Meet Undiscovered Shop: deermayor

by: popwhiz





Sherie of deermayor creates gorgeous and unique artwork, from detailed mandalas to beautifully drawn deer and hares to abstract ACEOs. Her shop, not yet four months old, has been featured on the front page time and again. We talked to Sherie about her shop, her creative process, and her tips for other shops just starting out….

popwhiz: Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Do you have a day job outside of your creative work?
deermayor: My name Is Sherie Myers, and I currently reside in Sault Ste Marie Ontario Canada (born and raised!). I have an Honours B.A. in Visual Arts and Art History from the University of Windsor, and my main focus is painting and drawing. However, I do tend to dabble in photography and I’m learning how to cross-stitch and embroider. I currently have a permanent, full time job as a Letter Writer (or ‘Wordsmith’ as some may call it!) for a large government corporation. At times it can be stressful; however it keeps my grammar and writing in check, and every day something new and interesting is bound to happen!

pw: How do you like to create? Would you share a little bit with us about your creative process?
dm: I like to create with two major things happening in my studio. A great cup of coffee and music. I could not paint without music. Music brings out my inner thoughts onto canvas. It also zones me out, and lets my hands do the talking. Sometimes I over think too much, and with music, it relaxes me to freely create. I take a very organized and chaotic approach to creating. I always have 6-7 paintings on the go at once, strewn about the studio. I feel like I’d overwork one painting if I focused on it too much. So I’ll set it aside and start a new one, or work on an existing one. I always do this, it may seem unorganized, but it works! Also, I try and build and stretch all of my own canvas. I feel that people appreciate it more when you put in that little bit of extra hard work. It is also satisfying to create something from beginning to end.

pw: Which is your favorite piece in your shop? If you can pick one!

dm: My favourite artwork of the moment would definitely have to be my Aristotle’s Lantern. It just makes me happy to look at it. I love the colours I used. The grey in the background colour reminds me of a comfy grey hooded sweater, and my favourite colours are teals and blues. It reminds me of all happy things.

pw: What's the origin of your awesome shop name?
dm: This one is simple! Its a play on words of my own name! “Deer” or “Dear” is French for Sherie; and “Mayor” is either German or British for Myers. It also helps that I love deers and I am surrounded by them where I live!



pw: What do you like to do with your free time when you aren't creating gorgeous works of art?
dm: I love taking long 2 hour runs. I am a running nut. However, last summer I wasn’t able to go as much as I wanted to, since I was painting more, and didn’t have as much free time! Fishing! I love to go fishing! It might be one of the most relaxing past-times there is. Nothing like sitting in the sun, stretched out on a boat waiting for a bite! Where I live, I'm surrounded by the some of the largest fresh water lakes on Earth! I love going on quick weekend road trips. I love quick 'trips up the highway' for a few hours to catch a glimpse at Lake Superior. It has to be my favourite thing to do, especially in the fall, when the leaves are changing. I also love traveling to far off places too. My passport is stamped full!

pw: Have you learned any important lessons while selling on Etsy thus far? Any tips for other undiscovered shops?
dm: One lesson I learned early was to be patient. If you truly have great art, people will want to buy it. It doesn't hurt to have great photos. I try to think like a buyer, and whenever I’m perusing through Etsy, its always the well photographed items that catch my eye. I think people naturally gravitate towards well photographed listings. The “Auto Adjust” feature on most computers can really make your images brighten and pop!

pw: deermayor has made it to the front page half a dozen times since you opened shop in July. Congratulations! How do you feel like that's affected your shop? Any tips on how you did it?
dm: I try to display my artwork a little bit different. If its one of my mandala illustrations, I'll maybe off-centre the image to give it a more interesting look. I also renew my items every once and a while. I think having my artwork on the Etsy Front Page has led to more traffic to my shop for sure! I have since received requests to display my art for several different blog features, which in turn, increases traffic to my shop.

pw: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
dm: I am only at the beginning stages of having an online presence for Etsy. Every time someone purchases a painting or drawing, my heart gets so excited, and starts beating fast! I hope that racing feeling never goes away! To know that someone, other than a friend or family member, is purchasing my artwork - for the work itself - without even knowing who I am, makes me want to keep doing what I'm doing, and motivates me to keep going!





You can find deermayor online at:
www.deermayor.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deermayor

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Deer-Mayor/112039105493344

Meet Undiscovered Shop: Gigitales

by Lolasjewels



Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Gigi Wright and my passion is my art. I am degreed in Fine Arts from Colorado Woman's College (Now DU Law School Campus) in Denver,Colorado. My focus is now on what I love...Art for Children... and I am also starting some new Decorative Art for Adults. I grew up in Arizona and now live in Knoxville, TN. I teach Art to adults and to children in my Gigitales Design Studio. I also am a grandparent of three wonderful little children who love to paint with me...but they know I love them more!

When and how did you start making your creations and what was your inspiration?
My creations have stemmed from a long time love of fantasy and fairies. Since I was a child I have loved fairies and fantasy sweet creatures. I like sweet and nice... and I like to bring smiles to people's faces. It is a "feel good" thing I guess... and I would like to think it a "positive" thing. I have a positive outlook on life because I am still alive. At age 14 I was diagnosed with bone cancer in my leg. I went through radiation treatments, and many doctor's and hospital visits. I lost my leg at this impressionable age but I never lost my will to be happy and loving.

What is your favorite holiday and why?
I like Christmas because it is always the time of new beginnings. I am a Christian person and have loving Christian values. I believe I was given the gift of Creativity and I believe I was put on this planet to share it. So, I have chosen to use my gifts to bring smiles to children through my whimsical Art.

What are your goals for your shop?
I would love to be able to sell my work and with the proceeds give back a percentage to help a children's foundation. I have some Jeetles characters on my website... www.gigitales.com which I would love to have made into plush toys to give to children in hospitals. Each character will come with a positive story.

What is your favorite item in your shop?
My favorite item, choosing one, is the Giclee print of the little fairy riding on the frog.. called "Froggie Ride". This one was inspired because I am still wanting to find my Prince! In the meantime, I guess I will just spread the joy! Each of my Giclee prints comes with a hand-painted wooded knob and ribbon for hanging the print, which I thought was a nicer and more contemporary way of hanging the art.



Tell us something that you would like to learn in your lifetime.
In my lifetime, I would like to learn more about artists and architecture around the world. I would love to travel to beautiful places and learn about things I have not seen before. I think this would inspire me to teach more to my students as well. Also, I want to learn how to make a ton of money so I can help others. Money is a tool. Money makes my life easier and helps me to bring to others what I want to bring... a smile to lighten up their day!

Thanks Gigitales for sharing with us! Please stop by Gigitales shop to view many other beautiful items.

Discovering New Shops: Meet OurHometoYours

 This week's Discovering New shops brings to you a mother/daughter team on Etsy who calls themselves OurHometoYours. I recently chatted with Amanda, the daughter of the team:

waterwaif: First off, tell me a little bit about yourself. 

FromOurHometoYours- My name is Amanda- I am the daughter of the mother/daughter team that started Our Home To Yours on Etsy (we have recently included our friend Alison in our adventure). I am a stay at home mother of a 21 month old boy and I currently reside in the Wichita area of Kansas. I am in the last two months of my Master of Fine Arts program in Media Design- I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design, and I cannot wait until this Masters program is done! Going to school and taking care of house and child is very time consuming. My family is originally from Western New York and my husband's family is originally from Kansas and we met in North Carolina. I will have been married for four years this September and since being married we have been Therapeutic Foster Parents and we are getting ready to adopt an 11 year old boy who is being fostered by my mother and stepfather. I don't consider my life as particularly amazing, I just try to make the most of every day and help out wherever I can.

ww: How and when did you start your craft?

fohtu: - I have always been an artist, coloring and drawing since I was a child (I get that from my maternal grandmother- she was a fine artist), my mother has always been a great crafter and I often wanted to learn to crochet and knit and sew but never had the patience to. As an adult I started out in a Fine Arts program in college and was directed towards the path of Graphic Design by an instructor. I've been in graphic design for seven years now, but since having a child my desire to "craft" increased significantly. My mother had always handmade us Christmas gifts and I loved those gifts more than the toys or clothes I received. So I wanted to learn to leave my children a legacy and heritage- something they can keep and look back on and cherish. Since I have lived so far away from my mother when the crafting bug hit me a year ago I learned to crochet on my own with the help of online tutorials. Now I'm starting to sew again (I tried years ago but was never committed) and I rely on online tutorials for troubleshooting. I like to make anything and everything- I will try anything once just to gain more experience. But I have been partial to making crochet Amigurumi animals- I just think they are the cutest thing.

ww: How did you originally find Etsy? Have you or do you sell anywhere else?

fohtu: - I believe I heard about Etsy through the Martha Stewart show while watching a woman make a really cool beaded flower necklace. I browsed the site and thought that this would be a great way to practice my new craft and make some money at the same time. Being a stay at home mother sometimes I feel guilty for not contributing monetarily to our budget, but I know I am contributing a lot investing quality time with my son! So I thought Etsy would ease those guilts if I sold something every once in a while! I did not say anything about Etsy to my mother until one day we were on the phone talking about making money and we both pretty much brought up Etsy at the same time. I have not sold anything anywhere else, nor do I now sell my crafts anywhere else. Right now I personally do not have the money or time to sell at craft shows or on other web sites. Etsy makes it very easy for those who just have enough time to make their crafts and don't have the time to contribute a lot through advertising and blogging and what-not. Plus, my mother has been the driving force behind our success at building our brand: Our Home To Yours. She has invested a lot of time lifting our little shop off the ground!

ww: What inspires you the most?

fohtu: - Other Etsy crafters inspire me the most and are pretty much the driving force behind my motivation to keep crafting. I also find inspiration through design magazines and browsing portfolios at Creative Hot List (by Communication Arts) and reading articles through the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Artists). I receive weekly e-mail newsletters from Lion Brand Yarn and they always include new patterns which always pique my interests.

ww: Do you have a personal hero and if yes, who is it and why?

fohtu: - Heroes come in all shapes and sizes and can change daily. Everyone has the capacity to be a hero, and a hero does not have to be recognized by the general public in order to qualify as a "hero". In general, my personal hero is Jesus Christ, my faith sustains me. Other heroes in my life include my maternal grandmother, my own mother, and my husband.

ww: What is your favorite piece you’ve created and why?

fohtu: - Hmm, I'm not sure I have a favorite. Every piece I create holds its own personality. As of right now I have not created the same thing twice- I may have made the same amigurumi animal- but it has always been different in its own right. I could say I'm in love with the amigurumi bunnies I have made, but making crochet animals can be hard- making the arms and legs are tough on your hands- anyone who has had to crochet 4 stitches in a round for 10 rounds will understand! Those funky bunnies are cute and unique, I'm always on the prowl for unique things and how I can make something that already exists unique in its category.

ww: What's your personal motto?

fohtu: - Above all: "Love your neighbor as yourself"... its from the Bible, I can't remember the verse but I'm sure there are people out there who do! There are lots of little quotes and proverbs that I like to apply to my life, but if we fulfill the needs of others before ourself we will find our own needs are being met. Our society has become too selfish and self-centered. If everyone is worried about their own needs being met we become too busy to fulfill the needs of others and then nobody's needs are being met and we are all miserable in our relationships. I hope that makes sense. I will step off my soapbox now!

ww: Where else can our readers find you? 

fohtu: - Blog: http://www.ourhometoyourscrafts.blogspot.com

   Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ourhometoyours

   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ourhometoyours

Meet Undiscovered Shop: Singing Cat Studio

by popwhiz



You may have seen the gorgeous polymer clay and mixed media jewelry and beads from Singing Cat Studio popping up in recent Team Discovery treasuries. This new shop is full of beautifully photographed, colorful and unique pieces. I recently talked to seller Kim about her creations....

Pop Whiz: Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Do you have a day job outside of your creative work?
Singing Cat Studio: I grew up in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County in a family with no inclination to be artistic, so I was a bit of an anomaly. Among my other past "lives," I earned a certificate in fashion design and ran a business making custom-made clothing for women. Today, I'm a writing professor at an area college where I teach primarily freshman composition.

PW: When did you get started making your clay and mixed media jewelry and beads? How did you get into it?
SCS: About five years ago, I took my first basic beading class. As soon as I finished my first necklace, I returned to the bead store and have been a beadaholic ever since. After taking ceramics classes at my local art center for a couple of years, I seriously started to think about making my own beads. I had always considered the polymer clay in craft stores with interest and, inspired by my work with pottery, decided to give polymer a shot. I began by buying some books on the medium and looking at lots and lots of stuff on the Internet. I love the medium because so much can be done with it to achieve different effects.

PW: How do you like to create? Would you share a little bit with us about your creative process?
SCS: The only thing I can clearly say about my creative process is that I engage in some sort of creative chaos. I always have dozens of ideas running through my mind, and I often don't know what I'm going to make until I sit down at my table and start to work. Sometimes I get stuck on a particular color. Other times I start with a texture. Mostly, I love having an entire day to play without interruptions.

PW: Which is your favorite piece in your shop?
SCS: I can't pick a favorite piece in my shop although one of my recent additions, the pendant in shades of lemongrass green and blue, is a fave because of the button. I wish I had dozens of buttons just like it, especially because I love mixed colors in metal.

PW: What do you like to do with your free time when you aren't creating beautiful jewelry and beads?
SCS: Between teaching and trying to get Singing Cat Studio running, I have no real free time, but I enjoy anything to do with the arts, and I'm a ninja gardener. I'm also not embarrassed to say that I'm addicted to reality TV, especially any show that involves making something, because I need an escape from all the student papers I read.

PW: Have you learned any important lessons while selling on Etsy thus far? Any tips for other undiscovered shops?
SCS: I'm very new to Etsy, but I've learned in the last month that there's an incredible network of people on Etsy, and the site offers tremendous resources and support. I'm finding that I have to reserve at least a little bit of time most days for checking out Etsy's resources, posting on the forums, and then developing other forms of social networking media. Facebook has me totally confounded, so I haven't yet managed to link my shop to my Facebook page.

PW: What are your long-term plans for your shop? Do you sell your art outside of Etsy as well?
SCS: Long-term, I hope to grow my Etsy shop as big as it will go. Although I can sort of envision quitting my "day job," at this point I can't imagine walking away from teaching because I love my job so much, especially now that I focus most of my energies on working with urban, at risk, and non-traditional students. In the meantime, I am selling work outside of Etsy. I did my first big bead show in August, have some pendants in a local bead shop, will soon have work in my local art center, and hope to do some local holiday craft shows in the next few months. I will also have a booth at the Tucson Bead Show in February.

PW: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
SCS: The only other thing that I'd like to share is that I've dreamed of being an artisan and selling my work since I was a kid. Balancing teaching with starting a business is time-consuming, but I feel very lucky to be at a point in my life when I can pursue my passions.




You can visit Singing Cat Studio on Etsy and find Kim on Facebook and Flickr.

Come meet Ally of CrookedSmileCreation!

by lolasjewels



LJ: Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself.
CSC: Hello, my name is Ally. I live in Tampa, Florida. I am married and have one daughter who is 23 years old. My husband and I have come back home from living abroad in the UK for two years. We've actually been home for almost a year, now that I think about it. Time has flown by. His job required us to move to Bournemouth, a town on the southern coast of England. While we were there we enjoyed traveling around Europe and had the opportunity to see many things and meet some interesting people. It was a unique experience that we would not change, but we are tremendously happy to be back home in the US.

LJ: When did you start making your bags and what was your inspiration?
CSC: I have always been into crafts, in one form or another for as long as I can remember. While my husband and I were living abroad, I had a lot of time on my hands, so I spent much of that time sewing. It was during that time that I began to experiment with many ideas in sewing. One thing led to another and now I make bags. My inspiration comes from so many areas. Sometimes I see some fabric, and I know exactly what I want it to be. Other times (usually when I'm about to fall asleep at night) I get an idea and I just have to try it.


LJ: Is there one bag that is your favorite and why?
CSC: My favorite bag is always the one that I am working on at that time. I really have enjoyed making every one of them. In looking at my shop, I would have to say that the autumn leaves bag is a favorite. Have you ever had an idea, but you’re not sure it will come out how you envision it? I was elated as I was making the Autumn Leaves bag. It came together exactly how I wanted it.

LJ: What inspired you to open your Etsy store?
CSC: I had never heard of Etsy. Then my daughter mentioned that a friend of hers had an "online store" (turns out it was an Etsy store). Shortly after that, I was reading in the local paper about a Tampa get-together for Etsians. When I started to look further and I saw all the Etsy resources and the support in the Etsy community, it all started to come together for me. It was a process that took some time to gel, but now that my store is open, I am truly enjoying it.

LJ: Tell us about your repurposed bag.
CSC: The repurposed bags came about in an interesting way. My daughter had some jeans that she couldn't wear anymore. It was a shame because they weren't old or worn, they just didn't fit her. I took them off her hands not sure what I was going to do with them and thought I might just give them to a charity, then that late night light bulb lit up and that's when I started repurposing the denim into purses.

LJ: What are your personal dreams for the future?
CSC: I try to live for the present, so I really don't get too detailed about the future. My personal dreams for the future? A simple life.

LJ: Favorite quote or saying...
CSC: "People don't care what you know until they know that you care."

Thank you Ally for taking the time to tell us a little something about yourself! Please visit CrookedSmileCreation to see even more beautiful designs.

Discovering New Shops: Meet rogeartstyle!

by cindycolumbia1958


I came across the rogeartstyle shop while pouncing looking for new shops to feature in a treasury. I was immediately attracted by the vibrant colors and whimsical scenes displayed in the tapestries. Art is sometimes so serious that when I come across an artist whose work is playful and lighthearted, it sticks out for me. Rogeartstyle is certainly that!


Cindycolumbia1958: If you had to define what type of artist you are, what would you call yourself?
Romana of Rogeartstyle: I’m a multidimensional artist, imaginative, symbolic and abstract. I was formally trained as a painter. I always dedicate my artistic talent to the visual arts.

CC:Some artists create because they enjoy doing so, some because they have to. Which are you?
RS: Both. I love the act of creating and I’m continuously pushed internally to make something, to use my hands and my fantasy.

CC: Are there challenges you face in your fiber art which are different than your canvas art?
RS: To use the colors or textures of the fabric brings different challenges and different problems too. People do not buy the tapestries as much as more traditional mediums of paintings whether abstract or realistic.


CC: Briefly describe the process of creating one of your tapestries.
RS: I make a drawing, cut exactly the fabrics into all the pieces, sew the fabrics by hand and machine, hand sew every decoration, buttons, beads, laces etc. I crochet pieces to insert into the tapestries.

CC:What supplies must you have on hand at all times to create your artwork?
RS: The usual tools: scissors, needle, thread, sewing machine, but no glue gun. A collection of colorful fabrics, buttons and beads.


CC: People are always interested in where an artist works. Describe your work place.
RS: I have a work room in my house where I keep my supplies too. When I work I do not have time to put everything in the right place.

CC: The concept of success is different for all. Tell us what goal you will need to reach for you to consider your Etsy shop a success.
RS: To sell my artwork on Etsy would make me feel successful, but making bea utiful things for people to see and appreciate is important to me also.


Thank you to Romana of rogeartstyle for sharing her time and work with us!

Discovering New Shops: Meet FallenPeach!

Welcome to the first ever new shop interview here on Team Discovery! We're dedicated to finding and promoting undiscovered shops on Etsy. We define undiscovered as having 20 sales or less, and each week we will find one, talk to the shop owner, share the shop with you, and then include their items in treasuries!


For this, the first ever interview, I'd like to introduce you to FallenPeach. In this shop you will find bookmarks, greeting cards, and magnets, all done with photographs taken by Lindsey herself. I recently caught up with Lindsey, the shop owner, and asked her some questions.

Waterwaif for Team Discovery: First off, tell me a little bit about yourself. 

Lindsey from FallenPeach:  Hi, my name is Lindsey and I’m a graphic designer and photographer living in southern Connecticut. I went to school to be a writer, but followed a slightly different creative path not long after graduation. Some of my favorite things are reading, having adventures, and making useful things. 




WW: How and when did you start your craft?

FP: I started making things like bookmarks out of my photography about a year ago, but I’ve been a photographer and a creative person my whole life. I started really focusing on photography in high school, became distracted with writing in college and then went back to photography post-college. 

WW: What is your favorite piece you’ve created and why?

FP: On our last road trip I took some amazing photographs, and I think this is one of my favorites. The full image features a zebra printed couch as well, and will soon be available as a greeting card. But I love how the photo cropped for this bookmark as well.






WW: What's your personal motto?

FP: I don’t know if it’s a motto, per se, but I try to live every day individually and stay positive. Negativity does no good and it’s important to live your life instead of waiting for things to come. 






Thank you to Lindsey for sharing her time and work with us! If you'd like to see more of her work, or to find her elsewhere on the web you can follow her blog, become a follower on twitter, fan her on facebook, or visit her Etsy shop.