Today's Featured Artist - Katrinshine

Today's featured artist is Katrin from http://www.Katrinshine.etsy.com 

Tell us a little about you?

    My name is Ekaterina Fedotova. I'm from Russia but I’m now living in South Italy. For the last 2.5 years I have been  living in Brindisi.

How long have you been in business?

    About one year ago I opened my Etsy shop.  Before I have never sold my creations.  I only made them as gifts.

 


How did you get started?

Until 1 year ago I had never heard about Etsy. But after moving to Italy I didn’t find  work and decided to open an online shop. After browsing the Internet I found Etsy.

What kind of crafts do you make?

   

     I make recycled leather jewelry and accessories: pendants, earrings, shoe clips, bobby pins. Other direction of my creations is fabric jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, earrings.

I sew quilted bags and pillows in particular Patchwork Spiral style. Also I make custom made
corsets and medieval dresses.

 What inspires you?

       I am inspired from colours and textures.  When I see some amazing fabric I at once have many ideas on what I can create from it. 

Brindisi is a small antique town in the south of Italy, in region of Puglia. It’s the region of vine and olives, it has long history and many traditions, and it inspires me so much.

What is your favorite thing to make?

      I like to create Patchwork bags, because every bag is unique and original, it’s impossible to repeat it. Also I like to sew historical dresses because I like to participate in historical festivals.

Do you have set hours to work?

    I wake up with my husband and after he has gone to a work I go to the computer to look at my e-mail, blog, twitter, facebook etc.  I check in on forums quickly and promote my store. Then use  my morning to create new items, and to make and edit photos. In the afternoon I  do my homework, and  study because I do postgraduate studies.

I work at home. My studio is placed on the veranda where there is a lot of light, air and space. I also have a special wardrobe, because I work with fabric and need space to keep it in.

What are your future plans for your business?

I would love to open a real business, trade marked – not just working at home.

What does handcrafting mean to you?

    It’s something made by your hands or the hands of other people. It’s something that is difficult to make again and impossible to find similar.
Where do you sell your crafts at?

On Etsy:    http://www.Katrinshine.etsy.com
                 http://www.etsy.com/shop/KarisaGrapic