Check Out...Izile's Oddities
You've got to visit this Etsy shop! The shop's tag line is "Izile's Oddities - there is no rhyme to my reason." But I think the rhyme is the funky, quirky, original pieces that make the imagination work overtime! I love the Magic Vials and treasure chests--especially the mermaid one which makes me think of Pirates of the Caribbean.
I had a chance to ask Izile some questions about her work.
Your shop is fascinating with it's varied inventory. Where did your interest in magic vials begin? My interest in all things fantasy dates back to the crib. My interest in nature magic probably stems from growing up in the deep rural part of northeast Mississippi, and wandering around the forests and fields collecting "magic ingredients" as a child, as well as collecting rocks. A decade or two later, I discovered these tiny little bottles at the local Hobby Lobby, and started trying to figure out how to fill them with complimentary components. My first ones were themed very simply: Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Love. From there, it's just grown as I've read and explored.
You have a successful etsy shop. Any tips for newbies? Anything you wish you had done differently? Don't give up! I had an etsy shop for years, tried lots of different ideas that just never took off. Then, this past December, the right group at the right time found out about my magic vials, and it really just took off! So keep plugging, be patient, and try every different venue of exposure you can think of! As for doing things differently? I dunno, I try not to think too pessimistically about my ventures, I hardly have a head for business, so the fact I'm making any headway at all makes me happy!
Tell me something about you. Well, I'm a geek and an oddball. I grew up in Northeast Mississippi and moved to Brooklyn, NY not quite two years ago. I'm always playing around with whatever's at hand; not just my magic vials, but I also like toying with polymer clay, painting, cooking. I've just always got to have all my little fingers in every little pie.
Do you create daily? In some form or fashion, yes. I may not do a pendant a day, but I'll be working at or on something almost every day.
Do you plan and plot your creations or do you work by the seat of your pants? With my Magic Vial Pendants, it's more planning and plotting. There's research to do to see which gemstones work with other gemstones, which herbs or flowers would blend well. I try and always make sure that they're balanced and complimentary. The wire-wrapping can sometimes be more seat of my pants. And of course, I do a LOT of custom work, so that's even more planning as you discuss through the options with a customer to make sure they get exactly what they want.
Describe your studio Ha! Studio. I live in an apartment in Brooklyn with two other girls. My studio has mostly been on the couch on a tv-dinner-table in front of the tv. Now that the weather's getting nice, I try to do some of the messier parts, like when I have to take a hammer to larger gemstones and break them down, out back and do that in the garden. I suppose my garden could also be considered part of my studio, as I try and grow as much of my plant components myself.
