Featured Artist: Joelyn Welch from ardentdesigns

by Cindy Knight of cksilver

Introducing: Joelyn Welch

Joelyn is hosting a giveaway!

The lucky winner of Joelyn's giveaway will get this beautiful fused pendant with sterling silver plated bail. To be entered to win, please comment on this blog posting with your favorite item in her shop, and include your email so we can contact you in the event you are the winner. The winner will be announced on next Wednesday's Featured Artist post.

Introduction

I love to do anything creative, to me everything is a project. I love traditional photography and also working in Photoshop (I remember learning version 2.0 LOL). I used to do a lot of web design, but am kind of out of the loop on the recent advanced code… I enjoy cooking and baking and am thrilled that my daughter enjoys it as well. She wants to grow up to be on the Food Network, she’s 7. My husband likes to grill and can also cook when help is needed. He is best known for his award winning chili and his yummy fajitas. He has been a professional photographer for over 15 years. For the past 10 his full time gig has been as a Network Engineer, but he is freelancing in architectural photography and it is still his true creative passion (he also loves wood working). I think my first love in the creative world will always be beading, but the past few years of learning to fuse glass has been fun and I am now starting to look at how to integrate that skill with other methods of art such as fused glass pieces with Joes woodworking….

How did you get your start on Etsy?

I started Ardent Designs over 12 years ago and used to bead at local farmers markets and art shows. Initially I was just beading for myself as a hobby, but I kept having people try to buy things and I needed to make money to support my addiction…. I stopped when I had my daughter (7+ years ago) because working full-time as an IT Security & Audit Compliance Manager plus being a mom full-time left NO time for jewelry let alone shows. A couple of years ago I started to bead again. I knew I could not do shows because Saturdays are reserved for all of Myas sports activities. So I was researching different options for online sales when I came across ETSY and immediately loved it. I fell out of most activity in creating or promotion on ETSY when I became pregnant and didn’t feel well. I miscarried and so Joe bought me a small kiln and glass to try to get my creative energies flowing again. It worked. I started to post items again and then got pregnant/sick again. So once again I didn’t do much on ETSY during that pregnancy or after the birth. Aiden is almost 1 now and starting to let me return to “normalcy”.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I don’t know, I’ll let you know when I experience one : ) Seriously, my days feel very random and out of control, they are ruled by Mya and Aidens schedules. I do my online work on the laptop while Aiden is playing. He does like to bead shop with me, but is getting too heavy for the sling and I can't put him down in the store, he would have beads EVERYWHERE! I can't take him to my workshop anymore because he is too mobile, so I only get to go down there when he is napping. Mya often wants to “help me” which also leads to pretty unproductive sessions. I do housework and carpool and I hope for moments to race down in the basement and work when Joe can watch the kids.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?

I don’t know, but I would want Joe, Mya and Aiden there with me.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

and

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature?

It depends on my mood, but this a a more recent piece that I love for Fall.

URLs to where else we can find you on the internet:

Web: www.ardentdesigns.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Ardent-Designs/222908792941
Blog: http://ardentdesigns.blogspot.com

Please take a moment and visit Joelyn's shop, and give her some love!

And the winner of Vanda's giveaway by way of random.org is... Drumroll please... Sue (My Savior)! Congratulations! Look for the convo I've already sent to you both.

8:45 AM | Category: ardentdesigns, CAST, castteam, Featured Artist, fused pendant, jewelry, joelyn welch, Wednesday | 11 comments

Comments (11)

On September 22, 2010 at 7:40 PM , Sue Runyon said...: Nice to meet you Joelyn. Great feature. Lovely items. Thanks Cindy.
On September 22, 2010 at 8:46 PM , Anonymous said...: No entry-just a comment on the wonderful "My Favorite" pendant. It is my favorite too! =)
On September 23, 2010 at 4:29 AM , Julie Riisnaes said...: Great to meety you!
I like these earrings http://www.etsy.com/listing/17799095/glimmering-purplessence
(I've been there with the babies & beads don't mix thing!!)

Julie (jriisnaes@gmail.com)
On September 23, 2010 at 7:54 AM , Christie Cottage said...: Love the second item featured here. The coloring of the stones really draw me in!

http://christiecottage.etsy.com
http://christiecottage.blogspot.com

<><
On September 23, 2010 at 9:48 AM , watercolors said...: Nice getting to know joelyn and family.
Really talented jeweler.

Great giveaway...someone will be lucky.

Very hard to select one item, all so nice.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/20182648/jaded-and-twisted

Roxanne of watercolorsnmore.
roxtob@verizon.net
On September 23, 2010 at 9:50 AM , Stephanie said...: Lovely to meet you Joelyn!
I love these earrings the color, the wire work. Beautiful!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/20182648/jaded-and-twisted

expectfaith@yahoo.com
On September 23, 2010 at 12:56 PM , Lois said...: What wonderful work. I love the verses you choose as your favorites. It is great to get to know a little bit about you.

http://www.andersonscreations.etsy.com

Lois
andersonsangoracreations@yahoo.com
On September 23, 2010 at 4:22 PM , Campbell Jane said...: Your work is wonderful!
Many Blessings
Campbelljane
On September 23, 2010 at 6:01 PM , KEEPSAKE KORNER said...: Great feature on Joelyn.
Enjoyed this blog.
Hugs
Susan
On September 23, 2010 at 7:17 PM , Anonymous said...: Everything in Joelyn's shop is lovely so its very hard to choose a favorite. I think this:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/36412066/simply-stunning
is my choice because it is exactly that, simple, yet stunning. Simple is my style, yet if I can achieve stunning along with that I am thrilled.
Penny
Mspenzcrochet
pen685@yahoo.com
On September 23, 2010 at 7:17 PM , Anonymous said...: Everything in Joelyn's shop is lovely so its very hard to choose a favorite. I think this:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/36412066/simply-stunning
is my choice because it is exactly that, simple, yet stunning. Simple is my style, yet if I can achieve stunning along with that I am thrilled.
Penny
Mspenzcrochet
pen685@yahoo.com

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Featured Artist: Joelyn Welch from ardentdesigns

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