Friday Features No. 17 -- Featuring "Folk Art From The Heart"

It's finally Friday! I remember when I was single and childless, that phrase always meant it was time to put on my boots and jeans, and head down to the local country/western nightclub and dance until the place closed down. Then after that, we would all go do the local Village Inn or IHOP and have "breakfast", which was typically a plate of french fries or french toast for me. Dont' ask me why, but I could enjoy a plate of french toast any time of the night or day. Funny, hubby and I were just talking about that today. He doesn't like "breakfast" for dinner, but will eat burritos any time of the night or day.

Well, I had to just digress there for a moment. On to the business at hand. We have a winner for the $20 Gift Certificate from A Bushel and a Peck: Misty (if you read this, please contact me because your email isn't working). Congratulations Misty, and thanks to all of you who commented. Thank you Jeanne, for being willing to be featured and do a giveaway.

Speaking of giveaways, you might not know this, but tomorrow, I will be posting my 100th post! Can you belive it? I can't! Where has all the time gone? Because we want you to help us celebrate, we will be giving some really cool things away! Be sure to stay tuned...you won't want to miss out.

Today we have a giveaway for you from our featured Etsy shop, Folk Art From The Heart. Kim has been crafting for quite awhile, and seems to have the same malady that I suffer from: Crafting ADD! She enjoys crafting in various different mediums...everything from oil paints to concrete. She discovered polymer clay 3 years ago, and has really done an amazing job with the things she creates.

Here's more about Kim:
TDB: Your polymer clay creations are so fun and whimsical, and very detailed. What got you started working with polymer clay?
Kim: I originally began my exploring my artistic side about 15 years ago when my girlfriend asked me to go to a tole painting class with her. That got me jumpstarted. Since then I’ve dabbled in watercolors, wood, ceramics, fabric and even concrete. Polymer Clay just seemed like a natural progression but from the moment I felt it in my hands, I knew this was the final medium for me. I do add many of the other mediums to my final designs, but Polymer Clay will always be my primary medium.
TDB: I can see why polymer clay is a favorite, and is your primary medium. You do an amazing job!

TDB: What has been the greatest challenge in your "career" as a crafter and how have you worked to overcome it?
Kim: Well, throughout my career, I have had children in my house, so trying to find a time and a place to work has always been a challenge. Now I have the second generation of children in my house and it is still a challenge, so I grab what time I can when I can and just hope for good long naps!
TDB: Wow! You get naps in? What a novel concept. I may have to try that!

TDB: Where do you get your inspiration for your creations?
Kim: I get my inspiration from other artists. I love Warren Kimball, Lisa Hilliker, and others of that genre, and I like to create pieces that I think would look right at home with the works of my favorite artists.

TDB: What is the most important thing you have learned about selling on Etsy?
Kim: Be patient! It takes a while for the folks at Etsy to become familiar with your work, so keep it in the forefront, by listing often. And spend time in the forums. Also join other Etsy Teams, being part of a larger group gives your pieces more exposure. Have good communication with your customers, and don’t expect too much too soon.
TDB: Very good advice! Promote, promote, promote, I say!! And get featured on The Downtown Boutique!

TDB: Do you have a favorite Etsy shop that you love to look in or shop in?
Kim: Yes! I love Pumpkinseeds Folk Art. Her pieces make me smile every time I look in her shop.
TDB: Oh, cool shop! I love her Pink Polka Dot Santa!

TDB: What is your favorite item to create?
Kim: Snowmen, definitely! They are the pieces I have the most fun with and they are the most challenging when it comes to clothing, colors and accessories, because I love details. And since every piece I make is one of a kind, it’s a challenge to come up with something new for each snowman.
TDB: I love snowmen, so I can totally relate! Your Night Lighter snowman is fantastic!

TDB: What do you do to relax?
Kim: I love to read. But my choices of reading material is somewhat limited because I don’t care for graphic detail, whether it’s romance or mystery. So I stick to writers like Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich, and others of that ilk who write wonderful murder mysteries with lots of humor mixed in, but leave the graphic details up to the reader’s imagination.
TDB: I love to read too. I have since I was a little girl. I enjoyed mystery books as a kid, but only recently got into them as an adult. My favorite mystery author is Dee Henderson. She has some great series, especially the O'Malley Series.

Thanks for the great interview Kim! I loved hearing a little more about your life and your passions.

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Kim's Giveaway: A $15 Gift Certificate to use in her shop, "Folk Art From The Heart".

To Enter: Simply visit Kim's shop, then come back here and leave a comment about what you like in her shop. Only one entry per person please. Please leave a GOOD way to get ahold of you if you win. If we can't get ahold of you, we will choose a different winner.

Deadline to enter: Thursday, June 19th at Midnight PST.

Have a great weekend, and Happy Father's Day to all of you dads out there, including to my sweet and wonderful husband, my dad, my father-in-law, my brothers, and my brother-in-law.