Etsy Promo Love Interview : DreamingStardust

Continuing a series of interviews from the great Etsy Promo Love team with

the lovely Michele of DreamingStardust.etsy.com

Enjoy!

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-Where are you originally from?
I’m from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA originally. I’ve been lucky to live in Europe (Germany and Scotland) for several years, but now I’m back in the US living in Virginia.

-How did you choose the lovely name for your Etsy Shop?
My shop name DreamingStardust is something I came up with in college. I no longer remember exactly why but when I was thinking of opening a shop I thought it suited my work, since creating handmade items to sell is somewhat of a dream.

-How did you find Etsy? How long have you been selling on Etsy?
Several of my friends told me about Etsy and I’ve been working on building up my shop since October 2009.

-How would you describe your style? Have any other artists etc influenced your style?
I’d say my style is generally pretty clean and simple. I love bright colors and am trying to create some more fun pieces – both in jewelry and photography!

- How did you first come to art and creativity? How did your journey in art and creativity begin?
As long as I can remember I’ve been creating something – starting as a child with doll accessories like little quilts and cardboard furniture. I decided to study art in college and focused on photography.

-What are your main sources of inspiration?
In photography, I love taking photos in natural light and am inspired by my surroundings – as well as all the beautiful places I have been able to travel to!
In jewelry, I get inspired by the colors and textures of the beads.

-Have you had any mentors, or are you self taught?
I did study photography in college but much of my jewelry and greeting cards are self-explorations. I’ve had a lot of support from my family and friends.

-What is one thing about your creative process that you think most people don't know?
While I sometimes start with a plan, mostly what I make or photograph results from trial and error. I think it’s most fun to discover what works best by accident.

-How has life affected your art and art affected your life?
I’ve always appreciated the outlet that art and creative activities has allowed me. I met my boyfriend through a photography class and I love being in a relationship with someone as creative as I am (many of the photos on my site are his – marked by MRC in the listing!)

-Do you have a favorite item you have made?
Hard to pick! But one of my favorite items is probably this button necklace:

-What is the best reaction you have gotten from one of your pieces?
I got the best reaction about the tan and blue button necklace, particularly at craft shows, since buttons are a slightly unusual choice for jewelry. 

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*Thank you Michele*
xoxo
Dina

Etsy Promo Love Interview : Artistico

Time to meet another member from the great  

Etsy Promo Love team, 

the extremely talented Kostas of Artistico.etsy.com

Enjoy!

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-Bio:

Hello, my name is Kostas and I'm 42 years old. I have studied graphic design and illustration. I have worked as a graphic designer for many years and I enjoy spending most of my free time in my mixed media art and in my Etsy shop.

-Where are you originally from?

I was born in Piraeus near Athens, but now I live on the island of Thassos, Greece.

-How did you choose the lovely name for your Etsy Shop?

I love art and when I was thinking of how to name my Etsy shop, my

wife said to me: “ohh that mixed media you just created is so artistic!”

After that, I chose to name my shop Artistico, which has a little bit of a Greek flair.

-How did you find Etsy? How long have you been selling on Etsy?

I found out about Etsy completely by accident, while I was looking around in Shutterstock, where I sell my photos and I saw that many people were discussing about the Etsy site. I opened mine in 2008 and been here ever since :)

-How would you describe your style?

I could call it ... hmmm... unique and artistic..lol .. I love music, birds and collage... I think my style would fit in any home décor… Generally, I love earthly tones.

- How did you first come to art and creativity? How did your journey in

art and creativity begin?

I have always been a creative person. Ever since I can remember myself, I wanted to work with anything that had to do with art. Being able to express myself through art and to better understand the world around me is a journey I never want to end... I wish to interpret everything around me within my art ... feelings, emotions, things, nature, light, everything…

 -How long have you been creating?

My whole life? Yes this is it.. I remember my small fingers when I was 5 year old to be full of colors..lol .. My parents’ home walls was full of colours.. lol

-What are your main sources of inspiration?

Everything around me, even a small stone on the beach, or a cloud in the sky... In the past years I have fallen in love with vintage art and this is my main source of inspiration now.

-Have you had any mentors, or are you self taught?

I have a lot of mentors ... but I am also a free spirit, so I am mainly self-taught

-Do you sell more at one time of year than others?

My best time of the year is during Christmas holidays, but since last year I have sales on a monthly basis. The quiet season for me is the summer.

-What is one thing about your creative process that you think most

people don't know?

My messy studio…lol My creative place is filled with colours, papers, brushes

and so on ... sometimes I try to tidy up and have everything in place, but I love seeing all my mediums around me ..

-How has life affected your art and art affected your life?

It definitely works both ways!!!! My entire life is filled with my art. My children have recently started helping me… when I want to make a special collage, they choose materials and play with me ... everything around me is like a mirror and you can see my art on it. Depending on my mood and how my life is at any given time, I create something that depicts that state.

-Do you have a favorite item you have made?

This is my all time favourite:

but from my latest art I love this one:

-What is the best reaction you have gotten from one of your pieces?

Returning for more of my art! :) and much bigger in size

-Your message for all of us?

I would love to see our world better and more friendly, I also wish to see the children around the world happy…pls could I have that?

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*Thank you Kostas*

xoxo

Dina