Featured Artist- Sirje

My name is Sirje and I’m from Estonia, a small country in Northern Europe.

Why silk painting?

I’ve been interested in crafts and design earlier, but now when I discovered the charm of silk painting, it takes all my time. I’ve been painting for 6 years now and I’m basically a self taught artist. I’ve attended several courses and workshops to get my basic knowledge and Maria Jürimäe is my dear mentor in this field. The atmosphere at her courses is very creative and fruitful.

What inspires you in paintings?

I love colors and silk as a material and the process of painting, but it has become by far more for me than a hobby just now. It is a way of life and joy in painting which I practice. Now I have started to observe nature and seasons and save the color palette in my memory. Quite often when seeing a lovely view or nice flower I think on my own: "How would it look like when painted on silk?" There are often flowers or motifs which talk to people. I called my Etsy shop SilkLetters because my paintings are like letters on silk to my audience about what I have seen or what I consider important.




 
Your favorite silk type, resist.

I like dyes fixed by steam by Pebeo and Marabou, I often use Marabou golden gutta which gives the scarves a more festive look. I get all my materials from our local sellers Vunder and Scanimpex.


If you have a family or kids or another job, how do you balance those and find time to paint?
My two children are grown-ups now and as soon as my daughter started with her own life I moved my painting studio into her former room. My husband made the frames for the scarves and so I was free to paint and experiment. I am a full time office worker and silk painting is such a pleasant change for me.


 
A tip for silk fans: 

I have tried several painting techniques and there’s a lot to discover, but wax batik technique is one of the most interesting one for me. When painting you’ll have to visualise the result and think in “layers” as you apply the colors and hot wax. There is always a “Wow!” effect after the wax has been removed. I've also tried painting without any resistant and this process may bring you to meditation, but sometimes you must react very quickly, depending how the colors behave. I think that every silk painter has had her “mistakes” which are actually our valuable lessons. Etsy has given me the opportunity to learn more about fabulous silk painters and introduce my work.


www.etsy.com/shop/SilkLetters
www.facebook.com/silkletters

New Member Introduction: Caitlin

I'm pleased to introduce you to one of our team's newest members, Caitlin. 

"Well, I first got into silk painting and dyeing during my BVA degree in Textiles at the ANU in Canberra. I fell in love with the colours and textures that could be produced with this technique. I wouldn't say I am a traditional silk painter, I have more of a contemporary take on the technique. I had a lot of success with a collection of silk scarves I produced for my degree so decided to start a business from this producing similar products. My current scarves use silk dyeing and silk painting with manutex. I don't focus on specific designs when I am painting or dyeing. I like to see where the dyes take themselves. That's the best part not knowing the final outcome until the very end I think!"

Her SHOP

New Member Introduction: Mary

 

Welcome Mary to the silk artist team of Etsy. 

"A little bit about me: happily married to my best friend for 27 years, mother of three grown boys. I am a Canadian transplant, we have lived in the states for 16 years now. Youngest of ten children (all artistic even my mother) I've always looked for something that called to me, and then I found it a little over a year ago.

I was visiting with my oldest sister over dinner and she was describing a new thing she had learned at her art studio, the more she described it the more interested I became, it was silk painting of coarse. Well I live 8 hours from my family and I had to return home, but my interest was piqued. Then last summer while my husband I were visiting again, she set up a day where all the girls in my family could get together and have a silk painting day. Including my 87 year old mother! Well the silk sang to me and I was hooked! My sister wrote down step by step directions on what to do, where to purchase my products and which ones would be the best, yes she rocks!!

I guess the rest is history as I try to expand my business through word of mouth, craft and art fairs and of coarse Etsy. I am trying to always try new things be it a different material, size, product or style. I am loving the learning process of it all."

Mary's SHOP 

New Member Introduction: Samantha

We are pleased to introduce to you one of the Etsy Silk Artist team's newest members. A warm welcome to Samantha.

 

Here is what she says about herself: "I am a local artist in Alberta, Canada and my main medium is painting. I finished a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Alberta and have been work as an artist ever since.

 I began silk painting on a whim about 4 years ago, and have enjoyed it ever since. 

Mostly my work is of the Rocky Mountain Landscapes or the Prairies that I call home, but the process of painting on silk I find completely calming. 

The colors and the fabric are so wonderful to work with. I also teach about 8 Silk Scarf painting workshops a year, and display my work at the Art Gallery of Alberta."

Don't forget to step by her SHOP on Etsy!

Silk Artist Challenge #16 winner

Summer is almost here and let's brighten up our day with something colorful! After a little pause, here you go Silk Artist Challenge #16 treasuries! This time featured item was bright silk scarf by TiiuHandCraft .

All the wonderful treasuries made by participants:

• Spring in eggplant color by Zane

• Easter time by Ieva

• Violet Spring by Sharon

• Spring rainbows by Jennifer

• A beautiful moment by Sirje

• Galaxies of the Mind by Leanne

• Spring mood by Maria

• So sweet! by Luiza

And the winner is....

Donata with her wonderful treasury All the colors of the world!

Congratulations, Donata!

For next inspiring item and treasuries including it, click here!

Greetings from Spring!

Lately our blog has been pretty quiet, so I decided to create something fresh to show you some of the finest Silk Artist team silk art pieces! Take a closer look at treasury Springish celebration here! 

Feel free to show us YOUR spring treasury here in comments!

Featured members:     

• Joanna from joyinmystudio   

• Marie from mariegradypalcic 

• Zane from akwiinas         

• Fiona from FCBCreations    

• Luiza from MinkuLUL              

• Crochetpocket from CrochetPocket

• Bistra from BSerene              

• Elizabeth from silkiness           

         • Sirje from SilkLetters                 

• Cheryl from CygnetSilks      

• Borneo from BorneoBatikraft

• Maleah from MaleahTorney  

• Tatjana from TanjaDesign    

• Nelou from nelou            

• Fiona from silkandart         

• Aigars from TextilesVintage 

How to create a treasury fast - Part 2

Hello everybody, who walks by our little blog. I, Zane from akwiinas, would like to share one of my favorite tools for Etsy treasury curating -  Shmetsy. You can find the first part of basics how to create a treasury at Elizabeth's post Here.
What is this tool about you will ask. An answer is simple- it lets you add items to your treasury with one click and when it's published, you can send out convos to featured sellers with one click again! I believe it will save you a lot of time, I know it because it saves a lot of time for myself as well!

Screenshot from installing Shmetsy on Firefox

Before we can enjoy the new treasury creating process, you can find the installation guide Here.  Don't forget to read the user guide, sometimes you can find a lot of interesting information there.

After browser's restart appears Shmetsy icon on right side 

When the installation process is finished you may need to restart your browser. After the restart you will find a little icon on right side bar.





Preparations for the big Treasury creating is done. Click on the Shmetsy icon, choose "Treasury Maker" and in a new tab you need to click on "Send me to Etsy.com".

To start to create a treasury via Shmetsy, click on Send me to Etsy.com

The treasury creating page which will open has the same look as regular Treasury creating page. Magic happens when you search for items to feature in your treasury (search for items in a new tab via search). Next to each items price you will find tiny smiley face. when you click on it and it turns to green, filled face, it means you have added it to your treasury in another tab. 

On the left two items are added to treasury, on the right - not added

Add 24 items to your treasury, fill the title and the description fields and tag it to make it easier to find for others. Just like now with all the treasuries created in Etsy you can save it as a draft for yourself or publish it. 

Within a few minutes you can create a treasury with the most beautiful items. Isn't it easy?

One more great extra from Shmetsy is the convo sending after you have published a treasury. To do that you need to open a created treasury and click on the Shmetsy icon. This time choose "Convo sender" and check if it offers you to notify featured artists from the right treasury. Scroll down a little bit and on the right sidebar, below Curator tools you will find "Send Convos" section. Type in the Subject and the message, one click on the Send button and it's done! 24 convos are sent!

To send convos to all of featured sellers, choose Convo Sender,
type in the subject, message and click the Send button

If you click on the Advanced settings you will be able to check boxes to include listing name of the featured item in the convo's subject and to include a listing url to the message.

I hope you will find Shmetsy helpful for your daily treasury creating process! Feel free to share your treasuries created with this tool!

Silk Artist Challenge #8 winner

This year has started with an active team challenge thread. Last weeks team members made treasuries with featured item - brilliant Art Nouveau style silk scarf with sunflowers by Lynne
And look at all these treasuries made for this challenge:
1) Sunshine & Blue sky by Jennifer
2) Sunshine, Fire, Water by Elizabeth 
3) You look nice today by Ieva
4) Good morning! by Sirje
5) Sunflower field by Ieva


Congrats to .... Maria! Her The Time of the Angels and Light is the winner treasury!

       

'The Time of the Angels and Light' by singingscarves

Inspired by silk art by Lynne! Wishing you all wonderful Christmas time full of Angels and Light

Aqua Mason Jar Lantern with ... LITdecor $28	Brilliant Art Nouveau style ... FantasticPheas... $40	Night Star Photography, dark... moonlightphoto... $30	Long Silk Scarf. Silk Scarf.... silkiness $60
Abstract Art Chakra Angel Re... primalpainter $20	SALE Macro Photography water... Lori411 $14.7	Angel of Passion - fine art ... VeryFairyArt $110	Blue Handpainted Silk Scarf.... SilkScarvesCol... $46
Iris Silk Scarf or wallhangi... SirenSilkScarv... $79	Orange Candle Flame Study No... IntheWoodsStud... $7	Electric Blue Hand Dyed With... BlueSkySilks $24.95	Exclusive Gift for MEN'S... MagicBrushes $120
Amber Damask Fused Glass Han... wishartglass $62	Owl Silk Scarf Blue White Ye... PolganiStudio $80	Handfelted Merino Wool Tea R... knitonefelttwo $25

Isn't this nicely done?

To take a part of next challenge, check out new featured item in next thread in team's forum: Team's challenge #9

Silk Artist Challenge #7 winner

We are happy to announce the winner of 7th Silk Artist Challenge!
Last two weeks a lot of beautiful treasuries were made with featured item - silk scarf made by JasmineVelvet!
Like other times - at first take a look at all entries made withing these two weeks and then - the winner treasury!
1) Autumn maddness by Zane
2)  Lemon and peach by Ieva Briede
3) Tea and marmalade by Sirje
4) Tutti Frutti dream - some wonderful gift ideas from Etsy by Maria Jurimae

And the winner is...

'Citrus Lime' by ltagliaferro

Orange On Lime Green, 7 x 8,... JessicaMDalrym... $25	Silk Scarf, marbled, tangeri... JasmineVelvet $38	Hand Painted Dress - "S... sylvidesign $70	Silk scarf hand painted oran... AudraTextileSt... $55
Original abstract painting, ... artcm $90	Silk necktie. Hand painted n... batikelenakoto... $50	Elegant Pearl Light Yellow W... Evgene $69	Silk Dress Hand Painted Wrap... TanjaDesign $255
Hand Painted Silk Scarf Flor... silkshop $45	Citrus orange and green earr... Mindielee $22	Orange and Green Paperweight GlassRootsStud... $25	Large Rag Patchwork Bag in C... MyCuteIdea $25
Citrus Sorbet Vegan Coconut ... bonbonbathhous... $3.99	Cherry Blossom Salad Green S... FineArtSilk $65	Shoe Clips Tangerine & Lime ... sofisticata $38.6	Sweet and Tart Citrus Prestr... pacokeco $3

Congratulations Lynne, we can't wait to see next week's featured item!
Reminder to others - if you would like to take a part of this Challenge, look for this week's hot thread - Silk Artist Challenge #8 in team's forum!

See you at Silk Artist team!

New Challenge winner

Team's challenge has started already for the 7th time now, so it's time to look back to two weeks long stage - Silk Artist Challenge #6

Last two weeks featured item was purple necktie by Zane from akwiinas.
In challenge were submit five beautiful treasuries:
1) Dress code for birthday party by Ieva Briede
2) Lavender Style Today! by Sirje
3) Sugar Plums by Lynne Tagliaferro
4) Purple, black and white - for HIM! by Maria Jurimae

And the winner treasury:

'Purple silk splendor' by jenmotl

Violet and purplish presents

CUSTOM silk neck tie Made fr... akwiinas $50	Limited Edition Jewelry, Pin... tinassilkart $39.99	Eggplant wedding sash bridal... aarushibridal $75	BLACK FRIDAY SALE, unique sk... GENEZAfiberART $135.71
Infinity silk scarf, with pi... ColoursandText... $35	Purple Silk Scarf Kimono sandrasilk $138	Silk Scarf Purple Blue Shib... AudraTextileSt... $45	Hand painted silk scarf, pur... BorneoBatikraf... $108
Purple Necktie Hand Painted.... SilkLetters $35	Pink Purple Lilac Sugilite S... silkandart $27	Silk scarf LILAC hand paint... MinkuLUL $49	Deep purple velvet scarf KWtextiles $50
Handpainted Silk Sundress Li... TanjaDesign $225	Silk necktie, organic design... FantasticPheas... $25	Iris Hand Painted Make up Ba... HEraTextile $39	Stripes to the Elbow Shibori... OneRoomFibers $55