Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location,
affiliations, personal stuff).
I was born in Nova Scotia and moved to Whitehorse, Yukon for 1 year that is now turning into 40 . The Yukon is in Canada’s far northwest, a territory bigger than California with 30,000 inhabitants-a large percentage of whom are artists!
I met my husband Norm, a wood, clay and metal artist, 39 years ago so I stayed & we raised a family. Some of Norm’s work is in our shop - we share until I have time open another one.
My first purchase when I moved here was a sewing machine-made my wedding dress with it a year later.
I drive a Scion XB; I’m an Aries, mother of four, grandmother of one, a member of Worldwide Women Artists online, TransCanada, Creative Glass Guild of Etsy & EtsyFAST street teams.
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I work full time as a pay and benefits coordinator; I go to live theatre as often as possible, walk, spend time with friends & family. Who am I kidding? Most nights I come home from work and go directly to the sewing room, computer or sandblaster! I am happiest in my studio doing creative things-sewing, planning landscapes, battling with Photoshop & sandblasting. I work best under pressure so having to schedule my creative time for evening & weekends works for me. Luckily, I have an artist husband who knows how to cook and realizes that art is more important than housework. It’s nice to have a built in critic and supporter to bounce ideas off.
What first made you want to become an artist?
Frustration! I sewed and then created wearable art but always wanted to express how I saw the beauty around me. I made some fabric landscapes and gave them to friends but it all came together when I added the sandblasted images on the glass. Neither the fabricscape nor the blasted glass seemed complete on its own, but together they express what I see.
Please describe your creative process (how, when, materials, etc).
I plan the scene first with the fabric; I’ve been collecting fabric for years and I’m constantly acquiring more from traveling, friends and thrift sales. I’m driven by colour and tone always keeping in mind the eventual placement of the sandblasted image. Some colours work, some don’t which is why I dye and paint some fabrics to use. I decide on an image, then create a picture and transfer it onto the resist material. The sandblasting is the final part-then to see how it works. It’s not a cheap process but I think the results are worth it.
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
A grandmother clock my grandfather made my mum for her wedding in 1937.
Name your top five books, movies, songs/musical groups, and web sites (besides Etsy).
Just read The Motive- John Lescroart on a recent holiday and loved it.
Bare Naked Ladies
Hungry Hill
anything by Stan Rogers
movies: Juno – saw it on the plane back from vacation-great movie.
websites: facebook, talentdatabase.com, Quixtar. com
What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Join an active street team! I lucked out on the first ones I joined (CGGE, EtsyFAST & TransCanada) but there are teams for every medium, location or age. The street teams are awesome, lots of information and sharing of ideas and encouragement.
Check out the forums-not only do buyers lurk there but sellers are buyers too. Start or join a topic and contribute, people will get to know you and your shop.
What are your favorite features on Etsy? What new features would you like to see?
I love Pounce and I think that alchemy is great too. The site just keeps getting better.
Listing template for similar items like cards so you could just change what was needed instead of redoing everything.
How do you promote your work?
Art shows & exhibitions, galleries, art/craft fairs, talent database, business cards, word of mouth, webpage, friend’s blogs, email signature.
In ten years I'd like to be...
Still healthy and working full time on my art. Travelling to galleries and shows in the south during our winter.
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