The Sun's Been Melting The Snow Away Today!

Finally, the snow is beginning to disappear and I couldn't be happier!


I took a hiatus from posting last night because I was dead tired. Last night I had the best sleep ever. With all of the gallivanting that I've been doing over the last little while, my body has been silently suffering. So I slept last night for about 11 hours! (hence the reason that there was not a post last night)

By the way, JAY-Z's concert was amazing!!! I mean I loved it. If you ever get the chance to see him in concert....don't even think twice. Just rush to buy tickets as quick as you can:)

I've got a fabulous interview to post tonight with a transplanted Canadian. Please meet the "oh so talented" Hollie who has her hands in many 'creative' baskets. I was drawn to Hollie's etsy shop imfromthewoods due to the amazing illustrations. And then I discovered that she "hearts" vintage when I stumbled on her blueberryshoes etsy shop! So I just had to contact her to learn more ~


What city are you based out of?
Hi there! I'm 25 and living in Boca Raton, Florida at the moment. But I am a Canadian through and through. Born there, grew up there and my heart will always be there. I'm here now cause this is where my hubby lived when I met him. As we all know, its best to live where secure work is! In time we hope to move north, wherever that may be. We're into fires, trees and a laid back lifestyle.Though I find it very hard to deal with the lack of culture, seasons, friends/family I try to always keep busy and positive. You can get through anything with a good attitude. My husband is my best friend and we help each other through.


How did you yow get started? And how long have you been an artist, vintage collector & blogger?

HOW I GOT STARTED ON ETSY-I got started just a few days before I got married actually. My good friend Haley (ohvotrecoeur) told me about it one day while conversing. I decided that I should really listen to my friends and family, and seriously try to sell my work. Since I dabble in about all forms of art, blueberryshoes was sort of a jumble shop first out. But now I've found my voice more in fashion forward vintage, handmade cards and that sort of thing. I am really into high fashion, runway, etc-so I look for vintage inspired by what's in at the moment.After months of thinking and wondering I also opened imfromthewoods, which would feature only my illustrations. Though I was selling illustrations in blueberryshoes, I felt the artwork was getting lost amongst everything else. It was hard to start over again, but I think in time, I will be happy I did it.

HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN AN ARTIST:I have been an artist since I could pick up a pen pretty much. Mom said once, when I was about 3 or so, I drew a picture of random cans (with the lids still attached but open) and other trash all over the page. She always got me to name my pieces and when she asked what I would like to call it, I said "A Whole Flock Of Garbage". I was known for drawing "pretty girls", princesses and such and slowly I got better and better. I think it's so important to do what you do daily, to really refine your craft. When people ask how I learned to draw, I just say "practise". I still don't feel I've reached the place where I'd like to settle. I would love to experiment with watercolors and painting more now. The moment you stop experimenting is the day you're brain starts to die.

VINTAGE COLLECTING-Ever since I earned a paycheck I'd drive over to the thrift stores and buy the old dresses and shoes, cassettes, etc for myself. I just had a taste for the past ever since I could remember. I do tend to hoard and clutter, but my parents gave me heck for it and I think I've got a good balance going now. I never buy anything vintage that I wouldn't want to keep. That way if something doesn't sell, I get to keep it and it doesn't just take up space.

BLOGGING-When I was about 16 I started a livejournal for my writing. I'm really glad I can't remember the password to it because I'm sure I'd shrivel up in embarrassment. But all is relative to age and experience, is it not? At the time what I wrote helped me to vent and feel better. It was an outlet. Then for a bit I stopped writing online and filled notebooks instead. It is only within the last year that I have started Mermaids Closet. I'm very happy with the blog now, as I've put alot of work into it. It's so important to add lots of pictures, the "follow" widget and to promote your blog wherever you can. Include it's address on your biz cards too! Don't compare your blog to other ones. Add stuff that YOU'D like to read, and that way you feel confident about your blog.

Where do you get your inspiration from?-Mostly nature, dark fairy tales, love, pain and longing, experience and music. Alot of my drawings happen at night by the computer while playing my music. We used to go to alot of plays growing up (my parents are super cool, artsy types) and I came across this painting on a calendar in the gift shop.It literally changed my life. Here it is: http://www.jwwaterhouse.com/paintings/images/waterhouse_ophelia_02.jpg It's called "Ophelia" by John William Waterhouse. Since I had discovered his work, I really felt comfortable to give into the medieval fantasies and start drawing old world art. All of the women he painted have a longing and mysticism about them. That is what I wanted to achieve.As far as the vintage clothing, I love the 80s, grunge, american indian/pocahontas stuff, mermaids, and high fashion. Karen O (of Yeah Yeah Yeahs), David Bowie, Stevie Nicks are big influences style wise. Also a major fan of japanese street style.

Are you ever uninspired? If so, how do you get over the slump?
I have down days, definitely. I'd like to just stay in bed and hide from the world sometimes. But I try to force myself to do things. They say that forcing yourself to do what you're supposed to is very good for the brain. To help, I will put on music that moves me, stick a pile of paper infront of me and just start drawing. I may go through 8 pages till I get a pair of eyes and a face that feels right, but then I'm so glad I did it.

Name one item that you can't live without?
A black pen. It's my number one art tool. It's more important than paper because you can really write on anything: napkin, newspaper, skin. Plus I forget everything. Writing lists is very important for organization in my life. Most of my ideas are written on random pieces of paper and they pile up beside the computer. It's kind of annoying!

Any advice for newbies starting out?
Make lots of friends on etsy by frequenting the chat rooms, forums and virtual labs. Be open to crit and ask for it if you are unsure of anything. Take all pics in natural light-avoid flash. Make sure all your pics have flow and that they all fit together well. Have a great shop banner, interesting profile and your policies filled out. Definitely start a twitter under the name of your shop, and have the same avatar as your etsy. Be recognizable. Add tons of people. They'll add you back. I also created a two part Etsy Tips for Success Video if you'd like to watch it! http://mermaidscloset.blogspot.com/2009/09/15-etsy-tipstutorial-to-succeed-in-etsy.html

Here are my faves from imfromthewoods

Here are my fave picks from blueberryshoes

Hollie is all over the web! You can see what she's up to by following her on:

Twitterr: http://twitter.com/blueberryshoes
Or her blogs:
http://mermaidscloset.blogspot.com/
http://www.blogger.com/


Now before I head out for the night.....

Here's another lovely reminder y'all. You have one more day to enter the latest contest on the Creative Mixx.

These lovely earrings are brought to you by piecebypeacedesigns




You can enter by clicking HERE

1luv