Monday Must-Have

Today marks another installment of my Monday blog series titled Monday Must-Have. Each Monday I will feature a fellow talented Etsian and their phenomenal work. Each featured artist will have their own online Etsy shop where you can peruse and admire their one-of-a-kind body of work. Hopefully you will find new favorite artists and artisans whose work you MUST HAVE. :)

Today's featured artist is Amanda of SpawnStudio.

Who are you (actual name/and or shop name)?

I am Amanda Wright—the creative brains behind Spawn Studio.

What do you create?

For now, I create greeting cards and stationery. However, I have a basement full of paints, canvases, screen printing supplies, a sewing machine, and jewelry making supplies. So, I am planning to branch out in the future!

Where are you located?

I am located in Cary, North Carolina in our super cool 1971 A-frame house with my husband, Daniel, and our two schnauzer-poodle mix pups, Oliver and Mabel. More specifically Spawn Studio is located in the basement.

When did you start creating?

I started creating shortly after I popped into the world—usually with crayons or finger paint. I've known I wanted to be an artist of some sort since I was 6 years old. Nothing beats the feeling you get when you make something you are proud of. I took art classes throughout school, and in high school I sat with Ruth of Allover Art in art class for 3 years! I went to college at the NC State College of Design and loved every minute of it. I got my Bachelor of Graphic Design degree in 2006 and started working at a design firm. Unfortunately designing marketing pieces and websites didn't give me much creative freedom, so Spawn Studio was born!

Why did you choose your shop name?

Ah, my shop name. I decided I wanted to start my own business, but a year and a half later I was still trying to think of a name! I am such a perfectionist that I got completely caught up on finding the right name and I couldn't move forward. Finally, my husband suggested that I start working on some products for my shop and stop worrying about the name. (Sometimes he's a pretty smart fellow.) As I brainstormed, ideas for my shop exploded out of my head, and those ideas led to other ideas, and those ideas spawned other ideas and on and on. So "Spawn" seemed to be an appropriate name for my studio!

What inspires you?

I am inspired by everything I see and anything that makes me laugh, but I truly believe that inspiration comes from God. I don't think I could come up with anything good on my own!

What is the most time consuming part of your craft/art?

The most time consuming part of my work is developing the illustrations/designs for each piece. But, this is the fun part of the process so I don't mind it at all! I like to do it curled up on the couch between my dogs with a good old black and white movie playing in the background. I don't particularly enjoy the printing/scoring/folding/trimming part of the process, so sometimes that seems to be the most time consuming even though it isn't.

What is your favorite place to visit in your hometown and why?

There aren't too many interesting places to visit in Raleigh/Cary, NC so I suppose my favorite place to visit is my parents' house! My Mom always makes my husband and I a delicious meal with a scrumptious dessert. After the meal we nap on the couch and maybe play a board game or two. Hmm. I must be getting old—board games and a nap?!

What is your most popular item that you create (and why do you think it is so popular)?

So far, my most popular item (based on number of purchases) has been the "Happy Valentine's Day from my Boobs" card. I think it's popular because it's different than any card you can pick up at Hallmark or Target...and hey, there are boobs on the front.

How do you acquire new clients?

I acquire new clients through word of keyboard!

What's your next project going to be?

The next project on my to do list is to get my website and blog up and running by the end of June. (The url will be www.spawnstudio.com) My perfectionism is getting in the way again, and I need to just build it and get going instead of obsessing over the design!

My other next projects will be invitations of all sorts! Wedding, Wedding Shower, Baby Shower, Surprise Party, etc...

Oh, and my OTHER next project will be to do a painting a 4' x 3' canvas to hang in our living room. But, it's hard to get away from the computer—I need my "undo" button!

What types of things do you do to turn first time buyers into repeat clients?

First of all I try to make sure that my product is super high quality, so that no one could ever be disappointed with their purchase. I also include handwritten thank you notes with each shipment and email updates with tracking information for orders shipping within the US. As someone who buys almost everything online, I know that tracking information is very important. I also hope that by consistently adding new items to my shop I can persuade buyers to come back for more!

What do you do when you are not creating?

When I'm not creating I am working on updating our home. Old people lived here before us and the 70's flowered wall paper and brass light fixtures have to go. I think interior design is kind of like graphic design in 3D! I also enjoy wrestling with my dogs and playing xbox with my husband. This spring I am going to spend a lot of time gardening and trying to whip our yard into shape. Right now it is a tangle of ivy and underbrush!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I just listed a few Father's Day cards, so check them out! Father's Day is June 21st!


Be sure to check out Amanda's GREAT cards (I'm a repeat customer myself) in her Etsy shop. If you're interested in being featured in future Monday Must-Have segments, please feel free to convo me in my Etsy shop or email me. Have a wonderful day!

Monday Must-Have - DoodleStars

Today marks a new installment of my Monday blog series titled Monday Must-Have. Each Monday I will feature a fellow talented Etsian and his or her phenomenal work. Each featured artist will have his or her own online Etsy shop where you can peruse and admire his or her one-of-a-kind body of work. Hopefully you will find new favorite artists and artisans whose work you MUST HAVE. :)

Today's featured artist is Natasha of DoodleStars.

Who are you (actual name/and or shop name)?

Natasha Reilly, creator of DoodleStars (although the Etsy address is http://Doodlestar.etsy.com The last “s” jumped ship during setup!)

What do you create?

I create handmade cards, hand-painted frames and mirrors, original wall art and journals. Sometimes we compare ourselves and our incredible creations to others and find ourselves lacking, so I strive to create pieces that carry a feeling of celebration and remind people that they are ridiculously fabulous and unique.

Where are you located?

I live in a little cottage – otherwise known as an apartment – in the middle of the Big Apple. I’m proud to say that I’m one of many nice Native New Yorkers. What? I swear, we really are! You wanna take this outside? Hahahaha.

When did you start creating?

I am a writer however I’ve always been obsessed with color and longed to create things like cards and journals. About twelve years ago, I created a piece with words and color that was picked up by Family Circle magazine. Then I stopped. There was no reason other than fear; I kept everything from poems to little characters hidden in journals. After completing an MFA in writing I sent my work out and it was received well. Then after the birth of my daughter, I decided I had to try my hand at creating products. So, I setup my first Etsy shop on December 2nd, 2008 and I haven’t looked back. This venture is a fusion of art and writing and even if I fail miserably I want my daughter to know that you need to follow your heart and your dreams in this life.

What inspires you?

The physical world around me like ocean waves, seashells, the moon, the stars, the sound of raindrops hitting leaves, etc., inspires me. People like you and all the talented artists I have met inspire me more than words can say. There is something so amazing about talking with someone who loves what they do. Whether they are driving a truck, painting, walking dogs or sky writing, whatever it is I am inspired when I see another person’s passion for what they do. I am also deeply moved by the people in my life and those that reach out to help others for no other reason than genuine care for your fellow being.

What is the most time consuming part of your craft?

Many of the cards I make – including the card packs – are made by hand so it takes time to gather all the little pieces and put them together. However, when I think “time-consuming” the idea of promotion is the first thing that comes to mind. It’s incredible how much hard work goes into getting the word out. It’s like standing in the middle of a packed school yard at lunchtime and trying to get folks to listen to a joke. It’s easy to get drowned out by all the other voices.

What is your favorite place to visit in your hometown and why?

That’s hard – there are so many wonderful nooks and crannies in this city. There are two that I can’t decide between. The first is this one section of The Metropolitan Museum of Art that has a fountain and gorgeous stained glass windows. It’s so peaceful. I used to write there all the time – I even cut class a couple times in high school to go there to write! The other is this big rock in a little park near my childhood home which overlooks a lighthouse on the East River. Many of my favorite memories revolve around that rock.

What is your most popular item that you create (and why do you think it is so popular)?

The hippo being lifted by balloons card that I make gets lots of kudos. It’s hard to keep him in my shop! He’s just a simple hippo having fun and I think people connect with that idea.

How do you acquire new clients?

Haha…I’m not sure yet. Right now I spend a ton of time telling people about my shop and on Etsy I try to share my items in forums and respond to threads when people are looking for gifts. I’m learning everyday.

What's your next project going to be?

I have two projects. I’m working on a new line of cards – including an awesome birthday pack - and I’m working hard to finish writing a book.


What types of things do you do to turn first time buyers into repeat clients?

You know I really struggle with “selling”. I make things that I love and I hope people like them. Each and every time there is a sale, I’m so flattered. I love getting to know my buyers so whether it’s a regular order or a custom order I sometimes chat with them in Etsy convos or over email. Once I know them a bit, I send them little treats with their order, useful things I think they’d enjoy. Sometimes based on our conversations or their purchase I will tell them about another item they might like that’s either in the shop or coming soon. I am not a salesman; I don’t believe in selling people things they don’t need. I just like to get to know folks, share my stuff and hope they come to play again.

What do you do when you are not creating?

When I’m not creating I’m hanging with my 22 month old daughter, going to the movies with my husband, spending time with family and awesome friends, eating too many M&M’s for my own good, listening to music, doing yoga, and keeping an ear out for good, naughty jokes.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Yes, I started a new blog called the Thursday Sweet Treat. It’s a playground for artists of all kinds and from all walks of life to stay motivated to create new works while having fun. I’d like to invite everyone to stop by cheer, play and enjoy.

Thank you so much for this opportunity, Ruth. I am such a HUGE fan of yours. I’m deeply honored. You rock!


Be sure to check out Natasha's Etsy shop which is full of her unique work! If you're interested in being featured in future Monday Must-Have segments, please feel free to convo me in my Etsy shop or email me. Have a great day!

NEW - Fine Art Resin Pendants!

I have broadened my horizons! For several years I have spent all my artistic time creating original oil paintings and pet portraits on canvas, up until a few weeks ago. I am extremely detail oriented in my work, and looooove working on a small scale. I really take great joy in depiciting every single hair in my pet portraits. After seeing the rise in popularity of the Scrabble tile pendant, I decided to put my own twist on it. For those who don't know, the process for creating a Scrabble tile pendant usually consists of an artist or artisan cutting out a piece of paper with a unique design on it, gluing it on a Scrabble tile, putting a resin finish on it, and attaching a bail. Here's an example of a Scrabble tile pendant by fellow NCTriangle Team member scatterbox.

So I decided to create one-of-a-kind fine art resin pendants for Allover Art. For my proccess I take a 1 1/4 inch square wooden tile, and create a unique and original acrylic painting on the front. I paint the back of the tile black and initial it. Once the miniature painting dries, I seal the pendant with a gloss varnish. Once the varnish dries I put a high-gloss resin coating over the painting. Once the resin cures I securely attach a large silver-plated Aanraku bail to the painting, creating a fine art pendant! These pendants are a perfect eye-catching size with saturated colors that will surely get you many compliments. I will be selling these for $15 with either a black or white 18-inch Chinese silk cord to create one-of-a-kind wearble art. I have created about 15 different pendants at the moment and will be listing them in my Etsy shop this week as well as creating a page dedicated to them on my website.


I will also be taking custom orders for your very own special fine art pendant. Keeping in line with my love for pets, I can create a custom fine art pendant with the silouhette of your pet's breed. I already have a Scottie, and several non-specific dog silouettes. I also have several cat silouhettes already painted that are waiting for the resin coating. I also have several Halloween-themes pendants. Each pendant comes gift-wrapped with tissue paper in a tiny box with ribbon. Be sure to check out my Etsy shop every few days as I continue to list different pendants.

My next craft fair/art show will be Hollyfest on Saturday, October 25th from 10am-4pm at Womble Park in Holly Springs. In addition my usual original oil paintings I will have a large number of these pendants on display. I will also have many fine art prints and a few canvas reproductions of some of my original works, as well as different fine art print note card and envelope sets.

It looks like it will be a really fun event! They will have numerous arts and craft vendors, different food vendors, a hay maze, and so much more! I am really looking forward to this event and being outside on such a pleasant fall day. I hope to see you out there. :)

Art Print Note Cards

Hello everyone! I just can't seem to keep my creativity confined to one medium these days. I of course still love to do pet portraits and that is still the majority of my work. In fact, I just finished a pet portrait for an Alchemy request on Etsy. It was my first Alchemy bid that I won! The portrait I did was of Flounder. Isn't he adorable? Anyway, to learn more about what Alchemy is on Etsy, click here. Basically, if there is something that you want made you put a request on Etsy and all the artists and artisans can bid on it.

Anyway, I digress. I've been thinking about ways to expand my work beyond the oil paintings themselves. The first thing I've come up with are art print note card and envelope sets. So far I have two different sets of cards. Both sets incorporate small fine art prints of my work. The first set is a set of three folding note cards featuring my Peaceful Puppy painting with matching envelopes.

This is a set of 3 blank folded cards each with a mounted fine art print of my Peaceful Puppy original oil painting. Each set of three comes with matching envelopes. Both cards and envelopes are bright white in color, slightly textured, and have a deckle edge. The inside of each card is blank, awaiting for your message.

Each card is 3.5" x 4.8" and each envelope is 3.7" x 5.1".

Each set comes shipped in a cello bag.

I also have the same set available with my Frisky Kitten painting featured. The details of the set are the same as the details of the Puppy set.


AND I have the same set available featuring my Nubble Lighthouse painting. The Nubble Lighthouse is located in beautiful Maine.

Each set of cards and envelopes can be found in my Etsy shop.


I'm also experimenting with handmade original fine art acrylic painted resin pendants, but more on that later. Here's a teaser. ------------>