Meet the Artist and Giveaway: Helene from FireWorks Copper & Glass

I'm very excited about this next giveaway! 

Helene over at FireWorks Copper & Glass has graciously agreed to offer one winner their choice of either 

a round or star Christmas ornament or a set of 6 buttons in the color of their choice.

Buy it here

Helene sent me this lovely ornament and a couple of buttons for review.

Buy it here

Buy it here

  Aren't they lovely? Helene doesn't know it, but I'm actually an ornament collector!

Handmade ornaments add such charm to a tree, don't you think?

I can't wait to add the buttons to one of my projects, too!

I'll be showing you more of Helene's lovely items while we get to know her a little better.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I live in a small community in British Columbia, Canada and I am co-owner of FireWorks Copper and Glass, a small business where we create copper enamel jewelry, home décor items, barrettes, buttons and more. I love color and putting together new combinations. I draw much of my inspiration from nature and the beautiful place where I live.

Buy it here

Q: I understand you have background in fashion design, textiles, weaving and felting. Now it looks as though you exclusively enamel. Would you say it's your favorite medium? Do you still have time for your other talents?

A: I enjoy enameling very much and I devote a lot of my time to this medium, as it is my business and full time job. I still enjoy creating and playing with textiles, though I haven’t spent a lot of time on that, as I have been focusing mainly on enameling. I have a few ideas about combining textiles and enameling, which I hope to pursue at some point.

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Q: How would you describe your style? What sets you apart from other artists on Etsy?

A: My style is a celebration of the beauty of nature, expressed with vivid color and a hint of whimsy at times.

I use a scrolling technique in many of my pieces, where I pull a red hot rod through the molten enamel (glass) creating freeform, swirling patterns. I haven’t noticed other Etsy artists using this technique.  Also, in addition to the jewelry line I have home décor items, Christmas ornaments, and buttons, while most enamellists focus on jewelry exclusively.

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Q: How does running a shop on Etsy compare to running a real-life store front?

A: I run my Etsy store by myself and it is a very small part of my business. The Forge and Furnace Gallery is my main selling venue and it is a collaboration between me and my business partner, the blacksmith and glassblowers. Selling in the gallery has many advantages; customers are able to see a wide variety of items, try things on, pick them up, and see the actual size, colour and texture. I think it is much easier to sell under these conditions. Selling on Etsy has the additional challenges of portraying work accurately and effectively to the potential shoppers, and just being found in a vast sea of competition.

Buy it here

Q: Any advice for people just starting out?

A: Make something beautiful that you love, and other people will probably like it too. Always strive for improvement and don’t take yourself too seriously. A mentor is a great asset.

Q: What direction do you see yourself headed on your artist adventure? Any big plans in the near future?

A:  I am developing some new products and I am also planning some larger expressive pieces.

Buy it here

Q: Just for fun, what is/are your/some of your favorite shop(s) on Etsy?

A: Fairysteps, yogagoat, and Batikwalla.

To find out more about Helene be sure to check out her website: http://artisansofcrawfordbay.com/fireworks.htm

Helene would like to offer my readers an exclusive coupon code for her shop :)

Just enter the code MODERN at checkout to receive 10% off your entire purchase!

Be sure to get your orders in time for Christmas.

How to Enter the Giveaway:

1. Follow this blog (Mandatory)

and leave a comment here saying you did.

2. Heart FireWorks Copper & Glass on Etsy

and leave a separate comment here saying you did.

3. Leave a separate comment about your favorite item from
FireWorksCopper & Glass.

Make sure to bookmark my giveaways page if you haven't already, 
and READ THE FINE PRINT

Fine print:

Only 3 entries per household please
Giveaway ends November 28th at midnight PST
Winner will be chosen by random.org
Entries will be validated
Winner will be announced here
Winner will have 3 days to contact me, 

after which a new winner will be chosen

Must be 18 years of age or older to enter

Recently I have had to choose a second winner for quite a few giveaways 

due to lack of an email response from my winners. 

If you really want to win, check your SPAM folders often, or better yet 

add moderntypography@aol.com to your address book. Good luck!