Link:lore (Nea)

Hello there. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Today I get to share a very lovely shop with you, Nea. Janick, the designer behind Nea, creates beautiful wall wear (a phrase she also created) and things you can wear too. I'm so happy to share her work with you and to find out more about her inspirations. Enjoy!

Olivia Necklace

Petula Earrings

Red Poppies Wall Wear

1. Why did you decide to open an online shop?

At first, I just wanted to see if something would sell. I have always been on the Web since the Web became accessible to the public, and it's been part of more than half my life! So it was a no brainer to try to sell online, rather than in brick & mortar stores. Plus, it gave me control of my time to make stuff (or not) since I was freelancing full-time as a graphic designer at the time, and I made jewelry in the evening for fun.

2. Who/what inspires you?

Anything and everything! Everything from design books to nature to music to blogs to shopping (anything really) can spark an idea, but the actual materials (textures and colors) are the basis of what I do! I also hold a blog where I find inspiring other wonderful artists and it keeps the inspiration going. Other people's creativity inspires me to go on!

Thanks Janick!

P.S. - You can read what Janick had to say about Inklore right here.

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Link:lore (Byrd & Belle)

Link:lore is the story behind the links...

I first saw the work of Angie, otherwise known as byrd & belle, on the front page of Etsy a few weeks ago and I was immediately drawn to her use of natural materials, beautiful detailing, and simple design. I also love that her shop is full of practical accessories, lovely things that make every day living more beautiful. Enjoy!

Laptop Sleeve

Gadget Case - Wool

Kit - Make your own Cup Cozy

1. Why did you decide to open an online shop?

I think for designers that have a fairly specific point of view, selling online is the best opportunity to reach people that share their design sensibilities. Had I started by only selling in local shops, I think I may have felt pressured to design based on the inventory of the shop, the customer demographic and what was or wasn't selling. I've found that when I've tried to cater to a trend or with the goal of sales in mine, my work is far less successful and fun to do.

2. Who/what inspires you?

My background is in architecture and it definitely affects the way I think through objects; focusing on the construction and details. I grew up on a farm in Iowa surrounded by traditional craft but in my adult life, I tend to tilt toward a modern aesthetic. This duality seems to come together in my work as I favor traditional materials and techniques but tend to pare down my patters and designs to a simple, modern object.

Thanks Angie!

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Link:lore (Grey Willow Studios)

Link:lore is the story behind the links...

I first found Grey Willow Studios on flickr, where Kristi shares her love for photography.  I especially love her flora photos.  Then, the other day when she posted some photos of her latest enamel work, I knew I needed to share it with you.  Her work is available in her etsy shop.  Enjoy!

1.  Why did you decide to open an online shop?

To me, selling online is the perfect blend of visibility, flexibility, and opportunity.  I actually started marketing my art online over ten years ago, when I started a website as an online portfolio.  At the time, it was intended merely as a diversion for me as a new stay-at-home-mom, but it rapidly snowballed into so much more.  The ability to connect with people is amazing - those connections extend not only to customers but also to the community of fellow artisans who are working hard to live their dream.  It is a way for me to keep my overactive mind busy, but it also affords me the freedom to take time out for myself or my family when needed.

Also, as someone who spent my formative years manning craft show booths with my family, I also very much appreciate not having to worry about tents blowing away, rain, wind, heat, cold, packing, finding parking, setting up, tearing down, making change, sleeping in hotels, and all of the upfront costs associated with doing shows all the time.  I am extremely thankful for the online selling experience.

2.  Who/what inspires you?

Everything!  I find inspiration everywhere.  Nature inspires me in many ways.  I've lived all over the United States, and I often draw on the sights and experiences of the different wonderful places I've been.  The variety of plant and animal life here is quite inspirational, from the tiniest fungi on a tree branch, to the variegations on color on a leaf, to birds of prey soaring overhead (and even occasionally landing in my yard), to alligators gliding through duckweed in the swamps.  The reflections in a droplet of water.  The colors and scents of the produce section at the grocery store.  I love the timeworn beauty of old houses, barns, and forgotten places.  My husband and children inspire me in so many ways.  I also love the parts of the world that can only be seen under a microscope.  And of course, I am inspired by the creative process and the materials themselves.  To hold something beautiful in your hands that only a short while ago was just a sheet of metal of a lump of clay - completely inspirational.

                                                         Thanks Kristi!

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Link:lore (Heather Smith Jones)

Before I opened my own shop, when I used to lurk around other blogs and flickr streams, I found the work of Heather Smith Jones.  Her paintings, pinhole series, and photography captured my imagination, and it was such a pleasant surprise to find that she is just as genuine as her work.  It's a pleasure to share her work and words with you.  Enjoy!

once in a dream

start with the foundation

summery photo prints

1.  Why did you decide to open an online shop?

My friends inspired me in conversations we were having and I thought to myself, "Hey, I am making work I think would be appropriate, I want to set up my own shop too!".  Literally within two days it was live.  Sometimes going with your gut instinct is a good thing.

2.  Who/what inspires you?

I am inspired largely by friends and ideas we share with each other.  In terms of art, I am always drawn to works on paper whether they be drawings, collage or print.  I also find fiber arts to be very interesting.  Right now I am visiting the UPPERCASE magazine: scrapbook and Art on Paper is a favorite magazine in print of mine.  And when I need to step away from the studio for a few hours I enjoy working in my garden or making a loaf of bread.  Sometimes for me, doing something else creative generates new ideas.

                                                                              Thanks Heather!

PS - I love the preview of UPPERCASE magazine's second issue: see it here.

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Link:lore (abby try again)

Good Monday Morning!  Welcome to this Monday's link:lore (the story behind the links).  I'm so happy today to welcome Abby from abby try again.  I first found Abby years ago when she was making prints.  It was when she was photographing her prints that she discovered her love of photography and she soon started taking the loveliest photos of moments in her own life.  She shares those moments on her blog and you can bring those moments home from her shop.

Lovely Ladies

brownie camera

donut

letters

brunea

1.  Why did you decide to open an online shop?

I first opened an etsy shop in September of 2005 to sell hand printed paper goods.  It was a way for me to be able to craft and explore some new hobbies-but not break the bank.  I met some great people along the way but eventually stopped making the paper goods.  I found out that I enjoyed taking photos of them better and in 2008 I opened a small photo shop on bigcartel.  I shoot film so the money from the sales helps me pay for all of the photos I take and post on my blog.

2.  Who/what inspires you?

I find inspiration in so many places but a huge one would be my Mother.  She has great style.  She was always toting us to thrift shops and garage sales when we were little and she always had amazing gardens.  I love flowers and plants and junk!  Another huge source of inspiration is flickr.  I check it everyday.  I've learned so much from friends I've found there.  It's amazing....

Be sure to visit Abby's flickr stream when you need a bit of inspiration.  Thanks Abby!

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Link:lore (Cicada Studio)

Today I'm excited to welcome Michelle from Cicada Studio.  Michelle is an inspiration to many part-time designers as she has recently started running her fabric design business full-time.  You can read more about Michelle on her blog, visit her shop on Etsy, and find her latest venture at cloud 9 fabrics.

Mod Quad Sampler

On The Wire

Quilt made with Dogwood Fabric Bundle 

1.  Why did you decide to open an online store?

I remember the exact moment this happened:  I was making a birthday card for my dear husband and when I finished I realized its uniqueness.  I thought, I should do one for every Zodiac sign and sell them.  So that's what I did.  A lot has changed since then, but I still get quite a lot of business for those cards through word of mouth, as I haven't sold them in the shop for well over a year now.

2.  Who/what inspires you?

I'm inspired by many people and things.  My peers, artists great and small, my husband, my kids, nature, design styles of eras past.  It's too vast a pool to be specific.  I think that because I am receptive to so much around me, is partly the reason for my prolific nature.  If only I had enough time to accomplish all the ideas that pop into my head from all the things that catch my attention.

                                            Thanks Michelle!

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Link:lore (Meghan Burch)

Hello there!  Today I'm delighted to welcome meghan burch, a screen print artist who makes fantastic homegoods, accessories, and apparel.  I've had my eyes on her folded bowls for a long time and am excited to introduce you to her.  Enjoy!

Folded Felt Bowl

Cork and Map Necklace

Mosaic Plant Quilted Coasters

1.  Why did you decide to open an online shop?

I wanted to start my business slowly, and small.  I also knew that my market was online, so if I wanted to connect with them, then I had to be online.  Joining the Etsy community just made sense.

2.  Who/what inspires you?

My inspiration comes from everywhere, but I'm particularly fascinated with growth patterns in nature, the installations and sculptures of Tara Donovan, and children's art and development process.  I also couldn't do what I do without surrounding myself with art and others who make it.  My husband, an illustrator, and I help and support each other.  I also work closely with another artist teaching in the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art's hands-on space, and through the collaboration get constant practice in the creative process and exposure to great art and design.

Thanks Meghan!

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Link:lore (A Mischievous Marriage)

"Playful exploration and serious collaboration - a mischievous marriage of materials, creativity, design, and craftsmanship."  As soon as I saw the work of Victoria and Andy, I fell for their quirky yet elegant take on display.

Maple Wedge Platter

Walnut Slab Platter

The Stand

1.  Why did you decide to open an online shop?

I found it very exciting to put our work in an online shop because it is a little bit like putting a message in a bottle and setting it free on an ocean; we wonder who will discover it.  Finding Etsy was very important to the decision of starting the shop.  It is a beautifully designed website offering international visibility, an incredibly supportive community, and helpful resources so that we can learn as we go.

2.   Who/what inspires you?

We are inspired by those things which conjure up a world that is creative, eccentric, eclectic, and beautiful.  These are a few examples:  the Art Nouveau period in Europe which includes Antonio Gaudi's architecture, the mid-century modern aesthetic, the fabulousness of Hollywood clothing and set design in movies from the 1920's through the 1960's, Federico Fellini films, Frank Gehry's architecture, Jean Cocteau, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, poet Leonard Cohen, music by Magnetic Fields, on and on it goes.....

I can't quite end a statement like this without mentioning that in spite of a world of mass production, we can still be inspired by quality and artisanship;  Time and skill invested because whatever the project, the result is to be treasured and enjoyed for years and even generations.  We hope to contribute to a more thoughtful and less disposable culture.

             Thanks Andy and Victoria!

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Link:lore (Jezze)

I could not be more excited to bring you Jesse today who has two shops, jezze and jezzeprints.  I first found Jesse when I was considering opening my own etsy shop; she has a wonderful tutorial about block printing on fabric on her blog, and was even kind enough to answer a few questions over email for me.  I'm forever grateful for her kindness, and am delighted to share her work with you.

hand printed buttons

ceramic brooch - blue leaf

blockprinted cotton tape

1.  Why did you decide to open an online shop?

To be able to make something in the morning and have it up for sale (and sometimes even sold) is amazing.  It feels like I can spend more time making, and less time physically trudging from shop to shop or working a market stall.  Although an online shop still takes time, because there's photographing, listing, emails, I can do all of that in my studio, and it becomes part of the making process.  I can be a little bit of a control freak, too, so the more I can do myself, the more I enjoy it.

And as a musician friend once told me: "There might be 20 people who love what you do, but what are the chances of them all living in the same town as you?"

2.  Who/what inspires  you?

Old appliances that are still working 50 years later.  The Pixies.  Tintin.  Neal Stephenson.  Stop-frame animation, it doesn't matter what kind.  Undoing the seams on vintage clothes and finding the unfaded colours of the original print.  Things I find lying in the street - photos, bits of ceramics, cloth offcuts.  Weeds.  Junk shops, old and new.  Today, a mixed bag of spools of sewing cotton I got for a bargain price, with the unlikeliest pinkish-red right next to a bright blue-green...  I'd never have thought that would work.

 

                            Thanks so much Jesse!

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Link:lore (Paperhill)

Today I'm delighted to welcome Susan from Paperhill, home of vintage reused, recycled, and reinvented accessories, paper, and wedding items.

Sweet Pea Bobbies (made from vintage earrings)

White flower sash or corsage 

Gold Damask Flocked Notecards

1.  Why did you decide to open an online shop?

I've been making things for years and mainly just gave them as gifts.  I never wanted to take weeks or months to prepare and then spend an entire weekend away from my family to go sell my wares at local craft shows.  I was in the process of putting together my own site when I found Etsy.  I opted to open my shop there and be part of its wonderful community.  I'm a stay at home mom of three great kids and selling on-line fits perfectly into my decision to be home with my family.

2.  Who/what inspires you?

I'm inspired by many things like fashion and magazines but mainly the past.  I spend a lot of time at estate sales looking for vintage bits and pieces to use in my creations.  I love taking something that was once loved and preserving it in a new way for someone else to enjoy and appreciate its beauty.

                                  Thanks so much Susan!

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Link:lore (Spooner Gregory)

Link:lore....the story behind the links

Welcome to Jon and Sarah, the duo behind Spooner Gregory.  Together they create amazing, original, relief prints, wood engravings, letterpress stationary and handmade books.  I am, of course, particularly fond of their block prints.

View from Cotehele - Original woodcut print

Vintage TLR Camera - Original woodcut print

St. Winifred's Well - Original wood engraving

1.  Why did you decide to open an online store?

We began printmaking together in 2005, but it wasn't until September 2007 that we set up an Etsy shop.  Before then, we'd given most of our editions away to friends and family.  With their encouragement we decided to start selling our work online.  Having an online shop has been such a great way for us to showcase our work to a wide audience, and to make new friends amongst the online printmaking and handmade community.

2.  Who/what inspires you?

We are constantly inspired be the English landscape that surrounds our home.  We live in Norfolk, in the east of England, which has a diverse landscape ranging from the coast to little fields with high hedgerows around hidden medieval churches.  We try and get out for a long walk in the country every weekend, armed with sketchbooks and a thermos flask of tea.

Everyday objects, patterns and coulours also often feature in our work - simple things like teacups, the shapes of a vintage camera, or faded painted signs on the sides of houses often catch our eye and end up as a print.

                   Thanks Sarah and Jon!

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Link:lore (Perideau Designs)

Welcome Bridgett of Perideau Designs, a modern stationary line. 

Hello note card

Mother's Day card

School of fish note cards

1.  Why did you decide to open an online shop?

I opened up shop as a way to express my creativity.  I enjoy challenging myself with new ideas and products and feed off the energy from my lovely customers.  Plus it doesn't hurt to bring in a little income to offset my shopping sprees on Etsy.

2.  Who/what inspires you?

I'm inspired by many things from modern architecture to the soft delicacies of vintage items, which is new and very different for me.

                                                                                Thanks Bridgett!

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