Our first ever featured artist to be interviewed- soujourncuriosities!Sarah Talks to
etsy:recorde about her creations!
Name:
Sarah Gorden
Etsy Store Name:
Sojourn Curiosities
Esty Store Address:
www.sojourncuriosities.etsy.com
Age:
28
Location:
Coastal Maine
How did you discover Etsy?
I learned of Etsy through Glitter boards at Supernaturale.com-I used to be a regular there, tracing back to the original getcrafty.com.
I think the Glitter boards were my first introduction to a young, hip community of craft!
Tell us a bit about yourself:
Teacher by day, jewelry artist by night- I have always had a love of nature, history, and magpie tendencies. Through the art of mixed media jewelry, I have found a perfect melding of my creative and personal passions!
What kind of products do you create?
One of a kind sculpted wire and mixed media art jewelry pieces, inspired by nature, history, folklore and dreams.
Favourite Mediums: My favorite materials are gold and silver wire, local sea tumbled shards of glass and pottery, and antique hardware, particularly heavy old skeleton keys.
Favourite Artist(s):Pre-Raphaelites, Kinuko Craft, Klimt, Nikki McClure, Trina Schart Hyman.
Sources of Inspiration: The past: my own and the world's, real and half-dreamed, folklore and other tales, far-off places, and nature.
Goals for your Etsy shop and yourself as an artist:In the next few years, I would like to be able to go full-time with Sojourn Curiosities. Whether I'll be ready to leave the classroom when the time comes is another story!
Achievements obtained through your art experiences:I've found my jewelry to be a potent way of sharing my thoughts and dreams with like-minded individuals, be they collectors or casual observers. Putting little snippets of dreams and imaginings out into the world, and having them cherished by others is perhaps the greatest feeling in the world.
Your top 3 favorite Etsy shops(besides your own!): www.haunt.etsy.comwww.juliepersons.etsy.comwww.HidenSeek.etsy.com Any Advice for your fellow Etsians? Take clear, well-lit photographs. Promote as much as you can on and off of Etsy. Etsy Storque and forums are great resources for tips on anything from photographing your goods, to promoting, to wholesale pricing. Also consider unaffiliated sites such as www.getcrafty.com, www.supernaturale.com, and www.theswitchboards.com. Don't put all your eggs in one basket! Do art and craft shows or find shops that will take your work either wholesale or consignment. If you make jewelry, wear it, and always be prepared with a business card or two! Find your own style within your craft, through experimentation and soul-seeking, and work hard to refine and excel in that niche.
Ways to contact you:www.sojourncuriosities.etsy.comwww.sojourncuriosities.deviantart.comwww.twitter.com/sojourncuriossarah@sojourncuriosities.com