Ocelot Eyes Art

Anyone can take a photograph. It's terribly easy to point a click that little button. It takes a good deal of talent, an eye for color, composition, cropping, and a quick trigger finger to be a good Photographer. One of the most difficult subjects to photograph are, no doubt, animals. You can't ask them to move, to smile, to do that pose again, etc... With these two things in mind, I bring you a truly talented photographer who's charming compositions are vibrant and exotic. Nadya, the Russian born artist of Ocelot Eyes Art isn't just a photographer though, she's an equally talented painter.

Nadya embraces an array of artistic media, oils, acrylic, digital painting, and photography. Her inspirations are no surprise, nature figures heavily in every aspect of her shop. “I love finding out stories about the animals of a land, from the native people of that land, who know them the best.” The beautiful wildlife of Australia currently bejewel her shop. “I was born in Moscow, Russia, but have also spent half my life in lovely Atlantic Canada, and now I find inspiration in Australian nature and wildlife
- due to this diverse cultural background, my shop will most likely be full of very different art pieces!”

10% of all of Nadya's sales go to the EtsyForAnimals charity of the month.

“Promote your work, and have faith in everything you create - it comes from your heart, so it is true.”

Art 2 the Extreme

Eclectic is the name of the game for Art 2 the Extreme. Ceramics, art, clothes, you never know what incredible finds will be waiting for you!

Nicole has dedicated her life to art. By day, she is an elementary school art teacher, and by night, artist extraordinaire. She focuses on her projects late at night, as her days are dedicated to teaching. Watch out for the summer though, that’s when Nicole plans to work on her large projects.

Nicole’s advice for other crafters: “Make friends and network… Do not be afraid to ask for help because there are so many wonderful artists and crafts men and women who are willing to reach out and lend a hand or an ear!”

If you would like to find out more about this incredible crafter, you can always visit her blog! Or, of course, browse through her lovely shop.

HeartworksByLori

Luxury, elegance, charm… all words that come to mind every time I come to the shop of Lori Patton. Aside from being a fun and friendly person to chat with, Lori has an exceptional eye for beauty and art. HeartworksbyLori features beautiful artwork designed to be displayed around your neck.

Lori is currently using a lot of brass, due to the versatility and vintage look that it gives her work. “I'm prone to switching back and forth from Sterling Silver, to faceted gemstones like Labradorite and Chalcedony, but brass is so versatile and the possibilities are endless.” She designs jewelry that she would love to wear, and is inspired by clothing, colors, and her personal mood. Since her personal style is so versatile, this is reflected in the jewelry she creates. “I like to create fun and flirty jewelry as well as classic and elegant styles with an added flair, all with the underlining tone of beauty. Sometimes I just glance at the colorful array of my materials and elements all spread out and a design just calls out to me to be made!”

Lori works on her jewelry part time, spending her days raising her three young boys. She does most of her creating once everyone’s tucked into bed. “My creative juices get flowing after dark, since I'm a total night owl, so it works out perfectly.” She finds encouragement from her husband, who tells her how beautiful her work is. Of course, she encourages herself to create and has a drive to perfect techniques and learn new skills.

Lori opened her shop around Christmas, and has experienced incredible success. Take a look at what’s making her such a big hit.

Washi by Maoiliosa

Washi is a type of decorative paper made in Japan. Melissa Rogers has found several of different uses for Washi paper, and you can find her tiny creations on her Etsy shop, Washi by Maoiliosa.

Melissa’s unique shop name comes from a moniker she created several years ago. There was a period of her life where she was interested in Celtic things, and she found that “Maoiliosa” is the Gaelic equivalent to Melissa. So, she’s been going by Maoiliosa online ever since.

Melissa stumbled on to Etsy while Google searching for more Washi paper. “I immediately began thinking about opening a shop, and in mid-January, I became an Etsy seller. it has been the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had!”

It is obvious by glancing into her shop that Melissa’s favorite material is the great Washi paper that she collects. “I LOVE finding the precise little spot on the huge sheet of paper that I will feature on a pendant!” Her other great inspiration is music, and she listens to music that conveys the same feelings that her pieces do, such as Bjork, Ellen Allien, and Kitaro.

Melissa finds encouragement from her supportive fiancé, and her best friend Sarah.

BridBird

Bridget Farmer of Bridbird has a healthy obsession with, you guessed it, birds. You can find her scribble gesture etchings of birds, as well as vibrant Gocco screen prints, and brooches in her store, and be sure to check out her blog to keep up with what Bridget is working on.

All of Bridget’s etchings are based off of her life drawings. “All my work is drawn from life, birds, people (I like drawing musicians) buildings, and other everyday things I see around me.” She uses copper plate acid etching, which gives very fine lines. Every print off of a copper plate etching has to be inked, which gives slight variations in each print.

Bridget has moved around quite a bit in her life. She was born in England, but moved to Belfast, Northern Ireland when she was four. She went to college in Edinburgh, Scotland, and now lives in Melbourne, Australia. “I first came here to visit friends just over 2 years ago. I've always been a bit of a bird lover so when I arrived in this new country I was blown away by all the birds I had never seen before. New species, new variations, new bird song, I loved it. I then met my boyfriend, who is Australian, and a visit, initially going to last 5 months, has turn into 2 1/2 years and me applying for permanent residency!”

In Edinburgh, she got her degree for jewelry and silver smithing. In Melbourne she completed her Masters of Fine Art, and Printmaking, which is where she focuses now. Bridget sells her work in shops and galleries in Melbourne, and has stalls in several markets. “I find going to the market of great benefit for, apart from selling, promotional work. I have got most of my shop and gallery contacts from being seen at art and craft markets.”

Her Etsy site gives Bridget an internet base which allows her to show people all of the different things that she offers. “I found the promotional side of etsy daunting to start with, I still consider myself a bit of a newbie, although I've been on since October. It was a bit slow to start with, but my advice is keep going with it. Give out business cards at markets, have your etsy name on your packaging, and do lots of talking in the forums. It can be exhausting, but fun and rewarding when finally your work starts to take off and be noticed.”

Karin Grow

Karin Grow first caught my eye with her striking retro paintings. I love monochrome art, and Karin’s execution is flawless. Paintings aren’t the only thing you’ll find in this talented artisan’s store however. There is a good deal of beautifully assembled beaded jewelry, candles, purses and more.

Karen’s brick and mortar shop, “Vintage Blues” is located in a little beach town in San Diego, California. “I love working with just about anything, paint,fabric,wax,gems etc…” She is a full-time artist and part-time crafter inspired by vintage Tropicana and nature. “My only advise for other shop owners or artists is to stay true to your style and you will attract the kind of people you'd like to be surrounded with. When your focus is on money and what others are doing, you work really suffers.”

She and her husband bought and moved into the house that she grew up in, as sixth in a line of ten siblings. “It was a wild and crazy house all the time… It has so many great memories for me.” Karen is the parent to three cats and the dogs. “I love my little creatures more than I can ever show them.”

Le Petit Monstre

If you love monsters and fun off the wall art, you have to check out Le Petit Monstre. Ashley Dowdy is a self taught artist who uses bright colors and fun themes in her various creations. From shadowboxes to prints and lavender scented Monster Repellant spray, you will find all different kinds of fun surprises when you visit Ashley’s store.

Ashley is a full time mother and crafter. "My husband is a great man and I am truly blessed. He has given me the opportunity to stay home and raise our son, and he finances my expensive hobbies!" Some of her diverse talents that you may not find in her shop include culinary arts, and tattoo. She is currently focusing her energy on collage work, and enjoys cutting and assembling paper. "My favorite things to work with are paper, glitter, paint, buttons, little odds and ends."

"In the beginning, I was inspired by necessity. If I needed something but couldn't find it, I just learned how to make it. Now I am more inspired by other great artists." She lists some of her influences as Brian Andreas, Claudine Hellmuth, Keri Smith, as well as the other talented Etsy artists that she has on her favorite list.

"My shop will grow with me as I grow as an artist." As with all stay at home moms, Ashley juggles the task of spending time with her two year old son and crafting, finding time to work when her little one is in bed.

"I am so excited to have found the land of Etsy. If you would like to get to know me better, check out my blog at http://lepetitmonstre.typepad.com/ "