Feature Blog on Antigoni !!!

1)How did you first hear about Etsy?:

I was searching in Google for lampwork beads and there it was. An Etsy treasure of fine artists! In fact that was my first purchase lampwork beads from Bellebead's shop.

2)Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!:
I'm 45 years old, I live in Greece, married and have 2 teenager boys 17 and 16 years old Konstantinos and Marios. I'm very proud of them and my family is my whole life!!!!

I love every kind of art, in fact as a kid liked to draw a lot and actually I took some drawing lessons also. Maybe that's why I studied architectural design and later I changed course and became a Graphic Designer.
Always I like to do things with my hands and also help my mother in making clothes.

3)How did you get started as a designer?:
Sometime 3 years ago I started to make jewels just for hobby. With my hubby's support who gives me my self confindence, I tried more and more and now I'm an Etsy seller and I'm planning to quit graphic designing and become a full time jewels designer.

4)What inspires you to create?:
Everything. It' may be a favorite place, a feeling a color or a new material. I like colors and "non colors" different materials and techniques and create my designs upon my mood. That's why my jewels are not in one certain style.

5)How do you get the word out about your shop and Etsy?:

I'm not so good with that yet. I have a blog since July, but my time is not enough yet to make new posts frequently and although I have visitors from all over the world traffic is not good enough yet.
I try a bit in Etsy forums and that's how I met Devin and her beautiful blog and also I'm trying to be an active member of Europeans Street Team of Etsy.
I opened my shop 5 months ago so I'm in still on start and need to do more things about it!
I want to thank Devin for featuring me and give me one more change to show my work. I'm very honored!!!

6)Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?:

Not to be fear of a new start! work, work, work, patient, try new things and be open to new challenges!!!
Personally I'm a low profile person and really can understand that sometimes we hesitate to expose our selves to the world, but think of this, our "art" is one of the best expression of our inner personality.
It's wonderful for other people to see and it's also a personal "healing" process!

Please Visit her etsy: www.antigoni.etsy.com
Also visit her blog :www.novelyjewels.blogspot.com