Etsy Pick of the Week :: Lepidoptery by jewiseha

I first came across this Etsy store when I made my treasury list The Rainbow Connection. Janelle is her name, and Lepidoptery is where she sells her mixed media art in different forms. From cards to jewelry, her creations make great conversational pieces. The last I checked, Janelle has also found a way to make her jewelry pieces water resistant. To read more about it, go to her shop and read the shop announcement.

And without further ado, here is this week's special!

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1. Can you tell us more about yourself and how you got into photography, painting and drawing?

Most of my life has been spent in an artistic environment. My mother is an artist, so I grew up learning to approach everything with a creative mind. It wasn’t until undergrad at Valdosta State University that I really developed as an artist. Since that time, mixed media painting and drawing have become my passion.





2. And a little more about your Etsy shop, and the significance behind the name 'Lepidoptery'.

This fall I am planning on attending graduate school for my MFA in studio art. I opened my Etsy shop earlier this year in order to help me finance attending school. This was my first attempt at jewelry making. I believe I chose paper as a medium because of my interest in origami as a child.

The name “Lepidoptery” is defined as the study and/or collection of moths and butterflies. While creating my shop I was looking for a title that was unique, feminine, poetic and yet personal. The study of moths is one of my hobbies. One day I hope to breed local endangered moths, helping to increase their numbers in the wild.




3. You have translated your designs into edgy and fun jewelry pieces as well. Why have you chosen to do so?

My approach to jewelry making is similar to how I make art. I strive for the unique and almost unnatural. Strong lines and color are key elements. I derive inspiration from artists like Alexander Calder. His use of geometric shapes within a three-dimensional moving space is amazing.

4. What is the next step for your Etsy store? Any exciting news ahead?

The future of my shop is uncertain at the moment. When I opened in January, I did not plan to stay open past August. To my surprise, the shop is doing better than I thought it would. I would like to keep it open while I attend school at USF.

Greeting cards are a new item. This is a way for me to share my love of illustration with my customers. I am working on some other ideas for this as well, so check back soon.


Kiki Smith | Via

5. Do you have a personal favorite artist that inspires you, and would you like to share with us?

There are so many artists that inspire me. Kiki Smith will always be my main source of inspiration. I fell in love with drawing after viewing her prints. Thrush Holmes has been on my mind the past few months. He is an amazing painter from Canada, who really knows how to use color.

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Thank you, dear Janelle for taking the time to help out in the interview, and I wish you all the best with your studies and your shop!