Etsy Interview with from Out of the Cracks

I am Cheri Meyer and a bead artist living in Minneapolis and my Etsy shop name is From Out of the Cracks. I grew up on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota among an abundance of beautiful lakes, trees and hilly landscapes! My Dad, who farmed the land and my Mom who just did everything, were the most caring, creative and self sufficient people I have ever known. My childhood days were filled with sewing, knitting, crocheting, rug making, quilting, crafts, baking, cooking, growing to preparing and storing of food, flower gardens, taking care of animals, entertaining friends and family, making art, listening to a array of music and just laying in the shade and daydreaming. I now look back on this and think how did my parents do it all and how could I not be a full time artist, so for the last year and a half this is my pursuit, my passion and this is my deliberate action to live my dream of being a full time artist!

How and when did you start making jewelry and your other items?

For as long as I can remember I have collected whatever, beads, trinkets, things that sparked my interest and I would connect them is various ways to make some form of jewelry. The thought was not to please others, but to create something unique, something with a story, something I thought was beautiful. About 30 years ago I started loving and collecting vintage buttons, the thought of the clothing these buttons had adorned, who wore the clothing and what their lives were like would totally consume and inspired me to create and I started making brooches and other jewelry pieces with the vintage buttons. The bling of some buttons and the earthiness and colors of others are so amazing. Then the movement of beading and different jewelry making techniques became popular and I started playing and experimenting, but it was the ancient technique and craft of off loom bead weaving using peyote stitch that captured my passion and pushed me to have my own art business. I free form all my work so I can express myself, please the artist in me and let my uniqueness hang out all over the place.

When and how did you originally find Etsy?

I started my Etsy shop From Out of the Cracks in 2007. My friend, Toni from Wilddog Studio,(http://wilddogstudio.etsy.com) told me about Etsy and Toni found out about the site from her friend, good news travels fast.

What is unique about Etsy and what about the website do you like the most in regards to your shop?

Etsy is easy to use, always helpful with listing and marketing information. You can reach like minded people from all over the world, whether you buy or sell, it's amazing all the talent out there!

You can also give your own personal feel and name to your shop no matter how quirky! When I chose my shop name "From Out of the Cracks" all I could think of was how and where I create in my mind, the cool, dark and safe place where I go and then I emerge into the light. This is my Etsy shop announcement and it expresses how I create: From out of the cracks came colors and patterns that pleased her, designs and shapes that healed her, unafraid she would go further into the depths, explore the gifts that were presented to her and she would emerge with excitement of what she found.

What inspires you the most in regards to your creations?

Color, texture, nature, the earth, different cultures, different periods in time, love the 1900 - 1940, when I see something I find beautiful I absorb it into every cell of my body, I live it, I imagine I am it, I bead it. Even though I am not a Native American my work reflects that culture, it reflects the warm rich colors of Mexico and Italy where I have traveled and the Fall September colors of Minnesota. My intention is to travel, absorb the colors of the culture, the colors of that place and create from it.

What is your favorite piece you've created and why?

All of my free form bracelets are favorites, one that comes to mind I called Sedona. I was rummaging through some old postcards that were from my Mom's travels and I came across one from Red Rock Arizona, I found the colors irresistible so I created a beaded bracelet with all those warm earthy colors and textures.

What do you want to accomplish with your online shop?

To have a piece of my jewelry owned and cherished by as many young, middle age, older men and women that I can reach! You know the feeling, when you just found the best thing; well I want that for my customers.

Do you have any new creations in the works? If so, what can shoppers expect to see from you soon?

More beaded jewelry, "Man" bracelets, something that will please the masculine side, I made one and showed it to a male friend and poof it was sold so more are in the future. Also, I met this wonderful artist, Kim Buell who makes these beautiful polymer clay beads and she also teaches the technique, so I will be making my own clay beads and will use them with the free form beading starting this fall, I want to include some free form beading in all my jewelry, necklace and vintage button brooches. Also, at some point fiber/fabric collage wall hangings with my bead weaving worked in!

Where can readers find out about more information regarding your jewelry and other creations and possible special offers (including additional websites, blogs, Facebook, etc)?

Etsy shop: http://fromoutofthecracks.etsy.com

Blog: http://fromoutofthecracks.blogspot.com

Facebook: Cheri Meyer

Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/fromoutofthecracks

Twitter: http://twitter.com/outofthecracks

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/freeformbracelets

Website: soon to come