Interview with TeakaMarie

 

If you hang out on Etsy, you probably have seen the gorgeous clothes of etsy shop Teaka Marie gracing the front page of etsy or in various treasuries. Her photos and style is top notch and I am so excited to share some more information about her with you today. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started.
My name is Teaka and you can find me over at my Etsy shop, Teaka Marie. I love my shop as it’s a way for me to sell my garments that I’ve designed, drafted and sewn up.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?!
Aside from my life sewing for my Etsy shop I also have a job a church in my city. I love my job and the people I work with and get to meet. Sewing does take up a lot of my time however I love to read about historical figures, enjoying baking and having people over when time permits. I’m also married to a great guy so when we can, we love to watch movies together and enjoy each other’s company.

Where does your inspiration come from?
I’m a prairie farm girl. So, a lot of my designs and photo shoot locations tend to take on a more vintage, somewhat prairie feel. It’s tempting to try new modern styles however I try to stay consistent with my designs as in the end that’s the look I love most.

What does handmade mean to you?
I suppose handmade to me is an object created by individuals that either from a job or a hobby create something out of nothing. Handmade items tend to be unique and often quantities are limited due to the amount of love, time and resources that go into them.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?
Many years back an older brother of mine needed to find a project to work on in his high school shop class. I don’t remember how it ended up coming about but I drew him a sketch of this silly night stand that had these curvy tall legs and a cage style store unite. With only a little doodle he was able to create for me a beautiful 100% unique nightstand for my bedroom. 10 years later I still have it and use it by my bed. It was a funny design however I cherish it because of the amount of time that went into it. It actually means a lot to me.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?
I don’t think I’ve figured out a solution for this yet. I think time is the only thing that solves that for me. After a new batch of garments are design and sewn up I tend to step back from designing and just sew orders until things quiet down in my shop. This gives me time to recuperate and get back to normal.

Where do you see yourself and your business in a few years?
I’d love to have my own officially website, be able to take on more custom orders, and dabble a bit more into the wedding gown scene.

What is the best and worst thing about being an artisan?
Best- Having an idea in your head and seeing it come to life.
Worst- Never having a break from your designs. It’s typically always on my mind along with a constant feeling that I should be sewing something instead of relaxing.

What advice would you give to other artisans trying to sell their wares?
It takes time to get your product and name out there. Especially with an ocean of artists and products, you have to be constantly promoting yourself, asking for advice, acting on it and renewing what you’re doing. Being able to make a product is one thing, learning to sell it is a completely different thing. This is something I’m still trying to learn.

What is the most popular item you sell?
Last spring I made a simple, white peter pan collar blouse. I never thought it would sell, I more or less made it so it would help create the look I wanted for a photo shoot. In the end I’ve sold more of that blouse than any other item. It’s so hard for me to know what will sell and what wont. 

What are your top five books, movies, musicians and websites?
How about I get you one of each, five is a lot. Haha!
Books- The Gown of Glory by Agnes Sligh Turnbull.
Movie- Gone with the Wind
Musicians- The Civil Wars
Websites- Etsy

Where can we find you online and off?
You can find me either at my shop, www.teakamarie.etsy.com 

or my blog www.lifelikehoney.ca

Interview with Erin McManness

Today I am really excited to get to share with you an artist that I discovered at one of the boutiques I sell at in Decatur, Georgia. Her name is Erin McManness and creates the most vivid and beautiful pieces of art.

I was instantly blown away by her use of colors and the stunning female forms she creates.

I hope you enjoy getting to know more about her as much as I did!

P.S....Click on any of the photos in this post to be taken to her etsy store!

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started.

I'm Erin, and I'm currently working towards my Masters degree in Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I like rock music and drink way too much coffee. I have been an artist all of my life, but I got started on my illustration career path almost 10 years ago, when I traded in my Musical Theatre Major for a Studio Art major. I was trained as an oil painter, but now make illustrations in a lot of different media.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?!

When I'm not working on art, I'm usually baking and trying new recipes out on my boyfriend and our friends. I make a mean Scottish Shortbread, and my personal favourite is my Lemon Zucchini Bread. If it's got vegetables in it, it can't be all bad, right? I am also currently searching for a furry friend to call my sidekick.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My commercial work tends to lean over to the fashion and editorial side of illustration. I am extremely interested in fantasy, psychological space, and surrealism. The figure is my favourite thing to draw, and I am constantly inspired by it.

What does handmade mean to you?

Handmade is extremely important to me. I used to create wedding jewelry, and really cherish the mark of the artist. The brides I worked with were always so thrilled to have a custom piece for their special day - and an heirloom for years to come. I am involved in a local co-op in Decatur, HomeGrown, where we sell only handmade art, and I shop exclusively online and in local stores and small businesses for gifts. It means so much to me when others value my work, and I've taken the pledge to never go to the mall at Christmas again! I want to give my support to people just like me.

How would you describe your creative process?

My creative process almost always involves coffee. I currently have a great worktable in my sunny studio, where I like to jam out and focus on a number of different projects. As a freelancer, I often have multiple projects at once, and often find it helpful that I can keep my mind and eyes fresh by working on all types of work - from an illustrated fashion book, to apparel designs, to a 10 foot banner for a gaming convention. I love the variety!

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

My boyfriend is also an illustrator and screen-printer, and he always makes me little drawings. I don't think he realizes just how much I love them! I keep them all around my apartment, and tack them to my inspiration board and refrigerator.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?

When I'm in a creative rut, I always go back to this quote, "Winners just get shit done." Especially in graduate school, it's difficult to sort yourself out of a creative rut - you're not really allowed to have them at SCAD! While it's really intense work, I am grateful for the hustle-attitude. If I really need a break, I'll go out and grab a smoothie and listen to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack really loudly in my headphones, have a zen moment, and then get back to it. I try to push myself in times of creative exhaust - sometimes you get your best ideas when you think you're out of ideas!

Where do you see yourself and your business in a few years?

I have been feeling a sense of anticipation for the past year that my business is about to reach the end of its latest plateau and begin climbing up to the next level again. My goal for the New Year is to start it off with an agent and take my freelance up to the next level. In the next few years I'd like to be working on large-scale commercial illustrations and continue my financial stability of paying my bills with my art work!

What is the best and worst thing about being an artisan?

The best thing is seeing someone wearing your work on the street, or seeing your work in print. Yesterday I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a lady wearing one of my necklaces. I wasn't able to catch her to say hello, but that warm fuzzy feeling stayed with me the whole day. Second best is the schedule and freedom. I have almost complete flexibility in my schedule and get to tackle projects that really excite and inspire me! But on the flip side, working for yourself - and working as a creative - often means putting in a ton of hours (and not always getting paid for them). Most weeks I work 60-70 hours and barely leave my desk. I find, though, that coffee with friends or taking a jog will refresh my eyes and my mind, though!

What advice would you give to other artisans trying to sell their wares?

My professor has a saying, "Go as fast as you can for as long as you can while the fire is hot." To be successful artist is to adopt a lifestyle, and the lifestyle is going to require a lot of time, energy, and personal investment. The lucky thing though, is that if you truly love what you do, these things come as a natural inclination to grow.

What is the most popular item you sell?

Since we're in Atlanta, my most popular print is Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead. This past Spring I had sent his agency 2 prints as a thank you for the inspiration the show has given me -- I was shocked to have them sent back to me signed by Andrew Lincoln himself! One says "Big Zombie Love" and the other says "Best Wishes from the Zombie Apocalypse". It was the coolest thing EVER.

What are your top five books, movies, musicians and websites?

Favourite Books are the Game of Thrones series. I am a huge fan!

My favourite movies are all "guy" movies: Braveheart, Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones... I also love watching old black and white samurai movies with my boyfriend. And I have a big soft spot for Miyazaki (doesn't every illustrator?)

As for music, my favourites include Dave Matthews Band and The Black Keys. I was a Musical Theatre major, so I also love operas and shows like Les Miserables, RENT, Phantom of the Opera, etc.

Where can we find you online and off?

Website: http://erinmcmanness.com/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MiribirdIllustrates

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinmcmannessillustration

Instagram: http://instagram.com/miribirdillustrates

Offline, my work can be found at Homegrown Boutique in Decatur, and very soon at HodgePodge Coffeeshop and Gallery in East Atlanta.

Thank you so much Erin for taking the time to let us get to know you better! Please be sure to check her out online or stop by Homegrown Boutique if you are in Atlanta!

~ With Love, Ashlee ~

Interview with Pearl from Gray December

Today I am really excited to get to share with you a newer etsy seller who opened up her store earlier this year. I first stumbled upon her shop when I saw a set of her ombre measuring cups pop up on the etsy main page. 

I was instantly smitten and started adding so many of her store's items to my favorites. After reading her answers to my questions, I can tell she is going to be very successful on etsy.

I hope you enjoy getting to know more about her as much as I did!

P.S....Click on any of the photos in the blog to be taken to that item in her etsy store!

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started.

My name is Pearl Sturtevant, I live in a little coastal town in California and I will be 20 years old this month.

I've always liked the idea of running my own business and being my own boss. I started helping a friend of mine who has a successful pottery business on Etsy with shipping her orders in early 2013, and became interested in opening my own shop. My sister had also recently opened her Etsy shop (GiselleNo5) selling handmade clay stamps and was doing so well, it was exciting to watch her business grow and see the joy she was getting out of it. It's daunting though, to start your own business, so without their pushing me to do it I probably never would have! But on Febuary 19, 2013 I finally opened my little shop, GrayDecember, selling hand painted pottery. I am so glad I did, I am slowly but surely gaining confidence and listing more designs. I have had 14 sales so far, including an order for 15 measuring cup sets! It is exciting to send little pieces of yourself to places like Australia and Norway, I love that Etsy allows me do that.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?!

I love to draw, play guitar, read and watch old movies. I have a big family and am the youngest of seven sisters so spending time with everyone is one of my favorite things to do, we have so much fun together it's ridiculous! I love hanging out at their houses and playing with my nieces and nephews.

Where does your inspiration come from?

I love simple yet beautiful patterns, designs, and colors. Nature is a perfect source of ideas, I have things in my shop that were inspired by ladybugs, zebra print, coral, chrysanthemums, cherry trees and even crocodile skin.

Also, I get inspired by seeing what colors other people like and how they use them. For example, I usually don't like mustard yellow but then I look at my sister's kitchen where she has it paired with a gorgeous vivid aqua blue and I love it! So now I have plans to do a measuring cup set in those colors.

What does handmade mean to you?

To me, handmade things are so special, unlike anything that ever comes out of a factory. Handmade means enjoying the result of someone else's creativity and ingenuity in your own home, and there is nothing as beautiful as that.

How would you describe your creative process?

It varies. Some days it involves blasting great 80's music and painting whatever designs pop into my head, other times I carefully plan out exactly what I want to do and ask others for input first. Both extremes work well, so I just go with it. 

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

Oh that's easy! When I was five years old I found an absolutely beautiful hand carved wooden elephant with the most amazing intricate imitation ivory inlays. It was buried in the field beside our house, someone must have left it there or lost it. It is like nothing I have seen before and I won't ever get rid of it. It is old, weathered, imperfect and in places even broken, and I love it.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?

Ask for ideas! I will often get stuck and feel like I have run out of creativity. Whenever this happens I have found it is a huge help to ask my family and friends "What should I paint on this?" They have ideas that would have never occurred to me! My funky "Hungry Monster" dinner plate was my sister's idea, it has been very popular and I would have never thought of that! 

Where do you see yourself and your business in a few years?

I would love to have my own studio. I imagine a cute little workspace packed with supplies and new designs, where I can be creative and not have to worry about making a mess. I see myself branching out and finding new things that people love. I am about to start a second Etsy shop, called LittleMissive, that sells custom notes inside of hollow painted eggs. I am excited to see how I can get creative outside of pottery!

What is the best and worst thing about being an artisan?

Being your own boss is the best but also the worst I think. I love being able to do whatever I want and be creative but staying motivated is a challenge. Sometimes I wish I had someone telling me to get things done!

What advice would you give to other artisans trying to sell their wares?

Honestly, it's all about the photos. I can't stress this enough! Never underestimate the value of a great listing photo, it makes a WORLD of difference. I have had items that weren't getting a lot of attention even though they had been on Etsy for months. After I took a better listing photo they have completely turned around and become popular. Taking photos of your items can seem daunting but you don't have to be a professional photographer to get great shots, all you need is determination, looking to constantly improve, and willingness to research helpful hints if you get stuck. And it doesn't have to be complicated or expensive! The white background in all of my photos cost me $2 to buy and make. It's just a white poster board taped to a L shaped cardboard support. So simple and cheap but it looks amazing in photos!

What is the most popular item you sell?

Hands down - my orange, coral and pink ombré measuring cups. I can't make enough of those! They have been so popular I just can't believe it - they have been featured on the front page of Etsy, in the Etsy email, in several blog posts and websites, in the Etsy trending items, and were even representing the entire Kitchen & Gourmet section of Etsy for a while! It's funny to think that they were the result of a complete accident, so to speak. I had almost run out of glaze and only had a little bit of pink, red, orange and white to work with that day. So I layered them on and they looked all blotchy and mottled and I thought they would turn out terribly. But they came out of the kiln looking really cool, and I listed them and I was shocked by how much everyone liked them!

What are your top five books, movies, musicians and websites?

Oh no..I can only pick five favorite books?

A Good Year by Peter Mayle
The Secret Life Of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
My Sisters Keeper (anything by Jodi Picoult really)
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Color Code by Taylor Hartman

I love singers like Micheal Buble and Ella Fitzgerald. A lot of my favorite music is classical and oldies, with newer bands like The Fray and Imagine Dragons thrown in the mix.

I especially love old movies like Rear Window, How To Steal A Million, A Room With A View, and You Can't Take It With You. (And pretty much anything with Audrey Hepburn or James Stewart)

Some of my favorite websites are (obviously) Etsy, Pinterest, and DeviantArt (where I post my drawings)

Where can we find you online and off?

My Etsy shop - GrayDecember 

Facebook 
Twitter 
Pinterest
DeviantArt

Thanks so much Pearl for letting me interview you this week! I hope everyone is as impressed as I am with her pottery (I told you the ombre measuring cups are fantastic!) Stop by her etsy store or her facebook page and say hi!

Have a great day everyone!

~ With Love, Ashlee ~

Interview with Julia from Red Bird Ink

I am so excited today to start a new series on the blog where I interview and showcase artisans I admire. 

Tonight I get to share with you Julia of Red Bird Ink who lives in the Atlanta area and we both sell at Homegrown in Decatur, GA. 

Julia is just one of the most pleasant people to be around and the first time I met her, I babbled on for about 30 minutes straight because she is so nice and enjoyable (and a good listener)!

Her goods are extremely well made and she is just so passionate about her product. I loved reading her responses to my questions and I hope you will too!

PS....Click on any of the photos in the blog to be taken to that item in her etsy store.

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started

I took a dip into art school at the Corcoran and MICA then meandered into a Landscape Architecture degree at Virginia Tech before starting my own business.   At first I just did illustration and design then I got my hands on a letterpress… after the first time I was hooked!

My business is called Red Bird Ink.  We are an art, design and letterpress purveyor in Decatur, GA.  At Red Bird Ink we design and make letterpress printed objects such as coasters, stationery, wedding invitations and art prints from our own original art, illustration and handset type.  Our goal is to inspire curiosity and delight through the objects we create!

Apart from creating things, what do you do?!

I play ultimate frisbee with my husband Collin, hang out with our two year old daughter Oriana, dabble with gardening, painting, home projects and lots of cooking/eating with friends and family!

Where does your inspiration come from?

I feel like I find inspiration almost anywhere.  The top things that seem to consistently influence my work are plants, landscapes and cultural elements.  Before I wash my clothes I have to be sure to check all the pockets for hiding foliage.  I'm often most inspired by learning something new.

What does handmade mean to you?

To me handmade is all about getting that twitch.  A feeling that inspires action to follow a train of thought from seed to stem.

How would you describe your creative process?

My process uses a combination of research, sketching, photography and digital work layered  and refined to reveal a unique perspective.  My hope is that the resulting object sings my personal song.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

Our wedding rings! They were made by an amazing Jeweler from my hometown, they are amazing.
 

How do you get out of your creative ruts?

I like to go outside, look at plants, learn something new or exercise.  Yoga is always good for getting into a better state of mind.

Where do you see yourself and your business in a few years?

I'm happy where I am now, but I would also be happy with a slightly bigger business, more people to collaborate with and some other in house production methods.

What is the best and worst thing about being an artisan?

I guess the best thing is I would be doing it anyway, even if it was not my job.  I just cannot separate the artist, designer part of me from the rest of me.  The worst thing is caring so much about it means I have a hard time turning it off at the end of the day.  Sometimes I daydream about working a 9 to 5 and not have to think about work after I leave…. then I remember almost no one has that type of job and if they do it probably is not too fulfilling.

What advice would you give to other artisans trying to sell their wares?

Do what you love and what inspires you.

What is the most popular item you sell?

The numbers coasters and cable knit stationery have been the most popular items.

What are your top five books, movies, musicians and websites?

whoa!  Hard to choose.

Adore Prodigal Summer by Barbra Kingsolver
Enjoy stand up comedy, cheesy/funny/sweet movies and suspenseful mysteries
Can get lost for hours browsing Etsy, design sponge & pinterest
I feel like I could melt into Zoë Keating's music

Where can we find you online and off?

http://www.redbirdink.etsy.com
http://www.redbirdink.com
http://www.redbirdink.tumblr.com
http://www.facebook.com/redbirdink
http://www.twitter.com/redbirdink
http://www.flickr.com/redbirdink
http://www.supermarkethq.com/redbirdink
http://thebeehiveatl.com/collections/red-bird-ink

In Real Life…

- Atlanta, GA -
Steve McKenzie
Le Petite Marchet
The Beehive Atlanta

- Decatur, GA -
Homegrown

- Dunwoody, GA -
Spruill Gallery

- Charlottesville, VA -
Rock Paper Scissors

- Richmond, VA -
Paper Plus
Quirk Gallery

- Portland, ME -
K. Colette

- Chicago, IL -
Greer Chicago

Thank you so much to Julia for being a part of this post today and I hope you all enjoyed getting to know this designer. Check out her etsy store or if you are near any of the stores she sells at, swing on by!

~ With Love, Ashlee ~