That's me!! at www.etsyitemoftheday.com !!! Check it out!!
http://etsyitemoftheday.com/nautical-trend-dress-etsy-handmade-custom/#more-1928
Monday, August 17, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Coffee Cups, Vases and Jewelry OH MY!
This week's feature, Alinahayes! It's more than just pottery! These are conversation pieces, these are pieces that you relish every chance you get to use them! Coffee in a cup like this
Alina's Short Bio - In 2006, I discovered a passion for throwing pottery at the Burbank Art Center when my husband and I moved to California. I am enjoying the slightly slower pace of Los Angeles. We currently reside in West Hills with our dogs Auggie and Mops, where I spend time creating in my home studio. I find inspiration and strive to achieve a balance between nature and modern/contemporary design.I have taken the plunge and have devoted myself to ceramics fulltime.
Gabrielle: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Alina: I started finding inspiration from nature and organic forms. Lately I've been inspired by contemporary furniture design. I also like to imagine a piece of pottery as something you would wear. I often think about glaze colors as an outfit that might go together, not sure if that makes sense.
Gabrielle: Do you have a job outside of Etsy?
Alina: About five months ago, I've been fortunate enough to quit my previous office job, and become a fulltime potter. This gave me the oportunity to branch out to local shops and galleries.
Gabrielle: How did you come into your profession?
Alina: It was a complete accident. I majored in illustration in school, and had taken several sculpture classes, but had never tried the wheel. When I moved to Los Angeles, I started taking wheel-throwing classes at a local community center in Burbank, CA. I was so taken by it, I knew that this was something I wanted to pursue almost immediately.
Gabrielle: Is this what you imagined you would be when you grew up? If not, what did you want to be when you were little?
Alina: When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina, an actress, a singer. I wasn't sure which of these dreams would actually come true, but I knew for sure that I would find happiness doing something creative.
Gabrielle: What's your favorite snack/drink to keep you going during a long day?
Alina: Ahhh...coffee is my number one friend. Now that I have the privilige to work from home, I often forget to eat until much later in the day.
Gabrielle: What is your favorite item in your shop?
Alina: Recently it's been my ladybug items. I really enjoy the vibrant colors and the break from the wheel they provide.
Gabrielle: How did you get the idea for your favorite item?
Alina: I was trying to think of something different. I had been working with press molds of flowers and such, and one day I was taking photos of some earrings, and placed them onto a large cala lilly leaf. On that leaf sat a small ladybug, and I thought... perfect!
Gabrielle: If there was one place you could live and money wasn't an option where would it be?
Alina: New York or Paris. I grew up in new york, and recently visited Paris. To live in those cities the way I would want to live, I would need millions of dollars. I've wanted to move to los angles since I was 18, so I would say I am already pretty darn lucky.
Gabrielle: If you had a million dollars how would you spend it?
Alina: Hmmm... If I really had a million dollars, I would pay off my house and invest the rest. If there was no such thing as reality, I would like to buy an apartment in Manhattan. Although a million dollars would probably barely buy you a one bedroom. Haha.
Gabrielle: Do you believe in God? This can be a yes or no, or it can be a more elaborate answer, you can also choose not to answer it, if it is too personal.
Alina: Yes.
Gabrielle: Do you feel like a part of you is visible in all of your work?
Alina: I am not sure. I hope so. People tell me they can. I am working on having a cohesive look. Sometimes I feel my pottery is too all over the place.
Gabrielle: Do you miss items when they sell?
Alina: Sometimes. Depends on the item. If I make an item I really love, I try to hold on to it for a while. After a year or so, I let it go.
Gabrielle: Where is your favorite place to shop on Etsy?
Alina: Thats a tough one.I like looking through the gift guides, but particularly the jewelry on Etsy. I love the jewelry designs of marmar on etsy, and have purchased a couple of pieces. I would love to own one of artisanimpact designs.
Alina also has a blog, check it out to see what she's up to! http://alinahayes.blogspot.com
Thank you Alina for taking the time to do this interview, you really have a gift!
Now here are a few of my favorites from Alina! Visit www.alinahayes.etsy.com to purchase your favorites!
is like a beautiful dream. Go here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28054691 to purchase one for yourself!
Imagine some flowers, freshly picked from the garden, in this one of kind beautiful handmade vase.
Now that you've had a sneak peek at some of Alina's work, it's time to meet her and find out what's behing the curtain.
Alina's Short Bio - In 2006, I discovered a passion for throwing pottery at the Burbank Art Center when my husband and I moved to California. I am enjoying the slightly slower pace of Los Angeles. We currently reside in West Hills with our dogs Auggie and Mops, where I spend time creating in my home studio. I find inspiration and strive to achieve a balance between nature and modern/contemporary design.I have taken the plunge and have devoted myself to ceramics fulltime.
Gabrielle: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Alina: I started finding inspiration from nature and organic forms. Lately I've been inspired by contemporary furniture design. I also like to imagine a piece of pottery as something you would wear. I often think about glaze colors as an outfit that might go together, not sure if that makes sense.
Gabrielle: Do you have a job outside of Etsy?
Alina: About five months ago, I've been fortunate enough to quit my previous office job, and become a fulltime potter. This gave me the oportunity to branch out to local shops and galleries.
Gabrielle: How did you come into your profession?
Alina: It was a complete accident. I majored in illustration in school, and had taken several sculpture classes, but had never tried the wheel. When I moved to Los Angeles, I started taking wheel-throwing classes at a local community center in Burbank, CA. I was so taken by it, I knew that this was something I wanted to pursue almost immediately.
Gabrielle: Is this what you imagined you would be when you grew up? If not, what did you want to be when you were little?
Alina: When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina, an actress, a singer. I wasn't sure which of these dreams would actually come true, but I knew for sure that I would find happiness doing something creative.
Gabrielle: What's your favorite snack/drink to keep you going during a long day?
Alina: Ahhh...coffee is my number one friend. Now that I have the privilige to work from home, I often forget to eat until much later in the day.
Gabrielle: What is your favorite item in your shop?
Alina: Recently it's been my ladybug items. I really enjoy the vibrant colors and the break from the wheel they provide.
Gabrielle: How did you get the idea for your favorite item?
Alina: I was trying to think of something different. I had been working with press molds of flowers and such, and one day I was taking photos of some earrings, and placed them onto a large cala lilly leaf. On that leaf sat a small ladybug, and I thought... perfect!
Gabrielle: If there was one place you could live and money wasn't an option where would it be?
Alina: New York or Paris. I grew up in new york, and recently visited Paris. To live in those cities the way I would want to live, I would need millions of dollars. I've wanted to move to los angles since I was 18, so I would say I am already pretty darn lucky.
Gabrielle: If you had a million dollars how would you spend it?
Alina: Hmmm... If I really had a million dollars, I would pay off my house and invest the rest. If there was no such thing as reality, I would like to buy an apartment in Manhattan. Although a million dollars would probably barely buy you a one bedroom. Haha.
Gabrielle: Do you believe in God? This can be a yes or no, or it can be a more elaborate answer, you can also choose not to answer it, if it is too personal.
Alina: Yes.
Gabrielle: Do you feel like a part of you is visible in all of your work?
Alina: I am not sure. I hope so. People tell me they can. I am working on having a cohesive look. Sometimes I feel my pottery is too all over the place.
Gabrielle: Do you miss items when they sell?
Alina: Sometimes. Depends on the item. If I make an item I really love, I try to hold on to it for a while. After a year or so, I let it go.
Gabrielle: Where is your favorite place to shop on Etsy?
Alina: Thats a tough one.I like looking through the gift guides, but particularly the jewelry on Etsy. I love the jewelry designs of marmar on etsy, and have purchased a couple of pieces. I would love to own one of artisanimpact designs.
Alina also has a blog, check it out to see what she's up to! http://alinahayes.blogspot.com
Thank you Alina for taking the time to do this interview, you really have a gift!
Now here are a few of my favorites from Alina! Visit www.alinahayes.etsy.com to purchase your favorites!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
SSSJ, if you don't know, now you know!
This week's feature, http://www.sssj.etsy.com/ ! Visit Michele's shop, you will not be disappointed!
All I have to say about this week's feature SSSJ is GORGEOUS, beautiful, stunning and unique! I absolutely LOVE this woman's jewelry. She has such an eye for jewelry design, her taste is impeccable! I loved her shop so much I have to show you two collages of my favorites! There is so much detail and creativity in every single one of her pieces, you can tell she loves what she does and you can tell that she was made to do this! Have a look for yourself :)
Michele's Short Bio:
The truth is because I was a single mom of four, the extreme pressure got to me and I now have agoraphobia, (Fear of going places, I have panic attacks). Now that I'm finally married to a good man, I said a lot of prayers, asking for help, I knew the answer was in front of me. The answer was to feel successful, I just needed some guidance and there it was. I have been attracted to sparkle since I was little (I'd pick the sparkle things off of greeting cards, oops) and I love doing things with my hands so jewelry made sense.
Then I went on to think, IF I succeed, I might be able to get the word out to other confined people, so that they can feel whole. We will have to see what becomes of that.
I'm married with four lovely children and three grandchildren. I help my husband with his company, I watch the grandchildren daily (so my daughters can work their way through college) and in my spare time(HA), I go into my little comfortable world of sparkling jewelry, full of relaxation and imagination.
Gabrielle: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Michele: When I was growing up, I would sit and watch my grandmother and mother with their crochet and knitting needles. I felt a special warmth inside when their projects were completed. I knew it was more than something that they made-a part of them became attached.
Gabrielle: Do you have a job outside of Etsy?
Michele: Yes, I am a bookkeeper, full time grandmother (sitter) to a 6 month old handsome young man named Blake and part time 4 year old blonde beauty named Sarah, she's my ballerina!
Gabrielle: How did you come into your profession?
Michele: I am a Bookkeeper by marriage and a jewelry designer by prayer
Gabrielle: Is this what you imagined you would be when you grew up? If not, what did you want to be when you were little?
Michele: I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was about 8 and in the teens I had a fascination with boutiques.
Gabrielle: What's your favorite snack/drink to keep you going during a long day?
Michele: coca cola and pretzels
Gabrielle: What is your favorite item in your shop?
Michele: Caribbean romance
Gabrielle: How did you get the idea for your favorite item?
Michele: The colors and the sparkle of the sea, combined with my love of vintage rhinestones!
Gabrielle: If there was one place you could live and money wasn't an option where would it be? Michele: Anywhere in a big house with a front porch, an in ground pool and an ocean view...gee I'm not picky.
Gabrielle: If you had a million dollars how would you spend it?
Michele: I'd share most of it with my family (kids), I would not forget the homeless, and I'd really like a spa week if possible.
Gabrielle: Do you believe in God? This can be a yes or no, or it can be a more elaborate answer, you can also choose not to answer it, if it is too personal.
Michele: Yes I believe and so do my children. Many times I have put my fate in his hands and many more times I have thanked him.
Gabrielle: Do you feel like a part of you is visible in all of your work?
Michele: I would like to think part of me is visible in my work.
Gabrielle: Do you miss items when they sell?
Michele: Sometimes I reminisce about a particular piece, I just like thinking that they have found a new home, and then I look forward to my next piece.
Gabrielle: Where is your favorite place to shop on Etsy?
Michele: I love looking and shopping all over Etsy, sometimes I wonder if there is a list of all of the stores,so that I don't miss any.
Thank you Michele for you candor and honesty it was an enjoyable interview, May God Bless you and your family and your shop!
Now here are a few of my favorites from SSSJ!
I love Shelley's South Shore Jewelry!
Michele's Short Bio:
The truth is because I was a single mom of four, the extreme pressure got to me and I now have agoraphobia, (Fear of going places, I have panic attacks). Now that I'm finally married to a good man, I said a lot of prayers, asking for help, I knew the answer was in front of me. The answer was to feel successful, I just needed some guidance and there it was. I have been attracted to sparkle since I was little (I'd pick the sparkle things off of greeting cards, oops) and I love doing things with my hands so jewelry made sense.
Then I went on to think, IF I succeed, I might be able to get the word out to other confined people, so that they can feel whole. We will have to see what becomes of that.
I'm married with four lovely children and three grandchildren. I help my husband with his company, I watch the grandchildren daily (so my daughters can work their way through college) and in my spare time(HA), I go into my little comfortable world of sparkling jewelry, full of relaxation and imagination.
Gabrielle: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Michele: When I was growing up, I would sit and watch my grandmother and mother with their crochet and knitting needles. I felt a special warmth inside when their projects were completed. I knew it was more than something that they made-a part of them became attached.
Gabrielle: Do you have a job outside of Etsy?
Michele: Yes, I am a bookkeeper, full time grandmother (sitter) to a 6 month old handsome young man named Blake and part time 4 year old blonde beauty named Sarah, she's my ballerina!
Gabrielle: How did you come into your profession?
Michele: I am a Bookkeeper by marriage and a jewelry designer by prayer
Gabrielle: Is this what you imagined you would be when you grew up? If not, what did you want to be when you were little?
Michele: I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was about 8 and in the teens I had a fascination with boutiques.
Gabrielle: What's your favorite snack/drink to keep you going during a long day?
Michele: coca cola and pretzels
Gabrielle: What is your favorite item in your shop?
Michele: Caribbean romance
Gabrielle: How did you get the idea for your favorite item?
Michele: The colors and the sparkle of the sea, combined with my love of vintage rhinestones!
Gabrielle: If there was one place you could live and money wasn't an option where would it be? Michele: Anywhere in a big house with a front porch, an in ground pool and an ocean view...gee I'm not picky.
Gabrielle: If you had a million dollars how would you spend it?
Michele: I'd share most of it with my family (kids), I would not forget the homeless, and I'd really like a spa week if possible.
Gabrielle: Do you believe in God? This can be a yes or no, or it can be a more elaborate answer, you can also choose not to answer it, if it is too personal.
Michele: Yes I believe and so do my children. Many times I have put my fate in his hands and many more times I have thanked him.
Gabrielle: Do you feel like a part of you is visible in all of your work?
Michele: I would like to think part of me is visible in my work.
Gabrielle: Do you miss items when they sell?
Michele: Sometimes I reminisce about a particular piece, I just like thinking that they have found a new home, and then I look forward to my next piece.
Gabrielle: Where is your favorite place to shop on Etsy?
Michele: I love looking and shopping all over Etsy, sometimes I wonder if there is a list of all of the stores,so that I don't miss any.
Thank you Michele for you candor and honesty it was an enjoyable interview, May God Bless you and your family and your shop!
Now here are a few of my favorites from SSSJ!
I love Shelley's South Shore Jewelry!
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