Sell on Etsy featured seller: West of the Moon studio
Posted by Derrick | Posted in Featured Etsy Seller | Posted on 06-08-2009
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I’m very proud to introduce the first Featured Seller on Sell On Etsy- Zinaïda from West of the Moon studio! I was introduced to West of the Moon studio by way of Crafting Successs and I loved Zinaïda’s unique artwork and the stories behind her designs!
Tell us about West of the Moon studio…
The images I create for this collection of cute women’s shirts are often rooted in mythology and symbolism from another time and place.
Each piece tells a story. Current events, the simple magic and absurdity of living a Life, reverence for the mysteries and beauty of nature.
All inspire and merge! So look around, find something u like and make it your own. The images and stories are yours to play with!
The business of art and design, apparel and fashion, is new territory for me.
But so exciting! I’m thrilled to be drawing, painting, always learning… And sharing it all with you!
Six Quick Questions!
How long have you sold on Etsy?
I listed my first item last month even though I signed up for the shop a year ago. (I know, I’m a little slow!)
What does selling on Etsy mean for you?
Right now, it’s about exploring another venue and learning how it all works.
I enjoy having a direct connection to the retail customer, so I’d be thrilled if my Etsy shop sales became more than a side project.
Tell us all about your Crafts & how you came to make them!
It was all about getting myself out of the closet so to speak! I’ve always been creative but really, aside from a doodle or two, I had not done any substantial painting or drawing in at least 10 years.
Finally, missing the exploration of my creativity became stronger than being too busy to make time for it.
But to make a long story short, it was a mild obsession with the Hello Kitty character that led me to doing art on t-shirts. Two years ago, I did an iron-on tee of Hello Kitty for myself and loved that in just a few moments I had a finished product!
I liked having a functional goal. The goal of having a pretty shirt to wear at the end. As opposed to yet another painting or drawing accumulating dust in the back of the closet!
What is it about your Craft that you’re most passionate about?
I love coming up with the stories. It can be simple, like painting a butterfly and its association with transformation. Or more elaborate and a bit like developing a comic book character, which is often what happens with the women I draw. I’m interested in the symbolic message of the visual. Whether based in known mythology or completely made up, what makes the process of doing art fun is seeing where the story takes me. When I’m done, I give u the visual and the basic narrative, and if you connect to it, the story becomes yours. It’s now about your personal interpretation of it. And that’s part of the wonderful circle of making and sharing art.
Where in the world do you call home?
My world is called Mill Valley. It’s a pretty little town about 10-15mns north of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
I’ve called it home for the last 12 years.
Do you have any tips for Crafters who sell on Etsy?
Hmm, at this point I’m looking for tips rather than dispensing them! It’s all new to me but very fun. And I really enjoy seeing other people’s work too.
Okay, I’d say one thing: don’t be as slow as I was to get started. Just go for it.
List your first item and figure it out from there!
To see more amazing designs from West of the Moon studio, please click below:
