Sunday, June 1, 2014

The Artist Behind The Etsy ~ A Fanciful Twist

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Being a part of the Etsy community, not only as a seller but as a customer, I have come across many talented individuals.  With this series, I hope to introduce you to some of these creative people, finding out where they find their creativity, and a little bit more about them.

You enter a world of fantasy and whimsy when you enter the world of Vanessa from A Fanciful Twist.  Fairy tales come to life when you visit Vanessa’s blog of the same name.

My name is Vanessa Valencia and I am an artist living in Southern Arizona.

I started making art when I was about 11 years old, and then more regularly when I was 17 years old.

At that time I also started a jewelry business, where I made all sorts of jewelry, which I still make today.

Vanessa Valencia Jewelry

While attending the University of Arizona, where I majored in International Retailing and Consumer Studies, I continued making art during my free time.

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It was the most important life line to my heart, which became a way for me to stay sane, and added a great amount of balance to my life.

During those years I sold my art at a gallery and shop in downtown Tucson.

I was about 19 years old and was meeting artists and having so many wonderful and memorable experiences in the art realm.

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I graduated from the U of A in 1999 and went into interior design, all the while having art and jewelry shows like mad.

In 2001 I went into real estate, but still continued to do art and jewelry shows.

In 2006 I heard about Etsy and blogging, and I was instantly hooked.

I was stressed out and run down from my real world job, and I needed a change.

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I decided to pursue a dream, just plunge, and make art full time.

It was really scary but ever so fun.

The blogosphere was hopping and there was so much excitement in the air.

So, I fully plunged and became a full time artist.

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Etsy was an easy and open venue for an artist like me.

It allowed me to share my work all over the world.

Sending art to places close to home, or as far away as Paris and Australia.

It's been a miraculous tool really.

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I always had a vast well of inspiration and creativity.

I honestly have no idea where it comes from?

But it proves to be invaluable to running such a business.

I love to garden, and being in the garden also refuels my inspiration.

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I love making things and trying new things.

This I think is part of the motor that keeps you creating regularly.

I love painting and playing in clay.

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I have sculpted in every clay medium I could find, from low fire to high fire, and now polymer clay.

My mood reflects what I make.

Sometimes it's ballerinas and old papers with glitter stars.

Other times it's bright candy colors and little hand sculpted cake heads and elves.

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I love making so many different things, but as I said, it depends on my mood as to which direction I will go in.

I don't set boundaries for myself, I just go with the flow.

Never really knowing what I shall make.

It's not easy, being a full time artist, but it is very rewarding.

I run my entire business myself, from making the art to photographing to blogging to packaging and shipping, to every single little detail in between and beyond.

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So, sometimes it can be daunting, but it's worth the freedom it affords me.

Although, it gets harder and harder to not just lollygag my day away in the garden.

So, I may need to start implementing some sound rules.

Making art is the only "place" I know that is truly me.

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I love it with my whole being.

It's a happy place, a safe place, a healing place and much more.

Everyday is a changing evolution, and I am always excited for the journey.

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In fact, I can't wait to see what tomorrow shall bring...

Blog: www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: www.VanessaValencia.com

Stunning artwork and such an interesting journey!   Thank you so much for sharing your story and your artistic talents with us here today, Vanessa!  

As if that wasn’t enough, Vanessa is very generously and graciously offering a giveaway* to a print from her shop!  To be entered to win, just leave a comment below. You do not need to have a blog to enter, but must leave an email address in your comment so that I can contact you.  This giveaway will be open until June 5, 2014, at 12 midnight EST.  A winner will be selected via random.org and announced on June 6, 2014.

*Open to U.S. residents.

 

36 comments:

Boyett-Brinkley said...

Art -- the stuff of life! Lovely, lovely, lovely. Please enter me in your giveaway. My email is m.brinkley1@charter.net and my blog is http://boyett-brinkley.blogspot.com

Junkchiccottage said...

Love this Kathy. What a generous give away too.
Have a great Sunday.
Kris

Okio B Designs said...

What a fun shop! Thanks for the intro. Is this where you got your bunny?

J

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Kathy, what a fun shop from such a talented artist. So enjoyed learning about Vanessa's journey and seeing her gorgeous work.
What a grand giveaway too.
Thank you for sharing this week's feature.
Have a nice week ahead!
Hugs

Createology said...

Kathy thank you for this venue. I am happy to "meet" Vanessa and see all that she creates. Our blogging really does expand our horizons and make this great big world a lot smaller. Creative Artist Bliss...

farmhouse-story said...

love her creativity, kathy! tfs:)--and for the chance!

Gerushia's New World said...

Dear Vanessa....she is so dear to me.

I also have my own art business and sometimes find myself running low on creative fuel. All I have to do is visit Vanessa's blog and I instantly feel inspired to create. She is a gem!

Thank you for sharing this interview.

xoxo
Kim
Gerushia's New World

Rett said...

Stopping by a Fanciful Twist is like taking time out to visit a fairytale first hand. I'm happy you found her too!
Retta519@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Vanessa is such an inspirations to us artisan artists..her art and blog bring joy ♡

chateau chic said...

Very interesting learning about Vanessa's business. Her work is gorgeous with so much attention to detail!
Mary Alice

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Vanessa is a most talented artist!...So many gorgeous works of art!!!

Unique2wh0 said...

I am in love! Unique2wh0 at aol dot com

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

wow…she is new to me! What beautiful artwork she creates!

Laura said...

Vanessa is such a wonderful artist and a great inspiration! I'm happy to have found her blog years ago. Thank you for spotlighting her!
blessings
~*~

This N That said...

I've been a fan for sometime now..She's great

NanaDiana said...

Oh-this is wonderful, Kathy. An amazing give away. Hope you had a great weekend- I am trying to get caught up with visiting! xo Diana

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh what eye candy!!! I loved and examined every single picture...she is one talented lady! Thank you for sharing

Carol

Unknown said...

Beautiful work! Thanks for being so generous.

Anonymous said...

Katy, what a fun shop! Vanessa is one talented girl! Her jewelry is lovely, her paintings are fabulous and her sculptures are amazing! Thanks for sharing her shop and blog with us!

Momcat1211 said...

Hi Kathy! I am already a loyal fan of Vanessa's beautiful art. I have also been drawn to her my the lovely spirit she has that just speaks to me too. Her blog is wonderful and changes frequently and just a joy to explore. She captures her garden and her art through the lens so well I am jealous. Hehehe. I wish I didn't live so far away from Az I'd love to visit her gallery and walk her garden and meet her have tea and pet her two puppies, now that would be so, so much fun!!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

What beautiful art and what a beautiful story! How wonderful to have been selling art at such a young age. Obviously, she was meant to be an artist, and I'm so glad she found such a wonderful outlet for her work. Thank you for sharing this artist with us. laurie

Laurel Stephens said...

I love this new series, and I forwarded the link to my daughter who would like to open an Etsy shop. Vanessa's story is very inspiring! Looking forward to reading about more Etsy shopkeepers.

A Magical Whimsy said...

How wonderful for you to highlight artists from Etsy! Etsy is where I buy all of my handmade goodies from as I know it supports artists world wide.
I adore Vanessa of 'A Fanciful Twist' as she is such a dear inspiration and I know I can always go to her blog to boost my artistic muse.
Be sure to stop by her blog for into about the Mad Tea Party she is hosting on July 12th. (see here older post for info).

Thank you!
Teresa in California
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/
tscat@sbcglobal.net

Melanie said...

Thanks for hosting this great giveaway! Vanessa's work has always enchanted me. And I look forward to her tea parties every year. MAnnMCreations@gmail.com

Buccaneers and Ball Gowns said...

Yay Vanessa is my favorite! I live in the same town as her, but somehow my garden is never as amazing as hers. Her blog is always so fun and inspiring!

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Great idea, Kathy. My daughter and I love, Vanessa. She is so inspiring.

Nicole said...

I have followed Vanessa's blog for nearly 2 years now and I am always mesmerized by her work. What a lovely giveaway! Thank you both!

TheBlakkDuchess said...

Yay! I'm so glad you've featured Vanessa. Her art and her blog never fail to put a smile on my face. When I'm having a less than fabulous day, her blog is where I turn to remind me of the magic and beauty that's out there, waiting for me to come find it. Thank you both, for the feature and the giveaway! =D
XOXO

Shinpai said...

Vanessa has been a huge inspiration for me and I hope someday to be able to take the same plunge that she has.

beverly e said...

I love Vanessa's work and her blog is inspiring, too. Thanks for the series and for the chance to win one of her prints!

Laura S Reading said...

Talented, delightful, magical and brave! I can mention many more positive adjectives.
I love hearing her adventures; even her "usual" or typical afternoons sound magical.



wismom works @gmail .com

Lillian said...

Thank you for interviewing Vanessa! I love her blog and her art work. She is so creative and inspiring. (And, I would love to win a print from her shop!)

Linda said...

What an amazing adventure Miss Vanessa is on. It is a journey that takes her near and far, and oh, so inspiring to all who watch her grow.
I would love the chance for this giveaway. Miss Vanessa shares so much,

Unknown said...

Love Vanessa's magical world! It inspires me to bring more magic into my world every day!
Jessica
jess9sparks@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Ahhh such beautiful work! and such a happy way to live life!

somepinkflowers said...

{{ it makes me plum HapPy
to see
dearest Vanessa featured
Here !!
such a lamb,
she is
& many many times
her Freshness has lifted
my own personal inspiration }}

Her Imagination
Knows no bounds !!



thank goodness
xox

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