VasariahCreations

Member Spot Light, VasariahCreations

This month I wanted to change focus to a paper shop that some might see as unexpected.  You may even be amazing at the fact that these items are made of paper.

Let me introduce you to Ombretta from VasariahCreations

Brooch

Etsy Paper: Tell us a little about yourself.
Ombretta: My name is Ombretta, I am 30 years old and I was born in Italy but I have been living in France for 2 years with my boyfriend and my dog. I am an illustrator specialized in school books. I like very much drawing and playing with paper.

Etsy Paper: When did you open your shop on Etsy?
Ombretta: I opened my Etsy shop in May 2013.

Etsy Paper: Tell us about your shop.
Ombretta: In my shop you can find many items realized with paper, handpainted cold porcelain, wood and sea stones; they all are totally handmade. There are mostly jewels, but I’m working for adding home decorations, like the 3D origami paper owl you can already find in the shop, and DIY-tutorials (like how to make round paper beads).
www.etsy.com/shop/VasariahCreations

 Dangle Earrings

Etsy Paper: Do you remember the first item you made, and if so, do you still have it?
Ombretta: I do remember the first item I made.  It was a beautiful triangular stone found on the beach. I decided to drill and paint it for making a pendant. It was only a try and the result was so bad, but I really liked the idea and so I went on working on it. After 2 years I was willing to improve my art with paper jewelry.

Etsy Paper: Why did you decide to become on Etsy seller?
Ombretta: The great opportunity Etsy gives me is to share my art with people of all over the world. I can show my items, get comments, suggestions and critics and I can do this using a well-made platform.

Etsy Paper: What is your favorite technique/ your "specialty"?
Ombretta: My favourite technique is recycling paper to re-create beautiful beads and jewelry : I think it’s a good way to make special something that -generally- is considered as not special. Then, each jewel is different from the others.

Beads

Etsy Paper: Who is your biggest fan?
Ombretta: I think my biggest fan is my mum.  When I create something bad, very bad, my mum says « Oh, it’s beautiful! »

Etsy Paper: Are you a clean or messy crafter?
Ombretta: I think art is freedom, so I want to be free when I test new ideas. That’s why I cannot say that I’m a 100% clean crafter. Anyway I am very accurate in my works.

Necklace

Etsy Paper: How do you package your items?
Ombretta: I make the packages one by one with recycled materials (i.e. cereal boxes…). Of course I try to make them as strong as possible for avoiding problems in shipping.

Etsy Paper: How did your shop get its name?
Ombretta: Vasariah is the name of the guardian angel for people born in August, the month I was born. I think it’s a lucky name and I am very attached to it.

I'd have to agree with Ombretta's mum, "Oh, it's beautiful!"  What an amazing, talented artist.  Please take a minute to browse her shop.  What a unique gift!
www.etsy.com/shop/VasariahCreations

Until next time,
Jenni
Etsy Paper
Team Captain

StravaganzaArt

Member Spot Light, StravaganzaArt

Let me introduce you to Valentina from StravaganzaArt!

Jayne Eyre Print

Valentina had some great responses to the interview questions, and was pleasant in her conversation.

Etsy Paper:  Tell us a little about yourself.
Valentina:  Hi! My name is Valentina, I’m Italian and I live in Rome with my husband and my (criminal) cat. I’m an illustrator and a writer. Drawing and writing are my jobs, but also my greatest passion.

Cat Print

 

Etsy Paper:  When did you open your shop on Etsy?
Valentina:  I opened my shop for the first time in 2010, it was only an experiment, and then I forgot it for three long years. When I remembered I had a shop on Etsy, I opened it on January 2013.

Etsy Paper:  Tell us about your shop.
Valentina:  I sell prints of my digital and original artwork, handpainted notebooks, original paintings and more! Find my shop here:
www.etsy.com/it/shop/StravaganzaArt

Etsy Paper:  What inspires you?
Valentina:  For me, inspiration is hiding everywhere. It’s in my favorite books, movies, or in old fairy tales. It's in the landscapes of my country, in the food I eat or in the music I listen to.

Etsy Paper:  Do you have a favorite quote to share?
Valentina:  Follow your dreams. They know the way. 

Handpainted Notebook

Etsy Paper:  When your creativity gets blocked/clogged, what do you do or where do you go to get inspired and create again?
Valentina:  In my job, creative blocks are frequent. When it happens, I can’t sit down at my desk, waiting for the inspiration. I need to go out, see my friends, or have a cup of tea, reading a book. My grandma said “If you wait for something, it never happens”, and I think it’s real. So if inspiration doesn’t come, I never wait for it, I do other things.

Doll Print

 

Etsy Paper:  What is it about paper that you love?
Valentina:  I use paper for writing and for drawing, so for me, paper it’s a blank universe. I can imagine everything and create a new world, just with my pencil, acrylics colors or software! 

Postcard Set

Etsy Paper:  What was your biggest mistake you made when starting out on Etsy? How did you fix it?
Valentina:  I thought selling on Etsy was easy. Listing an item and waiting for buyers. Then I realized that selling on Etsy is really complicated, (and selling from Italy it’s almost impossible). You need to follow your activity on Etsy everyday, make treasuries, join the teams, learn from other shops. Luckily, the Etsy community is full of people who want to help new sellers with their experience. There is a great sense of community and I absolutely love this.

I love how Valentina's answers are from the heart and really show just how whimsical and creative she is.  Her shop has a great variety of cute, sweet, inspiration, and even some items on the darker side.  I love that!
Take a few minutes and browse her buy from her shop, StravaganzaArt.

Until next time,
Jenni
Etsy Paper Team, Captain