Let’s get to know Jess of Crafty Creations.
Tell us a bit about yourself My name is Jessica Malloy. I live near Buffalo, NY & Niagara Falls, NY. I have lived here for all but one year of my life when I taught art in North Carolina. I have an Associate's Degree in Fine Arts and Bachelor's and Master's in Art Education K-12. My goal is to teach art someday and if I can't manage to get a job doing that I would want to make a career out of selling my art through Etsy and/or other ventures. I have one sister who is younger than me and just got married a few weeks ago.I have been married for almost 3 years to my wonderful husband.
I love art and my favorite place to shop is art supply stores even though I never buy anything for myself! I love to make things for others and every time I have a sale in my shop it makes me happy to know my art is bringing smiles to people's faces :) I am a part of a variety of teams on Etsy. You can see all of them if you look at my Etsy profile :) A few include CAST, TEAMCAC, and Promotional Frenzy Team. :)
> What is your favorite color combination? I would have to say the colors of a peacock feather are my favorite combination :) They are SO beautiful!
What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
Oooo this is a tough one... well the first art I can remember doing is looking at a picture in a Lion King coloring book and free hand drawing Simba :) For the first handmade thing I'll go with the first thing I ever started selling that was handmade. That was hand painted frames and custom light switch plates. I made handmade because it was just something natural to me. I was always coloring or doing something artistic. I have loved art from a young age and it has become a huge part of who I am :)
> What inspires you?
Everything really. I love peacock feathers and I have many items in my shop that are made with them. I think they are gorgeous and can be worn with anything! I wear my clips all the time!! A beautiful sky, a great piece of music, or an inspirational movie can all be inspirations for me to create art :)
> Where do your ideas come from? Many come from things that I like and would want to purchase. Since times are hard nowadays I just learn how to make them myself and then often spread the love and sell them at a very good price in my shop :)
Owl Always Love You Cake Topper
> What are your favorite materials?
Peacock feathers are a great material! As are feathers of any kind and all the hand painted items I do are with acrylic paint which is my favorite painting material! I am also a big fan of beads of all sizes, shapes, and kinds. I will be listing many earrings in my shop soon!
> Why should people buy handmade? Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade items?
People should buy handmade because you are getting a way better deal for your money. For one you are helping out someone's shop who is creating these pieces because they LOVE to instead of it being some assembly line job in another country. Secondly they are most likely in need of the money so why not spend the money and give it to them rather than some huge corporation? Third think of all the passion and joy that went into creating each handmade piece. I would rather have a made with love handmade item then something mass made. Go original and get yourself something unique and handmade and filled with love!!
Photo Print
> What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists?
I would have to say patience. I am lacking in that department and I know that an artist has to be patient before their items start to sell. Also I have learned about hard work and promoting! It is so important to have all three things as a seller on Etsy! I did a blog post on how to increase your Etsy sales recently check out my blog below!
Name/Baby/Child Sign
> Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I went to school to be an art teacher. I have not had a job teaching art sadly for over 5 years. Currently I am a substitute teacher.
> What’s your favorite movie or book or both? Why?
Oh wow that's a rough one! I am a HUGE movie buff! I have a movie review blog too :) haha! Let's see the most recent book I really liked was “Water for Elephants” which just came out in theaters as a movie too (the movie was also good – but the book was better). As for the most recent movie I would suggest I would have to say Arthur! I loved the original 80's version too but this one was SO funny. Also it was a movie that I think anyone could enjoy! I loved Russell Brand in it !
> What are the Web addresses for your work?
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/craftycreations81
Blog: craftycreations81.blogspot.com/
Twitter: my username is JessMalloy (not very original I know lol)
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thecraftyartist
Website: Currently under construction it contains a link to Etsy) The Crafty Artist Website coming soon
> Are you offering my readers any specials?
Absolutely!! Please use this code for 15% off your ENTIRE order of anything in my shop!
Coupon code: Linda15
Please visit Jess’s shop and tell her I sent you.
