An Interview with Grace Atieno on Etsy, Handmade Clothing and Photography

Welcome to today's shop feature! I am featuring a very talented etsian that specializes in making batik and upcycled clothing, bags, and totes! Her shop also offers greeting cards and photography! The shop is Grace Atieno and the owner of this awesome shop is Judith...

Tell us about yourself, your shop, and what you make.
Hi, I'm Judith! I'm a sophomore music/linguistics double major at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. I opened my shop in January and have spent the summer building up as much stock as I could before the crazy semester started. My shop is full of handmade/batik/upcycled clothing and handbags, film photography, and greeting cards. Now that the weather is cooling off, I'm hoping to branch out into some crocheted items as well!

How did you get started?
I've been doing arts and crafts for all of my life. I can remember hand stitching little toys for my little nieces and nephews when I was younger. Since then I've kept sewing and have made many clothes for myself, formal dresses for my friends, and now I work in the costume shop in my college's theatre department. I got into photography junior year of high school when I took a photography class and I have loved it ever since. I have even been blessed with recognition from the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for my photography.

Tell about your favorite piece.
It's hard for me to choose a favorite, but I'm really pleased with the way this one turned out:

It's made out of the 2nd and 3rd batiks I did this summer. I love the bright colors and how they combine together. I also love the fun, almost vintage, feel it has!

What inspires you?
Nature, music, God, good people

Now I have some other wonderful handmade items to show you from Grace Atieno.

Judith is offering a discount to my blog readers on top of her already excellent prices! Be sure to check out Grace Atieno today!

Here is a sneak peek into her shop..

Here is a special coupon code for the blog readers: 10% discount with coupon code blogfeature

Visit Grace Atieno Now!

Etsy: etsy.com/shop/GraceAtieno 

Blog: judithjives.blogspot.com/

Tumblr: judithjives.tumblr.com/

Thank you so much Judith for sharing your awesome shop with us!!!

An Interview with Katrinshine, Hand-Crafted Jewelry, Accessories, & Bags

I am excited to feature a very talented Etsy shop owner today! Meet Ekaterina, the owner of Katrinshine on Etsy. Katrinshine specializes in handmade accessories, clothing, and much more. Here is her story about her shop and how she got started with her amazing journey in to the handmade world...

Tell us about yourself, your shop, and what you make. 

I have been an artist all my life and I love to create for me, my
family and my friends. From my childhood I liked very much all kinds of needle and craft work. For this I thank my mom and grandma. I sewed dresses for my dolls or made small projects for me and my family, and I always loved to draw.  Upon graduating from a classical Russian art school I worked as a graphic designer in a publishing house.
 
Now I make jewelry and accessories using leather, fabric and crochet, and include elements such as beads and eyelets. I sew quilted bags and pillows in a particular Patchwork Spiral style. This technique gives room for imagination as small pieces of fabric assemble in an inimitable design. Also I make custom-order corsets, medieval dresses, and crocheted clothing. A few time ago I began to sell tutorials and crochet patterns. 

How did you get started? 

I wasn’t able to find work after moving to Italy in 2008, so I had a lot of time to create. At the beginning I gifted my creations to my friends. Then I found Etsy I decided to open an online shop. On Etsy I found team of Russian speakers and I’m its active member now. Now I work at home. Besides that I registered domain name and now I’m happy owner of a site www.katrinshine.com. 

Tell about your favorite piece. 

My favorite piece is golden beige necklace with crochet and fabric beads

I like it’s romantic color, which does not leave indifferent anyone. I like combination of crochet and fabric beads, they are two so different textures.

What inspires you? 

My studio is in a veranda where there is a lot of light, air and space. The veranda’s vintage furniture is at least 40 years old, and it gives my studio that very special atmosphere which inspires me. In my work I’m inspired by colours and textures. I like nature and rustic style, simple forms and clear colors. Brindisi is a small antique town in the south of Italy, in region of Puglia. It’s the region of vine and olives, golden beaches and turquoise sea, it has long history and many traditions, and it’s inspires me so much. 

I like blue tones – for me they are colors of sky and freedom. I like red, the color of passion. I like white because it’s color of purity. I like bright colors – the - colors of life.

Here are a few items from Katrinshine to give you a taste of what to expect when you enter her shop. You will not be disappointed! 

Katrinshine's Etsy shop is full of lovely uniquely hand-crafted items. You simply must check it out! Stroll through the many aisles and enjoy the creativeness behind each piece.

Thank you Ekaterina for sharing your shop with us!!

Visit Katrinshine now!

Etsy

www.katrinshine.com

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