YOWZA! It's the Sunday Featured Artist...Innocent Charms!

We're going international again! This week, I'm glad to show off the talents of Kara. I can honestly say as I look at her jewelry work & it only seems to get better & more fabulous! And this "Amber & Butterfly Necklace" in her shop, Innocent Charms, is to DIE FOR!

OK, the Q & A begins.......NOW!

Where were you born, where are you from, where did you grow up, & where are you living now?I was born in the historic city of Canterbury in Kent, UK. To be honest, being only 26 I have not left the County apart from the 7 months when I lived with my Grandparents on their ranch in California. My dream is to go and live in America.

What inspires you?Oh what a toughie, well I honestly have to say in my Jewelry making it's my beads, it may sound silly but they talk to you- well me anyway. It used to be quite hard cause I could only buy on the internet but now my dear husband, a couple of times a year, drives me the 5 hours to Bead Fairs and then I can feel and play with the beads. Also a lot of my work features Lampwork Beads and the twist, turns and patterns in them usually assist in my piece.
In my rare and not great papercrafts, which I am trying to expand, I honestly have to say other Artists and the world around me influence me a great deal. I also pull on my Art History A’ level quite a bit.

How long have you been crafting?Not long by many standards. I have been making my Jewellery and Polymer Clay Beads for about 4 years now, it's amazing how much they have changed in that time. Papercrafts, although, I have only recently started using again. My Mom is an Artist and has done many things over the years including designing labels for Gucci Children’s Clothing, so I always use to go and play in her Craft room since I was young.

Share about, or describe your favorite piece.Wow this is hard; my taste changes so quickly, which is why my style of Jewellery tends to. I suppose if I was to choose from my Etsy shop, it would be the piece entitled “Silver Circles” I love the Lampwork Beads Focal and it uses shell beads which I do love very much. But next week I am sure I will have another fave, as there are on my website http://www.innocentcharms.co.uk/.

What’s your favorite color?Well this is easy to answer and will never change: PINK! Is there any other colour in the world? Well not in mine. But I love colour combos too, like Pink and Brown, Pink and Turquoise, Brown and Turquoise and the old favourite Black and White.

What one thing did you believe as a child, that as an adult you now realize was silly?Honesty, it’s a sad truth now I realize, that not everyone tells the truth. I am such a child and Innocent person as my hubby tells me, I think people shouldn’t lie.
On a silly note I also thought my dad had a super fast car that could jump over bridges, now I just know he drove too fast.

How much time do you spend on your craft?Not Enough, LoL! Well for me it changes quite a great deal from week to week, but I suppose on average about 15 hours a week in my craft room, about half of that on Jewellery, but I also spend hours every day at the boring day job on the Internet looking into crafts, new designs and supplies, oh and on Nikki’s blog.

What were some of your most recent purchases from other Etsy artists?The most gorgeous handmade bag for my sister’s birthday from BeckyKay Designs, it's so well made and a bargain.
I bought- now don’t laugh- some smurf badges from Rainbow-Swirlz, my brother-in-law is smurf mad.
And I have ordered a custom order from Christine of MyBellaCole through her Etsy shop, Bella Colle of some of her great charms.
I really want soo much for myself on Etsy so I'm sure this list will go up, especially one of Nikki’s Banners.

Use three words to describe yourself.Crazy, Friendly, Tired

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given on pursuing your craftiness?“Follow your heart, your talent will eventually be noticed by others, don’t give up hope.” By 2 of my Aunts when I was thinking of giving up.

What are your goals or dreams in regards to your art?I want to take over the world, LOL, no in all honesty, I just want people to appreciate the world of Handmade and of course buy some of my creations. I want to be able to give up my full time employment and live in the world of craft. I also want to, every year, learn new techniques and make my work even better than the year before.

What is your favorite flav of ice cream?Well in all honesty I don’t eat ice cream much as I get a headache, but whenever I come to the states I have to get a blizzard from DQ.

What do you like to do when you are not being super crafty?Shop – for everything, handbags, shoes and crafty bits. I also love traveling.

What else would you like people to know about you?

I love people, all I want from life is people to be happy and to have as many friends as possible. I am a talkaholic, so pop by my blog if you wish but I can assure you I probably won't leave you alone cause I love talking and meeting new people, sorry Nikki at least now you know. LOL.

Thanks Kara!! Chat away my friend, I love the company! And, by the way, smurfs rock! Don't you remember my embarrassing story of searching for smurfs in the desert when I was a kid?

Have a great Sunday everyone & I'll have pics & stories TOMORROW of my adventures at the Fair from yesterday!