FEATURED ETSY SHOP - VALERIE OF MISTFLOWER STUDIO

Bob, Why the Long Face mixed media mosaic African mask

by Valerie

of

MISTFLOWER STUDIO

What a stunning piece of art....! I love all the colors and intricate design of this African mask! One can only imagine the time and creativity it took to create it.

Let's welcome Valerie of MISTFLOWER on Etsy. Valerie's shop has a wide variety of colorful pieces of her art, ranging from mosaic art, such as the mask above, acrylic paintings, mosaic pendants, colorful mosaic pocket mirrors, and much more! Be sure to pay a visit!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I sustained a traumatic brain injury in a multiple car accident thanks to a drunk driver. I had to re-learn how to do many things, and I started putting together children's jigsaw puzzles as a challenge. As I recovered, the puzzles increased in difficulty. I had been an artist for most of my life up until the accident, so when I started feeling well enough to create again, I decided to try making a mosaic because it was like a jigsaw puzzle. That's how it all began.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

My art is still evolving. First and foremost, I'm a texture junkie. I've dabbled in many mediums, but mosaics and mixed media bring me the most pleasure. I love how chunks of glass feel in my hands.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I love giving things a new life, whether it's broken china, damaged tile, a beautiful broken bottle that I tumble...it all makes my heart sing. As humans, we're all "damaged" to some extent and we're constantly transforming ourselves. Why shouldn't discarded inanimate objects get the opportunity to be a part of something beautiful?

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Hmmm...I was going to say a blackberry, because the texture of the berry reminds me of a mosaic, but that's too easy. I'd have to say an onion because of the multiple layers. You have the protective skin, it can bring a tear to your eye, the layers and layers of onion. It can be used and prepared in so many different ways. It's intricate and intense...two words that are often used to describe me.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

I'm really drawn to soft fibers. I would love to learn how to knit and make giant wall hangings that are rich with texture and embellished with things like glass beads and copper wire.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I'd like to think that my work tells people to never give up, that something broken can always heal and become whole again and not to be afraid of color.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Find something that you love and that speaks to you. Your art might not be for everyone, but on Etsy you have a worldwide audience. You're sure to find admirers/buyers. Also, don't give your work away with ridiculously low prices. You're worth more than that, and you'll quickly burn out and feel bitter. Art comes from your heart and soul. Be good to yourself and your art will reflect that.

THANKS, Valerie for a wonderful interview....love your answers, and your work! Don't forget to visit Valerie's links below.

MISTFLOWER STUDIO BLOG

MISTFLOWER STUDIO WEBSITE

FEATURED ETSY ARTIST - YONPLI MOSAICS

Let's welcome Bethany of Yonpli Mosaics out on Etsy. I've browsed through her shop, and found a great selection of mosaic pieces ranging from pendants, framed mosaics, bottles, balls and more! After reading below to hear what Bethany has to say about herself and her work, be sure to pay a visit to YONPLI MOSAICS.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?
I have always been crafty and loved art – I can’t really say where it all started.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
I have always loved glass. When I was little I collected sea glass at the beach. When I was older, I developed a “glass problem.” I had a bunch of wine bottles in different colors and could not throw them out for recycling. I wanted to make something with them and didn’t know what. Then I discovered the art of mosaics, and the rest is history. (But I never did use those wine bottles because I discovered beautiful Italian vitreous glass!)

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?
I love the feeling that I’m painting with glass. I get so involved in my mosaic that I forget the stresses of life for those few moments . . . or hours.

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?
Ummm, I think a kiwi – not sure why, but a kiwi sounds good.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?
I think I would put a modern twist on traditional quilt patterns.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?
Mosaic is the art of imperfection and irregularity. In my work, each piece is broken using a pair of nippers. No break is completely perfect and no piece is laid in the mosaic perfectly either – that is impossible. But each piece is shaped and placed well. And mosaics are beautiful because of both the skill and talent of the artist, but also the imperfections that give the mosaic character and a touch of the artist’s humanity. True beauty is not complete perfection; it is being able to put all the little imperfections together into an amazing whole.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?
Find an art or craft that you love – the rest doesn’t matter so much as long as you absolutely love what you are doing.

THANKS, Bethany for taking the time to share your thoughts and work with all of us. I really enjoyed being able to learn a little bit about what makes you "tick" as an artist. Great answers....especially what you had to say about what "message" you want to convey with your art. You can also see more of Bethany's work out on her Flickr site.

FLICKR