Because Heart and Soul definitely goes into the process of making something by hand…I believe there is pride in line assembly, but there is definitely something less cookie cutter and more soulful about handmade goods…you know there is great care involved in making the product.
Connie Shigenaka
![](https://hearthandmadeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ebay-pics-002-300x300.jpg)
Love Scary stories, I am addicted to ghost hunting shows, get squeamish watching chain saw massacre type movies, am a huge Jackie Chan fan.
What got you started crafting?
My Mom and my best friends' moms when I was younger: plastic canvas work, crochet - which I never got the hang of, drawing, etc...my awesome 10th - 12th grade art teacher that I had for three years in a row was also a big time crafter and turned the whole class onto craft projects...and I found a love for creating jewelry in her classes making silver rings and haven't looked back.
What is your source of inspiration?
I just love creating...I would love to earn a living doing nothing but this...but it is relaxing to me and I find inspiration in just about everything...especially wedding related; I was a bridal consultant for 8 years and loved it.
What have you made recently?
I am most pleased about the Just Beachy Destination Bridal set I just created...it turned out just like the vision I had floating around in my head for over a week...and bridal season is just around the corner and with that a lot of beach weddings...so I decided to make something special for that particular bride...what stands out about this piece is it is the first one I have created using gold tones...and real freshwater pearls and shells...and I wouldn't change it...I try to give everything a personal touch by creating one and only pieces...so the wearer knows they have a one of a kind piece...no two pieces are ever the same...As far as walking through the process: when I go to the craft shop for supplies I never know what I am going to find and it becomes a treasure hunt and the more I hunt the more pieces I find that go together...it's a process I can't quite explain, but treasure hunt definitely covers it...oh that goes with this...ooh that goes with this...ohh I could do this with that...and so on..I don't really have a process, just if I like it, it usually ends up in something I make.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
I sell and promote on several sites...the main site is my own, but I also have profiles on ArtFire and Zazzle.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
Because Heart and Soul definitely goes into the process of making something by hand...I believe there is pride in line assembly, but there is definitely something less cookie cutter and more soulful about handmade goods...you know there is great care involved in making the product.
![](https://hearthandmadeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/nokia-pics-2-015-300x300.jpg)
Find Me
LocationIndiana, U.S.A.
Email Address
Connie Shigenaka
Personal Website
http://oddsandendsboutique.com
Store Website
http://www.artfire.com/Bear_Bears_Designs
not yet, but I do give 10% off at my ArtFire store
@crafteratheart