Interview with Anna from lalunadianna

Hello Anna!  Thank you for joining us today for this interview!  You won last weeks treasury challenge, congratulations! I cant wait to find out more about you and your lovely Etsy shop!  

Anna, what is the name of your Etsy shop and link?
My little shop is called “lalunadianna” and the link iswww.etsy.com/shop/lalunadianna 

How has your experience been on Etsy? 
Absolutely exciting! I’ve found a great marketplace, but mostly a beautiful community of interesting people from all over the world and sometimes even new friends!

What has been your most exciting moment as an artist here on Etsy? 
The most exciting moment has been when I received my first convo from an American lady that was interested in my pillow covers.  It was a terrific moment to know that someone on the other side of the world was interested in my creations and shared with me about her life and her country! 

Do you have any advice for new Etsy shop owners? 
I need advice from others, rather than advice to give. However in my first year on Etsy, I think that constancy, enthusiasm and, finally, an active participation in the community are the best things a shop owner can do.

How long have you been an artist?

 I think that calling myself ”an artist” is too much, especially when compared to the real artists on Etsy. Mine is a passion born many years ago as a young girl when my mother taught me how to sew.

Who or what had the greatest influence on you as you developed as an artist? 
Who - my mother
What – the desire to have nice things.

How would you characterize your work? 
Passionate! 

How do you feel when people interpret your artwork differently? 
Sometimes I’m surprised when something that I didn’t feel was my best creation receives so many compliments and attention, for example being featured in a treasury. I think that this is the most beautiful thing of Etsy: getting introduced to so many people with different tastes and interests.

Describe your workshops for us: 
It all starts by choosing fabric. I absolutely love to choose fabric! Sometimes I buy it with a idea fixed on my mind, but often ideas come after, at home, when I’m alone in my little “laboratory”. I always make something that I would like to have in my home, or to give to my friends as a gift. 

What’s the hardest part of being an artist?
I think its losing enthusiasm. When that happens then it’s time to find new things to do.

How many hours a day do you create? 
This is not day work, so I often create on the weekends or on vacation time.

How does creating art make you feel? 
It’s magic to take a little fabric piece and to create something with it! It makes me feel very good and extremely satisfied.

“What is Art?” is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make? 
This is a really great question. I think Art is sharing love, life experiences and passion with the world, each one with its own small or great skills.

What are your artistic goals?
I want to create something to spread color, elegance and happiness. It’s maybe too much for my little creations but this is my feeling…

How have you handled the business side of being an artist? 
Being this is not my full time job,  I cannot maintain my family with it, even though I would really love to!

Where else on the internet can we find your work besides Etsy?
I’m only here on Etsy. I think Etsy is the best marketplace for handmade creations. In Italy is not widely known, but now we’re working to make it “Italian Language” so it will be possible to reach more people right here!

Anna, I really enjoyed getting to know more about you, thank you so much for sharing with us today!  I hope that Etsy can have its site translated in Italian soon, I think that would be so wonderful for the many artists that speak Italian!