Amy Hartelust
Random Facts About You?I am a recently married, recently art school graduated chick living in Memphis, Tn. I teach k-8 art at a private school and I am constantly enamored with the art that children can create. I am an avid collector of fabrics, papers, and vintage items. I love to collect things and see what I can make out of them.
What got you started crafting?
I can't remember a time when I wasn't crafting. The kid selling daisy chains and gourmet mud pies on the playground...that was me. Creating things is just a part of who I am.
What is your source of inspiration?
I adore vintage prints and designs and this is where I get a lot of my design ideas from. I also love naturally occurring patterns and I incorporate these in to my pieces.
What have you made recently?
I recently started a line of earrings using a wood grain pattern on top of bright, bold colors. Like the rest of my jewelry, I started by sketching out a design in my sketchbook and then painting it onto a clear shrink plastic. The design is cut out and placed in the oven to shrink and harden. Then I attach the findings and coat with a varnish. All of my jewelry is truly unique. I never make two pieces the same. I feel like that gives the buyer something one of a kind, and it also keeps me really engaged in what I am doing.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
I sell at various craft fairs around the Memphis area, and I also sell from my etsy shop.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
Why NOT handmade! People who take the time to create things are passionate about what they do and that makes the quality of handmade products something that cannot be equaled. Every handmade product has an individual behind it. Handmade connects people and I think that is special.
Find Me
Locationmemphis,tn
Email Address
Amy Hartelust
Personal Website
http://www.shrinkingvioletshop.etsy.com