I started my shop to make extra income and as a small step in eventually making a name for myself as an artist. I love to make all sorts of things from crocheted things, to jewelry, ceramics, batiked and dyed items, all sorts of stuff. I love all media! I could never stick to just one. Most of the time you can find all of those in my shop. Lately it's been mostly beaded jewelry and batiked silk scarves, but hopefully, as I head back to campus in August, the diversity of items will grow and I will be able to have a better selection of my work in ceramics (this is my major) and also metal-smithed jewelry, and lampwork beads. I don't yet have a studio of my own for those things, so it's a lot easier for me to run my Etsy shop while school is in.
How long have you been in business?
I first started listing items in September of last year, but this summer I made a lot of improvements and really put a lot more work into it. Thankfully my sales also improved! :) But this is still only the beginning!
Where do you sell your creations?
I currently only sell on Etsy at Tab Made . As far as online goes, I will probably stay there exclusively. I have also sold some of my work at the student art sale that takes place on campus every semester, most of which has been ceramics. This year my really good friend, Chandra (we batik together and were both responsible for the silk batiked scarves in my shop), and I are looking into setting up booths at local festivals. That will be a new and hopefully great experience for me. I also have a page on Deviant Art, where you can purchase prints of some of my photography. ("Tab" is actually just the initials for 'throw a bomb'. It's became my nickname over the past few years now, given to me by a good friend I met online, hence 'Tabmade'.) I've also just started a second shop on etsy, Banana Banners, to sell pre-made and one of a kind banners for other sellers shops.
Do you have a blog or web-site?
I just started a blog on blogger actually. It's at www.tabmade.blogspot.com. I'll be writing about current projects both etsy related and not, shop promotions, and anything else that may be going on in my life.
Who is your favorite crafts person/artisan or favorite web resource?
Oh wow, too many great artists/crafters to list! I get inspired and motivated on a daily basis from looking at what other people are doing, especially on Etsy. Some of my favorites would be chopstixwaits on etsy, who makes beautiful patchwork clothing and some other great things. I purchased a bright, batiked kimono wrap from her a few months ago that is just amazing. Other Etsy sellers I really love are Perishables, and Gabriel Studios, both of which have a very similar style to my off-etsy work. One non-Etsy artists I've taken notice of last year, who has definitely helped influence my ceramic artwork is Bonnie Seeman. You really want to check her out, she has amazing work.
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