Feature Friday with Gypsy Wind Primitives

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

My shop is Gypsy Wind Primitives, and it is the third in my Gypsy Wind shops.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?

Less than an year.

3. What type of items do you offer?

Whimsical wood folk art, stitchery pillows, dolls and critters and more.

4. How long have you been crafting?

All of my life.  I learned to stitch as a child from my Grandmother, and loved making pictures with the beautifully colored embroidery thread.  Then I learned to machine sew in high school and loved that as well. My painting style is self taught over time.

5. Who or What inspires you?

In the beginning, as a young child, my first inspiration was my beloved Grandmother.  Now find inspiration all around me, and I could not pinpoint only one or two things. Sometimes it’s as simple as finding the perfect piece of wood and instantly imagining what I can create from it, or a picture in my mind that I have to stitch.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

I love sewing, so I’d have to say my sewn items.  But…on the other hand I love working with wood and power tools.  This is really a tough question!

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

On Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GypsyWindPrimitives

Working on the idea of a blog, but can’t seem to find the time to put it all together!

8. How do you describe your artistic style?

I think whimsical or folk art style would best describe my art.

9. Do you have set days or times to work on your craft?

Every day!

10. What words of advice would you give others or to someone just starting out?

Never give up and create what speaks to you.

11. Tell a bit of personal info about yourself.

Two years ago, after many years of crafting and craft shows, I was able to quit my “day job” and focus on creating and making my dream come true. It took a bit to get everything together and enough stock to open stores on Etsy, which was my goal. My first was Gypsy Wind Designs, now MyGypsyWindDesigns on Etsy, followed by Gypsy Wind Soapworks and finally Gypsy Wind Primitives. I love creating and have never lost the wonder of someone buying my art – it’s truly a blessing.

Feature Friday with KKL Primitives

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

     My Etsy shop is KKL Primitives.  It's really very simple how I came up with the name, my grown daughters started calling me a crazy craft lady when I first started to do local craft shows.  Primitive items don't seem to do well in the Pittsburgh area so I decided to try my luck online.  One of the first things I did was join a primitive community and I had to choose a user name so changed the C's to K's and thus became The Krazy Kraft Lady.  I use the initials as my shop name.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?  

     I joined Etsy in 2007, so 7 years now.

 3. What type of items do you offer? 

     Every thing I offer is handmade by me in my smoke and pet free home.  I enjoy making primitive/folk art/whimsical items from prim dolls & animals, pillows, stitcheries, penny rugs, seasonal items to e-patterns.   The only things I don't know how to do is tole painting, quilting, knitting, crochet and paper mache sculpting.  That's actually quite a bit, lol.

4. How long have you been crafting? 

    I've been crafting for myself and family for over 41 years but only got into primitive/folk art and selling my craft work for the last 9-10 years.

  5. Who or What inspires you?

   I guess I'd have to say I'm more inspired by the artisans that create their own work without actually following someone else's pattern.  They are so imaginative and creative, I'm in awe of them.

 6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why? 

     I'd have to say my mustachioed mouse doll Sheriff Rupert Thibideau.  He is my own design, he's prim AND whimsical.  I even made up a little 'history' for him: 

     Rupert's Background: He's a French mouse from Texas whose ancestors date back to the 1600's. Rupert's surname is derived from the French personal name Theobald meaning bold or brave. An ancestor on his mother's side was said to have been a Constabulary in France under King Francis I. Thus, Rupert was destined to become an official protector and keeper of peace between mice and cats. 

   

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog) 

     My Selling Blog:  www.kklprimitives.com

     Personal/Craft Blog: http://thekrazykraftlady.blogspot.com 

     FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/denisecassidybailey

     FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/KKL-Primitives

     Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kklprimitives/

8. How do you describe your artistic style? 

    Prim, folk art and whimsical, I love all 3.

9. Do you have set days or times to work on your craft? 

    Definitely. Evenings and weekends since I watch my grandkidsduring the day.  I try not to craft after 8pm so I can     spend a few hours with my hubby before retiring for the night.  If he's watching sports though, I'm crafting!

 10. What words of advice would you give others or to someone just starting out? 

        Be patient and don't give up.  I'm trying to follow that advice myself.  There are hundreds of other similar artisans who are competing with 'our' products.  Many have been selling their wares for far much longer and  have built up a customer base over a long period of time.  I'm slowly building up my own customer base.  I have 4 customers who always return to buy or special order from me.  That's not a lot, but it's a good start.  Make a good product, and they will come back for more.  

        I just recently joined 2 Etsy teams, advice given to me by a fellow prim crafter.  The teams support each other by helping to promote each other's shops.   Apply to a Team that specializes in the same type of work you do.

11. Tell a bit of personal info about yourself. 

      I've been married 41 years and have 3 beautiful daughters ages 41, 38 and 33.  

     I have 5 totally awesome grandchildren ages 14, 11, 7, 5, and 1 years old.        

     Besides crafting, I love to read ( horror, mysteries, thrillers) and 'road trip' with my hubby.      

     We are collectors of jukeboxes ( 1930's-1950's), we have 22 at the present.  We also have old upright Coke machines ( take a nickel or dime) from the 50's, soda fountain memorabilia, old advertising signs and much  more.  We have traveled to the Chicagoland Antique Advertising, Slot-Machine and Jukebox Show in St. Charles, IL twice a year for the last 21 years.

Feature Friday with Karen from Prims Gone Wild

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

My Etsy Shop: PrimsGoneWild

2. How long have you been on Etsy?

I have been on Etsy since 2011

3. What type of items do you offer?

I offer Unique Folk Art and Primitives

4. How long have you been crafting?

I have been crafting for a long time.

5. Who or What inspires you?

My first inspirations came from my parents, then everything around me that I enjoyed and turned into

my creations.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

Any and all my dolls that I create and keep as OOAK, (one of a kind) I just wing it and create knowing

that this doll or prim is going to be the only one of its kind.

7. Other places where you can be found?

I have my Ebay - kareybeths_kreations_n_prims,(my first online place I started selling my crafts),

http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyEbayBeta&MyEbay=&gbh=1&guest=1

My Etsy: Prims*Gone*Wild

http://www.etsy.com/shop/primsgonewild

My NEW Etsy Shop FosterChild Whimseys

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FosterChildWhimseys

MY BLOGS:

http://primsgonewildkareneblevins.blogspot.com/

http://kareybethskreationsnprims.blogspot.com/

PINTEREST:

http://pinterest.com/kareneblevins/

Thanks Karen for sharing your talent with us!

Feature Friday with Karen of Foster Child Whimseys

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

My new Etsy Shop name is Foster Child Whimseys. I am a Foster Child and I LOVE

whimsical and whimsy art dolls and crafts.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?

I have been on Etsy since 2011

3. What type of items do you offer?

I offer Prim Whimsey dolls and art dolls.

4. How long have you been crafting?

I have been crafting for a long time and still enjoy it as if it were my first time creating.

5. Who or What inspires you?

My inspirations comes from all around me.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

My favorite item in my shop is my Karma whimsy Art Doll. I just took my time in creating her and

never once wanted to draw out the pattern and keep it, I just created as I went along.

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

I have my Ebay - kareybeths_kreations_n_prims,(my first online place I started selling my crafts),

http://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyEbayBeta&MyEbay=&gbh=1&guest=1

My Etsy: Prims*Gone*Wild

/www.etsy.com/shop/primsgonewild

My NEW Etsy Shop FosterChild Whimseys

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FosterChildWhimseys

MY BLOGS:

http://primsgonewildkareneblevins.blogspot.com/

http://kareybethskreationsnprims.blogspot.com/

PINTEREST:

http://pinterest.com/kareneblevins/

Thanks Karen for sharing your new shop with us!

Feature Friday with Pearce's Craft Shop

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name? 

Our Etys Shop name is Pearce's Craft Shop and was chosen to represent both my husband and I working together as a team creating a variety of crafts.

2. How long have you been on Etsy? 

We opened on Etsy in 2011 and in 2012 began growing our online presence.

3. What type of items do you offer?

Primitive Creations, Hand Made Furniture & Home Decor, Up-cycled Vintage Items, Antiques, and Craft Supplies.

4. How long have you been crafting?

Both my husband and I are life-long crafters. He studied carpentry and I studied art.

5. Who or What inspires you?

Usually the item inspires us to craft it a certain way or see it as something new.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

It's difficult to pick a favorite item because we make so many unique things and each has it's own appealing quality, but to name one I'd say our Sign Candle Holder because it combines wood working and painting.

7. Other places where you can be found?

www.etsy.com/shop/PearcesCraftShop

We have a Website at www.PearcesCraftShop.com, 

Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PearcesCraftShop, 

Twitter page at www.twitter.com/PearcesCraftShp, 

Blog at www.networkedblogs.com/blog/pearces-craft-shop, 

and we also have products in several brick and mortar stores.

8. How do you describe your artistic style?

Our style is definitely "Eclectic" and we enjoy the freedom to work in a variety of genre.

9. Do you have set days or times to work on your craft?

We work Monday through Friday regularly with varied hours and Weekends as needed.

10. What words of advice would you give others or to someone just starting out?

Make a plan, set goals, and go for it! Don't hesitate to ask questions or ask for business. 

You have to make success happen!

11. Tell a bit of personal info about yourself. 

We are retired military, enjoy traveling and outdoor activities.

Feature Friday with JYWheeler

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

My primary shop is JYWheeler. When I first signed up for Etsy, I just used my name which I thought at the time made more sense since I was an artist. Of course my banner reads Painted Panache by Joann Y Wheeler, because you know everyone has to have something catchy!

I have 2 other shops. ArtisticPurpose and InkcentricArt. The name ArtisticPurpose came to me because 25% of all sales benefit the Little Sisters of the Poor so it's art with a purpose. And InkcentricArt got it's name because the alcohol ink art I have been doing seemed very eccentric in nature.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?

 I have been a member of the community since 2007.

3. What type of items do you offer? 

My primary shop offers hand painted kiln fired porcelain and decorative painting on wood and glass. ArtisticPurpose features my miniature art and my newest shop InkcentricArt showcases my newest art medium Alcohol Ink Art.

4. How long have you been crafting?

 Oh my goodness I can't remember a time I didn't paint or craft.

5. Who or What inspires you?

 My inspirations are nature. I especially love painting plants and animals.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why? 

My favorite piece in my primary shop (JYWheeler) is a poppy dresser tray. I love poppies.

7. Other places where you can be found?

www.etsy.com/shop/JYWheeler

Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/usr/heylucy1

Blog: http://jywheeler.blogspot.com

8. How do you describe your artistic style?

I can be very eccentric. While I love all things Cottage, I have been known to pop out a piece of art that is abstract and sometimes I wonder, where did that come from? You never know what you'll find in my shops!

9. Do you have set days or times to work on your craft?

I am retired so every day I seem to have some time that I'm able to devote to my painting. For me a day without painting is a day without sunshine...my art truly lights up my life.

10. What words of advice would you give others or to someone just starting out?

Be patient. It takes time to be found. And, do what you love. Don't settle for anything less.

11. Tell a bit of personal info about yourself.

I am a mother of two grown children, grandmother of one, married to my high school sweetheart. I am retired and besides painting, I enjoy volunteering with 4-H, Church High School Youth Ministry, school and Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center.

Feature Friday

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

The name of our Etsy shop is Taylor Arts. We chose that name because we live and work in the little town of Taylor, Mississippi (pop. 290), which won the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?

We opened our Etsy shop in December 2010, but didn't really get going until the start of 2011.

3. What type of items do you offer?

We offer a wide variety of items. My husband, Marc Deloach, makes beautiful reclaimed wood furniture. I make sterling silver and leather jewelry, acrylic paintings, photos, and we collaborate on hand painted wood fish.

4. How long have you been crafting?

We've been professional artists for almost two decades.

5. Who or What inspires you?

We're inspired by reclaimed materials (old wood, tin, rusted tools), rustic images, and an industrial farmhouse aesthetic.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

We love everything we make, so it's hard to choose a favorite, but right now the most stunning one-of-a-kind piece we have in our shop is a curved bar made by my husband from antique poplar.

7. Other places where you can be found?
www.etsy.com/shop/TaylorArts

Besides our Etsy shop, we can also be found at www.TaylorArts.com www.Facebook.com/TaylorArts www.Twitter.com/TheArtFarmer and at our brick and mortar gallery in Taylor, Mississippi, 90 minutes south of Memphis, Tennessee, and 15 minutes south of Oxford, Mississippi. Call 662-234-7958 for info and directions.

8. How do you describe your artistic style?

Our artistic style is first class rustic chic. We are both self-taught artists, but have been working full time at it for almost two decades, so our styles are very developed and widely recognized and collected by a number of institutions and private collectors.

9. Do you have set days or times to work on your craft?

We work on our art full time, usually seven days a week, unless we can steal a day or two off now and then.

10. What words of advice would you give others or to someone just starting out?

Our advice to others just starting out would be to find the thing you are passionate about. It won't be easy and it takes lots of time and dedication to make your vision into a reality, so you need to love what you're doing. Learn what you can from others, but then just plunge in and keep doing it, because that's how you really learn.

11. Tell a bit of personal info about yourself.

Marc and I live and work on an acre of land, where we grow or make almost everything we eat. We've got 22 chickens and a year-round vegetable garden. I make all of our breads and cheeses and every meal from scratch. Besides making art, we also play music in a band called the Hot Dangs and travel in our pop-up camper when we can.

Feature Friday

1.What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name? 

My shop name is TwoTimetheCrazy. I am a stay at home mom to 2 very energetic little boys ages 5 and 2. To say it gets crazy around here sometimes would be an understatement!

2. How long have you been on Etsy? 

I am brand new to Etsy, I just opened my shop in December 2013. 

3. What type of items do you offer? 

I make magnetic memo boards, both prim and shabby chic styles. Many are one of a kind using vinatge finds. I also make glass magnets in many styles. 

4. How long have you been crafting? 

I have honestly been crafting since I was a little girl. My mom (you may know Faith of The Primitive Black Hat Society) is an artist so we always had lots of fun things around the house for projects. I love a good yard sale find that I can create something new out of. 

5. Who or What inspires you? 

My everyday life and the people around me inspire me. Since becoming a mom organization has become key so my magnet boards are perfect for the busy mom. My shop actually came about from some magnets I made my sister for Christmas. My mom saw them and said you should open a shop. We started brainstorming and Two Times the Crazy was born. 

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why? 

Right now I am in love with the shabby chic magnet board I have with the white frame and blue bird fabric. It is definitely hard for me to choose just one favorite but I am obsessed with that fabric. I just think it’s great! 

7. Other places where you can be found? 

Currently I am just on Etsy, but definitely looking into other options.

www.etsy.com/shop/TwoTimestheCrazy

8. How do you describe your artistic style? 

I wouldn't say I have one specific style. I love all things prim, shabby chic and most things in between. I just love to create things that make me happy and like many artists my tastes and intrests change from time to time. 

9. Do you have set days or times to work on your craft? 

With 2 little boys running around I definitely have to be creative to find time to work on my boards. Nap time and after bed time is usually when I can get things done. 

10. What words of advice would you give others or to someone just starting out? 

Find something you love making so it doesn't feel like work. I love creating my boards and since everyone is different its always so fun for me to see the end result. You definitely need patience and do not get discouraged when things are slow in the beginning. I am still in the beginning stages myself so I am just trying to find new ways to get the word out about my shop. And of course join groups like OFG is great. The warm welcoming members and the support of other artists is priceless. 

11. Tell a bit of personal info about yourself. 

My name is Cristen and I live in North Carolina. I am currently a stay at home mom to my 2 adorable (and crazy) boys, Landon and Logan. I spend my days taking care of them and trying to give them the same wonderful childhood I had (thanks mom and dad). In my spare time (ha ha) I have started my Etsy shop to suppliment the family income and have something for myself to enjoy doing. I love all things vintage and am especially obsessed with vintage Pyrex and anything pink. I live for early Saturday morning yard sales and trips to antique and junk shops.

Feature Friday with Penny from USAsweetpea

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name? 

My name is Penny Ellen Adams (my initials are PEA). My friends call me, "Sweetpea" and I love in the USA, therefore, it made sense to name my shop USAsweetpea.

2. How long have you been on Etsy? 

I opened my shop in 2007, but did not start stocking it until a few years ago.

3. What type of items do you offer? 

I offer Keepsakes created from polymer clay. All my Keepsakes are my own original designs. My motto is, "Quality handcrafted gifts from expectant mothers to bereavement and all of life in-between."

4. How long have you been crafting? 

I am 67 years old and have doodled, drew and painted for as long as I can remember. I have been selling my art for over 25 years. I sold at juried art shows and to 17 shops in years gone by.

5. Who or What inspires you? 

I am inspired by people and lifes' circumstances. It's my hearts desire to bring a little happiness to as many lives as possible, even in sad situations. And from the feedback I have received through the years tells me I have done that.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

Wow, this is a very hard question for me to answer because I love what I do! My "Little Sweetpea" Angels and Baby Sweetpea's (A Pea in a Pod & Blanket Babies) are a tie! My "Little Sweetpea" Angels are a favorite because they were my first clay creation 22 years ago. They are still a favorite with repeat customers and new customers as well. My "Baby Sweetpea's" faces,ears and curls melt my heart. I have one hanging on my work table so I can see it everyday. It bring a smile to my face and melts my heart! So I really can't pick one over the other.

7. Other places where you can be found?
My Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/USAsweetpea

My web site address is: www.SweetpeaKeepsakes.com

My Pinterest address is: www.pinterest.com/usasweetpea

8. How do you describe your artistic style? 

I am not sure what I would call my style because I am diverse, so I guess I would say, "Whimsical."

9. Do you have set days or times to work on your craft?

Since I am retired, I do not have set days or times to work on my craft. Some nights I get an idea in the middle of the night, and I get up and create it and sleep in the next day. Sometimes I get an idea during the day and work on it.

There are some times when I have an idea in my head and it might take me a week or more to figure out how to create it, or how to make it look balanced.

In 1999 my niece taught me HTML so I could make a web site. So some days, I do not craft, but change and tweak pages or words and images. Recently I started pinning on Pinterest, too. I make my own business cards, greeting cards and advertising for my display in my Son's Antique Mall. So I really keep myself busy with so many aspects of my "craft."

But in November and December I work from morning until evening 6 days a week to fill orders.

10. What words of advice would you give others or to someone just starting out? 

Do what you love. Don't get discouraged and never, ever give up! 

11. Tell a bit of personal info about yourself. 

My background is in antiques and have an immense love for primitives.

I have one awesome son and daughter-in-law. I have three grandkids, 21, 18 and 16 years old.

I live in a senior citizen apartment complex with my cat, Suki. After moving out of my condo, I had to condense my work space from a 15' x 21' art studio to quite a small area in my living room. Much to my surprise it has really worked out wonderfully. I am blessed to have a great family, great life and a cozy work space!