Friday Feature: Jessica Duchart of CHAMELA GIRI

Welcome everyone! I hope you all have had a great week! I am still recovering from all the indian festivities. Ever since Dasara- I seem to be on a roll! Anyway, today I am featuring Jessica Duchart of Chamela Giri- her online shop for incense, perfume and Indian spice blends.

1.       What’s your name? Where are you from?

My name is Jessica Duchart and I was born in Kelowna, BC, I now live in Winlaw BC, but consider Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast of BC home!

          Chandra Powder pefume

2.       What inspired you to open up an Etsy Shop?

 On moving to the Kootenays I needed to create a new market for selling my products.  I started asking around and was told about the artistic community of Etsy.  I live quite rurally so having access to a global market is key.

      Organic Winter Chai masala 


3.       What kind of products does your shop sell. Why did you choose to create and sell these products? What inspires you to create them?

Indian spice blends 

 I  make artistic perfumes and traditional masalas, I also have photographs from my first trip to India.  In 1996/97 I went to school for aromatherapy and have been creating and selling perfumes and potions ever since.  Learning more about perfumery and incense making was a large part of what took me to India.  What I hadn't expected to come home with was a deep love of spices.  Perfumery for your food!  My inspiration is around me everyday, whether it is a scent induced memory or dinner for my family, my nose definitely guides my day!

                                                    SaraKali Powder


4.       What is your favorite color and why?

My favorite color is purple/brown.  I love it's warmth and depth and the fact that it can change color in different lights.

5.       Tell us the story behind your shop’s name. 

Varanasi at Dawn - 8x10 Photograph

On my last trip to India I ended up at the Khumba Mela in Haridwar.  I was sitting with a Naga Baba around his fire when he gave me the name, Chamela Giri, which roughly translates to white lotus of the mountains.  I live in the Kootenay mountains and work with flowers and scents so it just seemed to fit.

6.       If you could travel to any country/city in the world, where would it be and why?

Oh, that is hard question!  I think it would have be Bali in Indonesia.  I am really interested in incense making and the Balinese tradition fascinates me.  My plan is to be there next winter!

  7.       What is the most challenging aspect of being an Etsy seller?

 Picture from the  Indian Spice Cookbook  by Chamela Giri

Marketing and computer networking are definitely my weak spots.  I started out at festivals and markets where I was meeting my customers face to face and they could smell my perfumes and spices, my products were able to speak for themselves.  In other words shameless self promotion!

8.       Are you currently offering any coupons or special offers in your shop?

Actually I am!  Just type in masalamangomantra to receive 15% off everything in my shop.

9.       Where can we find you online ?

My blog has recipes, travel pictures and general musings

www.chamelagiri.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chamela-Giri/220758874620547?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/ChamelaGiri

I hope you will visit Chamela Giri and use the coupon!


Thank you Jessica! 

All pictures are credits of Chamela Giri

Friday Feature:THREADPOETS

THREADPOETS

Sonia Thomas and Miriyam Mathew started Threadpoets on etsy to showcase their love for beautiful handmade products  until one day they decided to join hands with a project Set Beautiful Free (previously known as Good Night Red light). 

In Sonia's and Miriyam's own words, "We are humbled to enter a new chapter in our lives where we partner with an extraordinary cause, Good Night Red Light. Our combined effort forward echoes the names of women trapped in prostitution, the faces of little girls vulnerable to the sex industry, and the lives of street children who are in danger of being abused and exploited, abandoned and orphaned by AIDs".

The beautiful range of products that you see are made by these women who have been exploited and are now moving on to a new phase in their lives. 

Gorgeous Handmade Brocade Handbags 

Pretty scarves and stoles 

Arm Candy Clutch bags 

Sparkling jewellery cuffs and bracelets

To buy these beautiful products and more
Visit Threadpoets

and you will 

Set Beautiful Free

All images courtesy: Threadpoets

Friday Feature:TERYYO

"There is nothing that replaces a handwritten card" says Tery Young the creator behind TERYYO and I totally agree with her. 

Tery Young a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, USA began learning Hindi in the year 2007 along with her husband Landon and says learning Hindi "has truly opened our eyes to a new culture and a way of thinking. In addition to learning a new language, it has been a truly wonderful experience and adventure".

बधाई हो  or Congratulations 

After a refresher course on how to design cards and make hindi stamps, Tery decided to open her store TERYYO on etsy in August 2011. "My love of color, especially those found in Indian inspired prints along with the Hindi language, really goes into my thought process when I design my cards".  And these you can see  in her cards in Hindi  that say Badhaai Ho,Dhanyavaad and Maaf  Keejiye.

धन्यवाद  or Thank You

In addition to learning Hindi, Tery is learning Gujarati as well and says she enjoys it more than Hindi. Tery also says that she  is a foodie, enjoys travelling and loves to visit the local art museum.

माफ़  कीजिए  or I am Sorry

Like her cards? They are available here.

You can also follow her on her blog teryyo.blogspot.com

I am totally bowled over with these cards in hindi and I know I will be using them to say Thank you or धन्यवाद to all my clients who shop my jewelry

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of these one of a kind  हिंदी cards

All images of Tery Young

Friday Feature: ARCHSEHGAL

Hello everyone and it is with great delight I welcome Archana Sehgal of  Archsehgal - beautiful studio for greeting cards and wall art.
Archana is armed with a degree in TV and Film Production.  The penchant to draw and create things from her drawings has led her to create Archsehgal.   She is a mother of a toddler and in her spare time enjoys watching reality TV and drama shows.

Paisley Wedding Invitation (your choice in white, plum or pink)

2. What is the inspiration behind your studio Archsehgal - Archana's Art and Stationery Shop?

More than 10 years ago I designed my own wedding invitations. Since then I've made 3 more custom wedding invitation designs for friends and family. I've always wanted to do this professionally and earlier this year decided to go for it and opened up an Etsy shop. I make cards, custom invitations and wall art. Most of it starts off as a painting or drawing which I enhance in Photoshop and modify the layout to fit cards for different occasions. I'm flexible with colors, fonts, layouts, etc. and can customize almost every item. I

especially enjoy working with watercolors, but have recently found

myself trying new digital art tools which provide endless

possibilities.

Butterfly card (Set of 20 Blank cards)

3. How much time goes into making your beautiful cards

It really depends on the project. Some take a day and some take a week. Some are simpler and are made digitally, while others start off as watercolor paintings and go through different levels of post-processing. Sometimes I spend hours decided on layout, fonts and colors, even after the design is complete!

Peacock Thank You Card (Blank set of 20)

Poppy Thank you card (Blank set of 20)

4. If you were not designing cards, what would you be doing?

Well, I work full-time in Human Resources, so I'd probably be doing that.  Or I'd try to get involved in children's television programming.

Slippery Fish - Gulp, gulp, gulp (Wall art Decor)

5. Have you been part of any shows?

No, not yet, but hope to some day!

Elephant Baby shower invitation

6. FIVE things about you that you would like to share with us.

- I grew up in Switzerland 

- I'm a cat person

- Gossip Girl is my guilty pleasure

- Whenever I have time I watch Hindi movies

- My educational background is in TV/Film production, and professionally I've work as a Web Designer, programmer and now I'm in Human Resources!

7. Connect with Archana at

Facebook: www.facebook.com/archsehgalshop

Website:  archanadraws.blogspot.com

Etsy shop: archsehgal.etsy.com

Any guesses which is my favorite creation or card ? 

Happy Friday Folks and enjoy your weekend!

All images from archsehgal.etsy.com

Friday Feature:DR. ASHIS ROY, MARATHON MAN OF INDIA

A very warm welcome to everyone to today's Friday Feature!

It is an honor that I get to feature an agile septuagenarian from India, Dr. (Wg.Cdr) Ashis Roy, whose accomplishments will make you go outdoors.

Dr. Ashis Roy after completing the Potomac River Run Marathon (his 109th marathon)

Dr Ashis Roy served the Indian Air Force as a Cardiologist. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, he started jogging at the age of 50. He ran his first marathon when he was 53 years old in New Delhi, India and since then, there has been no looking back. Its over 25 years now and Dr. Roy, at age 78,  has more than 100 marathons in his kitty to boast about, having participated in marathons in the USA, Canada, U.K,Greece, Holland, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Macau, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Pakistan.

The 110th marathon was completed at Delaware, USA on May 15, 2011.

So is there a secret to this feat? Dr. Roy aka the Marathon Man of India  candidly says that there is no diet that he follows. He is a vegetarian by choice and runs for an hour and a half - 6 days a week. He never skips his breakfast and dinner.

This amazing marathon achievement by Dr Ashis Roy is recorded in the Limca Book of Records, India.

To bring about an awareness about physical fitness and his experiences about jogging, Dr. Roy has published a book called Joy of Running. You can get a copy HERE.

Connect with Dr. Ashis Roy at ashisroy32@yahoo.com

Friday Feature: DEVIKASART

A warm welcome to Devika Keskar of Devikasart

"My paintings are explorations of various media and textures and show my unrestrained obsession with color. I paint whatever catches my fancy, sometimes a color scheme will compel me to start a painting and at other times an image from nature will." - Devika Keskar

Devikasart  really caught my eye and I am so delighted to feature her beautiful work to all of you. Devika Keskar is an architect by profession. She has dabbled with pottery, ceramics, painting children's furniture and oil paintings but has found that her most favorite form of expression is through her paintings. Her paintings are vivid, with striking bright colors that simply enamor you. US Residents enjoy free shipping when you purchase her artwork.

Red Poppy
Original painting 12"x12"

How long have you been an artist?
I am an arcitect by profession and have done one or the other art form for a long time, but been consistently painting now for 3-4 years.

The Buddha

Acrylic on Canvas 24"x24"

What are your sources of inspiration?
I would say the greatest source of inspiration for me is nature. Also, I draw a lot from the Indian culture, its fabrics, weaves and jewelry.

Hawaii Florals 24"x54"

How many hours a day do you spend to create a painting?
3-4 hours at least, depends on what stage my piece is in and when I aim to have it completed.

Large Peacock abstract painting - 30"x40"

What is your favorite art related website?
I love dailypainters.com. I like seeing fresh pieces done by artists everyday.

Any artistic goals?
I want to continue to paint and create artwork in vivid colors and rich textures and one day also be able to make a living off of this ! I will continue to experiment with different materials and have a very varied, rich portfolio.

Modern abstract painting acrylic on canvas- 8"x16"

Any exciting moments as an Artist?
My first commissioned piece was very exciting. The very idea that someone loved what I created and wanted me to create more pieces for them was very fulfilling and validating.


Connect with Devika at

Email:devika_keskar@yahoo.com

Website: www.devikakeskar.com

Online shop: www.devikasart.etsy.com



All images from devikasart

Friday Feature: ARM CANDY FOR YOU

A warm welcome to Priti of Arm Candy For You

Priti who has a background in Engineering and also armed with an MBA is the owner of Arm Candy For You, an online store for beautiful handmade purses, bags and clutches.  She is  married to an Officer who serves in the Indian Army. She candidly tells us about herself and her business. Lets get to know her!

Please Tell us about yourself

*I love to cook and share my recipes.
*I love walking down the wet roads after a bout of rains smelling the earth!
*I love chocolates and cannot avoid them despite my resolutions to cut down & loose weight!
*I love making goodies for my daughter !
*I love crafting & learning new things!
*Most of all I love my family!

What got you started to design bags

I quit my day job after my daughter's birth & had lot of free time on my hands. I then discovered Etsy .I just used to love watching the bags and purses on etsy for hours on end and then I realized it was something I could do myself. I started with simple pleated totes and with time I graduated to designing and making more complicated leather bags,silk & wedding clutches and so on. I also design pdf patterns for those who are just starting out and would like to try their own skills!

Set of 2 Handmade Silk and Gold Turquoise 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get inspiration  from my daughter who loves all things beautiful and oohs and ahs over my new designs. That inspires me to make better and beautiful bags. I am also inspired a lot by nature,the shapes of all things natural 

push me to try my hands on things unusual ,shapes untried and silhouettes uncommon!

Messenger Style Travel Bag

How are your bags different from others in the market?

My bags are different as you will not see the same bag listed 10 times in my shop! Chances are if you buy something,you are the only one in the world or one of the 2-3 to own it! They are truly One of a Kind (OOAK). Sadly Etsy is overrun by the shops producing bags like a sweat shop,you will find 100's others carrying same purse as you but NOT in my shop.

Pleated Silk Clutch Purse

Do you have any favorite designers?


I am my own favorite  designer. On a serious note I love Amy Butler's work.


What is that ONE thing that stands out in your bags?
Their being One of a Kind (OOAK)! I use unusual Indian fabrics which are hard to come by & most importantly right from buying the fabric,to creating the template,cutting ,interfacing,sewing,packaging & dropping them off to Post Office,  single -handedly done by me !

I try to create world class products with ethnic Indian aura through my purses artistically crafted in different materials like pure leather,vegan leather ,exquisite Indian silks & brocades,jute & linen. Hope you like them!

Frame Purse in Silk

7. How do you promote your creations.


I usually post them on my Facebook page and tweet them, blog occasionally ,am very active in Etsy forums wI here I have made many a friends & who have eventually shopped with me.


Connect with Priti at 


Email  : priti.shirname@gmail.com
Twitter :armcandyforyou
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/armcandyforyou
Blog:  http://armcandyforyou.blogspot.com

For women our bags sure is THE EYE CANDY. I love the Priti's  beautiful designs especially the silk clutch 

purse. Unique, affordable with that Indian touch truly makes Priti's designs a MUST have in your collection. 

All images from Arm Candy For You

Friday Feature: THE EYES HAVE IT

Please welcome Kimberly Wolff of The Eyes Have It. Kimberly designs bindis, made from Swarovski Crystals and Austrian Crystal Rhinestone Chain. I stumbled upon her store while looking for bollywood goodies on etsy. I am simply bowled over by the originality of the bindi designs and I am so honored to feature  her creations today. 

Kimberly lives on the outstskirts of a small town in the mountains of North Carolina with her husband, niece, great nephew and three cats. 

Kimberly used to work for a home improvement company in Florida but after her move to North Carolina and with no job, she started to think of ways to get creative and get things working for her home and family. Her niece, who is an avid belly dancer and a jewelry artist and clothing designer suggested that Kimberly start making bindis for the belly dancers and that is how the idea sparked and The Eyes Have It  was born.

Kimberly's First designer bindi

Describe your work and style

Although I have a hobby room, I prefer to work in my family room, kicked back in a recliner, with the television on, listening to my favorite court shows. I’ve devoted a lot of my time in the last few months to increasing my inventory so that I have plenty of free time now that the weather is warming to do gardening, landscaping and outdoor projects.

Jeweled false eyelashes for a night out!!!

Many of my bindi designs are unique due to my use of rhinestone and ball chain. I have always had an appreciation for Swarovski Crystal, as evidenced by my curio cabinet, so I have chosen to use only Swarovski Crystals, with the exception of an occasional 1950’s Vintage West Germany Teardrop Crystal. And with Swarovski, you have to use quality findings with them. I mainly use gold-plated, silver-plated, solid brass or copper. Most of my designs have a very dainty, elegant look.

Due to my love for creating sparkly wearable pieces of art, I am always looking for different and unusual findings or adding more colors of crystals. 

Any sources of inspiration

My customers inspire me. The reactions I get from clients, keeps me striving to create more unique and unusual wearable artworks.

After I had ladies purchasing my belly bindis to wear as forehead adornments, I designed the Goddess Forehead Adornment. I renamed my belly bindi “Is It A Belly Bindi or A Forehead Adornment”

How do you promote your creations? Did you participate in any shows or craft fairs?

I enjoy creating and making bindis, but not marketing them. I do love belly dance festivals and conventions, so I vend at any large event that I can. Auralynne (my niece) and I vend together so it makes it more cost effective. Events that we have already or will be vending at includes Rakkasah East (Somerset, NJ), Tribalcon, Southern Fried Burlesque Fest and Black Orchid Danse Festival (all in Atlanta, GA), Asheville Burlesque and Sideshow Festival (Asheville, NC), Tribal Revolution (Chicago, IL) and Miami Belly Dance Convention (Miami, FL). We hope to be adding more events to this list.

Connect with Kimberley

E-mail: theeyeshaveit@brmemc.net

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/theeyeshaveit

Facebook: www.facebook.com/eyeshaveit

Aren't they simply gorgeous? Don't you think you want to sport one right away? I love bindis and I especially liked the forehead adornment bindi.  Want to pounce on these unique designer bindis, please shop  HERE