutter. This is a do as I say moment, not a do as I do kind of thing. Because, I like to eyeball things - which is why I never get very good a precision projects. I measured 1" strips and drew lines, but then cut with a pair of scissors (2 sheets at a time for a real precision job - not).
Once I got all the paper glued down and dried, I brushed gold and copper paint on the black paper and around the edges of the paper. I thought it sort of antiqued the whole thing and softened it up a bit. Plus, it covers up some of the mismeasures. Once all that was dry, I applied four coats of glossy Mod Podge sealer. I'm pretty careful-careless with these things, so I didn't sand between coats. But I felt the sealer really helped hold the whole thing together and make the tiles look much more solid that what they actually are - glue, paper and styrofoam.

To hang them, I chose the top height I wanted to go (actually, I couldn't find my step stool, so really, I chose the top height I could reach with the hammer which isn't too high as I'm 5'2"). I used fairly small nails and hammered in the first one. From there, I used my laser level and measured for the two tiles hanging below the first one. Then I eyeballed it anyway and started hammering. This is where all same length cords in the back would have come in handy. I then did the same to hang the next column of tiles. Then I played around with them to get them fairly evenly distributed. Oh, I also added a second nail near the bottom of each tile, so basically, I just pushed the backs onto the nails (it's only styrofoam afterall) and there they hang! Now, I was going to put a pretty paper on the back as well so they'd look nice and finished, but then I never got around to it. If I were to make these as a gift for someone, however, I'd definitely take that final step.

It's a really easy, really cheap way of getting an interesting wall hanging that perfectly fits your decor. I think my total cost for the styrofoam, spray glue that works on styrofoam, black paper and ribbon was $20.00. I already had the pretty paper, metallic paints and Mod Podge. The paper can be purchased by the sheet for $1-2 a sheet, so that's not a huge additional cost.

So again, if you know another blogger who posted about this project, please do let me know!

Sarah Jessica Parker on BravoTV

I just read the following interesting tidbit on The Hollywood Reporter.com

Sarah Jessica Parker's art competition reality show has found a home at Bravo.

The network has picked up "American Artist," from Parker's Pretty Matches production company and wunderkin producers Magical Elves, as part of its development slate. Bravo is expected to announce the deal Sunday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour.

The hourlong show has been described by the Elves team of Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz as a "Project Runway"-style competition series that takes on the art world. Aspiring artists compete to produce various styles of artwork (painting, sculpting, etc.), which is then judged by a panel of experts. The network declined to comment.

Hmmm... SJP on American Art? Did we know that she knows anything about this?

Thoughts?

It's Contest Time! What is Your Inspiration?

We had a very fun contest last month and congrats again to Modernemama for winning the fab Jonathan Adler lamp.

This month's contest is generously sponsored by Artaissance - custom sized fine art giclee prints. They offer contemporary artists like Jonathan Adler to traditional landscapes and photography.


Rooms have been designed around an inspirational piece of art for ages. Art is so subjective that it speaks to each of us personally. What speaks to you may fall on my deaf ears and vice versa.

This Marta Wiley piece might inspire a beautifully feminine dressing room or girlie - girl space.

Marta Wiley - Pink Floral 1

Or this Mary Chalkins work might be the inspiration for a living room with ice blue walls and butterscotch leather Barcelona chairs.

Mary Chalkins - Phalaenopsis

And finally this Jonathan Adler work might be the color palette of a fabulous and funky breakfast room

Jonathan Adler "Cluster B"

So, what inspires you? Is it the decor of your favorite movie? Or the colors of your alma mater? Have you ever been so inspired by a single item or theme that you created a whole space around it?

Share your story in the comments and you'll be entered in our drawing to win a gift certificate for any single item currently available on the Artaissance site!!! WOW! This has a value of up to $1,000!

The winner will be selected at random from all entries received. The drawing takes place on Monday, May 12th. If you wish to post anonymously, please send me an email at linda.m.merrill (at) gmail.com letting me know you are the poster of the comment. You are also welcome to send photos of your inspired space to share. What fun!

A few rules and notes: US residents only (although everyone is encouraged to share their story!). Your order is shipped unframed to your most local Larson-Juhl dealer for pickup. If you wish to have the piece framed, you can order one through the dealer (sorry, framing not included in the prize) or, pick it up and bring it home!

Let's hear your stories and good luck!!

And, thanks Artaissance!

Children's art by Jennifer Mercede

How cute are these paintings by Jennifer Mercede, available at Oopsy Daisy?




Can't you just imagine the colorful rooms you could design around these pieces? A true magic kingdom!