Weekly Featured Artist 6/29-7/5

Q: Tell us a little about yourself…
We’re Dinner Time Chimes (a.k.a. Gavin & Erin) from eastern North Carolina. We've been married for almost two years and enjoy helping on his family farm. He loves hunt and fish. I enjoy gardening, crafting, and joining him on fishing trips to his grandparents’ pond. We absolutely love living a simple life in this rural area of the state.

Q: How long have you been doing this?
I (Erin) started making the windchimes with my dad when I was in high school to have extra spending money and to have a reason to spend more time together with dad. It also gave me something else to search for at flea markets, yard sales, & estate auctions. The chimes sold like crazy since they made a unique, inexpensive gift. However, once I went to college & started my career I didn’t have any way to make the chimes. Recently I convinced my husband to buy a drill press for his shop. He was quickly introduced into the crazy world of silverplate silverware searches & making chimes--& the rest is history! We opened the Etsy shop in July of 2007 on a whim, as another way to market the chimes.

Q: Who/What inspires you?
We love making things for the garden, and enjoy spending time outside in ours. Most of the inspiration probably comes from a friend or family member holding something up at a thrift store and asking "What could you make out of this!?" Even though they find our creations unusual, they will admit that it’s neat how we’ve transformed one person’s trash into something even they would like to receive as a gift!

Q: What's your favorite piece?
Our bird house created from work boots continues to generate the most views in our Etsy shop and turn heads at craft shows. The bird houses have been created from old boots collected from friends and purchased at thrift stores. Even the wood is recycled, since the lumber is from demolished barns. The bird houses are a unique and instantly create a feeling of excitement with shoppers, and we love seeing that happen.

Q: If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be & why?
I (Erin) would choose President Franklin D. Roosevelt. I would love to be able to listen to all the stories that he must have about his life and works.

Q: If Luke Skywalker and Harry Potter dueled, who would win? Why?
We'd put our money on Harry Potter--he has a lot more magical powers, but even so it wouldn't be a quick duel.

Dinnertime Chimes Etsy Shop

Weekly Featured Artist 6/22-6/28

Q: Tell us a little about yourself…
I am an artist, working in multiple disciplines such as theater as an actress-director-playwright-choreographer, as a sculptor and a glass artist, costume and mask designer and model maker. I am involved in every facet of production for my theater company “TeatroNuestro” of which I am President.
I studied acting in my native Chile, Photography in Munich, Germany, Music Theater and Dance at “Steps” in New York and Jazz at Broadway Dance Center.
As a playwright my work has been performed in Pappenheim, Germany, at Florida International University in Miami as well as at the Digital Worlds Institute at the University of Florida, Gainesville, where I wrote, choreographed and acted in an international collaborative piece with Chile.
My unique designs reflect my multicultural background, attention to detail and the craftsmanship derived from my costume and theater work.

Q: How long have you been doing this?
I have been involved in art as far as I can remember. We used to live in the most remote area of the continent, the southernmost tip of Chile, facing the South Pole! So we had long winter nights and I think that drove me to explore inside of me and express all my dreams through art.

Q: Who/What inspires you?
Everything that it is and I have around me. Nature, dreams, my lovely husband and daughter who are incredibly patient with my craziness, good and bad moments (which I chose to turn into art instead of depressionJ), music, magazines, books, stories I hear, etc, etc.

Q: What’s your favorite piece?
The one I am working on of course, all the time. I get very excited about new discoveries, techniques and materials as I create. Of the current purses on the shop I really like Rosebud [featured below] for its elegance and vintage feel. I also love my lapis lazuli pieces [featured below] and my casual, happy floppy bags!

Q: If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be & why?
Kandinsky for sure. He had an incredibly beautiful vision working in the hardest of times. I would love to have one of his paintings! LOL! I used to stare for hours at his work when I lived in Germany or went to visit the Pompidou.

Q: If Luke Skywalker and Harry Potter dueled, who would win? Why?
Harry of course, Lukewarm had some potential but then it just fizzled out and became plain boring, losing focus. Harry has the passion.

Lolo's Etsy Shop

Big Business

"You're not the boss of me!!!"

Aside from loving the movie from the 80's (Bette Midler is fabulous!), I'm starting a series of posts as I start reading a book about becoming my own boss and taking an online course for starting my own business. I'm hoping it will not only be educational for me, but you may take something away from it too. Knowledge is power, so let's go power trippin'! :o)


The book I am reading is called "The Boss of You" by Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears. Throughout the book are small exercises that will help you formulate a business plan (where you want to go, how to get there, measures of success, etc). It's geared toward the female entrepreneur and it focuses on starting and running a small business as opposed to a large scale operation. This is me and if it's you, you may find this book helpful also. I borrowed it from the library (hello, I'm not making any money yet. :oP ) so you may want to check your local library as a resource. Unless you live in Washington County, OR, because I want to keep my copy for a while. :oP


First Chapter Exercises... (you may want to answer these for yourself)

"What's my business goal?"
I would like to be able to work from home and make a small income so I feel like I'm contributing to our household income and enjoy what I'm doing at the same time. No more micro-managing accounting biotches or catty co-workers who have nothing better to do that talk smack on everyone else. Imagine how much more work they'd get done if they shut their yappers for five minutes? But I digress..... :oP I want to love my boss and look forward to work every day. Life's too short to do something you hate for someone you like even less.

"Personal Measures of Success..."
I enjoy what I do and the workload is manageable. One sale a day would be ideal. I look forward to work and the things I create are enjoyed by my customers who will hopefully be back.

"Skills, Strengths and Passions..."
I'm best at designing and creating. I don't enjoy it, but I can manage the books (lots of experience there). I'm really bad at promoting and marketing. I'm not a big phone person either and prefer all correspondence through email, so it looks like I need a secretary.

Weekly Featured Artist 6/15-6/21

Q: Tell us a little about yourself…
I always end up back in to the art world! I am mostly a self taught artist. I attended college for art and took many art classes. For what I am doing I have learned greatly on my own. So I look at the whole thing as a constant learning experience. I am married now for 20 years with no children. However we have a dog (we rent the house from her)! who may as well be our child! Sadly she has a better life than some people. I am an avid gardener when there is time. I like to think of it as a reflection of my art and good therapy. I was lucky enough to put the "corporate" world behind and devote my time to my mosaics. Sometimes I get obsessed with it but I can honestly say that I am truly happy with what I do. How many people are lucky enough to say that?

Q: How long have you been doing this?
4 years- 3 years officially as a business. I started making mosaic gazing balls out of bowling balls when my sister asked if I could put tile on a mirror. EUREKA 1 A light bulb appears from above and here I am!

Q: Who/What inspires you?
My mom and dad. My dad because even though he died at a young age he taught me a strong work ethic. My mom had 2 strokes and even through all of that she had a great attitude and woke up every day and was thankful for what she had and the world around her. To me, it truly was a gift to be given such inspirational parents -- each in their own way. Q: What's your favorite piece?
Hard question- 2 answers. Quite possibly that might have to be my tea light swirl. That piece looks so nice when the candles are lit and the light reflects off of the tiles. It doesn't matter what colors I create it in but it just seems to turn out just right. My other answer is any custom piece. Nothing brings me more joy than to see the expression on someone's face when I show them what they ordered. It's nice to bring some happiness into someone's life.

Q: If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be & why?
If I were to meet someone from the art world my first gut reaction would be Monet. I have studied him so much that I feel that I already know him. I would [also] go with Picasso his work is so off the wall, so I would love to know what went on in his mind.

Q: If Luke Skywalker and Harry Potter dueled, who would win? Why?
Not to be too diplomatic - I would have to say it would be a draw. Both are such iconic characters from this century, in their own way, they both were on a quest to fight evil and overcome adversity. Basically the world depended on them. So my hope is that they both survive.

Do Mosaic's Etsy Shop

Weekly Featured Artist 6/8-6/14

Q: Tell us a little about yourself…
I'm Jen Ell, the creator of Jen Ell's Revenge. I've been cutting, sewing, destroying, creating and painting my own clothing and jewelry for years. I don't necessarily have one particular style since I tend to just create whatever comes to mind, so you never really know what you're going to get. I have fairly decent art, photography and graphic design background so all of that typically comes to play in my work. I am always up for a challenge, so custom orders are welcome. Don't be afraid to contact me and see what I can whip up!

Q: How long have you been doing this?
I've been creating stuff for myself and friends for over 10 years, but I just started selling a few months ago.

Q: Who/What inspires you?
I'm not inspired by any one thing. I love pin-up, rockabilly, punk, retro, vintage, Middle Eastern inspired designs and art work (Buddha & other gods) and anything else that I just find interesting or pretty. I also am a big fan of anything funny, sarcastic, scandalous or controversial.

Q: If Luke Skywalker and Harry Potter dueled, who would win? Why?
Harry Potter...Magic...Duh!

JenEll's Revenge Shop

Weekly Featured Artist 6/1-6/7

Q: Tell us a little about yourself…
My name is Jamie. I'm an illustrator/artist and jewelry maker. I love anything miniature and I also LOVE food. So I think it was onlynatural that I would combine the two. My favorite medium to work with is polymer clay. It's so versatile and great for making teeny tiny things. I graduated from Rowan University in 2006 and have been looking looking looking for a job since. But I've found that I have a lot more fun working on my jewelry and little art pieces. I started by selling my things on Etsy, but I hope to one day get my own website up and running. If anything, to at least showcase my portfolio.

Q: How long have you been doing this?
I've been selling my jewelry on Etsy since February 2006, but I've been creating forever! If I wasn't making something for homework or class during high school and college I was using my spare time to make other crafty things and brainstorm new ideas. I feel kind of guilty when I'm not in the midst of creating something. Like I'm wasting precious time!

Q: Who/What inspires you?
So much inspires me. I have to try to keep a sketchbook and pencil at arm's reach at all times in case something flies through my head out of nowhere. Bright colors, art deco, bold patterns, Japanese culture and foods are all inspiring to me. But everyday things are inspiring too. Like right now I'm looking at my roommate's bangs and the shape they're making is perfect for one of my Lil Dumplin creations. I have to remember that for later…

Q: What's your favorite piece?
Right now my favorite piece (…or pieces) are my Lil Dumplin line. I've been brainstorming for a while now a really cute line of little figurines. They're made of polymer clay that I sand smooth and hand paint. They kind of resemble Russian stacking dolls. And of course they feature miniature food on top of their heads. It's great because they're so customizable and also fun to make. They put a smile on my face.

Q: If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would it be & why?
This might sound silly, but I wish I could meet my cat Anais I used to have when I was in high school. She had thyroid disease and I had to give her medicine every day. The selfish teenager I was, I treated it like a burden, but it kept her healthy. One day she disappeared and a week later my mom found her under a bush at the edge of the road. She must have gotten hit by a car. I feel like I never got any closure. I want her to know I'm sorry for being so insensitive and that I love her.

Q: If Luke Skywalker and Harry Potter dueled, who would win? Why?
My boyfriend will yell at me for this, but I'd have to say Harry Potter. While I do believe it would be a formidable match, I kind of like the Harry Potter movies more, so that's what sways me. Again, shh, my boyfriend can't know.

Magic Bean Buyer's Shop