You'll WANT To Move To Kansas!

Jared from Jared In Kansas is a brilliant photography. His photographs are breath taking, each one even better then the next. I can honestly say I've never considered going to Kansas, but after viewing his stunning images, i might want to visit there one day. Anyone from a travel agency need a great nature photographer? Go to Jared's Etsy account!



1) How long have you been crafting?

My mom introduced me to photography when I was eight. I've been shooting off and on since then. It started just with me taking my camera on family vacations. I fell in love with national parks and photography all at the same time.




2) Did you always craft in this genre?

The main change that I've undergone recently is that I finally delved into digital photography about two years ago. Before that, I had only shot with film. Digital photography opens up a lot of doors, and it makes it possible to experiment wildly without worrying about the costs involved.






3) Who or what inspires you?

I'm constantly inspired by the beauty of the natural world. Over time, I am learning to appreciate the subtle beauty caused by the interaction of people with the natural world. I'm looking to explore that in more depth.



4) What challenges have you found while taking your craft into the business world?

Very few. I've been very fortunate to have found such a wonderful place to share my work with others. It continues to humble me that others want to have my photographs on their walls



So take a minute, and head to Jared's Etsy account to view more of his images. You won't be disappointed!

New Sorority Jewels.

I've been trying to show examples of my Sorority jewels. If you'd like anything customized, i'd be happy to make anything you heart desires! :)

Alas! Progression.

Looking at progress day by day doesn't mean a darn thing. I am quite hard on myself, i do know this. I just feel like i have so much potential, and i don't feel like I'm growing enough, fast enough. I feel like i should be so much further in my jewelry business, that i should have learned how to be organized and efficient by now. One thing is for sure though, my photography, ROCKS. I might not by the most artistic, the best at lighting, and i surely am not the best with Photoshop, but look how much i have improved since last year!!



Vs.



Photo Kudos to me!

Beck-ing Call For An Amazing Painter

I feel so horrid, i havn't written about anyone in a while. My excuse, although not a brilliant one is the Holiday rush. On the bright side, i interviewed Julie Beck, from Julie B Creative ages ago. I found her incredible talented and her work makes me wish i could paint. Looking through her work now, a month or so later, i can honestly say, i am even more impressed then i was the 1st time i saw her paintings. It's even more incredible then i remember!



1) How long have you been crafting?

I have been painting for about 5 years, but as with most people on Etsy, I have been artistic most of my life. Not very good though. I think my drawings as a kid were actually better than some of my first paintings. I'd have to say that only in the past 3 years has my work been "up to snuff."



2) Did you always craft in this genre?

Not at all, I started in acrylics, went to oils, and then back to acrylics. I have absolutely no patience, so the oils were definitely the wrong medium for me. I like the immediacy of water based.



3) Who or what inspires you?

There may not be enough room to list them all but the top few include: books, old trains and railroad tracks, the bins of old photographs that are abandoned and end up in an antique store, flea markets, numbers, ghost stories, The Dark Tower series by Stephen King, farms, bold color combinations. In my daily life, the one tings that always stops me in my tracks is a really good color combination that’s just exisiting...it wasn't planned, it just happened. It's kind of a chaotic natural pairing that makes it so beautiful.




4) What challenges have you found while taking your craft into the business world?

Time management. I work a full time job creating motion graphics. I started offering the custom paintings, which was a really good decision, because a lot of people look for personalized gifts for people...and for so many, like myself, their house is very important to them and it means a lot. It's a place that is somewhat sacred...which is why I started the series. However, each one takes about 8 or 9 hours to complete. This is forcing me to learn how I need to manage my time better so I have more than 4 hours to sleep at night. The nice part about this is I can really start making painting my part time job and cut back my hours at work. It's the one benefit to being a freelancer.




Misc Information:

I took an abstract painting class one time, and I think it really helped my work...the funny part is that the hardest thing for me to do was to not painting "something." Interesting random fact about me: I was valedictorian of my college and have a degree in math.

So head over to Julie's Etsy account, tell her hello and drink in her creative spirit. Enjoy! :)

Pretty New Jewels!

-- Tensha Romantic

-- Dragon Heart

-- Bumble Bee Love

And for the little tykes..

> -- Bumble Bee Jr.

-- Aqua Evening

New Jewels up at Cherry Runway!!! Remember to check out the new website! www.cherryrunway.com, and tell me what you think!!!

Beware Consignment

-- a "handy note" from me.

Okay, just like may other artists i know, i am hoping to pursue this field as a career choice. In order to do so i am trying to hustle and talk about Cherry Runway consistently to become more well known. So when i am accepted or approached by a brick and motor shop that is willing to sell my designs, i am stoked!! The fall back though, which incase you didn't already know of, is that when you hand over your goods, you really don't have a say what they do with them.

Consignment seems like a great idea. Don't get me wrong, I am still quite pleased when i am able to consign my goods, but in some cases it seems like a waste of money. First off, you foot out the bill and time and give someone/someplace your items for free, based on a contact that you hope they will sell your merchandise. Sometimes your goods will be put in the back and not even be put on the floor for days, weeks or months. Sometimes they were never put on the floor and just sent back to you after a while. Unless you visit this place frequently, you really will never know.

I've been a shoppe in South Florida for about 6 months. I was extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to see at this particular place. I was told that i should call once a month and put my name on the consignment artist list, and someone will call me with an update. I've called once a month for the last five months, and have not received a single phone call back. When i called their shop yesterday, the women i worked with "no longer worked with the company" and the girl at the register had never heard of me or my jewelry. So, i went in for a personal visit. When i got there, a women lifted a small crumpled paper bag and dumped out my jewelry on the counter to compare it to my invoice. $400.00 wholesale, of my hard earned time and money was sitting there tarnished and uncared for. It made me sick.

So please learn from my mistake, check out a store very carefully before you hand over your goods. It may seem like the opportunity of a lifetime, but may end up as a waste of your time.

HOLY COW!

How could i not have posted about my website launch?? Wow, I'm silly. I guess i just assume nobody reads this blog. Regardless, my website was launched on January 1st, 2008!!!! Isn't that exciting?? I sure think so! So far i have gotten some wonderful feedback, but please let me know what you think of it!!

www.cherryrunway.com





This is the ad i posted on my "friends" Myspace pages. So if you are my friend, be prepared to receive one of these beauties :)

www.cherryrunway.com