When you take lots of nifty, vintage, worn things and turn them into something new that still looks old, then you've got my attention. This artist does such a wonderful job creating lovely trinkets that I wanted to get to know her better. Please join me as I chat with Lisa Schureman of
ThatOldBlueHouse2 on Etsy.
1.
Were you always an art kid, or did you stumble upon the creative life
later on?
Growing
up I wouldn’t say I was an art kid. I appreciated art but never
felt exceptionally talented or gifted. I couldn’t draw or paint so
I didn’t consider myself an artist, craftsperson yes, but artist
no. I didn’t discover stained glass until I was on my own, out of
college. I took a stained glass class because I wanted to make
myself a lampshade, and fell in love with glass.
2.
What style of art/craft is your favorite and why?
I
love all different styles of art, but am particularly drawn to Black
and White Photography and Collage. My Grandfather started a mail
order photofinishing studio which my father & uncle inherited. I
loved going to work with my dad as a child. The shop was in an old
building & it was a great place to hang out & watch the film
processing. This was back in the late sixties – seventies.
3.
What do you use for inspiration, or how do you generate ideas?
After
I took my first Stained Glass class I made my lampshade, then
suncatchers from glass pattern books. As my experience grew, I
started to experiment with my own ideas and creations…I began
creating glass windows in quilt patterns which incorporated old quilt
pieces in the design. Now I mainly create jewelry….I find the
older I get I enjoy the immediate gratification I get from jewelry,
versus the length of time it takes to make a window! The inspiration
for my jewelry comes from antique & vintage pieces I find when
rummaging through antique shops and auctions.
4.
Walk us through your creative process from idea to finished project.
Since
I love going to auctions and antique shops, I tend to pick up
different items here and there without any particular idea for their
use in mind. For instance, I have containers full of old lace,
buttons, marbles, crazy quilts, old paper etc….I may pick up an
awesome glass button/buttons (my latest obsession) with a necklace
in mind. When I get home I will look in my glass button box & am
inspired by buttons I haven’t seen for a while, so then my day
becomes a glass button jewelry day! So in other words, there is no
rhyme or reason, just whatever hits me that particular day.
5.
What is a typical day in your life?
My
typical day is up around 6 a.m….a few cups of coffee. If I have
orders I need to make I usually work on those first thing. I always
try to get orders out before I work on creating new pieces…That way
I get the “have to” done before I work on the “create and fun”
stuff. I am most efficient in the mornings, maybe it’s the coffee!
Afternoons I finish up & ship orders, work on promoting my etsy
shop on the computer and then plan the items I will be working on for
the next day & prep them so I can work on them in the house in
the evening.
6.
What do you think draws you to other people's work?
I
am drawn to Artists that are great craftsmen & create unique
things. I enjoy all art forms, but love work that makes me say
“wow, who would have thought of that”!
7.
What are your interests/hobbies?
My
hobbies are antiquing and going to auctions. Also, attending my kids
sporting events.
8.
Is this your full time job, or do you have a job out-of-studio?
My
goal when my children were young was to be able to stay at home with
them. I worked hard to try and achieve that goal by selling my
glass at shows in the early days, then wholesale and shows, and now
online. Now that my youngest is a senior, I have just taken a
seasonal job at the local grain elevator for fall harvest…yes I
live in a farming community!
9.
What is your favorite piece you've ever made and why?
I
don’t know if I have a favorite piece. I love everything that I
have made or else I wouldn’t make it.
 |
| Lisa in her workspace--I love the Texas Farm Road Sign and Cactus!! |
10.
What advice would you give to an artist/crafter just starting out in
the business world?
My
advice for an artist/crafter just starting out would be to first,
perfect your craft/art. Second, find your own style…don’t copy
. Then throw it out there – Do some shows, you will find some good
& some bad ones. Talk to people at shows and glean as much
information as you can. Don’t be discouraged, I have lots of people
that just walk past my booth – my style is not their cup of tea,
however, when you find the people that love your work, it is worth
it!! Also use social media, and create a website etc….
11.
Describe your work space.
My
husband and I took a section of our old shed and made an efficiency
apartment for my mother to live in when she was ill. After she
passed, it became my workshop. I keep all my “stash” out there,
and I cut glass, solder, construct, box, and ship from there. Prior
to having this workshop, I cut glass & soldered in an unfinished
basement & did everything else in my kitchen, den etc…
12.
Did you face any setbacks on your path to being an artist/maker?
There
have been a few “bumps in the road” along the way. There was a
period where I did a lot of wholesale selling, but due to unforeseen
circumstances that side of my business stopped & I had to
re-evaluate what I really wanted to do.
13.
What milestones, goals, or achievements are you striving for right
now?
For
me, I strive to always improve the quality of my work, and create
fresh and interesting pieces of jewelry.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions!! Here are some other places you can find Lisa:
