Alice and the Caterpillar on Vintage Poetry PageKim of Art and Everything Else enjoys creating unique art and has a passion for fabulous vintage finds. She creates beautiful antique book page art prints and one of a kind jewelry.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
We are a husband and wife team, Larry and Kim Milburn, who got started making mozarkite jewelry, That led us to making glass beads. Our artistic muse has taken us to many places. She's led us to make paper, to photographic prints, to our book page prints, not to mention traditional painting.
By day, I am an art teacher. I have taken my love of art into the classroom and I guide children PreK-6 on the path of creative exploration. Coincidentally, my love of art led me to the love of my life, Larry. Twenty years ago, I painted a bass on his business window, and we have been inseparable ever since.
By day, Larry is the energy behind our three etsy shops.
1888 French and English Dictionary Print Great Horned OWLHow did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
My husband has always been an entrepreneur and ran his own businesses. I've always been the artist type. Our etsy shops combines the best of both of us. We opened our first shop, FormedByFire, featuring mozarkite jewelry. Eventually we got into book page prints. We decided on the name ArtAndEverything Else because it focused on our passions and did not limit the type of items we would sell. As I said before, my musings can take me down different avenues, from jewelry, to art, to vintage items, and I wanted a shop that encompassed that.
What are 5 things you want people to think when they see your products/shop?
The five things that I want people to think are:
Wow! I want that! That would be perfect for me. Beautiful! I love it! We have done a lot of custom work and it is very important to us to match the customers desires with our talents.
Jellyfish 1888 French and English Dictionary PrintWhat or who inspires you?
Oh so many things inspire me. Conversations, color, nature, songs, books and poetry. History too, is very inspiring.
What are your best marketing tips?
We are still learning the best marketing strategies.
In ten years I'd like to be…
In ten years I hope to be at home painting in my pajamas, taking an early retirement from teaching.
Sea Turtle Print on an Antique DictionaryWhy should people buy vintage?
Vintage has a character, a charm, a history and a story that mass produced items can never duplicate. To me shopping for vintage items is like treasure hunting. You never know what you're going to find. At times it's like you have a recognition, almost as if the item is calling your name. So of course you take it home. Whatever it is. You did not start out looking for it, but it belongs with you. That's the feeling I'd like to create when people shop at Art And Everything Else.
What do you enjoy most about the Etsy Recycler's Guild Team?
I enjoy the Etsy Recycler's Guild Team because we share a common vision for creating artworks or crafts from the resources that we already have available to us. The Recycler's Guild is an amazing resource and I'm always excited to see what new things etsy artists and crafters are creating!
Geisha Book Page Art PrintWhat have been the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from other artists or Etsyians?
The most valuable lessons I've learned from other artists is the ins and outs of running an online business. So far, I'm still balancing the creation side versus the marketing side of an online business. I could paint all day long, and never sell anything. Thank goodness for my husband because his practical nature balances my dreaming nature. Selling online is an art that I'm still learning, and Etsy artists are a great resource for that information.
What are the web addresses where people can find you?
Etsy:
Art and Everything Else
Second Shop:
Prints Formed By Fire
Third Shop:
Prints Just For You
Website:
www.formedbyfire.com
Facebook Fan Page:
www.facebook.com/pages/formedbyfirecom/253327155357?created
Twitter:
twitter.com/Formed_By_Fire
Flickr:
FLICKR
Blog:
printsbyformedbyfire.blogspot.com
This interview was contributed by Jessica of Eco-Friendly Freckles.
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