FEATURED ETSY SHOP - ACTUALI DESIGN

Sealed With a Kiss Romantic Greeting Card

(CLICK on above photo to learn more about this card)

WELCOME, Ali and her Etsy shop, ACTUALI DESIGN. When you visit ACTUALI DESIGN, you will find Ali's original designed greeting cards which will let you tell someone that they are "special".

Let's learn a little more about Ali by reading her interview below.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

A few years back, my mom bought me a book from her crafter's bookclub on cardmaking, as I'd been creating handdrawn cards for friends and family for years. The book really opened my mind to multimedia greeting cards. I'd never thought to take a crafty approach over a fine art one. I went out to Michael's shortly thereafter, and stocked up! I decided I was going to sell cards at the annual craft sale at my cottage, and I did. I've been doing it every year, since.

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

Like I said, that book really opened my eyes to the possibilities. At first, I stuck largely to paper materials and brads. You know, the basic scrapbooking materials. Over the years, I've added to my collection with rubber stamps, die cuts, and other traditional things, but I've also begun using things like buttons, fabrics, and other fun finds. I love experimenting! As far as my small print collection, I really got into digital arts as a result of wanting to be a graphic designer. It led me to experimenting with software like Adobe Illustrator, and I found that I really enjoyed it!

White Tulips Print

(CLICK on photo to learn more about this beautiful card)

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

My favourite part is just sitting down in my studio, and sifting through all my supplies, considering all the possibilities. I love trying different combinations, and often do so for almost an hour before I actually settle on one, and make a card!

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

Hah, I like this question! I'd have to say an orange. It helps that I love oranges, but they're also a good symbol of freshness, which I equate with modernism. If you know your colour theory, you know that the colour orange signifies happiness and energy, as well as being a great out-of-the-ordinary attention catcher. That has a lot to do with why I chose to use a yellow-orange in Actuali Design's logo!

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

I would love to try letterpress. It's an obvious extension of my love for digital art. Typography fascinates me, and letterpress would be a great way to play around with that.

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

With my cards in particular, I want to make it feel more personal. I don't like the idea of stocking up with a ton of cheap cards from the dollar store, and working your way through the pile of boringly ambiguous cards as you need them. Cards are supposed to let someone know you're thinking of them, and picking a handmade card just for them contributes to that.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

If you decide to take your hobby from just that to a business, don't get too caught up in the business side of things. Remember that you're doing this because it's what you love. If it's not, you're doing the wrong thing.

Great interview, Ali! I love your thoughts and ideas. Thanks for taking the time to share your creativity with everyone.

To learn more about Ali and see more of her designs, be sure to visit her links below.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - 2 OF A KIND PHOTOGRAPHY

What delightful, colorful cards!! I'm sure anyone would be thrilled to receive one of these cards. These are the kind of cards I save forever....probably even frame them!

Let's meet the photographers behind these wonderful cards. Welcome, Shannon and Ralph. To give everyone a bit more insight into these creative people, I have added portions of their profiles from their Etsy shop 2 OF A KIND PHOTOGRAPHY.

Two of a Kind Photography is the creation of my husband and I. We decided to open up a company that would showcase our photography talents and our love of nature. We have a realistic and unique perspective when it comes to our art; hence the name we chose. I like to take pictures of flowers, animals, and close up images. My husband prefers to do landscapes, buildings, and animals.

SHANNON: There are many times when I go out to take photographs when I ask if there are any plants, animals, or anything else that would like to have their picture taken. Within minutes, animals or insects will get close to me or I'll see the perfect landscape out of the corner of my eye.

RALPH: I enjoy nature photography because it's an awsome experience to go out into the calming solitude of nature. I'm at peace with everything around me. It's just the animals, my wife, and myself. It's like a giant meditation room where all my worries go away. Nothing matters except what I'm there to do; relax. Photography makes the moment relivable through my pictures.

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

Growing up in La Crosse, Wisconsin, I was always surrounded by nature. Some of my earliest memories are of my father taking pictures of me at the park. I enjoyed going with him to develop his film and I still remember the smell of his darkroom. I loved taking pictures as a kid and it stays with me today. Luckily, my husband also enjoys getting lost in the beauty of nature.

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

It kind of chose us. Photography seems to be something that sticks with a family from generation to generation.

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

Definitely the photo shoots. We’ve been able to go to a lot of stunning places and observe behind the scene secrets of local zoos.

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

We both agreed it would be a pomegranate because it’s exotic, full of passion, and you never know what design the seeds will reveal.

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

Digital Art. With any medium, you always get outcomes that weren’t the greatest. We’ve found that digital programs like Adobe Elements 6 and Harmware's Tile can give a whole new meaning to something that would’ve been tossed aside. A blurry, dark photo can become a mysterious and unearthly creation.

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

There are many aspects of nature, just like there are many facets on a gem. Some are destructive, others peaceful, and sometimes even revitalizing. Nature photography lets you lose yourself in search for that perfect shoot and you discover things about you that you never knew.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Don’t give up on what makes you happy. It may take time and compromise, but you can be successful if you are persistent.

THANKS, Shannon and Ralph for taking the time to share your wonderful photography with us. How wonderful that you both can do something you love as a team!! That makes it even more special. Shannon and Ralph are new to Etsy, so be sure to give them a great welcome. Visit their shop 2 OF A KIND PHOTOGRAPHY to see what lovely items they have to offer.

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FEATURED ETSY SHOP - GWYNN'S GIFTS

I was looking through Gwynn's Gifts before I started to put them out here as a "featured Etsy" shop, and as I always love to learn more about people, I am drawn to the profile section of each shop. Here is a portion of the profile to give you even a bit more information as, Heather tells us how GWYNN'S GIFTS came about. Then, be sure to read the following interview that Heather so kindly took the time to complete.

We are a mother- daughter team that has a passion for all things creative. My mother has been teaching me new crafts since I can remember. We have had so much fun learning new techniques and trying things out together. We love to work with all kinds of mediums. We enjoy doing tiny things all the way up to trying to build our own furniture. The sky is the limit for us when it comes to creating new things. My mom is very good at following instructions and learning things to the tee. I on the other hand just like to look at new things and go my own way from there. We have very different approaches to our creating, but we both get the same pleasure out of it

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I originally started making jewelry to keep my hands busy. I had quit smoking and needed something to do (still a non smoker after 2 years). My mom had started making jewelry so she had all the supplies, so I just went to town. In the first 2 weeks, I had made over a 100 pairs of earrings and I had nothing to do with them. My mom also has a love of beautiful paper and textures so she started making cards and the two just seemed to merge together. It was something we could both create and Gwynn’s Gifts was born. We both have the middle name Gwynn so that is how the name came about.

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

I still haven’t decided what I want to work with because I love everything. So I tend to do a little of this and a little of that.

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

I find it very rewarding to have what is in my mind come out with my creations. I feel so proud when something turns out just right and I love it when people are so happy to receive it.

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

I think I would choose an apple because the cores are all the same, but they come in all different shapes and colors.

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

I love to sculpt with clay. If I could I would have my own space with a wheel and a kiln, that might just be pure bliss.

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

I hope when people receive our cards that they feel special.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Just do what feels good. If you love it, then that is all there needs to be. Art is personal, and we are all lucky when it is shared.

Heather, what a wonderful thing for you and your mom to be able to co-create together. Thanks, again for taking the time to share your thoughts and work with all of us. I really love the idea of the cards and earrings, and other items as a gift set!! The "trout fly" is also great! Very unique and lovely ideas! Be sure to visit GWYNN'S GIFTS to see all the beautiful cards and gift sets available.

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