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Sunday, September 14, 2014

The Artist Behind The Etsy ~ Catnip Design

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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 inspiration, and a little bit more about them.

A lovely Sunday morning to you!  This week’s Etsy artist feature is Teri from Catnip Designs.  Teri is so creative, which is very apparent just looking at the treasures in her Etsy.  Teri also has a blog called Artistic Catnip.  She shows you how to make some fantastic crafty creations on her blog.

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Thanks so much, Kathy, for featuring me this week on your blog. I enjoy reading your behind the Etsy series and it is an honor to be here.

ooak spooky handmade Halloween glitter covered skull wearing a pointy hat on a stick with a built in stand

My name is Teri Calia and I run a small Etsy shop called Catnip Designs. I have been creating art in some form since I was old enough to pick up a pencil. In high school I fell in love with jewelry making and using power tools to build shadow boxes. In college it was life drawing and sculpture that captured my heart.

Handmade, OOAK, Alice in Wonderland, White Queen trinket box and shrine to Hope

After I graduated from college and got married I spent most of my time with a glue gun creating stuff to decorate our home and sell at craft fairs. Eventually, I bought a sewing machine and worked with mohair creating one of a kind teddy bears. I even won a few awards for my bears at a teddy bear artist convention in the 90's.

Handmade, OOAK, Kitschy Housewife, mixed media accordian book with matching box

After I dumped my cheating husband I got a job illustrating animals for a wholesale t-shirt company. Here I really found my niche as we sold mostly to zoos, museums and humane societies. I love drawing animals so it was a wonderful job to have and inspired me to eventually take up power tools again. This time I fell in love with shrine making and mixed media sculpture.

Handmade, OOAK, Santos Cage Doll dream shrine with wings and a nest

I eventually took on a part time job working for Alpha Stamps that allows me to make samples using all the latest products. Most of what you will find in my Etsy shop is a sample that was photographed for Alpha Stamps to use on the website.

OOAK handmade Halloween rat drawn coach with pumpkin wheels and skeleton driver

I've made jewelry, collage canvases, lots of shrines, banners, mixed media sculptures, hand sewn felt kitties, books, dolls, miniatures... you name it I've probably done it, lol. I need to create constantly to stay sane and having an Etsy shop is an excellent way for me to sell the things I create.

handmade Halloween pennant banner with paper rosettes

Thank you, Teri!  You can visit Teri’s Etsy shop here and her blog here.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Kathy, Wow~ what a talent Teri is and I love her creations and etsy shop.
    Great feature!!
    Hugs

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  2. OMG, love this shop's creations!

    Jeanine

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  3. Wow...Now ...That is an artist in the true sense of the word...What talent! Bravo for dumping the cheating husband!

    Carol

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  4. one very creative mind! love the shrine doll! thanks for sharing, kathy!

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  5. Kathy, I love Teri's creations! Thank you for sharing her talents. laurie

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I always enjoy reading your comments! Kathy