Featured Artist Special - Meet Aprilee Lawson of Artistry Jewelry

Today's Featured Artist is a wonderful friend of mine who I met via cyberspace... Gotta love networking... Aprilee is the owner and designer of Artistry Jewelry, her designs are Victorian inspired but it doesn't stop there, her wire-wrapped and polymer clay creations are definitely something to write home about.


So without further adieu here's Aprilee:

How and when did you start making jewelry as a business?

In a way, it was the result of the proliferation of my creations!  No one person can use that much jewelry!  To stop creating was out of the question, so I purchased a computer, took an introductory class on computers & self taught myself!

Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made? 

Yes.  I had enrolled in a jewelry construction class and the teacher wanted to "start small", so our first lesson/task was a pair of earrings which we wire-wrapped.  It seemed like rocket science with the intricate, constant moving of the pliers!  LOL!

Rosaline's Romance

Every artist has a personal “creative process”,  can you explain yours?

I purchase components/beads that I like.  Along with that, I purchase numerous components that would go with the main item I started out with.  I also keep in mind what I already have available.  I don't work on anything just to be productive.  I have a photographic memory, so I always know what I have.  An idea will hit me when I'm not even thinking about jewelry.  That's when I create something!  I even keep a small notebook on my nightstand and have (many a nights) scribbled an idea onto it!

When people start doing jewelry, they tend to try a lot of different things before settling down to something that resonates with them, how has your jewelry work changed since you began?

I'm all over the place.  I could never do just one type of design/technique!  I think it's pretty much the same with everyone else.  I started with basic beading techniques, moved into more complex designs, learned wire-wrapping, polymer clay.  I just think the longer you stick with it, the more likely you are to branch out into other techniques.  Also, the longer something takes to create, the more I enjoy myself!

 Kandy Kisses

How many hours a week do you spend in the creative side vs the business side?   

There's really no stock answer for that, but since ecommerce is based on images, I spend a great deal of time taking & cropping/editing images.  That is the most  non-creative chore.  As for time creating, I can't really give an answer there either.  I only create when an idea hits me, which is unpredictable.

What inspires you creatively?  

The color pink and flowers. Victorian/vintage styles.

 Sapphire Garden

Where do you sell your jewelry?  

Mostly just on Etsy.

Can you tell us about some important goals you have achieved with your jewelry work?  

Doing a museum quality (Victorian) necklace.  (willow)

Learning new techniques.   Giving great customer service & making many new friends along the way!

Treasure

What advice would you give to someone who is interested or starting out doing jewelry as a business?

The first thing you should do (Prior to registering on etsy, or any other site) would be to do a seller search of the name you intend to use for your shop.  Choose something unique. The last thing you want is for someone to make a simple typo error & buy from someone else when they intended to buy from you! Be original!  You can't just string beads and expect to survive.  You must be able to do (neat) functional wire-wrapping.  The jewelry market is flooded, you need to find a way to be original, stand-out from the rest.  Make your customers want to come back, and most of all Be patient!  I've seen new sellers post in the etsy forum that it's been almost a month with no sales.  Calm down and create.  Get friends to critique your shop & make changes as needed.

Who are some of your favorite artists and crafters?

Well, I purchase all of my graphics from Dale at Seadreamstudio on etsy.  I love yappyhappy for pet related gifts.  Beetreebyme does custom pet brooches, I had one made for a friend (stunning).  Donna Kato / clay artist.  And of course, Penny Cheng.

Penny

What do you like to do in your spare time other than making jewelry?

I enjoy researching other possible techniques that I might like to try. I enjoy  baking from scratch.  I spend alot of time with my online friends via facebook. I admin at onlineshoppingmall ning site.  I watch documentaries on TV.  My guilty pleasures are tawdry "reality shows". 

I like to shop too!

If there's anything else you want to add, please feel free to do so. 

I would just like to thank Penny for this opportunity! (ed: "awww  Thank you")

Nightfall

Be sure to check out Aprilee's Etsy Shop, Facebook Page, Twitter and Blog.  Also check out the Online Shopping Mall site where Aprilee is an admin!


Remember, if you would like to participate to be a Featured Artist, please send me an Email and I would love to interview you!

Featured Artist Special ~ Meet Elsa L'Abbe

I finally found some time to do a feature on one of my favorite artisans.  Fellow Canadian Elsa L'Abbe's specialty is little baby shoes (she also crochets too!).  Now we all remember how our parents/grandparents would bronze the first pair of shoes their children wore. It was cute and dandy, but Elsa takes it to the next level.  Instead of bronzing, she uses paint, glitter, ribbons and transforms those little shoes to something unique, adorable and be proud of.

But enough of me chatting, here's the interview:

How and when did you start your business?

I started selling my "treasures" about a year ago, as I was so in love with what I do, I was constantly at it.  Of course, after a while, I had so much, selling was the next logical thing to do.

Gold & Pink Baby Skates - Artfire Studio

Do you remember the first item you ever made?

The very first item I ever made was a pair of old skates that I had painted and glittered and added some old socks.  I gave them as a gift, and the rest is history, like they say, a monster was created.  The monster was me.
 

Every Artist has a personal "creative process", can you explain yours?

I work a lot of "old" items, shoes, boots, skates, etc, and also new.  I often can tell immediately what I want to do when I see that special pair of old baby shoes, or a certain color of wool.  It is exciting and sometimes I even wake up at 4: 00 AM to work on my latest project.

 Teen Tiny Altered Shoes - Etsy Studio

When people start doing their art/craft, they tend to try a lot of different things before settling down to something that resonates with them.  How has your art/craft changed since you began?

Unfortunately, I jump from one thing to another, decorating baby shoes, painting skates, creating unique items, knitting, crocheting. etc.  There is such a variety of items in my studio, but it's so much fun, as I never know what my next project will be.

How many hours a week do you spend in the creative side versus the business side?

I spend most of my time creating, and a little on business, like listing, etc.  I don't really like the business side, as I am more an artist than a business woman.

Baby Sneaker Key Chain and Keys Holder - Artfire Studio

What inspires you creatively?

I am inspired a lot by the look in people's eyes when they see my creations, and the joy they express when buying unusual items.  It's wonderful to use up old items too, like baby shoes, boots, skates, etc, instead of always buying new, helps with our mission of saving our wonderful planet.  But it's fun too to also work sometimes with new things like wool, and new shoes which I paint and can be worn.

Where do you sell your art/craft?

I sell a lot to people who have already purchased from me at shows, and are repeat customers.  Also on internet sites, like ArtFire and Etsy, and from my own website.

 Crochet Edging 5 Piece Ensemble for Newborn - Etsy Studio

Can you tell us about some important goals you have achieved with your work?

My goal was to gain confidence in myself and my talent by creating beautiful things that others would actually want to buy.  I feel that I am more than a wife and mom, that I can actually work hard at something that I love to do, and feel passionate about.  Something to lose myself in, it's so wonderful to have a passion. 

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in or starting out a business relating to their art/craft?

If you feel you want to start a business, first you must have confidence in yourself that you are offering something others want and will enjoy. Decide how to promote, either internet, shows, etc  There are many ways like Etsy, Artfire, your own website, to promote your work.

Denim and Pink Heart Baby Sneakers - Artfire Studio

Who are some of your favorite Artists and Crafters?

I have so many of them, I really like a lot someone who uses old items to make new creations.  I love so many handmade items, and really respect artists as I know how hard they work and how passionate they are about their work. 

What do you like to do in your spare time other than making your art/craft?

I have so many interests, I am so torn between crafting, painting, crocheting, etc.  I have 2 horses and love to ride.  So much I love to do, so little time.  I wish the days were twice as long as they are, so I could do all I would like to do.

 

Heavenly Clouds Christening Gown - Etsy Studio

Last thoughts or words of wisdom?

An artist puts a lot of passion in their work. Only another artist can understand the wonderful feeling it gives when we create something, it is very rewarding.  It's a wonderful world we live in, we are blessed with many opportunites.  I thank God for my health, and my abilitity to work hard and enjoy my life to the fullest.

Be sure to check out Elsa's Website, Artfire Studio, Etsy Studio, Facebook Page and be sure to follow her on Twitter!

Stay tuned for more wonderful artisans to be featured soon....

If you would like to participate to be a Featured Artist, please send me an email and I would love to interview you!

 

How do we look?

After almost 8 hours in front of the computer... I re-did the template of this blog of mine. I never realized how picky I was until I was looking aimlessly for hours for a template that had the background I wanted with the amount of columns I wanted, colours, etc, etc. The list went on.

Now I think I am finished tweaking every website I have. Time for me to take a break and go back creating something that does not include codes and widgets.

Be sure to join our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter. Doing so ensures that you will get up to date information on promos, sales and giveaways.

Now back to Facebook so I can harvest my Farm, feed my Fish, take care of my Pet, and cook more food in my Cafe....

A few Updates and a Special for Twitter Followers

Happy Friday Everyone!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and for my fellow Canadians....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Eat lots of turkey (and tofu turkey for my vegetarian friends).

Updates to Know (even if you aren't interested....)

As of tomorrow, I will be deleting my Facebook Fan Page for Jewelry by Saniki Creations. I would like to thank all of you who have "fanned" my page. At the moment I cannot forsee another Facebook Fan page being created. As it is I am pretty overwhelmed with so many network profiles to maintain and one less could help me stay sane. (At least that's what the voices in my head tell me)

However, I am still maintaining the Groups page on Facebook. If you haven't already, please feel free to Join this Group and let others know about it. The Group is opened to anyone and I would love to see and make some new friends.

Click HERE for the Facebook Groups Page

Do you "tweet"?

Follow Jewelry by Saniki Creations on Twitter and until October 15, 2009, save 50% Off your purchase of $25.00 or more. Free Shipping, too! This is only valid for my Twitter Followers, so Follow Me today and take advantage of this great steal, I mean deal!

Click HERE to Follow Me on Twitter

Calling All Artist/Designers/Anyone who makes Handcrafted Items

I'm looking to add more sites to my Link Exchange page and would love to have you exchange your link with mine. My only criteria is that the site relates to Handmade/Handcrafted items. Blogs, Marketplaces and Instructional also welcome to exchange links (be sure it relates to Handmade!)

Click HERE to submit your site.

Until next time, Have a great Weekend!