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Story by
annarubyking,
vadjutka
Published on February 13, 2009 in This Handmade Life |
Photo by |
This month Anna from annarubyking tells us about how her flourishing shop started with Christmas cards sent to family members and friends. She became a professional card-maker in two years, and had to learn the same lesson that our previous Oeuvre Evolution artist, Tabitha from ThePairaBirds, was faced with: how to simplify one's own design.
When did you start crafting with paper and textile? Why did you choose this medium?
I think paper is where every artists starts: it's affordable, accessible and you can do so much with it. At university I majored in printmaking, so basically all the processes of print media (etching, screen printing, photography, lithography, graphics) involve paper. In my minor, painting, there was a whole wonderful unit on creating and preparing canvases, as well as making gessos, temperas and varnishes. While this was one of my favorite classes, spending 3 hours making and preparing a canvas really didn't suit my style of work. I was also rather frightened of drop saws, band saws and staple guns.
My interest in textiles comes no doubt from my mother. She quilts, sews, knits, and crochets. I do none of these things. I tried to learn but it just didn't fit. However, I do covet the raw materials, especially fabric. My mum and I would go to fabric shops together, and she would buy fabric and wool for her latest projects, and I would buy fabric just to hoard. I love the colours and patterns and textures.
When I started to make my cards, I decided I needed to incorporate some of my fabric. My stash was growing and growing, and it was time I started using it for something.
How do you evaluate the change between your first piece and the works you do now? In what way did your style change, and why?
The first set of cards that I made was to send to my family and friends for Chistmas, 2006. It was my first Christmas living in another country, and when I went out to buy cards to send that November, there really wasn't that much to choose from. I decided that since I had time to spare, plus an arts degree, I really should be able to make my own.
The cards that I made turned out really well. Everyone told me they loved them, and I decided that I could make some to sell and earn myself a bit of money. When you start wanting to get paid for something, though, you start to rethink how you make that thing, how much the supplies cost and how much time you spend making the item. These cards I made must have taken me 30 minutes each, which is just too much work for a gift card. I had to think about how to simplify my designs and find faster methods. I also started thinking about how my cards would look, as a product, in a shop. I wanted to create a "look" for my cards, so that even if I used different designs and motifs, all my cards would look like Ruby King cards.
In which area do you think you evolved a lot?
I'm really happy with how I managed to simplify my designs. The first cards I made had so many elements. When I look at them now, I think there is too much going on. I was using too many techniques, with no direction. The thing is, I am still using all those same techniques that I used in those first cards. However, in my cards now, I have learned how to be more selective in the ways I use those techniques.
You use a lot of birds in your cards. Why did you choose these flying animals?
Well, birds came about thanks to more product development. I know I'm supposed to say birds are my favorite animal, and I did have many, many pet birds growing up (most were called Oscar or Ernie, if you are curious), but they are not my favorite animal (horses, followed by Labradors).
But I digress. Using birds came about for two main reasons. First, I wanted to have some sort of cute creature as a motif on my cards, and it had to be something that was suitable to many occasions. Second, it had to be something with a shape that was easy to cut out in fabric. All my bird shapes have either one or two sides, making them much easier to cut out than horses or Labradors, for example. I know this process sounds very cold and business-like, but by going through all this design work using birds, I have actually really become quite fixated with them, as you can see by my other artworks — they might now have moved into the third favorite position (sorry, tigers).
What kind of evolution do you see as necessary in the future? What are your plans (if any)?
I still want to try and reduce the amount of time I spend making my cards. I've pretty much halved the time I was spending before. Learning to make things in multiples was a fine revelation, although some of the designs, like the fabric squares cards, have no quick method. I really want to come up with some designs that are a lot speedier so I can have some lower priced options available.
Also, I recently made the decision to stop buying new fabric altogether, and only use recycled and off cut fabric, so once I get through my collection of bought fabrics (okay, that might take a year or more...) my cards will be made of 90 -100% recycled materials, which for me is something really important.
See other Oeuvre Evolutions on the Storque. Vadjutka highlights many more artists' evolutions on her blog, Craftsthenandnow.blogspot.com. How has your craft changed over the years? Post in the comments below!
| Tags | annarubyking, artist's process, birds, cards, change, evolution, Greece, illustration, ouevre evolution, print, vadjutka |
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127 comments Login to add your own!
krize
kimquinndotcom
tamaragarvey
Crafterall
This is a great read! I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about your crafting evolution and how selling your work can change so much about what and how you make. I found myself nodding along to much of it. I adore your work, and I'm craving your map ACEOs. Thanks too for adding my topo cards at the end.
SamyStClair
AlloverArt
YouAreYou
lros2002
I like your use of print pattern in your work and how you combine it all with your use of color
katieblairdesigns
yaelfran
mamafamilias
Birds are no where near my top 10 fav animals, until they are on paper or fabric and then they hit #1. So cute!
bellasparty
lesthings
GretchenFisher
I am so happy to see an article about one of my favorite etsy artists! You think the pictures of the work are really cool, until you get the work. Oh. my. I bought cards to send, but there is no way I will ever send them. I can't bear the thought of giving them to another soul. They will be mine. Forever.
aysetugrul
iragrant
HeliS
staroftheeast
blinkonmynose
Arctida
CabbagesandQueens
BabbidgePatch
EJPcreations
fleurfatale
oooh, Anna, what a surprise to find you here! I loooove your work!
LaireMarie
FancifulForm
4TheSparrowsNest
Wow...I don't think I've really noticed these evolution articles before...I can really relate to these, as my own concept has greatly evolved in the short five months I've been on Etsy. It's neat to hear how other artists approach their own development.
twolefthands
ingermaaike
ZsBcreations
Anna, Jutka, CONGRATS!! You are such wonderful people, I am so happy for you for this feature!!
neawear
I have loved Anna's Fabric square cards for like, ever! I even think she was in my first ever treasury! lol
NickyBeeShop
fricdementol
:D Great article of an amazing artist, so great read about Anna! I'm a lucky owner of some of her delicate and beautiful artworks on paper and I'm wishing so much one piece of Anna's jewelry! :)
nat1489
littletreeart
This is a really well written little article. Really great insights. I'm off now to look at Anna's work again. So lovely.
Sumikoshop
anakim
PipocaHandmade
Love your design process.
Thanks for the bird motif selection...a wonderful prelude into spring!
MGMart
karuski
Anna's birdies are simply adorable and what's important, recognisable. Keep up the good work:)
dragonhouseofyuen
that's great to hear your opinion Anna!
yes, handmade cards are time consuming! and sometimes simplification is the way to go..
I think your pins are fantastic!
kraplap
BululuStudio
deepindigo
VKnO
Mirthquake
EmmaGordonLondon
BaconSquareAttic
littlealouette
annarubyking
thanks everyone for your lovely comments! thank you Judit for choosing my work!
KisforCalligraphy
Poignant words of advice from an incredibly talented artist!
voleurdebijoux
kilsook
your use of pattern and texture is fantastic. i really love how you have both 2D and 3D work.
StirAtHome
mykonos
KellesKitchen
I loved reading this story. And I totally understand about how things change when you decide to sell!
JournalsByJean
HELICOPTERstudios
kristensteinfineart
MadeByMari
Bowz
Wow...really beautiful work. I need to rethink my cardgiving choices from now on...amazing stuff!
sophiori
The explanation of the evolution of your creative process is very inspiring and insightful. It's fun to see how what can seem like a block will lead to an innovation of some sort. And, that's applicable to whatever craft or art we do, thanks alot for sharing!
kathiroussel
love the article, and anna--your thoughts on the evolution of your work, and the distillation of your process and images over time, are so well considered. it's always interesting to watch the progress and maturity of an artist as time moves on... keep up the beautiful work!
maclancy
great job, perfect questions, interesting answers and from someone who really is a wonderful artist here on etsy! thanks for sharing your story and also your ideas and thoughts on card making..
adorebynat
kestreldesigns
This is a great article. Very helpful, especially in how you realize that you couldn't possibly sell your cards for what they're really worth (taking 30 minutes to make just one) so you simplified your idea. Quite simple, but often artists need a bit of help in thinking like a businessperson. I know I do!
panyizsuzsi
Hi Anna! It was really nice to read this interview of you. You really improved a lot, keep it going. You are really talented!
homelab
creationsbyeve
brownbunnybyiris
viltalakim
I was surprised to recognize your name and read the article through! What a Super article about you!!
You 've deserved it!
Babongo
Hey Anna, how wonderful to see you featured here! Congrats on a lovely article, I hope it will help more people to get to know you wonderful works of art :)
Judit, great interview!
birribe
Anna how lovely to read about your artwork I admire them so much.
Thanks to Judith for the interview.
ArtMind
Wow Anna, I not only love your work but you are such a sweet and adorable person too! :)
Wonderful interview Judit! :)
FlanneryCrane
JaneBoFelt
BonnieBoon
Thoroughly enjoyed this interview. Love getting to know about processes and development.
Intres
AREjewellery
littlemoandfriends
gorgeous items and a lovely article. Glad to meet another paper artist:)
pogoshop
What a treat to read an interview about one of my favorite Etsy artists! Thanks so much!
PotterybyJolene
bagsandbuds
handmadeinisrael
Lovely cards, annarubyking, and great to read about your design process. I think we're all a little bit guilty of spending too much time on each individual card!
shellydaly
This is a great and relevant story!!!Encouraging and motivating and...and...thanks
QuercusSilver
I really enjoyed finding out about an artists evolution. Thanks
Creativewithclay
Excellent read.. great article and love to hear and write about artists evolution
Spelfenmeisje
sorellina
WrenWillow
Such an interesting tale! I loved reading about the evolution of your designs. It is so encouraging to read. :) Awesome work too.
duckduckGoosestuff
I love the shop (and Lila, too) and I think that it's interesting, no matter what the discipline, you know you're maturing with it when you are working at the point where you DON'T feel you need to do something different every time (because the evolution of an idea is just as interesting and perhaps more valuable) and you DON'T want to include everything but the kitchen sink...
um. sorry. {/pretentious moment}
jodieflowers
lillebeart
Making and giving a handmade card can express more to someone than the words inside-(how may people write only a handful of words out there!) They are unique and full of thought and always make the reciever feel special. Go handmade-thanks Anna for beautiful work!
Berlinski
considerthisart
Nice insight. I figured already that extravagant slowpokes like myself wouldnt be able to turn much of a profit but it's hard to reign in. I would be mortified if someone thought of any of my cards as a disposable item. Low prices = more sales tho
hmmm the eternal artists' dilemma
bikimiki
giusypatch
Oh! Anna, what a wonderful interview and your cards are great! Love also the tiny pins!
picnipic
FascinatingHobbies
Hi Anna, congratulation for your very warm and interesting words. You make me feel your passion for animals ( horses, labradors....) but your birds drawings are great, elegant and refined ( hope I have the right word). Good luck for your futur works, a pleasure to look at your shop
Beadz2Pleaz
Love your story and your style that is so distinctively YOU. Well done and all the very best going forward :)
aimeesarmoire
Lovely work... and an inspriation to all artists and crafters!
pouch
congrats on the feature!
I love Anna's work, I featured her on my blog a few months back :)
nosideup
Liyana
birdrock
Thanks for sharing with us. The evolution of your creative process is very inspiring!
pengpengs
setenta
thelittlebrownwren
Fabulous work! I'm keeping you in mind for the next time I need some unique cards!
beaneandco
ishtarolivera
shopgloriosa
liliswan
art as evolution, how could creativity be otherwise? I've often thought of it as the branches of a tree, each branch sprouting anew endlessly.....
MyJunkyTrunk
mrsrachelfaucett
MakeMeOver
Stemellina
bryankite
I feel like reading this is my own story, but I am just way back down the road behind you. Really love the cards!
PurpleBears
It was interesting to read about your choice in animals, sounds logical to me. Thanks for sharing.
LittleCritters00
ManoCelebrates
SparklePaw
An excellent source of inspiration for a fellow card maker. Thanks!
chubbycheeksweaters
maggiemaescolours
These are so cute and refreshing. Good job, keep it up.
santokki
autumntakesme
1bluetree
I am in love with birds! Plus I hand draw in cards i make so that encourages me! Thanks a lot.
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