Member Artisan Profile: KatNawlins

I’m happy to introduce you to Katnawlin’s Shop. Kat has been creating, since her “hand could grip a marker,” she says. Her Etsy shop, open since May 2009, features one-of-a-kind drawings, prints of her work, signmaking and painted baseboards in funky colors and shapes.

When asked how she got her start, Kat replied, “That funky New Orleans beat had to be captured on the page with color and soul!” She draws her inspiration from New Orleans and German expressionism. Kat says the favorite aspect about her art is that “It makes others smile.”

Her favorite piece is called Throw Down Some Food (pictured below).

The biggest challenge she faces as an artisan is maintaining focus. “There is just so much I want to do. When asked what advice she offers other sellers, Kat replies, “Keep it up. Listen to feedback, and then just say with the hell with them!”

Another skill she’d like to learn is oil painting.

Although she moved from La. (Louisiana) to LA (Los Angeles), her connection to her birthplace runs deeply. “I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana,” Kat explains. “There ain't no place like it. We all gotta come home!”

To learn more about KatNawlins, you can visit her Etsy shop at: http://katnawlins.etsy.com/

You can also find her on:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Katnawlins

Facebook Fan Page: http://bit.ly/katnawlins_facebook_fan

IndiePublic: http://www.indiepublic.com/profile/KatnawlinsShop

Flikr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnawlinsshop/

Member Artisan Profile: Lemon Jitters

Katie, of Lemon Jitters, launched her line of jewelry created with vintage and upcycled materials in January 2009. However, she is no newbie to the creative life.

She explains, “My family has a lot of creative thinkers so I grew up making things. We did not have much money when I was growing up so we were constantly having to improvise and make things work without spending a lot. That is where my creativity was born. Now, I can look at almost any situation and think of a DIY solution. My mind often puts things together that do not traditionally fit each other. “

Katie is inspired by items she discovers in thrift and antique shops. “I marvel at the possible history of a piece and instantly visualize the piece in a new setting (such as, dangling from your ears...),” she says. “I love to place an old, abandoned item in a new home, with a new meaning.”

One of her favorite materials is raw brass. “I especially love oxidizing it and watching it turn different shades,” Katie says.

Her favorite piece tends to be the one she’s working on at the moment. She’s currently working on several pieces incorporating vintage hardware. She explains, “I have some pieces in my Etsy shop with vintage keyholes and whatnot. Those are my favorite because they are unexpected.”

Her biggest challenge is time management. A busy graduate student – with a graduate assistantship, no less! – Katie says “maintaining the pace I am working at now will be SUPER difficult [in the fall]. I'll find a way, though. Because I love creating and running a small business.”

If she could offer one piece of advice for new artisans, it is this: “Be willing to invest an enormous amount of time promoting your shop in the beginning. I am still in the beginning stages and it is very hard to get noticed in the online world. But my views are steadily picking up. It just takes a lot of effort. Oh, and offer exceptional customer service. That is key!”

So what’s next for Katie? She is currently developing an idea for a luxury line, Lemon Jitters Luxe, and is further developing her line incorporating antique/vintage hardware. Her items are available exclusively online, but is considering offline venues.

Other skills Katie would like to learn include soldering metal for jewelry making, crocheting and knitting. A Louisiana native, she now lives in the Ruston area. She moved there to attend Louisiana Tech five years ago and stayed.

To learn more about Lemon Jitters:

Visit her Etsy shop: http://www.lemonjitters.etsy.com/

Visit her blog: LemonJitters

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Lemon-Jitters/112811350791?ref=ts

On Twitter: http://www.twitter/lemonjitters

Member Artisan Profile: Gabrielle Acres

I'm pleased to introduce you to Gabrielle, who works with organically grown herbs to create bath and body products that are both healthy and pure. Gabrielle has been working with herbs for about fifteen years.

She and her husband own a small herb nursery called Gabrielle Acres Farm in New Iberia. About seven years ago she began making soy candles, but longed to make soap. After a life changing accident at her local farmers' market five years ago, Gabrielle realized how important it is to try to accomplish and fulfill one's dreams.

Gabrielle loves soapmaking and the history of herbs. She finds it peaceful to spend time growing and collecting herbs to use them in her creations. For inspiration, she loves to read books and visit websites to learn more about her craft.

When asked if she has one favorite item that she makes, Gabrielle replied, "I love all of my soaps, but one favorite is my Organic Rose Garden Soap and a new one that I am really excited about is my Spiced Organic Apple Soap." Another new item is soap made with organically grown cucumbers and organic yogurt.

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With four children and eleven grandchildren, Gabrielle's home is very busy with family and friends. In addition to her bath and body business, she teaches piano privately in her home. She admits that one of her greatest challenges is trying to schedule quiet time to allow the creative juices to flow.

One skill Gabrielle would like to learn is is how to better photograph her creations. When asked to provide one piece of advice for other sellers, Gabrielle offers this: "Enjoy what you do, spend time in study and research, and give it time.

Gabrielle's connections to Louisiana run deep. She explains, "We [she and her husband] were both born in New Iberia, LA. During our early marriage, we lived in California and Illinois while my husband was in the Air Force. At these times, I realized what a wonderful state we have. We lived in the Mojave Desert in California and I missed the rain so much!!"

In addition to growing herbs, during the summer, Gabrielle grows tomatoes, which her husband brings them to the local farmers' market in New Iberia. Gabrielle and her husband have a pecan orchard and love the fall months when the family, incuding two daughters, goes out to pick pecans. They crack and sell pecan halves during the fall and early winter months. There are also bees on the pecan property and Gabrielle's husband brings native honey to the market.

Gabrielle sells her high quality bath and body items both online and off. She usually has a booth at Earth Day in Baton Rouge and at the Sunset Herb Festival in early May. She also sells from her home, where she has a room with her items displayed.

Here's how you can learn more about Gabrielle and her fabulous creations:

Her website: http://http://www.gabrielleacres.com/

Her Etsy Shop: http://www.herbfriend.etsy.com/

Her Artfire Shop: http://www.gabriellenatural.artfire.com/

On Twitter: herbfriend

Her Blog: http://www.gabriellesgarden.blogspot.com/

Twitter Anyone?

Many of our members have Twitter and/or Plurk accounts. It is a wonderful way to get to know the person behind the items you love. It is also a great way to find out about wonderful new creations or sales. Check out these members by following them on Plurk or Twitter.

Mama's Little Monkeys/Fleur de Ink/Amos Amelia Soaps/Destash City- http://www.plurk.com/mamaslittlemonkeys
Mama's Little Monkeys/Fleur de Ink/Amos Amelia Soaps- http://www.twitter.com/fleurdeink
Debi Deaux Designs- http://www.twitter.com/debideaux
Gabrielle Acres- http://twitter.com/Herbfriend
Miss Malaprop- http://twitter.com/MissMalaprop
Embellished Bayou- http://www.twitter.com/embellishbayou
Andrea Evans Designs- http://www.twitter.com/aevansdesign
Lynne Anne's- http://www.twitter.com/lynneannes
Design Studio 504/Supply Studio 504- http://www.twitter.com/designstudio504
Andrea Evans Design- http://www.twitter.com/aevansdesign
Lemon Jitters- http://www.twitter.com/lemonjitters
Art by Mags!- http://www.twitter.com/artbymags
5 O'Clock Crows- http://www.twitter.com/5oclockcrows
Nomolos Designs- http://www.twitter.com/nomolosdesigns
Miss Malaprop- http://www.twitter.com/missmalaprop
Koala Bear Creations- http://www.twitter.com/koalacreations
Amazing Art Photos- http://www.twitter.com/amazingartphoto
JMS- Magazine Street Designs- http://www.twitter.com/magazinejms
Chloe Boutique- http://www.twitter.com/chloeboutique
Charmaine's Boutique- http://www.twitter.com/charmainesbutiq
New Orleans Umbrella Company- http://www.twitter.com/lizmpetro
Stitches in Cotton- http://www.twitter.com/stitchesincotton

Want to be Featured on This Blog?

Then leave a comment on this thread with the shop I can contact you at, or if you do not sell online, an email I can reach you at! We will randomly pick artisans from Louisiana and surrounding areas to feature!! So get involved, drop us a comment and let us know! You can pretty soon be feature!

Remember, I promote ALL my blogs, including this one, on my Plurk, TWitter, Facebook and Blockhead Radio! Big exposure!

Let us promote you!!

~~Amy