Featuring the Fab Miss B!!!

I know - I'm a day late on my Friday Featured Artist - but yesterday was a bad day - and I didn't want to risk completely skipping such a fabulous artist! Becky is also our Featured Etsy Blogger of the Month :D

1. What type of art work do you do?

I create Pipettes! They were inspired by vintage ornaments I've collected for ages. They are made with humble chenille pipe cleaners, but I add lots of luxe embellishments like silk ribbons, antique lace, mother of pearl buttons, feathers, sequins and vintage costume jewelery. Their heads are all carefully hand painted too.

I also love to paint and am constantly making new illustrations, which I sell as prints and greeting cards. The originals are watercolor and ink and they are always whimsical and even a bit silly!

2. How did you get started doing art work?

Ever since I was little, I loved to draw and make things with my hands. The Pipettes originated when I decided to make a pipe cleaner bride and groom for our wedding cake three years ago. I've been making them ever since and they've gone through lots of changes! They've become more elaborate and sophisticated.

3. Do you do any other crafts?

I was trained as a florist while I lived in Chicago, so here and there I dabble in making floral corsages and crowns. I just outfitted an entire wedding party for a dear friend! I also like to cook and take photographs.

4. Is there a story behind your shop name?

My husband and I love to travel and are lucky to have lived all over the world- Kenya, Uganda, China, Chicago, Las Vegas, and now we're trying out life on an island- The Big Island of Hawaii!

We adopted our funny last name- Kazana- while traveling in Africa just after getting married. It's a Swahili word that means "To make a home" and it reminds us that our home is where the other is.

5. What's your favorite piece in your shop right now?

I'm madly in love with Daschshunds- someday I'd love to have a whole gaggle of them running around a farm. But for now, hanging Daisy on my Christmas tree is as close as I can get!

6. Where do you sell your work?

I have two shops on etsy. One for my original Chenille Pipette Dolls and artwork:

http://beckykazana.etsy.com

and one for Vintage and One of a Kind Finds:

http://thefabmissb.etsy.com

7. Do you blog?

I blog about the inspiration I find around me every day on The Fab Miss B:

http://www.thefabmissb.blogspot.com

Swing by and say hello! I love to meet new folks!

8. Are you on any social networks you'd like to share?

Let's be friends! Here is my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/people/Becky-Larson/1047722678

and my Tweets too! https://twitter.com/BeckyKazana

9. Do you watch or listen to anything while you work? If so, what?

I love listening to music while I work. I often use Pandora radio (http://www.pandora.com), where you can create stations based on your musical preferences. Right now I'm listening to Julie London Radio non-stop. I can't help but create glamorous Pipettes when listening to all those amazing chanteuses from the 40's, 50's and 60's.

10. Tell us one random fact about your self *wink*

I adore champagne and never save it for special occasions. It's far too wonderful for that!

Friday's Featured Artist - WHIMSYlove!

I've always loved this artists work - and her blog is priceless to! The name of her shop - WHIMSYlove is just perfect for her style! Now I'll let you get to know her for yourself - and see exactly what I mean :)

1. Tell us your story, what got you started selling on line and how would you define the work you sell?

I remember always liking to make things & loving to give handmade gifts. I’ve always been a crafty girl.

A
few years ago my mom & I actually sold vintage & handmade items
in a space in an antique mall. Well, that place closed down after a
year & a half or so. But, before it did, I had been searching
online & stumbled across Etsy. In March of 2007 I opened up my
shop. I sell a wide range of handmade items--from button rings to
watercolors to sewn items & most everything in-between! But I
mostly love working with vintage materials: buttons, fabric, trim, old
books, papers, etc. I love trying everything. I can’t stick to just one
medium or craft.

2. Where did you come up with your shop name?

I
originally called my shop “WhiMSy”, but that name was taken when I
signed up to sell things on Etsy. So, I added the word “love”--for no
reason at all. But I figure that some days I’m a goofball (that’s the
WhiMSy part) & other days I’m girly & romantic (that’s the
love), so it works out. And that reflects in the diversity of items I
make.

3. What's your favorite piece you have up on etsy right
now?

I’m fond of the vintage button rings. They’re so fun to make &
I have my own that I wear almost every day.

Vintage Button Rings of the Month Club

4. Where do you do
your work and what do you listen to while you work?

I have an art
studio in the basement of my home. There’s not a lot of space to work
in there, so I mostly craft on the couch, the floor, the dining table,
or all of the above.

5. I know this can be a hard question to answer, but where do you find your inspiration?

This
is not a hard question at all. My kids inspire me! They are always
saying silly things….that make complete sense. I often steal their
ideas too. (haha!) Sometimes I wonder what I’ll do when they grow up
& move out. Where will my inspiration come from then? Maybe I’ll
just borrow someone else’s kids.
Lots of times a random idea will
hit me at any hour of the day-- & I better find a sketchbook quick
or the thought will be gone in a flash!

6. Tell us one fun fact about yourself!

I once balanced a hockey stick on my nose for 8 seconds.

And now for a few of my favorite items from her shop!

Wee Pie Magnet



Fork Easel!



Cutie Cupcake Notecards



A Rainbow of Vintage Stamps