Saturday, April 21, 2012

Featured Etsian Artist ♥ MadScientistsDesigns


I am participating in the EAWT Blog Swap and for my first featured artist I get to feature my good friend and awesome Etsian Artist MadScientistsDesigns!!!  Check out this fun and inspirational interview below...

Butterflies and Flowers Earrings 001 Neo Victorian Nature Inspired by MadScientistsDesigns

1. How did your shop get its name and what was the main inspiration behind opening your shop?

I started out with an idea of what I wanted to sell in my shop, then considered several different names. Since I love experimenting and trying new things, Mad Scientist seemed pretty appropriate. Then I decided to add Designs to the title after searching Mad Scientist in Etsy Shops. It seemed like such a pity to throw away the old vacuum tubes. I wanted to repurpose them into a new form and thought they'd make cool jewelry, so MadScientistsDesigns was born.

2. What do you create and do you have a signature product? If so how did it come to be?

I create jewelry in several styles including Steampunk, Gothic, and Neo Victorian. I also sell some altered art and handmade recycled journals. My signature product is my vacuum tube jewelry, an idea born to save old vacuum tubes from going into the garbage.

  OOAK Steampunk Vacuum Tube Necklace 002 
OOAK Steampunk Vacuum Tube Necklace

3. Where do you find your inspiration and what makes you different from the other people that make what you make?

I find inspiration everywhere really... Everything I see gives me ideas for new ways to use or make things. I like to mix styles together to make things in unusual ways, like using Viking knit (an ancient style of wire work) in Steampunk creations. Using wirewrapping in Steampunk designs makes my creations unusual.

4. What do you enjoy most about your craft and what do you find most rewarding about selling on Etsy?
I enjoy creating and learing new techniques. Constantly trying new things keeps my creativity fresh and makes my work fun. I enjoy all of the commeraderie that I've experienced on Etsy. Meeting people all over the world and making friends has been great!

Mixed Metal Collage Peacock Brass Topaz and Blue 
(LOVE THIS BTW!!) 

5. What is your best advice to newbie Etsians just opening their shops?

Get organized, read everything you can about online selling, and join a team that will help you with questions along the way. Life is a journey, enjoy the trip.

6. What are your top 3 fav shops (other then your own) that you love to browse on Etsy?

Only 3? Hmmm.... Well I've loved MandarinMoon since right after I joined Etsy, she makes the most amazing creations with clay. I also love CatInTheBoxCreations who make the most wonderfully different cat scratchers. A new favorite is BBLuxe, she makes really cool copper jewelry.

Colorful Dragonfly Ring 001 Neo Victorian Nature Inspired by MadScientistsDesigns  
Colorful Dragonfly Ring

7. Where else other then Etsy can you be found on the net?

You can find me blogging about what I'm working on, interviews with other artists, and other things at madscientistsdesigns.blogspot.com/
I have a Facebook Fan Page
Follow me on Twitter @MadScientistsDe 

8. Do you have any coupon codes / special sales / upcoming or current promotional events going on in your shop?
Use EAWT2012 for 10% OFF any purchase.

Steampunk Vintage Vacuum Tube Barrette 001 Brass by MadScientistsDesigns

4 comments:

MadScientistsDesigns said...

Thank you so much for the feature!

Jenny said...

Fabulous interview Lizzy... and gorgeous jewelry...

Jenny x

Gari Anne said...

Great interview! Love your work!

Jane said...

awesome interview with Mad :)