Happy Monday- Introducing Ashley Greenstone from OwlBolt

Happy Monday ALL! This weekend flew by like all the weekend's have been lately. Nothing exciting on my side. The weather put a damper on fun shenanigans so hoping for a sunnier weekend ahead :)

I'm excited to introduce you to the lovely Ashley Greenstone of OwlBolt. Her beautiful knits are too cute not to share. I came across Ashley 1st on Instagram and her Etsy shop.Thank you Ashley for taking the time to stop by and share your story.

Enjoy :)

OwlBolt

I am 27, My bday is March 31st so almost 28..haha.
I grew up in San Diego California. I have always loved every form of Art, I have been a hairdresser for 10 yrs. I have been a stay at home mom since I was 7 months pregnant with Johnny, who will be 2 in May!

 -How long have you been crocheting?

I started crochet in September, so 7 months :)

He's so cute!

 -How did you become interested in it?

Ever since I found out my best friend from high school new how to crochet, it always made me think someday I will learn too! My Aunt is a master Knit/Crocheter so when I was visiting my family I asked her to teach me the basics.

 -Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration comes from COLOR! I love being able to blend any color I want together. Usually while I am crocheting one thing I am thinking about other things I want to crochet. Sometimes I feel like there isnt enough time for all my ideas! haha

 - Do you do other crafts besides crochet?

YES, I am an ART girl. I love to paint! Which is another thing I am looking forward to doing this Spring and Summer. When all the leaves on the tress and flowers on the ground come out it usually starts to inspire me.

 - Your pieces are so cute! Do you have a favorite design to make?

I always Love what I first come out with, For instance making Headbands! I knew my orders of beanies were going to slow down as winter ends, so I needed to come up with something new to keep my Etsy shop active! I just love creating new things that I havent seen before.

-What things do you do to market your business?

Every time I post on Etsy I advertise on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Instagram is where I get 90% of my orders.

 -What do you love most about running your own business, and what do you like least?

Running my own business gives me that sense of independence! It lets me know that others appreciate and love my art. What more can I ask for? I am a stay at home mom, and my part time job is my hobby :)
The only thing I like the least is I wish I had more time in the day to keep on creating, that may sound cheesy but its true!

 -Do you find it easier to craft for boys or girls?

It depends on what season we are in, Winter time means scarves and beanies..with those my ideas are endless!
Summertime means light accessorizing, so coming up with boy creations can be a bit more challenging. But a girl/ woman wear headbands/purses all year :)

-How do you describe your style?

Colorful, and Hippie lovin

-How did you come up with the name Owl Bolt (love it)?

Owl- From my obsession with Harry Potter books/ movies, I loved how the owls were the mail carriers.
Bolt- being raised in Southern California its hard not to become a Huge San Diego Chargers fan. Their symbol is the lightning Bolt.

Somehow when I was creating an email account I blended the two and have loved it ever since!


 The one and only Ashely creator of OwlBolt. You can find her wonderful crafts http://www.etsy.com/shop/owlbolt or Instagram @owlbolt

Featuring- Stephanie Kuhn creator of the cinnamon bears!!

Happy Monday all! Hope everyone had a great weekend! I spent it with the family in Carmel, a beautiful town about 2 hours away from San Francisco. I'll share pictures of our shenanigans later this week.

I love these dolls I came across Etsy and couldn't wait to meet the designer behind them! So I'm very excited to introduce to you all , Stephanie Kuhn creator of the cinnamon bears. Her unique little creations are stitched together with great care.

-What part of the US do you live in?

I was born in Pennsylvania, grew up in Arizona, and now I live with my husband in northwest Georgia.  We love the south!

- How did dolls and doll making first become a part of your life?Do you only do dolls?

I've always been a doll loving, girly girl!  My grandmothers are my greatest inspiration, and they were both extremely skilled at sewing.  They each made me countless dresses as well as dresses for my dolls.  Because of them I have always been passionate about crafting, and had a huge desire to learn to sew.  For a long time I was intimidated by my sewing machine and stuck to other kinds of crafting like crocheting and scrapbooking, but recently began tackling a few easy sewing projects to get over my fear.  I tried making a few dolls just for fun, based off a simple template I found online.  They were poorly made since I hardly knew what I was doing, but still turned out pretty cute!  I was so excited that I'd made a semi-decent project with my big scary sewing machine!  (hehe!)  After a couple more dolls, I tweaked the template and came up with an original design.  They were coming out better and better.  Some friends encouraged me to open an Etsy shop, which was something I felt intimidated by but always wanted to do, so I went for it!  For now I only sew 14" dolls and baby dolls, but I really want to develop my skill and add more items to my shop.  I have a huge love for children and toys, so I will most likely stick to kiddo friendly items.

- How long have you been making dolls?

Since last November, 2011.

- When you create your dolls do you have something in mind or do you come up with it as you go?

I usually start out by picking fabrics that pair well together, and slowly build up the design from there.  Once the body, arms, and legs are cut out, I choose a hair and eye color that would compliment the body color scheme.  Sometimes I start backwards though, and embroider the face before I choose the rest of the pieces.  It all just depends on the day, I guess!

-What things do you do to market your business?

Since my business is still pretty new, I am currently figuring out the whole marketing thing!  So far I've purchased a few sponsor spots on blogs that I love, and I like using social networks like Instagram (you can follow me @stephaniekuhn!) and Facebook to post photos of what I'm working on at the time.  I have a blog as well, where I post occasional shop updates.

 

-What do you love most about running your own business, and what do you like least?

The best part for me is when someone orders a custom doll for their child.  The emails that say "her favorite color is pink!" get me smiling so big!  I am so humbled and flattered that they like my work enough to buy it, and the idea that a little one somewhere will play with a doll I've made gives me such warm fuzzies!  It's extra fun to create a new doll with a specific child in mind.  I like making dolls because the inner child in me loves them so much.  They're exactly what I would have loved to play with when I was little.  As far as something I like least, I can't think of anything!  Maybe long lines at the Post Office?  Nah, I don't even mind that.  :)

- How long does it take to make one?

A doll takes me about 2 hours from start to finish.

- Where do you find inspiration?

Children, especially little ladies who dress themselves!  I absolutely love seeing a little girl wearing every color of the rainbow, or a color story that I wouldn't have thought to put together!

- Where can people find your work?

My dolls are for sale in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/thecinnamonbears

And you can see some behind the scenes at my blog: http://thecinnamonbears.blogspot.com/

- Did you go to school for this?

Nope!  I've just been crafting my whole life, dabbling here and there in different forms of creating.

Stephanie's craft room... so cute!

- Each doll is unique, do you have a favorite?

Hmmm, I can't say that I do!  I love them all. 

Introducing the beautiful Stephanie Kuhn  creator of these lovely dolls, The Cinnamon Bears ! 

Find Stephanie here at her 

Etsy shop- 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCinnamonBears

and keep up with her on her blog -

http://thecinnamonbears.blogspot.com

Featuring- Carly of Rory Unraveled - fresh. modern. raggy. art.

Hi all,  Happy Monday! The weather this weekend was fabulous!! Spent a lot of time outside cleaning up the garden, catching up with errands and watching my son Luke's  lacrosse games. Hope you all had a great weekend catching up with your to dos or just getting some much needed R & R.

I'm excited to introduce this week's feature Carly from Rory Unraveled. Her quilts are GORGEOUS! I'm in love with color as many of you know and when I came across Carly on Etsy I fell in love instantly! She love's making modern, fun, ONE-OF-A-KIND custom rag quilts. These quilts  will have your friends talking when they see her work complimenting your bed, chair, couch.. wherever!

What kinds of fabric crafts do you create?  Is it just quilts?

Currently, I only sell quilts, but because my business generates an absurd amount of scraps ... I'm always looking for fun "scrap-buster" ideas.  I love making fabric tutu's for my little girls, patchwork pillow covers, table runners, fabric wreaths and other random projects.  It's fun trying new things!

  

How long have you been quilting?

I opened my Etsy shop in 2009, but have been sewing since high school.

  

 How did you become interested in quilting?

A friend was having baby, so I thought I would try to make her a quilt as a gift.  It turned out pretty cute!  Then I made another quilt for different friend ... that one was pretty cute too!  And then I was hooked.

 

 Where does your inspiration come from?

Truly ... the fabrics.  I am OBSESSED with fabric shopping.  One will catch my eye and I can't help but try to make something pretty from it.  I also love doing anything custom. It's fun to hear new ideas and collaborate on a new creation. Often times I am forced to go outside of my own personal style, which can result in some amazing quilts!

Are you a one-quilt-at-a-time type of person or do you have multiple projects going on at once?

At the moment, I'm surrounded by three sewn quilts (which still need snipping and washing), four stacks of cut fabric ready for sewing and a pile of fabric yet to be cut ... all for custom quilt orders.  It sounds like chaos, but I have a system and it's actually very organized! 

 

 

When you are putting your quilts together, do you have something in mind or do you decide as you go?

I usually have exactly what I want the quilt to look like in my mind before I start sewing, but it's SO HARD to know how it will look until I have it laid out.  That's where I do a lot of adjusting to make sure the quilt has just the right balance to it.

 

 

Do you have a favorite?

I have lots of favorites!  My style is very eclectic ... so I like anything bright, funky, bohemian and vintage-inspired.  My quilts tend to be pretty "busy" ... but I love the pop of color they add to a room!

 

 

 

Where can your quilts be purchased?

I do most of my selling on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/roryunraveled).  It's a fabulous place to reach a world-wide market ... I'm so lucky to have my quilts in homes all over the world.  I also recently started selling directly from my Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/roryunraveled/245319384623).  I'm working on my own website and I look forward to having that up and running this summer.

 

 

 

 

How did you come up with the name Rory Unraveled?

My first daughter's name is Rory.  I do mostly rag quilts ... thus the "unraveled" part.  I guess I'm going to have to start an offshoot shop with my second daughter's name ... maybe Lily Untangled?

 

   

 

The beautiful Carly from Rory Unraveled. For more information on how to get  these beautiful one of a kind quilts. Please check Carly out at her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/roryunraveled 

OR her Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/roryunraveled/245319384623

 

She is giving 10% off to mishshell readers - use BLOG10 @checkout.

Featuring- Emma Bazan of Bella + Bunny

Hi all! Happy March 1st! Hope everyone's week is going great!  Mine's been good so far, no sick kids or co-workers. Last week was full of sniffles and coughs!

This is my first "Be Featured" feature and I'm really excited to introduce you to a very talented artist Emma Bazan from Bella + Bunny. I've been a big fan since I ran across her art on Etsy ( I just ordered my art piece) . She was gracious enough to take some time off to share her story with me (and all of you).  Stop by Emma's Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaAndBunny where  you will find  her watercolor & ink creations of colorful girls, animals and more!

Ondine, Sing Me A Song

Your art work is amazing! Did you get formal training? School? If so where did you go?
Thank you for the kind words! Yes, most of my formal training, I received when I studied Illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Before that I studied fine art at a local community college and also attended the High School of Art and Design, all in New York City. I guess you can say I was a professional art student for a while, before I was a professional anything. With all my studying, I’ve found my work now is very different from anything I’ve done in school. For example, I never took a watercolor class while I was in school, and my main medium in my artwork that you see now, is watercolor or ink.  Not being trained in that medium, I think helped produce a style of my own and find my “voice”.

Robin's Reflection

When did you begin drawing? 
I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t drawing or painting. It’s not the sort of thing I discovered later on, it’s always been a part of me. My love for it really started to develop early on, I recall in grade school, I was picked to draw and paint mural size scenes for the school play of “My Fair Lady”. The smell of tempera paint that was used, brings a wonderful feeling of nostalgia, it makes me smile when I think about it.

Stella's Glowing Fire

How long do your pieces take to complete?
It depends on the piece itself. Some pieces can take only a few days to complete, while others may take weeks.  Since I paint with watercolor and inks, for the most part, I can move along at a faster pace. These mediums dry much more quickly, unlike lets say oil paint, which can take forever. I get impatient, and I like moving onto new projects. I’m always anxious to see my finished piece.

Cherry Blossom Girl

Besides the usual magazines, books and galleries, from what or where do you draw inspiration? 
I like to think I find inspirations in everything. But I would have to say, most of it comes from nature. Nature provides so much information for an artist’s imagination. Like, finding great a color combination in a sunset or patterns in bird feathers, it’s really all around us. Sometimes I can come across a tree with amazing leaves and think “maybe I can use those shapes and colors”. They eventually make their way into my work.

Lovey-Dovey / Watercolor birds

Many of us running small business I find have a day job :) Do you have a day job? If so what do you do? 
I’m also a freelance makeup artist, working in the beauty/fashion industry. So, when I’m not painting on paper, I’m painting on faces.

The Dreamcatcher

Which of your artwork pieces is your favorite?
This is a hard one, because I really love all of them. But if I had to choose, I would say my favorite piece would be,  “Marigold’s Butterfly Wing”. There is something really simplistic but bold about her. The color combinations, the detail without being obvious, and how can you not love that big hair. I also favor “Ondine, sing me a song”,  I like that she’s kind of abstract, in the way she looks like a splash of blue on a white.

Marigold's Butterfly Wing

Where can people purchase your work?
 As of right now, I am only selling on Etsy. I eventually want to start selling on other online markets, craft shows, and boutique shops. The more places I sell my work, the better chance I get to share my work with others who want to add a little color and happiness to their homes. That’s my mission.

Watercolor Peacock

Where would you like to see your art work go? Do you want to be in a gallery, stores, etc...
 For a long time, I kept my work to myself. It’s only been the past year or so that I’ve made it available publicly. Since I’m fairly new to the commercial art world, there are so many things I would love to do. Showing in galleries is at the top of my list, I think it would be a great way for my work to be noticed. I’d love to get published, maybe magazines or books. I think it would be nice to see my work on other media, jewelry perhaps.
It would be really fun to collaborate with a store, something like Anthropolgie (maybe see my artwork on a plate, or anything really)... we’ll see.

Green Blue Zebras

Which creative medium would you love to pursue but haven’t yet?
I would like to start painting with acrylics again, it’s been a while. I’ve always been interested in textile design, creating some of my own patterns

The one and only... owner and creator of Bella + Bunny, Emma Bazan. 

Check out her complete line at her Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaAndBunny

Emma's giving a special discount to mishshell readers, whoo hoo! (Thank you Emma :) ) .

Coupon code: bymishshell