www.ametista.etsy.com
Let’s start by telling us a little about yourself.
Carrie - I’ve expressed myself via art in one form or another most of my life, drawing, painting, music, graphic design, jewelry design and now clay. I love it because of all the possibilities it affords. I’m married to a great guy and we have three amazing boys, 11 and two 7 year olds. All my boys (including the big one) are creative in some way so it’s a fun house…a very colorful and loud, fun house.
Kathy – I’m originally from Texas. I have one boy (11), he’s best friends with Carrie’s 11 year old, that’s how we met. I enjoy doing just about anything crafty. I started out scrapbooking, then got into jewelry designing and now as Carrie mentioned above clay! I do have a huge passion for photography, and I’m hoping to expand more on that sometime here in the near future.
Do you have any words of advice for beginners besides practice, practice, practice?
Carrie – Yes, #1. Network with others who practice your particular craft…the benefits are immeasurable. Since Kathy and I joined PCAGOE, we’ve received feedback, ideas, encouragements, challenges and incredible inspiration. #2. A friend and fellow artist once said to me “Make what you love, not what you think will sell and people who love what you do will buy it.” #3. Play with your “scrappy bits”! (Translation - leftover clay) Sometimes I get the best ideas while using my scrappy bits. I think it’s because I’m not so worried about wasting it, I can be more carefree with my creation.
Is there a website or blog page you would like to share? www.AmetistaDea.blogspot.com.
Do you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
Carrie - Mostly self taught or through books and online classes…LOVE the internet!
How has the internet impacted your art?
Carrie – It allows us to do what we do from home and that’s huge cause between Kathy and I we have 6 boys that need supervision! Two of which are hubbies, but that’s still six males that need supervision! So with the internet we take classes, buy supplies, research, advertise, network and most importantly, sell our wares…pretty dang cool. Kathy – I second that one!
www.jaelsjewels.etsy.com
Let’s start by telling us a little about yourself.
I’m a 51 year old mother of 2 - a daughter, 24, and a son, 20. I’ve been married (to the same man!) for the past 28 years. We have 5 house rabbits, and are currently caring for my parents’ overweight (33 lbs) orange cat to help him lose weight. (If only someone would take ME in and limit MY food…)
Do you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
I’ve always been artsy-crafty and musically inclined - it was a toss up between music and art in college, but art won. I got my BA in studio art in 1980. I became involved in beading and saw some cool handmade Fimo™ beads by a local artist at our bead store. The design went all the way through the bead! I thought back to those hard candies we used to get at Christmas that fascinated me the same way… how did they get that design all the way through the candy??? I had to know.
I attended a class at the bead store (I think it was around 1994) by the artist that made those beads. I was hooked. I’ve learned most of what I know about polymer clay from books, the internet, and trial and error.
What challenges have you faced in your work?
Depression and lack of self confidence have been the biggest obstacles in my life and in my work. The challenge has been to push past them and take the risk of “putting myself out there” by sharing and selling my work. With the support of online friends, and the inspiration of other artists I’ve met online, I believe my work has improved dramatically; I’m enjoying the process and the results. It has helped me to be able to help others and be the encouraging one from time to time! Now the biggest challenge is to push myself to expand my art beyond my comfort zone…. take some more risks!
What things do you do to market your business?
I participate in groups on ebay and street teams on Etsy. I also have an online blog: http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com, oh and my mother is one of my biggest supporters - she’s always buying my work to give to other people! I wish I could say that drummed up business, but it doesn’t… however, the support of family is worth so much more than the marketing ever could be. It’s a good thing I don’t have to rely on my sales for a living!!
The winner this month, by a landslide, is the Harry Potter photo transfer piece by ametista. Congratulations!
In a tie for second place, we have the Spiderwick face by zoeowyn and the Phantom Bot by ittybittiesforyou.
Many thanks to everyone who entered and voted!
And speaking of voting, our voter winners this month are Jennifer of jmnpottery and Dawn. Congrats, and enjoy these beautiful, handmade prizes!
Don’t miss next month’s challenge! The theme is “texture,” and you’re going to be surprised at the many ways polymer clay can be used!
