I am a recently-graduated JD/MA who has lived for many years each in NYC, NC, DC, VA and FL. I presently live in a cozy apartment with my wonderful husband, 3 cats, and other miscellaneous critters. :)
~*~ My Projects ~*~
Most of my Etsy projects involve working with solder. I love vintage imagery, found items, and ephemera. I also really enjoy the steampunk aesthetic. I think there is a lot of value both in the artistic chaos of collage, as well as in the simple beauty of something classic. :)
~*~ My Plans ~*~
I have recently acquired my first sewing machine and am adoring it. I also have a lifelong love of photography. I am planning to re-vamp my shop soon more in keeping with my more recent projects.
I've recently been acquiring the tools to work more with found items and metal punching, and those needed to pick back up on watercolor painting and sketching (at which I used to be pretty good, many years ago...). I am getting into scrap-booking, too.
~*~ What's In A Name? ~*~
The name LotusMira is one I have been using for many years. Mira (pronounced "meera"), from the Sanskrit root meaning "prosperous," (one can hope!) is my grandmother's name. Also, I have always loved the symbolism of the lotus in Indian spiritual traditions.
~*~ I Can Occasionally Be Found... ~*~
http://LotusMira.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/LotusMira
http://www.LotusMira.com
http://www.listia.com/profile/479540 (sometimes I auction FREE stuff from my store here!)
... and search for "Lotus MiraGe Ephemera" on Facebook!
~*~ Etsy Teams ~*~
Capital Region Etsy Street Team (CREST)
Etsy for Animals: http://efaartistshelpinganimals.org
Boosting Etsy Shops Team (BESTeam)
~*~ A Quick Final Thought ~*~
As Mary Ann Williams writes:
"I believe that many artists don't put a high enough value on what they do. Many work for pennies. Some do it 'just to earn enough to buy more supplies.' Unfortunately, in doing so, they are educating the public not to appreciate what they do, or at least not the time they have spent on it.
"We have educated the public in thinking that most artists are hobbyists and this is something 'extra' that they do to earn a few bucks. I have seen some beautiful work done by excellent craftsmen and have heard the buying public say 'can you believe what they want for that????' Most times, the prices compared to the hours spent have meant the artist is working for less than minimum wage. Many talented artists are discouraged from continuing their craft because they can't make a living at it and we are thus deprived of the beauty they could create and we could enjoy. Many people think nothing of spending $100 on a dinner out but wouldn't spend $100 on a piece of art that they could have forever. It's because they don't value it the same. It's not because they can't afford it."
http://www.thebeads.com/articles/pricing.phtml
