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 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!

Earrings

This week it's all about the earrings----my newest addition to my Etsy store.

New pieces listed on Etsy today: