cheryloz

For me happiness is creating and I can't imagine not doing something creative everyday. As a child I was never without my sketchbook and bag of markers and my Mom is very creative, so she was always concocting some kind of craft project for us to do together. I am an only child so since there weren't a lot of children to play with in our home, art was a great past time for me. I was never one of those kids that had to be entertained, because art could entertain me for hours. I'm happiest when I'm making or creating things, whether it's a painting, a craft project, or cooking up a nice meal for my family and friends.

My Etsy shop mainly began, because I needed a different creative outlet other than my 9 to 5 job which was as an Art Director in advertising. At the time, I mostly did design work for Ford Motor Co. thru several local Detroit Metro Ad agencies. While I still loved design work, I didn't really like the business of advertising and working on automotive any longer. Before actually quitting my day job, I found Etsy. During my downtime, I would peruse Etsy and oooh and aaah, over the many amazing handmade products -- and would revel in the fact that people were making money selling their art and handmade. One day I decided that's it, I'm going to start working on some illustrations to sell (because illustration was always my true passion when I studied in art in college). Soon enough my shop was open and people were slowly beginning to purchase my artwork.

I felt the need though to expand outside of Etsy so I started doing some local indie art + craft fairs and approached local shops about selling some of my work. This was scary and exciting all at the same time! The indie fairs blew my mind! So many incredibly talented people and so much fun. It was great to get feedback on my work from people and to meet so many other talented artists and craftsman. But, don't be fooled by all of this amazing fun, it's a lot of hard work. A LOT! Hours, days, weeks, even months preparing work for shows. But, every minute of it is totally worth it.

Over the past few years, I've expanded the production of my work in my house from a tiny bedroom which is now specifically my office and we cleaned out and re-designed our basement which is now my studio. My upstairs office is still where I do my design work, pack up orders, and print out my cards and prints. The studio is where I make all of the art happen -- a.k.a my happy place!

Thanks for stopping by!