Meet my latest fabric crush, Maramiki!
Maramiki is the creation of designer and textile artist, Mara Snipes. I am so thrilled to be hosting this AWESOME giveaway - I'm holding a stack of her remnant fabrics and it is simply gorgeous - super soft and would make some really sweet creations. One of you lucky readers is going to win this beautiful little stack to add to your sewing stash!
I came across Maramiki on etsy, and was very excited when Mara agreed to give us a little insight into her creative life. Have a read, be inspired, and don't forget to leave us a comment - say hello and let us know your favorite item from her shop......
Where are you from, in which city do you currently live?
I was raised in Chicago, and am back in Chicago again by way of a glorious nine-year stint in San Francisco.
How did you become interested in your craft?
I've been drawing since I can remember, little pictures with lots of detail, which is how I see things... up close, with attention to line. I had wanted to start a creative business for years, but couldn't quite narrow down what I wanted to do. So I decided to find something to start with, and then go from there. That was such a liberating moment, to just dive in and see what unfolds. I also wanted to find a way to make my drawings 'functional'... to have them inhabit everyday, useful objects. I love fabric and texture, so I took a textile screenprinting class last year, and then it clicked. So I guess I consider myself first a draftsperson, who found a medium in screenprinting and textiles.
Do you sell on Etsy full time or do you have a day job?
I sell on Etsy, but also sell to a few local stores in Chicago. My website launched last year, which has been a great marketing tool and I've gotten a lot of custom work from it. After taking a few months off to have a baby recently, it hit home that I get back what I put into it, so it's an ongoing commitment to keep looking, drawing, designing, and pushing the envelope creatively. When I get frustrated or stuck, I remind myself that I chose this: I left the corporate world to slow down my lifestyle and do something more personally fulfilling. It comes with its own challenges but it was the best decision for me.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I think everything influences me to some extent, but nature is my biggest inspiration - getting outside and really paying attention to what's there. I keep a sketchbook with me all the time, and try to get ideas down as they come to me. I also draw a lot with my daughters (ages three and four and a half), and the things they come up with blow me away! It's so easy for children - there's no judgment, which lets things flow much more easily. I don't try too hard to identify where designs or ideas come from, but I stay open to being moved or affected by things in my daily life: the light, air, weather, color. That feeling of openness is in itself very inspiring.
Where do you do your crafty work?
I have a studio in my home, with lots of floorspace, good light, and storage for all of my drawings, samples, fabric, crazy projects, and on and on. It's pretty organized at the moment but it makes me happy to have the floor covered with scraps and trimmings - it means I've been working.
Thanks to Mara for sharing with us!
And don't forget to leave us a comment to enter!
A winner will be chosen at random on October 23rd - Extra entries will be given for blogger followers and tweeters!
My fellow etsiers, do you know about this site? Craftcount.com? It tells you the top Etsy Sellers by country and/or category. This is an easy way to check on the best, see their shops and be inspired! I know I certainly get the bug to work harder when I see what opportunity there can be when you love what you do and work hard!
Here I am! Right here in the bottom left hand corner! I remember a time when it wasn't so rare to see your stuff on the front page of etsy, but since becoming a registered user many years ago, Etsy has grown by leaps and bounds! So seeing your items right there on the landing page is an exciting thing! Just last month alone there were 1,258,023 items sold on etsy, and 239,340 new members! Just in one month! 
This was her inspiration image. Source unknown.
And these were what I came up with to match her vision.
These little flowers include vintage buttons from my Nan's button jar.
Always busy.....if I could just turn this creative itch off! 
That's alot of P's! Well my friend Kristi of Visible Voice is hosting a lovely giveaway of 2 of the 'Peony Pink' pouches from my shop! This is open until V-Day this Sunday, so click on over here for your chance to pick up one of these catch-all pouches!
