Spotlight: Valerie Tyler

Im excited to bring you the first of a few spotlight artists to come who are from my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. First up is jewelry designer, Valerie Tyler. Elementary school teacher by day and metalsmith by night, she is admittedly shy and secretly super-sensitive but loves playing hostess, throwing parties and networking in her spare time.

Read on to learn more about how she got started, her favorite accessory and enter to win a pair of her earrings!

Where are you from originally and currently live?
Originally I hail from the Greater Cleveland Area, and currently am still living locally. (You can’t beat the cost of living and amenities here!) I live in Sagamore Hills, where I can go and be inspired by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in my backyard.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I’ve had a shop set up for a little under 2 years.

What, if any, formal training in your field have you had?
In college I took a jewelry course, and since then have spent hours researching, exploring and experimenting with jewelry design.

What made you decide to open up shop on Etsy?
I became familiar with ladies on the Cleveland Etsy Street Team when I was looking for other local artists to connect with, and they convinced me to sign up. I think Kathy of Smashing, was specifically the first person who told me I should sign up.

What inspires you?
Nature is a huge inspiration for me. I love most things that are contemporary, organic and natural. Zen gardens, botanical gardens, bamboo, bonsai, pine forests, and lilies are a few of my favorite things. I also tend to like things that are simple, sleek and streamlined. Anything from walks in the park, to interior design can inspire my work as well as my personal life.

What do you like least about your craft?
I love most aspects of it, though I’m a little afraid I’m going to light something on fire with my torch. The only thing I dislike is not having enough time in the day to complete everything I want to.

Do you have any advice for other sellers on Etsy or those thinking about pursuing their craft?
Every aspect of your business should be treated as art in addition to the product you make. How you treat customers is an art, photography of items is an art; there’s even an art to organizing a studio space and managing business finances. Reminding yourself to look at all aspects of the business from creative angles can keep you inspired and energized.
I found it most helpful to identify the things that are most important to me and exactly what image I wanted to portray as an artist. Identifying and creating my brand gave me focus, which helps me each day when I am determining what I’d like to create. I can step back from my work knowing that I have really created work that represents me.

Five Etsy Shops you love
I’m such a fan of earthy, natural things that many of my favorites seem to center around a contemporary, earthy theme.
Here’s my five favorites in no particular order:
CopperLeafStudios
Stonz
Purposedesign
Sixthandelm 
GinaDeSantis

Where is the coolest place you have ever been?
The coolest place I think I’ve ever been was in a kayak in the Pacific Ocean with my husband as dolphins crested over the waves and played around our boat.

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, with whom would it be?
I can’t think of a specific person, but I’d trade places with any 1940’s actress just to experience a bit of the glamour and drama that was that era. To me, many actresses of that time period just emanated with so much style, class and grace. (Not to mention, most of the clothes were to die for!)

What is your favorite accessory?
While I should say my jewelry, I have to say SHOES! I LOVE shoes! Kitten heels, Mary-Janes, Platform peep-toes, pinstripe pumps, knee-high black buckle boots, red patent flats….you name it, I’ve got it.

Share some of your favorite music
I have some eclectic taste: Classical Saint Saens and Debussy, INXS, Michael Buble, Underworld, Prodigy, Nichole Nordeman, Coldplay, and lots of techno, electronic and electro-rock type stuff as well.

What would you like to learn?
I really wish I could sew. It’s rather funny I can use all sorts of metalworking tools, but don’t really know how to work a sewing machine. It would be great to design my own clothes though.

On a scale of 1 to 10 how happy are you?
Since we moved to our home where the birds chirp, and the woods always smell so fresh, and even though the deer ate my roses — my life is definitely leaning towards a grateful 10. I’m in a place where I’m appreciating the people and gifts in my life.

What does the future hold for you?
In the near future, hopefully a new kiln. In the more distant future, I’d love to open a wine bar and organic-inspired boutique. I even have sketches and drawings of plans for a front window filled with bamboo and a rock garden and a waterfall behind the counter. I love the idea of visitors being able to wander among racks of books on green living, displays by local artists, and natural home décor while sipping a glass of shiraz and listening to a DJ spin some live house music. (Anyone want to loan me a million dollars?) If that doesn’t pan out, I’d still be happy with just expanding my studio space above the extra garage my husband would love to someday build.

You can also keep up with what's new with Valerie and her work by visiting her blog, Art Addict, and following her on twitter.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Valerie is offering one lucky winner their choice of any earrings from her shop valued at $20 or under.

Here's how to enter:
Leave a comment on this post with your favorite piece from Valerie's shop. You can enter once per day and you must include your first name -AND- etsy username or email address with every entry. Receive additional entries if you follow or subscribe to my blog and/or twitter about the giveaway. Just leave a comment letting me know!

You have until Sunday, June 21 at 10pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner on Monday morning. Good luck! 

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!
Valerie is also offering an awesome special to Lillyella readers, receive a goody bag of extra treats and a bonus surprise piece of jewelry with every order! Just mention this feature in the notes box at checkout.

Thanks so much for stopping by to check out Valerie's interview, I hope you've enjoyed learning more about her and browsing her work!