I usually put up photos of the artisan's work but for whatever reason artfire isn't letting me look at individual artisan items. I will try again later.
- What’s your name and where are you from?
My name is Elizabeth and I currently reside in Ohio.
-What is your shop name and what does it mean to you?
My shop name is Bunga Brand. It has a special meaning to me as my youngest son, Micah, inspired it. As a baby he would say "Bunga Bunga" all the time and it always brought a smile to my face. I wanted a shop name that would reflect who I am as well as be memorable to others.
- What websites do you sell on how did you decide on which ones?
Currently I sell the majority of my items on Artfire. I have a smaller shop on Etsy.
- How long have you been crafting?
I have been crafting for as long as I can remember, my mother was a talented woman who I grew up watching and emulating.
-Tell me any interesting things about you that you would like to share.
My Christianity and family are the most important thing to me. I get all my strength and encouragement from them. My sons love to ask me what I am making and even help me on some items. We are a close knit family and always lean on each other. We have 2 German Shepherds that we adore and that are part of our family. I love to garden as well and always try to reflect who I am in pieces.
-What do you sell in your shop?
A variety of things, all mostly hand made by me. I sell Reversible Purses that come in some fun and unique prints, Regular and Eco Friendly Laundry Products, of which the ECO side I am using my own recipe that has been tweaked and tested for years and is more then proven in it's track record. I will not use a recipe I have not myself made and I work until the best possible outcome is achieved for all my laundry products. and I think that is what sets me apart from others. I also make unique and fun Pin Cushions that range from Micro to Decorative. I also sell some supplies like envelopes of all sizes and business card sheet paper and other paper products in that general area. You can also find, at times, some heirloom seeds as well as seeds from my very own rare and unique plants.
- Tell us about your crafting space.
My crafting space is a small room with a few tables set up and a work desk. I have my sewing machine section, laundry products section and a misc section and general work space.
-Do you belong to any guilds, teams or other indie craft organizations?
Not as of yet, but I am hoping to become verified on Artfire soon and will be joining many guilds. (Author note: Elizabeth is now a verified/pro artisan on Artfire)
-Where do you find inspiration?
From a little bit of everything. My children have inspired several of my items and the prints I use (Rice bags and Laundry Products). I want to give them the best. My husband inspires me because he is 100% supportive in all of my ventures and will do everything and anything to make sure I have the supplies and means to see my ideas come to life. I also get inspiration from nature and try to have many floral patterns as I think it makes the soul feel good.
-Tell me a bit about your creative process.
Sometimes it just comes to me. I see something and BOOM I know what I need to do to make something work or start a new project (Like my Glass Based Pin Cushions) When I try to force creativity, I fail, so I work in sprints and when I can perform at my best, to ensure everything I do is of high quality.
- Where have you learned to do what you do?
I am mostly self taught, but do remember a few things from my Mom and my childhood. Everything I make is something I have taught myself to do or have been doing for quite some time now.
-What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
I love the Glass Based Pin Cushions, as they are just the right weight to not move when I am placing or removing pins....and right up there are my dryer sheets which I have been making for years and have developed my own unique and proven recipe for. I am not the type to see a recipe on the Internet or hear about something and try it and sell it right away. I want to make sure anything and everything I sell is at it's best and always make sure I try everything out many times before I list it.
-Why is it your favorite?
Pin Cushion http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=643444
Dryer Sheet http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=629014
- What is your favorite part of your craft?
When the final product is ready to be photographed. I love when I have accomplished what it is I set out to do.
- What is your least favorite part?
Some parts of what I do are very time consuming..which sometimes bugs me, but in the long run worth it.
-How did you get started with your craft?
Dove right into it one day. I watched my Mom as a child and when I became of the age to begin learning, I did :)
-If you sell on more than one site which is your favorite and why?
I sell on Artfire and Etsy. Artfire is by FAR my favorite because of the difference in sales, the wonderful staff here and the close knit friends I have made.
-What makes your shop unique?
My creativity and low prices. I think my shop is unique and is something most people will like. It is a fun and happy shop that welcomes everyone. I also love to trade for items I am wanting or need.
-What advice do you have for other independent crafters just starting out?
Do what you know. Practice and keep your eyes ahead and always believe in yourself.
-Where else can we find you on the web?
http://bungabrand.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
New Artist Association
So, last night I went to a meeting for a new artist association, the North Gwinnett Arts Association. They happened to find me on Twitter and I figured that I'd check them out and see what was up. I did what any sane person would do and google them, not much came up. I did find them on Facebook and became a fan.
Long story short, they are a brand spanking new artist guild/forum/group whatever. The meeting last night seemed really cool. They want to do lots of really cool stuff. I'm about 95% positive that I want to be a member (actually who am I kidding I WANT to be a member). Ponying up $40 annually isn't such a big deal. Especially if I can participate in craft fairs/show for free (included in the membership fee). They just have to get the web payments up and running (Naomi, if you are reading this the website is starting to look good!)
I met some cool people last night and handed out a few business cards (actually remembered them, rather proud of myself). One girl (can't remember your name, it's early we talked about the 5:30am thing, but I remember that you WERE the loudest in the room) was very interested in the fact that I make jewelry. She loves art but can't do it. I was wearing my snowflake obsidian necklace that I made. One of my favorites and I did find the beads locally. That bead shop is now closed but they do still have a website and sell out of the home. (http://www.imperialgemonline.com if you are interested)
If you are a artist (any medium) and live in the North Gwinnett/metro Atlanta area we'd love to have you. Just contact me for more info or you can click on the post title and it will bring you to the website and you can sign up for more info yourself.
Very exciting that I'll have a way to be promoted locally with little to no effort on my part.
Come back tomorrow for another featured artisan interview!
Long story short, they are a brand spanking new artist guild/forum/group whatever. The meeting last night seemed really cool. They want to do lots of really cool stuff. I'm about 95% positive that I want to be a member (actually who am I kidding I WANT to be a member). Ponying up $40 annually isn't such a big deal. Especially if I can participate in craft fairs/show for free (included in the membership fee). They just have to get the web payments up and running (Naomi, if you are reading this the website is starting to look good!)
I met some cool people last night and handed out a few business cards (actually remembered them, rather proud of myself). One girl (can't remember your name, it's early we talked about the 5:30am thing, but I remember that you WERE the loudest in the room) was very interested in the fact that I make jewelry. She loves art but can't do it. I was wearing my snowflake obsidian necklace that I made. One of my favorites and I did find the beads locally. That bead shop is now closed but they do still have a website and sell out of the home. (http://www.imperialgemonline.com if you are interested)
If you are a artist (any medium) and live in the North Gwinnett/metro Atlanta area we'd love to have you. Just contact me for more info or you can click on the post title and it will bring you to the website and you can sign up for more info yourself.
Very exciting that I'll have a way to be promoted locally with little to no effort on my part.
Come back tomorrow for another featured artisan interview!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Teaching myself something new....
Let me first apologize to all my readers. It's literally been forever and a day since I've posted but I've been so damn busy with life and my full time job lately.
Shortly after my last post, October 28th I found out that I passed my last architecture licensing exam which means that I am now a registered architect and can put R.A. after my name. Pretty cool when all is said and done. As for my full time job it doesn't really mean all that big of a change for the time being. But in the end, it's nice to be done with all that.
I also have some artisan interviews that I need to get to posting and I promise that I will get back on that soon.
For whatever reason I've wanted to teach myself how to knit for the longest time. Well, one day going through the craft section at Walmart I happened to see a teach yourself how to knit book. It was cheap (something in the $4 range) and came with a pair of knitting needles so I figured why not. I grabbed the book and a thing of yarn and made my way to the checkout line.
Back at home looking through the book I noticed that it has a section for those of us who are left-handed. Being left-handed I really appreciate this. I started trying to cast on with one needle. That's something that still eludes me for whatever reason, I just can't get the hang of it. When I tried the 2 needle method this went much smoother. I only know how to knit so far. I haven't tried my hand at purling yet but we'll see how that goes.
Long story short I'm now the owner of 2 sets of knitting needles and 2 partially finished scarves. I will take a picture of the scarf that I've decided to finish first and post it here this weekend.
I'm seeing a lot of scarf presents being given out by me in the future. I just got to work on making sure everything is even!
Shortly after my last post, October 28th I found out that I passed my last architecture licensing exam which means that I am now a registered architect and can put R.A. after my name. Pretty cool when all is said and done. As for my full time job it doesn't really mean all that big of a change for the time being. But in the end, it's nice to be done with all that.
I also have some artisan interviews that I need to get to posting and I promise that I will get back on that soon.
For whatever reason I've wanted to teach myself how to knit for the longest time. Well, one day going through the craft section at Walmart I happened to see a teach yourself how to knit book. It was cheap (something in the $4 range) and came with a pair of knitting needles so I figured why not. I grabbed the book and a thing of yarn and made my way to the checkout line.
Back at home looking through the book I noticed that it has a section for those of us who are left-handed. Being left-handed I really appreciate this. I started trying to cast on with one needle. That's something that still eludes me for whatever reason, I just can't get the hang of it. When I tried the 2 needle method this went much smoother. I only know how to knit so far. I haven't tried my hand at purling yet but we'll see how that goes.
Long story short I'm now the owner of 2 sets of knitting needles and 2 partially finished scarves. I will take a picture of the scarf that I've decided to finish first and post it here this weekend.
I'm seeing a lot of scarf presents being given out by me in the future. I just got to work on making sure everything is even!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Really cool shirt/dress tutorial I saw today
I subscribe to a lot of different blogs. One of them Totally Tutorials always has multiple postings a day. These range from face painting to jewelry to sewing, knitting and a whole lot more.
Today one of the tutorials was How to Make a Drawstring Halter Top/Dress
Now, I do sew enough to hem a pair of pants, fix a hole in a shirt, re-attach a button but that's about it. I'd like to get to the point where I can make my own pouches for my jewelry packaging. I know what to do/how to do it, even have the fabric, thread and ribbon for them. I just need a sewing machine. Technically I have one, it's one of those hand held deals that I think would work. I just need to find the time to try it out
This tutorial I could do with my hand-held thing or I could hand sew the 2 seams. I really want to try it out as soon as I can. I just need to either A. find a suitable shirt that I could use at home that I don't mind not being a t-shirt anymore or b. head out to target or walmart and buy one.
I think I'll maybe try this one out early next week.
Today one of the tutorials was How to Make a Drawstring Halter Top/Dress
Now, I do sew enough to hem a pair of pants, fix a hole in a shirt, re-attach a button but that's about it. I'd like to get to the point where I can make my own pouches for my jewelry packaging. I know what to do/how to do it, even have the fabric, thread and ribbon for them. I just need a sewing machine. Technically I have one, it's one of those hand held deals that I think would work. I just need to find the time to try it out
This tutorial I could do with my hand-held thing or I could hand sew the 2 seams. I really want to try it out as soon as I can. I just need to either A. find a suitable shirt that I could use at home that I don't mind not being a t-shirt anymore or b. head out to target or walmart and buy one.
I think I'll maybe try this one out early next week.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
How is it that this month is already half over?
When I looked at my watch this morning (it has the day on it) and saw that it was already October 15th I couldn't believe it.
I've got so much to do before November hits I can't believe it!
I've got jewelry to make up for my sorority's Founder's Day Chinese Auction. I've got 60 samples to make up for the November Spotted Box. I've got things that I've made that need to be photographed and listed.
Not to mention everything that I have to do for my HOA (I'm on the board and also on the Architectural Control Committee), my day job and my home life.
Where has this month been going?
I've got so much to do before November hits I can't believe it!
I've got jewelry to make up for my sorority's Founder's Day Chinese Auction. I've got 60 samples to make up for the November Spotted Box. I've got things that I've made that need to be photographed and listed.
Not to mention everything that I have to do for my HOA (I'm on the board and also on the Architectural Control Committee), my day job and my home life.
Where has this month been going?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Had a really productive evening last night
As the title of the blog post states I did in fact have a truly productive evening last night. I was able to finish a few projects that have been around for longer than I care to remember.
My first project was to paint the plastic ceiling medallion for our dining room so it actually looks like a piece of wood and not the cheap piece of plastic it really was. Not so hard but glad that I got it done anyway.
We've bought a new chandelier for the dining room. My husband took the old POS builder grade one down like a month ago and was gonna hang the new one but decided that he'd rather not mess with it and call an electrician to put a new mounting box up there (the plastic one bothers him) and hang the thing because he doesn't want it to come crashing down on the brand new Stickley dining table that we've ordered. The table is rather expensive so I can't say that I blame him.
Personally I'd like the whole thing done because we're currently without lights in the dining room because the only light source there is from afore mentioned chandelier that's been taken down so there's just a hole in the ceiling with a few taped wires hanging out. At least he remembered to call the electrician this week.
I'm getting really sick of having to figure out what bottle of wine I want to drink with a flashlight after the sun has gone down. Of course the wine rack is in the DARKEST corner of the room....
Anyway, the next thing that I got done. I FINALLY finished the cork board that I've been working on for much much longer than I care to think about. When I first bought the board from Wine Enthusiast I started filling it up with all the corks that I've collected over the past 3-4 years. I started collecting them when we were still living in New Jersey and I bought the board about 8 months ago (told you it's been around for longer than I care to remember). So that's what? About 4 years worth of corks. Yea, I still didn't have enough, I was about 3-4 rows short. So as we drank bottles at home, at friends house's, out I'd collect the corks.
Now for the past 4-5 months the board has been mostly finished. I just needed to cut the corks for the spaces that couldn't fit a whole one. I FINALLY for around to that last night.
I wound up using a craft saw that I've had since I've been in college that I used to use for cutting bass wood for models in architecture school. It worked better than I imagine an x-acto knife would have for any other cutting implement would have. The only downside, cork dust. That's now done and I have to figure out where to hang the damn thing. I've got some ideas that I just need to convince the husband to go along with.
My last project of the evening was making myself a beading loom. It was a fairly simple process that I was able to do with an old cardboard box, duct tape (what can't you use it for?), some glue and toothpicks. Here's a few links where I got the info on how to do it.
http://hubpages.com/hub/How_To_Build_Your_Own_Bead_Loom - I took the duct tape and toothpick part of it from this one.
http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismdepts/anthro/beads/pdfs/Loombeadinglesson.pdf - I got the cardboard part from this one.
Instead of screws I used little eye loops for picture hanging. Works just as well IMO. I promise to take a picture and post it tonight or tomorrow.
I wanted a loom but the sizes that I saw in stores were too small (for bracelets only) or online were way too expensive. Total cost to me was almost nothing as the box was from something that was shipped to us and we'd recycle it anyway, duct tape that we've had around for a while and the toothpicks which were also bought a few years ago.
I started using it last night with the elastic thread that I found at Hobby Lobby on Monday night. Really super easy so far. Best part about the box is that I can keep my seed beads in it and if they fall out of the little baggie no big mess because they are contained in the box.
My first project was to paint the plastic ceiling medallion for our dining room so it actually looks like a piece of wood and not the cheap piece of plastic it really was. Not so hard but glad that I got it done anyway.
We've bought a new chandelier for the dining room. My husband took the old POS builder grade one down like a month ago and was gonna hang the new one but decided that he'd rather not mess with it and call an electrician to put a new mounting box up there (the plastic one bothers him) and hang the thing because he doesn't want it to come crashing down on the brand new Stickley dining table that we've ordered. The table is rather expensive so I can't say that I blame him.
Personally I'd like the whole thing done because we're currently without lights in the dining room because the only light source there is from afore mentioned chandelier that's been taken down so there's just a hole in the ceiling with a few taped wires hanging out. At least he remembered to call the electrician this week.
I'm getting really sick of having to figure out what bottle of wine I want to drink with a flashlight after the sun has gone down. Of course the wine rack is in the DARKEST corner of the room....
Anyway, the next thing that I got done. I FINALLY finished the cork board that I've been working on for much much longer than I care to think about. When I first bought the board from Wine Enthusiast I started filling it up with all the corks that I've collected over the past 3-4 years. I started collecting them when we were still living in New Jersey and I bought the board about 8 months ago (told you it's been around for longer than I care to remember). So that's what? About 4 years worth of corks. Yea, I still didn't have enough, I was about 3-4 rows short. So as we drank bottles at home, at friends house's, out I'd collect the corks.
Now for the past 4-5 months the board has been mostly finished. I just needed to cut the corks for the spaces that couldn't fit a whole one. I FINALLY for around to that last night.
I wound up using a craft saw that I've had since I've been in college that I used to use for cutting bass wood for models in architecture school. It worked better than I imagine an x-acto knife would have for any other cutting implement would have. The only downside, cork dust. That's now done and I have to figure out where to hang the damn thing. I've got some ideas that I just need to convince the husband to go along with.
My last project of the evening was making myself a beading loom. It was a fairly simple process that I was able to do with an old cardboard box, duct tape (what can't you use it for?), some glue and toothpicks. Here's a few links where I got the info on how to do it.
http://hubpages.com/hub/How_To_Build_Your_Own_Bead_Loom - I took the duct tape and toothpick part of it from this one.
http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismdepts/anthro/beads/pdfs/Loombeadinglesson.pdf - I got the cardboard part from this one.
Instead of screws I used little eye loops for picture hanging. Works just as well IMO. I promise to take a picture and post it tonight or tomorrow.
I wanted a loom but the sizes that I saw in stores were too small (for bracelets only) or online were way too expensive. Total cost to me was almost nothing as the box was from something that was shipped to us and we'd recycle it anyway, duct tape that we've had around for a while and the toothpicks which were also bought a few years ago.
I started using it last night with the elastic thread that I found at Hobby Lobby on Monday night. Really super easy so far. Best part about the box is that I can keep my seed beads in it and if they fall out of the little baggie no big mess because they are contained in the box.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Featured Artist - Charlene Anderson
This is the last of many interviews that I have left to post on my blog. I know that I've gotten some new followers in the past week so if any of you would like to be featured just contact me and I'll be happy to email you with the questions!Here's Charlene of Purveyor of All Things Creative, she's got a great mix of totes, jewelry supplies, beads, and fiber arts supplies.
- What’s your name and where are you from?
Charlene Anderson, born in Hollywood, CA, lived in Hawaii 20 plus years, now in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming
-What is your shop name and what does it mean to you?
Purveyor of All Things Creative. I chose it as I have several creative fields I word in and wanted a name that meant creativity to everyone.
- What websites do you sell on how did you decide on which ones?
eBay, Amazon and just starting on Etsy and a few smaller ones that are getting set up as I type
- How long have you been crafting?
As long as I can remember but seriously started at about age 15, which would be 36 years. Ugh. I'm 16 in my mind.
-Tell me any interesting things about you that you would like to share.
Charlene Anderson, born in Hollywood, CA, lived in Hawaii 20 plus years, now in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming
-What is your shop name and what does it mean to you?
Purveyor of All Things Creative. I chose it as I have several creative fields I word in and wanted a name that meant creativity to everyone.
- What websites do you sell on how did you decide on which ones?
eBay, Amazon and just starting on Etsy and a few smaller ones that are getting set up as I type
- How long have you been crafting?
As long as I can remember but seriously started at about age 15, which would be 36 years. Ugh. I'm 16 in my mind.
-Tell me any interesting things about you that you would like to share.
I have travelled to over 100 counties, am a tech geek, was a world class athlete in several sports and am married to a great English guy 17 years my junior who is an incredible photographer.
-What do you sell in your shop?
Art and craft tools, supplies, equipment, books, DVDs and more all related to arts and crafts. I also sell my own work.
- Tell us about your crafting space.
I have two rooms upstairs that are devoted to my business. One is the office and one the studio. But I am like Mark Twain and Vera Wang, however and like to work sitting on my lovely bed with my work around me and my Vizsla dog Arazi next to me.
-Do you belong to any guilds, teams or other indie craft organizations?
Handweavers Guild of America. I was their National President for several years in the 90's.
-Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere. Photos, travel (a big one) walks, brainstorming, talking with husband, in the shower, everywhere!
-Tell me a bit about your creative process
Usually I let an idea run around around in my mind for a bit before working on it. I'll take notes and talk it over with my husband, who can help work out kinks in my process.
- Where have you learned to do what you do?
Trial and error
-What is your favorite item in your shop right now?
The new Wubber Pliers.
-Why is it your favorite?
Easy on the hands, easy on the wire, easy to work with, very cool.
- What is your favorite part of your craft?
Thinking up new ideas
- What is your least favorite part?
Photographing finished work
-How did you get started with your craft?
One thing lead to another, and it seems I am interested in a lot of things!
-If you sell on more than one site which is your favorite and why?
eBay as I have been doing it for 9 years and know it well.
-What makes your shop unique?
I carry items that are hard to find, I have fabulous customer service, great prices and ship very quickly.
-What advice do you have for other independent crafters just starting out?
It's hard work and be prepared for it. I've been doing this since 1981 and it is still hard work.
-Where else can we find you on the web?
http://stores.ebay.com/Purveyor-of-All-Things-Creative?refid=store , http://charleneanderson.typepad.com/unravelings/ ,
http://www.andersonshea.com/ , http://www.charnews.com/ , http://www.purveyorofallthingscreative.com/
Thanks again for letting me interview you Charlene!
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