Meet Nancy Addante of Smokeylady54

Meet Nancy Addante of Smokeylady54

You can visit her great Etsy store here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=37929

How many years have you been an artist?

I have been working in different art forms since Grammar School.Just always loved playing with different colors in any type of medium.I was a art major in High School and spent some time at the Art Instutite of Chicago.

How many years have you worked with glass?

I stated working in lampworking about 2 years ago. But I did work withsemi-precious beads to make jewelry for years.

What triggers ideas for new projects?

Just sitting still and looking at the world that surrounds us.

When do ideas come to you? How often?

All different times. While driving, pulling weeds from my garden, cooking dinner. Some times I have to stop what I am doing and write notes. And I think of different ways to make a necklace or a bead all the time, they just do not always look like what my mind thinks they will and NO one gets to see those items.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?

At least 6 hours a day to really work on things, wish I had more time in the day to play as it really is not work!

Do you create daily?

I am not always torching, but putting necklaces together, cleaning beads, pulling necklaces apart if I do not like the looks of them (that happens often)Pulling rods that I want to work with, etc. I also have old customers that still buy my note cards so at least one day a week is devoted to that.

How important is it for you to create art?
I would be lost if I could not make items with my hands. Pete would more than likely commit me, I would just get crazy, well more so than I am now.

Do you feel that choosing the artist's life has been a sacrifice?

Have you given up certain luxuries?

You always give up something when you create but it is so worth it. It is a joy not a sacrifice in any form. Sure I spend money on glass and other things instead of a new car or clothes but it is worth it.

Describe your studio:

I work in a small spot in my basement and clean it up every time I am done for the day or I could not do the laundry.....LOL sad but true!!!!!

Tell me something about you:

I am just a 61 year old lady that loves what I do. I just hope that I get to do lampworking for a long long time.....

Meet Sonnee McCabe of Eccentricity!!!

Meet Sonnee McCabe of Eccentricity
You can visit her store here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5230081&order=&section_id=&page=2

How many years have you been an artist?
I started painting dried gourds and working with gourd masks and fiber work in 1989 on a regular basis. Before that I did occasional work with "wearable art" and home decor. I definitely fall into the "late bloomer" category.

How many years have you worked with glass?
I took my first stained glass class 5 years ago and was a total klutz at soldering. I then took a class in fused glass and was immediately hooked on it.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
It can literally be anything. I am drawn to color and texture and abstract design.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
The ideas come more frequently than the product. I can't begin to keep up with myself. I do go through periods of non-creativity though and have learned it is best to honor those times and take the time off. If I try and go ahead and work, I usually do not have good results.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
Well I think about it daily and I have a home studio so I am in and out of it all the time. I don't have a regular schedule though. Some days I work for 5-6 hours or more and then it may be a few days before I do anything else. When the pressure is on and my inventory is low, I really get busy and work long hours. I tend to work late at night or mid-day. Early mornings are never good for me.

Do you create daily?
I always have a creative project of some type going but it is not always fused glass. I also sew and do alot of home decor work, I paint floor cloths and furniture, I work in my flower garden. I still do some small wearable art items and I make some wall pieces out of recycled objects. I have to have variety in my work but the downside is that I frequently get too much going at one time and then I don't do anything as well as I would like.

How important is it for you to create art?
It is my "sanity". It is definitely an integral part of who I am.

Do you feel that choosing the artist's life has been a sacrifice?
Have you given up certain luxuries?
Well I no doubt would starve to death if I had to support myself but I am very fortunate to have a husband who supports and sustains me in doing my art work. I also didn't start doing it until after I took early retirement from the health care field.

Describe your studio:
My studio is actually an enclosed porch. It is fairly large with alot of windows and a small garden pond with a waterfall outside which I can hear even with the windows closed. It doesn't have alot of storage space and it serves as my sewing room, crafts area, computer center as well as my fused glass studio. I have a small kiln in it and a larger one in the garage. It is a cheerful and peaceful room and my favorite place in our home.

Tell me something about you:
I have lived in south Florida for the past 15 years and before that in Colorado and DC. I grew up in WV and went to school in KY. I graduated from UK in Social Work and worked in mental health for 25 years. I have been married for longer than most of you have been alive. I have two grown children, five grandchildren and one ornery little cairn terrier named "Zoe". I do volunteer work with the local humane society in their pet therapy department. Zoe is one of the "Paws to Read" dogs where kids who are having difficulty reading read aloud to the dogs. I am an avid gardener and like to spend as much time as possible outdoors. I love working with the fused glass and I am fascinated at the moment with the "pot melts" and the randomness of the designs.

Meet Teresa Buono of TLBEADS

I am pleased to introduce you to Teresa Buono of TLBEADS

Visit her store here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5442553

How many years have you been an artist?
I have been an artist basically all my life. So that's a lot of years!

How many years have you worked with glass?
I have been working with glass for about 1-1/2 years.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
Pretty much friends, family & co workers. They will come to me and say "I would like to see..." so I go home and try to create it.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come to me like cars flying down the freeway sometimes. And they can happen at anytime...day or night!

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I think of glass pretty much 85% of the day...but unfortunately I am unable to work at it nearly as much as I would like.

Do you create daily?
I don't create daily with glass. I also love making jewelry & sewing and then there are days when I spend it entirely with my family

How important is it for you to create art?
Creating art is the base of my soul. If I couldn't I would be unfulfilled. Art is my passion and I am so happy to know that...so many people go through their life and never find their passion.

Do you feel that choosing the artists has been a sacrifice?
Have you given up certain luxuries?
I do not feel that I have sacrificed anything in my chosen passion. I have not given up any luxuries...instead I have gained!

Describe your studio.
My Glass studio is in my basement against a wall that faces our driveway. Outside the window I can see the green leaves on the trees and currently the falling leaves of autumn. My jewelry studio is in my room upstairs. My son does his homework, watches T.V. and plays in there while I am working. My sewing area...well that's at my kitchen table! :-)

Tell me something about you.
I am a mom & wife. We have one son who is the joy of my life. I moved to Connecticut from California (culture shock) about 11 years ago. I started sewing blankets for children who attend daycare to fit on their cots about 7 years ago. Shortly after that I started making jewelry...which then led to about a year and a half building my glass studio. I started making glass beads that sell about a year ago. I also enjoy walking and riding bikes. I work part time as a special education secretary. I love doing home parties which is an excellent way to generate instant cash!

Meet Amy Holms of Formfireglassworks

I am pleased to introduce you to Amy Holms of Formfireglassworks

Visit her shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5556438

How many years have you been an artist?

I think I have been an artist all my life - I have always done crafty things and have considered myself a serial hobbyist up until recently. I have done most everything: calligraphy, scrapbooking, knitting, crocheting, spinning, sewing, quilting, beading, jewelry and now glass.

How many years have you worked with glass?

I have been working with glass only a short time - almost a year and a half. It kills me to think of what I could have accomplished by now if I had begun sooner!

What triggers ideas for new projects?

Usually it is just sitting around and thinking about the different ways I can modify my existing series. But sometimes it is looking through magazines, seeing colors or patterns that interest me.

When do ideas come to you? How often?

I have ideas all that time, and unfortunately not enough time to work them all out. Someday...

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?

I think about it most of my waking hours in one way or another, but I am very limited in actual work time.

Do you create daily?

I wish I could. I am hoping to get a home set-up by the end of the year, but right now I am renting studio time. With their schedule, a day job and kids to drive all over the place, I only get to work on my glass about 2-4 hours a week.

How important is it for you to create art?

It is very important to me. I believe that aesthetics should not be an afterthought, but are an integral part in bringing joy into our daily routines.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice?

Have you given up certain luxuries?

I have been lucky in that although I have a limited time for my glasswork, my dayjob is a creative one. I design custom homes by career, so I have not really had to give up anything to be creative. I find that I have made many more sacrifices in the name of parenting (working a crazy schedule and taking time off when needed) than I have to live a creative life.

Describe your studio.

Since I have been working out of an outside studio, I don't have a lot of things set up at home. I just got a new kiln which I hope to set up with a torch in the garage. I currently use our extra room as my office and have a mish-mosh of glass, silver, tools and packaging all over my desk.

Tell me something about you.

As an artist, I strive for simplicity and consistency. I love clean lines and beautiful color. I am a modernist by nature.As a person, the layout of my life revolves around my twin 11-yr-old girls. All of my choices are built around getting them educated, grown and matured. And then to college - then I can really have time to do all the fun stuff!

Meet Linda Turvey of Studio17!!!

I am pleased to introduce you to Linda Turvey of Studio17.

You can visit her wonderful etsy shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5004773


Below is my interview with this talented artist:


How many years have you been an artist?
I’ve always considered myself a glass craftsman when someone asks me this question. I’m still exploring and experimenting pushing the boundaries to see how far the beautiful magical world of glass can take me.

How many years have your worked with glass?
It all started over 25 years ago. The journey began with the copper foil stained glass technique. Mosaics then piqued my curiosity and now kiln work. It’s been a rewarding time.

What triggers ideas for new projects?
It could be almost anything, something I’ve seen in passing, a picture, and especially talking with others.

When do ideas come to you? How often?
Ideas come to me at the oddest times, mostly when I’m having a quite moment to myself. My creative mind is always working especially when I’m involved with a project, or someone needs help with a idea.

What percentage of the day do you think about or work on your art?
I’m limited to the evenings to work on my art, or to teach the classes I have. By day I’m a engraver, it too is very creative for me.

Do you create daily?
Yes I do I’ve always got projects on the table, and am in the studio every evening and full days on the weekend.

How important is it for you to create art?
My art is my way to unwind from my hectic schedule. I get lost in time when I’m creating it’s very relaxing for me. Every once in a while I have to step back, but it’s more catching up on sleep than anything.

Do you feel that choosing the artist’s life has been a sacrifice? Have you given up certain luxuries?
Not at all, I’m fortunate that my husband and family supports what I’m doing and understand the goals I’ve set and are helping me achieve them. With teaching I’ve met and shared my passion for glass and been able to start my students on their journey with glass.

Describe your studio.
My studio is the basement of my home. I have two rooms set up. The main area is my working space. A big table sits in the center of the room for working on. Around the perimeter of the room are shelves, benches and cupboards for all my tools of the trade. I’m forever re-organizing things to make my space efficient to working in. I tell my students don’t get use to that being there because it might not be there next week. I’ve also have a computer, TV, DVD and radio in this space. I have a room off the main studio that holds all my glass and mosaic supplies.

Tell me something about you.
I live in Southern Ontario, Canada. My SO and I have been together 27 years, in 2007 we decided to get married. Our DD and SIL are in the process of a International Adoption, we’re all very excited about this, and I’m waiting patiently for the day I can hold my Grandchild.
I also enjoy gardening, and reading. I’m constantly researching to find new ways to work with glass and take classes my self in areas that interest me.