Featured Shop - HoydenDesigns

HoydenDesigns has a wonderful way of making beautiful art blend seamlessly with functional art. Christina, the artist behind the shop, puts her lovely designs on book marks & pendants as well as offering up originals of her work. I can't get enough of her hand painted pendents of romantic lady's with an old time feel. Here is my Q&A with Christina:

1. Tell us about your product and where you get your inspiration.
I offer original paintings for sale in my shop, as well as art pendants and bookmarks. I work mainly in watercolors and acrylics, and have been drawing since I can remember. I had a huge dry spell after I graduated from school, and it took me several years and the birth of my little one before I was inspired to paint again. It’s been a slow process, but I’ve finally found a rhythm and style that I’m pleased with!
I find inspiration in so many things! I was really getting into using the macro setting on my camera and was unknowingly training myself to look at things closer; simple things, really, like flowers, bugs, etc. It took off from there. I used that to begin exploring my ideas of childhood innocence, and now have begun to delve into things with deeper meanings for me, like faith and aging and finding inner peace. The beauty of Jane Austen’s novels also inspires me; the grace of that time period really affects much of my work. Of course, it always helps to have a wonderful husband to keep my spirit up and support my work; he's constantly squashing my doubts and fears (which must be exhausting!), and makes sure I have time to paint. And when my little one looks at one of my paintings and says to me, “Mommy, that’s beautiful!” it keeps me going like nothing else!

2. How did you get involved with etsy?
I first heard about Etsy while browsing around www.wetcanvas.com. It’s a website that's an amazing support for artists. Etsy had been mentioned by another member briefly. I decided to check it out and fell in love! And I found it at just the right time, when I was really getting back into painting and was ready to put myself out there.

3. Do you sell your work in any bay area stores?
I don’t sell in any Bay Area stores yet. But I’m working up the courage to approach some!

4. When you're not creating what are you doing?
I work full time for a printing company, which can be stressful but fun. Just about every minute I can spare away from there, though, is spent with my family. We go to garage sales and festivals, baseball games and the beach. We try to fit as much fun into our time together as possible. And my little one and I love to garden; we have a great backyard. While we’re out there we very often pretend we’re pirates looking for treasure, or knights out to slay a dragon. Wherever our imagination decides to go, we happily follow!