FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

This interview begins a first in a series of photographers who are selling their work on Etsy. There is a team group on the ETSY site called POE - Photographers of Etsy. The photographers that we will feature in the coming weeks are all members of that team.

Our first photographer is Jaimee and her shop is



Here is our interview with Jaimee -

Briefly describe what you make?

I basically create whatever it is that pops into my head the moments before I fall asleep. It’s soothing to me to think of new creations (as much as it keeps me awake into the wee hours of the night). It depends on what type of mood I had been in that day but the things I create are usually connected to some sort of happy memory or feeling. A lot of my pieces remind me of a place I’ve traveled or a childhood memory. As far as my prints over at Modern Classics: Prints, they’re more on the fluff side…usually when I’m in the mood to shop.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I work in a variety of mediums from wire and wool, pen and ink to camera and computer…whatever it takes to get the job done. My favorite medium changes with my moods. I had been on a huge knitting/crocheting kick all of last year but as of late, I’m loving my sketch book and pencils and my camera the best. I can take them with me wherever I go and work whenever the moment moves me. I’ve just recently began using my computer to edit and digitally color my pieces. I find it extremely liberating to alter colors with the click of a button.

How long have you been creating craft?

I was born with the “creative bug” I suppose. I can’t remember a time when I was completely content with a piece of paper and some crayons. I’m always interested in learning how to use new mediums and techniques to bring out what I’m feeling inside…be it illustration, photography, crafting. In High School, I won a small art scholarship which gave me the push to continue in that direction. In adoration of my art teacher, I took her advice and attended her Alma Mater, Kutztown University. I went with the intentions of majoring in Sculpture but once exposed to so many other options, I wound up switching to Textiles. It was hard for me to pick one area to focus on (as you can see from my array of shops), I just love to create in any way possible.

How did you get started?

I suppose I owe that to my family! It’s full of creativity…my Grandmother (the knitter/crocheter), my Mother (the Sketcher) and my Father (the Photographer). They’ve always encouraged me to be creative and taught me a great deal of what I know. Now a days, it’s the thought of free time that gets my mind racing. Being a mother of a four year old is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love every second of it. It’s only recently that I’m finding myself with some spare time, as he goes off to Nursery School and wants to have playdates. I’m finding I have more “ME” time and forgot what it was like. Now I can’t stop myself!

Where does the name of your shop come from?

To be completely honest , I made up the name Modern Classics on a whim wanting to have professional labels made for my earlier work. I was so overzealous that I ordered 3000 of them! So, until those labels are used up…the name is Modern Classics everything!

What would you most want people to know about your work?

I suppose the most important thing to have people know is that it’s personal. Everything I create is a part of me from the whimsical pair of earrings, to my jovial Children’s Alphabet Series, to my Macro shots. It’s my happiness coming out to be shared with others.

What words of advice to you have for others?

I think the most important thing to remember is that if it makes you happy, people will see that and enjoy it as much as you do. Don’t get swayed by criticism, feed off of it!

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Great interview! Wonderful photography. You must go right now and visit this SHOP!

And while you are at Etsy there is more great photography to see at Past Perfect.

Featured Artist

These artists make so many cute things - come and meet this cooperative of artists called



Here is our interview with one of the artists - Michele!

Describe what you make?

Since we are a Collective, we make many different things. Joanie makes the Caterpillar Fur items, and is branching out into making knitted toys. I make Sockmonkeys, knitted and soft toys. crochet items and knitted shawls. Juanita makes the most wonderful embilished hats. Sadly at the present she is going to school full time, so hasn't made any for us in awhile. Together we also make anything else that catches our fancy. It's all just a bit of whimsy.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

We adore anything of a textile nature. Yarns, wool, fabrics of all sorts. Between us we have enough stashed stuff just in yarns and fabrics to open a small store.

How long have you been creating craft?

Each of us has been crafting for about 30 years.

How did you get started?

I started and learned to knit at a Rennaisance Faire many years ago, as part of an Audience iteraction gig. As well as spinning wool from scratch on an about a 250 year old Giant Walking wheel.

Joanie and Jaunita are part of the same Guild. We love to act together, and all have a passion for our respective crafts. It was just a natural progression that we went in together in this venture.


Where does the name of your shop come from?

The name came from the first knitted toy I ever made. The color of the wool yarn was Rosewood. Which also became the name of the item. Rosewood became our shop mascot.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

We're old fashioned girls. We love to make things with our hands. We put the same love and attention into the work we do for others, as we would do for ourselves. Often the items we make become gifts for our friends and families.

Sometimes our friends and families just come over and take what we make. For example my two hat snatching grown daughters!

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Always do your homework on any new venture. Market research, keywords, price and cost analysis are all very important. Have a plan, and a road map. Otherwise you just start to spin your wheels,and get frustrated.

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So great. This is our first cooperative featured! Their shop is terrific. VISIT it now!

Featured Artist

This featured artist is in Canada and she makes beautiful creations that are useful as much as they are pretty. Come and meet -



Here is our interview with the artist, Beth -

Briefly describe what you make?

I hand paint household objects everything from telephones to toilet seats.I love taking boring everyday household items and giving them beauty.I also paint on canvas,my favorite things to paint are butterflies,birds,spiders,animal prints and silhouettes of people.I am working on some canvas paintings right now that will be added to my Etsy shop soon.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I use mainly acrylic paint,enamel or fabric depending on the surface i am working on.Because i paint on so many different things i have a very,very large paint cupboard as most items have their own type of paint to be used.

How long have you been creating craft?

I have been painting for about 7 years on and off.

How did you get started?

I have always envisioned how something would look painted from the time i was young,i would see background color and all the different shades in my head.I have always had a great love for art,but did not attempt to paint until about 7 years ago.I am a self taught painter and think it shows when i paint on canvas as i break every rule to painting there probly ever was.But it does make my work unique.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

My shop name CanadianCreationz Canadian-i am canadian Creationz-i create it was the first name that popped in my head when i was thinking up a name and i just thought it had a nice flow to it.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

I love what i do and get the greatest enjoyment out of every second.When i am painting i am truly happy.Creating my new ideas or even someone elses gives me great pleasure,and i always love a new challenge.I paint household items for fun and i paint most of my canvas pictures more seriously,but still get the same satisfaction in the end result.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

The first thing i ever officially attempted painting on as an artist was a pickle jar,i used dollar store brushes and paint and it looked quite awful when i was finished.But i loved how the brush flowed the paint almost as if straight from my thoughts.My mind opened so wide i felt as is i had found a whole new world.And i had,creating is a world of its own no matter what it is you make its the most wonderful way to express yourself.I still have my ugly painted pickle jar and will keep it always to remind myself as long as i love what i am doing it is all worth it.The most important thing is to enjoy yourself.

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Now, go and look at Beth's great SHOP!

Featured Artist

This featured artist creates fine jewelry. This is a cut above much of what you will find and goes beyond craft to artistry. Come and meet this artist, Jen, and her shop, A Blond and A Torch.

Briefly describe what you make?

I make organic jewelry, mostly using sterling silver, some gold-filled material and a littl brass. Mostly I make rings, but I also have earrings and a few necklaces and braclets. I am always striving to design more!

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

I enjoy sterling silver the most. I guess because I have worked with it so much that it is the most comfortable.

How long have you been creating craft?

I started making beaded jewelry about 2 years ago when my doctor recommended a hobby to try to reduce stress. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a book on beading and it went from there.

I eventually wanted to try metalsmithing so once again I bought some books and started practicing. I opened up this shop almost 3 months ago to sell my metal works.

How did you get started?

I was doing some random Google search on some beading techniques and I came across a blog. I wish I could remember whose blog it was, but she talked at length about Etsy and how to get started selling there. I took her advice and it went from there.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

Ha! It actually comes from a friend of mine. She was throwing out some ideas for a shop name and I thought A Blond And A Torch was pretty cute. Well, I am a blond and I do use a torch, so it works!

What would you most want people to know about your work?

How much I love to create it. I treat each piece with love. I know each item I creat is a representation of me so I put all my efforts into making each one as perfect as I can. If I wouldn't wear it myself, I start over.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Make what you love! If you do that then it won't matter if you are not selling 100 items a week. Just keep doing what you enjoy and it will show.

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You must come over to Jen's shop on Etsy and see her work! You will want it!