Interview with Susy of Aegean Sea on Etsy

Read this interview with Susy of Aegean Sea on Etsy to find out all about what, how, and why she creates.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your Etsy shop.

I was born in Southeast Texas. While attending the University, I met the man who would take me across the Atlantic Ocean to begin a new life in a foreign land! I've lived in northern Greece for 34 years with my Greek husband & two sons. I first opened my #1 Etsy shop in May of 2007. I am the proud owner of three shops. Presently, http://www.aegeansea.etsy.com is my focal area, filled with eco paper beads that are hand-rolled in the traditional method & greeting cards. I am collecting new items, as well, for my vintage shop http://www.EuropeanFlingVintage.com. So, check back there, soon. http://www.SuppliesHandcrafted.etsy.com is soon to be filled with Handmade Supplies.

Custom orders are a major factor in my business. Some of the possibilities include: eco paper beads & organic palm frond beads, original collage art & prints, mixed media artworks, beach art, paper bag scrapbook albums - customized & generic, greetings cards, invites, & announcements, tags for your gifts or items, & handmade gift bows. I specialize in bows created from vintage magazine pages, embellishments for scrapbooking, gifts, decor, any crafts that are made from paper, found objects, card stock or seashells, & filled fabric favor bags.

I love to travel, snorkel, beach comb, and browse the crafts and creations of other artists.

What inspires you to create?

I'm inspired to create by the beauty & history of Greece, the beautiful country I reside in, as well as from my childhood years spent in the USA. Growing up on the Gulf Coast of Texas, I am a "mermaid" at heart. Nature, in general, is a great source of inspiration for my creations. A necessity to my physical & emotional well being is taking regular walks along the Aegean Sea shoreline. Beach combing for shells & found objects is not only a joy for me but a great natural resource for many of my beach art & mixed media creations.

Describe your creative process.

Ideas flash into my head, at which point I can't get to the paper, scissors, & glue fast enough. It's fortunate that I do not need a rough draft or copy, as I create directly from my vision of the artwork. That's not to say, I don't need to do tweaking, sometimes, after I finish the new item. The process varies when I'm working on a custom order. I depend on open communication with the client, as well as photos or descriptive lists of their preferred style. Many times, the client gives me complete artistic license to create at will!

What are some of your own favorite creations?

As a creator & supplier of eco paper beads, I would have to say I love those, these days: the brighter the better! I have several custom original collage art prints that I'm connected to, as well as the beach art hangings made from driftwoods, shells, & found objects.

How do you want your craft and business to evolve?

My plan is to continue to grow my business, both nationally & internationally, through my online shops. Expanding & adding variety to my creations is always a goal, not allowing my artwork to become stagnant. Including fresh additions to my collections, as well as the classic items that http://www.aegeansea.etsy.com is known for, is the path I will continue to follow.

What or who influences you as an artisan?

Most often, new ideas pop into my head while walking the beaches! My artwork mirrors the bright colors of the Aegean Sea & additionally, the reds, purples, & other hues of the natural world around me. I am greatly influenced by the enthusiasm my family has continuously showered on me & the positive comments received from wonderful, trusting clients worldwide.

What brings people to seek out your creations and what makes your work unique?

Customer service is a top priority that is right up there with creating a unique piece of artwork. Listening to my clients' needs, ideas, & concerns provides a mutually beneficial climate. Blending colors, styles, & techniques from both sides of the Atlantic is a unique recipe for success, & honestly, I go with my heart & hands when I create.

What choices have you made that helped your business the most?

Deciding to take myself seriously made all the difference. Once I believed that I am a businesswomen & this is no longer "just a hobby," I set myself up for creating & managing a successful online business.

What advice would you give to other artisans?

Realize that working a business from home takes organization & setting aside certain hours each day to tend to your business & to make your creations. Set yourself up for success, not failure, but treating this as a business.

Where can your creations be found?

http://www.aegeansea.etsy.com

http://www.SuppliesHandcrafted.etsy.com

http://www.EuropeanFlingVintage.etsy.com

After checking out all of the wonderful items in Susy's 3 shops, feel free to read interviews with many other awesome Etsy artisans here, as well as my own jewelry creations here.