. Posted by Sherrie Thai of ShaireProductions.com

Many thanks to the SF Etsy team for featuring my Etsy store on their blog. Here’s the interview:

Colorful, modern, geometric, organic, vintage, and maybe a little creepy. This jack-of-all-trades graphic designer has cultivated a beautiful shop compiled of prints, reliefs, jewelry, note cards, and oddities – all created by her! Not only can you grab a super cool pendant, but you can also pick up a gorgeous relief print and, in doing so, help out the Red Cross Japanese Disaster Fund!

1. What is your shop name and URL?

Shaire Productions
http://www.etsy.com/shop/shaireproductions

2. To which Etsy Teams do you belong?

SF Etsy (yay!), Etsy Dark Team, Artist Aid, Etsians for Disaster Relief, SF-Something Completely Different

3. Please tell us about the items in your Etsy shop. What do you make? How did you learn your craft? What is involved in your creative process?

My products are very diverse, as I constantly have my hands in different mediums—illustration art prints, photo prints and jewelry. I’m always thinking, researching or working on a new project. Everything always starts out as a sketch, and it develops from there.

4. Tell us two (or more) other interesting things about you.

I’m a graphic designer by day, an illustrator by night, and in-between, you’ll find me with a camera and sketchbook in hand. Dark chocolate and music are my vice. On the weekends, I enjoy mini adventures, playing tourist and getting inspired by the amazing culture around the SF Bay Area.

5. What inspires your creations?

So many things—mythology, nature, pop and ethnic cultures, music, film, politics, tattooing, art styles (Art Nouveau, Gothic, Renaissance)

6. What crafting skill(s) do you wish you had or hope to learn someday?

I’m interested in learning and developing leather art pieces. Hopefully, with more research and experimentation, you’ll see some new leather products on the Etsy store.

7. If money were no object for just one day, what would you do?

I’d invite all my loved ones for a mini-vacation to a warm, scenic locale. Arrive by air, take a short boat ride and end the day with plenty of good food, dancing and smiles.

8. Tell us about your first sale ever.

On Etsy: It was a handmade Day of the Dead Skull illustrative card with a black ribbon and orange interior.

My first art sale ever was when I was 15, a pastel drawing of a mermaid.

9. Give us some insight on how you personally, or your shop, gives back to your community.

Inspired by other Etsians and teams, I’ve set up a “Charity” section on my Etsy store, where 50% of art and 100% of jewelry in this section is donated to the Red Cross. Currently, I’m aiding in the Japan Disaster Aid, but in the future, I hope to expand to other causes with specially-created items. Although it’s not much monetarily, I think that when everyone works together, there can be a positive impact.

10. Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?

Portfolio: http://www.shaireproductions.com
Blog: http://www.shaireproductions.org
Shirts: http://www.zazzle.com/shaireproductions*
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaireproductions

11. Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about your shop or your work?

Art is simply my life’s passion. Etsy is a means to pursue my fine arts and I’m grateful for that. The creativity in the Etsy community is very inspiring and welcoming. It seems there’s always something for everyone.

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You could learn more about the SF Etsy Team on their blog: http://sfetsy.blogspot.com/ and their Etsy page here