Tell us a little about yourself?
I was born and raised in the Montreal area (Quebec, Canada).

I have travelled a bit, but I am in love with my city and get my inspiration for its streets. I love to draw, love art but I do not work full time in this field...yet! My dream is to one day become a children's book illustrator. That is definitely my favorite kind of art.

Where does your inspiration come from?I am inspired by the everyday people that cross my path, other artists, picture book illustrations, insects and plants.

Who or what has been most influential in your art?
I think my childhood has inspired my art tremendously. To me it was a magical time. Plants had feelings and felt pain when you uprooted them, clouds bore secret messages, and you could keep a pet ladybug in an empty margarine jar and was convinced that with the right equipment, you could fly a little when you jump off a tree branch.



What does handmade mean to you?
The beauty in imperfect uniqueness. Every piece is different and has a soul.

When did you know you were an artist?
I have been quite insecure about using the term artist but I guess in the last few years, after studying graphic design and getting a few illustration contracts I started to let people call me that.

How would you describe your creative process?
I just wait to get that feeling, rising in my belly that says: Oh man, I really feel like drawing!! I grab my lead pencils and just any scrap of paper lying around and let the images flow through the tip. Then I either use coloured pencils to fill in the spaces or use Photoshop to color it in.

How do you get out of your creative ruts?
I just don't stress about it. Leave it alone for a while. Taking walks around an unknown part of town helps.

What made you decide to start selling on Etsy?
I started looking at other shops, other artists and thought; maybe I could do this to! I felt I had nothing to lose and a few years later I had enough material to start posting it up.



What makes your work “unique”?
I really think that my creatures humanoids or animal...oids? Have a special look about them. I like the look of the bigger head on a round belly and longish limbs, I like to bring out the beautiful side of textbook unattractiveness.

If you had to describe your art as a fruit, what fruit would you choose and why?
Ummm I guess I could go with wild strawberries. The little kind, the one that you find unexpectedly on the side of a road, because I think my art can be like a sweet little surprise that makes you smile for a while.

If you could have dinner with anyone (living or dead) who would it be and what would be served?
I would love to have dinner with Daniel Johnston (of the: hello how are you t-shirts.). We would sing his Casper the friendly ghost song and eat European hotdogs, the ones with the huge sausages, sauerkraut and fancy mustard.

Visit Scarableu:
Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/scarableu
Facebook - www.facebook.com/pages/Scarableu/140235972695333
Blog - www.lizzyzilloz.blogspot.com

Tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Ruti and I'm 26 years old. I was born and raised in Jerusalem. I am currently studying Occupational Therapy in the city of Haifa, Israel. I have always loved art – painting, sculpting, photographing, designing, beading and more. In most recent years I have been drawn to the magic of folding recycled paper and creating various works of art with them. This kind of art combines my passion for shaping and color-matching, with my love for nature, while attempting to preserve and reuse pre-existing materials.

Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from nature, colors and music.

When did you know you were an artist?
Ever since I remember myself I create things using many kinds of arts.




How would you describe your creative process?
I use paper from many sources like magazines, prospects, tea bag paper wraps and more. I've learned this kind of art from my grandfather's Philippian caregiver about 7 years ago. Since then I always carry a few paper pieces in my pocket.

First I cut the paper to the right size, then fold it to triangles and separate them by colors. Then I decide which colors to use and what the pattern and shape would be like, then build the structure. I also use glue for making it durable and a low bottom made from cardboard.



Apart from creating, what do you do?
I study and work with a child with autism. I like travelling, reading, watch movies and listen to music.

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
I wish that I could move things using my thought only.



Visit RutisRoots:
Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/RutisRoots
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rutis-Roots/178675108809665?sk=wall

I am always searching Etsy for new and unique sellers. I ran across this amazing shop with awesome mosaic art.



Tell us a little about yourself?
I'm 38 years old. I've been making mosaics for 15 years. I'm obsessed with art, science fiction and motorcycles. In fact, I just purchased a motorcycle with funds primarily acquired on Etsy.


Where does your inspiration come from?
Where does anyone's inspiration come from? It's a total mystery to me.


Who or what has been most influential in your craft?
The biggest influence in my craft has been my mother, who supported us as a stained glass artist as a kid, and has always supported my art (and given me access to her scrap glass!)


What does handmade mean to you?
Handmade means designed and executed by the artist, what else?

Life-size Dia de los Muertos Skull

When did you know you were an artist/maker?
I started approaching visual art with seriousness when I was about 17. I'd always been creative, but that's when I decided to pursue art to the exclusion of everything else. That's also when I discovered (not coincidentally, in retrospect) that girls dig artists...


How would you describe your creative process?
My process is two-fold. In the long run, I'm always pursuing virtuosity. With each individual piece, I'm pursuing that "zone" where time slows down and new ideas and techniques manifest themselves seemingly out of thin air. That's a strangely detached and powerful feeling.



Mosaic Skull made with tumbled stained glass tiles

When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
I was raised hardcore Jehovah's Witness, so I was prohibited from dressing up for Halloween. As a result of that upbringing, I've spent my entire adult life jaded and faithless, and obsessed with faith, religion and spirituality; but always as a perpetual outsider looking in.


What was the first concert you ever attended?
AC/DC's "Razor's Edge" tour, 1991. It was deafeningly loud and my ears were ringing the whole next day, but it was so worth it!


Visit Jiveworks:
Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/Jiveworks
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Matthew-Alexander-Mosaics-Drawings-and-Paintings/257380511780

I have the privilege to meet some very talented people in my life. It is always wonderful to see people put these talents to work.

Below is a brief interview of my friend Tracy Turner who makes and sells her very own line of skin care products called Amariah Naturals.


Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.I grew up in Northeast Ohio, but have lived in various places around the country.

How did you decide on your business name? How did you originally get into starting you own business?The name of the business is actually a combination of my children's names that my husband came up with. After further research, we also discovered that the word Amariah means "God has said"

I got started doing this as a result of my children's bout with Eczema. Both my husband and I have it, and we passed it on to our children. My oldest had mild bouts with it, but when I had my daughter, at 2 weeks old she had a horrible outbreak all over her face, neck and chest. The pediatrician told me it was eczema and said that the only thing he could do is give me a prescription for a steroid cream. Even though I had used the cream on myself before, I was too afraid to use it on a brand new baby, and I began to research things that I could do that would more naturally help her.

I found through my research that most commercial products exacerbate dry skin issues like eczema, and the synthetic ingredients often keep moisture from helping the areas. I learned that most commercial soap is not actually soap at all, but detergent in bar form and this detergent are drying to skin. The first two things I learned how to do was make soap and body butter, so that I could bathe my children and moisturize their skin. In the beginning I only did it unscented, but being the "girlie girl" that I am, I had to have something that smelled pretty too, and began looking for fragrance suppliers that would not compromise the mildness of the soap and butter. My sisters began "taking" them from me, and letting their friends use them. We got so many requests for soap and skin care items that the rest is history.


Please describe your creative process. I can't say that I necessarily have a creative process. I love developing formulas and so I often can't sleep thinking of things that I want to try.

Which item do you enjoy making the most and why?I absolutely love making soap. It is fascinating to me that I can combine these fantastic ingredients, and through a chemical transformation can have an awesome, useable soap!!!!

What are the most effective ways you have promoted and marketed your business? What's your best marketing tip?Word of mouth works, and if you offer a good product and good service, people WILL promote your business to other people. Likewise, if you provide bad service, they will tell that too! I am very conscious of providing the best service possible at every opportunity.


Please show your support by visiting Tracy's sites below.

Website: http://www.amariahnaturals.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=ff