Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Interview with Corybethy

Since joining Etsy, I have "met" and befriended many talented folks from all over the world. I thought that I should start introducing you all to these incredible artists as well. Below is my first blog interview with Corybethy. A dynamic jeweler and regular contributor to Team Metalsmiths in Action, Cory's work is vibrant, fun, and unique. Read on!


Tell me a bit about yourself (name, where you live, age?, zodiac sign, family, pets, etc).
My name is Cory Howard. I live just outside Columbus, Ohio where I've lived my entire life. I'm a 26 year old Scorpio and I live in my house with my sister, her cat, my dog Axel and my parrot Zorba. I love love love animals and would have hundreds if I could afford them and could have time enough to spend with them.

How long have you been making jewelry?
I began making metal-smithed jewelry when I was 20ish where I first took a class at my college (Columbus College of Art and Design). I had a free period and decided I would like to try metal smithing as I had been working with beads since I was a kid. Well, needless to say =) I fell completely in love with it thanks to my wonderful professor and ended up taking 4 more classes.



What is the inspiration behind your work?
Inspiration is a tricky question. I am an artist who loves multiple media outlets. I love crafting anything whether it's painting, drawing, building, sculpting. I pretty much will take anything that holds still and try to make it into something I deem pretty =) I think that's why I like making jewelry so much. It's like tiny pieces of art that you can keep with you and admire all day. I also have a great affinity for toys. I love the ones that have a function especially if it's silly. Noise makers, wind ups, whistles, kaleidoscopes, stacking dolls... I could go on and on. They just make me happy. Bright colors are another love of mine. I love to surround myself with them. It's hard to be sad when you are surrounded by bright cheerful colors!

What is the one technique that you would love to learn.
A technique I really want to learn is enameling! Another outlet for color. Yippee =) And I just love the glassy, mixed hue techniques you can get with enamels. They are beautiful! I'm planning on taking a class at my community center pretty soon. I'm just dreading the thought though because I know how much I'll love it and that can only mean one thing... MORE SUPPLIES! I'll have to fork over my savings on enamels.

Tell about working with epoxy resin. How did you learn this process?
Ahh my history with Epoxy Resin is a funny one. During my second class with my wonderful professor, she said to me, "Cory, I think your work is great but it's just calling out for some color!" She had seen my other forms of art and knew how much I loved color. She really encouraged me to try epoxy resin. Well, I have not looked back since! I love epoxy resin. The color possibilities are endless and it gives me a form of art that's not metal but can be so easily combined with metal. It's really a blast. I come up with new ideas for it everyday it's so versatile.
How did you find Etsy?
A friend of mine found Etsy when it first started and talked me into looking it up. I started an account and shop and browsed around a bit but never really got into it much as I was busy with school. After school when I found my full-time job, my friends at work loved Etsy and would shop there all the time. I had recently gotten a torch for Christmas (thanks mom and dad!) and thought, "what the heck, I'll try it out!" Well, It was so fun to start making metal work again and now I had an excuse to spend countless hours and sleepless nights at my table crafting! I was selling stuff and it was amazing.

Do you sell anywhere else besides Etsy, either online or offline?
Recently, a friend's wife has started a shop in a small town outside of Columbus and they thought my jewelry would make a good addition. I'm so excited to be able to display my work in a gallery setting! I'm working on that project as we speak. I also do occasional craft shows but I find it hard to stay at my booth instead of wandering around seeing what goodies there are to be had.



Is CoryBethy your full time job? If not, are you working towards that?
CoryBethy is not my full time unfortunately. I work as a graphic designer from 9-5 weekdays. Someday I think it would be wonderful to open my own little shop with lots and lots of local lovelies to sell.

What is the most beneficial aspect of Etsy?
I love that Etsy is global. So far I've had the privilege of selling items to such countries as Canada, Ireland, Australia and Denmark! It's so cool to think of my items being worn in such far away places! That never never never would have been possible, or at least as easy, without Etsy.

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