"What A Novel Idea" is the May shop of the month. The lovely shop features jewelry made with images of vintage circuses, books, and poetry quotes. Chantelle Wilson, owner and creator, graciously took the time out to answer some questions for us.
When did you know you wanted to create and sell handmade
items?
I started working on Etsy when my super talented mother, a
seamstress extraordinaire, wanted to create her own shop. Knowing nothing about
the internet, I was enlisted to help her build an online shop. After getting
her started, I decided that I wanted to create my own unique items and form my
own store. Please note that my mother still knows nothing about the internet!
Where does your inspiration come from?
Having a love of literature, theatre and music I started out
making jewelry out of altered books and sheet music. Often you'll start out
with one idea and that will snowball into a different direction. I quickly
discovered that I enjoyed working with leather and began creating miniature
journal necklaces. I then developed a love for finding unique images from the
circus, nature and everyday life that could be made into fun and funky jewelry.
It was a thrill when I started to get emails from acrobats and circus
performers from around the world wanting to own one of my circus inspired
pieces. I love creating designs that make a statement and that I know are
uniquely mine.
Besides creating things, what do you do?
Besides the many hours I spend working on my shop I perform
as a singer in a three part harmony band that I founded called The Maisies. We
perform vocal harmony music from the 30s and 40s and I think the vintage feel
of my band often seeps into my jewelry creations. We perform regularly throughout
Toronto at some of the city’s best venues.
What is the most important advice you'd like share with etsy sellers?
I think the best advice I could give to Etsy sellers or to
anyone starting their own creative endeavor comes from the support given to me
by a friend. We so often doubt ourselves and question our own creativity. I
know I do and I so often get in my own way because of my insecurities. I used
to justify what I was doing as far as a jewelry maker by saying "it's just
a little hobby" when really I was wishing to make it more. I'll admit that
it took not a few compliments from friends and family to make my doubts fade
but they have. Now I just create and put it out there. If somebody likes a
piece then that's great. If they don't that's fine too. I believe everyone in
the world is creative and we just have to release our ideas into the universe
and not be afraid of the results because truly there's absolutely nothing to be
afraid of!
Show Chantelle some love & gracious thanks for sharing her story!
Check out her shop, What A Novel Idea here
Art and other crafts from melting crayons have to be the best thing since sliced bread. ;)
DIY
- Grab your canvas (an old bulletin board, picture frame, a literal canvas, etc)
- *don't make my mistake and use a picture frame that is IMPOSSIBLE to disassemble. Forced me to get creative and add a layer of poster board on top of the frame.
- Get an assortment of crayons (your choice of color, brand, etc)
- Glue gun the crayons onto the canvas, then use a blow dryer to melt the crayons
- I'd suggest you grab some newspaper for the mess and a chair because it might take a while
- You can get as creative as you want to! I chose dark colors as a gift for my boyfriend ;)
Other pretty examples of melted crayon art
I only stitch what I would enjoy having in my own home. What’s the most memorable custom item you’ve created? I did a small town street for myself . It is approx. 60" long and only 12" high. It has small houses, shops, a doctors office, trees, fountain and park, paved sidewalk and a small road running the entire length. I also made the frame in a woodworking class I was taking out of oak floor boards. It hangs above the large opening between my dining room and Florida room.
What is the most important advice you'd like to give to other etsy sellers? 
