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By Contributing Columnist Devin aka Oooohshiny
One of the most amazing aspects of Etsy.com and similar sites is getting a glimpse into just how creative people can be. It’s incredible to see what the mind of one person can create – so imagine the possibilities when two of those creators team up.
Between photography, jewelry, clothing, accessories, and paper products (which account for just a tiny portion of the myriad of products available on Etsy), the products that two artists can create together are literally limitless.
Liese from Deadpan Alley draws what she refers to as “non-traditional illustrations,” while Jeanna from Beans Things creates nature inspired glass pendants, earrings, and rings.
“I fell in love with some of the photography and artwork and felt like it would be a cool idea to put the art under glass for others to enjoy,” Jeanna said.
After a back and forth Twitter conversation, Liese and Jenna decided to combine their talents. Jeanna has made glass pendants and magnets with Liese’s deadpan illustrations, and their relationship has spawned other joint efforts for Jeanna.
“Once I became established, other artists began approaching me, which truly is an honor,” Jeanna said.
Including Liese, Jeanna has worked with five separate sellers on Etsy, with two more collaborations in the works.
Liese has joined forces with Cat from Polarity , who specializes in lockets recycled from auto parts. Cat has made two lockets using Liese’s artwork, one with small red birds and the other with Liese’s “Pale Preoccupation” inkwork.
Liese said that both Jeanna and Cat are extremely easy to work with. “The artwork is already complete,” Liese said. “I just need to share files and give permissions and they send me pics of what is going up for sale for me to peek at.”
“These ladies are positive, successful, and good-hearted,” Liese continued. “It feels great to be around people that prove you can make a go of it with art.”
Another Etsy seller whose shop is based on beautiful artwork is Rachel of GetReadySetGO. Rachel upcycles vintage luggage and bags with her own designs as well as designs from other Etsians, including Tandie of NestaHome / NestaUsa and Tamara of Block Party Press.
“I approached NestaHome and BlockPartyPress,” Rachel said. “I had gotten to know them through the community and making treasuries, so they were both very open and willing to let me use their designs.”
“Rachel first came to me with the idea and I thought it would work out great,” Tandie said. “We’ve always admired each others work and it just made sense to combine our ideas.” Tandie sells photography prints, as well as paintings and home décor.
“I couldn’t ask for a better collaboration,” Tandie said. “Rachel is one of the sweetest Etsians and is completely professional and talented.”
“I think it’s important to be picky about who you decide to release your work to. You want the person to be professional as well as willing to compromise and I couldn’t find a better match then with Rachel,” Tandie said.
“I make sure to always give them full credit in the listings,” Rachel said. “I think being really open and honest makes it a lot easier for people to trust you. There is enough chaos in running your own shop to have a difficult collaboration.”
Rachel has also partnered with Coren at Elephannie () who, along with her husband, create colorful wall decals for for the home. Two of Coren’s designs – the row of poppies and bird on a branch – have found their way onto Rachel’s vintage bags.
“I haven’t really found collaborating to be difficult but I think it’s also the people that I work with,” Coren said. “I have been very picky on who I’ve partnered up with.”
One of the talented artists that made the cut is Lyn of Chalkydoodles. Lyn had been looking for a decal shop to partner with to add to her line of oilcloth products, and approached Coren after seeing the photos of the decals in Coren’s shop.
“I approached her after I realized that we were both from Texas and turns out, we live just a few miles from each other,” Lyn said. “We are still developing new products and are having so much fun with it.”
Lyn has also collaborated with Diane at South House Boutique , whose products range from holiday stockings to skirts.
“Lyn approached me because she liked my Christmas stockings and wanted to contract with me to make a similar stocking but out of her fabrics,” Diane said.
“She’s been doing this a lot longer than I have, and we’ve developed more of a mentor/mentee relationship, which I just love” Lyn said. “I have learned so much from working with her.”
While many artists develop relationships through Etsy, working together helps cement those relationships.
“The community on Etsy has kept from giving up and closing shop more times than I can count,
Rachel said. “I have made friends that I will have for a lifetime.”
“My favorite thing about partnering with another Etsian is that we can help promote each others shops,” Coren said. “It’s also been nice to have someone who understands what it’s like to run your own shop!”
“The collaborations I have done with other Etsy sellers have been a great experience for me,” Liese said. “It seems like most folks doing business on Etsy are a friendly, honest and inspired lot. I hope to be making new connections all the time.”
“The reason I love Etsy is because of my customers and the relationships I develop with them. Partnering with another Etsian just doubles that!” Diane said. “How awesome is that?”
Awesome indeed.
Slideshow Pic – Train case:
GetReadySetGO’s Upcycled Bright Blue Vintage Train Case with Cityscape and Red and Black Tree by BlockPartyPrints
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