Monday, July 12, 2010

Getting To Know The ERG Team

by Cherri Miele
Rather than racking my brain for a subject to write an article, I thought a list of interview questions for team members might be interesting. A good read to help us get to know each other as artists, as well as an opportunity for our readers and potential customers to learn more about us and our products.

Copy and paste the list of questions in your reply, add a space, then answer :0)

1. What is your Etsy shop name?

2. What is your primary shop item?

3. What is your favorite art medium?

4. Where do you get your inspiration from?

5. Do you gain inspiring ideas from looking at other forms of art?

6. How would you describe the difference between art vs craft?

7. Which piece in your shop are you most proud of and why? (please include link)

8. What is the price range of your items? (lowest-highest)

9. Who is your target market?

10. Please share one fellow ERG member's shop link who's work you admire and would buy from if you had the money.

8 comments:

Sarah said...

Great idea for a blog post...here are my answers...enjoy!
1. What is your Etsy shop name?
relove.etsy.com

2. What is your primary shop item?
My primary product is handmade sketchbooks and journals, made from vintage and upcycled mixed papers. However, I am in the middle of a big move and am currently offering "you print it" book plates and images until my studio is up and running again. Check out my books here: http://www.etsy.com/shop_sold.php?user_id=5699889&order=&page=1

3. What is your favorite art medium?
Paper...I LOVE Paper!

4. Where do you get your inspiration from?
I am inspired by turning trash into treasure and sharing my creations with others. I am also very inspired by collecting.

5. Do you gain inspiring ideas from looking at other forms of art?
Most definitely.

6. How would you describe the difference between art vs craft?
To me, they are one in the same. Art and craft are both easily attainable by everyone; all you need is a little inspiration, a good idea, and a few supplies.

7. Which piece in your shop are you most proud of and why? (please include link) I am most proud of my Mega Traveler Sketchbook. I love the look of all the mixed up paper and think it would be so much fun to work in. I will definitely be making more of these soon!
http://www.etsy.com/transaction/28287409

8. What is the price range of your items? (lowest-highest)
About $3-$30

9. Who is your target market?
Anyone who appreciates handmade paper products and nature inspired art.

10. Please share one fellow ERG member's shop link who's work you admire and would buy from if you had the money.
I think greentrunkclothing is so fun and quirky...it's just amazing what Jaya can do with old bed sheets. Make sure to check out her profile!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/greentrunkclothing?ref=seller_info

Janet said...

1. What is your Etsy shop name? WrapCycle

2. What is your primary shop item? laptop bags and sleeves, passport cases, card wallets, tote bags

3. What is your favorite art medium? Upcycled fabric - I love fabric, and I love the challenge of using fabrics that come to me in various forms, rather than just going to store and buying something off the bolt

4. Where do you get your inspiration from? I get a lot of product ideas from customers, actually; in terms of putting things together, though, the inspiration comes from the fabrics themselves; I love to mix and match colors and textures.

5. Do you gain inspiring ideas from looking at other forms of art? Yes. Although I haven't done any yet, I have series of design ideas based on art works, such as "Homage to the Square."

6. How would you describe the difference between art vs craft? It's a fine line, but it seems that the main differences are the utility of the finished product, and the intent of the artist. Crafts are typically for using; art is typically for viewing. A crafter is interested in showcasing the material being used; an artist is trying to communicate a message, emotion, point of view, etc.

7. Which piece in your shop are you most proud of and why? (please include link)
I really like this hand-pieced laptop sleeve. I like the blocks of color; I like the feel of the material; and I'm proud of the fact that I designed and created the overall fabric from small upholstery remnants I acquired.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/46814269/eco-padded-laptop-sleeve-hand-pieced

8. What is the price range of your items? (lowest-highest)
$8-$85

9. Who is your target market? Anyone who needs the practical items I make and appreciates their environmental and handcrafted aspects. My palette tends to run feminine but I do try to include things for men as well.

10. Please share one fellow ERG member's shop link who's work you admire and would buy from if you had the money.
I already purchased something from Cynthia Evans at TranzendentalArts as a gift for my mother; we both really liked it a lot and she was a good vendor to work with (I screwed something up and she was very patient with me!).
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TranzendentalArts

Cynthetic Styles by Tranzendental Arts said...

Great interview Cherri - thanks for the kudos Janet! You're both pros in my book! ;)

Cynthetic Styles by Tranzendental Arts said...

1. What is your Etsy shop name?

TranzendentalArts

2. What is your primary shop item?

Handmade Hats and Silk Tie Flowers

3. What is your favorite art medium?

Recycled fabric, especially silk neckties

4. Where do you get your inspiration from?

I tend toward Art Deco/Nouveau styles with a twist

5. Do you gain inspiring ideas from looking at other forms of art?

Absolutely, especially since I love the idea of alternate mediums

6. How would you describe the difference between art vs craft?

I would say art comes from the imagination to the hands and craft is the process once the idea reaches the hands - so they are both integral to my work.

7. Which piece in your shop are you most proud of and why? (please include link)

I think one of my more appealing designs would be the pinwheel ski cap; http://www.etsy.com/listing/39566344/pinwheel-ski-hat-ginger

8. What is the price range of your items? (lowest-highest)

$9 - $65

9. Who is your target market?

Folks who want to stand out with style and hint at their concern for society's current trend toward wastefulness

10. Please share one fellow ERG member's shop link who's work you admire and would buy from if you had the money.

It's hard to pick one, so much talent in our group! If I'm able to save up for a laptop I'd love to tote it around in one of Janet's bags from Wrapcycle like this one;
http://www.etsy.com/listing/24205713/eco-padded-laptopwrap-in-green-and-white

lizziecaye said...

1. What is your Etsy shop name? - http://lizziecaye.etsy.com

2. What is your primary shop item? Upcycled purses

3. What is your favorite art medium? Anything Tactile

4. Where do you get your inspiration from? Mainly nature - but I find that inspiration can come from anything.

5. Do you gain inspiring ideas from looking at other forms of art? Definitely!!!

6. How would you describe the difference between art vs craft? I'm not sure I would make a distinction.

7. Which piece in your shop are you most proud of and why? (please include link) Ummmm everything - I finished it! ;-)

8. What is the price range of your items? (lowest-highest) $15-$150

9. Who is your target market? I'm still working on that.

10. Please share one fellow ERG member's shop link who's work you admire and would buy from if you had the money.
There are so many - here are a few -
http://canoo.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dustDesignCo
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bottlehood
http://AlpenglowVintage.etsy.com
There are so many more!

Admin said...

1. What is your Etsy shop name?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroChalet
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroChaletStudio

2. What is your primary shop item?
RetroChalet - Vintage, Supplies, Upcycled
RetroChaletStudio - Handmade

3. What is your favorite art medium?
Trash, broken, rusty, or discarded goods.

4. Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration stems from my love of nature, to find uses for objects that would otherwise be discarded, or take forever to break down in a landfill. This is just part of my daily life, trying to live greener every day. In my art I'm happy to upcycled goods. In my vintage shop I hope that recycling these items keeps them out of the landfill.

5. Do you gain inspiring ideas from looking at other forms of art?
Yes, as a matter of fact. I find great inspiration looking at paintings and drawings, because I can't paint or draw a lick, I love to see how much time and effort it took for someone to draw or paint what they see on paper.

6. How would you describe the difference between art vs craft?

This is a hard question. I think crafting is fun and passes the time, can be easily done with a list of supplies, ie: A Martha Stewart Project for today is.........let's recover our chairs with recycled cloth. Instructions, may be challenging, but with direction.

Art however is inside of you, and requires much more skill, forethought, knowledge, and effort. Your art is original, and will appeal to some but not others. Art is not black or white but grey. Art is amazing.

7. Which piece in your shop are you most proud of and why? (please include link)

Honey I'm Leaving Assemglage
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51220223/honey-im-leaving-vintage-doll-assemblage

I'm most proud of my assemblage pieces, and the fact most raise money for charity projects.

8. What is the price range of your items? (lowest-highest)
Art $12 necklace to $1200 sculpture
Vintage $20 average

9. Who is your target market?
Art - Pop Art, Abstract, Retro Lovers, 18-40
Vintage - Everyone!

10. Please share one fellow ERG member's shop link who's work you admire and would buy from if you had the money.

I have to say, I've bought from many members so it seems I'm spending all my profits .

Those included
http://www.etsy.com/shop/reLove
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColeraineCreations
and many more

But for right now I really admire
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherspassion
because she has come so far with her art, mixing natural elements in has really done the trick, and using what she sees in nature and shares it with others. At one time I remember her being frustrated with sales on Etsy (as we all have been there) but instead of giving up she worked harder and all her effort is definitely paying off.

Admin said...

1.What is your Etsy shop name?

RetroChalet for vintage and RetroChaletStudio for handmade (merging into RetroChalet.etsy.com)

2. What is your primary shop item?

RetroChalet for vintage.
RetroChaletStudio Handmade – Upcycled Pendants and Assemblages,

3.What is your favorite art medium?

Trash and discarded goods. Rusty, crusty, thrown away junk.

4. Where do you get your inspiration from?

Nature telling me it’s my calling to reduce waste one item at a time.

5. Do you gain inspiring ideas from looking at other forms of art?

Yes, it’s funny, I admire so much those who can sew, paint, and draw (three things of which I cannot do.) I love to view art and see how much time and effort has gone into something, and to see the artist portray that work from their eyes, to their mind, to their pen, to the paper. It amazes me.

6. How would you describe the difference between art vs craft?

Craft may be something fun and instructional, something you do to copy a new trend or craft with friends or the kids, ie: today on Martha we’ll learn how to reupholster chairs. Art is something that comes from deep inside, and requires forethought, execution, skill and patience. At least for me it does. What really bugs me is those who think I throw my sculptures together in five minutes when I’ve been hemming and hauling to find that right piece for three years!

7. Which piece in your shop are you most proud of and why? (please include link)

Honey, I’m Leaving Assemblage
http://www.etsy.com/listing/51220223/honey-im-leaving-vintage-doll-assemblage
Why: Three years in the making.

8. What is the price range of your items? (lowest-highest)
Art $12 pendants to $300-$1200 sculptures (high end for charity), Vintage $20 average

9. Who is your target market?

18-45, those who appreciate pop art/retro/funky/spunky junque!

10. Please share one fellow ERG member's shop link who's work you admire and would buy from if you had the money.

I have purchased from ReLove, ColeraineCreations and many others. I am trying to find something from SweetandDirtys bc her upcycled bags appeal to me. I truly admire the artwork and drive of Cherri http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherspassion because I personally feel she has come along way in her craft, using nature as her inspiration , and instead of giving up when the going got tough on Etsy, put more hard work into her store and it’s paying off.  Maybe we can learn something form that.

emily grace said...

1. What is your Etsy shop name?

Emily Grace and the Yellow Suitcase (emilygracesuitcase.etsy.com)

2. What is your primary shop item?

Jewelry made from fused plastic, hand-stitched to wire.

3. What is your favorite art medium?

Photography or painting. Those are my first loves, but I don't have a darkroom or a space to paint right now, so I'm branching out a bit.

4. Where do you get your inspiration from?

Everywhere. I just observe everything around me, and my mind sort of blends everything together and spits out ideas at unexpected moments, such as when I'm going to sleep. I learn a lot from the materials I'm working with, too.

5. Do you gain inspiring ideas from looking at other forms of art?

Absolutely. One of my absolute favorite artists is Lee Bontecou, I love the way she uses untraditional materials in her sculptures in very unexpected ways.

6. How would you describe the difference between art vs craft?

I spend an entire semester in a philosophy of aesthetics class trying to figure that out! I'm inclined to say that art is more focused on process and message (successful art can be ugly) where craft is more focused on aesthetics and functionality (ugly crafts generally aren't considered successful). That's a tough question!

7. Which piece in your shop are you most proud of and why? (please include link)

I think I'm the most proud of the lily hair clips. http://www.etsy.com/listing/30607365/custom-lily-hair-clip

I'd been fighting with fused plastic for awhile, and that's the first item where everything suddenly just clicked for me.

8. What is the price range of your items? (lowest-highest)

$12-118

9. Who is your target market?

Women who are into larger statement pieces and vintage inspired things (particular with some of the new necklaces).

10. Please share one fellow ERG member's shop link who's work you admire and would buy from if you had the money.

I think Canoo's stuff, like this little piggy, is very cute.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48947253/tony-one-of-three-little-pig-canoodles