Artist Spotlight Zoica Matei from Zoia

   Welcome to another edition of Artist Showcase. Today I am going to tell you a little bit about me and how I got my start on Etsy. My name is Zoica Miesen, I have a business called Zoica Matei and an Etsy shop named Zoia. I always loved drawing and sketching and I used to illustrate as a fashion designer for apparel and bridal. Later, as a fashion design teacher I experimented with different techniques and started to draw again outside of class, this time to convey a message or an emotion. Here is one of my prints inspired by Paris travels:
                                                     
                                                         Paris Fashion Illustration

   I found Etsy in 2007 and immediately singed up for an account. I was amazed by the number of creative people found in one place! I was a buyer at first and later I start selling my eco-friendly garments. Since spring 2013 I moved on to create hand drawn illustrations, while having just a few fashion items in my shop, like apparel, accessories, and patterns.

                                                           The Mysterious Woman

   Because I love everything that relates to fashion, beauty and brides, my creations are a reflection of that love. I have a soft spot for bridal designs and enjoy doing custom wedding gown sketches. I also like creating illustrations that have an emotional message linked to them and reach beyond the pure beauty.

                                                       Custom Wedding Dress Sketch

   I love to make my customers happy and always like to see them returning. You called it success when a customer is taking the time to write you a note, gives you a great review, or sends you pictures with your creation.

                                                           The Little Black Dress

   There are also challenges selling on Etsy, a marketplace that has grown significantly since 2007 when I started. You need to be keener in advertising, in using the right social media, and presenting your product in a competitive way. The titles, images, descriptions, and tags are only part of helping your business succeed, and selling in a competitive market like Etsy involves so much more than that! There is always the visibility challenge and a new seller on Etsy needs to study all the rules of the marketplace before starting, but also to have a plan to promote the business and be consistent on doing it.

                                                     
                                                             Vogue Cover Art Print

 Because in 2013 I changed directions from offering apparel to offering art prints and originals, my advice is to plan everything carefully: shop title, categories, and making sure the shop is cohesive. If the shop is not cohesive opening a second shop should be considered.

                                                     Red Dress Fashion Illustration

 This wraps up another edition of Artist Spotlight. This column is offered every Monday and we’re always looking for artists to spotlight. So, if you are interested or know someone that we would enjoy reading about please pass on the information.
   Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time…

Zoica

Friday Finds Winter Wonderland

Welcome to this week’s Friday’s Finds. This week's theme is "Winter Wonderland." Our featured treasury  was curated by Susan. Here is one of her graphic design wall art pieces:

                                                                 

                                           Customizable Kids Wall Art 

'Winter Wonderland' by snewberry55

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

Next week’s theme is “A Happy New Year.” You are more than welcome to submit a treasury and if your treasury is selected we will feature an item from your shop. Just convo Susan or myself. We’ll let you know if your treasury is selected. Also feel free to pin any of the items on our blog and follow our blog with bloglovin’. Thanks for stopping by. Until next time…

Zoica

Artist Spotlight - Susan Newberry Designs

Welcome to another edition of Artist Showcase.  Today I am going to tell you a little bit about me and how I got my start on Etsy.

My name is Susan Newberry and I have always been interested in art and design.  I teach both interior design and fashion design at a local college and have recently stepped in to the world of graphic design.  I started taking classes in graphic design at the school where I teach and found that I really had a knack for it.  My business is Susan NewberryDesigns and I design vintage and contemporary art for kids and adults.  I sell on both Etsy and recently I started selling on Zibbet. 

Here is one of my prints that sums up exactly how I feel.

Believe you can and you’re halfway there

I started by making handmade greeting cards and began selling them at work.  One of my colleagues told me about Etsy and recommended that I start selling there.  I started my store in March of 2012. Since then my store has evolved to include calendars and graphic prints. I love designing for children as well as adults. My projects range from vintage to contemporary designs. I love typography so you will find quite a few inspirational sayings. Here is one of my favorites:

She believed she could

I love all things design and find inspiration in all things. Color draws me. Art moves me. Typography excites me. My grandkids inspire me. Designing brings me much pleasure and the items I create come from my heart.  You can see evidence of my love for interior design and fashion design in many of my projects. Here are some of my chairs:

Mid-Century Modern Chairs

and what girl doesn't need a little black dress or three?

 

Set of Three Dresses

I’ve had a few exciting moments since I began.  The first was from a furniture store in Canada who asked me to design a calendar for their store.  The second was when I was contacted by a Design Show on the BBC who wanted several of my prints to use on a house they were building for a client.  I was honored that they chose my artwork.  I am eagerly awaiting the show to air even though I may not be able to see it.  I am hoping that it brings business my way!

I've had a few challenges since I began selling online.  One of my biggest challenges has been getting my name out there.  That takes time.  But as long as I am doing what I love, I'm happy.  My advice?

Find Something

In addition to doing what you love, I would tell sellers to be patient.  I opened my shop in March of 2012 but didn’t really see a lot of traffic until spring of 2013 and things have been moving upward ever since.  I keep reminding myself that my Zibbet store will take some time.

Tomorrow is another day

Well that wraps up another edition of Artist Spotlight.  Thanks for letting me tell you my story.

We try and run this column every Monday and we’re always looking for artists to spotlight.  So if you are interested or know someone that we would enjoy reading about please pass on the information.

Thanks for stopping by,

Until next time…

 

Friday Finds - Gifts for Kids

Welcome to this week’s Friday’s Finds. This week's theme is "Kid’s Gifts."  Our featured treasury is called “Gifts for Children.”

'Gifts for Children'

Beautiful handmade gifts for kids

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

 More Gifts For Little Ones:

I love you to the moon and back - Nursery Wall Art

Read me a story Tuck me in Say a sweet prayer Kiss megoodnight

Pink fashion illustration print – Ballerina Girl

And for older ones:

Black Ruffle Dress Fashion Illustration

 

It's all about the shoes

Next week’s theme is “Winter Wonderland.” You are more than welcome to submit a treasury and if your treasury is selected we will feature an item from your shop.  Just convo Zoica or myself.  We’ll let you know if your treasury is selected.

Also feel free to pin any of the items on our blog and follow our blog with bloglovin’.  The goal, ladies and gents, is to get sales!

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time…