Thursday, September 25, 2008

Meet the Boomers!

Our next interview is with a new member Uyen, from AsianExpressions.

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1. What is/are the name of your shop/s?
AsianExpressions

2. What kind of items do you sell?
I sell custom made kimonos for men and women, fabric origami peace cranes and butterfly ornaments and some jewelry.

3. How long have you been engaged in your art/craft?
As long as I can remember. When I was 12 years old, my father bought a sewing machine for me along with 9 yards of fabric, sent me to a tailor shop for sewing classes. I learned how to design and make garments from measurements. However, I remember ruining a lot of fabric. Back then I did not know about "measure twice, cut once", lesson learned!
My mother taught me how to make fabric origami and flower ornaments to decorate our home during the holidays or special occasions just as she was taught by my grand-mother.

4. Do you consider yourself a hobbyist or a professional crafts person?
I see myself as a person who likes to create. I like art and crafts or whatever I can get my hands on.

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5. What inspires you?
I see beauty in everything and everyone around me.

6. Please share with us what a typical day is like in your workshop or studio?
Coffee in the morning is a must! I usually get on my laptop, check my email, finish some project I've been working on. I try to list a few items in my Etsy shop or renew some. If I have time, I watch the news on CNN, Read the paper, get some breakfast and work again until time to make dinner. I found it is hard to balance between creating and make time for family.

7. What keeps you company while you’re working on a project?
My music and my 2 kitties.

8. What is your favorite 'task' related to your art/craft?
I love it when I have a customers inquiry about something they have in mind. After the communication, I can come up with the product for my customers that they are pleased to purchase.

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9. What is your least favorite 'task' related to your art/craft?
When I make something, if I find a flaw, I have to start over, I'm totally anal about perfecting my craft.

10. What are some of the venues you use to promote your shop/ware?(Do you blog?
I have Flickr, IndiePublic, Facebook. I don't have a blog.
(To which teams do you belong? Do you use other sites? Which ones? etc.)
BBEST (Boomers and Beyond Etsy team), Montana BigSky Etsy team, Interior Design Etsy team and Japan Maniac Etsy team.

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11. Related to your craft,tell us about a funny, strange or unusual situation you found yourself in.
I had my kimonos displayed in a local bank lobby. One day I was grocery shopping and a lady commented about how lovely the kimono was. I told her they were my kimonos. She went back and bought 2 for herself and ordered 3 more for her sisters.

12. Tell us something about you that we wouldn’t necessarily know by talking with you in the forums.
I've been disabled since 1996. I went from a healthy person to quadriplegic in 24 hours. It's was a long hall for me and I'm walking with a cane now. It is a blessing that I can walk. I can not jump or run even if my life depended on it.

13. What’s your favorite book and why, favorite movie and why, favorite kind of music?
I just finished a book, "Fall Down on Your Knees" by Marie Mcdowd, wonderful book. I read hand me down books from my sisters-in-law, both are avid readers.
I have many favorites: Little Women, Price and Prejudice, Moby Dick, Madame Bovary, The little Prince, poetry by Beau de L'air, The river Runs through it, Young Man and Fire....
I love classical music, rock and roll, the Stones, Beatles, Fleet wood Mac, Nirvana, Jones Town Masacre, Pearls Jam, Sting, the Who, the Water Boys, Evanescence, Metallica to name a few!

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14. Would you care to share any 'words of wisdom' with other aspiring artists or crafters?
Keep creating, making things that you enjoy. Don't seek approval. Make time for family and friends. Be honest, be happy!

Please leave a comment for this wonderful artist/crafter! She would love to hear from you!

20 comments:

Pam said...

What a beautiful interview! I love Asian Expression's work. Her origami creations are magnificent, as as her kimonos. Such a nice person to feature on the blog!

Anonymous said...

I just love Uyen's work-especially her origami cranes. Wonderful interview that shows another side of Asian Expressions that we might never have known about.

AltheaP said...

Wow, Uyen, what a beautifully-written interview. Your work is wonderful, and your taste in music, impeccable :-)

Clay Images said...

Wonderful interview! I do agree, your taste in music is superb, and so is your artistry.

Zuda Gay Pease said...

Wonderful interview Uyen!! I loved reading and learning more about you!!! Your work is just lovely! I love when a craft is passed down from generation to generation!

joon said...

Thank you, Uyen, for a delightful and inspiring interview. Your work is beautiful. Welcome to our BBEST group. It's a pleasure to have you in our midst.

Well done, once again, Vannie. :)

Asianexpressions said...

Thank you! I'm so hornored!

Crickets Creations: Handcrafted Fashion Accessory Scarves and Fringies Professional Photo Portrait Props said...

Uyen, I love your cranes and your style and your friendly and open personality!

Judy Elizabeth said...

Wonderful interview with a very warm and loving person and fantastic artist. I am privileged
to have some of her wonderful creations and to be on the Big Sky Montana Team with her.

Uyen spreads joy through her work and communications with everyone she meets!

Judy Elizabeth Reid from
judyelizabethsflock

rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/her said...

Here's to making things we enjoy! Nice interview!

Judy Nolan said...

I really enjoyed learning more about Uyen, with whom I have chatted online a few times. Her work is simply beautiful!

Asianexpressions said...

Thank you for your comments especially my taste for music. I grew up in the late 60' and 70' music so these music are still my most favorites like the CCR, Buddy Holly, The Animals, Simon & Garfunkel... I have lots of records. Beside classical music, I love jazz, blue grass , country...
Lately, I've been listening to The REM, The Judds, Dido, Allison Krause and the Union Station. I like Prince's music but I can't stand watching him!
I like movie sound tracks too. LOL!

My hubby and I have to stay away from Hastings. We spend way too much money on CD and books.

I can't imagine life without art and music beside friends and family!
Uyen

Inquiry Teacher said...

Uyen, you are definitely a one of a kind wonder-women! And you do wonderful work!
(and love CCR, too - though I did not grow up in the 60's or 70's)
~Jamie

The Filigree Garden said...

Uyen's work is lovely. It was very nice to learn more about her.

Chauncey said...

what a lovey interview. I'm happy to learn more about Uyen. Her work is fabulous.

Nice, vannie

Carolyn West said...
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Carolyn West said...
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Carolyn West said...

Uyen, It is so nice to get to know more about you and your fabulous creations.
Great taste in music too.

Carolyn
Lilbabythangs

Precious Quilts said...

Such a lovely interview in which is was so good to learn more about Uyen. Often we are too easily distracted away from the 'person' behind the creation. Uyen is a very talented artist whose creations are just wonderful!

Very nice work Brett!!

Anitra Cameron said...

Truly enjoyed this interview with an exceptional person and artist.

And I love, Love, LOVE that origami butterfly!