Friday Spotlight: Parrish Relics

Welcome to our next Friday Spotlight! Every other week, we feature a new interview from one of our TeamBPAL members.

This week, we interviewed Jen of Parrish Relics. Let's go!



Tell us a little about the items in your shop. What do you make?
One of a kind jewelry made up of Stained Glass in Architectural & symbolic designs & found images held within hand sculpted shrine like clay frames. Bracelets, earrings and Crowns join the necklaces...I feel like I can never make enough to fulfill my inspirations and fill my shop!


What is your creative process?
Gothic Architecture, Pre-Raphaelite painters, Victorian Illustrators, Medieval religious Art and Nature inspires me to no end. Constantly sketching in a little book I carry around to movies and museums, or ideas that come from daydreaming.

In my studio I begin with either a piece of Stained Glass or a tiny found image of a work of art that I admire, cut and grind the glass, then sculpt a frame out of clay that highlights the beauty and shape of the glass or painting. After baking, I paint each piece with up to four different metallic finishes, as I prefer an aged, weathered patina. Then I choose beads or a chain to finish off the design, some of them seem to make themselves as I get deeply lost in the process.


Which Etsy Teams do you belong to?
TeamBPAL, Folk Reveries & Cabinet of Curiosities



Scheherazade's Window Amber Stained Glass

When you are not creating things, what do you do?
On the homefront~ walking in the woods with my husband and new puppy, entertaining our three cats, decorating our purple Victorian. We go out to as many concerts as we can, music is a huge passion. Visiting museums, restaurants, historic homes...Boston is so rich in Architecture and experiences, and making time to see friends is very important when you work
from home.

Tell us two random, interesting things about you.
I am obsessed with moss.
Had a necklace in Cher's short lived Sanctuary catalog.


What has been your proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop?
Having so many returning collectors, there really isn't anything better than that or more of a compliment.



The Little Brown Owl Pictorial Pendant

What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Create what is in your heart, be original, be yourself. Keep learning new photography techniques, don't lose hope.


What handmade possession do you cherish?
A quilt my mother made for me, many beautiful costumes and bags from fellow Etsy artist and good friend medievalmuse (http://www.medievalmuse/etsy.com), also very lucky to have art & photography from many talented folks in my home including an original drawing from Daniel Martin Diaz and work from fellow Etsy members LizzieSiddal, pascal4aqua, babastudioPrague, mysterycottage, wildmuse, kerrykate, and a tiny white owl that lives at the top of my attic studio stairs by VintagebyCrystal. I am constantly in awe of the creativity and original work that is out there.


If you could have any item on Etsy regardless of price, what would it be?
This beautiful Stained Glass Fox!

I would also love to commission Tina Imel to paint a family portrait, including our three cats and dog of course!


What other skill or talent do you wish you could possess, if you had not taken this creative path?
Animal rehab, I would love to be able to have a sanctuary in the woods somewhere for orphaned or injured creatures.




Where else can we find you on the web?
Main Website: parrishrelics.com
Facebook: facebook.com/parrishrelics
Blog: parrishrelics.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/parrishrelics

My new line of wedding/special occasion jewelry on Etsy, regular updates
coming back in the Spring: LyraParrish.etsy.com

That's all for this time! Thank you for reading, and Happy New Year!

Friday Spotlight: Crafty Willows

Welcome to our next Friday Spotlight! Every other week, we feature a new interview from one of our TeamBPAL members.

This week, we interviewed Amy of Crafty Willows. Let's go!



Tell us a little about the items in your shop. What do you make?
I primarily make wire wrapped jewelry in interesting and flowing designs. In the near future I hope to expand to stained glass and etched glass pendants.


What is your creative process?
My creative processes are all over the place! For awhile I was getting inspiration from crop circles and gothic gates (still have a few more of those planned) and sometimes I just get inspiration from just staring out the window. Most of the time I just take a piece of wire and start shaping it without any real idea of what I am trying to make.


Which Etsy Teams do you belong to?
TeamBpal
Amys in the Arts
Bringing Unselfishness Your Way



Autumn Copper Necklace

When you are not creating things, what do you do?
Chatting with people on the BPAL forum! GUSPers Forever! ;) I also am interested in mead-making and brewing, though I guess that kinda counts as creating things.


Tell us two random, interesting things about you.
1. I used to be a karate instructor in high school.
2. I loved rapier fencing in the SCA and really wish I could start that up again. My sword's name is Precious!


What has been your proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop?
Probably my first sale. This really nice gal from the Etsy forums saw one of my necklaces and just had to have it! It was really a moment of "I can't believe someone actually wants to purchase something I made!!"



Brilliant Carnelian and Copper Necklace

What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Use the Etsy forums! There is a TON of good information on there! If you have any questions about picture taking, improving your listings, and such, there are tons of topics there to help you out!


What handmade possession do you cherish?
There are so many! I really cherish this rainbow knitted blanket my grandmother made for me years ago. Also, this cute dragon that my friend crocheted for me. He lives above my computer!


If you could have any item on Etsy regardless of price, what would it be?
I would definitely have to have a house built around these!! I also really love this gown!

What other skill or talent do you wish you could possess, if you had not taken this creative path?
I definitely wish I had explored the sciences more while I was in college. I kept telling myself that I hated math and chemistry which really wasn't true. I was actually pretty good at math... I would have loved now to go back and try a different major like Marine Biology, Engineering, or Astronomy. I majored in Film Studies and Anthropology which was fun, but it has been impossible for me to find a job in those fields.




Where else can we find you on the web?
Facebook: facebook.com/CraftyWillows
Blog: littlebitcrafting.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/CraftyWillows

That's all for this time! Thank you for reading, and happy holidays!

Friday Spotlight: Palimpsestic

Welcome to our next Friday Spotlight! Every other week, we feature a new interview from one of our TeamBPAL members.

This week, we interviewed Jenn of Palimpsestic. Let's go!



Tell us a little about the items in your shop. What do you make?
I make original collage art, including bookmarks, art cards, and square inch art. I work with real vintage ephemera (usually from the 1940s or 50s, but sometimes even earlier), never with photocopies or reproductions. I also make pennant banners and garland from vintage maps.


What is your creative process?
I was an English major in college, so I'm inspired by books, paper, and words. I work a little at a time, adding and removing layers as I see fit. As I work, I construct stories in my head and, often, those become a part of the works. All my full-size collages include storylets that add depth and meaning to the pieces.


Which Etsy Teams do you belong to?
In addition to Team BPAL, I belong to two treasury-building teams. Northwest Treasure Chest is a regional team for shops in the Pacific Northwest, and Team Discovery is a team that seeks out and promotes shops with fewer than twenty sales.



ExtraLong Personalized Mini Pennant Banner from Vintage Maps

When you are not creating things, what do you do?
I'm mom to a 9-year-old son and I volunteer teaching art in the school to his class and several others. I'm also a published short-fiction writer and I try to balance my visual art with writing and submitting.


Tell us two random, interesting things about you.
I collect vintage stereoscopes and Viewmasters.
I have always loved dance and I was part of a tribal belly dance troupe for four years before moving to Washington.


What has been your proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop?
Last week, I curated a treasury that put many, many shops on the front page for their first time. I loved having given new shops the opportunity for that kind of exposure.



The Raven Bookmark Collage (No. 2)

What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Use the treasury! Etsy mines the treasury, not only for the front page, but for most of their email and web features. I had six sales in my first six months on Etsy and more than forty in the two months since I started avidly building treasuries.


What handmade possession do you cherish?
My son's kindergarten handprint. I'm sure every parent has one, but I love it anyway.


If you could have any item on Etsy regardless of price, what would it be?
I am in love with this tweed coat from 13threads

What other skill or talent do you wish you could possess, if you had not taken this creative path?
I always wanted to be a ballerina.




Where else can we find you on the web?
Web site: jennifertatroe.com
Blog: jennifertatroe.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/jhtatroe

That's all for this time! May you have a cozy, healthy, happy December as we hustle to prepare for the holidays.