25 Days Of Christmas Celebration # 17 - Interview With Asta from AstaArtWork

Getting to the 17th Day of our 25 Days Of Christmas Celebration :) Let's meet AstaArtwork for today's 25 Days Of Christmas Celebration Event!

Colorful, happy painting, little girls, little animals and cute brooches:)

1. Please share a little something about yourself!


My name is Asta and I am freelance artist. You can find my online shop here

Nowadays I can hardly imagine my free-time without painting. Colorful and playful paintings dominate in my portfolio - warm and bright colors help me to express warm feelings and good emotions which I want to share with viewers.




2. Tell us about your shop – what made you open your shop and when did it happen? Also, what items do you sell?


I heard about Etsy a lot and decided to open my shop there. It’s happened in early 2012 spring.


My items on Etsy:


• Acrylic paintings on canvas;


• Funny cat paintings;


• Ink drawings;


• Original illustrations;


• Greeting cards and sets;


• Prints and sets;


• Eco friendly OOAK handmade brooches from salt dough.



I already sold more than 100 items there. I also have my own online galery.

I also sell my artwork at 5 shops in Tallinn (Estonia, Europe) city centre.



I like to play with colors the most. Usually I’m painting on canvas with acrylic. Sometimes I like to paint with ink and add some watercolor on paper. One day I decided to paint some cats’ illustrations for children. I liked it and I’m still doing it! 

I always want to share good mood and bright colors with others.

 


3. What’s the story behind your creations? What got you to create the items you’re making? 


I get inspired very easily, mostly by things that surround me. It could be nice weather, good music, good thoughts, seen images and views, dreams and our crazy world! 
Usually I draw what I see and think. Simple, isn’t it? Sometimes I feel like my head is empty and I have no ideas. Then I just go for a walk into the city and watch people, building, cards... I just want to share our life’s joy with you!




4. Please pick one of your items that you feel is most representative for your shop and tell us what makes it the most special?


I’ve got lots of good responses for "Lupines", "Megacity", "...and door opens!" and "100 poppies" paintings. Most of them happily are already sold. I love them, too. Usually I sold very easy and quickly the paintings which I like the most. I can't explain why I like them so much... maybe for the colors, thoughts or feelings which I had when I painted them.



5. Please share a little wisdom on time management! How do you organize your time? How does a typical day selling on Etsy look like – time spent on orders, on teams, promoting on social media etc? 



I’m an artist and don’t have normal days. Painting is my passion and job. 

Sometimes I paint during the night, sometimes I get it, make my breakfast and start to paint. Sometimes I have a lazy day when I’m looking for an inspiration and need to read a book, go to the city center or somewhere else.
 Usually I paint about 2 hours at once and then I need a break and then I can paint again. Sometimes I start a new painting and feel that I must to finish it today. So I paint 5 or more hours without a break.
 

I work on Etsy about 4 hours per day. I love to make treasuries, read blogs and get the most important information how to improve your sales.




6. Speaking of Etsy teams, what do you look for in them? What makes you choose a particular one?


I love you see other artists’ new creations, participate in games like “share the love”, “make treasuries” and challenges games.




7. What’s the best advice you received when you first began selling? Also, what advice would you give to new sellers – whether it’s about promoting items, shipping, photography, communicating with clients or whatever else you feel that new sellers should be aware of?


Love what you do and never give up! Try different things, learn something new time by time, do not be lazy, enjoy life! :) There are my top advices for new people at Etsy. You have to participate in some groups, don’t be afraid to ask other people to help if you don’t know something. We all started on the same way. P.s. don’t forget to share your business cards with new people, friends and you’ll get some orders from them. It really works for me.



8. What are your goals regarding your shop for the near future?


I would like to promote more and more my art in Tallinn, Estonia (Europe) where I live now. There are already 5 shops that are selling my arwork: small kitten paintings, cards and handmade brooches. Of course I would like to have my first individual exhibition and will get some more orders of course. Love when my artwork are shipping worldwide (more about it - www.artbyasta.com/blog/my-paintings-are-shipping-worldwide/)



Thank you to Asta for joining us this holiday season for our 25 Days Of Christmas Celebration. :)

Spread Some SPST Love And Visit Asta's Etsy Shop Today :

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AstaArtwork

PRESENTED TO YOU BY OUR LEADER: 

Hi, my name is Ildi. I really enjoy the process of making pottery: I sit down at a table with clay and try to make something that I have an imagination of. I want something and the clay wants something but in the end I can work until I am most satisfied with the outcome.    https://www.etsy.com/shop/Ceraminic