Spotlight on Tlala

Tlala Handcrafted Blessings, My, oh, My!

Tamaura Jean is the Owner, Maker, Designer, Curator, and the Photographer at Tlala.
She is also one of the Enchanted Collective of Etsy's leaders!

Tamaura describes herself & her gorgeous etsy shop:

I am an artist not only because I make things, but because artistry is my way of life. I express myself artistically in everything I do. Life is a journey, may it be blessed!
Nature has always been a plentiful source of Spirituality and inspiration for me. I enjoy combining my love of the forest with sustainable and energetically savvy items which you can find in my shop and locally in Northern California.

 
I have been creating my entire life. I never could make up my mind what medium to study. Perhaps I will always be the little girl, spinning and spinning and singing, "I will be a painter, a writer, a dancer, a teacher..." 

When I grew up, I finished my Associates degree in Performance and Liberal Arts and went on to complete a B.A. in Studio Art. Later, I attended massage school and practiced many various forms of healing modalities. I currently work at the Crystal Rainbow Rockshop in Nevada City, California.

I hope you notice all the tender creativity and care in my craft. It is truly a one- woman shenanigan. I do it all; Dream the designs, make the materials, the finished products, take the photos, ship the merchandise and pray ♥
We are all on a journey together, may it be blessed!!!!

Visit Tlala @ https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tlala

Spotlight On Winestone Birdhouses

Singing birds with microphones

Layla Coats is the very talented Owner, Designer, Maker, Curator, and of course the Birdhouse Artist at the Gorgeous Winestone Birdhouses shop on Etsy!

Here's what she has to say about her wonderful creations and herself:

I have always been an artist, my main mediums have been pen and ink and paints, both acrylic and oil. I have always dabbled here and there with other mediums and other artsy ideas, but the singing birds inspired me. 

As I sat on my front porch sipping my wine in the tiny little spot of Roslyn, Wa. I couldn't help notice all the birds around me and how loud they were. For some reason in this particular part of the world, they always sounded like they were singing with microphones. It was beautiful.

As much as I fancy my wine in the evenings, and being the art minded soul I am, I kept all my corks knowing I would incorporate them into my art one day.

My dad, and avid bird lover, raised me alone and every Fathers Day I give him an original artwork by me. With the combination of these things and my creativity, my very first mosaic birdhouse came about. 

Since then I have traveled to many places collecting anything I find that I can incorporate into a birdhouse. They have become me, I love adding details and making them very special. 

My dad, and avid bird lover, raised me alone and every Fathers Day I give him an original artwork by me. With the combination of these things and my creativity, my very first mosaic birdhouse came about. 

Since then I have traveled to many places collecting anything I find that I can incorporate into a birdhouse. They have become me, I love adding details and making them very special. 

Since then I have traveled to many places collecting anything I find that I can incorporate into a birdhouse. They have become me, I love adding details and making them very special. 

Visit the Shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/WinestoneBirdhouses

Spotlight on Jenndalyn

Jennifer Lee is the Owner, Artiste at Jenndalyn, Jennifer describes herself and her art:My name is Jenn and I have been making art since I was able to hold a crayon. I graduated from The Ohio State University in 2006 with degrees in Fine Art and History of Art. In September of 2012, I quit my office job to pursue my true love: art.

Relentless Pursuit of A Dream

Like the artwork that comes out of it, the story behind Jenndalyn Art is a colorful one.
After bartending for a few years after college, I took a 9-5 office job back in 2010. I had heard of Etsy through a college friend who sold amazing altered clothing. I decided to list a few originals without any idea what I was doing. My photos were terrible and if someone ever actually ordered something, I had no idea how to get it to them. 
After a couple months of only half paying attention to my shop, I decided to take the items down and felt silly for thinking someone would actually like them. My art is pretty busy/bright/colorful explosion in your face/etc. All throughout college my professors would tell me to "tone it down" and that "less is more." After getting very little reaction to my work on Etsy, I really started doubting my abilities.

I would still cruise Etsy from time to time because I love seeing how much talent is out there (there's A LOT!). In July of 2011, I had been at my desk job for a little over a year and had grown completely miserable. There was zero reward and I was constantly feeling like I wasn't working hard enough/efficient enough/diligently enough. It was a terrible feeling. 
That month, I happened across the "Quit Your Day Job" articles; I'd never heard of them before! The first one I read was Mae Chevrette's. I was completely in awe that this incredibly talented artist had a "real job" and left it to pursue her dream of creating things for a living, and that Etsy made it possible. 
When i was little, I changed the classic "what do you want to be when you grow up" idea yearly. In 4th grade, we did a project where we drew what we wanted to be and put all of the drawings onto a wall to display. I drew an artist... and was laughed at. My friends told me, "being an artist is not a job." Then in college, I changed my major like five times. Thought my parents would kill me. Then I read that article and it was like 1000 lightbulbs went off. I still wanted to be an artist.
I worked from that day forward for a year, starting a blog, a Flickr site, a Tumblr site, a Facebook page. I really wanted to see if I got a reaction from people, to see if they liked what I did. The first email I got from someone saying they loved my work... I honestly thought it was a cruel joke or spam or something. It was unbelievable. I still exchange emails with that person to this day. The response was amazing, the friends I was acquiring from around the world were inspiring, and I really started to feel like this is what I am meant to do.

I opened my Etsy shop back up on July 29, 2012. Within 30 minutes I had three sales and did that weird cry laugh thing that people do sometimes. July 29 was a Sunday. That following Wednesday, I put in five weeks notice at my job. My last day of work was September 7.

It has definitely been a lot harder than I anticipated and definitely think I had some beginners luck going on, but sales have continued to trickle in. My unwavering faith in what I am doing keeps me going... even when I am microwaving ramen noodle meal #3 for the day. Waking up and knowing that I have the entire day to create things, to fling paint, to feed my Photoshop obsession, to take a day trip and take pictures... it is almost surreal. Everyone should feel this way about what they are doing and know that their dreams are worth a relentless pursuit.

Visit the beautiful Shop on Etsy At http://www.etsy.com/shop/Jenndalyn

Spotlight on Crop Circle Clay

Rustic, Earthy and Infused with Reiki.

Crop Circle Clay is rustic, earthy handmade pottery infused with Reiki and adorned with the beautiful sacred geometry of crop circles. Inspirational text also adorns most pieces. I am a one-woman studio and I love creating with clay! Each piece is one-of-a-kind ceramic art by Diana Brower in Ohio, USA.

 Diana Brower is the Owner, Maker, Designer, and Curator at Crop Circle Clay.

Diana began her fascination with clay in 1994 at the Chelsea Ceramic Guild in New York City; taking classes there for 5 years before moving back to her home state of Ohio. She adores creating with clay.

Diana describes herself and her gorgeous shop:

A bit about me and my studio...

Hello! My name is Diana Brower and I make these pots in my own studio called “Dancing Dolphin Pottery” in Ohio, USA. 

I hand-build some pieces, throw other pots on my wheel and then fire all of them in my electric kiln. I love to make these pots! They bring me such joy! As I sit down at my wheel I first bring in Reiki energy to connect with the clay. 

This energy opens up my creativity and grounds me to Mother Earth.

 Then I try to listen to what the clay would like to become. When I know that this small ball of clay will be a mug, I form a picture in my inner eye of the shape that I desire. Then my hands and my muses do the rest! 

​

HOW I PUT DESIGNS ON MY POTTERY: ​

The decorations that I use on my pottery are the crop circle patterns that please me the most. I also like to add inspirational text. 

I print my own laser decals on a laser printer and it's the iron oxide of the toner that burns into the pots in a special 3rd kiln firing. 

This extra step requires more materials (decals & toner), labor (I spend about 30 min. designing each piece) and electricity, so these pots are more expensive than my 'regular' pottery that is only fired 2x. But, of course they are worth it! 

WHY CROP CIRCLES? 

The crop circle designs are formations (pictographs or star glyphs) found in the crops of farmer's fields all over the world. I love them!

 They are both beautiful and inspirational. 

I believe they trigger the divine spark in all of us. Although predominantly found in the county of Wiltshire in England, there have also been some in my home state of Ohio! We don't really know who creates them but the patterns are created with sacred geometry. Many, many theories abound! I can't wait to walk into my first crop circle and feel the energies. I'd love to lay down and meditate there! 

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SPIRITUAL MATTERS: ​

Sacred Geometry & Reiki: Many people believe that the sacred geometry of the crop circles radiate divine energy. Whether the design rests in a barley field or on a coffee mug does not matter; they believe that the contents of their mug will be infused with this energy. So, whether it's the Reiki or the sacred geometry of the crop circles, these pots are just bursting with energy! Many people even feel it when they wear one of my pendants. If you're as sensitive to energy as I am, no doubt you'll feel it too. 

Visit Crop Circle Clay HERE!

Spotlight on Mehndi Glass

A fusion of creativity and dreams of far away lands.

Lesley McDougall is one very talented lady, she owns a gorgeous little shop called Mehndi Glass and creates unique hand painted glassware and glass art inspired by the ancient art of Mehndi. 

Leslie describes herself and her work:

Hi, my name is Lesley McDougall, and I am the artist behind Mehndi Glass.
Born and raised in Manchester, England, I’ve lived in Canada for over 16 years and it’s here that I’ve really spent time developing my artistic talents through a whole host of endeavors, including (to name just a few!) quilting, wire art, decoupage, acrylic, watercolor and drawing. I was introduced to glass painting in my teens and it’s always been the medium I have returned to.
I love to explore other cultures through art and have long had an interest in Indian lifestyle, the food the architecture, the stunning and gloriously colored silken saris and intricate and elaborate henna designs. Like me, the traditional Mehndi art form is unconventional and free spirited. It's the kind of art form that lets your creativity run wild. The fluidity of the paint and its stained glass effects make it beautiful to work with, and provide stunning shadow play on a sunny day! When I started to sell my glassware locally for wedding and anniversary gifts, the reaction was really positive and encouraging and prompted me to launch a website and join the Etsy community. 
Whether it's a customer looking for a unique gift, or working directly with a bride to create something beautiful for their wedding day, designing, experimenting and painting on a daily basis scratches my ever present itch to be creative, and it's fulfilling to know that that each piece is an original made with heart, soul and good intention.
Art is a journey and whilst I am continuously studying the designs and traditions of Mehndi, I often dabble in other mediums to challenge myself and see where it can go?
I’m a busy stay-at-home mom, runner, professional daydreamer and kitchen table entrepreneur. After living in several Canadian provinces and spending a stint in Bermuda, I currently live and work from my little "Lost Villages" home in Long Sault, Ontario, by the calm waters of the St Lawrence River. Visit Mehndi Glass at http://www.etsy.com/shop/MehndiGlass

Spotlight on Candles By Nature

Bringing beauty into the everyday.

Anna and Nickolas are the faces behind candlesbynature on etsy.


Anna describes herself and their gorgeous shop: 
Since I was a child, I've loved creating beauty in the world around me. Now, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to craft lovely candles and skincare products, and to provide others with the chance to bring beauty into their everyday lives.

Four years ago, Nickolas and I moved from the bustling streets of Brooklyn to the rolling hillsides of the Catskills...and we couldn't be happier. As part of our transition to a slower pace of life, we became interested in making more things ourselves and passing up the commercial store-bought options. 

Around this time, I (Anna) became intrigued by a demonstration at a local museum on the old methods of making hand-dipped taper candles. As a candle-lover, I was so excited to try my hand at making our own candles...saving money and learning a new skill in the process.

I started out making candles for my family and friends using repurposed jars I found around the house, along with hand-dipped tapers. I was hooked! I dove, full force, into the craft of candle-making and Nickolas and I soon began selling our creations at local craft fairs and farmer's markets.

Since then, our shop has grown considerably and now also includes a growing line of goat's milk soaps, moisturizing balms, and many more new products on the way.

We are so pleased to watch our shop continue to expand as we try new and exciting things. These days, Nickolas and I work together to keep the shop running and we are having a ball trying out different product ideas to help you bring a bit of beauty into the everyday.

Check out candlesbynature on etsy.

Spotlight on The Amethyst Dragonfly

Vintage style with a steampunk twist

There is a lovely and very vibrant little shop on Etsy called The Amethyst Dragonfly. 

Lynn Tayloris the Owner, Maker, Designer, Curator and Photographer.
She describes herself and her store in the 'about' section of her shop:

I live in the lovely mountains of East Tennessee, but I grew up in the urban sprawl of Atlanta. I am enjoying the country life after a lifetime of city stress.I have a wonderful boyfriend and two rambunctious kitties.


I have always been an artist, but spent most of my life trying to fit in to the business world, the way everyone expects you to. I finally got sick of it and decided to try and make a living doing what I love.

I love working with polymer clay. It is such a fun and forgiving medium. Every day I discover something new and exciting.
I also love the rich look and feel of copper and I am looking forward to moving forward and learning new things!

I am still shaping and learning my business, deciding what I love (and hate). Thank you for joining me on my journey.

I love working with polymer clay. It is such a fun and forgiving medium. Every day I discover something new and exciting.I also love the rich look and feel of copper and I am looking forward to moving forward and learning new things!
I am still shaping and learning my business, deciding what I love (and hate). Thank you for joining me on my journey. Visit The Amethyst Dragonfly at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheAmethystDragonfly