It is our pleasure to introduce Ivelisse of ByIve as this week's Featured Artist. Ive creates Scripture art and wedding decor items from her home in Indiana.
Ive has graciously offered 40% off her artwork (in stock or customized) to any CAST team member, through February 14th. Use the coupon code CASTTEAM when ordering.
Introduction to you:
My name is Ivelisse Alvarez, but most people call me Ive. In Spanish it sounds like, Ebay exept with
the “b” is a “v” or “evay.”
I am from the Dominican Republic. I arrived to the United States with my family
in July 2008 and we made Pennsylvania home for almost 5 years. About five months ago we decided to move our
family to Indiana because of a better job opportunity for my husband. I am married to a wonderful man of God. We have 2 boys and 1 girl. I love my family and one of the things I
enjoy the most is spending time with them.
I studied graphic design and I love to decorate. I received an Associate in Arts and applied Sciences. I have also received many hours of academic
instruction and hands on training in drawing, painting, photography, jewelry
creation and design, and interior design.
I love to decorate especially for events such as weddings and sweet sixteen. I enjoy nature very much particularly in the
autumn because of all the beautiful textures and colors.
How did you get your start on Etsy?
In 2011 my English teacher saw some of the pieces I had created
and suggested I place a few of them on Etsy.
After brainstorming with my husband on a name, I immediately opened it
without much knowledge or training on how to use the website. In the first five months there were no sales
and very little visits to my page. It
wasn’t till March 2012 that finally I had one sale, then in August of the same
year another sale. As you can see for me
it was a slow start, and if it wasn’t for my husband’s support and
encouragement I might’ve given up and thrown in the towel. One morning I woke up inspired with a prayer
on my mind. I decided I would put it on
an art piece and designed it subway-art style in Spanish and placed it on my
Etsy store. A client wrote me an email
that morning requesting something similar with verse 1 Corinthians 13, but in
English. At that moment I felt things
would turn around in a marvelous way, and they did.
At that moment I decided to learn more about how Etsy
functions and ways I can improve my store.
It has been amazing to see how the whole online world can help you reach
millions of people all around the world with a simple click. After many months I now can see the results
of slow and steady growth. I give all
the thanks and glory to God. My focus has been bible verses and quotes
incorporated on burlap inspirational designs for wedding décor, signs and accessories.
I love what I do whether it sells or not, but I
especially love when people feel happiness and joy with a piece I’ve
created. Each review or comment about my
art inspires me and motivates me to continue creating art.
How did you choose your shop name?
My husband and I started brainstorming name ideas for the
Etsy store. One thing we concluded long
ago in regards to naming a business is the simpler more organic the name and
relative to the business, the better. So
he said to me you will not only be creating everything but you’ll also be doing
all photography, placement, publicity, customer service and finally handling
the shipping process. It will all be
done by Ive. Why not just name it, “ByIve?” And voila!
What does a typical day look like for you?
I am a night owl therefore I prefer to be up all night and
sleep during the day. Again, that is my
preference and I do it when I can because it is with the quiet of the night I
get most inspired and creative ideas. But
I’ll give you “typical day” when I am up with the sun. I wake
up around 6:30 a.m.; send my kids to school, my husband to work and with a cup
of coffee on one hand I read my daily devotional. After my morning prayer I turn the music on
nearly all day, I love listening to music while I work on a project. I then take a look at my agenda for the day
and prioritize what needs to be done first.
I continue with pending orders and work on what needs to be printed,
recorded or glued, packaged and shipped out.
I then get in my car, run any necessary errands and make a stop in the
post office to drop off anything that needs to go out. I try to finish everything I have pending for
the rest of the day but most days I cannot so I just try to do as much as I
can, what I can’t finish goes on the next day.
By this time it’s almost time for my family to come home so I make
dinner. After the kids are all tucked in
bed on some nights I love to sit next to my husband and watch a romantic movie
particularly those with happy endings.
If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where
would it be?
I would love to visit Paris, Italy, Mexico and many, many
more countries. But if I have to pick
just one place to be right at this instant I’d like to be in one of the warm
beaches of my Caribbean country, particularly in Punta Cana or La Romana.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
I have several favorites, but I particularly love the one
below,
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your
faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and
to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to
godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you
possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being
ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Peter 1:5-8
What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature?
This article never loses its relevance, and has so much
meaning to me, because I love, as love is defined here.
Where else can we find you on the Internet?
Find me on facebook
