Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I turned thirty this year, and was overjoyed to find life didn’t end! I live in Bend, OR with my partner, Jeff and our beautiful daughter, Marley Skye.

Where can we find you?
You can find me on Etsy at elanvitalanthology.etsy.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/elanvitalantho
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bend-OR/Elan-Vital-Anthology/112002598669?ref=sgm
AND find other featured Etsyians as well as cool finds from the Web at my blog: http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com


What first got you interested in your craft?
I’ve been creating art since as long as my memory goes back. My childhood and adolescence was full of painting, drawing, photography, poetry, etc. There was a time when I was working very hard as an accountant, when my creativity seemed to disappear into a blackhole. While pregnant with Marley, I had to go on bedrest. Which meant shopping online for everything. I couldn’t handle the “girls are pink, boys are blue” philosophy of big merchandisers; and so I found Etsy. It was then that my creativity was renewed. I was so inspired by all of the wonderful artisans at Etsy (and still am), that I slowly began to delve into making clothing and toys for my daughter. Then I started making things for our home…and then I thought – I’ll give Etsy a try!

Please describe your creative process.
My creative process always involves music. When I’m shooting – the iPod is with me; when sewing, the stereo’s on full blast – whatever it is, I need the music. The rhythm channels through me into whatever it is I’m making. It affects how I feel, which affects what I make.
There’s also a lot of research that goes on for product development – as well as a lot of trial and error. I’ve been working on organic all-natural perfumes for a few months now – and JUST got it right!! It can be frustrating, until I think – I could be filing taxes right now instead of making perfume, taking photos, sewing, etc.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Aside from being an artist, I really strive to be a wonderful, knowledgeable mother. This involves a lot of reading parenting books, education books, etc. I’m hoping that the Etsy shop has better sales, allowing me to home school Marley using the Montessori method. I’m very interested in education – I had a wonderful experience in school as a young girl, and I want the same for my daughter.
I also love to keep up with a daily dose of “Talk of the Nation” (NPR), follow politics, find new music. But right now most of my time is spent building up knowledge of my Etsy shop – which means NETWORKING!!! And lots of it.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I’d also like to add that 1% of sales from our shop goes towards Healthy Child Healthy World a 501(c)(3) nonprofit inspiring parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals.

Where can we find you?
I have my decals available for sale on etsy. Circlelinestudio.etsy.com
I also have a blog located at Circlelinestudio.blogspot.com.
And I have a facebook page here.

What first got you interested in your art?
I’ve been a stay at home mom since my son was born 14 years ago, we have 3 great kids and I’ve loved being able to be home with them. In 2008 my youngest daughter started first grade and I found myself alone for the entire day, it was then I knew I needed to find an outlet for my time and energy. My husband and I talked about a few idea’s and when I presented this business idea to him, he said buy what you need and to and see what you can do. Since then I’ve worked really hard with the help of my family. My kids don’t get near the credit they deserve, they are my box makers, paper folders, vinyl sorters.

Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).
I have an assortment of vinyl colors to choose from, so each decal is cut to order. There are so many ways that decal designs become a part of our store. Designs idea’s come from books, art, magazines, customer suggestions, etc. We use a removable vinyl, which makes decorating with vinyl decals quick and easily.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Apart from my art I pretty much am your typical Stay at Home Mom, which means I take of care of EVERYTHING having to do with raising my kids, running my household, and taking care of all my families needs! (isn’t it amazing how MUCH us woman take on in life!!!)

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I truly LOVE my job, I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to start circlelinestudio. It’s given me the freedom to be the wife and mom I want to be, while still allowing for me to add to our family income. It’s alot of work but when you love what you do, it doesn’t feel much like work.

Where can we find you?
You can find my work on Etsy. I actually have two shops now (and who knows how many more to come!) they are Poppyglass.etsy.com and FingerStuckFelts.etsy.com.

What first got you interested in your art?
As far as my glass work I had always wanted to try my hand at it and about 10 years go I finally took a beginners stained glass class. There I learned the basics. When I was pregnant for my first child my husband bought me everything to get started on my own. So I took what little knowledge I learned in that one class and got started. I have evolved alot since then. I rarely use typical stained glass patterns! I like to do my own thing. Thats the most fun for me to sit down at my glass table and see what I can come up with. I love to hear how people react to this more none traditional glass work also, they always seem more interested in the really “out of the box” pieces. As for my Felt work, well one day I came across a starter needle felting kit on Etsy and thought it sounded interesting. I quickly became totally obsessed with the whole thing and started making everything I could think of! I find the more I work at it the better my things get! I can really do some detailed creations now.

Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).
I don’t really have a set process. When I get the urge I will scurry up to my glass table and just start creating whatever comes to mind. I usually have a “loose” idea of where I am going with something and sometimes it goes in that direction and sometimes it may end up a totally diffrent piece than I had invisioned! I like the process of building onto a basic idea and seeing where it will take my work. The same pretty much goes for my felt work process. I will sit down and just pull out some wool and start poking away and see where it takes me. Such Fun!!

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Apart from my art I pretty much am your typical Stay at Home Mom, which means I take of care of EVERYTHING having to do with raising my kids, running my household, and taking care of all my families needs! (isn’t it amazing how MUCH us woman take on in life!!!)

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I love Etsy!!! It has really helped me grow as an artist! And the community is wonderful. Even though sales have been rough over the summer months, there is still nothing better than Etsy in my book

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

My name is Sue Sutton and I’ve been making jewelry since I was 24, in radio since 26, video memory making, stamping, and scrap-booking since my 30’s. I have a fantastic husband and two wonderful boys-Ryan, 17 and Kyle, 13 (my finest creations!) I grew up in Wisconsin, lived in NYC and Mamaroneck, NY San Diego, CA and settled in Greeley, CO

Where can we find you? (website, craft shows, etc.)

I have an Etsy store, www.allofasutton.etsy.com I blog at www.suesutton.blogspot.com and www.bigcountry979.com/pages/sue.html. I twitter-follow me as SSdeejay, and I’ve just started on Flickr as suzignarly. I don’t do craft shows regularly anymore, so reach me through my sites!

What first got you interested in your craft?

For jewelry making: I was working at a health club in NYC and saw a pair of handmade earrings in the lost and found and thought, “cool, I could make those.” No one ever reclaimed them so I took them for inspiration and started making earrings for my friends. In the beginning they didn’t even have ear hooks on them! Friends and relatives started giving me their old broken costume and vintage jewelry and I was off and running! I eventually added necklaces, bracelets and ‘junk’ pins to my collections.

For video making: I took radio and TV classes at the local college and got hooked on video production and have been making memory videos ever since- banquets, sports, senior class, graduation, memorial, etc. It’s a seasonal job and there isn’t a lot of money in it but the creative process is very satisfying.

For stamping and scrapping: I blame my friend Julie for getting me hooked! If only there was enough time for all the supplies I’ve bought over the years *sigh* The great thing is now I’m having fun doing mixed media ATC’s and ACEO’s with all my different supplies…as soon as something turns out right, I’ll list it in my Etsy shop.

Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).

I love to re-purpose and upcycle old stuff into new, so anything is a target for my creating! My hubby says, “you use stuff that has no business being jewelry” I know, isn’t it great?! My pins in particular are mini pieces of mixed media art-more fun than expensive and always one of a kind. I’ve discovered that ladies don’t always like to wear pins so I’m expanding into 4 x 6 artwork…it’s jewelry for your walls! Look for those soon on my etsy site along with ATC’s and ACEO’s

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I am a radio personality on several stations part time and do freelance video projects as they come up. I’m on the volunteer board of our local swim club and I do alot of volunteer work with my sons’ activities and school. I love to walk, ride my bike, swim laps and garden. I have a Zuma scooter and ride whenever it is nice out.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I know alot about country music songs, so if you need a song title or artist with only a few words of the song to go on-I’m your gal! I encourage you to visit my sites and I’d love to visit yours! Feel free to send me links of your work, blogs, etc and I’ll check you out!

Tell me a little bit about yourself:
I am a stay at home mom with three wonderful children Michael (11) Matthew (3) and Megan (1 1/2 going on 10). I work part time at Joann Fabrics on weekends, for my sanity, and a nice discount.

Where can we find you?
http://www.bagsbymelanie.etsy.com or http://www.handbagsbymelanie.com. I do the occasional craft fair in the fall, and once my inventory is built back up again I plan on finding boutiques to sell my goods.

What first got you interested in your craft?
A friend of mine asked me to re-create her favorite bag, once I did that and realized how easily I was able to do it, I pulled out my machine and started playing. With having my son being such a mellow baby and the financial and moral support of my husband, Mike, I decided that this was as good a time as any to try making bags to sell. That was almost three years ago, I have come a long way since then. Of course that mellow baby turned into a very inquisitive toddler, along with a baby girl who was less content and has given me less time to create. However, even though I have less time to create, it has given me better appreciation for the time I do have and a greater drive. However with out the love and support of those near and dear to me I wouldn’t be who and where I am today.

Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc):
I often let the fabric tell me what it wants to be. Just because I have a piece of fabric doesn’t mean in belongs in a tote bag. When it is creating time I have to have absolutely no interruptions (with 2 small children at home I am sure you can imagine that isn’t always easy). I make one thing at a time, which means more often then not I will not make two of the same thing ever. Each item is made from start to finish with attention to detail. I love playing with different fabrics, and texture. My all time favorite thing to work with is cotton, but not just any cotton mind you, but “the good stuff”.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?
My children are my world, when I am not crafting something I am doing everything with them. I take them everywhere, even though sometimes it isn’t the easiest thing to do. We spend a lot of time outside when the weather cooperates. I also try to crafting with my oldest son when I can keep him interested. I enjoy a good game of Scrabble online, it helps me relax and for the most part makes me feel smarter.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Love what you do and do what you love is something I truely believe. Life is too short to not enjoy it!! Hug and kiss your kids every day (even though they tell you that they don’t want kisses), and most importantly have fun and laugh often.

My name is Becca Nelson and I live in chilly Shakopee, Minnesota (a suburb of Minneapolis) with my husband Jeremy. I am passionate about anything vintage and I love to convey that passion through my paper crafts.

2. Where can we find you? (website, craft shows, etc.)

http://www.whateverislovely.etsy.com/
http://whateverislovely.artfire.com/
http://beccanelson.blogspot.com/

I can also be found in various friends’ offices where they sell my cards to their coworkers. I am hoping to start doing craft shows this summer and possibly a local farmer’s market. I am always looking for more locations to sell my cards!

3. What first got you interested in your craft?

I love vintage photos, pairing them with beautiful papers and sharing them with friends seemed natural to me. When people started asking me about buying them I couldn’t believe that they would actually want something that I created! I guess the rest is history. I discovered I have a love for the whole creative process from creating the item to be sold, to the entire process of setting up my shop, to sending off pretty packages!

4. Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).

I love having days off from my full time job. I try to get up early and close myself up in my warm craft/laundry room with the washer and dryer going and a big mug of coffee. Most of the “magic” happens in the morning and afternoon because I can’t seem to get things done late at night because I get sleepy. Most of my evenings are filled with listing items, answering emails, blogging and connecting with other artists.

5. Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I love shopping! You can find me at flea markets, antique shops, garage sales, and on the internet; almost anywhere that I can find previously loved items. Sometimes I give them new life in my creations and sometimes I use them to decorate our home. I am lucky that my husband likes to come with me… I am also very happy that he can surf the internet on his phone while I am shopping. If I let him listen to his stations on XM Radio he will drive me anywhere!


6. Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I would love to branch out from paper crafts. I have so many ideas in my head – stay tuned for more things to come!