A little while back I had run my first poll, featuring new Etsy shops awaiting their first sales. Despite some blogger glitches with the poll, and mysteriously disappearing votes, Noa Jordan with her adorable needle felted bird was my winner! She sent me the answers to my questions at the beginning of the week, but I was unaware that upgrading to the new version of blogger would finally allow me to copy and paste. Imagine my delight when I was able to just copy her responses into this post. Ahhh, I could have shared this with you days ago...had I known. :) What a time saver! :)
Please give me at least 5 words or phrases that describe you ~
Driven
Multi - Tasker
Independent
Detective
Versatile
I see that you have a 'day job', what is it that you do?
I currently work full time as a legal assistant at a law firm. It’s a detail oriented and demanding job. Even though it’s not my calling, I take it seriously and strive to do the best that I can when I’m on the clock. I’m not sure how long I will be doing this, but I’m happy that I at least have a job because so many people do not.
3. How did you find Etsy? What led you to open a shop?
I am not sure were I first discovered Etsy, but I know it was around three years ago through one of the random websites that I find while searching for supplies. Around that time, I was making tote bags and I was just using Etsy to purchase fabric. Shortly thereafter, a couple friends opened up their shops, Madmadwonderland and Cniko. I knew that I also wanted to be a part of the community as a seller, but I was not ready as all my ideas were still stuck in my head. I was still trying to figure out what direction I wanted to go in.
I decided to join as a seller because I wanted to make some extra cash this past Christmas and I thought I’d just list some items and see what happens. Since then, it’s become much more then that for me. I think the best part of Etsy is the community that you have access to. I know that if Etsy was around when I was younger, it would have given me more confidence knowing that I was not the only one making handmade items. I grew up on a small island and none of my friends made anything by hand, so I didn’t have much exposure to hanging out with other artists in Aruba. I would just draw in my room and imagine I was designing clothing or making items out of Fimo.
When did you start needle felting, and why? What are your favorite things to create?
I first started needle felting when I was asked to replicate a bird topper for my friend’s wedding. As most brides, she was trying to save money and so her family came together to hand make as much items as they could for her big day. I was asked if I could possibly make some birds from a photograph that she found. At first I was not sure how the birds were made. I did some research and it turns out that they were needle felted. It took some time to initially figure out what materials I needed to purchase. I also watched some Youtube videos to get an idea on how to begin. In the end, they came out really nice and she was happy with them.
I didn’t create anything else until around 8 months later, which would be last November. I kept thinking about it and I thought that I would give it another try. I decided to recreate the large mushrooms that I used to make with Fimo, so I purchased more wool in several colors and took a week off of work for Thanksgiving. This was the first time that I realized how time consuming needle felting really is as I only made 6 items. I did have thoughts of quitting because it takes a lot of patience to finish an item, but I think the outcome is what keeps me going. It’s also such an unusual and obscure art form. I’ve also realized that besides painting, sewing and computers, I’m good at sculpting, so this is another form of it for me.
What are your favorite things to create?
So far I like making mushrooms, birds and dioramas. I do have ideas of other items that I’d like to make such as robots and super heroes.
What do you see for the future of NoaJordan? Do you see it as an outlet, a way to release some creative energy, or do you envision it growing?
This really all began as an outlet and I have many ideas of were I’d like my shop to be, but it’s still new and evolving. It’s growing slowly right now and that’s why I have not really promoted it much. I just finished my website, joined a couple social networking sites and an Etsy group. My main obstacle is my job and the time that I have on the side. I just need to stop making excuses that I am too tired to make something. I would ultimately love to be able to quite my job and make art for a living.
Who are your biggest supporters?
My family and friends are my biggest supporters.
Where else can people find you (blog, FB, twitter, etc.)
Website: noajordan.com
Twitter: twitter.com/Somethingfelted
Thank you so very much Noa for your wonderful answers, I always love meeting fellow Etsy artists. Wishing you that first sale very soon, with those adorable creations, it's only a matter of time!
Have a wonderful Sunday everyone and thanks for reading! :)
Peace ~ Melinda
A little while back I had run my first poll, featuring new Etsy shops awaiting their first sales. Despite some blogger glitches with the poll, and mysteriously disappearing votes, Noa Jordan with her adorable needle felted bird was my winner! She sent me the answers to my questions at the beginning of the week, but I was unaware that upgrading to the new version of blogger would finally allow me to copy and paste. Imagine my delight when I was able to just copy her responses into this post. Ahhh, I could have shared this with you days ago...had I known. :) What a time saver! :)
Please give me at least 5 words or phrases that describe you ~
Driven
Multi - Tasker
Independent
Detective
Versatile
I see that you have a 'day job', what is it that you do?
I currently work full time as a legal assistant at a law firm. It’s a detail oriented and demanding job. Even though it’s not my calling, I take it seriously and strive to do the best that I can when I’m on the clock. I’m not sure how long I will be doing this, but I’m happy that I at least have a job because so many people do not.
3. How did you find Etsy? What led you to open a shop?
I am not sure were I first discovered Etsy, but I know it was around three years ago through one of the random websites that I find while searching for supplies. Around that time, I was making tote bags and I was just using Etsy to purchase fabric. Shortly thereafter, a couple friends opened up their shops, Madmadwonderland and Cniko. I knew that I also wanted to be a part of the community as a seller, but I was not ready as all my ideas were still stuck in my head. I was still trying to figure out what direction I wanted to go in.
I decided to join as a seller because I wanted to make some extra cash this past Christmas and I thought I’d just list some items and see what happens. Since then, it’s become much more then that for me. I think the best part of Etsy is the community that you have access to. I know that if Etsy was around when I was younger, it would have given me more confidence knowing that I was not the only one making handmade items. I grew up on a small island and none of my friends made anything by hand, so I didn’t have much exposure to hanging out with other artists in Aruba. I would just draw in my room and imagine I was designing clothing or making items out of Fimo.
When did you start needle felting, and why? What are your favorite things to create?
I first started needle felting when I was asked to replicate a bird topper for my friend’s wedding. As most brides, she was trying to save money and so her family came together to hand make as much items as they could for her big day. I was asked if I could possibly make some birds from a photograph that she found. At first I was not sure how the birds were made. I did some research and it turns out that they were needle felted. It took some time to initially figure out what materials I needed to purchase. I also watched some Youtube videos to get an idea on how to begin. In the end, they came out really nice and she was happy with them.
I didn’t create anything else until around 8 months later, which would be last November. I kept thinking about it and I thought that I would give it another try. I decided to recreate the large mushrooms that I used to make with Fimo, so I purchased more wool in several colors and took a week off of work for Thanksgiving. This was the first time that I realized how time consuming needle felting really is as I only made 6 items. I did have thoughts of quitting because it takes a lot of patience to finish an item, but I think the outcome is what keeps me going. It’s also such an unusual and obscure art form. I’ve also realized that besides painting, sewing and computers, I’m good at sculpting, so this is another form of it for me.
What are your favorite things to create?
So far I like making mushrooms, birds and dioramas. I do have ideas of other items that I’d like to make such as robots and super heroes.
What do you see for the future of NoaJordan? Do you see it as an outlet, a way to release some creative energy, or do you envision it growing?
This really all began as an outlet and I have many ideas of were I’d like my shop to be, but it’s still new and evolving. It’s growing slowly right now and that’s why I have not really promoted it much. I just finished my website, joined a couple social networking sites and an Etsy group. My main obstacle is my job and the time that I have on the side. I just need to stop making excuses that I am too tired to make something. I would ultimately love to be able to quite my job and make art for a living.
Who are your biggest supporters?
My family and friends are my biggest supporters.
Where else can people find you (blog, FB, twitter, etc.)
Website: noajordan.com
Twitter: twitter.com/Somethingfelted
Thank you so very much Noa for your wonderful answers, I always love meeting fellow Etsy artists. Wishing you that first sale very soon, with those adorable creations, it's only a matter of time!
Have a wonderful Sunday everyone and thanks for reading! :)
Peace ~ Melinda