Featured Artist: Steph Hanson
Our featured artist is Steph Hanson of StephHansonCreations. Steph lives in Arizona and donates a portion of all her sales to Dreamchaser Horse Rescue.
To read more about Steph, please visit her blog, Spirit Horse Art.
How did you find Etsy and how long have you been selling there?
I think I found Etsy while searching the internet for handmade jewelry. I was beyond excited to discover such an awesome online marketplace. I had dreamed of being able to shop for great handmade items for years! It was also a dream of mine to sell my art and use the money I made to help animals. I opened my shop in July, 2008. I began with acrylic paintings and ACEO's, then added clay pendants and clay art. Just recently I started beading Dreamchaser Horse Rescue's new pewter pendants, and realized that I really enjoy beading as well as painting and working with clay!
How long have you been creating jewelry?
I have always been really into art - especially drawing and painting, but when I became a new mom and was able to stay at home, I started dabbling in clay and other new mediums. I have been creating my clay pendants for about 2 years now. I am new at beading! I just recently tried my hand at it a few months ago, and I really enjoy it! I have become a gemstone and bead addict!
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I am incredibly inspired by the horses and other animal friends at Dreamchaser Horse Rescue. Words cannot describe how amazing these animals are, and what a privilege it is for me to call them my friends. I could be having the worst, most uninspiring day ever day ever - but a trip to the Rescue fixes that. Being around these beautiful, majestic creatures, as well as being surrounded by what I think is the most beautiful desert country in the U.S. is unbelievably inspiring.
Do you have any favorite artists?
Many! I love the Impressionists - especially Van Gogh. I love contemporary Southwestern Artists such as John Nieto, Pablo Milan, Aleta Pippin, Barbara Meikle, Earl Bliss, Nancy Cawdrey, Kevin Red Star, Ginny Hogan and many, many others.
Please tell us a little about your pets?
We have three kitties we adopted from Cat Rescues and two very LARGE dogs. Cody is a 90 lb mutt and was adopted from the County shelter. Daisy is half German Shepherd and half Australian Shepherd and she came from a German Shepherd Rescue here in Phoenix. I am very close to a horse at the Rescue named Sinatra. He is a "Pintaloosa" (Paint crossed with Appaloosa) and he is a five year old former Premarin foal.
Anything else you would like to include?
100% of sales from my new beaded necklaces goes to Dreamchaser Horse Rescue. They make great gifts for horse lovers! I enclose a Thank You card and brochures from the Rescue with each order.
Posted by Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor at 8:16 PM
