justBeBrave

an interview with Hazelnut Cottage

Here it is... the 50th Artist Interview at justBeBrave!

I have really enjoyed collecting and posting these interviews and getting to know you all more.

I am taking a little break from posting here but I will be back soon with more indie artist interviews.

Keep the interviews coming! More information is here on how you can be featured!

Thank you!

Melba

*----------------------
  1. Who are you?
hmmm...dishwasher, laundry folder, super mom (or, uh, not so supermom,
sometimes!), indie jewelry artist...i am the person behind hazelnut
cottage and my name is jan avellana.
*

*2. What do you create?
i create a line of handstamped jewelry and i've recently launched a new
collection of vintage inspired wedding jewelry—some with handstamped
pendants for bridesmaids, bridal bouquets and favors—as well. i also
blather on endlessly about my creative journey, struggles and all at
http://www.hazelnutcottage.typepad.com
*

*3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?
the stuff i create is, at the heart, always for me in more ways than
one! but, yes, in the end, i do all three; make stuff for myself, gifts
and sell too.
*

*4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?
i am online on etsy at: http://www.hazelnutcottage.etsy.com and also
started my own site at http://www.hazelnut-cottage.com. a few online
retail sites do carry my wares, as well as a small, but growing number
of boutiques from california to tennessee. locally, i am in just one
shop exclusively, called 'cottage by the sea' at the ward warehouse in
honolulu.
*

*5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?
...not yet! thankfully, my husband brings in the BUCKS toiling as a
public school teacher (joke), so i have no worries! right now, my
business is still in it's baby phase, but i do dream about one day being
able to do this full-time earning a full-time salary. sigh...
*

*6. Where do you create?
we've carved out a tiny little space behind my dining room table. my
artist's studio consists of a six-foot long table that i bought at
costco, my computer and printer and lots, and lots of mess! and i mean
lots of mess!
*

*7. How do you maintain balance?
balance?! BALANCE?! oh, what the heck IS that?!!! oh my! i've no balance
in my life. i think my poor husband (and, secondarily, my poor feline
sarai) are utterly neglected, along with the housework. i do my best to
give myself to the kiddies, as much as humanly possible, while showing
dogged devotion to nurturing this fledgling business. i feel an enormous
amount of guilt, oh, all the time, for all of the things i am not doing,
or at least, not doing well.
*

*8. Where do you get your inspiration?
my family and my faith are my main sources of inspiration. lot's of
times i'll be talking with the boys, or laughing over something funny
they've said (you know how kids are!) and *bling!* inspiration for a new
piece. i also love to read esoteric books about calling and the artists’
journey...julia cameron, parker palmer, maria rilke, elizabeth o'connor
and all that!
*

*9. What are you proud of about your creative life?
that i've begun! oh, and how far i've come, not just outwardly, but
spiritually and emotionally too! i remember seeing a segment on martha
stewart about oh, 6 or 7 years ago, about a jewelry artist working from
her home studio and i remember groaning inwardly, sensing for the first
time that someone else was living my life!!! and now, here i am. and one
day, a house and a home studio too!
*

*10. What are some of your goals?
oh! those things i mentioned are high up on the list: being able to go
at this indie life full-time, earning a full-time income, being able to
help contribute towards buying a house here (extravagantly expensive
real estate here, if you can imagine!) and one day, oh, a beautiful
artist studio of my very own! i dream too, of one day writing some kind
of book to encourage others in their artistic life! onward!
*

an interview with MacyKateDesigns

  1. Who are you?

I'm a self described dork. :) I love to read and write, love things that are shiny and just a bit off the wall. I'm a mother of two amazing girls, and wife to a man I like on occasion! No, I'm just kidding, my hubby is amazing and my best friend in the world. He's my support system and only causes me to take up drinking as a hobby on occasion!

2. What do you create?

I love to make purse's and these little things called Fluffs. I take pictures when my life agrees, and find an intense calm when I connect with nature. I prefer photographs of old things and nature.

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

All of the above! I have more purses then any girl should, and my kids have some off the wall toys that come from my learning what in the world I'm doing. I also sell a few items when I can.

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?

On Etsy... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5728001

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?

One day I hope, but as of yet no.

6. Where do you create?  

Mostly curled up on the couch, one handed while I read to the kids. When I actually find alone time, I use the dinning room which has been turned into a craft room. We have this old farm house with tons of space and the dinning room is kind of off to the side, I love it. It's this deep hunter green with white wainscoting... yeah I planned it to be mine all long! LOL

7. How do you maintain balance?

I never take myself to seriously, there's nothing like crawling around like a piggy to stop your child from crying that brings you back to earth.

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

From nature. I live in a beautiful place, a small town nestled in the blue ridge mountains with a creek winding through it. It's hard not to be inspired here. Life is slower, it has a unique flow to it that makes you stop and see what's around you in a new way.

9. What are you proud of about your creative life?

Umm... wow this one is hard. I'm most proud of just creating, that I'm in a place in my life, despite my childhood where I can do this.

10. What are some of your goals? 

To be president.... but with my life that will never happen! ;) I just want to die happy, knowing I did the best I could and that the people in my life at least tolerated me and my nuttiness.

Thanks Amber!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~Melba

an interview with Guileless by Deborah

1. Who are you?

Hallo! I’m Deborah, and I’m the happy owner of Guileless by Deborah. I’m a grad student doing cancer research by day, and a crafty nerd by night. I live in

Singapore

with Mr Guileless and his family in a little house with a garden full of gnomes and pigs.

2. What do you create? 

Quirky jewelry and pins, and the occasional card when an idea grabs me by the throat. I work mainly with charms, cloth, felt and vintage and recycled materials. I do enjoy little forays into unfamiliar territory once in a while, though!
Lately I’ve been making embroidered and collage pendants from recycled materials – it’s a whole lot of fun!

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

All of the above! I make many things that I can’t bear to sell, so I squirrel them away into my drawer for keeps! I also get commissions to make specific gifts for friends.

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?

Currently my pieces are only available at my etsy shop - http://www.guileless.etsy.com

and I just opened a new shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5726917

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?

Not at the moment. I wish I could, though!

6. Where do you create?

Mr Guileless keeps half the bedroom table empty for me to craft on. It’s crazy messy and piled high with an endlessly growing stash of supplies!

7. How do you maintain balance?

I have my day job, so that pretty much keeps my feet on the ground most of the day. We schedule time to catch up with our four parents every weekend. Other than that, I’m very bad at balance…Mr Guileless has to pinch me and drag me away from the work table!

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

Mostly from nature, books, and lurking around the Net. I love StumbleUpon! Apart from that, sometimes a particular finding or piece of cloth speaks to me so loudly that I just have to do something with it, to make it shut up.

9. What are you proud of about your creative life?

I’m proud that in spite of my extreme left-brain training (I was trained as a scientist and doctor), my right brain still works. Sometimes, at least! I love working with my hands, and I’m very grateful to have a really supportive family that gives me free rein to live my strange double-life.

10. What are some of your goals?

To be happy, healthy, and to never stop creating…even when I’m 80 and wrinkly!

Read more about Deborah on her blog~
http://www.guilelessly.blogspot.com

Thanks Deborah!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~Melba

an interview with Urban Fusions

1. Who are you?

I am Jen*, a 25 year old gal who lives in toronto and spends most of her money on glass, and a big part of her time breaking it all up and making colorful stuff out of it!

2. What do you create?

I make fused glass accessories like pendants, earrings and these crazy belt buckles! Magnet sets too!

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

I create because I love it, and it's such a bonus that others want to wear my stuff to! I sell, make gifts and love doing custom orders as well.


4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?

On Etsy at Urban Fusions, lots of word of mouth, I have a few retail shops that sell my work as well.


5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?

I can't say completely... but it sure does help.

6. Where do you create?

Right now my bedroom is my studio. In a few weeks I will be moving into a new place where I'll have a separate studio! woohoo!

7. How do you maintain balance?

I work with kids all day long, so that helps to keep me playful. I'm always laughing. I workout and have a pretty active lifestyle which makes up for the long hours I spend sitting down, creating.

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

From good conversations with friends and family to wandering the streets downtown. I even get inspired when the kids dress themselves.. They come up with some interesting color combinations which surprisingly work at times. Oh! and food!

9. What are you proud of about your creative life?

I started working with glass out of curiosity and I got hooked very fast and the more I got into it, I started to see that more people were getting into the things I was making. That makes me smile.

10. What are some of your goals?

To some day be able to live off of my work completely- and to begin selling my paintings and more of my design work as well.

Wearable Glass Art by Jen* Aube
www.urbanfusions.etsy.com

Thanks Jen!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~Melba

an interview with Dirt Girl Pottery

• 1. Who are you? 

My name is Becky Wheeler from Portland, Maine.

               

• 2. What do you create?

I make stoneware pottery with my own glazes, clay jewelry using earthenware clay and low-fire glazes, and clay sculpture.  I am also starting to experiment with encaustics on my clay sculptures.

• 3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

All three!  First, I create because I love to do so.  I feel most alive and present when I’m making with my hands.

• 4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?

My Etsy shop: http://dirtgirlpottery.etsy.com and at various Maine craft shows and by lots of word of mouth.

 

• 5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?

No......not yet.  I teach elementary art full-time.  My goal is in a year or two to teach part-time.  It’s hard with a mortgage and 2 kids, one still being in daycare.  I  think a balance of teaching 3 days a week and working more full-time in my studio in the future would be perfect.

• 6. Where do you create?

My basement studio.  It’s currently under scrutiny by me!  I’m planning on emptying it this spring, spraying down, and painting all the walls.  Right now it’s very yucky. 

Here are some photos of what it looks like now:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirtgirl/2230105904/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirtgirl/2229315765/

 

• 7. How do you maintain balance? 

It’s challenging but I love it.  I teach Monday through Friday, come home, spend time with my family and put the kids to bed.  Sometime after 8:00pm I go down to the basement and throw pots, glaze, trim and try to keep the whole place organized.  Sometimes as a result, something doesn’t go right, like I’ll forget to pack my daughter’s lunch or my own, or the dishes don’t get washed, or the house is a mess.  But I’d rather my kids grow up seeing me happy doing what I want to do, then everything being perfect and seeing me dejected.

• 8. Where do you get your inspiration? 

I get inspired by other artists.  Just seeing new work by someone can really get me motivated in the studio to try something new as well.  Also my customers inspire me by saying how much they love a certain purchase.  Hearing that just makes me want to create more!

• 9. What are you proud of about your creative life? 

I’m making what I want to make.  Thankfully my things that sell the best are ones that I enjoy making.  I’m happy that making art is a joy.  I never want it to be a chore.

• 10. What are some of your goals? 

In a year or two to cut down in teaching.  I’d like to only teach 3 days a weeks to keep my insurance and benefits.  I also want a personal website with my own on-line store where all my profits are mine.

• Get to know more about Becky is on her blog~ Dirt Girl Pottery

Thanks Becky!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~Melba

an interview with Jen Ell's Revenge

1. Who are you?
Jen Ell, creator of Jen Ell's Revenge

2. What do you create?
Clothing, jewelry and accessories

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?
All of the above! No seriously, primarily I create to sell, but occasionally things are kept for myself or given away as gifts.

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?
Etsy: http://jenellsrevenge.etsy.com

I am also starting to look at some local shows in the Augusta, GA area.

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?
I wish! No, right now this is like my hobby/side job, but I would love to be fully self supporting one day!

6. Where do you create?
Any where convenient!

7. How do you maintain balance?
If I don't feel like creating then I don't. This way I don't get burned out. I also try and go with the flow and do what happens to inspire me at a given time.

8. Where do you get your inspiration?
Honestly, everywhere. Recently, I have picked up a very retro vintage vibe. I also have a tendency to be semi punk or goth.

  9. What are you proud of about your creative life?
No matter what it has always been a reflection of me. I have also never given it up. I may have been on hiatus, but I have never quit creating all together.

10. What are some of your goals?
Simple, produce the best work I can and don't give up!

Thank you Jen Ell!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~ Melba

an interview with Struck My Fancy

1. Who are you?
My name is Christina Struck and my business is called Struck My Fancy.

2. What do you create?
I work primarily with polymer clay and make beads that I turn into jewelry. I also use semiprecious stones and beads to create things.

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?
I started out making things for myself and friends, but liked doing it so much, I started creating more than I could figure out what to do with.

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?
I sell things locally at a store called Bead & Co, and at my Etsy shop as well. I have a shop here on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5184488, and I have a blog at blogspot: http://struck-my-fancy.blogspot.com.

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?
For me, this is just a hobby that pays for itself, but also helps me achieve my dreams. In example, I've always wanted to go skydiving and last year I made just enough to do that. It was a thrill of a lifetime and something I can now cross off my Lifelist. Basically, that's what this business does, it helps me pay for my dreams.

6. Where do you create and 7. How do you maintain balance?
I create in the corner of my living room where I have a small table set up. I can only work after my children are done with school and the rest of my life is calmer, so late evenings are my worktime. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I need to get to bed and start something else tomorrow.

8. Where do you get your inspiration?
Inspiration can come from so many sources. The other day I got an idea looking through my water glass at my tablecloth. Sometimes things need to simmer in my brain until I figure out how to accomplish what I see in my head.

9. What are you proud of about your creative life?
I'm proud that I actually took the steps I needed to take to do all of this. I didn't stay content with making the same things over and over, I'm stretching myself and growing as an artist.

10. What are some of your goals?
My next goal is to work on some new bead designs and work towards my next Lifelist item. I'm really excited about that!!

Thank you Christina!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~Melba

an interview with MayauHome

  1. Who are you?

• Hi :) My name is Patti. I’m 24 years old. I have a 6 year old daughter and a 2 year old son. I am originally from Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia. In case you don’t know where that is, it is in Borneo Island. Try searching on a map for a city call Kuching. I am an Iban, a local ethnic race.

2. What do you create?

• At the moment, I am creating bags. I love sewing. I am still learning on  how to improve my sewing and making quality and beautiful bags and other fabric related crafts.

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

• I create for myself, to give and to sell as well.

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?

• I sell on Etsy.My etsy site is http://mayauhome.etsy.com
• I also promote offline.

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?

• I wish I said yes. But, since I am still new in this business I can not say that :P I'm still relying on my husband's salary .Hehe..

6. Where do you create?

• At home.

7. How do you maintain balance?

• Balance? You should see my house. It’s in chaos! Hahaha! Well, I am not a very organized person. Once I'm on my sewing, I forgot everything else..

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

• Everywhere. Usually from our local scenes...Most of the fabrics I use are from the local designs and motifs. I wanted to make something different and to introduce our culture to the world.

9. What are you proud of about your creative life?

• I am proud of being independent and crafty. I am proud of being able to make and design my own stuffs, beautiful stuffs. And I am proud when people compliment and ask on something I make.

10. What are some of your goals?

• -I want to make my ability to sew as my source of income in the future.
• -I want to make excellent quality bags for my buyers
• -To have my own accessories and bags boutique in the future, perhaps?

Thank you Patti!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~ Melba

an interview with Ginger's Garden

1. Who are you? 

I am Irena, a handcrafter of soaps, skin care, toiletries and perfumes. I am proud to be continuing in my mother's and grandmother's European tradition.

2. What do you create?

I create handmade soaps, lotions creams, lip balms, bath and body products and gift baskets for all occassions and all ages.

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

I create products to sell.

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations? I sell my handmade products locally and also online at www.gingersgarden.com

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?  

Not at this time, but that's my goal.

6. Where do you create?

I create my products in a soap/manufacturing room.

7. How do you maintain balance?

I read a book, take a soothing bath and dream of new creations to make.

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

I get my inspiration from nature, art and life around me.

9. What are you proud of about your creative life?

I am proud that I am able to chanel my creative energies into products that people love.

10. What are some of your goals?

I would love for my business to be self supportive and completely sustain me.

Thank you Irena!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~ Melba 

an interview with Acradia Aromatics

1. Who are you?

My name is Lissa Lee, and I am the owner of Arcadia Aromatics, a handcrafted bath & body business. I am a certified neuromuscular massage therapist by trade, but my passion is creating works of art out of soap.

2. What do you create?

Handmade soaps, bath & body products. Everything you could possibly want or need in a natural skin care line including shea butter body lotions, whipped body butters, body sorbets and glazes. We also offer an entire line of products for your hair and face such as our origional solid shampoo & solid conditioner and wonderful facial moisturizer called facial feast.

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

I started off making oils, lotions and creams for my massage business. This was back in the late 90's before I knew anything about proper preservation of hydrous products. It didn't take long before other therapists were asking me to make them lubricants as well for their own practice's and so my journey into making handmade products to sell began. I sell retail on the internet and at farmers markets and I also have a very nice wholesale customer base who stock their shelves with my products, getting the product and my name out there to a wider audience.

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?

Online, My Etsy Store,At Farmers Markets and through Wholesale Accounts

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?

Oh no, I wish. My business if fairly young yet, going into my 6th year. I do a fairly good business annually, but nowhere near the point where it is self sustaining in it's entirety. Soon though, very soon.

6. Where do you create?

I have what I call my "soap shack", which is a dutch high barn that I had custom built by the Amish years ago, situated on my property.

7. How do you maintain balance?

I set a time limit for working every day. I am done with the manufacturing part of my work at 4:00 p.m. every day, no matter what. I do spend alot of time online reading, researching and taking care of the paperwork end of the business. I need to find a better balance there.

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

Mostly from colors and shapes that I see all around me, but I am priviliged to know ALOT of people who do what I do and these are some of the most creative people I've seen. I draw my inspiration from those who have gone before me and made a success of it.

9. What are you proud of about your creative life?

The fact that no one has handed me anything. Everything I have, I gained on my own. I've put in my time, I've paid my dues, I've done my homework, I've earned it. I love the creative end of this business and that's why I've remained in this business, cuz it certainly isn't because it's made me millions, that's for sure. I love the artful aspect of this.

10. What are some of your goals?

I am slowly phasing out the bath & body portion of my business so that I can solely concentrate on soap, soap and nothing but soap. That's what I love doing the best, it's where I feel most comfortable and it's the most fun. I hope to expand my line of soaps by at least 2 dozen more than I already offer, I am coming out with more essential oil soaps and I am currently investigating the possibilities of an organic line of soaps.

You can read more about Lissa on her Blog ~ Soap Store

Thank you Lissa!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~ Melba

an interview with Dinner Time Chimes

1. Who are you?

We’re Dinner Time Chimes (a.k.a. Gavin & Erin) from eastern North Carolina.

2. What do you create?

We create windchimes from discarded silverplate silverware, hence the shop name, in addition to other silverware creations. We’ve recently added other recycled items for your home as well (birdhouses and bird feeders).

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

It started out as creating holiday gifts for the family, but then they wanted to buy chimes to give their friends as gifts through out the year.  Now we create mainly to sell--unless we start creating something new and then everyone is the family asks for one!

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?

In addition to local stores and craft shows, our creations are sold online at DinnerTimeChimes (http://dinnertimechimes.etsy.com)

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?

The Etsy shop is just a way to sell the things that we enjoy making, I don’t see it becoming a full-time job any time soon.

6. Where do you create?

Most of the work is done outside or in the workshop, but the silver polishing is done while watching TV to make it seem like less of a chore!

7. How do you maintain balance?

We work on the crafts on the weekends during the winter, but during the long days of summer we're able to work on them during the week also.  Since the crafts are not a major part of our income, it's okay if new things aren't made each week.

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

We love making things for the garden, and enjoy spending time outside in ours.  Most of the inspiration probably comes from a friend or family member holding something up at a flea market and asking "What could you make out of this!?"  Even though they find our creations unusual, they will admit that it’s neat how we’ve transformed one person’s trash into something even they would like to receive as a gift!

9. What are you proud of about your creative life?

We're proud of unique gifts that are being given around the world that made in our home.  We enjoy the smiles when people take a good look at the windchime or birdhouse and realize what it’s actually made from.
10. What are some of your goals?

Our current goal revolves around bird houses. We’ve started deconstruction of an old barn, and we are using that wood to create blue bird houses. Keep your eyes open for new and exciting additions to our Etsy shop & displays at the craft shows this summer.

Thank you Gavin and Erin!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~ Melba

an interview with Cozy Cabin Mom

1. Who are you?

• Cozy Cabin Mom. A sahm whole loves loves loves to sew and do craft projects

2. What do you create?

• aprons, halter tops, hats, scarves, baby blankets and burpies

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

• all of the above!

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations? 

• Etsy and Ebay, cafemom and to friends

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?

• I would like to!! Every little bit helps

6. Where do you create?

• kitchen table and couch

7. How do you maintain balance?

• It is hard esp with a toddler. I sew on Monday and Wednesdays. Tues and Thurs is school for lil one and errands. Friday-Sun is family time.

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

• from everyone on Etsy

9. What are you proud of about your creative life? 

That I love what I do. My items are basc...but cute and affordable!

10. What are some of your goals? 

• to create more advanced outfits and to really go wild with some of my creations!! :)

Thank you!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~ Melba

an interview with Juror2

  1. Who are you?

Jenifer Kirsch.  In the flesh.

2. What do you create?

I am the Owner and Designer for Juror2 - Exceptionally Curious T-shirts and SteamPunk Garage.

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

All of the above.  Mostly to sell, but I also have a copy of each of my t-shirt designs folded up in my drawer because I wear them every day!

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations?

On Etsy and at the local flea and farmer's markets 3-5 days a week... just like a real job, mom!

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?

You are looking at my sole source of income, baby.

6. Where do you create?

In my workshop and on-site.  My process is such that my whole workstation is portable. 

7. How do you maintain balance?

Oh pshaw... I've been wearing high heeled boots since the 12th grade!

..and my boyfriend has declared Tuesdays to be Ben & Jen Day where I am not allowed to do any work whatsoever but must dote on him lovingly for 24 hours.

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

TV, Movies, DVD's, theater, weird people I see on the street, and if all else fails: I ask my roommate to make a suggestion.  Jaimie's never failed me yet!

9. What are you proud of about your creative life?

I'm a successful business owner and only 26.  My parents are very proud and I can't WAIT for my next High School reunion!!!

10. What are some of your goals?

To get Juror2 off the ground to the point where I can stay home and send someone else out to fairs for me.  So when I have babbies someday I can still bring in an income while staying home with the kids!   

Thanks Jenifer!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~Melba

an interview with Sunfluer's Jewelry Designs

1.      Who are you? 

Barbara Giordano, a self representing artist and owner/designer of Sunfluer’s Jewelry Designs

2.      What do you create? 

I specialize in meaningful awareness designs, artwork pendants, spiritual healing, empowering and goddess adornments for body and soul.   The awareness designs include an exclusive line of adoption jewelry, pride, breast cancer, and cure autism bracelets and necklaces.  I incorporate gemstones into the spiritual healing, empowering and goddess designs I create.  I believe in the healing powers of gemstones.  Gemstones have been revered by many cultures and alternative healing practices for their mystical healing powers.

As an artist and creative person, I also express myself through drawing and painting.  I create wearable artwork pendants which are miniature pieces of original art.  The process involves the use of acid free pens and markers whereby I create art directly on ceramic pendants.  The pendants are sealed with a glossy, glass like acid free layer to preserve the artwork.

3.      Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?   

I launched an online store SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com in 2003 with adoption awareness designs as well as other artistic adornments for the body.  Mostly, I sell the jewelry I create.  I also enjoy giving my jewelry as special gifts to my family and friends.

4.      If you sell; Where do you sell your creations? 

I sell from my website: SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com.

I also have select pieces on Etsy:

Sunfluer's Jewelry Designs

5.      Do you financially support yourself by your art alone? 

The art I sell is a supplement to my income.  I envision opening a brick and mortar shop.  The goal of opening a shop is a dream which I hope comes to fruition within the next five years.

6.      Where do you create? 

I have a small studio space in my home.  Basically, I turned a small bedroom into my workshop space.  I prefer having a private space where I can focus on creating with little distractions.  However, my children are young so it’s not unusual for them to pop in/out of my studio while I’m working.  Still, it’s easier for me to have all my materials in one place.

7.      How do you maintain balance? 

I get the majority of my creative projects done during the day while my children are at school.  In this way, I can be available for my family at the end of the day.

8.      Where do you get your inspiration? 

The awareness jewelry line of my business comes from my personal experiences.  I’m an adoptive mom so the adoption jewelry creations reflect my feelings and experiences being part of an adoptive family.  My young son has special needs so the autism bracelet design is an expression for wanting a cure.  Aunts in my family have battled with breast cancer so I was inspired to create the “pink” awareness designs.

I view myself as a new age thinker.  I value alternative healing practices.  Reflecting my spiritual beliefs are the healing and empowering gemstone designs I create.

9.      What are you proud of about your creative life?   

I have to say it’s the fact I’m self taught.  I’m very proud at how far I’ve come in a relatively short time.  I receive many compliments on the quality of my work.  It’s gives me great joy and satisfaction knowing I bring happiness to others by means of my art.

10. What are some of your goals?

My aspiration is to have a boutique for arts and crafts where I can feature local artists in addition to my work.

Thank you Barbara!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~Melba

an interview with Abyssal Gems

1. Who are you?

• Abyssal Gems
  

2. What do you create?

• handcrafted jewelry

3. Who do you create for; you, gifts, to sell?

• i create jewelry for all of those reasons and i love having people see what it is that i do. i love it even more when i see them wearing some of my pieces.

4. If you sell; Where do you sell your creations? 

• street fairs, clubs, school events

5. Do you financially support yourself by your art alone?

• right now i am yes.

6. Where do you create?

• here at my parents house and sometimes outdoors and at my boyfriends house

7. How do you maintain balance?

• creating jewelry is what keeps me balanced pretty well. its calming as well as relaxing for me

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

• my inspiration comes from many of things.. from seeing something in magazines or i get a creation in my head and i go with it. thats really where most of my inspiration comes from

9. What are you proud of about your creative life?

• being able to sell what i love doing the most. thats what makes me proud.

10. What are some of your goals?

• hopefully one day to have my own jewelry business

Thanks Debbie!

All the details are HERE for how you can be the next featured indie artist at justBeBrave!

~Melba