Featured Artist: Cutiepie Company

1. Tell me a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).

My name is Milly and I live in Manhattan with my sweet beagle, Hunter. My Etsy shop features screenprinted paper goods, and will soon also feature my photo prints and prints of my collages. I have been doing mixed media and photography for a long time, and am really excited to be able to offer it on Etsy in the near future! My boyfriend also has an Etsy shop, Corporan Glass.

2. What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

I'm not sure I can remember the first thing I made by hand, because I was probably too young to remember! I know that I have been drawing and painting and scribbling since I could hold a crayon. The first thing I remember making that I absolutely loved was in school. It was a construction paper collage of a bird and nest. I have a vague mental image of it that has always stayed with me for some reason. I simply adored it.

3. What is your favourite thing in your shop and why?

My favorite thing in my shop right now is the Walking the Dog gocco print. The drawing of the little girl is based on myself as a young girl. And the beagle pictured is based on my beloved beagle. Call me nostalgic...

4. Who is your dream buyer? Brad Pitt, Queen Elizabeth.

That is an interesting question! I have been thinking about this one for a few days. I'm not sure, to be honest. Maybe Holly Becker of Decor8 blog? She's not really that famous, but I totally admire her and I love her blog!

5. What is the best homemade item you have ever bought?

I bought an awesome jellyfish screenprinted t-shirt in Brooklyn recently (at Artists and Fleas) from a sweet and very talented woman, whose website is Heartisans.com.

Etsy Shop: http://www.cutiepiecompany.etsy.com
Etsy Teams: Etsy Beagles, Loco for Gocco

Featured Artist: Darjeeling Paper

My name is Michael Gresh, and I am a man of many trades. Designer of hotels by day, craft inventor and schemer by night. I am a self-proclaimed "paper nut", and my work hopefully shows just that.

I am co-owner of DemiGod Studio, an eclectic duo of craft & art show afficionados. When I'm not working on plans to open our very own shop, I bide my time coming up with new and inventive ways to use up the stockpile of paper I've accumulated over the years.

I started Darjeeling Paper, Ltd. as a way to showcase my paper goods, and to distinguish my works as a new product division of DemiGod.

Viva La Independante!

Etsy Shop: http://darjeelingpaper.etsy.com
Etsy Shop: http://demigodstudio.etsy.com
Blog: http://www.darjeelingpaper.com/blog
Website: http://www.darjeelingpaper.com

Featured Artist: Kala

1. Tell me a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).

My name is Karen, I'm mum to two beautiful children and a professional artist and illustrator from the UK. I love to create and have trouble deciding what to do so I usually end up trying to a bit of everything from painting to jewellery making and crochet, which is why I opened an esty shop.

Here you will find my artwork, prints and cards,
my crafts and jewellery can be found in my new shop opening soon http://upwiththelark.etsy.com/

My main website is www.chalkhillstudio.co.uk which is where I sell my stationery and gifts for those special moments in our lives! To see what goes on in my life visit my blog http://karenjinks.blogspot.com/

2. What is your favourite thing in your shop and why?

My favourite item is usually the last thing I've made. I have a lot of interests and skills so find it difficult to keep making the same thing over again, so one day I will be making books or cards, the next I will be painting, the next making jewellery or lightcatchers. In fact my favourite thing is the actual process of making, there is nothing more satisfying.

3. What is the best thing about your products?

I suppose it's the fact that a lot of my items can be personalised, and I offer a full bespoke design service so customers can get something they wouldn't be able to get anywhere else.

4. Who is your dream buyer? Brad Pitt, Queen Elizabeth.

Believe it or not that has already happened and no, I'm not telling!

5. What is the best homemade item you have ever bought?

Gosh that's a tricky one, there are so many talented artists out there but my latest purchase that I am completely besotted with is a handmade top made from vintage scarves from the wonderful Kate Fletcher at greygoat.etsy.com. Simply stunning!

Etsy Shop: http://kala.etsy.com
Blog: http://chalkhillstudio.blogspot.com/