Today's featured artist is Andrea N from Custom Adornments

Who are you?

That's a difficult question for someone as existential and eclectic... but the short, standard answer is Name: Andrea N. otherwise known as Custom Adornments on Etsy.

Where are you located?

I'm currently living in the Mid Hudson Valley region of NY; nestled in Harriman State Park off route 17.

What do you create?

One of a kind jewelry and accessories with loads of old vintage beads and parts incorporated into most of it and semi-precious (sometimes precious) stones in everything.

Are you able to support yourself with your creations?

Not yet. Or maybe I should say, not right now. I've actually been making jewelry for a shop I run for the last 5 years - so I WAS making a living from it. We moved the location from Manhattan to Beacon and now I'm struggling a little. Which is why I decided to open the Etsy store. That and what I make for the retail store is all with pearls. I wanted to sell my one of a kind, non pearl creations as well.

Where do you sell your creations?

I sell them from pearldaddy http://pearldaddy.net/ and my Etsy storefront http://customadornments.etsy.com/ and plan to try out a craft show or two in the near future as well. Plus, I have my first jewelry party planned for April - well, actually, first two http://customadornments.com/ for information on throwing one of those.

Where do you create?

I work at home a lot, but I also have a work space at the shop where I make a lot of things when it's slow.

What inspires you?

Everything. An amazing sunset on rusty metal buildings. The stark winter landscape. The materials themselves. Music. Artwork. Sometimes ideas come to me in my sleep...

What are your goals?

I never really think of myself as having goals outside of immediate subsistence and my innate need to create. That said, I would really like to get to a point where I'm mostly traveling around the country making custom jewelry and digging in the dirt finding my own materials to make it with... among other things.

What do you friends and family think of your creations?

They're the reason I'm trying to eek out a living doing it! I just made a birthday necklace for my sister. My sister almost didn't get her necklace because I had to send it to my mom so she could give it to my sister. My mother wound up showing it around and, EVERYONE wanted it for themselves. Not an unreasonable thought, since my sister is NOTORIOUS for returning presents. Too bad for my family and their friends, my sister LOVED it! I've been making jewelry since I was a little girl and was giving everyone jewelry as presents since I was at least 19 or so. It's only in the last 5 years, mostly by accident and their encouragement that I'm making jewelry to sell publicly. In fact, one of the jewelry parties I'm doing next month my mother is throwing - when I go out to visit in April - and she's already making requests for what she wants.

What do you do when you are not creating?

When I''m not glued to Etsy you mean? Well, I'm awfully busy with the shop - which is also now an art gallery - so i do a lot of the promotional and whatsit for that from home as well as at work. I used to dance and I occasionally still make musical overtures - which is to say, I make musical noise. I like to hike and travel and explore in general. Right now though, I'm mostly just working and trying to get my Etsy shop off the ground, as it were.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Some cookies, but...

Thanks so much for featuring me on your blog.

I just started a blog myself, but I'm still getting the hang of it and figuring out what I want it to be. At the moment, it's mostly a stream of consciousness how do you do with my jewelry included in the mix: http://itsartdamnit.blogspot.com/

Today's featured artist is Dilara Casey

Who are you?

My name is Dilara Casey

Where are you located?

I live in Columbus, Ohio

What do you create?

I create a little bit of everything. I knit and crochet, I make jewelry, I have started experimenting with resin, I like to make papercrafts. I also dabble in sewing and needlework. I have a sister-shop called BuckeyeBling http://buckeyebling.etsy.com/ where I make things targeted directly to fans of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Are you able to support yourself with your creations?

I have a full time job in addition to selling my goods. My husband is currently in law school so the supplemental income I make from selling my crafts definitely turns a profit and helps pay the bills.

Where do you sell your creations?

I have two etsy shops http://locura.etsy.com/ and http://buckeyebling.etsy.com/ and I sell some of my Buckeye rosaries at a local jeweler here in Columbus called Worthington Jewelers http://www.worthingtonjewelers.com/

Where do you create?

This is an easy one. I create EVERYWHERE. I think it might drive my husband crazy but he is a good sport about it. I mostly make jewelry on the dining room table. I crochet and knit on the couch. I alter clothes in the living room. I cast resin on the patio...I kind of just go wherever there's space. When my husband and I were in a rock band, I would often crochet blankets and scarves in the van while we drove to shows. We live in a small condo and once we get a house it has already been decided that I get a crafting room!

What inspires you?

Retro things mostly. My friend said that my stuff is cool with a 70's vibe. I never intend on that but I guess since I like things that are fun and funky; things you won't see everywhere, it inspires me. I love wearing vintage stuff so I try to make things that are cool and timeless and will transcend trends and fads and last a long time. I think it would be awesome if somebody kept a piece I made and their kids dug it out of their closet one day and decided to start wearing it. Another thing that inspires me is cost; I like to make these things awesome but I also want them to be affordable for people.

What are your goals?

My goals are in three years to quit my full time job and make a living off my creations. By then my husband will be done with law school and I can focus more on taking myself to the next level.

What do you friends and family think of your creations?

Every friend and family member I can think of has at least one thing I made and they love it. My husband is especially encouraging and supportive but I have to say that all of my friends and family are great. They come to shows and seem to be just as enthusiastic about my crafts as I am. It is very flattering and such a blessing, it really fuels me.

What do you do when you are not creating?

Sleeping. Seriously. I usually work at my day job from 7:30am-4:30pm and I go to the gym, get home and start creating. I usually don't stop until I literally fall asleep. I can't tell you how many times my husband has pried a crochet hook out of my hands while I am sleeping. But in all honesty, I really love working out, cooking and baking, spending time with my man, going to concerts and traveling. I also collect Pez dispensers. It doesn't take much time except when I do my annual inventory count. That is another story though...

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I have always been involved with crafting in one form or another. My aunt started a craft business in the 1980's and ran it for about 25 years before retiring. She taught me most everything I know about crafting and how to find that balance between business and a hobby. I also saw her get really stressed and burnt out by certain aspects of it so I've been really good with time and project management.

I try to live by one of my favorite quotes from songwriter Jewel,

"My whole goal is to keep my spirit intact. If that doesn't happen, none of this is worth it."

Thanks having this awesome feature on your blog!

Thank you for allowing me to feature you.

Today's Featured artist is Julie Diers

Who are you?

julie diers

Where are you located?

pennsylvania, USA

What do you create?

handcrafted windowsill herb gardens

Are you able to support yourself with your creations?

not yet....

Where do you sell your creations?

etsy... http://etsybunnie.etsy.com/

Where do you create?

my bedroom is my work space...my sanctuary

What inspires you?

all things green and growing

What are your goals?

to make my little herb business a success!!maybe a world wide phenomena!!! (:

What do you friends and family think of your creations?

they are very encouraging and supportive!!

What do you do when you are not creating?

think about creating

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

i love to create these little herb gardens and i hope they will bring a smile to others the way they do mine by creating them!!!thanks so much for letting me be part of your blog!!

Thank you for allowing me to feature you.