To read more about Steph, please visit her blog, Spirit Horse Art.
How did you find Etsy and how long have you been selling there?
I think I found Etsy while searching the internet for handmade jewelry. I was beyond excited to discover such an awesome online marketplace. I had dreamed of being able to shop for great handmade items for years! It was also a dream of mine to sell my art and use the money I made to help animals. I opened my shop in July, 2008. I began with acrylic paintings and ACEO's, then added clay pendants and clay art. Just recently I started beading Dreamchaser Horse Rescue's new pewter pendants, and realized that I really enjoy beading as well as painting and working with clay!
I have always been really into art - especially drawing and painting, but when I became a new mom and was able to stay at home, I started dabbling in clay and other new mediums. I have been creating my clay pendants for about 2 years now. I am new at beading! I just recently tried my hand at it a few months ago, and I really enjoy it! I have become a gemstone and bead addict!
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I am incredibly inspired by the horses and other animal friends at Dreamchaser Horse Rescue. Words cannot describe how amazing these animals are, and what a privilege it is for me to call them my friends. I could be having the worst, most uninspiring day ever day ever - but a trip to the Rescue fixes that. Being around these beautiful, majestic creatures, as well as being surrounded by what I think is the most beautiful desert country in the U.S. is unbelievably inspiring.
Many! I love the Impressionists - especially Van Gogh. I love contemporary Southwestern Artists such as John Nieto, Pablo Milan, Aleta Pippin, Barbara Meikle, Earl Bliss, Nancy Cawdrey, Kevin Red Star, Ginny Hogan and many, many others.
Please tell us a little about your pets?
We have three kitties we adopted from Cat Rescues and two very LARGE dogs. Cody is a 90 lb mutt and was adopted from the County shelter. Daisy is half German Shepherd and half Australian Shepherd and she came from a German Shepherd Rescue here in Phoenix. I am very close to a horse at the Rescue named Sinatra. He is a "Pintaloosa" (Paint crossed with Appaloosa) and he is a five year old former Premarin foal.
Anything else you would like to include?
100% of sales from my new beaded necklaces goes to Dreamchaser Horse Rescue. They make great gifts for horse lovers! I enclose a Thank You card and brochures from the Rescue with each order.
Steph & Sinatra at Dreamchaser Horse Rescue
