Studio Tour with Hazelnut Cottage

Today's final post of the day is a swell ane, I must say. I interviewed Jan Avellana of Hazelnut Cottage, a sterling jewelry shop and a weblog by the aforementioned name, for the latest studio tour. When Jan isn't working on Hazelnut Cottage or another web log that she writes for (which you will read about in the interview), she is busy existence a mother to her two small children. Oh, and did I mention she currently concord two degrees (one in graphic blueprint and the other, a Chief's, in pedagogy)? I don't know how she find the time. Here'southward the interview…

-How did you get started with Hazelnut Cottage?

Hazelnut Cottage has gone through many permutations over the years; graphic pattern, bookbinding, dried flowers, lather making and even potted plants (actually)! The version of Hazelnut Cottage that exists now came into existence when my 2nd child was a newborn baby. I'd put him in his moses basket under my computer table and I'd alternate between nursing him and surfing the net, desperately searching for a way to piece of work from home so I wouldn't have to go back to educational activity. I stumbled upon Etsy and found my calling and my tribe. I had been making jewelry off and on for the last dozen years or so, but Etsy made me realize that living the indie life was indeed possible.

-Is Hazelnut Cottage your full time chore? If it is non, how do you balance both?

My total time job is being mommy to my two immature sons, wife to my married man Steve and learning to be an about growed-up person! Only seriously, Hazelnut Cottage is my chief gig for now, and I do put in full-time hours some weeks, more often than not part-time hours the rest of the time. I am too the in-firm graphic designer and contributing writer at Hawaii Traditions, a weblog featuring Hawaiis unusual local traditions, values and culture""stop by and say "Aloha!"

As far equally rest is concerned, I take none! My cocky-care borders on awful (I am working on it), when I am busy with work for Hazelnut Cottage or writing for my friend'southward blog I experience guilty that I am not more attentive to my children, and lets not fifty-fifty talk about my (lack of) housekeeping! And that poor cat. Sigh…

-Proper name your three favorite makers/crafters.

Just iii?! Gosh, I dont think I can proper noun only three. I adore the artwork of painter Joseph Blake, illustrations from Aliette and whimsical wire work of De Beaux Souvenirs. I connect with the spirit behind Crystsal Neubauers OPF Studio, the originality and business acumen of Kelly Rae Roberts and the charm of Middleburg Folk Fine art Studio). Oh, I guess thats more than three"¦I could go along and on!

-Who or what do you draw the most inspiration from in your ain piece of work?

I read lots. Esoteric books on art, on art and organized religion, on living a artistic life. And then writers and books and words, always words, inspire me"¦I am likewise a sea creature by nature, and prefer being in the water to being on land, so the bits of the ocean permeate my piece of work and colour choices. As far as my other artistic endeavors (I am secretly a painter at heart, or maybe an encaustic or papier mache creative person!), I find that my children inspire me. When I sit down downward to paint or create, I have all these m intentions of creating Serious Art, and what comes out of me are light-headed $.25 of processed colored babyhood innocence"¦I realize that through my work I am attempting to capture the fleetingness of my childrens childhood, while redeeming my own less-than-perfect memories.

-What advice would you requite to others who are looking to start a arts and crafts business or trying to promote themselves equally artists? Any tips you can share?

I recall, merely begin. This is always a huge one for me. Just start. Endeavour information technology. If it doesn't sell, or you grow out of the media, allow yourself to endeavour something else, to grow, to evolve to enjoy the process of creating rather than getting all aptitude trying to do everything 'correct'. I struggle with this every day! I call up there is something very important most the idea of work as play. Hmmm…equally far as promoting goes, I am learning everything by trial and error; advertise on blogs, kindly introduce yourself and seek out web log features, create, create, create and keep putting yourself and your work out there into the world. I believe the right people volition find you lot at the right time.

-What do yous similar virtually about your studio/ workspace? What do you lot similar least?

What I dearest most is all of the natural light that floods my art studio. I love my tansu"˜s (Japanese storage chests). Oh! And I am in the process of painting my bulletin board wall!

What I like least is my ain slob-ness. I am a slob. It was a truly H-Due east-R-C-U-L-East-A-N effort to make clean up my space for this photo shoot. I am still traumatized and in therapy considering of information technology!

How do you get any work done in your studio with such a gorgeous view (yeah, the above paradigm is the view from her window)?

Oh, HA, HA. I am the most disorganized creature, and quite hands distracted to be certain. Its wonderful to be able to look out of my window and meet the marina and a sliver of the body of water in the distance. I do try to exist productive"¦writing lists helps (when I don't lose them), keeping all of my orders on a clipboard in chronological social club and inviting people over so that I am forced to make clean upwards, and keeping my yummy artstuff in constant view to entice me to play""these are my secrets for artistic productivity and uh, organization!

Thank you for the tour January! I beloved Jan'due south tips about starting a new venture and that view…wow!

To view more of Jan's work, please visit her shop, Hazelnut Cottage, and her blog .

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Source: https://www.papernstitchblog.com/studio-tour-with-hazelnut-cottage/