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!