The Filigree

About this artist:  Martin Øbakke, native of Denmark home to the little Mermaid, met Celena Cavala, Ballerina and Nashville native in Florence, Italy - last century. They started making Fairy Tales and haven't stopped since. In their work you'll find elements of old world Europe to Southern Gothic charm. Martin does the illustrating and sculptures while Celena sews & writes the world they live in,~ in their Fairy Tale Nonsense News, the Filigree.

They currently live on a small town square outside Nashville in an old Victorian loft, where everything is created and sent to you.  They're inspired by the Invisible world and Imagination and the points in between that they refer to as 'the Filigree'; thin, gossamer strands that connect everything.  They hope to bring Inspiration to you & your life!  http://www.thefiligree.com/.
You can also click through the post title to visit the shop.

Betsy Youngquist

About this artist:  Betsy Youngquist's mixed media beadwork reflects a fascination with the intersection of humans, animals, and mythology. Stemming from a life-long love of all creatures great and small, Betsy’s work weaves together the human and animal spirit through a surrealistic lens.

When creating her embellished objects, Betsy collaborates with sculptor R. Scott Long in designing and constructing the forms. Each piece starts as a unique carving. The surfaces are encrusted with beads and found materials in a mosaic process, often incorporating fragments of old porcelain dolls.

During the past dozen years, Youngquist has exhibited her work at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C., the VIDA Museum in Borgholm, Sweden, and most recently, Betsy and Scott completed an installation project for the Racine Art Museum in Racine, WI.
To see more of this artist's work, click through the post title above.

Von Chandler

About this artist:  "Well what would you like to know? I suppose I could drone on and on about my childhood fears of monsters under my bed or how guilty I felt when I told my father I wasn't going to run the family business that I had worked for most of my teenage years. Perhaps I could regale you with some of my near death experiences and my wonderful family (and they are wonderful). But I don't want to get into all that."

"I'll tell you what I think is relevant and that is I love art. I enjoy the act of creating with my hands. I get a high from talking with other artists and with those who truly appreciate my work. In 3rd grade my teacher went around the room asking what we wanted to be when we grew up. There was the usual fireman, doctor, lawyer, but when her leathery finger pointed to me I blurted out "I want to be a ninja!".   Needless to say I was heartbroken later on in life when I found out what a limited market there truly is for ninjas these days."

"The point is if I knew then what I know now, I would have said a sculptor. I wish I could get the lost years back. I would have created art for the last ten years...of course my wife would kill me. I already have sculptures scattered all over our property, I don't think she could handle ten more years worth piled up."

"I have a blessed marriage and two little boys that mean the world to me and that's all I really need. I'm thankful everyday for what I have and I hope to continue my art for as long as I can. I thank you for taking an interest in me. If you are an artist, keep being an artist. The world needs more open minds and free spirits then ever before. And if you're not, at least take the time to appreciate the heart and soul that artists put into their work. Putting yourself out there for the world to see is a very personable, emotional and frightening event. A kind word can make a world of difference."

Well said.  If you'd like to visit this designmakers shop, click on the post title above.

Kenjio

About the Artist:  Daniel Lai, of Chinese descent, was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He moved to the U.S. in 2000. He has a BA in Linguistics (2003) and an MA in Art Studies/Art History (2006) from Montclair State University. Lai's work has also been published in numerous books and magazines. His work has earned awards nationally and internationally.
"I am a very versatile artist. I like to try and pursue new things regularly. I have a very diverse body of work, which includes several mediums, styles and subject matter.   I enjoy sculpting and making glass work. My work has been acquired by many collectors from around the world and has been published in many different magazines and books."   To visit the artists shop, click on the post title above.

Peiffer Studios

Statement of the Artist:  "Peiffer Studios is a labor of love for my husband Will and I (Brooke.) We love working with clay though our time with it is limited...we have a five year old son, Gabriel. We work at home in our kitchen, on the deck and in the garage, where we keep the kiln. We love to watch movies and listen to music. Will enjoys tending to his unusual fish collection and I enjoy photography, sewing, collaging and decorating. I work full time as a high school ceramics instructor, and Will gets to stay home and play with Gabriel! We have a Jack Russel Terrier named Katie who enjoys digging and root pulling and the occaisional romp around the neighborhood at night, with us trying to find her. Will and I both hold degrees from Michigan State University. His is in Anthropology and mine is in Art Education. My Masters is in Educational Technology."    To visit the shop, click on the post title above.

Burnt Ends

"It's Not That Funny"

"Lighting The Way"

"Don't Believe Everything You Read"

Located in Denver, Colorado, Burnt Ends specializes in unique hand crafted metal and concrete sculptural pieces, custom metalwork, and photography.  This artists work not only has a keen eye for detail but an obvious sense of humor in their creative process as well.  Interestingly titled and free flowing sculpture make all of these pieces view worthy.  There are more in the shop, and I suggest you visit to take a look for yourself !  You can get to the shop by clicking on the post title above.