Getting to know Kelly of 5LittleMonkeys

I sat down for an interview with Kelly. Here is what we talked about. Be sure to visit Kelly at all her links.

Andrea : What region do you live in?
Kelly : I live in Queens, which is a borough of New York City. We live close enough to enjoy all the city has to offer, but far enough away to not be right in the middle of the insanity.

Andrea : What kind of items do you create?
Kelly : I like to make almost anything. I get distracted really easily because I want to try everything! I enjoy making jewelry and things for babies and little girls. I recently learned to knit, so that is my current obsession. Look for knitted items in my shop soon.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8739926
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9262069

Andrea : How long have you been creating?
Kelly : Since I was a little girl, but now that my kids are getting bigger, I have a little more time to do things I enjoy.

Andrea : What or Who are your creative influences?
Kelly : Growing up, my mother was always doing some kind of needlework, whether it be knitting, crochet, or needlepoint. She inspires me to make beautiful handmade items. Etsy artist are also so inspiring. By seeing their beautiful creations, they make me want to go beyond the ordinary and make something really beautiful and one of a kind.

Andrea : Do you work outside of the home/studio?
Kelly : I have been a stay at home mom to my five kids for almost 12 years. I will be starting a part time job very soon as the swim coach for my kids' team, the Barracudas http://www.ciybarracudas.com/index.html

Andrea : If you could be in someone else's studio or kitchen, whose would that be?
Kelly : I'd love to spend time with Martha Stewart. She just has so many creative ideas for every area you could think of from meals to decorating to parties.

Andrea : Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your goals with your business?
Kelly : I hope to still be coaching swimming and helping those kids achieve their goals. As far as my business, I hope to be able to devote more time to it as my kids will be older, and have a customer base that comes to me when they need a gift or just want to treat themselves to something special.

Andrea : Do you sell wholesale/consignment?
Kelly : Not at the moment, but I am open to any and all possibilities.

Andrea : Where else {besides etsy} can your products be found?
Kelly : I have a few items for sale at Texas Art Spot in Corsicana,TX. I also sell on ecrater http://www.5littlemonkeys.com and http://www.madeitmyself.com/

Andrea : Are you a member of any organizations or have any affiliations?
Kelly : I am a member of FAM, Fabulous Artistic Moms { http://fam-fabulousartisticmoms.blogspot.com }and Etsymom { http://etsymom.blogspot.com }, both street teams on Etsy.

Andrea : What is your education as it pertains to your craft?
Kelly : I have a B.S. in business management. I'm not sure if it's helping out all that much at the moment, but I am trying to educate myself on all the marketing tools we have at our disposal on Etsy.

Andrea : What is your favorite part of creating handmade items?
Kelly : I love the whole process from coming up with an idea to gathering the materials to putting it all together. But my favorite part of all, by far, is when it's all done, and I can show off what I've done!

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!!