Todays Artist: Miloš Samardžić

 

Happy Hello All!

 

Today I am featuring:

 

Miloš Samardžić

 

Etsy Shop:

Tramps & Glams

www.etsy.com/shop/trampsandglams

 

(Click on all photos and it will take you right to Tramps & Glams)

 

I love this Shop!!! It is fun, unique and just my style! I just had to know more about Tramps & Glams! If you love whimsical, happy, and different this shop is just what the doctor ordered! Great gift giving possibilities for your friends and loved ones. Tis the Season for giving!

 

Get settled in my friends! Get your coffee or tea! Here we go!

 

 

What do you sell?

 

I sell unusual, bold, and surreal polymer clay jewelry and wall art.

 

 

 

 

How did you get started with Etsy?

 

I have been selling jewelry on Facebook since 2008. I found Etsy and opened my shop there two years ago, while searching for a place where I could reach international customers.

 

 

When did you get interested in making your Art/Craft?

 

I have always been interested in various forms of art. I’ve been drawing as long as I can remember. But it wasn't until I discovered polymer clay back in 2008 that I realized that I wanted art to be more than a hobby to me.

 

 

Where does your inspiration come from?



 

I'm always inspired by books, old movies, music...in short, other people's art. I have always thought that it is fascinating how one art object can inspire the creation of another one, quite different than the one that served as inspiration. Other things that motivate me are nature and simplicity of life. That's where my less complex and geometric pieces come from.

 

 

 

 

Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?

 

I'm almost entirely self taught. I used some online tutorials when I began to work with polymer clay, but all methods I use now are those that I’ve developed myself.

 

 

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

 



I hope to be able to find more time for creating wall art and possibly some other forms, maybe art dolls or figurines. Also, there’s always room for improvement, so I hope to raise my jewelry designs to a higher level.

 

 



 



How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

 



It’s a challenge, but when you manage to do it right, it’s very rewarding. Etsy shop requires constant work, and not only creative work, but also things like marketing and promotion. Luckily, my wife helps me with these, so I can focus on the creative side.

 

 

How did you come up with the name of your shop?

 

My shop name reflects my interests. If you take a peek into my shop, you’ll see that, among other things, I make polymer clay portraits. I’m equally fascinated by tramps, social outlaws, and offbeat people like Edgar Allan Poe, Johnny Cash and William Burroughs, and those who come from another world, more glamorous one, like Marlene Dietrich or Louise Brooks. I love the idea of merging these two worlds together.

 

 

 

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

 



 I try not to think about what would sell while I’m making art. I suppose that would be dishonest with both myself and my customers. So, I only make things that I would wear myself or that I would give to people I care about.

 

 



Where else can we find you online?

 



Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Tramps-Glams/136149449729888?ref=hl

Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandglams
Twitter: twitter.com/TrampsAndGlams
DeviantArt: trampsandglams.deviantart.com/

 



Did you always want to have your own business?

 

Of course. I hope that one day this would be my day job.

 

 

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

 

Thank you for featuring my art on your blog. It’s always a pleasure to meet bloggers and readers interested in art and crafts. I would also like to encourage those who are considering to take a similar route and open their own Etsy shops. It can be hard at times, but it is definitely worthy.

 

 

 

Fabulous Shop!!!

I love everything this shop has to offer!

I hope you do too!

Go check out this shop!

 



 



 





 

 



Featuring Cindy Richards BglorifiedBoutique

 

 

Happy Hello Everyone!

 

Today I am featuring

 

 Cindy Richards

 

 

Her Shop:

BglorifiedBoutique

 

You will fall in love with this shop! No time for chit chat folks... 
 Let's get to the good stuff!!!

 

What do you sell? 

 

Women’s Fashion Apparel & Accessories:
Heart back shirts/sweaters/dresses
Headbands in lace, fabric or knit/crochet
Scarves in fabric or knit/crochet
Patterns for headbands and scarves

 

 

How did you get started with Etsy?

  

In November 2011, my then 18 year old daughter, Dana, suggested I open up a shop with a close family friend, Deb, who is a 40+ year veteran of hand knit and crochet.  Dana had recent success with her Dana Ann Photography business and volunteered to be our photographer. We figured with her fashion sense and photography skills that we could actually make a go of this! We opened just before Christmas rush and sold a lot of owl gloves that Deb made and flower scarves that I made. We were happy with our start out of the gate. But, what really put us on the map was when Dana decided to sew herself a shirt for Valentine’s Day!! Like every teenager, she posted the photo on Facebook. Here is the original photo used that day on FB:

 

Well, so many people immediately commented on it - some wanted her to make it for them; I suggested she list it in our Etsy shop so if people truly wanted her to make one, they could buy one there. That launched our heart cut out apparel and we were making more shirts than we could keep up with!! We have sold hundreds since, especially after being on the front page of Wanelo for weeks. I wish THAT would happen again! 

 

When did you get interested in making your Art/Craft?

 

I got interested as a young girl when my grandmother would take me to craft fairs. I specifically remember one where I sat at a table making decoupage all day – fond memories!!

 My daughter got interested in photography in high school.

Deb got interested in needle crafts with her sister when she was a little girl.

 

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

 

My inspiration comes from God’s creation. The natural earth tones are my favorite. I also have a passion to inspire girls to see the beauty in how God made them – each individually and especially that their beauty shines from the inside out. I recently wrote a blog (bglorifiedboutique.com/blog/) about it on my brand new web site (bglorifiedboutique.com) that will soon be launching its own store this month.

 

 

Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?

 

My friend Deb learned to knit and crochet on her own.

I learned to sew and other crafts from my grandma and mom.

My daughter always was doing something in the arts from acting, singing, figure skating, modeling and showed a good eye for fashion and design during her high school years. That is when she took up photography and her business has grown to the point where she rarely has time for an Etsy shoot for our shop!! For example, last weekend she had 3 weddings making her travel to 3 different states. She was just hired for a destination wedding in Costa Rica! At age 21, she has traveled a lot for her business including Texas, California, Colorado, New York, Washington, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and her home state of Illinois. Canada and Costa Rica are in the future as well as a wedding in a California vineyard that she is super excited about. Her work can be found in many publications as listed here: www.danaannphotography.com/wedding-portfolio/

 

 

 

 

 

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

 

I see BglorifiedBoutique continuing to focus on women’s clothing and accessories but developing into elements for the bride and for the home. This year we are focusing on more patterns for sale and Better Homes and Gardens will be featuring one of our items in their Fall Make It Yourself Issue.

 

 

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

 

Etsy sometimes takes over my life (especially at Christmas) but the joy is working with my daughter and friend each and every day. We balance it by scheduling missions trips together and daily coffee breaks.

 

 

 Is this a hobby, part-time job, or full-time job?

 

This is a full time job for me and possibly soon for Deb as well.

Dana’s full time business is Dana Ann Photography located in Chicago, IL.

 

 

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

 

Our demographic is the young, hip high school, college through 30’s. Therefore, we make what my daughter suggests more than anything because history has proven that her style is right on target! My daughter will not suggest something she would not wear herself. Fortunately, I have always loved her style!!

 

 

 

Where else can we find you online?

 

bglorifiedboutique.com/

 

 

Did you always want to have your own business?

 

As a newly married, I had a couple other businesses having to do with kids toys and marketing. My daughter re-ignited the idea back in 2011. I give God the ultimate credit for where BglorifiedBoutique is today. He created each of us so very differently in skills and gifts and inspired us to become BglorifiedBoutique for our blessing and His glory.

 

 

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

 

As Christ followers, we first and foremost want to glorify Christ in all we do. We strive to make each and every customer happy with their purchases and have a heart to let them know they are truly beautiful as God created them. We donate at least 10% to mission trips around the world. We have recently returned from a construction missions trip to Puerto Rico where I got to put my sewing skills to use sewing bed sheets for the bunk beds we were building for the Teen Challenge drug rehab facility there. What a joy to share the love of God around the world in this way!! We have been to El Salvador, Belgium, Philippines, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Scotland, Ireland and places in the USA serving in missions. Our next trip will be in November to Cambodia to assist in construction of a Teen Challenge there. 

 

 

Didn't I tell you, you would love this shop!!! Not only did I fall in love with the shop, but also with the ladies of the shop! They have huge hearts and love to spare!

 

Here are a few other beautiful creations

 

 

 

 

 

Please head over to this Etsy Shop! Beautiful items handcrafted with tons of  LOVE!

(Click on each photo and it will take you right to this Outstanding Shop!)

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



Meet Laura an Etsy Shop Owner

 

Today, I want to introduce you to Laura

Laura is from Sicily Europe.

 

 

 

Her shop Pietralavica really caught my eye!!

www.etsy.com/it/shop/Pietralavica

 

 

I knew right away that EVERY person really needed to see her creativity!! I love items that are different! I love art that you can wear! I love one of a kind!!!!

 

Laura's shop is all that and more! I am so excited about her work!

 

  Here we go! Get your ice tea, find a comfy spot and get ready to be amazed!

 

What do you sell?

 

I sell items made with lava stone from Mount Etna, which is located in Sicily, Italy.
Lava stone coated ceramic.

 

 

 

How did you get started with Etsy?

 

Some time ago, I had heard of Etsy. But, I was selling into a different site. I always said, "I would open the account"
A few months ago a dear friend, told me: "you have to show your stuff to the whole world, sell it on Etsy!" and I said, "why not!"

 

 

When did you get interested in making Art/Craft?

 

The first work, were making meatballs, I have no memory of this, my mom, every time, remembers this.
I was a really little child!
The second work I remember.
I remember because it was not very welcome .. with some crayons, I drew on the long hallway of the house. I drew cars, flowers, the sea, the sun and flying fish..!

 

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

 

I believe that everything that enters into us, in the form of your feeling, emotion, feeling positive and negative, is deposited somewhere inside of us, and then sprouts.
Who paints will sprout a wild shade and shadow. A music writer will write the rhythm he wanted.
I am very passionate, alive if I have emotions, I find in music, in conversation, in a feeling, in nature, in everything that surrounds me even if negative, from this I draw inspiration.
It is necessary feel good about oneself.

 

 

 

Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?

 

I actually studied to do anything else.
I studied accounting and I also attended the university.
But we see that the ceramic and the lava stone had to be a protagonists in my life.
And so I began to document, in the first experiments.
I bought a ceramic furnace.
I tried and tried, failures and the bad success, they never
demolished me.
I knew that the making of ceramics was a difficult job.
The results then arrived.
Later, I attended a course, more than anything else to know about the various materials, techniques, and try to take as much as possible from those who had experience.

 

 

 

 

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

 

I see him grown up, in every sense.
I currently have for sale only jewelry. I realize and have plans to offer a great variety of objects.
As elements of home decor, paintings, wall clocks etc. ..
 I should also see how things go in the short term.

 

 

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

 

Do not do it!
Etsy really takes me so long, time, but I am who choose it.
I try to do well, and the possible.
During the day I try to do everything.
I do not have a perfect organization, something always remains to be done.
But that's okay

 

 

Is this a hobby, part-time job, or full-time job?

 

Is full-time job

 

 

 

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

 

I create the objects I love, but also to order.
I also made some tombstones!
 And even top bathroom sink and dishes for a restaurant.

 

 

Where else can we find you online?

 

I have a Facebook page www.facebook.com/gattoetna

 

Did you always want to have your own business?

 

Yes, absolutely. always, it's my life!

 

 

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

 

Yes, two word on etsy.
In my opinion, you should always be yourself, put in the things that you make, your own personality.
See who is good, but do it your way.
And fun, on etsy I met so many nice people, affectionate, kind and people looking for me just to tell me "how are you" as Kate, who chose me for his blog!

 

 

I told you she would not disappoint! Let's help Laura by getting the word out about her Talent!

 

Thank you all for stopping in and reading!!

 

Kate

 

 

 

 

 

Featuring Olivia!!!

Happy hello all!!

Today, I am featuring a very talented teenager! Yup, you heard me, a teenager! She is 15 years old and sews like the wind! I am super excited to share her Etsy Shop with you!

Get ready to meet

Olivia Hook

Her Etsy Shop:

MendingLifeTogether

www.etsy.com/shop/MendingLifeTogether

Get settled people! Here we go!!

What do you sell?

Baby and Toddler items, along with purses/diaper bags for mom

How did you get started with Etsy?

When I was thirteen and making items here and there for family and friends, I wanted more people to find my things. That's when my dad found Etsy.

When did you get interested in making your Art/Craft?

When I started sewing lessons when I was about 12 or 13. I started making things for myself and then I started making things for my cousins.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration comes from bright, colorful and playful items. Also what's new and trending for kids. My inspiration also comes from the little girl/child inside of me.

Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?

My sewing teacher at a local fabric store, my mom also helps me when there's patterns that are hard to understand.

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

I hope to see my store growing and improving and meeting new people/customers along the way. I hope that my store could be a part-time job, considering in 5 years I most likely will be in College. I would love for my store in 5 years to be online and have it's very own store, but for it to be big online is my main goal.

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

I feel like my life revolves around Etsy. I will spend time during school planning items to make, things to do, and how I'm planning on promoting items.

Is this a hobby, part-time job, or full-time job?

My store first started off as a hobby now it's becoming more of a job and I hope for it to become part-time job in the near future.

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

I stock items that I love and that will sell. My two biggest selling items are Critter Blankets and Crayon Rolls.

Where else can we find you online?

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MendingLifeTogether

Pinterest: pinterest.com/tinkliv/

Twitter: twitter.com/#!/MLTetsy

Blogger: mendinglifetogether.blogspot.com/

Rebelmouse: www.rebelmouse.com/MendingLifeTogether/

Did you always want to have your own business?

Being so young I never really thought about owning my own business but now it takes a big part in my life.

Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

I would love to share a coupon code for all of you, since you guys took the time to read about me. Use MLTB20 for 20% off your purchase.

           _____________________________________   

                       

Thank you so much Olivia!! You are an inspiration to us all!!!

Head on over to

MendingLifeTogether

www.etsy.com/shop/MendingLifeTogether

 



Artist Amy VanGaasbeck

 

 

It is time to meet

 

 Amy VanGaasbeck

 

She is the owner of

 

AmyVanGaasbeckArtist

www.etsy.com/shop/AmyVanGaasbeckArtist

 

 

 

 

Sit back and enjoy! I'm so excited to be writing this! I just love her work! Also, Amy is my home town girl! Not only does she have a shop on Etsy... She has brick and mortar shop too! Right in our beautiful town of Baker City, Oregon! First, let's find out about her Etsy Shop... Here we go!

 

What do you sell?

 

 I sell my original fine art. Right now, that includes oil paintings, acrylic paintings, drawings, a few hand-pulled artist prints, and ACEO miniature paintings. I hope to add sculpture to the list in the future.

 

 

 

How did you get started with Etsy?

 

I kept hearing about it and reading about it in magazines, and it sounded like a good idea. I sell a lot of vintage and pre-owned items on Ebay, but I liked the boutique/handcrafted atmosphere of Etsy so I thought I would give it a shot. I started off with my original Etsy shop, Gomboggitdesigns, which included art, jewelry, vintage items, and some craft supplies. I decided to separate my fine art into its own shop after a while.

 

 

When did you get interested in making your Art?

 

I have been creative since I was about three years old. I started out drawing princesses and family members, and as I grew up, my skills improved and I broadened from drawing into painting, and more recently into sculpture.

 

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

 

I find inspiration everywhere. I am a very eclectic person. I love reading, shopping for vintage and second hand items, and trying new things/subjects/media in art. So I can find inspiration from a book I read, or a favorite doll, or even a broken vase. I don't mind buying cracked or broken dishes or pottery if they have nice lines and would look good in a still life painting.

 

 

 

Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?

 

My mother was my first teacher. She is very artistic. She taught me to draw and paint, and a few years ago, took me through the steps of creating a reborn baby doll. Besides my mother, I was pretty much self taught until I started working on my fine art degree through Academy of Art University, which I am still working on. Since then, I have learned from master artists like sculptor Thomas Marsh, painters Mark Jason Bowen, and Jennifer Almodova, and graphic novel illustrator Leandro Ng.

 

 

Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?

 

I am really working to make my fine art into a career. I hope that Etsy will be a part of making that happen. I am still not strong in promoting my Etsy shops, and know this is important to making it successful.

 

 

How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?

 

 I am a list person. I live by a list---it helps me get through everything I need to do. I am a homeschooling mother, college student, have businesses on Etsy and Ebay, and I own my own real-life art gallery, The Dancing Elephant Gallery, and I also have the normal everyday housekeeping and gardening that need to be done. People ask about what I do in my spare time---I just laugh--there is no spare time! But I love my life and I make sure to separate work from family time. Anything business related, I try to do while at the gallery, so that when I am home, I can focus on the home and the family.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I want to take a minute here and plug Amy's gallery...

Amy has a beautiful gallery in Baker City. Oregon.

She has some of my stuff in there too!!! Woohooo Amy!!!

 

The Dancing Elephant Gallery LLC

(Click on the elephant and you will go straight to here facebook page!)

 

Below is from Amy's "About" page from

The Dancing Elephant Gallery LLC.

I really want you all to read it!!

 

 The Dancing Elephant Gallery LLC is a locally owned gallery and gift shop in Baker City, Oregon, featuring fine art and high quality handcrafted gifts by local and regional artists. We believe in supporting our local economy! Come check us out!

 

The Dancing Elephant Gallery is the dream child of Amy VanGaasbeck, a Fine Art major at the Academy of Art University. Amy has long desired to have a gallery of her own that would help other artists and craftspeople as well.

 In 2011, after a long battle with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer, Amy's sister, Cathy Rodli, passed away. Cathy wholeheartedly supported Amy's dream of having ...a gallery, and wanted to have an active role in making the gallery thrive. Unfortunately, she didn't get to see it happen. Cathy was a wonderful ballet dancer, and she collected elephant figurines and other items her entire life, so it made sense to honor her memory by naming the gallery "The Dancing Elephant".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok.. back to the interview!

 

Is this a hobby, part-time job, or full-time job?

 

My art is a full time job. Right now, Etsy is one of the avenues I use to get my work out there, but I don't do Etsy full time.

 

 

Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?

 

A little of both. I have had better luck selling ACEOs (baseball card size paintings) over anything else, so I make more of them than larger pieces of work, and I can make two or three a day if I am focused enough . They are small, easily affordable pieces of real art, but don't require the commitment of a large piece. They are easily collectible but don't take a lot of room to store or display. They are a really fun idea. I love them and they sell.

 

 

 

 

 

Where else can we find you online?

 

My other Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/Gomboggitdesigns 

 

Ebay shop: www.ebay.com/sch/peedleatta/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686 

 

This is my gallery website. I am still working on updating it with paintings. www.dancingelephantgallery.com

 

This is my facebook page with a lot of my fine art. www.facebook.com/AmyVanGaasbeckFineArt?fref=ts

 

 

Did you always want to have your own business?

 

From the time I was about in 5th grade I had an entrepreneurial mindset. I would gather things I no longer wanted, and sell them to friends and family. In high school I started making earrings and hairclips and selling them at a local craft mall, and then came craft bazaars. I always wanted a shop of my own but never really knew how to go about making it happen. Internet stores like Etsy have been a great encouragement in that direction.

 

 

 Any other thoughts you want to share with us?

 

My uncle, a successful radio and TV voice over artist, once told me that although talent is a wonderful asset, the real key to success is something called "yagottawanna". If you don't have this, your talent won't go anywhere. If you have this, but no talent, you'll find a way to make it happen. You have got to want your dream badly enough to make it happen--not sit back and wait for it to happen, but plan it, and work your tail end off to make it happen. Educate yourself. Improve your skills. Network with other professionals. Be creative in your thinking. I have remembered this throughout my adult life.

 

 People might tell you that you can't make it. I have heard from many people that pursuing art as a career is a waste of time and money and that I will never succeed. I should go into accounting or teaching or something more practical. I would hate, at the end of my life, to look back and regret not pursuing the dream that I believed I could achieve. It's important to take care of your family and your finances, but it's also important to fulfill what you were meant to do. And if you can find a way to follow your dream and pay the bills, why not try?

 

__________________________________

 

I just want to say that I think Amy's Uncle is right on the money! I also.. think that Amy's talent is outstanding and her drive is encouragement to us all!

 

Thank you so much Amy for sharing with us! The next time I see you in town .... be ready for a big ole hug!

 

Everyone please take time and check out Amy's shop!

You will not be disappointed with what you find there!

Great Art for yourself and for the ones you love!

Everyone deserves a beautiful piece of art for their home!!

Hey, great wedding gifts too!!!

 

Side note: I finally figured out how to and a photo link to the photo itself!!

 

 Thanks for reading!

 

Kate