Kelly Smith Photography

I always get so excited when I can bring you a new shop owner and today is no exception. Kelly Smith takes amazing photographs and, simply put, I just had to have her here!

Kelly Smith Photos on Etsy is filled with images of nature and landscapes that will take your breath away. Kelly took some time out to answer a few questions, so take a read and visit her shop. I'm sure you'll find something there to make you go "ahhhh".

Who are you, where are you from and what makes that place unique?
My name is Kelly and I'm a Chicago transplant currently living in Portland, Oregon. I grew up in a small town in the far suburbs of Chicago called McHenry - small town, good people and a great place to grow up. It's close to the city but far enough away to not be all hustle and bustle. Portland, OR where I am now is like another world. It has the feel of my hometown but much larger and the nature is absolutely breathtaking. There are places here that just don't seem real.

What was the first item you ever made for your shop?

"Out of Reality" the first item for the shop

 Most of my photos have been taken over the last year, but this is the one that made me want to pursue it more and put my shop together.

How long have you been independently selling your items?
I started my photography shop in August 2011 just as a test to see if others thought my photos were good enough. I still have a lot to learn but hope to continue to improve my craft this year.

If you were on a desert isle, and you could only have one book or cd with you (besides your creative tools) which book or cd would that be?
I'm going to have to go with book cause batteries eventually die. I'd bring Little Women

Where is the most interesting place you have traveled, what made it so interesting?
My husband and I took a road trip in the fall of 2010 that was the best experience I've had. We flew to Seattle, WA and drove all the way down the coast back to Los Angeles (where we were currently living). We saw so much nature and beauty that it was the best 10 days we ever spent. It was the inspiration for my wanting to dive into photography more (and many of my photos are from that trip). 6 months later we were moving to Portland so we could be engulfed in this natural beauty every day and now we love it here!

If you knew you could not fail, what would you do?
I would quit my day job tomorrow and focus on my creative endeavors. I currently split myself between work and 3 Etsy shops, it's hard to keep up and succeed!

Go visit Kelly online at her Etsy shop and use coupon code YOBLOG20 to save 20% on your order!

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Maldonado



Omar Maldonado

 On Etsy we have the ability to mark items to our "favorites" as we see fit. You can mark an item from a shop or the whole shop, it's up to you. Every weekday I usually go through my favorite items and make that shop / artist my "Artist of the Day". At times, I am so moved by what is in the shop, I ask for an interview. Sometimes I don't hear anything back, sometimes I get turned down, and sometimes, I get very luck you have the honor of presenting you with an amazing new artist!!

Omar Maldonado is no exception! He creates beautifully simple jewelry that just makes you want to sigh. His pieces are colorful and classy and just perfect for almost any occasion. Omar himself is a very nice person. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

Who are you, where are you from and what makes that place unique?
My name is Omar, I live in the city of Santa Fe, Argentina. It is a city where many students come from the rest of the country, and is the provincial capital of the state. I live very near a large river, the region is very fertile and moist, ideal for farming. My house is the perfect place for me, I love my studio and share good times with my friends, many of whom are also artists and craftsmen.

Colorful Bubbles Sterling Silver Pendant

What was the first item you ever made for your shop?
Actually, there were several products, but I remember the most successful work, from the beginning, was a necklace of colorful bubbles.

How long have you been independently selling your items?
I have been doing this work for 10 years and have always been independent. I am the one who designs the products and then builds and sells them. I make everything work and I like it just that way.

If you were on a desert isle, and you could only have one book or cd with you (besides your creative tools) which book or cd would that be?
Choosing a CD would be very difficult for me, because I like meeting new music all the time. I would take any book by Jorge Luis Borges

Where is the most interesting place you have traveled, what made it so interesting?
The place I've traveled and I liked is Valparaiso, Chile. I like it because it is a city that is located in a mountainous area that has a slope overlooking the sea. Their houses are colorful, there are many art and design shops which generate ongoing activities related to culture. I will very soon return to Valparaiso, after more than two years away.

If you knew you could not fail, what would you do?
I think there is always the possibility of failing at something, but my work seems very nice and I really enjoy doing it, I think it's very easy for me to beat me every day and get better at what I do. years of experience of any craft are very helpful when you want to do your best.

Omar is offering the coupon code "YARNOBSESSION"  for 15% off to readers of this profile!


You can find Omar online:
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Giia

Happy New Year and Happy Friday! I hope 2011 will bring all the dreams you are dreaming closer to reality for you.

Fridays are Fabulous here because that's when I get to share a shop that I think you'll love!

Today's shop is Giia and it's filled with some of the most fun and unique "jewelry" pieces you'll find anywhere! Take a look and let them know I sent you! Enjoy

Lemonade Award!

I am so honored and excited to recieve my very first blog award! It came from Lisa at Sachi Designs. Lisa is a netting artist working to help spread the news about netting as best she can. Thanks for the award Lisa!

The Lemonade Award is passed to bloggers for showing great Attitude and/or Gratitude and now it's my turn to pass it to ten other blogs.

The Rules of this award for recipients:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

1) Sara at Soap Rehab - Because she makes great bath and body items that are good enough to eat!

2) Amy at Always Amy - Because she shares what she knows with all those who come by her blog

3) Shalana at The Funky Felter - Because she's very generous with information and so talented.

4) Waterrose at Waterrose Handcrafted Obsession - Because she's always sharing information and promoting others

5) Liz at Made In Lowell - For sharing tutorials and makeing great items

6) Zuleika at Hobbyzu - For the information she shares, the joy she spreads and for ever expanding on what she's doing.

7) Kala at Kala Pohl Studio - Because she has lovely work and writings, along with helpful insight

8) Mu-Yin at Mu-Yin Jewelry - Because she puts a lot into her work that she shares with us all.

9) Iris at Knitting Iris - For the beautiful photos she shares as well as her insight into natural dyes and nature.

10) Karina at Kreated By Karina - Because she has lovely items and shares information via her articles and her blog.

Cara Taylor

Recycling is one of the things I am truly excited about. Although I slip sometimes, I do hope that the little I do every day can make a difference. Cara Taylor is surely making a difference with her artistry. I'm not sure how I fond Cara's shop, but it is part of my favorites and there it will stay until, as she says, there is no longer a need for her services.

Cara takes "useless" plastic bags and turnes them into "useful" items we can all appreciate. It's good for us and for the environment. Read the interview then visit her shop to see how you can do your part for the environment!

Tell us about yourself
My name is Cara Taylor, I am originally from Western Pennsylvania but I currently live in lovely Western Massachusetts. I have been a crafter for as long as I can remember - my mother taught me to crochet and my fondest memories are of the two of us watching movies while working on projects together.

I began experimenting with plastic bags about 8 or 9 years ago in undergrad - I would cut them up in different ways and reconfigure them to make sculptures. Making bags seemed really obvious to me and I resisted those forms for awhile but once I crocheted one I was hooked (no pun intended!) on making more. I love the transformation of material!

What inspires you to your craft?
I am inspired by fashion, function, color, material. I really just love trying new things and experimenting with process.

How do you promote your shop?
I sell my crocheted bags and accessories on Etsy and at several shops around the country. I am currently a full time art teacher with no intention of leaving teaching to become a full time crafter. I actually hope to stop making bags from plastic bags in the next 5-10 years in hopes that plastic bags will be just too hard to come by! Eventually they won't be such a problem for our environment and I will have moved on to some other medium.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to new artists?
My advice to new artists would be to make what you love, and make it well! Craftsmanship is so important. Also, don't undersell yourself!

What are some of your favorite things?
dinner parties, snow days, shoes, magazines, soup, crocheting and knitting of course...

What is your favorite quote?
I definitely don't have one. Nothing comes to mind, I can never remember them and I never write them down.

Monday Treasures

I have so much fun putting these treasuries togther because it gives me an opportunity to really search the Etsy-sphere!

This was the treasury I had the opportunity to put together last week. . . "Purrrrple Eye Candy"
Consider shopping these shops for your holiday gifts! Buy Handmade and stimulate our local economies!

3zart
vsilcoxdesigns
The Muses Jewels
Wild Indian Cowgirl
Jennifer Locke Designs
Alyson 1234
Moi Minerals
Ollies Woollies
Sky Girl Style
The Duchess Collection
Aressa
Missis Kwittys
Andrea Hoglund
Maddy And Me
Jill ReDesigns
Orgellan

What's more fun than putting treasuries together, is being in them. Last week I had the honor of being part of three treasuries!!! Thanks to those curators for showcasing my work with such lovely items.

"All Things Lovely" curated by CBPoole


"Bad Cabbage" curated by Just Charming


"Twitter" curated by The Naked Mushroom

Yarn Obsession

For a few months now I've been introducing you to some fantastic shops every Friday. Through those profiles you've been able to learn a little about the artists/crafters and their products. However, I was thinking, I've never had the opportunity to "formally" introduce you to my shop, Yarn Obesssion, so please induldge me while I take my own interview questions and give you an opportunity to get to know me better.

Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Sedruola Maruska, but most people call me Sedie, I live in Massachusetts with my husband and son. Although we currently live with my parents, we're working hard to put everything into place for a house next year. By day I dress up as an Executive Assistant, but by night I'm a yarn obsessed maniac working hard not to drive her husband and son crazy.

What inspires you to your craft/artistry?

The main inspiration I have to design and create my items is the love of the yarn. I can never get enough of the feel of the yarn as well as seeing each piece come to life with each stitch. The other thing that keeps me creative is knowing that one day I'll reach the goal of having my own shop, with my designs for sale and be free to spend more time with my son. There is nothing more inspiring than doing the best you can for your family through doing the best you can for your customers!

How do you promote your items?

I'm still new to the "promotion" arena, but I have this blog, and as much as is not too 'boring' or 'overwhelming' I use it to promote my items. I also use facebook as a place to inform people I know, and some I don't, of my latest designs or items available in my Etsy shop. I'm also on Twitter, where I 'tweet' about sales, new items or promotions as well as other things. I'm also on several social networking sites that I'm hoping to have work better for me as I learn more. Finaly, I tell most people I meet about what I do, although I could be better at that.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to new artists?
I'd tell them to learn as much as they can and implement those things that speak to their personality and craft. Not everything will work for everyone, but if you're true to yourself and your craft, you'll do well every time!


How do you see yourself evolving in the next 5-10 years?
I'm always evolving, but in the next 5-10 years, I will have my own boutique/yarn shop, which will allow me to be more of a master of my destiny. We'd love to have one more child and we'll be living the house of our dreams. My future is tied up in my family and my yarn, I couldn't be happier.

What are some of your favorite things?
I love spending time with friends and family, decorating, planning events, anything made with potatoes, yarnf and music.

What is your favorite quote?
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi