Featured Etsy Artists 5 - PurrPrints

This week's featured Etsy artist is fellow SquidEtsy team member PurrPrints. Becca at PurrPrints is a wonderfully talented artist, who produces beautiful cat-themed art. PurrPrints is also a member of the Etsy for Animals Team, and donates 5% of all profits to the no-kill animal shelter, the Shamrock Foundation. Here's our interview with Becca:

Tell us a little about your shop?
PurrPrints is a relatively new shop on Etsy that sells my various cat-themed imaginings (and I'm starting to introduce some of my art without cats in it now too). It has prints, cards, ACEOs, magnets and (at this moment) a hand-drawn mini-purse. Soon it will also have pendants and possibly bookmarks--oh, and I often do custom work for people with specific ideas for colors and design combinations.

How did you discover Etsy?
It was mentioned in a blog I was reading--I can't recall which one right now--but I fell in love almost immediately.

What were the first items you bought and sold on Etsy?
I first got involved through Etsy's "alchemy" function, because I had a bunch of gift-giving coming up (my first anniversary, step-dad's b-day, husband's b-day) and I wanted to give some really special custom gifts. I think the very first one was a custom clock for my husband for our anniversary. The first item I sold was the red and brown version of "Kitty Love" [top picture] to an absolutely wonderful woman in Canada.

What are you working on right now?
Bamboo pendants with small hand-cut prints of my cat drawings on them and a custom pointillist cat portrait (I'm too ADD to ever work on just one thing at a time ).

What is your favorite item in your shop?
Ooo. That's a hard one for me. My mind changes based on my mood, really. Right now it would be a toss up between the 8x10 print of Existential Cat [see right] and the original of Indoor Cat Dreams [bottom picture].

What are your ambitions as an artist/craftsperson?
On the small scale, I want to continue learning new techniques--right now I've got my eye on sewing, especially. on the large scale, just to continue to get my work out there and meet wonderful people. I'd love to be able to support myself through my art if that's possible--if not, then I'd love to get to the stage where I can sell enough to buy all the other wonderful things I find from fellow etsians every day :)

Anything else you'd like to tell us?
I know I've alluded to it already, but I really enjoy meeting new people and doing custom work. I like making something that matters specifically to one person, something that fits the idea in their head and brings it into the "real" world.

My hope is that anyone reading this on your blog who likes my shop will drop me a line, even if they can't buy anything right now, just because I love making connections with people. That's really the big reason I'm into Etsy: the community.


Thanks so much, Becca! To see more of Becca's gorgeous art, check out the PurrPrints shop at Etsy. PurrPrints also has a lens (page) at Squidoo, with more information and pictures.

Featured Etsy Artists 4 - Kas' Kreations

This week's featured Etsy shop is fellow Team SquidEtsy member punkerkas, and her shop Kas' Kreations. This eclectic shop features wonderful photography as well as textile work. Here's our interview with Kas.

Tell us a little about your shop?
I sell crochet items, my photography in various print sizes, a few of my punk inspired DIY clothes and some other misc. items.

How did you discover Etsy?
Through a friend.

What were the first items you bought and sold on Etsy?
I first sold one of my photos and the first item I bought was a print of a really neat painting.

What are you working on right now?
Right now a '77 punk band dress, a Social Distortion scarf, and a Misfits beanie. I start so many projects at once so there is probably others that I forgot.

What is your favorite item in your shop?
My "Come Play" photo print. [see above]

What are your ambitions as an artist/craftsperson?
I love creating new things without a set plan and see what comes out. As far as my photography goes, it's a way for me to relax and capture weird scenes throughout Southwest Missouri. Hopefully I'll be able to expand out further from southern Missouri and find even more strange sites.

Anything else you'd like to tell us?
I do participate in SNS (when I'm at home at least) and offer 10% off your entire order during the Saturday Night Sales. Plus some surprise sales that will be listed in my shop announcement. [For more info on Etsy SNS, check out this page here]

Thanks so much for the interview, Punkerkas!

Visit Kas' Kreations now to see more of Kas' work and to purchase.

Featured Etsy Artists 3 - Gifts, Etc

This week's featured Etsy shop is Gifts, Etc, a wonderful Etsy shop run by talented artist and craftswoman Katie. Gifts, Etc has an amazing array of papercrafts and also offer custom items. Here's our interview with Katie.

Tell us a little about your shop?
I sell handmade greeting cards, gift tags, business card envelopes and more. I also have some of my photography in my shop as well as some diecuts for scrapbooking.

What inspires you to create?
My son is my inspiration for anything I do. He's always so bright and cheery and I want that whole feeling to come across in my items. I do this by using fun, lively scrapbook papers and embellishments.

How did you discover Etsy?
By sheer luck. :-)

What were the first items you bought and sold on Etsy?
Hmm...the first item I sold was my Valentine's Day Gift Tags...on my very first day!! lol First thing I bought was a banner.

What are you working on right now?
Right now, I'm working on some brand new Christmas items! Yes, I said Christmas. :-)

What is your favourite item in your shop?
I loove my Hugs and Kisses card (seen to the right). My inspiration for this card was my amazing boyfriend.

What are your ambitions as an artist/craftsperson?
To continue making beautiful papercrafts that bring a smile to someone's face.

Anything else you'd like to tell us?
I'm having a HUGE Christmas in July sale, the entire month of July! Different specials each week. Stock up on your Christmas needs now!

Thanks so much for talking to us, Katie at Gifts, Etc! Our favourite Gifts, Etc item is these colorful Flower Power Business Card Envelopes. Check out Gifts, Etc this month and make this the year you really are prepared for Christmas!

Gifts, Etc also has a fabulous blog, check it out for more on Katie's work, contests and featured Etsians!

Featured Etsy artists 2 - Barbara Neely Designs

Barbara Neely is a freelance graphic artist and designer who "makes a living doing just about every kind of print design you can image." Her work spans corporate branding and marketing design to personalized baby shower invitations and wedding albums, and her Etsy shop features everything from invitations, note cards and announcements to book plates and book marks, all in her distinctive style.

Barbara started out with her unique stationery and invitations, but photography is her new passion. We aren't surprised, she clearly has great talent for this medium. Her Etsy shop features stunning floral prints as well as landscapes and architectural shots. Here are some more of our favorites:


Check out Barbara Neely Designs (bndesigns) on Etsy and her blog, for more information and to purchase.

Art for Hair featured on other Etsians' blogs!

Art for Hair has recently been featured on two blogs by talented Etsy artists. Check out Just Cool - Adventures in Modern Design and Barbara Neely Designs' blog.

Don't forget to check out their wonderful Etsy shops too, Pop Art Cafe and Barbara Neely Designs.

Featured Etsy Artists 1 - Pop Art Cafe

We're proud to present the first artist in our series of featured Etsy artists: Pop Art Cafe, creation of talented artist Wendy Presseisen. Wendy has been featured in numerous magazines, and is now selling her amazingly colorful and detailed folk art prints of animals, people and landscapes on Etsy. Here are some of our favorite art works:



Pop Art Cafe encourages support of homeless animals. Right now, make a donation to an animal shelter near you and receive a discount on one of Wendy's wonderful cat art prints. Art from Pop Art Cafe is available in a range of standard and custom sizes, as well as ACEO art cards and greetings cards. Wendy is also happy to take commissions.

Wendy runs the design blog Just Cool, which features her stunning photography and design finds from around Etsy. Check out this Etsy artist's stunning work today!