Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Meet the Artist: Faerie Moon Creations

It's time for this month's Meet the Artist feature, and it also includes a giveaway!   Introducing Theresa of Faerie Moon Creations:


 
Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Central Connecticut with my husband (who actually is a co-creator for Faerie Moon Creations) and our two Keeshonds, Willow and Neo.  My passions are music, art, film, theater, literature, creating jewelry, photography, reading, nature walks, animals and wildlife, museums, cooking & baking, knitting, painting, drawing and writing.  My creations are inspired by a great love of faerie tales, folklore and fantasy.  We strive to make items that are whimsical, fun, romantic, original, and also affordable.  I try to design jewelry and knit items that I would personally like to wear.  It truly makes my day when someone writes to say that she loves what we created.  Each sale is like the first one for me - I am overwhelmed with joy that people connect and really want to wear our creations!

What is the first craft that you remember doing?
Wow - that's a tough question to answer.  When I was little, I got my hands into everything!  I was always drawing and painting.  I would spend hours sitting alone creating my own "comic books."  In middle school I created the coolest Archie Comics bulletin boards for the changing seasons.  I'd draw them out, color them in, and cut them.  Wish I had photos of those bulletin boards.   I also remember drawing a picture of a horse in third grade, which I remember actually came out well.  I ended up giving it to my teacher.  I basically tried anything and everything - from cross stitch to sculpting to latch hook.  In high school and beyond, my focus was drawing.


How long have you been making jewelry?  How did you learn?
I've only been creating jewelry since last August!  At first, I only created small 1" glass pendants with digital images.  But I wanted to do much more than that!  So, my husband and I picked up a few books and just went for it!  He primarily focuses on the metal and wire work.  I layout most of the conceptual designs and create the domino and glass tile pendants with digital images and lace.  We love working together as a team.   We didn't take any classes - we just sort of played it by ear.  Our designs have come along way in just a few short months!

What other crafts do you enjoy?
I've actually been spreading my wings lately and signed up to take a series of classes through http://artistclass.typepad.com/artist-class/.  A lot of it involves papercraft, which I haven't too much experience in.  I'm enjoying it SO much!  I am almost done with this vintage style paper and fabric flower garland.  And I'll be making some Tussie Mussies - which I am THRILLED about!  I love them so much, and now I get to learn how to make them for myself!  I also hope to be taking some painting classes with Suzi Blu.  I have become obsessed with mixed-media painting, and I want to learn how to do it myself.  I have the base created for one painting, but I'm not quite sure that I've laid it out correctly!  Painting and drawing were my first loves, so I will be overjoyed to get back into that.  Several years ago I also took decorative painting classes, which I very much enjoyed.  I liked that all the pieces were functional art, and I still have quite a few pieces that I didn't give away as gifts in my home.  I also knit for pleasure.  My favorite thing to knit are socks...everyone needs them!  They look terrifying to make; but once you get the hang of it, it's really a lot of fun.  I am so fascinated with garment construction.


How long has Faerie Moon Creations been open?  What made you decide to open an Etsy shop?
Faerie Moon Creations opened in August 2009.  I have long been a fan of Etsy and shop there often.   Deep down in my heart, I wanted to create so badly.  I had begun to grow tired of working in "corporate" business and wanted to live the creative life that I had somehow veered away from.  I was afraid at first because I thought no one would be interested in my work.  I've had friends and family urging me for years to sell my creations, but I never did.  I think primarily for fear of failure.  I sat down, created a "business plan" of sorts, thought long and hard about what I wanted to offer and then set about creating my initial products before opening shop.  I named my shop Faerie Moon because of my great love of faeries.  My husband designs all my graphics for me.   When I had my first sale, I was amazed.  And when I received glowing feedback for the item, I was so grateful.  It's my goal to make everyone happy with the items they purchase from Faerie Moon.  Sometimes, I even toss in free gifts with items.  If I can make just one person smile, then I am satisfied.

Any plans to quit your day job soon?
Well, I am actually only working two days a week now at my "day job."  I would love to dedicate myself full time to Faerie Moon.  As it is, most of my time is comprised of dreaming up new designs, creating new  product, photographing the new items, promoting the new items in whatever way I can to help get the word out.  I probably put in 60 hours a week or more, in addition to working about 15 hours a week at my other place of employment.  I am pouring my heart and soul into Faerie Moon.  To be honest, I love being at home.  I have my two pups laying next to me as I work, and then I get to cook dinner for my husband and relax with him during the evenings.  It's quite nice.


Where else can we find you online?
In addition to my Etsy shop I write a blog at http://www.faeriemooncreations.blogspot.com where I chat about Faerie Moon, my life, and my personal passions.  I also maintain a Facebook Fan page:  http://www.facebook.com/faeriemooncreations.  I'm also frequently on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/faerymoongodess.  And I am a proud member of The Crafters' Crew on My Craft Corner at http://www.mycraftcorner.com/profile/faeriemooncreations.  Faerie Moon Creations also has a newsletter which gives subscribers special coupons and advance news of sales.  You can sign up for the newsletter on my blog!

Theresa is offering a lovely necklace that features gold wire spiral detailing, gold spacer beads, pink glass crackle beads, white glass pearl beads, and other glass beads affixed to a vintage domino tile with an image of Marie Antoinette to one lucky Serendipity Handmade reader:


To enter, simply visit her Etsy shop and leave a comment here about your favorite item. This giveaway is open worldwide; one comment per person, please. This giveaway ends on May 31st at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. The winner will be drawn by random number at Random.org and the winner will be announced on June 1st!  Be sure to leave your email address, website link, or profile link as part of your comment so I can easily contact you.  Best of luck everyone!

40 comments:

  1. Woo hoo Theresa! Love this interview (I was obsessed with Archie comics when I was young! lol) So nice to read more about you!

    I love everything in her shop but one of my current faves is the "In the Parlour" cameo necklace! *love*

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  2. I just adore Theresa! Her shop is just awesome! Thank you for sharing her awesome talents on your lovely blog! One of my favorites items in her shop are her Flowers for Emily earrings!

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  3. Wow, it's really difficult to choose just one item, but if I had to I'd go with this amazing pendant: http://www.etsy.com/listing/43960538/in-the-parlour-ooak-beaded-cameo-pendant

    Charlotte (Miss Cristal)

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  4. I love so many items from Theresa's shop that it is sooo hard to choose just one! She is amazing and it shows in her work! But if I have to pick one, it would be the twisted heart hammered copper necklace! http://www.etsy.com/listing/39484209/my-twisted-heart-ooak-hammered-copper

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  5. I LOVE faerie moon creations!! I own several of her earrings, and they are even more beautiful in person! It is so hard to pick a favorite item, but if I must, I choose the Gypsy spirit earrings!
    Lori Clark
    wadesmom42409@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great interview! Theresa is an amazing artist! I enjoyed learning more about her talented journey. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful feature! I love all of her creations. Her Alice in Wonderland pieces are my favorite! :)

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  7. I've really enjoyed learning more about my friend and she knows how much I LOVE her jewelry! I have fallen in love with her line of Alice and Wonderland jewelry but just now when I went to the shop...I spotted the Gypsy Spirit earrings and they are my new favorite! Thanks for a chance to win a beautiful necklace! ♥

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  8. Theresa makes gorgeous jewelry, it's hard to decide what my favorite is. I love the "Do You Believe in Faeries" pendant necklace series (especially the blue one) as well as the Sweet Little Flower Faerie earrings, pictured above. Lovely work!

    ReplyDelete
  9. ms(dot)verymarried(at)gmail(d0t)com

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/46577983/angel-mine-ooak-gold-beaded-angel-wing

    I love these wings!

    ReplyDelete
  10. My favorite is the Queen's Court Dangle Earings.

    hrfarley at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like the hidden garden charm bracelet .
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/40025883/hidden-garden-ooak-beaded-charm-bracelet

    tumblemumbo at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the goddess Athena earrings. So pretty!

    Thanks for entering me!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely shop! The Sparrow Song necklace is gorgeous, but the Just Nuts About You - OOAK Beaded Squirrel Love Earrings have won my heart.

    heidig@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the Just Nuts About You - OOAK Beaded Squirrel Love Earrings!

    samyrocks92 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. My favorite item is the Timeless Beauty - OOAK Calla Lily Beaded Choker-Style Necklace and Earring Set
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. All of the jewelry is lovely but I adore the just nuts about you squirrel earrings. Thanks fingers crossed.Marian

    mtzeenla@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. ooo, so many goodies to choose from. at the moment i'm taken with the unicorn earrings.
    vvb32 at yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Enter me please! My favorite item is: Marie Antoinette - OOAK Beaded Glass Pendant Necklace


    Ana Belén R.M
    fisiwoman(at)hotmail.com
    Spain

    ReplyDelete
  19. I think my daughter would like the Queen's Court dangle earrings...a bold metal with beads for color. It would suit her I think.
    freeindeed at myfairpoint dot net

    ReplyDelete
  20. I like the leaves of grass beaded bracelet

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. For me, I adore her White Rabbit beaded Alice in Wonderland Earrings. Of the ones offered my favorite are these:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/40590390/white-rabbit-ooak-beaded-alice-in
    But the decision was difficult as her work is beautiful!!!

    briarrosefarm(at)hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the Forest Sprite bracelet. Fairies are one of my favourite things so I like all her work. But also I write about 18th/19th century so the Marie Antoinette necklace would be a wonderful thing to win! Thanks for the contest!

    ReplyDelete
  23. So many lovely items! ^^ I had to look through the pages several times because I was having a hard time choosing. I really do love them all, but since my favorite accessories are earrings, two of the ones that caught my eye are the Midnight Moon Owl Beaded Silver Owl Earrings and the Queen's Court Beaded Dangle Earrings Marie Antoinette. c:

    Thanks so much for this giveaway!

    vesipisaroita [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  24. the spring time bunnies earings are so adorable!

    kshuttle@uoguelph.ca

    ReplyDelete
  25. Such cute items in the shop! I love the Just Nuts About You Beaded Squirrel Love Earrings, nutty and fun! Thanks for the giveaway.

    yumihamano@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I like the
    Earths Renewal - OOAK Gold Beaded Spiral Bracelet.
    jswandrn at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi. = )
    Count me in please.
    What a difficult task, but I like the
    In the Parlour - OOAK Beaded Cameo Pendant Necklace. = )

    onossobazaar@gmail.com

    Andreia. xoxo

    ty

    ReplyDelete
  28. My favourite is Alice in Wonderland - OOAK Beaded Pendant Necklace.

    tupzunaator(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi!
    I-d like to participate, too! I really love this one
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/40599269/alice-in-wonderland-ooak-beaded-pendant
    mail> cailinn at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Participating, too! count me in, please..

    My favourite item is the Hidden Garden - OOAK Beaded Charm Bracelet

    Here is my mail

    nilaahn@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. My favourite items are those of her wonderland art, togheter wih the fairytale one..
    A lot of people are re discovering alice so this might be great for her..
    Count me in too for this beautiful giveaway please!

    ReplyDelete
  32. hi, i am in lovey with Springtime Faeries - OOAK Beaded Charm Earrings
    i cant afford fairies :) :)

    email me :)
    liz_crowny@yahoo.com
    pintaliztiirene.blogspot.com

    thankies for helding this giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  33. nah ! i love her shop ! she is creative :)
    i love the Who Gives a Hoot - OOAK Beaded Owl Pendant Necklace.
    kinda cute ♥

    puding_coklat@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I like the Queen Guinevere - Romantic OOAK Beaded Flower Bracelet
    lusizova (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I like the Live for Loving You Necklace the most.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi there!!

    i love the In The Parlour Ooak Beaded Cameo Pendant...it is so so elegant!: http://www.etsy.com/listing/43960538/in-the-parlour-ooak-beaded-cameo-pendant

    all of her jewellery is just beautiful.. :)

    email: sk8ergurl(dot)s92(@)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love the Harlequin - OOAK Beaded Faerie Land Bracelet and Earring Set

    queen-of-pain(AT)yandex(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Its so hard to choose - everything is gorgeous. I especially like the Alice in Wonderland earrings - http://www.etsy.com/listing/41238012/white-rabbit-ooak-alice-in-wonderland.

    dhesh at webmail dot co dot za

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow! this piece caught my heart

    In the Parlour - OOAK Beaded Cameo Pendant Necklace

    sh.11175@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. My favorite item is this one:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/38985732/put-a-little-love-in-your-heart-ooak

    Thanks a lot! :)
    bugs(dot)bittle23{AT}gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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