How did you get your start?

I have always made art. Its in my blood. I don’t think I could live if I stopped making art. It would like if I stopped breathing.

Do you have any formal training?

I attended Mt Wachusett community college for two years and studied fine arts. The I went on to get my Bachelors of illustration from the Savannah collage of art and design.

When and why did you create your business?

I started my shop A rabbit girl in February 2008. I wanted to see if I could do well selling online. I would love to be able to make it my full time work.

Has it changed at all since you began? How?

It has only been a few months. So its hard to say. Though its been a little slower this month than last month.

What is the best part of running your own business?

The best part of running my own business is that I have control over my work. I set the prices and I collect the money. I decide what my work should look like. etc.

and the worst?

The worst to date is when things break I am the one who has to fix them. My large printer broke recently

You create so many wonderful pieces. Where does your inspiration come from?

I have been inspired by other artists as well as books and movies and television shows. My mind is very impressionable. Things I see leave there imprint on it. These things get translated to my works.

Who is your favorite indie designer?

I have several favorites.

VintagebyCrystal.etsy.com, magicjelly.etsy.com, aminytray.etsy.com, theblackaple.etsy.com. Thats just a few of them.

What was your most recent indie buy?

Lets see, I ordered 3 wonderful huge delicious candy apples from DoubleDippedSweets.etsy.com for my husbands farther’s day gift. They were so large we have been cutting one up each evening after dinner to share between 3 of us.

What one thing couldn’t you live without?

A heart. In so many ways.

What will you be wearing come summer?

powdered wigs, hoop skirts, white gloves, petticoats, lace up boots, parasols, the usual

What music/books/magazines are you into right now?

Music- Gram Rabbit, The Ramone’s. Tom Waits, Tapes n tapes, Rasputina, Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave and so many more. Books- Hannible rising, anything by Neil Gaimen, anything by Chuck Phalaniuk, Glass castles, Fabels (graphic novels by Bill Wellingham), Perfume, Wicked again there are too many to list Magazines Wired, National geographic, Juxtapose, Family fun (the articles in Family fun make me tear up. I am unsure why.)

You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers that are just starting out?

Have patience with yourself and others, Good communication is a must in any life endeavor, be professional (know what not to say and when not to say it. Online this is equal to knowing when to not post an opinion) think about what you say and how you say it to others. Don’t jump to conclusions, work hard to get what you want (the world owes you nothing), don’t waste time, take pride in your work, take pride in yourself, being positive and polite goes a long way.

Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?

I hope to be selling at least ten items daily. I hope to be able to sustain myself and my family on my shop business. I hope to be happy doing this.

Do you have any new projects on the horizon?

I have a book out and I was just asked to do a collaboration with a fellow etsian babybisou.etsy.com. It will be for the Bubble NYC trade show Aug 2,3,4. The Bubble is an upscale baby and children’s trade show in Manhattan.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received regarding your business?

Keep doing what your doing.

As I’m getting more and more into photography, I find myself spending lots of time at etsy drooling over the outstanding work of others. Elle Moss Photography caught my eye because of the bright rich tones and gorgeous color which is produced by using archival luster paper and archival inks. Elle is a dedicated self portrait artist who is drawn to dreamy, surreal images with vintage qualities and charming details.

umbrellas and sand, take a bow, berries and sprite. All $20.00 and available at ellemoss.etsy.com. For even more visit Elle’s blog and check out the Spring/Summer catalog she did for www.puella.it.

The MY MY Artist Collaboration Project is a limited edition set of buttons by various artists. The first three sets are available at mymy.etsy.com with a limited edition of 50. For artists interested in being a part of the project please contact Taryn at mymy@girlswirl.net for more details visit tarynhipp.blogspot.com

sococreative and mymy artist collaboration, jessgonacha and mymy artist collaboration, Julzevi and mymy artist collaboration. All available at mymy.etsy.com for just $5.00!

It’s official…we’ve now lived in and shared the same apartment for three years! I have mixed emotions being that I love the apartment but we are beginning to outgrow it with our many collections of things. I think we’ll be here just a little longer though. So until we find our mid-century dream home this apartment is…

Home Sweet Home Print : $39.00 available at JennSki.etsy.com

Jenn Ski’s giclée prints are a more affordable alternative to owning an original Jenn Ski piece. These beautiful digital prints are made available on archival quality, 100% cotton rag, acid-free paper, and are printed using UV-stable pigment inks. Each print is individually signed and numbered by the artist, and comes matted and ready for framing in a standard 11″ x 14″ frame (not included). A certificate of authenticity is also included with each print. Actual image size is 7″ x 9″.

How did you get your start?

I slowly stumbled into it. I painted because I loved to do it and was encouraged to see strangers loving my work too! I just kept exploring and painting till I developed a strong body of work in a couple of series. I then started showing anywhere that was looking for artists – coffee shops, wine bars, restaurants. Sometimes I had two or three shows up at a time, but it started getting my name out there. After doing that for a year, I had places contacting me to ask for shows instead of me looking for them, which felt amazing! I built a website, opened an Etsy shop online and began getting contacted for shows across the country. Right now, I’m focused on increasing my direct sales and getting more boutique shops/galleries to stock my work.

Do you have any formal training?

I am self-taught.

When and why did you create your business?

This is kind of a random path into the field – I actually studied management and finance in college with the goal of working for a non-profit. My hobbies at the time were all creative – I’ve always loved sewing, drawing, woodworking. After graduating I worked for a short time at a small non-profit and became frustrated with how things were run and had the moment of realizing this was not something I wanted to do for the long term. I quit and eventually got a job at an art supply store in Portland where I had more free time to figure out what I wanted to do. After being there for three years, I left with an amazing education of materials and supplies. I had recently started painting and selling a couple of paintings on the side – the first painting I sold (out of a window in the art supply store) I was so excited that someone would actually spend money on one of my paintings, that I packaged up the wrong painting in my giddiness! The woman came back the next day with the painting and pointed out my mistake.

At this point, I was enjoying painting and selling a couple of paintings on the side, but still did not want to end up doing painting full time. I knew that running my own business would be hard and time consuming and thought trying to have consistent art sales to financially make it would be too hard. I took a part time job in an office with the plan of painting part time. After a year, I began showing more and having online sales and shops pick up my work, sales did become consistent and I eventually had to leave the office job if I was going to keep up. Since then I have been painting full time and my business has grown enough that my husband recently left his job to take over some of the business aspects so I can keep up with the painting. When I look back, I’m doing something I never would have imagined possible and feel really blessed that I can be doing something that I love for a living.

Has it changed at all since you began?

I don’t think it really changed in the broader view – I personally have had a lot of changes as my business keeps growing and I get to try out new things.

What is the best part of running your own business?

The best part is getting to paint for a living and have people like what I do! I love getting emails from people all over the world responding to my work. And right now, business is successful enough that my husband is working for me part time doing some of the ‘business’ aspects of my job. We love to be able to work together and are excited to both be around to raise our little girl who is due this August!

and the worst?

The worst might be that I miss working with people and interacting more. Painting can be a lonely job. I know I’ve been working too long by myself when I go out for coffee and have trouble speaking to order! Some times I get overwhelmed by all the little things to do – shipping, invoicing, marketing, bookkeeping, buying supplies, emailing – on top of painting. It has really helped to have my husband take over some of those things to allow me more time to paint.

You create so many wonderful pieces. Where does your inspiration come from?

My art, mainly the mixed media series, comes from simple images inspired by sweet moments or glimpses. I like to paint things that seem a bit lonely and peaceful – a single bird on a wire, a random paper airplane floating above an abstracted field of flowers. I am inspired by color and simple shapes and patterns – especially circles! Circles show up all the time in all of my series – I’m kind of obsessed with them.

Who is your favorite indie designer?

Right now I love, love the paintings by Amanda Blake. She does the most beautiful oil paintings of people. You can see her work at her blog www.amandablakeart.blogspot.com. Sigh.

What was your most recent indie buy?

I just got a necklace and pair of earrings from Portland artist Melissa Stiles of Stubborn Works Jewelry. I haven’t been about to stop wearing them – they are so pretty!

What one thing couldn’t you live without?

Some paint, paper or wood, and a bit of inspiration.

What will you be wearing come summer?

You’ll find me in lots of dresses – cute pregnant lady dresses – as I’ll be very, very pregnant this summer!

What music/books/magazines are you into right now?

I’ve been getting into sewing a lot lately – making cute little clothes for our upcoming baby. It’s amazing how cute everything is when it is so tiny! I’ve been reading sewing/craft books and magazines for inspiration. Some of them on my list: The New Crewel: Exquisite Designs in Contemporary Embroidery by Katherine Shaughnessy, Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol, Last Minute Fabric Gifts by Cynthia Treen. I’ve also have been reading through Charles Dickens books, my favorite being Bleak House and David Copperfield (so far!). The magazines you’ll usually find me reading are the New Yorker, Craft, Make, and ReadyMade.

You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers that are just starting out?

Make sure you really love what you do and be ready to work really hard to make it happen. Find out about events, art shows in your area that you can do without quitting your day job. Get connected to other artists. Take the time to develop as an artist before putting on the pressure of having to make a living on your work. Create what you really love rather than what you think will sell – you’ll be much happier! Then start promoting yourself - you must have a website for people to take you seriously. I think you also need endurance to be creating enough and a good business sense to market yourself and keep good records. I’m sure there are lots of ways to ‘make it’ in the art field, but these characteristics have helped get me where I am today.

Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?

I hope it will still be growing in 5 years and will still be exciting! I hope to have a studio outside of my home by then, too.

Do you have any new projects on the horizon?

My husband and I are looking into starting a children’s line of screen printed clothing with some of my designs. We are still researching, but I think it would be fun!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received regarding your business?

Don’t be afraid to take risks – it’s the only way to grow your business.

Sites: www.rachelannaustin.com + rachelaustin.etsy.com

Today I am going to write about something that is near and dear to me. Polaroid. I will always have a love for polaroids. The way that you can capture a modern moment and have the feeling of a totally different era, watching your photo develop and the not knowing what your photo will turn out to be.

(taken with the Colorpack IV using 669 film)

On February 8, 2008, Polaroid Corporation announced that it will discontinue production of all instant film. This saddens me as I (and my fiance) are the proud owners of three polaroid cameras. The 600, Colorpack IV and an Automatic 320.

(taken with the Classic 600 Camera using 600 film)

Please visit Save Polaroid and learn what you can do to preserve the remarkable invention of Edwin Land, the instant film that made Polaroid a household name.

I will now be doing at least a weekly post featuring my favorite shots from my past and present. I hope you will enjoy them and feel free to share your favorite polaroid memories.

How did you get your start?

I started selling my artwork in a previous etsy store called SparksFly last August? I had originally opened the store to sell my photography, but I ended up designing packaging for other etsy sellers, and was staying WAY too busy. It was then that I decided to pick up an old passion of mine… drawing. I really had no photoshop experience whatsoever, but knew how to use a pencil. I listed a few finished pieces, and it turned out people were interested, and buying. It was like a dream come true. I decided in January to take the plunge and start fresh with vol25. I feel very fortunate that things have picked up and stayed fairly constant ever since opening. Many people ask what the story is behind the name vol25. In January of 2008 when I opened the doors to my little shop (via etsy.com) I was 25 years old, and vol25 was like opening a new volume in my life, which in turn has created several new chapters for me.

Do you have any formal training?

No, I am proud to say that I am completely self taught. However, it did take quite a few google searches, and online tutorials to teach myself photoshop.

When and why did you create your business?

After I got married in October of 2003, my husband and I decided I would quit my job (secretary at our local chevy dealership) and we would try to live off of one income, his. We had immediate plans to start a family, and knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom. The following November our daughter was born. We managed to get by with his income just fine. Granted it wasn’t always a picnic, we had to make responsible decisions… which meant very few splurges. I have always been a crafty person and loved making original handmade baby books with my illustrations. One day I did a search for handmade baby book, and it brought me to etsy. I opened up my first shop that same day. A few months later, I was still at home with my daughter, filling my need to create and making extra money for those “splurges.” We still do not rely on my income, and this keeps it “extra.”

Has it changed at all since you began? How?

Yes, it has dramatically. Photography is hard to sell on etsy, because there are SO many talented photographers with shops. I really didnt feel like I could even compete with them… my lack of sales made it obvious. I have always had a desire to create graphics, and began learning photoshop, designing banners, business cards, and other packaging for etsy sellers. I was doing VERY good, but my family was suffering. Working around customers’ schedules, and NEVER resting until my customer was 110% satisfied. It was then that I decided to test the waters with my art. It was so much more relaxing, to create at my own pace, on my own time. While I still have a few super sweet customers that followed me over to vol25, for the most part I am focusing completely on my art. It is nice to not feel pulled in so many different directions.

What is the best part of running your own business?

Being able to do 90% of my work at home in my pj’s, with my daughter in my lap.

and the worst?

Setting myself a schedule! Since I enjoy drawing so much, I find it is hard to make myself stop and get things done around the house.

You create so many wonderful pieces. Where does your inspiration come from?

Thank You! Clothing stores inspire a lot of my color combinations. Lately, quotes have been inspiring an entire drawing. I also have a huge collection of Martha, Real Simple, and Domino Magazines, they inspire me as well. My husband is also a constant source of inspiration, he is always encouraging me to try something new.

Who is your favorite indie designer?

I have a few favorites, but I simply adore Alix from treehouse28’s designs. Not only is she super sweet, but her talent is amazing. treehouse28.etsy.com

What was your most recent indie buy?

I bought a pair of minky baby frog feet for my niece from justkiddn on etsy. JustKiddn.etsy.com too cute!

What one thing couldn’t you live without?

My 10 mp sony a-100 digital camera.

What will you be wearing come summer?

Anything comfortable. I am due this July to deliver our second child.

What music/books/magazines are you into right now?

Currently my Ikea catalogue is getting quite a bit of loving. After drooling over the last three years of catalogues, I am finally planning a trip to Ikea. As you could guess my wish list is somewhat long… I am keeping track of page numbers, prices, and getting a grand total before I even walk through the store doors! We will be leaving this saturday, so wish me luck!

You’ve been very successful at selling your designs online, what advice would you give to other designers that are just starting out?

I sure do. Don’t expect the sales to come immediately flowing in… but be optimistic about your work, and believe in its potential. Have a plan mapped out, and definately be prepared to spend a little money advertising. Search blogs that seem to target your audience, and inquire on advertising. Many blogs will host giveaways that bring in a ton of exposure, and you would only be out that one product you donated.

Where do you hope you/your business will be in 5 years?

I would love to have had a couple magazine features, my own room/studio, a few more customers, and several new *favorite* pieces of art hanging on my walls.

Do you have any new projects on the horizon?

Yes! I have a pregnancy book designed, and almost completely ready to send to the printer. I plan to follow up with a matching baby book. I have several designs featuring some of my more popular pieces of art in mind. I think there is a HUGE market for baby/pregnancy books that are not so frilly and cutesy… a little more modern. I hope to launch these into my etsy shop by the end of the year.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received regarding your business?

Do not expect people to fall into your shop… promote, promote, and when you dont think you can promote anymore… promote.

Site: vol25.etsy.com

Anna Cote is the designer and owner of Modern Printed Matter, a stationery and graphic arts studio based in Rhode Island. Anna has always considered herself an artist, although it is until only recently that she has brought creativity into her professional life. Anna’s designs are bright, simple, modern, and fun. She is inspired by nature, by color, and by modern design of all genres.

In September of 2007, Anna Cote and Modern Printed Matter found the amazing world of Etsy. Since opening up her Etsy shop, Anna has been able to experiment and explore new designs and medium while feeding off the interaction and community that makes Etsy so successful.

Earlier this week I stumbled across these amazing bulletin boards by LittlePrettyStudio. Jennifer and John are the makers of the hoop.dee.do embroidery hoop bulletin board. I’ve actually been looking for a bulletin board for my workspace and I think a few of these in different sizes would be perfection!

Each hoop.dee.do bulletin board is handmade, stamped and numbered. You can even remove the outer hoop to paint or stain and even switch out the fabric if you become bored.

The bright, bold colors will liven up even the whitest of walls and plainest of rooms. You may find yourself getting excited to head into your home office with these cheering up the space.

The perfect tote bags for Spring are available now at Alena Hennessy. They are great totes, both practical and stylish, that can carry a wide variety of things (mail, small groceries, books, etc).

Also, be sure to check out Alena’s amazing eco-friendly wall art. Each piece is hand screen-printed on sturdy woven organic cotton and stretched over wooden bars. Even the ink is earth friendly!