GETTING TO KNOW...Angie of Cute and Sweet

We have such talent on EtsyFAME - it's a pleasure to feature another talented Etsian every week.

This week we are getting to know Angie of Cute and Sweet

What region do you live in?

Midwest, WI
What kind of items do you create?

Hair accessories for the young and young at heart!

How long have you been creating?

Forever. I don't remember a time when I wasn't. Specifically creating hair accessories, I've been doing that for almost a year.

What are your creative influences?

My two little princesses who have a ton of curly hair

Do you work outside of the home/studio?

Not currently
If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?

I would love to be in ANYONE's kitchen who can cook. I'm an awful cook.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?

In five years my youngest will be entering Kindergarten (eek!) so I will most likely be working outside the home. But maybe if sales continue and more opportunities arise I won't have to!

Do you sell wholesale?

Sure!
Where else can your products be found (name B&M stores or internet urls, including your own)?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cuteandsweetx2/

http://www.myspace.com/cuteandsweetx2

http://www.myspace.com/cuteandsweetx2
Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?

Just on Etsy. Wist (WI street team), Etsymom, etsykids, FAM

What is your education as it pertains to your craft?

Self-taught
Pick one product and describe it briefly and how long it takes to make a certain item in your store.

I'll pick my woven headband….any one of them. These are the most fun to make and take at the most 15 minutes—if all goes well. I have so much fun coming up with color combinations. Just when I think I have all the color combinations I could possibly have, colors sort of jump out at me!

Getting to Know...Corinne of Daydream Art Studios

Another feature of another great FAMEr...
What region do you live in?
Grand Rivers, Kentucky- A small resort town in western Kentucky bordered by two lakes. We were even named one of the most romantic places by Cosmo a couple of years ago! Very pretty and lovely, especially in the summer time!

What kind of items do you create?
I make jewelry, both fun and kitschy types and also modern, one of a kind gemstone jewelry. I also paint and create mixed media art.

How long have you been creating?
As long as I can remember! Even as a child, I would spend hours in the yard with a sketchbook! I sold my crafts when other kids sold lemonade, and even had a business selling handmade personalized leather key chains when I was in the 6th grade.

What are your creative influences?
Some of my favorite painters are Salvador Dali and Frida Kahlo, but I try to stay current and am always finding new painters that I am inspired by. I have tons of artist friends and like to think we all inspire each other to try new things. A lot of my art is inspired by music I listen to while I work and the beautiful area I live in.

Do you work outside of the home/studio?
I have a part time job out of my house placing exchange students in host families in the area. Its very rewarding and interesting. My main job is my art, and I am saving up to remodel the outbuilding on our property into a respectable studio where I can have children's art classes and affordable workshops.
If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
My mother always said "we're Irish, and the Irish aren't known for their cooking." Our family joke is that if its frozen, that's our "old family recipe." So in some kind of rebellion, I learned how to cook. I love it, and would probably stay in my own kitchen. But, if Paula Deen wants to come over and show me a thing or two, she's always welcome here! I love butter!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?
I hope that in five years, my studio is complete and I am teaching again! There are no after school programs here and want to fill that need. I also home school my daughter and would love to have art classes for other home schooled kids in the area.

Do you sell wholesale?
Not currently, most of my work is one of a kind and I just haven't ventured into this yet. I'm considering looking into it, though.

Where else can your products be found (name B&M stores or internet urls, including your own)?
I have my own website, http://daydreamartstudios.com/ as well as a daily blog, www.daydreamartstudios.blogspot.com I also show and sell my paintings at the PAPA Gallery in Paducah, Kentucky.

Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?
Paducah AreaPainter's Association (PAPA), and Bluegrass Etsy.

What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
I have a degree in Art Education, and am always learning and educating myself. I have an addiction to art dvds and books.

Pick one product and describe it briefly and how long it takes to make a certain item in your store.
My newest favorite is the Shell and Freshwater Pearl bracelet. (Picture attached) I made this with shell slices, so the shape is modern on the outside, very geometric, but also very organic. I'm super interested in taking geometric shapes and contrasting them with something very natural. I also added freshwater pearls that I work together so they move and dance as the wearer moves. I also threw in some faceted cut Czech glass beads for some subtle sparkle. It took me a few hours to get this bracelet just the way I wanted it, but was very happy with the results.

Check out Corinne's Etsy site: daydreamartstudios.etsy.com
Make sure you take a look at her "kitsch and rock and roll" section - it's so fun!!

Getting to Know...Sweetpickles Pottery

It is always so wonderful to learn about the artist behind the art. Today's Featured FAMEr is Melanie of Sweetpickles Pottery!

What region do you live in?
I'm a Southern girl! (born and bred LOL!)

I'm in Louisiana and LOVE it! :)

What kind of items do you create?
Hand painted pottery and ceramics. (sometimes other things if I get in the mood. I like paper and stickers and glue and canvas and paint. well, you get the picture. )

How long have you been creating?
I think the first thing I painted I was probably about 12. But steadily the last 4 or 5. What are your creative influences? I daydream about things that might be fun to draw or paint all day long.. My children sometimes are veyr influential in what I paint as well. I am always sketching or writing things down so I don't forget an idea I have. Although I might not use it right away. I have tons of them tucked away.

Do you work outside of the home/studio?
No, and I am so grateful to be able to stay at home and raise my children and be able to work on my craft at the same time.

If you could be in someone else’s studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
If it were a kitchen I would say Paula Deens its so homey and yummy too..

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
What are your goals with your business? Provided hubby doesn't decide to transfer somewhere else by then) I hope to have grown my business and possibly open a little studio of my very own with a paint your own pottery studio. I go back and forth with this ALL the time. I've been there and done that so I know the hard work involved.

Do you sell wholesale?
Yes, YES and Yes..

Where else can your products be found (name B&M stores or internet urls, including your own)?
Right now they are currently in my etsy store, and a little shop called "The Cat's Meow", and also on the website teapartytreasures.com

Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?
The wonderful FAM Team, of course.

What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
Absolutley NOTHING! I went to school to be a kindergarten teacher. Although now that I think about it maybe that is why I liked that age group so much. All the fun arts and crafts!

Pick one product and describe it briefly and how long it takes to make a certain item in your store.
I would have to pick my tea set for little girls probably. I love it. Its one of my favorite things to paint. I can spend hours on it.. I must confess. I ponder what I want different about each little set I paint. I have sold so many of these I have lost count. Its something I can't seem to keep enough of in stock!

You have to check out Melanie's shop: sweetpicklespottery.etsy.com
She has gorgeous products that would make excellent gifts for yourself - or, if you have to, someone else!! My favorite product (besides the tea set, of course, is this Personalized Wedding Monogram Platter. This would make such a fabulous housewarming gift, too!! Thanks, Melanie!!