http://www.etsy.com2008-01-21T12:49:00-05:00All the news that's fit to serve for sudlow2008-01-21T12:49:00-05:00sudlow, TeenAngsterhttp://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/one-of-etsys-most-hearted-sudlow-1061/

<p><em><br />For Valentine's Day, we at The Storque thought we'd seek out the Etsy members who are the most beloved (or rather, be-hearted). We tracked five of out of the top twenty most-hearted users and sought them out for interviews. They were totally surprised and pleased to find out!&nbsp; The first in this series is <a href="http://sudlow.etsy.com">sudlow</a>.</em></p><p><em>Rachael Sudlow's style emerges from her rural Kansas home, bringing together the natural animals and elements of the farm and a love for brightly colored beads and stones. Oftentimes designed a little tongue-in-cheek, her work is entirely hand-fabricated with the details and love that give handmade work that extra bit of special. She graduated in 2005 with a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, but returned to Kansas shortly thereafter to make art and teach at the local Arts Center.</em></p><p><em>Without further ado, here is <a href="http://sudlow.etsy.com">sudlow</a>!</em></p><p><strong>Tell us how you first got involved with Etsy.</strong><br />I was working a desk job doing web design and scrolling around online (thus not working), and I read a mention of Etsy as a place to sell handmade work, so I started playing around and listing a few pieces I'd done earlier in the year. I'd just graduated from art school, so it was a good push to keep making work. </p><p><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9010287"><img src="http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/article_images/sudlowpeas.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><strong>What's your favorite Etsy feature?</strong><br />I think the combination of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury.php">Treasuries</a> and the gorgeous front pages they produce would be one of my favorites. (Too bad I can never snag a Treasury though!)<br /><strong><br />How do you think you became so beloved in the Etsy community? (You've got a lot of hearts!)</strong><br />I think having products that appeal to a wide range of people has worked well for me. I like to make pieces that are both quirky and iconic. 'Whimsical' is often used to describe my work. There's nothing better than creating a piece that makes people smile. I also love custom orders where I work with a customer to create something new. It's inspiring and I know the recipient is excited to get something specially made for them. Good photos never hurt either!</p><p><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8495331"><img src="http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/article_images/sudlowbutterfly.jpg" alt="" /></a><br /><strong>Do you have an Etsy crush? If so, who?</strong><br />I love my fellow <a href="http://etsymetal.com/" target="_blank">EtsyMetal</a> folks like crazy. They've been a great support group through the year! They've really pushed me to try new techniques and develop my products and business more.<br /><strong><br />What are you doing for Valentine's Day?</strong><br />Well, that's a Thursday, so I'll be filling orders in the morning, working at my Arts Center shop in the afternoon and then taking a silkscreen class at night. Busy day for business, so maybe I'll make Friday a date night.</p><p><strong>Now that you've heard </strong><strong><a href="http://sudlow.etsy.com">sudlow</a></strong><strong>'s story, share the love! Get out there and give some hearts, hug a friend or think about a loved one. Aw! Below you'll see some of <a href="http://sudlow.etsy.com">sudlow</a>'s faves. </strong></p>