tqbdesigns

I stumbled upon Etsy in 2006 - back when it was still in Beta mode! I was doing some web research on how artists sell their work & Etsy links kept showing up - so I clicked on one... & here I am. I wish I could remember which Etsy artist it was that sent me here all those years ago! So much has happened with me and my work since 2006, in those early Etsy days that gave a hopeful artist a venue for her work.

My road to where I am today started when I was 12. I was raised with art. My mother is a fine artist specializing in portraiture. She was always drawing or making something by hand. She loved to tell me stories about famous artists and their path to creativity - and all media of art: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, music, architecture, ceramics, and glass blowing. I remember my first piece of ‘art’ was a painted rock that I gave to her at the innocent age of 5. My mother introduced me to seed beads and jewelry making when I was 12. I started to experiment with design, color and technique.

After moving to Seattle in I found a job at a fine craft gallery in the Pike Place Market and then in Bellevue. My spouse and I decided to move back to Portland and I continued to work in yet another fine craft gallery. I educated myself about the craft business and really enjoyed working with the artists and traveling back east to buying shows to talk and meet with them about their journey and inspirations. It made me want to go out on my own one day.

My work has been evolving ever since I picked up my first bead. With my self-taught skills and schooling for metal-smithing, I took a leap of faith in 2005 and quit my full time job as a Gallery Administrator in Portland and started working full-time as an artist. It has been a road full of ups and downs, but one without regret. It is by far the hardest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had (aside from raising kids). I know I made the right choice!

After that I started doing art fairs across the county. It was an exciting adventure that lasted 10 years. With the approach of the 11th show season, and the planning of art fair applications, truck maintenance and supplies and tent prep, my spouse and I decide we'd had enough for now. We were a bit weary and I needed a break from the grind of the road. I wanted to get back to designing and creating at a slower pace. I wanted to love what I did again. This is what brought me to my sabbatical back in 2016.

After 5 years of rejuvenation and inspiration I went back into my studio making the work I love. I want to thank all of those that have supported me over the years with my work. I am also working on updating my personal website: lisagastelum.com. It will be a source for what inspires me and will work more like a blog rather than a place to sell for now. You can visit me at my website: lisagastelum.com along with my Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest pages.

Cheers Everyone!