Featured Etsy Artist Lucy of Fantazya

I am back again with another Etsy artist feature!  Today it's Lucy of Fantazya.  Earlier this year, I "met" Lucy while she was promoting her 2010 Trilingual Diary Project.

 I've previously mentioned this super cool project which is a unique collaboration of artists and crafters from all over the world.  There are a number of Etsy artisans featured including a number from my favorite team - EtsyGreetings.  The diaries are sold with plain covers so that you can add your own personal touch, which is what I'm currently working on.  I'll post a photo later this week.  You can also purchase the diary decorated, embossed and even with a faux fur cover.  It's a great gift idea and every day features a talented artist for you to check out on the web.  I just love my 2010 Diary!  Great idea, Lucy!  Lucy's first language is French and I appreciated all her help in putting together my page (August 19, 2010) in the diary.  If you'd like a chance to win one, check out Lucy's blog for all the details.

What you'll discover about Lucy is that she is passionate about healthy living and recycling.  She has a talent for reusing clothes and fabrics to create beautiful fashions and pocketbooks.  Lucy also has some quality vintage items for sale in her shops. 

Let's find out more about Lucy...

1. Tell us about you ~ your name, location, hobbies and interests. Where do you sell your handmade items?

My name is Lucy Baribeau.  I live in Canada, Québec. Beside almost any kind of crafting, I love to read health books, watch movies, do yoga, have dinner with friends and family, play Scrabble and walk with my dog. I try to have a fun and healthy way of living.  I sell my handmade items mostly by Internet, via Etsy and my personal website. 

2. Tell us about your art and how you got your start selling your handmade items on Etsy?

I studied presentation of esthetic, photography, and haute-couture. I love to work at my house, having no boss, no straight schedules, doing what I want and I feel free! So you can imagine the joy I had when I discovered Etsy! What a beautiful and useful site for creators!

3. What inspires your art?

I like a lot of the tends. I always try to be “in."   It’s a strong challenge and motivation for me. My new goal, instead of making lot of pieces, is to make only one, but the good one! Something people will say: “I want it!” And I love the recycling and organic aspect. For me it is important, I feel good when I create using organic or recycled materials.

4. What is your own favorite design and why?

I love a lot of recycled pieces I did before.  You can see some here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantazyafantazies/sets/72157594363527757/

But for the moment, my favorite is my new dress, the Organic Cotton Mini Wrap Dress. It took me a lot of time, especially by pondering, to find exactly the piece that for me, it would be “the piece of the season.” It’s a dress made with 100% organic cotton twill. It is a very polyvalent dress that can be worn in the summer with sandals, to a cocktail party with beautiful accessories, in winter with a sweater and leggings under and even over your jeans.

5. Do you have any advice for those who are new to selling on Etsy?

Yes. You have to be a little detective. Look at the “Time machine 2”, it shows the live sellings and you can have a good idea of what people love. Test your items, make some modifications if necessary, go to the forum, ask questions, make your shop be seen. The hearts you receive are good clues about what people like about your creations.  Also the visual presentation of your shop is very important.

6. Do you have any favorite Etsy artists?

Yes, a lot! I like when they have a solid style, beautiful photos and quality items. Here are some favorites: aussiepatches, imyourpresent, redhotpottery, annacote, dillondesigns, jacquelineknits, sudlow, cathynichols, sjengraving, munieca, yasminbochi, BeaG, Wildewear, and ruffeoheartslilsnoty.

7. Do you have anything else you'd like to share? Are there any other websites or stores where we can find you?

I have a personal website: www.fantazya.ca , my flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/fantazyafantazies, and my blog: fantazya2.blogspot.com.

Give Lucy a visit and keep an eye out of her next project, the 2011 Diary!!  I'm looking forward to signing on again.  At least I'll know what I'm doing next time.  Thanks for sharing your talents with us, Lucy!!