Thursday, July 1, 2010

Today's Featured Artist - Cat's Designs

Today's featured artist is Charlene Tennison of Cat's Designs. 



Hi,  I'm Charlene Tennison and I live in sunny California. I've been married to my high school sweetheart for 43 years.  We have three daughters, one still lives at home.  She is a special needs child and will probably live with us til I can no longer do it.  I have four grandkids and my eldest grandson is serving in the Marines in Afghanistan.

I have been crafting off and on since 1972, but really didn't get started selling seriously til the 90's when I sold in a craft shop on consignment.  
I had this friend that took lessons at Cabin Craft with Jo Sonja Jansen and I fell in love with her paintings, so I took a basic strokework class and it all started from there.  I started selling my paintings and dolls at Christmas time for extra cash and then I started doing some craft shows.  I started selling on Ebay in 2002 and Etsy in 2008.  I like dabbling in several crafts such as jewelry, ceramics, soapmaking and sewing.
  There's really a lot of steps to making my woodcrafts.  I cut all my wood, prepare the surface, paint, and then seal with varnish.
  I sew my dolls in between the various steps of my painting projects.  I love working with material and the colors.  Since I have a special needs child I work during the morning while she is at her school and then at night while she is sleeping.
  I really don't have any big plans for my business.   But I would like to start designing my own doll patterns.
  Crafting is a way for me to express myself and I love to see others faces brighten up when they see my items.   I  would like to enjoy making my crafts as long as the Good Lord is willing to let me.

 You can find Charlene's work at these places:


http://catsdesigns.etsy.com

9 comments:

  1. Just wanted to let you know that the link to her blogspot blog is broken. Would love to take a peek at it!

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  2. All fixed. Thanks for letting me know.

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  3. Love Charlene's work...this was a wonderful feature!

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  4. Wonderful feature. Charlene's work is simply beautiful!

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  5. Thank you Bette and Deena for the wonderful opportunity of being one of your featured artists. I'm quite honored that you asked me. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before.

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  6. A wonderful feature for a wonderful artist! Thank you for sharing :)
    Kim

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  7. Wow, she is very talented...I wish I could find a way to earn money like that...I love the Patriotic plaque. Thanks for featuring this wonderful artist.
    Mama Bear

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  8. Wonderful pick and a great artist!

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  9. Yay, Charlene... our California gal:) She works hard at her handmades and with rewarding results. I love her cute dollies.
    Carol

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