tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39540419841273623462024-02-19T07:43:56.368-08:00folk reveriesThe official blog for the Folk Reveries Etsy Team.Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-62495406148792524572013-09-23T12:13:00.002-07:002013-09-23T12:16:57.055-07:00Interview with Ally Shaw of Feral StrumpetOur team blog has been quiet for a bit as we've been adjusting to our new team leadership and structure. Join the conversations in our team <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries" target="_blank">Forum</a> if you haven't been there for a while! We are working to make the team more active and promote our fabulous members, and we need everyone to pitch in!<br />
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But now you are in for a treat! I've interviewed the fabulous <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/feralstrumpet" target="_blank">Ally Shaw</a>, the creatrix behind the Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/feralstrumpet" target="_blank">Feral Strumpet</a>. I just adore Ally's aesthetic, her use of vintage fragments and her beautiful attention to detail. Each of her designs is so very special, yet they are also coherent; you know right away they are hers! She's been kind enough to tell us about herself and her work. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of Ally Shaw by Gordon Fraser, taken with an antique collodion camera</td></tr>
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<i>Dru: When did you start designing jewelry? Tell us about your journey to being a successful Etsy seller.</i><br />
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Ally: I started designing and making jewellery as a teenager. Originally the owner of the local bead shop taught me the basics. I think at the time she was just giving me something to keep me out of trouble, but it ended up being my livelihood! That shop is still open almost 30 years later-- The Bead Shop in Laguna Beach, California. In the US I taught writing to college students but when I moved to the London it was very difficult to find work. I had all kinds of jobs before moving to Yorkshire, where it was impossible so I decided to try to sell what I make on Etsy. This is the best job I’ve ever had, in all ways.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWzrqNrMkNQQnb26p3PA065TSz5-7WEfVh0qQ-O-1-1E4_RQ0nKAbEQt1zkVNqlyeVgyxhwWHY85h7A7qL2-j_FJsKsO-Xeuy0-g7xOD3AqNHFnEe96IXgyZaQAxaQ3gLHnDTbkfVOOg/s1600/ally+tribal+hoop+earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWzrqNrMkNQQnb26p3PA065TSz5-7WEfVh0qQ-O-1-1E4_RQ0nKAbEQt1zkVNqlyeVgyxhwWHY85h7A7qL2-j_FJsKsO-Xeuy0-g7xOD3AqNHFnEe96IXgyZaQAxaQ3gLHnDTbkfVOOg/s400/ally+tribal+hoop+earrings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/150808537/tribal-hoops-in-brass-for-the-gypsy" target="_blank">Tribal Hoop Earrings in Brass</a>, by Feral Strumpet</td></tr>
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<i>Dru: Your work always looks as though there is a story behind it. From your blog, it looks as though many of your jewellery designs are based on sacred places. How important is spirituality to your work? And how does your artistic process typically play out?</i><br />
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Ally: I’m very interested in the landscape and fairy tales and myths, especially as they relate to the places near me. I love to go hiking and researching ancient wells and standing stones-- there are quite a few of those nearby. I get many new ideas while walking out on the lunar landscape of the moors-- the heather is in full bloom right now-- purple haze! It’s one of my favourite places to be.<br />
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Most creations start with colours and textures, and as they take shape in my hands they suggest stories I’ve heard, or certain aspects of Goddesses, and once I know that, it’s easy the finish the piece and describe it. I would hope there is at least sincerity in what I make, if not spirituality. If it is not sincere,<br />
it goes back to the “works in progress” box.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1zmKSpYmaNzRPD7c4KPBR627Gem1CQp3NeSArD5_Ca0zj5QhWMWWauk8k3x7V9HwG0v_aBYJOCBlzuZLAOlvU1S399YahQLcgTqdv4NKa6gSrn0feUvGma8yRtnsZMXRA4Z_IB3CvYM/s1600/ally+wicca+handfasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1zmKSpYmaNzRPD7c4KPBR627Gem1CQp3NeSArD5_Ca0zj5QhWMWWauk8k3x7V9HwG0v_aBYJOCBlzuZLAOlvU1S399YahQLcgTqdv4NKa6gSrn0feUvGma8yRtnsZMXRA4Z_IB3CvYM/s400/ally+wicca+handfasting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/115746019/wicca-handfasting-earring-and-necklace" target="_blank">Wicca Handfasting Earring and Necklace Set</a>, by Feral Strumpet</td></tr>
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<i>Dru: Can you describe your favourite design, and why it's your fave? </i><br />
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Ally: I love the Black Hearted Love necklace. It was the first design I made for myself that I wear all the time. Three years ago, a friend of mine saw me wearing it while wringing my unemployed hands, and she asked why I didn’t just sell my designs. It has been one of my most popular designs. No two are the same as they are made with fragments of antique and vintage rosaries I’ve salvaged, and hand carved lacquer hearts. I try to pair stones and Czech glass elements, inspired by the skulls and glass tears of nuns’ rosaries and other prayer beads across different faiths. I especially enjoy replicating the aged patinas on the metals I use so it becomes a harmonious artifact. It is one of my designs that has appeared on the Front Page of Etsy-- so I feel it is almost a defining design for my shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF6FUD3L1pwaSZ5FPF6GDjusZW1F4XQUJ4CAg0zu-cER0zVGuln6dY6RaDQ1HmzNUxwc2khhMQ6bOq_NCiZsGZRNI7J-JcolSqprBoMEBishiBdj7P-7e4ZrmOR2rBqv3x4HnNZCZQbI/s1600/ally+shaw+black+rosary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF6FUD3L1pwaSZ5FPF6GDjusZW1F4XQUJ4CAg0zu-cER0zVGuln6dY6RaDQ1HmzNUxwc2khhMQ6bOq_NCiZsGZRNI7J-JcolSqprBoMEBishiBdj7P-7e4ZrmOR2rBqv3x4HnNZCZQbI/s400/ally+shaw+black+rosary.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/121402935/vintage-black-rosary-necklace-and-carved" target="_blank">Black Hearted Love Necklace</a> by Feral Strumpet</td></tr>
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<i>Dru: I see you are also a tribal belly dancer as well as a writer! How do your different artistic pursuits relate to or inform each other?</i><br />
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Ally: Writing, making jewellery and running the Etsy shop are all really solitary, sedentary pursuits. I took up belly dancing to have a social, physical outlet that would be more glamorous and fun than just going to the gym! I fell in love with it, especially American Tribal Style belly dance and Gothic Fusion. I think my work making things and talking about them in my shop has become an extension of my work as a writer or storyteller. That’s part of the reason I love Etsy, is it allows for stories.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfhS5s10msGlvyX4iiM99mWpOJPrgVLcgWRukzIHZmnjhRSkVkUN3CA5Y3DfE5nFQWGsKjlkhVf_EElYAbIF3jo1P9fKGxZIqGLZUeGXYwJTKYymyGLVhzkLHom9xSm95Wc96SY9ldLc/s1600/ally+witch+grimoire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfhS5s10msGlvyX4iiM99mWpOJPrgVLcgWRukzIHZmnjhRSkVkUN3CA5Y3DfE5nFQWGsKjlkhVf_EElYAbIF3jo1P9fKGxZIqGLZUeGXYwJTKYymyGLVhzkLHom9xSm95Wc96SY9ldLc/s400/ally+witch+grimoire.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/129844649/witch-ball-grimoire-bookmark-blown-glass" target="_blank">Witch Ball Grimoire Bookmark</a>, by Feral Strumpet</td></tr>
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<i>Dru: How often do you work shows? Is that a growing aspect of your business, or do you prefer selling online?</i><br />
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Ally: I love selling at Eastercon, the British Science Fiction Association annual convention. It is the only show I really do currently. The con is full of fans of genre fiction and readers and people who really get the idea of supporting indie, fan-based businesses. Other than that, I focus selling online as it really is just me, and my wires, pliers, hammers and anvil. Selling at shows requires transport and helpers which I don’t always have. I’ve sold at shows where it just wasn’t a handmade market or it wasn’t well publicized. I think it would be difficult in Yorkshire to make ends meet only doing shows. I can reach people all over the world, night or day with my online shop-- it’s hard to compete with that!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLvkyQCpPV7IE_IjpZS_Mne6jDPfFY82XqSG8BMfHsQJW2oySUYu11iM968q2TLyRn8Y_UnvKt2vi_bltnR9cO6xWF4pKoXe2H1UL919j_zsuFXN74zzYPRI45e21uiGmWmJ0qYXmu_A/s1600/ally+gothic+crucifix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLvkyQCpPV7IE_IjpZS_Mne6jDPfFY82XqSG8BMfHsQJW2oySUYu11iM968q2TLyRn8Y_UnvKt2vi_bltnR9cO6xWF4pKoXe2H1UL919j_zsuFXN74zzYPRI45e21uiGmWmJ0qYXmu_A/s400/ally+gothic+crucifix.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97388225/gothic-crucifix-cross-necklace-halloween" target="_blank">Gothic Crucifix Cross Necklace</a> by Feral Strumpet</td></tr>
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<i>Dru: What are your goals for your business going forward?</i><br />
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Ally: I plan to increase my smithing skills and hope to expand so that I can actually hire a helper or two. Right now I am working at capacity-- it’s wonderful but I would love to have more time to design new pieces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmjhqLT5qh01-p6jvibuQfJ4ezUtmiGMrL-E0jsAztNABcyK0akU5icJM1qglFf5z5lhoTR-slAGOrMYSAyhqA9sAPCNlZkaaDRM4a3OJyxzqYcj1ZDJ4IVj4GZv0Wh71VIVODQjb7-g/s1600/ally+rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmjhqLT5qh01-p6jvibuQfJ4ezUtmiGMrL-E0jsAztNABcyK0akU5icJM1qglFf5z5lhoTR-slAGOrMYSAyhqA9sAPCNlZkaaDRM4a3OJyxzqYcj1ZDJ4IVj4GZv0Wh71VIVODQjb7-g/s400/ally+rings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/156136480/mens-or-womens-ring-in-copper-sterling" target="_blank">Men's or Women's Rings</a> by Feral Strumpet and modeled by Sarah</td></tr>
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<i>Dru: What are your hopes for the Folk Reveries team? Is there anything the team can do to support you and our other talented artists?</i><br />
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Ally: The Folk Reveries Team is the most inspiring team on Etsy for me. It is full of storytellers and artists who have a very seductive aesthetic. Anytime I want a dose of creative energy, I browse the shops there, especially the illustrators, painters and printmakers on that team, and I’m instantly back in touch with this dark, wild woodland folktale world that fuels so many of my designs. I would love to see some sort of collaboration happen between team members, joint storytelling that might take shape in blog posts or online galleries. I really feel supported by this team and am very grateful for that. Thank you for giving me the chance to talk about my work!<br />
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<i>Please join me in thanking Ally for this glimpse into her world! And please visit her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/feralstrumpet" target="_blank">shop</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/feralstrumpet/about" target="_blank">about page</a>, <a href="http://feralstrumpet.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/feralstrumpet" target="_blank">twitter</a>! </i>Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-5824748810337535922013-07-12T07:48:00.000-07:002013-07-12T07:48:52.743-07:00Jill Hoffman of Forever Pine is our new Team Captain!!<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Welcome, Jill! <a href="https://www.etsy.com/people/ForeverPine">Jill Hoffman</a> is an accomplished illustrator and has all kinds of goodies in her Etsy shop, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ForeverPine">Forever Pine</a>. Outgoing Captain <a href="https://www.etsy.com/people/RenaissanceDays">Janeane Wilbur</a> conducted an interview with Jill so we could all get to know her better. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: Please introduce yourself.</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: Hello! My name is Jill Hoffman and I am an artist living in Upstate New York in the Finger lakes region. I live with a lot of cats.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvqllWKSyLQ58Ph83KUn3FpqLxvf7vpSFwsHRFB1A-pc22ObmRyxkw3JhQ40k1e_PCjH4RfRWNAL-LYH9IyBlRfyCQAm_HhbXEAybZz4Zivwy_DnnUApqMNA4CC0Pb-iGYL5skA0qr1I/s1600/FR+jill+hoffman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvqllWKSyLQ58Ph83KUn3FpqLxvf7vpSFwsHRFB1A-pc22ObmRyxkw3JhQ40k1e_PCjH4RfRWNAL-LYH9IyBlRfyCQAm_HhbXEAybZz4Zivwy_DnnUApqMNA4CC0Pb-iGYL5skA0qr1I/s400/FR+jill+hoffman.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: What does “folk” mean to you and how do you identify yourself as a folk artist?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: To me folk art can be charming, crafted, useful, eccentric, rustic, natural, and magical. To me, It is a creative reflection of who you are and your roots.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I feel that I identify with folk because my work resonates with a lot of people’s love for nature, particularly animals. I also sometimes use found/up-cycled objects to create my work, and rock painting has been done for a very long time. There’s some historical appreciation in that, as well as a child-like love!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: When did you know that you wanted to become an artist?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: I think it was innate, I followed my inclination naturally and it’s led me to this point. Even when I was very young, creating beautiful things for myself and other people seemed like a way of life. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: What inspires you the most when you create?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: The inherent magic I sense in animals, plants and stories inspires me the most. Because of that, ordinary critters seem mysterious and I feel they have secrets. I see a beautiful animal and feel the need to draw its spirit or essence so to speak.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmqAWY6HgIYeBKMLfK9rK3lYYgald70LRKIu65BbuAA3RVfpeSN8yhc-XhGrMSM88DsQM6mKgW8TEyo2lhHDTrB70efup0gWHX4dbtJ29p9GzeJUiQmVCLdkrBdia-T8BlKkB8xgzYyQ/s1600/FR+butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmqAWY6HgIYeBKMLfK9rK3lYYgald70LRKIu65BbuAA3RVfpeSN8yhc-XhGrMSM88DsQM6mKgW8TEyo2lhHDTrB70efup0gWHX4dbtJ29p9GzeJUiQmVCLdkrBdia-T8BlKkB8xgzYyQ/s400/FR+butterfly.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: What is your most favorite working supply?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: I’d say the pencil. It’s the first thing I reach for when I have an idea. It’s the starting point and origin of my work!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: Do you have any creative patterns or rituals with your work?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: Lighting incense, making some tea, and collecting inspiring photos is typical for me. Creating a clean and calm space is also important. Freeing myself from clutter is liberating. I’m able to get my thoughts down and feel more inspired that way.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: Do you have a favorite artist? And if so, why are they your favorite?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: This question is always difficult for me to answer – I feel like I discover favorites every day! If I had to choose, the Golden Age Illustrators touch me deeply. I love the storybook feel and dynamic compositions that those artists excelled in. The artists are so skillful; the artwork from that time is captivating and enchanting. The color palettes of Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac have affected my work a lot.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: What is your favorite theme to pursue?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: Animal spirits and ghosts!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: What other jobs have you done other than being an artist?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: Years ago I worked in local wineries.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I am lucky in that both of my current jobs involve art. When I graduated college, I found an illustration/graphic design job in my area where I could create artwork for children. It was as if fate had planned it!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: How long have you been selling on Etsy?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: I started my Etsy shop on June 2nd, 2010. I really enjoy making items specifically for my shop and custom requests are very fun.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: As the team Captain, what is a vision that you have for the team that you’d like to share?</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: I hope that mine and the Leaders’ efforts will contribute to a revived team attitude, and encourage members to participate more. To me, this means strengthening traditions and participation in forum activity, team member interviews, giveaways, treasury challenges and more. I’d love to eventually plan a team crafting meet-up! It’s about feeling supported, inspiring each other, and having a sense of community that you belong to.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Janeane: If you were able to wave a magical wand and make one thing happen, what would it be?</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jill: I will simply say I wish for the human race to treat the Earth with more respect and kindness.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Aho! Jill has plans to shift some of the team responsibilities, and there are some new rules for membership outlined on the team forum <a href="https://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/12529080/">here</a>. Please be sure and read these - they are very important for our team to move forward! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Thanks so much, Janeane, for all your work as team Captain, and congratulations, Jill! Janeane and I will stay on as leaders, along with<a href="https://www.etsy.com/people/ChYMieRa"> Chymiera</a>, so don't hesitate to ask any of us if you have questions or concerns pertaining to the team. And drop by the<a href="https://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries"> team forum</a> and give Jill a warm welcome!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ebf6f9; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-15944061139027323652012-04-14T15:29:00.000-07:002012-04-14T15:29:16.233-07:00Interview with Meghann Rader, fine artist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Meghann Rader is a mixed media fine artist living in Canada. Her work renders the natural world in a graphic way. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meghann Rader</td></tr>
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FR: Hi, Meghann, and welcome. Tell us a little bit about your business. <br /><br />
MR: My shop has gone through a bit of a transformation recently. When I
first started on Etsy, it wasn't my main focus. My items were very
random and didn't really speak to who I am. I've recently had the
opportunity to put a full time effort into my business and I've been
putting a lot of energy into making new items and rebranding to create a
shop that's cohesive and represents me. <br /><br />
My shop is now focused on my experience living on the west coast of
Canada, the landscape here and the plants and animals that live within
it . <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3sSn9VP6NQc44Z4vkep8Z4h-G5uKJ9QS8c0o3iNG3t4TsNhyphenhyphencxwu5eXZ5trykPYjW4Qe1Sxk7MkmFrIOccm3P3bhBYzOF3fY6woSNJLxlAf0FthIQNq8MzOASX4tuSqmhyphenhyphenTG01_01L95/s1600/aerosmith+real.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3sSn9VP6NQc44Z4vkep8Z4h-G5uKJ9QS8c0o3iNG3t4TsNhyphenhyphencxwu5eXZ5trykPYjW4Qe1Sxk7MkmFrIOccm3P3bhBYzOF3fY6woSNJLxlAf0FthIQNq8MzOASX4tuSqmhyphenhyphenTG01_01L95/s400/aerosmith+real.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Alberni</td></tr>
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FR: Why did you choose to name your shop and business after yourself? <br />
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MR: I've used my name
because I want to represent myself as an artist, not be a person behind a
brand name. I want to be able to take my work to galleries and stay
consistent with how I'm representing myself on and offline. <br /><br />
FR: Tell me more about the experience living in Canada. From the pictures I've seen on your blog, it looks so lovely there.<br /><br />
MR: I live on Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada. We recently
relocated from Victoria, a medium sized city on the south island to Port
Alberni a fairly small city that sits in a valley in the middle of the
Island. I love that there are green tree lines and mountains in every
direction. If you look at my work you will see that the view here has
been a big inspiration for me lately.<br /><br />
FR: How did you get your inspiration to get started with a business?<br /><br />
MR: I guess the cliche thing to say would be I've always loved creating and
have always wanted to work for myself, which is true. The real beginning
of wanting to be a full time artist happened when I was in my third
year of University studying a variety of courses that weren't really
leading me anywhere. I needed another elective so I thought I would sign
up for an art class. Art was something I was good at and I figured it
would be easy. I went to the art department to inquire and was rudely
rejected without even having shown my portfolio. I was insulted. “I'll
show them” I thought. In the weeks that followed I decided to drop out
of the school entirely and I applied to the Emily Carr Institute of Art
and Design In Vancouver. I like to say I did this out of spite, but it
was actually just the kick in the pants I needed to pursue something I
actually liked doing. I did get into Emily Carr, which is a whole other
cliche-filled story for another day.<br /><br />
FR: I wonder if that professor knows that he actually was a boon to you on that day. Do you also have a day job, or is this your full-time business? <br /><br />
MR: I spent the last four years working at an art supply store in Victoria.
Sometimes I think of it as having a second degree because I learned so
much about the mechanics of creating. I love talking about art supplies
and figuring out how to turn a concept into reality. When we relocated
this past November I was lucky enough to be able to focus on my business
full time. I feel like I'm still in the early stages of it but I'm
working hard every day to get my work out into the world.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At work in Meghann's studio.</td></tr>
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FR: It looks like you're off to a great start. What's your favorite item in your shop and why? <br /><br />
Maybe it's just me, but I feel like original artwork alone can be a bit
of a hard sell on Etsy, so I'm always looking for ways to create artwork
with multiple uses. I've recently started making my own pendant and
brooch bases and painting little tree line vignettes and animal
portraits on them. I'd have to say these are my favorite items right now
because I am having so much fun making them. Each one is a little piece
of wearable original art.<br />
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FR: What's your favorite folk or fairytale?<br /><br />
It's hard to pin down one favorite tale. Lately I've been listening to a
lot of storytelling on sites like Librivox while I do my work. Librivox
offers content that's in the public domain so there are many old
stories to be found. There are a lot of wonderful modern folktales out
there as well. One in particular that I've been fond of recently is
called Night of Hunters. It's a song cycle inspired by classical music,
written and preformed by Tori Amos. The story begins with the ending of a
relationship. It follows the woman's psychological journey through the
night where she is confronted by a shapeshifting being named Annabelle.
Annabelle helps the woman examine the destructive nature of her broken
relationship and leads her to the Fire Muse who then shows the woman how
to regain her strength and to see the world and the loss of her
relationship in a new way.<br />
Here is a little video about it:<a class="external-link-overlay-trigger overlay-trigger" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YqyabhBTL0" rel="#external-link-overlay" target="_blank" title="This external link will open in a new window"><br /></a><br />
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Please visit Meghann at <a href="http://www.meghannrader.com/">www.meghannrader.com</a>. You can find her shop at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeghannRader">http://www.etsy.com/shop/MeghannRader</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-36183418292137726592012-03-18T23:31:00.005-07:002012-03-18T23:56:51.253-07:00Welcome, New Captain!!I'm so pleased to present an interview with our new team Captain, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/HansMyHedgehog">Jessica Boehman</a> of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HansMyHedgehog?ref=pr_shop_more">Hans My Hedgehog</a>!! Jessica is a talented illustrator, etsy-er, and art history professor. Her illustrations are so beautifully detailed, and she has already brought a great new energy and dedication to our Folk Reveries team. I will still be around as a team leader, and I know we'll have a smooth transition.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblqcelh92WsRRgggWzdcDWQemc95yAXV9IVGyifIH5hTlXWY7jtxabh6Yp6VdFSOyjIS8zmklnNP6t0sya7gYn1vaPckWscREgqiGCkrfx7jxV1K4Tr9s_UwIzXUd5jjmeP-dBpsHsxk/s1600/hedgehog.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblqcelh92WsRRgggWzdcDWQemc95yAXV9IVGyifIH5hTlXWY7jtxabh6Yp6VdFSOyjIS8zmklnNP6t0sya7gYn1vaPckWscREgqiGCkrfx7jxV1K4Tr9s_UwIzXUd5jjmeP-dBpsHsxk/s400/hedgehog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721495105568710946" /></a><br /><br />To help all of us get to know Jessica, I asked her a few questions....<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: How did you become an artist?</span><br /><br />Jessica: I wanted to become an artist when I was just a kid of maybe five or six. My older brother had a sketchbook...blank pages that it was ok to draw on. Wow, that was such an exciting idea to me. I had always liked drawing and set my mind to it at that point that I would be good at it. No one really tells you differently if you set your mind to it. I took all the art classes I could throughout primary and secondary education, and was a Studio Art/Art History major in college, with a focus on illustration. I only started my shop in January of 2011, after completing my Ph.D. in the History of Art. I knew it was time to start drawing again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE0UqEB5SBTzg7V5ov6OG5EmhRbz5RQbskL88R3zBSt1RjlklV7HeWpX2_2mfsqxJsxoJ5loZxkxCyUXmmSCatphYJvo-vibh9lOdtM5IZfLOc1K1eNMNGfR0l3NB7xMb2cHf5Pti49E/s1600/hedgehog+goat.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE0UqEB5SBTzg7V5ov6OG5EmhRbz5RQbskL88R3zBSt1RjlklV7HeWpX2_2mfsqxJsxoJ5loZxkxCyUXmmSCatphYJvo-vibh9lOdtM5IZfLOc1K1eNMNGfR0l3NB7xMb2cHf5Pti49E/s400/hedgehog+goat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721497635583210578" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: What are your inspirations and influences?</span><br /><br />Jessica: I take a lot of inspiration from stories. I loved reading as a child, and still do. I have dog-eared, broken-spined, careworn copies of books of tales that I still keep near my studio. There's something about the magic of those stories that captures the wonder of being a child. I want to remember that when I draw, because I feel like I am capturing my childhood again when I smell the pencil shavings and feel the paper under my hand. I have a callus on my right hand that will never go away; it developed after hours upon hours of drawing, head bent, over my sketchbook.<br /><br />I also take inspiration from travel. As a military brat, I lived all over the country and in Germany. As my heritage is half German, I really started identifying with the Brothers Grimm over there. You can image the trolls living in those mountains in the south, or mermaids in the North Sea. As a grad student, I was lucky enough to earn a Fulbright to study for a year in Rome. The beautiful sculptures and paintings, but even moreso the mosaics and tapestries, made me interested in continuing my study of pattern and mirroring that you can see peppered throughout my work.<br /><br />I love children's books, too, like the subtle, fantastical shading of Chris van Allsburg, the medieval detail of Gennady Spirin, and the elaborate narrative borders of Trina Schart Hyman. I am amazed by the talent out there and it makes me excited to try to be a part of it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDli2m39ECpVZdxMIxw5gX6U0U_3zyRA629c2JdeFXXVQDfxCDCgz7L11QthVE1kRKXScfyux6bS7FMJF99nA8gBbgFf94VCsGxvWp1folLhwr4t7p3yQH_ic7_BmxH4tIz7LsXYP-iA/s1600/hedgehog+rooster.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDli2m39ECpVZdxMIxw5gX6U0U_3zyRA629c2JdeFXXVQDfxCDCgz7L11QthVE1kRKXScfyux6bS7FMJF99nA8gBbgFf94VCsGxvWp1folLhwr4t7p3yQH_ic7_BmxH4tIz7LsXYP-iA/s400/hedgehog+rooster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721495100370292242" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: What is your art practice like? (and any tips on combining it with a day job?)</span><br /><br />Jessica: I draw after completing my "homework" for my teaching gigs. I also draw on my commute, part of which is spent on the Staten Island Ferry. <br /><br />As for the drawings, I usually do a mock-up on photoshop to lay out a composition (that saves me tons of time), and then start with a gentle sketch. I work in tiny sections at a time, bringing it to full-finish before moving on to the next section. It prevents me from leaving a work unfinished (like I tended to do when I worked in washes or layers one at a time). How this will translate to color work: probably not very well. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkXchBPKwmlMy7tOI7Y4R54kJTIMQ5A3ilErl8m90MnCH4gRSA6NIF8lBL3Rds7dOSpuFYCiju8HTxp3UTn0H7LcuZrXl2N2XdHAb8sHkOwU1aReX8Yxsn5DGqduQLY52VkuHb3W71pY/s1600/hedgehog+bremen.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkXchBPKwmlMy7tOI7Y4R54kJTIMQ5A3ilErl8m90MnCH4gRSA6NIF8lBL3Rds7dOSpuFYCiju8HTxp3UTn0H7LcuZrXl2N2XdHAb8sHkOwU1aReX8Yxsn5DGqduQLY52VkuHb3W71pY/s400/hedgehog+bremen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721497644950802146" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: What are your goals for the future?</span><br /><br />Jessica: My goals are to make Hans-My-Hedgehog Illustrations a full time gig. I started on that road by attending the Arts Business Institute annual workshop in February. I learned so much about how to be realistic in planning my future. I also want to be completely eco-friendly, to work in league with the Wildlife Conservation Society, and to expand into children's books. Next up are illustrated pillows. They are gorgeous.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgOBNs8WCpyzv0vmiLEqB2BljNUA7PWAV6zRlBLdxFuAOsw4Ajx2a-MF19noMBQJc94HuOaKD2VhlRL3IPBHX1Qo7XCDvH-BHAv3mMvuk_A6TrWvmaTMdDvYqM5_pFHJsXVSOpEdB-fg/s1600/hedgehog+bird.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgOBNs8WCpyzv0vmiLEqB2BljNUA7PWAV6zRlBLdxFuAOsw4Ajx2a-MF19noMBQJc94HuOaKD2VhlRL3IPBHX1Qo7XCDvH-BHAv3mMvuk_A6TrWvmaTMdDvYqM5_pFHJsXVSOpEdB-fg/s400/hedgehog+bird.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721495086076329026" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: What sort of plans or goals do you have for the Folk Reveries team? And, what would you like to say to our team members?<br /></span><br />Jessica: I'd like to see us revive the original spirit of the team. That may mean taking new members. I'd like to see a dynamic community where we can discuss our successes, setbacks, or questions about professional issues. That being said, I'd like to try to bring the focus back to our folk/fairytale/nature roots...I imagine challenges and blogposts from the team as a whole that talk about our shared experiences with that magical world. Thanks so much for having me! I can't wait to work with all of you--my very favorite shops on Etsy.<br /><br />Hear, hear!! Thank <span style="font-style:italic;">you,</span> Jessica!! <br /><br />**Please visit Jessica's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HansMyHedgehog?ref=seller_info">shop</a>, her <a href="http://www.hansmyhedgehogblog.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, and of course our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/">Folk Reveries team forum</a>.Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-68763656847349100462012-02-16T20:05:00.002-08:002012-03-06T00:43:20.525-08:00Yes, it's Back!!We took a nice break from the treasury challenges, literally months!! I hope everyone had a nice Holiday & New Year! And now we are almost into spring!<br />I have had a really good past few months~ As many of you know, I have Crohn's disease & Ulcerative Colitis which gives me exhausting bouts of pancreatitis. Last year I was in the ER over 50 times, had 2 colonoscopies, and 3 surgeries. By the time October got here, I was so overwhelmed that I really thought about throwing in the towel. Then one of my friends called and asked if I wanted to go on a cruise... I immediately called the travel agent & booked it. I visited & hiked The Mayan ruins, snorkled in Beliz, visited Mexico & Honduras, cruised around the Caribbean sea for 8 days and came back refreshed!<br /><br />I know many of you have probably thought I had given up on keeping these challenges going, but what I really needed was a pick me up. While I was on my cruise, I came back and found out that a treasury ( not one of our team) that I made, made the front page, and two of my items on other treasuries made the front page. I had a boat load of sales while I was sailing on a boat! harhar. <br />But it made me realize that treasuries DO help sales! <br /><br />So, this notice is the "Official Commencement" of the Folk Reveries Team Treasury Challenge.<br /><br />So get those fingers ready, not just to curate, but to click, comment & share on other team members' treasuries!<br /><br />The Folk Reveries Treasury Challenges will run every fortnight (by-weekly), then members will be given a week to vote on them.<br />The curators of the winning treasuries will be announced along with any prizes that will be given.<br />The winner will also be awarded by having curators use one of their items per treasury made in the following challenge.<br /><br />All of the rules for making a treasury for this challenge can be found <a href="http://folkreveries.blogspot.com/2011/02/introducing-weekly-treasury-challenges.html">here.</a><br /><br />So, our first fall treasury challenge will begin on Thursday the 9th, and run til the 23th- Voting will begin on Friday the 24th and a winner will be announced on or around Friday, March 1st. <br /><br />To make this challenge even a little bit sweeter, the winner will receive a $15 credit to ANY of my shops!<br />Anyone else interested in donating a prize, convo <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/ChYMieRa">me</a>!!<br />Good luck and may all our treasuries make the front page & bring in lots of sales !!<br />xoxo Chy<br /><br />p.s. Make AS MANY treasuries as you like, there is no limit!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />{Posted by Drucilla for Chymiera}</span>Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-45364939530651179942011-12-26T14:25:00.000-08:002011-12-26T21:17:14.852-08:00Mary's Granddaughter CindyWell, it's been some time since I updated our team blog, but what can I say - it's a busy time of year to be a maker! But I'm making it all up to you with an interview with one of my favourite team members, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/marysgranddaughter">Cindy Steiler</a> of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarysGranddaughter">Mary's Granddaughter</a>. I was a longtime fan of her work, and then she and I started chatting earlier this year about the direction of our team. I was struck by her dedication to our team and her ideas about it, and thought that asking her to share more widely would help us begin a dialogue about our team. So she kindly allowed me to interview her in this season of busy-ness.<br /><br />Cindy is a longtime member of Folk Reveries, and a successful multi-media artist. Her work has been shown in galleries and in books and magazines (and was just featured today in <a href="http://bron.to/ts09s3phfas29b9">Etsy Gifts newsletter</a>!) The women she depicts move among media, from embroideries to dioramas to paper goods. She has much to teach us, Etsy-ers, so gather round!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpm4x0pY8nwrf2sPwcHS8XA50dmb2VIZoHbgoTPImkSQLj-821p1t1N6dzB0jvGGomPNLWr_Vd_6p68MabWxkMQT2HkgzV_1aicGtgbuCddHxwr8iinVL7CeBXDQFSTfeqE57Oi-bECw/s1600/folk+rev+cindy+mama+and+girls.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpm4x0pY8nwrf2sPwcHS8XA50dmb2VIZoHbgoTPImkSQLj-821p1t1N6dzB0jvGGomPNLWr_Vd_6p68MabWxkMQT2HkgzV_1aicGtgbuCddHxwr8iinVL7CeBXDQFSTfeqE57Oi-bECw/s400/folk+rev+cindy+mama+and+girls.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690572766410335090" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85712950/hand-embroidery-art-mama-and-her-girls">Mama and her Girls</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: How long have you been a working artist? (or, how did you begin?)</span><br /><br />Cindy: I've been making art for my entire life though I have only been selling my own personal work for about three years. I studied art and theater in college and worked for years as a set designer/builder and scenic painter.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnYR9Z1-03gvA563FBaAVD__LYTiSAlahEDIpFxbu-osNrzpwWqPKQjGZWZ6_J28SjEOUvnUjmHQiDkCw676M3uHRA_bb7aW-gl60M_zfS_UGhBCodbNGTppjrQ9ht5GVola3KWnHV8s/s1600/folk+rev+cindy+diorama.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnYR9Z1-03gvA563FBaAVD__LYTiSAlahEDIpFxbu-osNrzpwWqPKQjGZWZ6_J28SjEOUvnUjmHQiDkCw676M3uHRA_bb7aW-gl60M_zfS_UGhBCodbNGTppjrQ9ht5GVola3KWnHV8s/s400/folk+rev+cindy+diorama.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690572759397124130" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/71978998/hand-embroidery-the-mender-diorama">The Mender Diorama</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: I know that you collect antique photographs. How do your collections (this one and others) intersect with or inspire your art work</span>?<br /><br />Cindy: I do have a rather large collection of Victorian photos. I am not even sure how I started collecting them. I think I stumbled upon some tintypes at an estate sale years ago and was hooked. I find it a little sad that these photos are homeless and not being cherished. I also collect Victorian clothing, old hangers, buttons, doll parts, found feathers, and odd little things I find at flea markets, thrift stores and estate sales.<br /><br />I draw inspiration from my collections. They feel like a connection to the past. Sometimes they make their way into my work like the little antique bisque doll arms from Germany or feathers I find. I've modeled some of my dolls from women in my photographs.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(Note: Cindy's vintage shop is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HappySteiler">Happy Steiler</a>).</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh2treEYXge32vACYfygeBqmhUt4Jmm5zmKoILm1c0JL6GkDzQn-mhDR7a_XxwLdoF2cIJc5uauak1WEF4_WF7vTu4HpqO2l45j-SUvT9m_e__EHS4JbjllG2BtrBCEqFwYoh7xkLq5Y/s1600/folk+rev+cindy+photo+garland.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh2treEYXge32vACYfygeBqmhUt4Jmm5zmKoILm1c0JL6GkDzQn-mhDR7a_XxwLdoF2cIJc5uauak1WEF4_WF7vTu4HpqO2l45j-SUvT9m_e__EHS4JbjllG2BtrBCEqFwYoh7xkLq5Y/s400/folk+rev+cindy+photo+garland.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690601504261014194" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/32846510">Victorian Photographic Garland</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: What are you currently focused on, and what are your near-term goals?</span><br /><br />Cindy: My near-term goal is to survive the next five months. I have 5 shows between January and April so there is much to do. I feel fortunate to have been awarded a residency through the <a href="http://www.brushcreekranch.com/ranch/artsfoundation.php">Brush Creek Arts Foundation</a> in Wyoming. I'll be there for a few weeks next month and the uninterrupted studio time is a blessing.<br /><br />The new pieces I'm working on are a departure from what I've been doing. I am excited to see where they go. I have also been working in clay which has been a lot of fun.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmaNnMy3Ck1LRyq8ob1iwlGfArRH_x1l7lmWLx9rPUU2VDclhHhnpJ-jgJGNMLmnPJUrtAyay_NYsgRFmT4GdFCZ5G7MZ-qeYFB5OKVMLFCEOsosqdyEuSErO8ob-GIzThVWg-3ycUpw/s1600/folk+rev+cindy+clay+dolls.jpg"><img style="fmargin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 374px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmaNnMy3Ck1LRyq8ob1iwlGfArRH_x1l7lmWLx9rPUU2VDclhHhnpJ-jgJGNMLmnPJUrtAyay_NYsgRFmT4GdFCZ5G7MZ-qeYFB5OKVMLFCEOsosqdyEuSErO8ob-GIzThVWg-3ycUpw/s400/folk+rev+cindy+clay+dolls.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690580112854424898" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: Tell us about your typical work day.</span><br /><br />Cindy: I wish it was more disciplined and routine! It always starts with coffee and answering emails and ends with my pencil and sketchbook in bed. The in between time is always different. My resolution for the coming year is to foster a more disciplined and organized working environment. I just rented a studio space outside of my home with this goal in mind.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3A6njzA1DV9vPee4x_6xXkUUaZh2ZLXWehijWlc_eoHrPIB9RXZDT2t4D3UHQWbEHkHPYhbaLp9rwLhVjUflrhr7wDb8JK1zteqv_-22Ov1_9hAOxp85kqpf_tkPGUBbmEn5C0o2iTk/s1600/folk+rev+cindy+bird.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3A6njzA1DV9vPee4x_6xXkUUaZh2ZLXWehijWlc_eoHrPIB9RXZDT2t4D3UHQWbEHkHPYhbaLp9rwLhVjUflrhr7wDb8JK1zteqv_-22Ov1_9hAOxp85kqpf_tkPGUBbmEn5C0o2iTk/s400/folk+rev+cindy+bird.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690572757403762610" /></a><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49936178/hand-embroidery-hoop-art-little-bird-in">Little Bird in charcoal grey and sky blue</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: Your project, "I Learned From My Mother Who Learned From Her Mother", sounds amazing. what inspired it and what are your plans for the stories?</span><br /><br />Cindy: My great-grandmother Mary Steiler taught me to crochet, knit, embroider and sew when I was a child. Through her patient lessons I found great joy and satisfaction in creating by hand. While we worked she would share stories from her life. Through these stories I developed an appreciation for the past, tradition and family.<br /><br />Through my work I hope to capture the essence of my relationship with my grandmother while exploring and celebrating all women and girls; our relationships, our daily lives, and our traditions. I want to use my work to preserve and continue the traditions of both craft and story in a way that honors these lineages.<br /><br />From this sprang a new project called 'I Learned from My Mother, Who Learned from Her Mother'. Through this project I plan to explore and document traditions and traditional craft passed from generation to generation within families through storytelling and art. This will be achieved through a mix of traditional needlecraft and sculpture and will also employ my background as a set designer to create small installations. The images of the pieces and stories will be assembled into limited edition hand bound books.<br /><br />If you'd like to contribute here's a link: <a href="http://marysgranddaughter.blogspot.com/">www.marysgranddaughter.blogspot.com</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtgfkYjKynlHfGTcHeIXIliyygOZXhBnvkw0w8rxJTz-sszNJe_CEgDA5YBwqC6voXau2hyphenhyphen3KWJm5jgaChUH2a83uK_ba1rzqLOzhFmzqbz3eg-yPma6q-eJn7xXt23ocafMkh2uiCqI/s1600/folk+rev+cindy+reap.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtgfkYjKynlHfGTcHeIXIliyygOZXhBnvkw0w8rxJTz-sszNJe_CEgDA5YBwqC6voXau2hyphenhyphen3KWJm5jgaChUH2a83uK_ba1rzqLOzhFmzqbz3eg-yPma6q-eJn7xXt23ocafMkh2uiCqI/s400/folk+rev+cindy+reap.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690601507098199202" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/43493613">You Reap What You Sew No. 2</a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: What advice would you give to new artists who are selling on Etsy?</span><br /><br />Cindy: Etsy is a great platform to sell our work. It comes with a fabulous customer base and it's nearly free to get started. Take the time to learn about tagging, titles and SEO. These are important to be found in searches and not always intuitive.<br /><br />Stay true to yourself and take all advice you receive, including mine,with a grain of salt. It's easy to get wrapped up in Etsy's merchandising reports and the latest trends. You will hear you must tweet, Facebook, blog in order to be successful. You will have to call orange 'pumpkin' in autumn and 'tangerine' in spring. You will be told you have to make tons of treasuries and join numerous teams. I see many artists spending more time with the above that actually creating. To me that's sad. My advice is to keep Etsy in perspective. It is a selling venue not a lifestyle choice. Stay open and explore other opportunities to exhibit and sell your work as well.<br /><br />Don't forget why you make art in the first place. Explore, grow and have fun! I ran into the pitfall where my work started to feel like production work. I was constantly and still am asked to remake pieces that have sold. While it's flattering and comfortable it is also boring. It was preventing me from working on new pieces and exploring new directions. I felt stagnant as an artist. Now I'm am working on a new body of work and it feels so good.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bzMPBc_shoX7JCohOR5LoIeUfgWnUwG8EKPq81IjCZGX0h3PE9Hf9KcGoNg0RarCqcaY4A0S_W0F35M3zHtMgIaJGjetXOtoah_ZuPUETXQ3kzWYZ05rmjcpcdqM_dP7oRbD7J-w_WE/s1600/folk+rev+cindy+2.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bzMPBc_shoX7JCohOR5LoIeUfgWnUwG8EKPq81IjCZGX0h3PE9Hf9KcGoNg0RarCqcaY4A0S_W0F35M3zHtMgIaJGjetXOtoah_ZuPUETXQ3kzWYZ05rmjcpcdqM_dP7oRbD7J-w_WE/s400/folk+rev+cindy+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690572753361962962" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61240775/sketchbook-no-2-hand-embroidey-victorian">Sketchbook No. 2 - Victorian Woman</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: What attracted you to the Folk Reveries team, and what are your hopes for it?</span><br /><br />Cindy: I was attracted to the Folk Reveries team for a few reasons. First of all so many of my favorite artists who sell on Etsy are members and also aesthetically it was a good fit. I also liked that it didn't seem all about promoting one's self.<br /><br />I think when you do business in the virtual world connecting with others is important. I would love to see a shift to more meaningful discussions on process, inspiration, opportunities, etc. on the discussion boards. I think we have much to offer each other both creatively and professionally.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLma-_aY7UQLgP2_QUNPoiml4PFL8maVTGDYz8H0X4Ds5x-gOLpUDdekz744OXPKtgenwhLeVlJfeTvYacGqHTRT5f5pHBGYcWpAVYcMipVjX6MAyWtCPJ-NDtbbDtx-p8FOraBkNG_RM/s1600/folk+rev+cindy+hearts.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLma-_aY7UQLgP2_QUNPoiml4PFL8maVTGDYz8H0X4Ds5x-gOLpUDdekz744OXPKtgenwhLeVlJfeTvYacGqHTRT5f5pHBGYcWpAVYcMipVjX6MAyWtCPJ-NDtbbDtx-p8FOraBkNG_RM/s400/folk+rev+cindy+hearts.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690671149102491938" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/67058026">Connection No. 4 in yellow and aqua</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Thanks so much, Cindy! This is just the kind of looking back and forward that we need to begin the new year.<br /><br />Be sure to check out Cindy's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/marysgranddaughter">shop</a> and her <a href="http://marysgranddaughter.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, and consider participating in her <a href="http://marysgranddaughter.blogspot.com/2011/10/documenting-past-two-new-projects.html">projects</a> (I am!)!<br /><br />Happy holidays to all of our team members!</span></div>Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-65104896641425138142011-10-31T18:51:00.000-07:002011-11-01T14:26:42.302-07:00Sweet Basil Fibre Works<a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/SweetBasilFibreWorks">Genevieve</a> of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetBasilFibreWorks?ref=pr_shop_more">Sweet Basil Fibre Works</a> won the last treasury challenge by a landslide with her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAxODEzMzJ8NzI1MDE0Njg3/home-sweet-home">home sweet home treasury</a>.<br /><br />I have admired Genevieve's lovely hand-dyed yarns for quite some time, and wanted to get to know her, so I thought I'd use this as an occasion to see if she would be interviewed for our team blog. She agreed and here are my questions and her lovely words, photos and creations...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt8WCpmuMjciLhAtjsxvlehnFrplJ7XkwnmZKyjRhYH4phdhpOm_f_Cjr19UfBtSlAtDKVQhrtNENthrVx6jTtPMv-cf9FnTGGxyBeCGntauhWyDxUa7Iy1einfIH0D7VHc0DuCDXavI/s1600/sweet+basil+autumn.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt8WCpmuMjciLhAtjsxvlehnFrplJ7XkwnmZKyjRhYH4phdhpOm_f_Cjr19UfBtSlAtDKVQhrtNENthrVx6jTtPMv-cf9FnTGGxyBeCGntauhWyDxUa7Iy1einfIH0D7VHc0DuCDXavI/s400/sweet+basil+autumn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669844788213162946" /></a><br /><a href="http://blueberrywinter.blogspot.com/2011/10/celebrating-autumn.html"><span class="Apple-style-span">Celebrating Autumn</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">D: When did you begin working with fibre? and what led you to focus on dyeing?</span><br /><br />G: I learned to knit when I was a child from my nana. Knitting led me to spinning and eventually to dyeing yarn. My first job as a teenager was dyeing t shirts for a silk screening company. I guess it's not too much of a stretch that 16 years later I am dyeing yarn. Being able to combine my love of colour & with beautiful fibre is my dream job.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgamOt0rIQVi2z5RGKAQtXVuvUKNaE0RF641CehrDtx-Dgk6mNCW8Skqw6CTMVLY_UjRmmMrs-578pOgz6uHJ1IeyM9OW2ZZNlz606u46bv8AsEIkpfDQhzNYMBUXG4Pg7A5bWi9N98vE/s1600/sweet+basil+godric%2527s+hollow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgamOt0rIQVi2z5RGKAQtXVuvUKNaE0RF641CehrDtx-Dgk6mNCW8Skqw6CTMVLY_UjRmmMrs-578pOgz6uHJ1IeyM9OW2ZZNlz606u46bv8AsEIkpfDQhzNYMBUXG4Pg7A5bWi9N98vE/s400/sweet+basil+godric%2527s+hollow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669844807700545314" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/80525208/knitting-yarn-hand-dyed-gray-yellow-80"><span class="Apple-style-span">Godric's Hollow</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">D: Tell us about the name of your shop.</span><br /><br />G: I have a hard time choosing names. It took me 3.5 weeks to decide on a name for my daughter after she was born. For my shop name I choose the meaning of my daughter's name, sweet basil. I keep a notebook nearby to jot down names when inspiration stikes, that way I always have names for new colourways.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5DE94rFhjMYEgZQbmZJdLmIi3gj5zNkbplbNHkJhT2NwgVXKwByhPB6bkrsWuQnenOBfz7wzngTDp4QhZGAfBnlUaBj50yOXrQwkG_CveRl4cjKhHuCvATBHXf1vMXmp-cTWoELHUoU/s1600/sweet+basil+tarnished+darker.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5DE94rFhjMYEgZQbmZJdLmIi3gj5zNkbplbNHkJhT2NwgVXKwByhPB6bkrsWuQnenOBfz7wzngTDp4QhZGAfBnlUaBj50yOXrQwkG_CveRl4cjKhHuCvATBHXf1vMXmp-cTWoELHUoU/s400/sweet+basil+tarnished+darker.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669844801865104610" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/61861749"><span class="Apple-style-span">Tarnished</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">D: How would you describe a typical day?</span><br /><br />G: I like to wake up early because I love the quiet stillness. I make hot tea & gather my thoughts for the day. On week days I get my daughter ready for school. Once she leaves I check emails & the shop then make another hot cup of tea. If I am dyeing or have orders to package I head out to the studio & get to work. If I am listing items then I stay on the computer. I walk into town in the afternoon to mail orders & run errands etc.<br /><br />I am starting another job outside the home soon so things are going to get shaken up a bit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLk8_kaQ1WbvKWfK3PIFgP-zM4QOB4XllXXPX0f0-GvihlzEjTKTacPFM2YziTsqV6dYFmqzvU4GE7rp6tFxsJLvCH36yek0PugiXkUSWjudGhyvlQI7zJ2ZcP4CC7gu4qvtUyG5aEYEg/s1600/sweet+basil+lemon+grass.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLk8_kaQ1WbvKWfK3PIFgP-zM4QOB4XllXXPX0f0-GvihlzEjTKTacPFM2YziTsqV6dYFmqzvU4GE7rp6tFxsJLvCH36yek0PugiXkUSWjudGhyvlQI7zJ2ZcP4CC7gu4qvtUyG5aEYEg/s400/sweet+basil+lemon+grass.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669844811720176738" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82118471/hand-dyed-yarn-green-80-10-10-sw-merino"><span class="Apple-style-span">Lemon Grass</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">D: What are your goals for the future?</span><br /><br />G: I would like to be more self sufficient & to become financially independent through my business.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qamSUdvKYO8GttGepcepMUR1hxcv5ewJA03ylwV01FvMLuCfVsG5aAh6omL_gtC1r4PoVInY0_3rumA4e7irkD2N7ULktNGo7Z5RSMx5N0HMm79IAU88z66Hd9RGLEZI0yZjCPqTBNE/s1600/sweet+basil+maple+rose.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qamSUdvKYO8GttGepcepMUR1hxcv5ewJA03ylwV01FvMLuCfVsG5aAh6omL_gtC1r4PoVInY0_3rumA4e7irkD2N7ULktNGo7Z5RSMx5N0HMm79IAU88z66Hd9RGLEZI0yZjCPqTBNE/s400/sweet+basil+maple+rose.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669844939053413250" /></a><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69774846/hand-dyed-worsted-weight-yarn-red-maple"><span class="Apple-style-span">Maple Rose</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">D: Do you have any advice for new etsy-ers or team members?</span><br /><br />G: I would say to always stay true to your beliefs & don't give up. And I know it's simple but manners & communication are everything.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdF34fIRkPmao_aJP24wInZVelcZe9legAZRg0fg3JaR28-oAgG1DcssMWFW48fXVm1CSDmGiYTEwLlYk3yg5nV1mVFoz-V91iA-xMPy-hd57hSVJCFF2iqa3fKhcG5moNoTxz_Gq9YU/s1600/sweet+basil+bfl.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdF34fIRkPmao_aJP24wInZVelcZe9legAZRg0fg3JaR28-oAgG1DcssMWFW48fXVm1CSDmGiYTEwLlYk3yg5nV1mVFoz-V91iA-xMPy-hd57hSVJCFF2iqa3fKhcG5moNoTxz_Gq9YU/s400/sweet+basil+bfl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669844791682180482" /></a></div><div><a href="http://blueberrywinter.blogspot.com/2011/10/ode-to-blue-faced-leicester.html"><span class="Apple-style-span">Ode to Blue Faced Leicester</span></a></div><div><br />I would love to curl up by the fire this winter with some of these gorgeous colours on my needles. Thanks so much for this glimpse into your life, Genevieve! Please visit her blog <a href="http://blueberrywinter.blogspot.com">here</a> and her shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetBasilFibreWorks?ref=pr_shop_more">here</a>.<br /><br />Also, the new treasury challenge begins tomorrow (Nov. 1) along with voting on the current treasuries which feature listings from Sweet Basil Fibre Works. Check the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/9094168/page/2/#">team forum</a> and join in!</div>Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-29535597782684577512011-10-05T18:44:00.000-07:002011-10-05T18:55:01.429-07:00Last day day to vote!Here are the treasuries to be voted upon from the first team treasury challenge this Fall. When checking out the treasuries, please click each link! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODEwNjUwN3w3MjMyODI5MDc/take-me-to-the-autumn-woods">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODEwNjUwN3w3MjMyODI5MDc/take-me-to-the-autumn...</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTc4NjI5OHw3NTM2MDIyNzU/fall-equinox-wedding">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTc4NjI5OHw3NTM2MDIyNzU/fall-equinox-wedding</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODEwNjUwN3w3MjM0NDcxMjM/to-each-his-own">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODEwNjUwN3w3MjM0NDcxMjM/to-each-his-own</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODEwNjUwN3w3MjM2ODE3ODE/october">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODEwNjUwN3w3MjM2ODE3ODE/october</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODEwNjUwN3w3NjE4NDQ2ODY/s-l-e-e-p-y-h-o-l-l-o-w">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODEwNjUwN3w3NjE4NDQ2ODY/s-l-e-e-p-y-h-o-l-l-o-w</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTE0NzE2Mjl8NzY2MjU3NTg1/beauty-of-delicacy">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTE0NzE2Mjl8NzY2MjU3NTg1/beauty-of-delicacy</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAxODEzMzJ8NzI1MDE0Njg3/home-sweet-home">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTAxODEzMzJ8NzI1MDE0Njg3/home-sweet-home</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjI5MDc1M3w3MjU3OTM2MzM/sleep-over">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjI5MDc1M3w3MjU3OTM2MzM/sleep-over</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ0NTQ2MTd8NzM2NjQ2MDIx/fantasy?index=2">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ0NTQ2MTd8NzM2NjQ2MDIx/fantasy?index=2</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Nzk1NTAwMnw3NDA5NDE3MDc/autumn-in-the-north-woods">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Nzk1NTAwMnw3NDA5NDE3MDc/autumn-in-the-north-w...</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ0NTQ2MTd8NzUyMzA1MDc5/when-the-wind-blows">http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ0NTQ2MTd8NzUyMzA1MDc5/when-the-wind-blows</a><br /><br />Cast your vote at the team discussion thread <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/9064932/page/1/">here</a>! Please list only your <span style="font-weight:bold;">1st favorite</span>. Please have your votes in by <span style="font-weight:bold;">October 6th</span> midnight!! <br />Good Luck!<br />xoxoDrucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-39705471367262282112011-09-16T22:02:00.000-07:002011-09-16T22:19:09.986-07:00Team Treasury Challenges, and Open Membership! Happy Fall!After a summer hiatus, we're baaack... first, our bi-weekly treasury challenges have started again! Our first challenge started yesterday, Sept. 16th and will run through Friday, Sept. 30th. Plenty of time to find your team members and make some beautiful, inspiring treasuries. ChYMieRa has all the details <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/8979049/page/1/">here</a> on our team forum, and that's where you should link your entry. All the rules for participation are <a href="http://folkreveries.blogspot.com/2011/02/introducing-weekly-treasury-challenges.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADFBLYZ6RTiNShStDPGCs6ovYZxVB52gAQNp1mkBRdhQepevPPsYwTvzqYnLBYHW1aJPoKjOArHe5fub5XaNT3OZBi_qyO8SOgW4ETvbqirroI7UZdQLARGyHDnNd8DWeD1pjyjQ3JEo/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-17+at+1.13.39+AM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 480px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADFBLYZ6RTiNShStDPGCs6ovYZxVB52gAQNp1mkBRdhQepevPPsYwTvzqYnLBYHW1aJPoKjOArHe5fub5XaNT3OZBi_qyO8SOgW4ETvbqirroI7UZdQLARGyHDnNd8DWeD1pjyjQ3JEo/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-17+at+1.13.39+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653192627402003682" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODEwNjUwN3w3MjM2ODE3ODE/october">October</a>, by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChYMieRa">ChYMieRa.</a><br /><br />Also, the team is back open for membership applications! Over the summer, it was by invitation only, but we are ready to expand our team, so if you'd like to join, please apply!Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-79553467114652770962011-07-30T19:12:00.000-07:002011-07-30T20:43:09.093-07:00Our ChYMieRa speaks!!<span><i>If you've been on our <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/">team forum</a> (which you should be!) I'm sure you've met </i><a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/ChYMieRa" style="font-style: italic; ">ChYMieRa</a><i>, our team leader who has been creating our treasury challenges and generously donating some of her handmade jewelry pieces to the winners. I hope you've treated yourself to a visit to her shop! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChYMieRa">ChYMieRa</a> is also the name of her own brand of handmade, one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry. Her pieces incorporate a wide range of techniques and materials, from vintage to found objects to gemstones and raw materials such as teeth and bone. </i></span><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fuUG3O_dzyy9IMQ4X6oD_AT4n8Xx34zNkRskH1ngYtzxb6By0uugFVq7100KDG9B-5VSRvZtyUiDg_ydvUstB7uR9HPvwepRl2H91aZM5QIGzDD1FeiCpPnMyVqlaqRpFF7WQm1Cy1Y/s1600/chy+wolf.jpg" style="font-style: italic; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fuUG3O_dzyy9IMQ4X6oD_AT4n8Xx34zNkRskH1ngYtzxb6By0uugFVq7100KDG9B-5VSRvZtyUiDg_ydvUstB7uR9HPvwepRl2H91aZM5QIGzDD1FeiCpPnMyVqlaqRpFF7WQm1Cy1Y/s400/chy+wolf.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635346862781563410" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69131075/the-boy-who-cried-wolf-unisex-genuine"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Boy Who Cried Wolf</span></a></span></div><div><span><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span><i>ChY has been such a team player, stepping in as a leader and working hard on team business, all the while managing her own very successful </i><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChYMieRa" style="font-style: italic; ">Etsy shop</a><i>, a family with four boys (!), as well as another full-time job! She has that elusive mix of skills we all need - both a talented artist and tireless promoter. And ChY is *always* there to answer a question or lend a hand. I'm in awe of this lovely woman!!! </i><br /><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxYF_IrfaZ3_qj2I2Q5CdvAFqM_poRVPuanoJkZOqSgz9212663m33feZZcZzf0CEt_MUPdH4vTe6t0Zttkapk9XPGVehvbMcmhrx5TBZZFL9O7Htrym1vb9gM2ccxM7ayQBESmYVhYc/s1600/chy+of+purple+skies.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxYF_IrfaZ3_qj2I2Q5CdvAFqM_poRVPuanoJkZOqSgz9212663m33feZZcZzf0CEt_MUPdH4vTe6t0Zttkapk9XPGVehvbMcmhrx5TBZZFL9O7Htrym1vb9gM2ccxM7ayQBESmYVhYc/s400/chy+of+purple+skies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635343206157154466" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69307949/of-purple-skies-antiqued-brass-and?ref=v1_other_2">Of Purple Skies</a></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>It's high time we got to know more about her and her secrets, don't you think??? </span><i>Here we go...</i></div><div><div><i><br /></i><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: tell us about yourself, the mysterious force of nature known as ChYMieRa!<br /></span><br />ChY: ~ I have never considered myself to be mysterious. Weird is more like it, and passionate. Passionate about anything that I care about, but able to turn a blind eye on things that bother me, because really, life is just too short.<br /><br /></div><div>Whenever someone would look down upon or judge me, it makes me rise above & be better, better than me, better than them.<br /><br /></div><div>I am unselfish & very giving, and I love to prove a point.<br /><br /></div><div>My husband calls me righteous, he tells me I have a fire within me.<br /><br /></div><div>To me, its more like passion or compassion. I hate bullies and I stick up for the underdog- always.<br /><br /></div><div>And I'm not afraid to stand up for what is right, even if I stand alone.<br /><br /></div><div>I generally play well with others, and when I make a friend they will be a friend for life.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoM0QkSHNQZ9zSDTyZDG88QoZsIxIrmssA3z6OGHZqaYntz4xLzg6k6wR4P5tcqEAzvIimSWdjGvATx2yNfhs0nwdtZCb5TBhoITkAGwD6hrlyeHQgtUUI-yCu3U_SHXNpPp1RyDwXNE/s1600/chy+memento+mori.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoM0QkSHNQZ9zSDTyZDG88QoZsIxIrmssA3z6OGHZqaYntz4xLzg6k6wR4P5tcqEAzvIimSWdjGvATx2yNfhs0nwdtZCb5TBhoITkAGwD6hrlyeHQgtUUI-yCu3U_SHXNpPp1RyDwXNE/s400/chy+memento+mori.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635340281715192978" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74389849/memento-mori-skull-cameo-gothic-aged"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Memento Mori</span></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: how did you get your start making jewelry?<br /></span><br />ChY: ~ I started making jewelry a few years after I started making teeth<i> [aside: this is ChY's day job!] --</i> making gold teeth or a gold ring is the exact same process. There were so many experiments, I was like a mad scientist! So, even though I had schooling for teeth making, I learned how to make jewelry & set stones all on my own.</div><div><br />I had been doing that for several years for family & friends. One day, my neighbor told me about Etsy, it was love at first click. I knew this could be a wonderful place for me to sell my "hobby".<br /><br />My art inspirations:</div><div><br />~ In my younger years, I was drawn to horror, vampire and macabre flicks. They evoked in me & still do, some primal force.</div><div><br />It's that odd, dark energy that inspires me to create macabre & creepy items.<br /><br /></div><div>I am also a huge fan of nature. I could be driving down the road and see a gorgeous sunset behind a weeping willow tree and be inspired to make some jewelry representing that.<br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuC8uNn1ndwbcV2AKkdLofI_qjJoU6nBwRv5ryMRs5S1phlOH69iaE9sbpi_ZFVI60ZCpW6i0dxvJweIu8Rxr-SITFCplTXGEzKlG1lR9vbYe8JFfHQGz6Euw-fxkaZa7rbSItLxBjUsc/s1600/chy+brethren+of+the+woods.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuC8uNn1ndwbcV2AKkdLofI_qjJoU6nBwRv5ryMRs5S1phlOH69iaE9sbpi_ZFVI60ZCpW6i0dxvJweIu8Rxr-SITFCplTXGEzKlG1lR9vbYe8JFfHQGz6Euw-fxkaZa7rbSItLxBjUsc/s400/chy+brethren+of+the+woods.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635340290516889138" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/77604268/brethren-of-the-woods-brass-buck-and?ref=v1_other_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Brethren of the Woods</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My life inspirations:<br /><br />~ First and foremost, my children (4 boys) are my biggest inspirations.<br /><br /></div><div>I always wanted them to have the best, so that meant a lot of sacrificing & hard work for me. Whenever something gets me down, all I need to think about are my kids, and then it's all good. </div><div><br /></div><div>They are my world.<br /><br /></div><div>I'm also inspired to be better when a curve ball gets thrown my way.<br /><br /></div><div>There is always a silver lining behind every black cloud!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsM74iVgtFJkFteAtkL0FPkl3kpe6TfjuJnn1kn0qMYlQ_lurAN56UJzFeTLXsl-56ZxhLgJceQjllGTC7EIk0kHfLh6DEhZJMtrg9H5FPiAXSkKDEoDBp9qHXWauf3OGYbfs4wbzF1E/s1600/chy+drops+of+saturn+and+honey.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsM74iVgtFJkFteAtkL0FPkl3kpe6TfjuJnn1kn0qMYlQ_lurAN56UJzFeTLXsl-56ZxhLgJceQjllGTC7EIk0kHfLh6DEhZJMtrg9H5FPiAXSkKDEoDBp9qHXWauf3OGYbfs4wbzF1E/s400/chy+drops+of+saturn+and+honey.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635340289791476402" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73418838/drops-of-saturn-and-honey?ref=v1_other_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Drops of Saturn and Honey</span></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: what's a typical day like for you? (and how does Etsy fit into your life?)<br /></span><br />ChY: Anywhere between 8 and 11 a.m., I will get out of bed. My day will always start with a good cup of Joe. When I'm fully awake and dressed, I check my stocks. Then I check Etsy, then my email. I cut checking facebook out, too easy to get sucked in. If I made jewelry the night before, I try to take photos in the morning light.</div><div><br />If I have sold something on Etsy, I will print the order, package it, stick it in my handy dandy mailing bag ( One large sturdy brown paper bag with handles, courtesy of American Eagle) and put the bag at the 'bus stop' so I can grab it on the way out. The 'bus stop' is a bench I built several years ago. It's long, wide & opens for storage. This is where coats, purses, keys, backpacks, mail, you name it gets thrown on their way out or in. Then I head to work. That could be anywhere from a 2 to 10 hour day. During sports seasons, I have to leave work early. 4 boys? Yeah you know we play sports! Then night rolls around and I check emails, etsy, etc... , by 11 p.m. my husband is telling me to go get some rest. I end up getting to sleep around 2 or 3 a.m. because something inspired me to make a piece of jewelry.<br /></div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbEuNoL26aXuEu68VN11gTpRi70Xc-Lr8N9azuPyMww_dChzArKc6Ia7N1WY2Jlkj6wcUydb-Zv-DxxUe2H8cBP8FcN2-fSqnNmSc0czlA-wFBA-7n-cYC2mFmjbqw9e_V_xof6ZEG1s/s1600/chy+wanted.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbEuNoL26aXuEu68VN11gTpRi70Xc-Lr8N9azuPyMww_dChzArKc6Ia7N1WY2Jlkj6wcUydb-Zv-DxxUe2H8cBP8FcN2-fSqnNmSc0czlA-wFBA-7n-cYC2mFmjbqw9e_V_xof6ZEG1s/s400/chy+wanted.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635343215040162018" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/78066073/wanted-dead-or-alive-hand-cut-crimped?ref=v1_other_2"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Wanted: Dead or Alive</span></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: do you have any goals in mind for your Etsy business, or the Folk Reveries team? </span><br /><br />ChY: ~ I try not to set goals. I tend to roll with the punches and take whatever life hands out to me - good or bad. To be honest, I am quite surprised at how lucrative creativity can be. When I first opened my shop on Etsy, I would go "squeee!" if I had a sale a week. Those days are over. Without divulging any stats, let's just say, doing this well with my art, makes me keep wanting to do.</div><div><br />When and if I decide to retire from the teeth business, Etsy could definitely be an after retirement income. As far as the Folk Reveries team, like I said before, I am very giving and I enjoy being part of something. I think it is a fabulous team with many diverse talents. I would love someday to maybe see a Folk Reveries gathering. A collective, if you will where all the active team shops come together and offer a wide array of products. Not necessarily an actual brick & mortar, but somewhat a virtual one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOLrnH_UFxTNTOH3afXPRQBPcQKXaFdcxK37LugRZi5cFDx0wiFrIkany9KS3BNNv9oXTIqRszgEQaO1jXD3aMthYy-E9bisi5-pNB0IcNx0LFs3fbo4_sFC0c_uYOyjoFtP1WgDCXmc/s1600/chy+bite+the+bullet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOLrnH_UFxTNTOH3afXPRQBPcQKXaFdcxK37LugRZi5cFDx0wiFrIkany9KS3BNNv9oXTIqRszgEQaO1jXD3aMthYy-E9bisi5-pNB0IcNx0LFs3fbo4_sFC0c_uYOyjoFtP1WgDCXmc/s400/chy+bite+the+bullet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635340290330984034" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/71390011/bite-the-bullet-carnelian-fang-bullet"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Bite the Bullet</span></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: Love that idea! What first attracted you to Folk Reveries?</span><br /><br />ChY: ~ I had been invited to them team about a year ago, before the teams became self supportive & active. But during the transition from the Etsy admin control, I somehow got lost. It took me a few months to realize it , and when I did, I asked to come back aboard. What still attracts me to the team is the personalization between everyone. There is a good number of members, but as far as the continuously active member ie: those who post in the forums, promote or make treasuries, we began to recognize each other by name. Then from there we begin to know each others lives, what we did that day, what our kids did and so on. And I love that personal feel. I'm not a clingy person at all, it's just that when I really like or respect someone they truly will know it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8Mkanajh7qEZV0KX0uKrNdFwdPgHjRSsKa9sEqKGU1ImRsv64Dbl7LXn_Aj_-40NN_1CIF9XAg7s2-JZXQ7Ek6kOd1N8W0jSPfVyEILivOJ68g2nhExDL6b1EgR0DO_6HMPhqJ-KVrE/s1600/chy+dracula.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8Mkanajh7qEZV0KX0uKrNdFwdPgHjRSsKa9sEqKGU1ImRsv64Dbl7LXn_Aj_-40NN_1CIF9XAg7s2-JZXQ7Ek6kOd1N8W0jSPfVyEILivOJ68g2nhExDL6b1EgR0DO_6HMPhqJ-KVrE/s400/chy+dracula.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635340288427252210" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55993411/i-am-coming-to-you">I Am Coming To You</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: what advice would you give to new artists and team members?</span><br /><br />ChY: When I first started the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChYMieRa">ChYMieRa shop</a>, it took a while for me to get some sales. It is very hard to sell handmade products when you are new and have little to no feedback, so I started with selling things that I knew would sell -- antiques.<br /><br /></div><div>It built up some good feedback for me. Once I started listing handmade jewelry, I still occasionally listed antiques to keep views coming to the shop.<br /><br /></div><div>I also promoted all my handmade things. Networked to friends, family and so on. I still have to promote, but on a different level. I now pay for advertising, because the shop revenue allows for it.<br /><br />My best advice for any anyone wanting to be on a team is- as a team member, become involved. Lots of times I sell things to my team mates when I am having a sale, because they are really the first ones to know of it if you post it in the forums. Start a facebook page and list one or two items a day. Connect with other local artists or actual shops to see if they do consignment. But most of all, do not give up. Starting a business is so hard, and sometimes it seems like it will just never grow. Keep your chin up, promote & when and if you have a sale, send a card with a certain percent off for their next order. You will often have repeat customers when doing this.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmpcuWogru9o-2eGiQC4EgdIJ179F2197yGj8fcj7zBZuV-c27pd8Y47tdlWg0554oGdETT6uWbn3UR1fqQB6hpNJ_HrClwszRrI3BIQq1zLMuP5z46z3I1PGT4jx4yNNFi4c7xJkfk0/s1600/chy+lucians+castle.jpg" style="font-style: italic; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmpcuWogru9o-2eGiQC4EgdIJ179F2197yGj8fcj7zBZuV-c27pd8Y47tdlWg0554oGdETT6uWbn3UR1fqQB6hpNJ_HrClwszRrI3BIQq1zLMuP5z46z3I1PGT4jx4yNNFi4c7xJkfk0/s400/chy+lucians+castle.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635344274014759922" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68731002/lucians-castle-huge-escutcheon-antique">Lucian's Castle</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-style:italic;">What a fierce and cheeky perspective she has, wouldn't you agree?! Please join me in thanking ChY for this interview, and everything she does for us!! </span><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-26586445209324966022011-07-13T13:16:00.000-07:002011-07-13T13:58:41.479-07:00interview with cathy cullis!I've long been a follower of artist and team member <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/cathycullis">Cathy Cullis</a>. Cathy is a prolific and established artist who moves (seemingly effortlessly) among a myriad of media, including painting, embroidery, pottery and even <a href="http://neveringpoetry.blogspot.com/">poetry</a>, and maintains her own style unique throughout. Her work has a quietness, a playfulness, and yet also a haunting quality. The juxtaposition is profound, and also I find her <a href="http://www.cathycullis.blogspot.com/">blog</a> quite addictive. She is also currently Etsy's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/featured-seller-cathycullis/">featured seller</a>. She has much to teach us, and she kindly agreed to an interview just for folk reveries.<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSm0dR6XNln5161pOgXdPB1v23j9ot0sZv8X1O6T8K9f3H5Bwk_HVPuuOlKqhzn-qFpVIfKbWmfjJn2kguLaTgBxqzN2PyCG5MBJ80DG0k28rj_H48KfZF88LTp6s98LceYE5ALF7AL4/s400/cathy+tudor+girl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628939015822987586" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 400px; " /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: how long have you been a (full-time, or mostly full-time?) artist?</span><br /><br />Cathy: I have worked creatively for many years, but 'officially speaking' I became a self-employed art person in 2005. Prior to that I was a full-time mother to two small children and prior to that an editor of a literary magazine, and prior to that a student! Looking back it all merges, because as a young mum I was making things, I had little projects always starting and my creative life revolved around nap times.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfRwL-mmb9XqW5aE8SXG4W2Z1CgIchrQiCIjWCIvqL4F4iH4c7aTzAtEn4klUiI3kwnlMzP8BQNP3WHke3uRuSOavOMXuQKyODL7I6B7j7aKrrFxT8bovyul3_VectUXsI8Dr6LxMjpE/s1600/5852547901_7a549b8574_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfRwL-mmb9XqW5aE8SXG4W2Z1CgIchrQiCIjWCIvqL4F4iH4c7aTzAtEn4klUiI3kwnlMzP8BQNP3WHke3uRuSOavOMXuQKyODL7I6B7j7aKrrFxT8bovyul3_VectUXsI8Dr6LxMjpE/s400/5852547901_7a549b8574_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628938992885972066" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px; " /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: you are so unique in how many media you work in! how do you choose and manage so many talents, and sets of tools and materials? what kinds of synergies does mixing media open up for you artistically?<br /></span><br />Cathy: Possibly, there are many contemporary artists who like to try different tactile materials and ways of speaking. I find I need to shift, I like the rhythm of working from one thing to the next. The ideas continue to evolve but you are holding different materials in your hand.... one day a needle and thread, the next a paint brush maybe, but the voice is the same.... or the thumbprint is the same.... And the happy overlaps begin, I might pull something out from a time before and marry ideas or actually merge materials....<br /><br />As for organising my work, I have really reduced the 'stuff' I have around me in recent times. I have become far interested in clutter than I used to be. So I have a bureau with drawers for materials and when I am not working on a particular media that all gets packed away into a box, put into the garage or elsewhere. I make plans and projects but I don't necessarily stick to them too rigidly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lMSjMqDpGfZrMO4-clVbG7bIntf6aPxr9bHfjq2-9LS8fisiX-rDwgWgn1eZ7ZsJhXVi_S_Vs8qaQW395QaZLVTkksTh31mJcz6qh-QXWUKtR9uJS4qPCNoyrWAAx-0r_OJUrlPrCAI/s1600/5824592838_5af4b11cb4_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lMSjMqDpGfZrMO4-clVbG7bIntf6aPxr9bHfjq2-9LS8fisiX-rDwgWgn1eZ7ZsJhXVi_S_Vs8qaQW395QaZLVTkksTh31mJcz6qh-QXWUKtR9uJS4qPCNoyrWAAx-0r_OJUrlPrCAI/s400/5824592838_5af4b11cb4_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628938995639583874" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px; " /></a><div><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: in one interview, you mentioned creativity as a way of building up self-worth and finding one's voice. this is part of my journey and i was hoping you could you say more about this process?<br /></span><br />Cathy: I know it has been said before by many artists, of all kinds, but creativity is never to be undervalued, especially when moving through difficult periods and changes in life.... I have told before of how I went through an emotionally challenging period, beginning six, seven years ago - and really, quite simply just 'making things' helped me keep my chin above water.<br /><br />The process of creating, anything from the heart, can be part of a healing..... sharing work is another dimension to that and of course selling gives an exact opportunity to feel some personal success in all of it..... When I was really low and bleak-thinking, I had a few scraps of fabric and I started to make things, and encouraged by a few good friends, I continued to make things....<br /><br />Of course finding a voice that is authentic - that may be a hit and miss, or twisted journey process.... start by making what you like and then discover what it is you are saying that is your own.... that is how it happened for me.... now I make things that are 'mine' without worrying about influences and strategies, but it has been a journey of finding out how to do just that....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aIJLK3x0ekmoir38fK0QrnogG9cBkWsGrUhgZQX0Pq66YxzN2fOQpksBZAC1BYWgcp0gzQJa1IPkbZ6djgYfohCXWQKOUy7za2K-E9w8YkHQS6ihWULg2-1f1m1KigE_Mf3kkSaK-y0/s1600/5730220310_8c4d868698_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aIJLK3x0ekmoir38fK0QrnogG9cBkWsGrUhgZQX0Pq66YxzN2fOQpksBZAC1BYWgcp0gzQJa1IPkbZ6djgYfohCXWQKOUy7za2K-E9w8YkHQS6ihWULg2-1f1m1KigE_Mf3kkSaK-y0/s400/5730220310_8c4d868698_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628939004700434274" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: what does a usual day look like for you? (also, do you have a typical schedule for your studio practice?)<br /></span><br />Cathy: I have a busy family life, with school age children, but this is also a great advantage - as the school day gives me a structure to work around. And my working does not stop when the children are home. Infact I sometimes find my best ideas and work coming through when they are right by, and they are my best critics. I plan my week, but only tentatively, because I never know what will really happen in life or creatively.<br /><br />I like to work early in the mornings and then I find my creative momentum tends to return just as I am cooking our evening meal! I don't like cooking, so the art wins....<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kPnhUBz41BRQ573C7LBuQXJXktPZ4_-J6MSMHdkZjhdGLNIQ32zWUoHq4f3kFTtftPwFpFptwXbj_qY7WgS2u5X1gF8-NJjs8kgWv7_usmVxOzvOYT-bQnwmbuIa5h957qXDGQ5eLjI/s1600/5514239159_c6371ce0fd_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kPnhUBz41BRQ573C7LBuQXJXktPZ4_-J6MSMHdkZjhdGLNIQ32zWUoHq4f3kFTtftPwFpFptwXbj_qY7WgS2u5X1gF8-NJjs8kgWv7_usmVxOzvOYT-bQnwmbuIa5h957qXDGQ5eLjI/s400/5514239159_c6371ce0fd_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628939008875662978" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Dru: many of our team members are young artists and new etsy-ers. what would your "letters to a young artist" say?<br /></span><br />Cathy: Expect to work and work before you feel you are making something authentically your own - but don't see that as a mountain to climb, see it as a really exciting journey. Perhaps from the start of things you have always felt you are making 'your own mark', and that is good. Continue on and don't be surprised by change.<br /><br />As for practical ways of marketing your work and so on - there are great resources on Etsy etc... of course.<br /><br />There can be a 'mystique' around making art and making things that are a bit different. Enjoy this. Live an artistic life all the way through, from how you decorate your home to how you talk to others and just go for it - enjoy.<br /><br /><br /></div></div><div><i>Don't you just love this advice? I for one am going to take this advice to heart! Thanks so much Cathy! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>For a wonderful sampling of Cathy's work, check out the zine that she's created of prose-poetry and art. It's called Violet Goodenough... <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75477704/violet-goodenough-poetry-prose-zine">check it out</a>! </i></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiru8_WuinzZuTu8qHuFGG1NUxlfUUh_8BnopUA79vQrkNM8zC5CRNB8yD_NYPKBmsN1RFbyibNKXqpbatZReVef92i6JgX4dEIe9UIJJK3ibNV76BKyfUscFEI6YZSDMrA7q8NgBDiU/s1600/violet+goodenough.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiru8_WuinzZuTu8qHuFGG1NUxlfUUh_8BnopUA79vQrkNM8zC5CRNB8yD_NYPKBmsN1RFbyibNKXqpbatZReVef92i6JgX4dEIe9UIJJK3ibNV76BKyfUscFEI6YZSDMrA7q8NgBDiU/s400/violet+goodenough.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628940745178047218" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-62026914805023516382011-07-10T13:33:00.000-07:002011-07-10T13:36:22.666-07:00We have our Team treasury Challenge Winners<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">Here ye, Here ye! We have our team treasury challenge winners! For 1st place~ <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ2MTQ2MjJ8MzcyMTU1NTM0/the-end-of-the-gemini" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ2MTQ2MjJ8MzcyMTU1NTM0/the-end-of-the-gemini</a> by folklure You have won a $10 credit to either one of Drucilla's shops here on etsy and you won the ' Folk Reverie' necklace from Chymiera, just come and pick it up and when it asks for form of payment, just click "other" I will mark as paid & ship to you!! Congrats!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; ">And for 2nd place~ <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTc4NjI5OHwzNDU2NTkzNjk/women-of-the-sea" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: underline; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/OTc4NjI5OHwzNDU2NTkzNjk/women-of-the-sea</a> by poppywomen You have won the Peppermint pixie earrings form Chymiera, just come & pick it up, go thru checkout and when it asks for form of payment, just click "other" and I will mark as paid & ship to you. Congrats! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; ">Drucilla & I have decided that due to everybody's busy summer, we will take a small vacation too from doing the treasury challenges. We hope to resume them sometime in August or September, and will post on the discussion board and on this blog.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; "> Be well, Have a happy & safe summer! xo ~ Chy</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; "><br /></span></div>ChYMieRahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01639374900104004099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-71287435890340636532011-06-15T09:28:00.000-07:002011-06-15T10:43:25.204-07:00<div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; font-size: large; "><i>Time to make some treasuries!!!</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">Some congrats are in order. Thanks to all who participated in the</span></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">treasury challenge from 5/23 to 6/4 !! The winning treasury of the votes that came into 1st place is this</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">treasury ~ <i>curated by WaddleandMoo</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Nzk1NTAwMnwzMDYxNzk5NTY/arsenic-old-lace" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/Nzk1NTAwMnwzMDYxNzk5NTY/arsenic-old-lace</a></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sLMfKVRLW0hYmf9OQWQi_IrGQz_jJlqUuH0Zo6liAr7dfwheE7g4wDiniDxmYSpTGHoc0iHUGcz2LrwliDQTpZtYHhLv7dryxVoa9DTG_KHbOcNf_yCmhv_XS5GkA5O9J9NDLL3kDOw/s1600/aresenic.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sLMfKVRLW0hYmf9OQWQi_IrGQz_jJlqUuH0Zo6liAr7dfwheE7g4wDiniDxmYSpTGHoc0iHUGcz2LrwliDQTpZtYHhLv7dryxVoa9DTG_KHbOcNf_yCmhv_XS5GkA5O9J9NDLL3kDOw/s400/aresenic.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618503232505989234" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">You have won a $10 gift certificate to ChYMieRa and a $10 gift certificate to either one of Drucilla Pettibone's shops You will be featured on the team blog, and also, for the next Folk Reveries Team Challenge, curators must include at least one of your items per treasury!</span></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">The winning treasury of votes that came into 2nd place is this treasury ~ <i>curated </i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><i>by mimiMatelot</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/ODExMTk0MXwzMDQ4OTM5NDM/midspring-nights-dream" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/ODExMTk0MXwzMDQ4OTM5NDM/midspring-nights-dream</a> As the runner-up, you will be featured on the team blog & you will receive a $5 gift certificate to ChYMieRa Congrats to both of you for having such a clever eye for treasury-making!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CDH3aV5DOx4ra6e53WBn_tAnAkwCIRH_L5uHjJovzz_GiV9gcU9-sXx_xuGx4zZhG4e-RK6pCfZJAF3o91gJdxxrykJiE8dLzX89RD6jFCiikWj__E28LzNHeQHPiyMDRxkeyE8mxDA/s1600/il_570xN.250837101.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span><span></span></span></a><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">*********************************************************************************************</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">As mentioned previously, our treasury challenge will now run every fortnight. (Bi-weekly), so everyone has 2 weeks to make fabulous treasuries to promote our fabulous team. And then an additional week for voting.</span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">Remember, you must use one item from WaddleandMoo's shop in any treasury that you make, along with at least 7 other members of the team for this challenge. {Though, we do love seeing treasuries comprised of all Folk Reveries members } Here is WaddleandMoo's shop : <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/WaddleandMoo" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/shop/WaddleandMoo</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">New treasuries may commence as of 6/13 and will end on 6/25. Voting will begin on 6/26 and end on 7/2 to give everyone ample time to vote. We will tally the votes again in 1st and 2nd choice format. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">Donations for this challenge would be helpful & might inspire more participation.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">Any donated prizes will be announced.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">Here is a peak at what we have so far for the next first & 2nd place winners.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">Next Treasury Challenge first place winner will receive this necklace~</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/75933138/folk-reverie-reserved-for-the-folk">http://www.etsy.com/listing/75933138/folk-reverie-reserved-for-the-folk</a></span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CDH3aV5DOx4ra6e53WBn_tAnAkwCIRH_L5uHjJovzz_GiV9gcU9-sXx_xuGx4zZhG4e-RK6pCfZJAF3o91gJdxxrykJiE8dLzX89RD6jFCiikWj__E28LzNHeQHPiyMDRxkeyE8mxDA/s320/il_570xN.250837101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618487009410187474" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px; " /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">Next Treasury Challenge Second place winner will receive these earrings~</span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/76042881/reserved-peppermint-pixies">http://www.etsy.com/listing/76042881/reserved-peppermint-pixies</a></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDQHe__uZWgkfjHw3FqU0yMGnT3jy3u36k7-VulrwQ2HVQIK_LNPigUSSq-XwOSw7L93MZVf0TDlPjEuyjg-ISDbpkkxQnxQ1fkIwN0pgbdxubYZ3QEXOURlkRP4bdG4BV1Bprs1aSSU/s1600/il_570xN.251171250.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDQHe__uZWgkfjHw3FqU0yMGnT3jy3u36k7-VulrwQ2HVQIK_LNPigUSSq-XwOSw7L93MZVf0TDlPjEuyjg-ISDbpkkxQnxQ1fkIwN0pgbdxubYZ3QEXOURlkRP4bdG4BV1Bprs1aSSU/s320/il_570xN.251171250.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618499372049132226" /></a><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div>ChYMieRahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01639374900104004099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-57070982385329600272011-06-10T17:18:00.000-07:002011-06-10T21:19:08.832-07:00Spook Sister<span style="font-style:italic;">One of the artists on our team who I find incredibly inspiring is Gillian, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/missquitecontrary?ref=ls_profile">miss quite contrary</a> on Etsy. Her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/missquitecontrary?ref=pr_shop_more">shop</a> features an eclectic mix of media, from her original <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/35065874/all-their-castles-in-their-air-8x10">photography</a> to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/51189876/consumptive-victorian-feminist-hand">embroidery</a> to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74370519/vintage-lm-montgomery-book-rainbow">vintage objects</a>, but her work defies category. Her photos mix her own images with <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/46297229/carnival-saloon-8x10-photograph-fine-art">still life</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63428632/second-star-to-the-right-photo-print-on">antique book pages</a>, peek at us from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63686449/moon-in-the-window-photo-print-on">inside</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/64789280/let-me-in-at-your-window-8x10-fine-art">outside windows</a>, and hide in other objects such as <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70612875/house-where-nobody-lives-vintage">brooches</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/56513364/in-the-gloaming-pocket-mirror">pocket mirrors</a>. All of these media mix, seemingly effortlessly, around themes of women, loss and fairy tales. Even when her photos aren't the subject of her listings, I <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74397100/vintage-fur-and-leather-squirrel">want</a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73561703/vintage-folding-pocket-scissors-with">them</a> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74354558/vintage-tan-brown-pointed-toe-boots-size">anyway</a>!<br /><br />I was hoping to get some insight into her unique and compelling work by asking her just one open-ended interview question. Thankfully, she obliged:</span><br /><br />When I was approached to write a reply to the one question interview inquiry 'What is your favourite photograph?', I must admit I was truly and completely stumped.<br /><br />I'm drawn to the faded, crackled and misty mysterious atmosphere of the very earliest photography, but something about the subject matter is a just little too twee, overly pondered and academic for me. <div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_V50cWmkZ3jcR9AaRKVBJd6MB2bCHymT3JS_xPyV1z83V3_qYRij4QKXCAFFiGKI5yeg81nMpsBDBKQkAlWqBxPf2p1Zd-Bl-VF5R3ObfvvEQ-uYnTLJnZUs0SHNjcH3_cPeS8SDHkY/s1600/gillian+ghost+convent.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_V50cWmkZ3jcR9AaRKVBJd6MB2bCHymT3JS_xPyV1z83V3_qYRij4QKXCAFFiGKI5yeg81nMpsBDBKQkAlWqBxPf2p1Zd-Bl-VF5R3ObfvvEQ-uYnTLJnZUs0SHNjcH3_cPeS8SDHkY/s400/gillian+ghost+convent.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616756953258031026" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49032507/ghost-convent-8x10-photograph-fine-art">'Ghost Convent' by miss quite contrary</a></i></span><br /><br />I realized the artists who have the most influence on me and my art, who excite my too often complacent brain and who speak to my sad little heart are not photographers at all, but Margaret MacDonald and Frances McNair, 19th century artists and sisters known together as the 'Spook School' but connected with the 'Glasgow School' and the Arts and Crafts Movement, which promoted folk inspired arts and the handmade in reaction to the advent of Industrialisation.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGKpQpvy0i54zHJA-ioxR3KsLT5RV5Dolz-NZJBGwxxtUP8jousDLhLsQ7vq_PsRZwxKc157F0GI2csrM3wM-NLdxS7evd-vfLj74KsnU_zkHWjeEAjQ3D20y9XuOzfylrYFRbmZNUnA/s1600/gillian+castle+timber.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGKpQpvy0i54zHJA-ioxR3KsLT5RV5Dolz-NZJBGwxxtUP8jousDLhLsQ7vq_PsRZwxKc157F0GI2csrM3wM-NLdxS7evd-vfLj74KsnU_zkHWjeEAjQ3D20y9XuOzfylrYFRbmZNUnA/s400/gillian+castle+timber.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616758023970483778" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span">'<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/72227317/castle-timber-8x10-fine-art-woodland">Castle Timber' by miss quite contrary</a></span></i><br /><br />Margaret MacDonald and Frances McNair combined the influences of folk art, of nature and reaction to the Industrial Revolution - their work is like viewing forests through the London fog - a misty, half finished looking style that really is very similar in atmosphere to those earliest photographs, peeling and blurred.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBJVeqoCET4EYXv3mNXcVgbPB1b20ubJ101d4w3Z7yIg99yUlliNka3Zo5kU-vTe2jIc-C_kRp5hmPNxNYEMNccAJWEkS2kYaYWz0YAljr56OEdFbExt6pj5TTAkMuLBhrSd2tRJfpKY/s1600/gillian+yes+ghost+curtain.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBJVeqoCET4EYXv3mNXcVgbPB1b20ubJ101d4w3Z7yIg99yUlliNka3Zo5kU-vTe2jIc-C_kRp5hmPNxNYEMNccAJWEkS2kYaYWz0YAljr56OEdFbExt6pj5TTAkMuLBhrSd2tRJfpKY/s400/gillian+yes+ghost+curtain.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616756939252915282" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span">'<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/50022068/i-know-theres-no-such-thing-as-ghosts">I Know There's No Such Thing as Ghosts' by miss quite contrary</a></span></i><br /><br />Their colours were pale and drab and dark all at the same time, their lines bold and geometric yet soft and organic and meandering. Their work was calming to look at, but with an underlying mystery and sense of impending doom, something dangerous lurking at the edges of the forest.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6HkXKnl9FYh1NHgoWuyHdbdkLxvSzqCpL1XQBGYNSqf2IZzmCyUaObGHB1HTKhz7iwomznhqwZv03dkyKPuVe32zOUx9dxgSWYmFd-hhVOIK9CGy-gz8WRKukxDzBBJm-u_yE0zrvDQ/s1600/gillian+forest.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg6HkXKnl9FYh1NHgoWuyHdbdkLxvSzqCpL1XQBGYNSqf2IZzmCyUaObGHB1HTKhz7iwomznhqwZv03dkyKPuVe32zOUx9dxgSWYmFd-hhVOIK9CGy-gz8WRKukxDzBBJm-u_yE0zrvDQ/s400/gillian+forest.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616758025879196258" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span">'<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68281892/stand-like-a-dead-tree-8x10-fine-art">Stand Like a Dead Tree' by miss quite contrary</a></span></i></div><div><br />Working in pencil, ink, watercolour and oil, on wood, plaster, glass, metal panels, hessian and plain old brown paper, they used beads, embroidery, inset shells and gold paint, their work is at once lowly and populist and otherworldly; and though they designed furniture, stained glass windows and even advertisments, they never strayed in the bourgeois, with even their most embellished works appearing not glamorous or moneyed but twinkling with ethereal riches that have nothing to do with our mortal world.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtIcm0LlwTDypIR8ghj2hAOpNt2X9STO3uQKSbHIsSAjOufGKy7XKmw8VUfo8msNzHKbdH3-hMzZVYK72OB29RuQMLnNePHrvlTB740qywwtvDrDqOEObCqRPf1Iq7WsMnCiDBd_V4Ew/s1600/gillian+woodcutters+daughter.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtIcm0LlwTDypIR8ghj2hAOpNt2X9STO3uQKSbHIsSAjOufGKy7XKmw8VUfo8msNzHKbdH3-hMzZVYK72OB29RuQMLnNePHrvlTB740qywwtvDrDqOEObCqRPf1Iq7WsMnCiDBd_V4Ew/s400/gillian+woodcutters+daughter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616756944025717730" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49156674/woodcutters-daughter-8x10-photograph">'Woodcutter's Daughter' by miss quite contrary</a></span></i><br /><div><br />They are my inspiration for rejecting artistic conventions and being dark, rebellious, revolutionary, tragic Victorian women, for managing to eke out a living from art while never betraying their radical sensibilities, for rejecting expectations and the old fashioned confines mastering one media, but, instead, for wandering and dabbling (and, indeed, mastering) as they pleased, and, most of all, for making haunting, touching, emotional art unlike anything I've ever seen before, and guiding my fingers a little bit with everything I make.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4KC1ok2VnPTAFr7YKf2EE-UGGJxqS8CuCDi7fnMEfKi8dVm7E8peARXjoWhqJ2MKiUzl_3gX6c-VRXmDQqe4v54VRcCrSphI8UFFGf-EPZz1QnPlJFyt2DKazM7P6MMrvt1oGloOs68/s1600/grey+dawn+ghost.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4KC1ok2VnPTAFr7YKf2EE-UGGJxqS8CuCDi7fnMEfKi8dVm7E8peARXjoWhqJ2MKiUzl_3gX6c-VRXmDQqe4v54VRcCrSphI8UFFGf-EPZz1QnPlJFyt2DKazM7P6MMrvt1oGloOs68/s400/grey+dawn+ghost.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616758040931674194" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px; " /></a></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span">'<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53831782/grey-dawn-ghost-8x10-fine-art-woodland">Grey Dawn Ghost' by miss quite contrary</a></span></i></div><div><br />My favourite photograph isn't even a photograph. My favourite photograph isn't even a single piece of art. My favourite photograph is the works, the minds, the hearts, of Margaret MacDonald and Frances McNair.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk1Li0CwutUM95OFjj6e_ZpWsG9LvXzUe_VWtRVLvqGSsMCy8ulmjLuZas3qQOf_TDsgutUnqLnm4MuXBXESBzgmN9iXBLrgxKihz7lpOQ8tOxT7ZNqY7ufd2jLIo_eOuWm2St83f0uo/s1600/gillian+macdonald+deutsche+kunst.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfk1Li0CwutUM95OFjj6e_ZpWsG9LvXzUe_VWtRVLvqGSsMCy8ulmjLuZas3qQOf_TDsgutUnqLnm4MuXBXESBzgmN9iXBLrgxKihz7lpOQ8tOxT7ZNqY7ufd2jLIo_eOuWm2St83f0uo/s400/gillian+macdonald+deutsche+kunst.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616756965783861234" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.huntsearch.gla.ac.uk/cgi-bin/foxweb/huntsearch_Mackintosh/DetailedResults.fwx?SearchTerm=41098&reqMethod=Link"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">'Deutsche Kunst...', by Margaret MacDonald</span></i></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfQH2f6_15-XLLGHS80K7HeYbB4X7bi9Ahag10dJkxyJbCLgp7z7H5_fo8fXYbBEpo6B7zR1bd3BhXAeepsPk3VEkrDjR9T93UUfZgTUs-EFdT3eQq7z2HcLY4fMXrNpn9FIls3zI0y4/s1600/gillian+mcnair+ill+omen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdfQH2f6_15-XLLGHS80K7HeYbB4X7bi9Ahag10dJkxyJbCLgp7z7H5_fo8fXYbBEpo6B7zR1bd3BhXAeepsPk3VEkrDjR9T93UUfZgTUs-EFdT3eQq7z2HcLY4fMXrNpn9FIls3zI0y4/s400/gillian+mcnair+ill+omen.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616756974377813346" /></a><div><a href="http://www.huntsearch.gla.ac.uk/cgi-bin/foxweb/huntsearch_Mackintosh/DetailedResults.fwx?SearchTerm=41138&reqMethod=Link"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">'Ill Omen' by Frances McNair</span></i></a><br /><br /></div><div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><i>Thank you so much, Gillian, for this fabulous interview</i>.<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-43788818240872867212011-06-08T17:01:00.000-07:002011-06-08T17:03:48.850-07:00Let's Get Some Votes!Here is the official list of treasuries that were curated for our most recent Folk Reveries treasury Challenge:<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dddafeb435f8eefd65d32da/midspring-nights-dream" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dddafeb435f8eefd65d32da/midspring-nights-dream</a><br />by mimiMatelot<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dddf2ac79c88eef2426fffa/a-lady-ivory-white-and-fair" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dddf2ac79c88eef2426fffa/a-lady-ivory-white-a...</a><br />by Chymiera<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dde496b1d988eefc1cf75cc/a-little-bird-and-his-friends-of-the" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dde496b1d988eefc1cf75cc/a-little-bird-and-hi...</a><br />by DesdemonaLovesMoon<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4de122b5490b8eefbd04adb8/arsenic-old-lace" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/4de122b5490b8eefbd04adb8/arsenic-old-lace</a><br />by WaddleandMoo<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4de878360cc76d91511b7f1e/romantic-like" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/4de878360cc76d91511b7f1e/romantic-like</a><br />by hunterandmoon<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4de90d9d62228eef58978655/brightlight" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/4de90d9d62228eef58978655/brightlight</a><br />by DearOhDeer<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4de931a7dd298eef7e7b9e9f/flight-of-the-heart?ref=pr_treasury" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(1, 146, 181); text-decoration: none; ">www.etsy.com/treasury/4de931a7dd298eef7e7b9e9f/flight-of-the-heart?...</a><br />by poppywomen</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; ">Anyone can vote! Please vote in #1 and #2 format on our Etsy team discussion page found here:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7627971/page/2">http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7627971/page/2</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Voting will end on 6/11.</div><div>xoxo</div>ChYMieRahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01639374900104004099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-62150544314814443742011-06-07T12:47:00.000-07:002011-06-07T13:01:37.979-07:00i dream of blue...Amanda of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueLaReve">Blue LaReve</a> recently won our team treasury challenge with her entry <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc2085c594f8eefc9f8a463/a-little-folk-for-the-soul">"a little folk for the soul."</a>. I just want to live in her world of fresh breezes and cool colours - perfect for this hot weather!<br /><br />Her shop is a carefully curated blend of her own handmade creations with complementary vintage items. Check out these beauties...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjJlJGfaS54L-X2JIzK4yfqWbVMLjuvaoCb4rsKiXMv0AdNzqTrtnr_vKawTknoj9eA1MH0Eh-918slasZF_F_vp7ADQl3cX9XwxDREHn-M8wSpw3eEXV1QjkurZ96QBtPp2fDxVwtSI/s1600/blue+lareve+nest.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjJlJGfaS54L-X2JIzK4yfqWbVMLjuvaoCb4rsKiXMv0AdNzqTrtnr_vKawTknoj9eA1MH0Eh-918slasZF_F_vp7ADQl3cX9XwxDREHn-M8wSpw3eEXV1QjkurZ96QBtPp2fDxVwtSI/s400/blue+lareve+nest.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615567476487551522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHbE6m1suswSJhv9XejYJAD8sRwR4FIBFJ4pgwWHkwBb71qLVMet5pFgeD47oHViVyegKbljT7XLQfZibduKCUymLWi8MZBNaDzxzR7Yr7dlp_jUDhqohh6O6qKEzx1LKQL3HEkq9QG4/s1600/blue+lareve+necklace+vertical.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHbE6m1suswSJhv9XejYJAD8sRwR4FIBFJ4pgwWHkwBb71qLVMet5pFgeD47oHViVyegKbljT7XLQfZibduKCUymLWi8MZBNaDzxzR7Yr7dlp_jUDhqohh6O6qKEzx1LKQL3HEkq9QG4/s400/blue+lareve+necklace+vertical.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615567473419550418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnj14WcqSfvd90VoyzYlUk-ZK8PXnR-ny5Zak8wT5-0ZDHm_epFmgDvnxXK7cw5Cx4Xq-jgxzidOzFE9_fmFz-F2gnHtlEXrmHJOoG78_KNMFBDMPTGEqwq4oKzVDcGDhI-ipB4llIBg/s1600/blue+lareve+earrings.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnj14WcqSfvd90VoyzYlUk-ZK8PXnR-ny5Zak8wT5-0ZDHm_epFmgDvnxXK7cw5Cx4Xq-jgxzidOzFE9_fmFz-F2gnHtlEXrmHJOoG78_KNMFBDMPTGEqwq4oKzVDcGDhI-ipB4llIBg/s400/blue+lareve+earrings.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615567469250436370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiSt03FdXj1_azhyphenhyphenqDMXeSpZogbeHcZBQLee4FjLC8kgmA5muZTkk421VZWJ3sR7kePYNV02wQZVvU5h36Fcp_faMla6PN687wSQc4We53L8prX139EYHRTEMDSmxgsj25Ln9m0xDh6Q/s1600/blue+lareve+pitcher.jpg"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiSt03FdXj1_azhyphenhyphenqDMXeSpZogbeHcZBQLee4FjLC8kgmA5muZTkk421VZWJ3sR7kePYNV02wQZVvU5h36Fcp_faMla6PN687wSQc4We53L8prX139EYHRTEMDSmxgsj25Ln9m0xDh6Q/s400/blue+lareve+pitcher.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615567488234973442" /></a><br /><br />Head on over to her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueLaReve">shop</a>, or visit her at her lovely blog, <a href="http://bluelareve.blogspot.com/">here</a>! Congrats Amanda, from a fellow cancer girl!Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-51752390752592738572011-05-28T10:41:00.000-07:002011-05-28T11:56:28.411-07:00Winners & New Team Treasury Challenge 5/23 - 6/4Hello all! Some congrats are in order.<br /><br />Thanks to all who participated in the treasury challenge from 5/2 to 5/15 !! The winning treasury of the votes that came into 1st place is this treasury ~ curated by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueLaReve">BlueLaReve</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSonQvJrOCpG49JGoOSTemRGWkjzC4tGgV7pfmvETi2BLVmDha3MySsvoVo4csBjqFILBsJ2BXTVPF7Q_mk4j1-cUuP08-IrpQXOa4jLnbl0ZYpozHLe_lHKb9Tafl2iYX6qt_XVKY-w/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-28+at+1.43.06+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 510px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSonQvJrOCpG49JGoOSTemRGWkjzC4tGgV7pfmvETi2BLVmDha3MySsvoVo4csBjqFILBsJ2BXTVPF7Q_mk4j1-cUuP08-IrpQXOa4jLnbl0ZYpozHLe_lHKb9Tafl2iYX6qt_XVKY-w/s400/Screen+shot+2011-05-28+at+1.43.06+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611824618167343106" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc2085c594f8eefc9f8a463/a-little-folk-for-the-soul">a little folk for the soul</a><br /><br />You have won a $10 gift certificate to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChYMieRa">ChYMieRa</a> ( I will be in touch) and a 10% off coupon to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/poppywomen">poppywomen</a>. You will be featured on the team blog, and also, for the next Folk Reveries Team Challenge, curators must include at least one of your items per treasury!<br /><br />The winning treasury of votes that came into 2nd place is this treasury~ created by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/hunterandmoon">hunterandmoon</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmGSr8DKvCragBIWSkJU86rQk5DbDLoRoCN_Atn2Lzp5brxPUu65noBGU-t8V9jFASj8ypKLyUdcQ_V1-Zov7ECElTg1rZK-9kz2BMtuIqjGwoCPQRNTr5FlT3ndF81Os5FpMXXgn9iA/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-05-28+at+1.43.33+PM.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 510px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmGSr8DKvCragBIWSkJU86rQk5DbDLoRoCN_Atn2Lzp5brxPUu65noBGU-t8V9jFASj8ypKLyUdcQ_V1-Zov7ECElTg1rZK-9kz2BMtuIqjGwoCPQRNTr5FlT3ndF81Os5FpMXXgn9iA/s400/Screen+shot+2011-05-28+at+1.43.33+PM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611824619382550850" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db84e535f5a8eefaffc039a/the-anatomy-of-sixteen">the anatomy of sixteen</a><br /><br />As the runner-up, you will be featured on the team blog & you will receive a $5 gift certificate to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChYMieRa">ChYMieRa</a>. ( I will be in touch)<br /><br />Congrats to both of you for having such a clever eye for treasury-making!<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />As mentioned previously, our treasury challenge will now run every fortnight. (Bi-weekly), so everyone has 2 weeks to make fabulous treasuries to promote our fabulous team. And then an additional week for voting.<br /><br />All of the rules for making a treasury for this challenge can be found on our blog <a href="http://folkreveries.blogspot.com/2011/02/introducing-weekly-treasury-challenges.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Remember, you must use one item from BlueLaReve's shop in any treasury that you make, along with at least 7 other members of the team for this challenge. {Though, we love seeing treasuries comprised of all Folk Reveries members }<br />Here is BlueLaReve's shop: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.etsy.com/shop/BlueLaReve">www.etsy.com/shop/BlueLaReve</a><br /><br />Please post all your new treasuries in this thread and remember to use the tags "folkreveries" and/or "folkreverieschallenge" in your treasuries.<br /><br />New treasuries may commence as of 5/23 and will end on 6/4. Voting will begin on 6/4 and end on 6/11 to give everyone ample time to vote. We will tally the votes again in 1st and 2nd choice format.<br /><br />We would love to see everyone create just one treasury for each challenge, but , we also know that people are very busy in their daily lives. I would suggest that you at least take a gander at each treasury posted, it helps with clicks (and you know on Etsy it is all about clicks) and the more clicks & comments, the more likely a treasury is to hit the front page! And that is awesome exposure for any team!<br /><br />Donations for this challenge would be helpful & might inspire more participation. Any donated prizes will be announced. If you would like to donate, you can either convo me or post in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7627971/page/1/">this thread</a>.<br /><br />As of now, we have the following donated prizes:<br />A $10 gift certificate to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChYMieRa">ChYMieRa</a><br />A $10 gift certificate to either <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/drucillapettibone">Drucilla Pettibone</a> or <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/petitbones">petit bones</a>.<br /><br />Good Luck to All! And Happy Treasury-making!<br />xo, ~ Chy<br /><br />p.s. please post your treasuries in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7627971/page/1/">this thread</a> on our team forum!Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-79467751141698756872011-05-16T17:00:00.000-07:002011-05-16T17:06:21.523-07:00voting on the treasury challenge<div style="text-align: center;">♥ </div><div style="text-align: center;">♥Hi folks!♥</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We had a team treasury challenge from 5/2 to 5/15 where members were asked to make treasuries comprised of at least 8 members of this team.<br />
Starting today 5/16 we will be voting on these treasuries.<br />
<br />
Everyone will have 2 votes. Submit your votes here in this format #1 (being your favorite) and #2 (your next favorite).<br />
<br />
~The first place winner will receive the following prizes:<br />
A $10 gift certificate to ChYMieRa<br />
and 10% off coupon to poppywomen<br />
and will be featured at least one time in each treasury in the next coming challenge.<br />
<br />
♥The second place winner will receive a $5 gift certificate to ChYMieRa♥<br />
<br />
♥Both the first and second place winners will be featured on the team blog!♥<br />
<br />
Here is the list of treasuries that were submitted for the challenge.<br />
Remember to vote in #1, #2 format.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
♥</div>♥♥<br />
Let the Voting Begin~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dbeb7ba4bb18eef108b92ba/honk-kong-garden">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dbeb7ba4bb18eef108b92ba/honk-kong-garden</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dbf808f27888eef1eb5264e/think">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dbf808f27888eef1eb5264e/think</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc2085c594f8eefc9f8a463/a-little-folk-for-the-soul" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc2085c594f8eefc9f8a463/a-little-folk-for-th...</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc4460264098eef8c504cbf/mid-afternoon-reverie" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc4460264098eef8c504cbf/mid-afternoon-reverie</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc2f955d8e58eef0312ed94/maiden-of-may" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc2f955d8e58eef0312ed94/maiden-of-may</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc45cf355a86d9193c251ff/sand-in-her-shoes" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc45cf355a86d9193c251ff/sand-in-her-shoes</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc4b4140d118eefa1fbc348/vintage-tea-party" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc4b4140d118eefa1fbc348/vintage-tea-party</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc54ff3dce88eef5fd46bd0/hunter-gatherer-folk-reveries-challenge" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc54ff3dce88eef5fd46bd0/hunter-gatherer-folk...</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db84e535f5a8eefaffc039a/the-anatomy-of-sixteen" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4db84e535f5a8eefaffc039a/the-anatomy-of-sixteen</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc564a4a70a6d914c4e9305/flying-girl-and-the-moon-rabbit" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc564a4a70a6d914c4e9305/flying-girl-and-the-...</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc71eedbc4a8eefc2a62b17/new-beginings" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dc71eedbc4a8eefc2a62b17/new-beginings</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dcc45d9310c8eefb5a75da3/the-ghosts-of-spring" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dcc45d9310c8eefb5a75da3/the-ghosts-of-spring</a><br />
<br />
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!<br />
♥♥</div><div style="text-align: center;">♥ </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">♥♥please post your votes on this forum thread <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7603948/">http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7603948/ </a>♥♥</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-16342589043474065662011-05-06T21:08:00.000-07:002011-05-06T21:11:08.251-07:00Treasury Challenge Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.239594210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.239594210.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.239375752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.239375752.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.239433186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.239433186.jpg" width="357" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here are some lovelies from the treasury challenge winner CorvidDelights to inspire your treasuries!!<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CorvidDelights?ref=seller_info">http://www.etsy.com/shop/CorvidDelights?ref=seller_info</a> </div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-8724183865555540892011-05-03T14:54:00.000-07:002011-05-03T14:55:49.594-07:00Winners & New Team Treasury Challenge 5/2 thru 5/15The winning treasury is <i>Straw Boater on the Seine</i> by CorvidDelights. I love the golden sunlit tones and delicate turqoises. It really feels like a lovely French summer afternoon spent by a river!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdgM8kRSoG0/TcB3SEXLHaI/AAAAAAAAATs/QfOOfOUE4d8/s1600/corvidtreas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdgM8kRSoG0/TcB3SEXLHaI/AAAAAAAAATs/QfOOfOUE4d8/s400/corvidtreas.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br />
The runner up is Mathyld of underthepyramids. I love the elegance of her treasury <i>It's in the darkest corners.....</i> and the subtle sense of darkness and mystery.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pwr0nEUNqQE/TcB3yxUTJlI/AAAAAAAAATw/Ie3Y6HwWoo8/s1600/mathyld_treasury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pwr0nEUNqQE/TcB3yxUTJlI/AAAAAAAAATw/Ie3Y6HwWoo8/s400/mathyld_treasury.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><br />
I am going to be doing features on the two winners in the blog over the next two weeks as treasury making and voting takes place.<br />
<br />
Please, please, please support the team treasuries by clicking and commenting even if you don't have time to make one yourself. Chymiera has generously offered another $10 gift voucher to the next winner. If anyone can offer prizes for future challenges please contact Chy. <br />
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here is the link to the post on the team forum <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7546274/">http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/7546274/</a><br />
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♥ ♥ ♥ SammiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-34830634675350367302011-04-30T08:56:00.000-07:002011-04-30T10:27:01.169-07:00To celebrate Beltane:.... flower themed picks from the ♥team♥<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Beltane is a very special and magical Celtic festival. It marks the start of Summer and is a really beautiful time of the year...with longer hours of sunshine, warmer weather, an abundance of new life (especially baby rabbits... soooooo cute!). Loveliest of all is the blooming of the hawthorn (May) and countless wild flowers. Traditionally hawthorn boughs and posies of wild flowers were gathered and used to decorate homes. I always think of lovely posies of wild-flowers when I think of Beltane and this is what has inspired these very pretty flower themed picks from the ♥team♥<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.170768373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.170768373.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55212906/woodland-nymph-deer-antler-and-sequin">Woodland Nymph - Deer Antler and Sequin Necklace</a> </div></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">♥prairieoats♥</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">♥<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.57514121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.57514121.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/13376865/gathering-flowers-8x10-art-print">Gathering Flowers, print</a></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">♥throughtheforest♥</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">♥</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.209859234.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66322284/berry-brambles-floral-crown">floral crown</a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">♥scarletmaiden♥ </span></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">♥</div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.227076555.jpg" width="265" /></div><div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70017294/vintage-70s-lace-empire-waist-corset">watercolour floral dress</a><br />
♥violetfolklore♥<br />
♥<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.239607723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.239607723.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/70367116/violet-night-victorian-romantic-eggplant">violet night victorian romantic lace earrings</a><br />
♥CorvidDelights♥<br />
♥ <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.226596246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.226596246.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/69906344/anniversary-sale-spring-has-sprung"> recycled vintage crochet lace cape with liberty flowers</a><br />
♥bayousalvage♥<br />
♥<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.142403984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.142403984.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/46314509/vintage-fleurs-vintage-1930s-apron-with">vintage 1930s apron with flowers and beads </a><br />
♥laboheme♥ <br />
♥<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.239602419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.239602419.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/73028829/lady-of-wildflowers">Lady of Wildflowers</a><br />
♥ElizabethFrank♥<br />
♥<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These are just a few of the very beautiful flower-themed items in ♥Folk Reveries♥ members' shops. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ps: if anyone is interested in finding out more about ♥Beltane♥</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">I have more detailed info on my blog</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://woodlanddiary.blogspot.com/2011/04/bealtaine-or-beltane-festival-of-fire.html">http://woodlanddiary.blogspot.com_beltane-festival-of-fire-and-flowers</a></span></div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-1497647564019380542011-04-26T09:50:00.000-07:002011-04-30T14:43:31.978-07:00New and exciting changes to Team Treasury ChallengeI am copying over Chy's inspirational post from the forum:<br />
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Hear ye, Hear ye! Important News about our Team Treasury Challenge:<br />
<br />
The Leaders have decided to change the weekly treasury challenge to a bi-weekly treasury challenge.<br />
Starting a new challenge every 2 weeks will allow more time for more team members to participate and give everyone ample time to vote.<br />
Voting will be posted on the thread of each challenge and we ask that even if you do not have time to make a treasury, please at least vote on the treasuries made.<br />
Everyone will be allowed 2 votes, but please correspond #1 with your first choice and #2 for your second choice.<br />
I know that seems obvious, but I want to make certain we don't tally the votes wrong.<br />
Also, donated prizes will be announced and given to the 1st place winner, but the 2nd place winner will also receive a little something.<br />
We would love to see everyone create just one treasury for each challenge, but , we also know that people are very busy in their daily lives.<br />
I would suggest that you at least take a gander at each treasury posted, it helps with clicks (and you know on Etsy it is all about clicks) and the more clicks & comments, the more likely a treasury is to hit the front page! And that is awesome exposure for any team!!<br />
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So, to re-iterate the treasuries already posted by the lovely Mathyld, for you to vote on, I will relist them here and remember to keep it to just 2 votes ~pretty please? ;}<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4da32c17f4778eef1551e912/new-life" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4da32c17f4778eef1551e912/new-life</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4da67044fe9d6d913e3e1ace/forest-dweller" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4da67044fe9d6d913e3e1ace/forest-dweller</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4da3cbebb5608eef24fc02b2/a-l-c-h-e-m-y" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4da3cbebb5608eef24fc02b2/a-l-c-h-e-m-y</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dae2b55cd456d9116d09f36/its-in-the-darkest-c.." target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dae2b55cd456d9116d09f36/its-in-the-darkest-c..</a>.<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db378057a9d8eef9b0957b8/by-star-or-by-stream" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4db378057a9d8eef9b0957b8/by-star-or-by-stream</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4daef0a734038eef2bd7d12f/of-elements-and-lace" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4daef0a734038eef2bd7d12f/of-elements-and-lace</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dacc219b1058eef1982a3f0/touch-of-grey" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dacc219b1058eef1982a3f0/touch-of-grey</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db226238a1d8eeff5337861/purple-jupiter" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4db226238a1d8eeff5337861/purple-jupiter</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dad3700e41a6d9103a64eab/expectation" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dad3700e41a6d9103a64eab/expectation</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dae0818b5796d9129a64e3d/here-is-the-key-to-u.." target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4dae0818b5796d9129a64e3d/here-is-the-key-to-u..</a>.<br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db3a88dc54b6d9156d9cbe7/relic" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4db3a88dc54b6d9156d9cbe7/relic</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4db25b56d9d36d918480f385/straw-boater-on-the-.." target="_blank">www.etsy.com/treasury/4db25b56d9d36d918480f385/straw-boater-on-the-..</a>.<br />
<br />
The voting for this will be closed on Saturday, April 30th and a new treasury challenge will commence on Monday, May 2. -a new thread will be posted.<br />
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Good Luck to all!<br />
xoxox <br />
<br />
.......Also....... as you know the the winner gets featured in all of the next week's treasuries......I am going to interview the runner-up and feature their shop on the team blog as a runner-up prize.<br />
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All the more reasons to join in the fun<br />
<br />
yay!!!!!!!!....<br />
<br />
here is the link so you can vote:<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/6860835/page/1" style="color: #d5a6bd;">http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/6860835/page/1 </a></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
Sammi♥Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-44547552834353427862011-04-24T12:41:00.000-07:002011-04-24T17:22:45.351-07:00Easter interview with SomethingHorseI can't think a better way to celebrate easter than by spending time with Sammi of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SomethingHorse">SomethingHorse</a>. She is a new-ish leader on our Folk Reveries team and has been such a help and a unifying force on our team already. I just love following her <a href="http://woodlanddiary.blogspot.com/">Woodland Diary</a>, and want to live in the magical landscapes she creates. I'm treating myself to one of Sammi's adorable bunny scuptures today too ... :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtBsQGdIo8sgVgYiKqDxaLTqAjGDIgM7q8gIvOPZ23SjBL0djQeEzp55Sg0lJymIwT8kUNiGdLPFZiFq02u2_agtFmRnfOiqdUa2cyXdzfHY2_XtcI2aAR_zNUCOWjoc5xckGctM-RBU/s1600/sammi+gnome+tea+party.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtBsQGdIo8sgVgYiKqDxaLTqAjGDIgM7q8gIvOPZ23SjBL0djQeEzp55Sg0lJymIwT8kUNiGdLPFZiFq02u2_agtFmRnfOiqdUa2cyXdzfHY2_XtcI2aAR_zNUCOWjoc5xckGctM-RBU/s400/sammi+gnome+tea+party.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599241775847351506" /></a><br /><br />Here are my questions and her answers...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What is your background? </span><br /><br />Joe and I both grew up in Southern Africa. Joe grew up in Zambia and I grew up on a sheep farm in a semi-desert area of South Africa called the little Karoo. Joe and I met because he was my painting lecturer at Art college. Because of our opposition to Apartheid it became dangerous for us to live in South Africa, so soon after we met we moved to Ireland where we spent 12 years before moving to London about 9 years ago.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How long have you been working in clay and on paper? </span><br /><br />I only began working with clay 4 or 5 years ago, so it is still very new to me, but I have been making drawings and paintings on paper since I was a child. I have been officially working as a painter and illustrator for about 20 years.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Do you work in any other media?</span><br /><br />My other favourite medium, which also involves paper, is collage. I also love working with wood, taking photographs and creating collections of found objects.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How does your observance of nature influence your work?</span><br /><br />The world of nature is a great source of inspiration for me. I think that the organic shapes, forms, textures and colours that I see find their way into my work. I also love animals and my experiences of watching wild and tame animals has created the basis for many of the animal characters I paint or make out of clay. I also love looking at films, documentaries and artwork which capture the beauty of nature.<br /><br />Nature is not just a visual source of imagery for me... in a very real way I think that the energy I need in order to create is replenished and renewed through my contact with nature. I could not really keep going without it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What is the connection with paganism in your life and work?</span><br /><br />I connect to Pagan myths and festivals because of the reverence for nature and the close connection with the rhythms and seasons of the earth throughout the year. This is something I try to hold on to and remain aware of.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-rNaY3k94Seqiaos-Gb_zrhjz0HFcvHeFxosQAAHMAIx8UPqDGa8ouwpO4Z-rqsyWDQcBcVmaflKeZUfqfuauPTJmFK9WM1TneWRerteCUonuby5K3qFta1iN6-JRZLhYZKAwsFgGUA/s1600/sammi+bunny+goddess.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-rNaY3k94Seqiaos-Gb_zrhjz0HFcvHeFxosQAAHMAIx8UPqDGa8ouwpO4Z-rqsyWDQcBcVmaflKeZUfqfuauPTJmFK9WM1TneWRerteCUonuby5K3qFta1iN6-JRZLhYZKAwsFgGUA/s400/sammi+bunny+goddess.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599241772287664194" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What is a typical day like for you?</span><br /><br />My days tend to vary quite a lot as I am more creative at some times of the month than others - I find that the time before and after the full moon is my most creative time. I often work quite late into the night, so usually I get up quite late, make a to-do list for the day and get to work. Often the early part of the day is spent on loading the kiln, taking photographs, checking mail etc. An hour or so before sunset Joe and I will always take a walk to the wood, forest or fields. This is the most important and most enjoyable part of my day. After cooking dinner I usually get to work on colouring and glazing, or making new pieces out of clay. At the moment I am doing some collage which is a lovely change. I don't paint as much as I used to, but sometimes I will paint or write. I also have to try to squeeze in some time online working on my blog or Etsy shop. Always too much to do and not enough hours to fit it all in!! We always end the day with watching a nice film or documentary or listening to an audio book.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Can you tell us more about your creative partnership?</span><br /><br />When Joe and I work together he tends to make things on a large scale and I produce the teeny details. We are working on a gnome house at the moment, it is made in a section of a hollow oak log. Joe has carved stairs and a fireplace and is busy installing the upper storey. I am going to make the gnome family and gnome crockery etc out of clay. He will make some wooden furniture as well.<br /><br />We are also writing a children's book about a family of beetles. Joe has done most of the illustrations and I have done most of the writing, but we worked out the story together.<br /><br />We love to work together in this way, but also have our own individual projects... sometimes we need to give one another a lot of space, at other times we offer one another advice and encouragement.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What are your hopes and goals for the future of your creative work? </span><br /><br />I have been thinking about learning to crochet so that I can make clothes for my little clay figures... I am waiting till I am less busy, but this is a little dream I really hope to realise one day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I want to finish the many children's books I have begun writing and illustrating.</span><br /><br />And finally in the very near future Joe and I are determined that we are finally going to use the enamels and enamelling equipment we bought a few years ago and make some enamelled jewellery in our kiln.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRY731_LkS85BvjpPq1HykVIM68or26715wMSCEVkkfMLa-GiyMYi0-PpUEqZnDakY-H-2XE_qjLOpfwVpCQDDrqX9NmT0n2YInfVZjYqWzASN2GH1QCCQTzcdy2bNDAnsXRGHa6xGPEE/s1600/sammi+bunny+egg.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRY731_LkS85BvjpPq1HykVIM68or26715wMSCEVkkfMLa-GiyMYi0-PpUEqZnDakY-H-2XE_qjLOpfwVpCQDDrqX9NmT0n2YInfVZjYqWzASN2GH1QCCQTzcdy2bNDAnsXRGHa6xGPEE/s400/sammi+bunny+egg.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599241772613626066" /></a><br /><br />Thanks so much, Sammi, for sharing your world with us <3 We're so lucky to have you as a team leader!Drucillahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03228978343783804866noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-40024910186801315542011-04-19T16:30:00.001-07:002011-04-19T17:05:00.426-07:00Treasury Challenge : something new<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I thought I'd give a heads-up to those who, just like me, are too lazy to go and check the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5950/folk-reveries/discuss/">team discussions</a> on Etsy.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><a style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.etsy.com/people/ChYMieRa">ChYMiera</a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> had a super generous idea to motivate the troops !<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:180%;">⁂</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Here's what she wrote<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I am starting this thread to help the lovely Drucilla. I hope is this week is better for you, love!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">That being said, please use this thread to post your treasury challenge for this week.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Since there was not enough participants for the last challenge, no winner was declared. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">So, we are starting fresh!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">And to get you all motivated- I will donate a $10 gift certificate to my shop to the Treasury Challenge winner. How do you like them apples? Other donations would be great!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">All of the rules for making a treasury for this challenge can be found here:</span><br /><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);" href="http://folkreveries.blogspot.com/2011/02/introducing-weekly-treasury-challenges.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://folkreveries.blogspot.com/2011/02/introducing-weekly-treasury-challenges.html</a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">To include your treasury in this week's challenge and to make it easily findable for all team mates, you will need to post your treasury link in this thread. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Good luck to all !!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Hugs!!<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">⁂</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Isn't that incredibly generous of her ?<br />I think that the least we could do is to</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">include one of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChYMieRa?ref=pr_shop_more">her items</a> to all </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">this </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">week </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">treasuries</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> ...<br /><br /></span></span><img style="width: 500px; height: 374px;" alt="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.173354131.jpg" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.173354131.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="width: 500px; height: 376px;" alt="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.191188214.jpg" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.191188214.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="width: 500px; height: 373px;" alt="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.217283456.jpg" src="http://ny-image0.etsy.com/il_570xN.217283456.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />And there are many more <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChYMieRa">where these beauties come from</a> !<br /><br />Good luck, everyone !</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />x x x</span><br /><a href="http://underthepyramids.com/blog/"><span style="font-style: italic;">-mathyld-</span></a></span><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3954041984127362346.post-33248182242966246362011-04-16T07:45:00.000-07:002011-04-16T16:38:13.759-07:00An Interview with Lauren Small (gingerkellydesigns)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UxCEq1JCkl4/Tamo3bZN2YI/AAAAAAAAAR4/io9SU57YZc4/s1600/gingerkellystudio_faerieroad.jpg.opt500x693o0%252C0s500x693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UxCEq1JCkl4/Tamo3bZN2YI/AAAAAAAAAR4/io9SU57YZc4/s400/gingerkellystudio_faerieroad.jpg.opt500x693o0%252C0s500x693.jpg" width="287" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I have been really amazed by the depth of visual imagery in your work. It really feels like walking into a magical dreamworld and it is so obvious how much your imagination is steeped in folklore, myth and fairy tale. I was wondering if you have any particular favourite books, myths, fairy-stories or folk-tales. ….. Also, is there any one particular story or book you remember reading as a child that first drew you into this enchanted world?</b> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, where to begin? I LOVE books. Over the past few years I became really hooked on the fantasy novels of Cecilia Dart Thornton, particularly The Bitterbynde Trilogy. Her stories are filled with references to traditional folklore from all over the world and the descriptions of characters and places seem to match my imagination exactly... I always have the most vivid dreams after reading these books. My love of fantasy stories began when I was very young after reading 'Faeries' by Brian Froud and Alan Lee. It wasn’t until last year that I actually bought myself a copy and I fell in love all over again with the amazing illustrations and the slightly creepy stories about water nymphs and kelpies. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QeC9B9zBu5s/TamrHU0MPjI/AAAAAAAAASE/ACjlebqFl7Y/s1600/gingerkellystudio_selkie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QeC9B9zBu5s/TamrHU0MPjI/AAAAAAAAASE/ACjlebqFl7Y/s400/gingerkellystudio_selkie.jpg" width="331" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Another influence which is very obvious in your work is a strong connection with nature........ What is your favourite wild place or landscape? … and what are the qualities and feature you love about it most?</b> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do I have to choose just one place? The first place that immediately springs to mind is Ireland. I went on a solo backpacking trip around Ireland (without the backpack) about 4 years ago. I was wandering around in the forests of Glendalough and Killarney in autumn... absolutely the most magical places I've ever seen. The thick forest trees, beautiful streams, waterfalls and the plush carpet of moss on everything was so inspiring, For some reason it’s the smell of those places that is the clearest memory for me. The wet earth and the gentle sound of the rain filtering through the branches above before it plops onto the ground. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I'm writing this it’s raining here at home and the sound is making me very nostalgic...I would go back to Ireland in a heartbeat. </span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xfa1jcCw7Kc/TamsMD_gnAI/AAAAAAAAASI/U3KgZ6_0NWM/s1600/gingerkellystudio_forest+spirit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xfa1jcCw7Kc/TamsMD_gnAI/AAAAAAAAASI/U3KgZ6_0NWM/s400/gingerkellystudio_forest+spirit.jpg" width="281" /></a></span></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>As your home is in Australia, this landscape may be very different from the Northern hemisphere landscapes which surround many of the myths and fairy-stories which inspire your work. Do you ever feel that you are bridging two sides of the earth that are experiencing opposite seasons... do you feel there is harmony or conflict in this?</b> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes. I always feel that I'm partway between two continents, two seasons. Part of me is very much attached to my home in Australia, the other part is trying to stretch itself across the ocean... My head and heart want to go on adventures, while my bottom doesn't want to leave my comfy home ;) </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">There's a little conflict... and there's a little part of me waiting to see what will happen when the stronger part wins. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">… <b>and talking about the seasons... it may be Spring here, but in Australia you have just celebrated the Autumnal Equinox... going into the darker side of the year. What does Autumn feel like for you and what sort of changes to you notice in the natural environment around you at this time of year?</b> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Autumn is my favourite time of year here in Australia. I live in a very wet region where it’s fairly green all year round but autumn is usually drier and it brings out a complete change in the feel of the air and the smell of the earth. The sound of Currawongs (native birds that are a bit like magpies crossed with crows) is the first thing that I notice when the season changes. Then there's the wind in the evening... I love standing out under the stars when it’s a windy night. There's something in the air... I can’t explain it.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ogX3BgiYvWk/Tamo1a8SPdI/AAAAAAAAARw/CTKAfgqVRoY/s1600/WrenCatcher_by_GingerKelly.jpg.opt650x919o0%252C0s650x919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ogX3BgiYvWk/Tamo1a8SPdI/AAAAAAAAARw/CTKAfgqVRoY/s400/WrenCatcher_by_GingerKelly.jpg.opt650x919o0%252C0s650x919.jpg" width="282" /></a> </span></div></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>In what ways do you feel that living in Australia has shaped and contributed to the very special qualities of your work?</b> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a difficult question... I'm not sure if it’s something that can really be defined because my experience of Australia is likely to be very different from the way many people imagine Australia to be. When you think of Australia do you think of red dirt & kangaroos? I think of the silver smooth bark of blue gums, round river stones and playing in the creek when it floods... the bright feathers of kingfishers and satin bowerbirds and the soft grey fuzzy fur of the orphaned baby wallabies that my grandmother hand raises. My childhood was very free, close to nature and I spent most of my time playing outside, or escaping into my own imagination at times when I had to go to school (I hated school).... So I think it’s more the feeling and the 'spirit' of the way I grew up that inspires the artwork I create. </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sjRFqy2f6Aw/Tamo6CqEp_I/AAAAAAAAASA/yBJtDaqfHuk/s1600/SorrowWaterNymph_webpreview.jpg.opt600x844o0%252C0s600x844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sjRFqy2f6Aw/Tamo6CqEp_I/AAAAAAAAASA/yBJtDaqfHuk/s400/SorrowWaterNymph_webpreview.jpg.opt600x844o0%252C0s600x844.jpg" width="283" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>I am so interested in your creative process..... how you go about creating your digital pieces...... the way your ideas and inspirations are worked out..... what your experience of this process is like and how it fits in with the rest of your life.....</b><b> </b> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-right: 0.08cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Usually an artwork starts off in a dream or daydream. If I cannot immediately sit down and start creating the scene I've imagined then I do a really quick sketch or write a few notes in my sketchbook for later on. Most of the time I simply abandon what I was doing when I get a new idea in my head and then get lost in my imagination for a few hours until daily needs start calling... I have gone through an entire day of painting before realising that its 6pm and I haven’t even had breakfast yet! That’s not a good way to treat my body so I now try to eat something and maybe do a few daily chores before my creative side gets carried away...</span></div><div class="western" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="western" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rlhfUGZ0ZpQ/Tamo2av_aMI/AAAAAAAAAR0/eeV9tMu0rQM/s1600/gingerkellystudio_ancientsunicorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rlhfUGZ0ZpQ/Tamo2av_aMI/AAAAAAAAAR0/eeV9tMu0rQM/s400/gingerkellystudio_ancientsunicorn.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>How does being an artist fit into your life?...... As a child, did you know you were going to be an artist when you grew up? Have you ever considered another career in life? And do you have other interests, work, hobbies or commitments that also play an important part in your life?</b> </span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-right: 0.08cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">As a child I had no idea of what I wanted to do when I was older. I was completely absorbed with what I was doing at that precise moment. And I am still quite a bit like that today... absorbed in today and not really thinking about tomorrow. There was a time when I was forced to think about what I wanted to do/be when I 'grew up'. When I finished school, aged 17, I decided to go to uni and learn more about caring for and training horses as I've owned and ridden horses since I was a toddler. I'd always wanted to have more knowledge for myself, regardless of whether there was a career in it. It didn’t take long for me to realise that I really didn’t want to do any more formal education so I finished my first year then went travelling around Australia, drawing and painting every day while I travelled and realised that this is what I wanted to do. Art. I'd always loved drawing and my family and friends seemed to think I was good at it, so I kept teaching myself by experimenting and constantly practicing. I did end up finishing my university course but I did the final two years by distance education so that I could study at my own pace and do the things I really wanted to do each day... which was ride horses and paint ~ though not at the same time. Easels and paintbrushes are a little unwieldy on the back of a horse I can tell you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwXeYQdu9kM/Tamo5SJyhHI/AAAAAAAAAR8/O8x7cD-Cxq4/s1600/gingerkellystudio_pinecone+dryad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwXeYQdu9kM/Tamo5SJyhHI/AAAAAAAAAR8/O8x7cD-Cxq4/s400/gingerkellystudio_pinecone+dryad.jpg" width="305" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.05cm; margin-right: 0.08cm; margin-top: 0.05cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was incredibly dificult to choose just a few of Lauren's paintings and drawings to include with this interview.... to see more visit her shop at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/gingerkellydesigns">http://www.etsy.com/shop/gingerkellydesigns</a> and her extremely magical website at <a href="http://www.gingerkellystudio.com/">www.gingerkellystudio.com</a></span><br />
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</span></div></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4