Wedding Bags by BelleJouJou

Friday Finds... BelleJouJou

Wow it's been a while but Friday Finds is BACK after a holiday of it's own, and to kick off 2011 I have a beautiful store and brilliant crafter behind the work to share with you! BelleJouJou specializes in custom wedding and special event bags, and they are just absolutely stunning! If you are planning something special, especially those ladies looking to accessorize for their big day or for unique gifts then you'll find BelleJouJou is full of luxurious elegant treats to feast your eyes upon. I contacted Cynthia, the lady behind the work to find out more about what she does! I hope you enjoy her interview!

Interview # 55

(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)

-- Tell me a bit about you! (Name, Age, Location, and give us a random fact whilst you're at it.) I’m Cynthia Duke-Birowski, age 57. I live in Dallas, Texas and have for 36 years, except for the 5 years I escaped to California. I call myself an ADD artist. I can’t do just one thing!




-- What is your business about then? My business is about making beautiful clutches and purses for the discriminating woman to match her wardrobe and her style.


-- How did Etsy come into your life? I’m in an artist ring with a group of wonderful women who support each other in art, life and mentor each other. My associates kept telling me to check out etsy and I finally did!



-- Are you working a day job too? No, I’m not working a day job. I call myself semi-retired, since I will never ever stop doing and creating SOMEthing.


-- How long has the artist in you been 'unleashed' for? I’ve been an artist since I could hold a crayon. I used to design new clothes on my paper dolls at 5 and 6 years of age.



-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? I was a fashion designer for 15 years in the Dallas area, and retired from that very stressful arena. But, I had bought about 10 yards of a faux leopard print fabric a few years ago (for drapes that I never made) and decided to do something with it. The bags seemed the best thing to make with it. It kind of exploded from that into doing silk bags for brides and bridesmaids.


-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? Beautiful, luxurious, elegant


-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk? I get up around 8, then get a cup of Good Earth tea, get on the computer for about 1 ½ hours, doing research, answering emails. Then I cut out some bags or do a planning session for the flowers and embellishments. If I have a custom order, I may have to go shop for fabric in that color if I don’t have enough. I come back home around 3-4 and sew or cut more bags, then go to the gym around 5:30 and have dinner later. If I have a pressing order, I may continue working until around 10:30 at night to complete the order.




-- What's your favourite material and techniques to work with? I love working with silks and brocades. I also love planning the flowers which I make myself out of satins, organzas and chiffons and find just the perfect rhinestone button or color of feathers for embellishments.


-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? I would love to work with more brides who come to me for their very special bag that would be a family heirloom or paint someones dream bag for their special event.


-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? I love to read at night to put me to sleep. Usually a fantasy book. I also love just getting together with friends in my women’s group. On the weekends, I relax at the lake with my husband on our boat if there’s not an art show going on somewhere, that is!



-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? I usually search for rhinestone buttons, feathers, flowers and other clutch accessories, and check out my competition to see what the latest trends are.

-- Any last words? Yes, I love this quote from Mark Twain:
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." –

I’ve decided that this is my motto – and to be true to yourself at all times!

mrsginther

Friday Finds... mrsginther


Interview # 37
mrsginther on Etsy makes the most wonderful rugs with both traditional and modern concepts at play, with over a decades experience behind her. Not only that but these amazing woven treats come in the form of bowls, bags, purses, and I even noticed a cat bed on the storefront! The way Kathy weaves and blends together the colors of the various materials she uses looks amazing! Any customer planning a purchase would be proud to own something from her store and will be sure to find something to suit any type of decor. I love the versatility and innovation of some designs I've browsed. 5 of them of course are clickable in this interview, directing you straight to the listings! ... if you love them as much as I do! :)


(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)

-- Tell me a bit about you! (Name, Age, Location, and give us a random fact whilst you're at it.) Kathy Ginther, 56, Western Wisconsin. Have ten children - 9 daughters and a one son

-- What is your business about then? Creating various braided and crocheted useful and decorative household items.


-- How did Etsy come into your life? Was introduced to Etsy through my daughters who also use the service to market their handmade items.


-- Are you working a day job too? Besides being a fulltime homemaker, I also substitute at the local school and teach rug braiding classes.


-- How long has the artist in you been 'unleashed' for? I have been working on "crafty" things most of my adult life.


-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? Really showing people what can be done with everyday products most of us have laying around our homes


-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? unique, useful, long lasting


-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk? Awake - eat breakfast - either get the children at their daily chores or off to school - check Etsy for any updates/responses - check garden - work on projects - prepare dinner - work on projects - go to bed


-- What's your favourite material and techniques to work with? I prefer to work with wool in my braiding and lighter materials(cotton/polyesters) for my crocheted items


-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? A mix of custom and "off-the-shelf" items to help mix up the day


-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? Actually, the braiding is my fun; but I do garden, vegetable & flower, garage sale and scout through the antique stores in our area


-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? At this point I do a lot of "surfing", just being amazed at all the different stuff out there


-- Any last words? Don't be afraid to turn your dreams into realities - work hard, but go slowly and think things through - pray for grace

KatrinShine

Friday Finds... KatrinShine


This is my 25th interview of the amazing not-so-well-known artists of Etsy!

Hi everyone! Another Friday Finds for you all to enjoy, and another new artist is ready to tell you more about herself!
For today's feature, I would like to bring to your attention the amazing textile jewelry and fashion workings of KatrinShine on Etsy! I noticed Ekatrina's store initially through noticing her presence in my Etsy forum threads. I am on there daily so I always notice if someone new pops up, and considering she had been posting for a while up to that point I thought it was about time to get in touch and ask if she'd like to do the interview! I had always enjoyed checking out her new stuff when she offered her gorgeous promotions up in the threads, so I'm very excited that she gave the time to take part!
I'm not used to interviewing anyone in Europe other than the UK, so I was really interested that she lives in Italy and intrigued by her working processes, as you will see there is loads of vibrant and unique variety in her work!


(Just click the images to go direct to the listings)



-- Tell me a bit about you! (Name, Age, Location, and give us a random fact whilst you're at it.) My name is Ekaterina Fedotova, I'm 29 y.o.. I'm from Russia but I’m living in Italy because my husband is Italian. From the last 2 years I’m living in Brindisi.


-- What is your business about then? I create textile jewellery, bags and pillow covers in Patchwork spiral stile, boned corsets and bustiers and also medieval and historical dresses. Right now I'm making a lot of new necklaces because I found amazing silky fabrics. I also think that I’ll create bracelets and earrings from this fabric.


-- How did Etsy come into your life? Until 6 months ago I had never heard about Etsy. But after moving in Italy I didn’t find a work and decided to open online shop. After browsing in Internet I found Etsy and fell in love with.


-- Are you working a day job too? No, I have my days full between my husband, friends, house work and my creations.


-- How long has the artist in you been 'unleashed' for? I have been an artist all my life and I have been loved to do something creative for me, my family or my friends. I finished Art School and this can say all for you. From my childhood I like very much all kind of needle and craft work. I sewn dresses for my dolls or something for me and my family. I always try to put in my job some part of me and make it most qualitatively.


-- What has been the inspiration behind your business? I inspired from all world around me, colours and textures. When I see some amazing fabric I at once have many ideas what I can create from it. And than I like to observe how my ideas put into life.


-- If you could describe your products in three words, what would you tell me? Unique, creative, brightly

-- What would an average working day for you be like from dawn til dusk? I wake up at 8:00 with my husband and after he gone to work I go to the computer to look my e-mail, blog, facebook etc. I renew items on Etsy, check in on forums quickly, promote my store. Then use all my morning to create new items, to make and edit photos. At 1:00 when my husband return at home before a lunch we go to run 3-5 km in park. Afternoon I use to do my homework, but also to study because I do postgraduate studies.


-- What's your favorite material and techniques to work with? Of course fabrics!! I like to sew anything, but my favourite technique is Patchwork Spiral stile. This particular technique gives room to imagination as small pieces of fabric assemble an inimitable design, that’s why every piece of work made in this style is very unique and original.


-- What is your ideal vision for the future for you and your work? I would love to open a real business, trade mark – not just working at home. And to be fabulously successful would be nice.


-- Away from work, what do you like to do for fun or to wind down? I go out with my husband or friends in bar or in cinema, read something. Sometimes in summer I partecipate to historical festivals and Role playing games. Also I study Pizzica (Tarantella Salentina) – it’s traditional dance of this region of Italy, called Salento.


-- What are you likely to search for on Etsy? I like to search necklaces and bracelets! I flip over it - only fancy how many I have at home? Also I’m searching fabrics, but there are so many things which I want :)


-- Any last words? I love working with custom orders, so if you didn’t find the bag in colour what you want you always can order it. I can create any corset you want. All corsets and dresses in my shop I can sew in other colour and size.
Thanks for the opportunity - been great to discover the broader Etsy community! I hope people enjoy my shop and will find something they love!