Etsy Spotlight On: Morning Star Arts

This morning we get to welcome Amy from Morning Star Arts. In Amy's own words "Arts and crafts was always one of my favorite times in elementary school,especially if it involved lots of colors--paints, crayons, construction paper. Although I still love construction paper and tempera paints, jewelry is my obsession now. A few years ago, my husband, John, convinced me to try lamp working with him and then to take a jewelry class to learn what to do with all the beads we were making. I was immediately hooked! Now all my "spare time" (I am also a homeschooling mother of four, two now in college) is spent at my worktable playing with beads. Recently I've been experimenting with incorporating fibers into some of my jewelry pieces, as well as making pmc pendants and beads."

Amy is a member of Amy's in the Arts etsy Street Team and Team MN. I have to say, so far, Amy creates some of the most unique jewelry I've seen on Etsy. I hope you enjoy browsing (and buying) from her shop.

My favorite from Amy's Shop

(click on photo to view listing)

1. When did you start to think that you wanted to be an artist?

I guess I never thought I could claim the title "artist"; I still feel a little surreptitious when I use the term, as if I didn't deserve it or it didn't really apply to me. I came from a relatively "artsy" family, and always enjoyed all forms of the visual arts, just never thought of it as a realistic choice for my life (but I guess it is!).

2. What is your favorite medium to work in?

I really really do love working with all things beady: metals, fibers, and beads in all their incarnations. I also sew, and enjoy interior decoration including all sorts of wall/paint/decoration type stuff. I teach my two younger sons at home, so when they have an art assignment, I like to do it too, if I have time.

3. What is your current project?

Currently, as always, I have a workbench full of "in process" jewelry projects. Recently I've been scavenging garage sales and thrift shops for interesting vintage earrings and pins which I can disassemble and convert into cool pendants. Also, my husband makes foiled glass postage stamp pendants; I always have a few of my favorites waiting to become part of a necklace.

Here are some current listings

(click on photo to view listing)

4. What is your main source of inspiration?

My inspiration almost always comes from the beads and supplies--I'll bring home a new pendant or some beads, then rummage through my stash and see what other items "hit it off" with them. Sometimes they sit for a year or two, and then I suddenly see a great combo or way to use them.

5. Who are you?

I'm a Minnesotan now, although I grew up in southern California. My husband and I have a rural home in cow & corn country where we've raised our four sons and not a few chickens, pigs, and pets. I have a degree in the liberal arts, but I've been homemaking and raising sons since 1985. I've only had time for an endeavor like my jewelry business in the last few years as my sons got older and more self-directed.

6. Where do you sell besides Etsy?

My Etsy store is my only online store; I also have several local stores and boutiques, which carry some of my jewelry, some by consignment and some purchase wholesale. I do 4 or 5 art sales each year, which has been a stretch for me as I'm not a natural salesperson and I've had to learn how to interact in the sales setting. I do love seeing people enjoy my jewelry though!

7. Do you have a Blog?

No, I don't have time for a blog!

8. Any other information you would like to share?

Can't think of anything, except that Etsy has been a Godsend for me! I'm a bit of a techno-phobe, and I doubt I'd be able to set up a website on my own. This has been and continues to be a fun experience, and I really like the Etsy community.

9. What 1 item would you like to sell from being on this feature?

I made this necklace with all the etsian-java-lovers in mind: