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 new 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.
This week I’d like to introduce you to Celeste of Celestina Marie Designs. I can count myself as one of Celeste’s happy customers!
Thank you Kathy for asking me to be apart of your new series,
The Artist Behind the Etsy Seller.
It is an honor to participate.
My name is Celestina Marie after my grandmother but was shortened to Celeste when I started school.
My shoppe is named Celestina Marie Design on Etsy.
I am married to my best friend and have one grown son. My decorative design and creative path started way back in the late 70's.
As time went on, I studied interior design and decorative painting along with staging and display, sales and marketing in college.
I love to work in acrylics now but started out with Rembrandt oils, watercolor and ceramics.
Working with textiles and papers are also a joy to add to my collection of offerings.
My specialties range from folk art to shabby and French Farmhouse.
In the beginning, I created for the home show industry, country shows and fairs offering my home décor accents in many brick and mortar sites and several spaces in antique malls.
In the early 90's I designed and painted a miniature collection for
Sleepy Hollow Productions which was offered throughout the U.S.
As a member of The Society of Decorative Painters for 25 years, I have studied with published artists and been invited to the White House to Design ornaments for the Blue Room Christmas tree twice. It was a joy to visit and be invited for dinner in the W.H. Lots of decorative ideas there for sure!
When I decided to take my try on line, I started out on ebay for 5 years. During that time, artists like myself, began to try Etsy and it turned out to be a better spot for artists to sell their works. So I became a member of Etsy in 2007 but did not really start to sell full time till 2009 closing my shop on ebay.
Finding my inspiration doesn't have to take me far.
I can simply walk outside and see something in my garden to help the creative process along. I can listen to music, read a story, poetry or visit a friend and be inspired.
It is a joy to work from my home studio in Texas.
I draw a lot of my inspiration from the past and the teachings from my parents and grandmother who were all very creative people and great encouragers.
I also owe so much to my 5th grade teacher Mrs. Hurlbert, who always encouraged my artistic side and entered one of my works in the Country Fair of Yesteryear in Greenfield Village, Henry Ford Museum where I grew up in Michigan.
To my surprise, I won first place for a mosaic piece I created and that gave me the confidence at an early age to keep trying.
What I love most about the whole creative process is, the ability to touch others through something I might design. Bringing one of a kind accents to the home, garden or to be given as gifts.
Each customer is special and I always want them to know I appreciate their patronage more then I can say.
Quality of work and customer service is my top priority.
God has given me blessings in the designing direction and I am so thankful for any talents HE gave me to share with others.
My Father once told me, "Find What You Love To Do And You Will Never Work A Day Of Your Life"
~~Thanks Dad~~
Thank you so much, Celeste, for sharing your story with us. You have a wonderful artistic talent! You can visit Celeste’s Etsy shop here and her blog here.
Kathy, I love your new Series...and I love Celeste's "pretties"! I just had to run over to her shop and take a peek...and found the "Nest" tray that will be finding it's way onto one of my Great Room's display shelves.
ReplyDeleteI have started a new series on my Blog, too...I ♥ Shopping and recently featured Celeste too! Great minds think alike!
Have a blessed day...
Jan ♥
Loved seeing Celeste featured here today!... she and I have been best of friends since we met over five years ago on our blogs... I have many of her stunning painted treasures and creations and I cherish each and every one of them... she is the kindest, most sincere and down to earth lady I know and I adore her... I am so proud to call her my friend... she has so many accomplishments yet stays true to her own style and traditions which I also love... thank you for featuring her... xoxo Julie Marie
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post Kathy! So nice that you're showcasing creative artists such as Celeste. She is so talented and creates beautiful items to beautify our lives. She's such a lovely person and has proven how much people love what she does. I feel blessed to have met Celeste and know personally what a great gal she is!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great post to share the the talent of a great lady.
Blessings, Edie Marie
Hi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing my shop in your series. It has been fun and I have enjoyed reading about the others you have featured.
Thanks Jan for visit my shop and your purchase this morning. Your tray is on the way.
Happy Sunday Kathy and thanks again.
Celeste from Celestina Marie Design
Kathy, Celeste's story is fabulous! She is so talented! I love her style; it's so charming! Thanks for sharing her Etsy shop with us today.
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful blog Kathy, so nice of you to feature Celeste and her beautiful work. ~Diane
ReplyDeleteThis is a delightful new series! I have been following Celeste's blog for some time now and she is such a sweet blogger and talented artist. It was fun to read her story.
ReplyDeleteKathy,
ReplyDeleteLove the new series. I have been to Celeste's Etsy shop and she makes some of the prettiest things. This series will be fun to find new Etsy shops that maybe we have not been too yet.
Kris
Lovely series, and Celeste is worth writing about, that's for sure! Valerie
ReplyDeleteCeleste is such a talented artist! How exciting to be a part of creating the White House's Christmas ornaments!
ReplyDeleteMary Alice
Thanks so much for featuring Celestina today! I am a friend and follower of hers, and she is as sweet and thoughtful as she is talented! Of course I am a huge fan of her work, especially her gorgeous painted roses! It's always fun to get to know the person behind the shop, great idea to start this series:)
ReplyDeleteKathy, what a great new series! How gracious of you to share the creativity of others with our "yearning to create" hearts. I truly enjoyed my visit to Celeste's blog and etsy shop, what a talented lady she is! I'm so happy I was able to meet her. Isn't this just like you Kathy? Always finding new and creative ways and projects to inspire us!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy! Oh, this is a wonderful new series and Celeste and a wonderful talented lady to start with! She's not only talented but beautiful inside and out! Thanks for featuring her.
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I love her father's quote. My husband switched from manufacturing executive to professional artist and LOVES his work now.
ReplyDeleteKathy thanks for featuring Celeste...Yep she is one talented girl! She picked out the color I painted my sewing room...And I love it...She was my long distance decorator lol!
ReplyDeleteCarol
celeste has an amazing talent for painting, and decorating! her home is gorgeous and the garden/pool area is beautiful! thanks, kathy!
ReplyDeleteI adore Celestina Marie and her lovely style. Thank you for featuring her. It is always so nice to know more about someone I admire. Creative Bliss...
ReplyDelete