Artisan of The Week: Atelier à rêver éveillé

This week is a wonderful whimsical artist and illustrator Christelle. Her Etsy shoppe is:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/choumie7
She offers:
Prints, framed and unframed, jewelry, ACEO's(Art Cards, Editions and Originals), children's jewelry, pocket mirrors, bookmarks and boxes.

1. What inspired you to open your shoppe?
I’m a children’s author and illustrator. At first, I tried to custom a box with one of my illustration. And I liked it! So I made other boxes and then jewelry and pocket mirrors and I wondered: what if I tried to sell them on Etsy?

2. Is this your full time job? If not do you hope it can be?
Craft is not a full time job. I’m a teacher in History and Geography. But this year, I will stay at home to take care of my daughters and spend more time writing children’s stories and illustrating books.


3. How did you come up with the idea and name for your shoppe?
My shop is the "Atelier à rêver éveillé". In English that's the workshop to dream awaken. My blog was "stories to dream awaken" so I adapt it for my shop!

4. Co you plan on expanding your items?
Yes, I always prepare new illustrations and new accessories!



5. Can you tell us about your studio and process?(you may include a photo with yourself in it if you like).
Everything begins with an illustration. It can be one I’ve done for a book’s project or just on a theme that interested me. For example, I’ve illustrated a series of illustrations based on French children’s traditional songs: Au clair de la Lune, Dansons la capucine, Nous irons aux bois, Il était un petit navire (in English: In the Moonlight, Dancing with Nasturtiums, We’ll go to the wood and It was a little boat).

After, depending on the format and the subject of the illustration, I chose to make jewelry boxes or something else.

6. What motivates you?
Good question! I love to create! That's a real pleasure!



7. Do you have a blog? If you do, what is it about?
Yes, I have one: http://christellehuetgomez.hautetfort.com
It is about my books and my illustrations.

8. What made you decide to go with Etsy?
I knew some sellers who were on Etsy so it was obvious for me!



9. Do you sell anywhere else?(retail in your area or other online shoppes or through a personal site).
Yes, I also sell in Dawanda: http://atelierarever.dawanda.com
That's more for European people. A lot of French creators sells in Dawanda.

10. What do you like best about creating?
What I prefer is drawing. But I also really like create jewelry and accessories. I love the idea that my illustrations can have a second life in objects!


11. Do you twitter or have a Facebook fan page or any other online social media sites?
Sure! I love all these social media ;)
My Twitter os here: https://twitter.com/Choumie
And my facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/atelierarever


12. Can you tell us about how you ensure that your products arrive intact and the instructions for caring for them?
I always protect my items in hard cover envelope or with bubbles. And if there's a real problem, I tell the buyer to contact me and find a solution.

13. Who are your 4 favorite artists or sellers on Etsy, Artfire or 1000 Markets?
I love these ones:
- Chez Germaine Caillou: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5154560
- The Nebulous kingdom: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6733579
- Les minis de Dongedy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7341281
- Minasmoke: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5293843


Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions! Please click on the images and all of her links for a delightful shopping experience and to keep updated about her work :D