Today's Featured Artist: plasticpumpkin

Ren Adams (plasticpumpkin) creates beautiful and inspiring fine art work that reflects her love for and dedication to each piece.

Lunachick: What made you decide to start creating?

plasticpumpkin: It was never a conscious decision. I've just always done it. I ruined my baby book, too.



Lunachick: When did you start?

plasticpumpkin: Probably before I could walk. Both of my parents are artists and I was always surrounded by art supplies.


Lunachick: What has been the most difficult part of selling your work?

plasticpumpkin: Choosing the wrong venues and getting told that a 2-year old could do better. Hauling tables, canopies, and all of the other trappings to in-person art fairs, only to have a bomb of a day. Staying positive is important. Supporting your fellow artists is important. Remembering that some days are good and others are bad is important. Sometimes it's a little difficult to keep oneself centered, so I'd say that's the biggest challenge. Moving forward, even when you question the path you're on. It's hard... but it's not impossible.


Lunachick: Which piece are you most proud of?

plasticpumpkin: I am not proud of anything that I do. Chinese brush painting is about capturing the chi of your subject. It's about focus, serenity, tranquility, and modesty. To be humble is the most beautiful thing. When I look at each piece, I can see that I could have done better. Each piece is one step farther along the path of improvement. It's a lifelong path.

Lunachick: What is your favorite medium?

plasticpumpkin: Chinese brush painting. I also really love oil pastels, mixed media (especially acrylics and pen), and beeswax.

Lunachick: What's the most satisfying part of creating/selling your work?

plasticpumpkin: I believe each individual painting has someone for whom it was meant. There's nothing more exciting than helping that someone get that special something. Uniting them with a piece of art that speaks to them and that they will enjoy for a lifetime.


Lunachick: Any advice for others selling their work?

plasticpumpkin: Hang in there. Do what you do because you want to. Because it needs to come out. Don't worry about the rest of it. It can be discouraging, but it will all fall into place in the end.

Lunachick: What's a random fact about yourself?

plasticpumpkin: I am short, have red hair, and I am currently obsessing over traditional Chinese clothing (hanfu).

Lunachick: Anything else you'd like to say?

plasticpumpkin: Thank you for taking the time to ask such interesting questions!

Today's Featured Artist: SilverDragon

Meet SilverDragon, who creates absolutely gorgeous works of wearable art using quality materials in a wide array of colors.

She blends style with the utmost in craftsmanship, her work standing out in a crowd with no problems whatsoever.

Lunachick: What made you decide to start creating? When did you start?

SilverDragon: If there was a conscious decision to begin creating, I certainly don't recall it. As far back as I can remember I have always had the desire, the urge to create.

Lunachick: What has been the most difficult part of selling?

SilverDragon: The most difficult aspect of selling is coming up against a mindset that looks with disdain at an artform not well comprehended. The market has been inundated with poorly made objects (generally made by poorly paid artisans) unsing low quality amterials that mimic the art I and other beadweavers create. Most people have no first hand experience
comparing and understanding the difference. This is a great obstacle and I am a shy (however opinionated) person.

Lunachick: What is your favorite material to work with?

SilverDragon: Glass and stone beads are my favorite materials. I love the smooth surfaces, the sparkling faceted surfaces, the many and varied hues and finishes. It's like solid paint and makes for wonderful experimentation of color and texture combinations.

Lunachick: What's the most satisfying part of creating/selling your work?

SilverDragon: Possibly the most satisfying thing is to have others "oohing" and "ahhing" and actually paying me (and thereby honorong me) for my work.
Lunachick: Any advice for others selling their work?

SilverDragon: Don't undersell your talent, your time, nor your work. Artists deserve to earn pay that does not insult us and indeed makes it possible for us to live by our handiwork.

Lunachick: What's a random fact about yourself?

SilverDragon: My favorite color is RED!

Lunachick: Anything else you'd like to say?

SilverDragon: Thank you for being a part of this project and for asking such excellent questions!

Today's Featured Artist: arosebyname

Today's featured artist, arosebyname, creates amazingly intricate works using many different beadwork techniques. Her designs are both colorful and detailed, making them fun and right at home in anyone's jewelry collection.

Lunachick: What made you decide to start creating?

arosebyname: I've been creating in one way or another since I was a child. Drawing, painting, knitting (didn't work), crocheting (even worse), embroidery, writing, poetry, cross-stitch and beading. And yet, there are still things out there I would love to try!

Lunachick: When did you start?

arosebyname: I started beading over 10 years ago with my daughters. It was when the bead critters were popular. As the years have progressed, the beads have gotten smaller and the designs more intricate.
Lunachick: What has been the most difficult part of selling?

arosebyname: It's been difficult self-promoting. I know I do the best that I possibly can with each and every piece, yet there is something about talking it up that is very difficult for me. It probably has a lot to do with being raised with the "one must be humble and not boastful" mindset.

Lunachick: Which piece are you most proud of?

arosebyname: Right now my favorite piece is "Linked to the Sea". It was a labor of love and I really like how it turned out.

Lunachick: What is your favorite material to work with?

arosebyname: Delica beads and Nymo thread.

Lunachick: What's the most satisfying part of creating/selling your work?
arosebyname: I love it when I have an idea in my head and I can make it become reality. It may take five or six attempts, but when it happens, it is wonderful!

Lunachick: Any advice for others selling their work?

arosebyname: All I can tell someone is to stick with it. I have been very frustrated with the lack of sales, but I know that if I push myself to promote, I can pull the buyers in.
Lunachick: What's a random fact about yourself?

arosebyname: I have been happily married for 21 years.

Lunachick: Anything else you'd like to say?

arosebyname: Keep creating, we're making the world a more beautiful place!

Today's Featured Artist: StudioMarcy

Today, I'd like you to meet StudioMarcy. Her lampwork beads are whimsical little wonders that are bright, detailed and full of life.


Lunachick:What made you decide to start creating?

StudioMarcy: I worked in watercolors and wanted another medium that involved the layering of transparent colors. Glass seemed like the answer at the time.

Lunachick: When did you start?

StucioMarcy: 7 years ago.

Lunachick: What has been the most difficult part of selling?

StudioMarcy: Marketing myself and putting myself out there. Generally, most of my business is repeat business, so once customers who enjoy whimsical glass art find me, they remain customers.

Lunachick: Which piece are you most proud of?

StudioMarcy: It's not for sale, but I did an Inuit inspired glass piece of a face inside of an eagle mask and acid etched it. It's all in neutral colors and very different than my usual style. The face turned out beautifully. It will be in an ad in Ornament Magazine's October issue with my other AJC Street Team co-members.

Lunachick: What is your favorite material to work with?

StudioMarcy: Soft glass. Most people don't know there's a difference, but there is. Mine is the type that often comes from Murano, Italy in many colors and is used in a lot of beadmaking. It's called soft glass because the melting point is lower and it isn't quite as durable as "hard glass" which is borosilicate, or many people know that as Pyrex. That type of glass works differently and doesn't have the same color spectrum.

Lunachick: What's the most satisfying part of creating/selling your work?

StudioMarcy: Making customers happy. I do a lot of custom orders and their delight of designing just what they want and then me transforming it into glass makes me happy too.

Lunachick: Any advice for others selling their work?

StudioMarcy: Provide the best customer service and communication that you can. It will make you stand out. And make your work the best you can too.

Lunachick: What's a random fact about yourself?

StudioMarcy: I've lived in Wyoming. Not many people can claim that. (I'm in Atlanta, GA now.)

Lunachick: Anything else you'd like to say?

StudioMarcy: Visit my shop... http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com I have whimsically fun lampwork glass beads and mini sculptures and love to do custom orders. I make a lot of pendants of people's pets, which is fun and a great way to show your love for them.