Sweet Etsy Goodness ~ Chavenelle Studio

Gail Chavenelle lives in Iowa- right on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi. Although born in Michigan, she has what she calls 'the privilege to grow up all around the United States from California to Massachusetts.' Me, was born in Belfast and bought home to Carrickfergus where I have never left, ever, except on holidays, this town has be sucked into its gravity *shakes head* I found Chavenelle Studios whilst doing an Etsy treasury on dogs and her dog metal sculpture made me audibly squeak - I love it so much. So naturally I simply had to learn more about someone that talented and with a happy heart, I introduce to you to Gail....

 * Shop names are so important and personal; where did you get yours from? 
Obviously we want our shops to be found on search engines etc. Well.... with a name as unique as Chavenelle, this is a great search advantage. Adding Studio to my shop name, gives the implication of an Artist Studio! My Letterhead even goes farther with Chavenelle Studio Metalworks which is descriptive as well!

 * Where do you find that you get your inspiration from?
My biggest problem is not to find inspiration, or lack thereof.... as I'm sure many Etsy Artisans do, I find inspiration everywhere I look. The biggest challenge is sorting through inspirations without getting overwhelmed. The images on the Internet in general, Etsy searches and treasuries .... what inspiration!

 * How do you keep up your motivation? 
My art business is exactly that, a business, and, although it is inspiring, sometimes I just have to do it. I was a secondary teacher then a computer sales rep- motivating others for many years. I am sooooo happy just to have to motivate myself!
    Two hints I have found helpful-
1. Clean up is part of the creative process. So clean off a shelf in your studio or arrange something. This is not "Wasting" time!
2. If it is hard to get going- work on something small which can be accomplished quickly.

 * Does Art enhance your life?
I cannot think of my life without seeing other's art! I am a local regional art collector- to pass it forward- as collectors' have purchased my work. And... what a PRIVILEGE to be able to create my own sculpture!

 * Can we have one pearl of wisdom you have learnt along the way?
     I have TWO ( If that is OK)  [yes it is; thank you Gail! x]
1. It's never too late. My art and metal voice is an after 50 voice. Most who are reading this are not yet 50! I've been doing my sculpture for nearly 18 years! ( you do the math....)
2. Sales is only one kind of affirmation and .... it's not necessarily the best!

* Are you a member of any teams on Etsy - does this help?
I am not a member of an online Etsy team, but I could not do without my same town- Personal mentor and team leader Cindy Caraway. We meet personally often. Without her knowledge of Etsy and encouragement- my online Etsy store would simply not be possible. Whether physical or online, friends and community are beyond helpful....necessary!

 * How do you feel about your life right now?
AMAZING!!!!!! PRIVILEGED!!!!

Etsy shop   ::   Blog   ::   Facebook Page    ::   Twitter

Liberate Your Art Blog Hop 2013

I hope you noticed my wee badge on the right hand side of this blog that cryptically showed that I was taking part in the Liberate Your Art postcard swap :) This was my first year taking part in Kat Eye Studio's fantastic opportunity to meet other artists from around the world get to be part of something bigger and simply fun. Art has to be shared and celebrated and I think and this weekend's blog hop is a super way to do that.


All praise to Kat and her small army of helpers for sorting out the 5 postcards per 216 people from across 11 countries. That's a whopping 1290 pieces of art all swapped on our behalf and posted through our letterboxes - there is nothing better than a nice piece of snail mail to me (I LOVE IT) but this was so exciting as I never knew what was coming next :)


Here are the photographs I got made into postcards to send .....

And here are the ones I received in return....

*  A Cherry Blossom Postcard! This was just so perfect; someone in Kat's team is a genius or else the world is just a fabulous place, playing with our hearts and confirming dreams. Or both :) On the back there is a favourite quote from Buddha, it's freaky now isn't it!

'If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change'

Many thanks indeed to Cheri at Scrap Dreams. 

* Sent all the way from Canada; with thanks to Jill at Prairie Dreams. It's so creative and I was thrilled to be hopping around last night and see this card on her page :) She did 5 variations of the same scene, under a bridge (I think mine is the best though!)

It was a good week's wait before number 3 came along though when it did, number 4 was there with it = happy dance.

* Dee from deeslens in Calfornia. On the back was a quote from Epicurus ~

'Not what we have but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance'

* Carol from albersimage in New Jersey and  Focusing on Life, (a collaborate blog which may just be my new favourite place to go!) sent me this dreamy vintage camera shot which I adore.

* Number 5 is a gorgeous, dreamy photograph of a meadow by Janice Darby. On a day like today (yes it's raining again and miserable) I would love to walk in to this postcard and lie on the ground :)

Lastly, but my no means least; Kat sent this beautiful abstract tree to us all, it is entitled 'Adorned and Alone'. 

Sweet Etsy Goodness ~ Shannon Gordy Art

I simply am dumbstruck to see that it is a Thursday evening again and I am putting together another Sweet Etsy Interview. Where has this week gone? I have my first craft fair of the year tomorrow and you would think it was my first ever - the nerves are high, the work isn't good enough, insurance costs way too much and I know I am going to sweat profusely *blush*.

So it is with joy then that I share with you the incredible talent of Shannon Gordy Art - there is nothing better than art to ease the soul and this lady is a genius, in my eyes. Look deep into the rich tones, the love of colour, masterful brush strokes and indeed clever whimsy. I introduce to you Ms Shannon Gordy of Chicago and her self titled shop (only opened in March this year!).......

 * Shop names are so important and personal; where did you get yours from?
Just my name, haha.

 * Where do you find that you get your inspiration from?
My work is all about colour and its application. I get inspired by bright vibrant colors, or even unique colors. That is what determines my work. I love to play with colour and use it in a way to enhance and compliment the work. So many artists seem to forget the importance of colour and how, by using it correctly, it can make a piece so much greater.

 * How do you keep up your motivation?
I'm always looking through pintrest, tumblr, google, basically anything to find photos that attract my attention. Still being in school also helps me keep up on work, since I have assignments due.

 * Does Art enhance your life?
Art enhances everyone's lives, whether they realize it or not. Art is everywhere and in everything you look at, whether it's fine art in a museum or simple the shape of a window. Art is everywhere, so of course it enhances my life. I notice things most of my friends don't and I hang it and present it all over my house and room.

 * How do you feel about your life right now?
My life is currently extremely busy and stressful since I am a senior in college and graduating in less than a month. My classes are tough and overwhelming and trying to find a job after school is also very challenging. Luckily, my most recent artwork has been going very well, and I am really happy with it.

The stunning Shannon >

Address for places to find out more:

Etsy shop   ::   Personal Website   ::   society6 page

Sweet Etsy Goodness ~ Huiyi Tan Designer Jewellery

I am about to introduce you to a lady who has me constantly debating whether I ought to get my ears pierced or not. Oh it's turmoil for me that each new item she designs and makes leaves me feeling 'I need that in my life!'. I fear that pierced ears would look silly on me for some reason and I would do a disservice to the talents of jewellers such a Huiyi Tan......but those bunny studs are heavenly :)

Huiyi Tan-Platt is I'm originally from Guangzhou in southeast China, a major city on the banks of the Pearl river. After finishing University, she came to Birmingham, England to study jewellery design. Now she has settled down in southwest England with her husband :) 

 * Shop names are so important and personal; where did you get yours from?
Huiyi Tan Designer Jewellery, I believe in keeping it simple, it does what it says on the tin.

 * Where do you find that you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from daily life, we swim in an ocean of symbols, signs, and icons. Some familiar and well known, perhaps so well known that we become blinded to their significance and signification, my work is influenced by semiotics, and by the appropriation and dislocation of the banal and the familiar, or sometimes I just see something I think is cute.

 * How do you keep up your motivation?
Simple - “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” so says Confucius.

 * Does Art enhance your life?
Art is my life, and my life is art

 * Can we have one pearl of wisdom you have learnt along the way?
"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."

 * Are you a member of any teams on Etsy - does this help?
I am a member of lots of Etsy teams, and for their support, advice and help I am deeply grateful. They have helped me grow my private hobby into a viable way of life.

 * How do you feel about your life right now?
Very exciting, I look forward to waking up every morning :)

The beautiful Huiyi

All the places you need to know to find out more..

Etsy url    :::   Facebook Fanpage   :::   Twitter

Shiny Jane and Simon the Gecko....

I am so thankful for this story, the last of Simon's trips to meet talented artists and crafters. His journey has been pretty epic and I am sure that when he gets home I'll hear a darn good lot about it; he'll talk my ears off and then probably sleep for 6 months... Anyhow, Shiny Jane, take it away....

 ** The Shiny Jane Company takes on staff

Poor Simon arrived just before we moved house.  On the day of the big move he was placed very carefully in a box with enough provisions to survive the journey.  However,when it came to unpack The Shiny Jane Company studio Simon’s box was nowhere to be found and for days box after box was searched until at last Simon emerged looking a bit like a castaway.

After a quick shave, Simon was introduced to the felted bunny - made by Liz the felting guru who taught me to felt in the first place (http://www.heartfeltbyliz.com/).   Although at first Simon was a little nervous of the bunny’s size, I assured him that bunnies are herbivores and have no taste for geckos, and they grew to be firm friends.

Simon has been a great help around the house and has an amazing natural flare for home décor – perhaps his experiences with all of the other creators/artists on his journey have developed his abilities.   I would have been lost without his helpful tips on colour coordination and placement of artworks.

He’s been a great help with fulfilling my Shiny Jane orders, for example this Happy Pill brooch he helped me make.  We started off by picking the lovely wool – Simon chose some undyed grey Merino wool.

And we put together the necessaries to start felting; a bowl of warm water, soap, a towel and a finished brooch to reference for scale. Simon reeeeally likes the smell of the glycerin soap hand-made in Scotland.  This one does smell particularly nice.

Because the process is fairly wet and soapy I had to ignore Simon’s offers to help with this part.  Carrie wouldn't be happy if he came home all wrinkly!

After the basic form had dried over night Simon helped with needle felting on the dyed Merino wool.  He was very enthusiastic at first but it’s hard going for a little gecko so I soon took over.

After another bit of wet felting and then some drying, Simon sews the brooch back, pretty wool felt patch and The Shiny Jane Company label onto the back of the brooch.  He really has picked up a huge selection of skills over his journey hasn’t he?!

And tah dah! Here he is, modelling the finished brooch.  A bit big on him though…

But after all of our fun and adventures it’s time to put Simon into the envelope for the last time and send him home to Carrie.  Towards the end I must admit I was quite looking forward to sending him home… Carrie this, Carrie that, Carrie Carrie Carrie… morning, noon and night…
Although I am a bit worried that my brooch output might suffer without his help though – and I will miss his banter.  Bye Simon!

What a fab time Simon had, I am so proud that he was able to help out too :) He is now on his flight back to me and home again, I hope he won't be really bored from now on. Do please check out Jane's shop here... Shiny Jane