{sponsor feature: Joyeful Art}

This giveaway is now closed.

Today’s feature is sponsored by Joyeful Art. Joye is a super talented artist and a recent boutique owner. I’ve asked her to share a bit of her story along with some advice for handmade artists. I hope you enjoy her inspiring words. PS. Check out her giveaway below!

Being creative has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. My mother and both grandmothers made colorful quilts, hand made lace, and, of course, their own clothes. I would draw, paint, cook, and imagine all the Barbie clothes I could design in my play time. Music was also an extremely part of my life, playing the violin and piano through high school. Violin is still important and I play whenever I have time in chamber groups.

I ended up getting my Masters degree in Audiology and Deaf Education and worked in Audiology for 10 years before I decided to follow my passion and attend art school. I took numerous accredited classes at The Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and fellow in love with color and paint. I began to study watercolor and chose flowers as my steady subject. To this day, I integrate flowers somehow in my work, whether it is a portrait, fabric piece, or jewelry. Flowers are uplifting and hopeful, and that is how I am as a person — I try to always look at the bright side. I have painted since 1987 and sold in numerous venues. Last year, I decided to pursue the online world. I began my blog and started selling my fine art prints through my blog and jewelry and fabric pieces in my Etsy shop. I am also quite involved with my community here in Elkins Park, PA.

I am very proud of starting a large arts festival here called Arts in the Park. In fact, I was recently in a documentary that was showcased at the Kimmell about the Festival created. I also have recently opened a boutique here in Elkins Park that showcases my artwork and jewelry and I represent 25 local artists. My advice to someone who is thinking about opening a shop is go for it and only think of your endeavor positively. I think our attitude impacts our accomplishments. My struggle actually is juggling all that I do, having an online shop, blogging, running a business and doing my own work. Time management is extremely important. So live your dream, do what you love, dive in and just do it, it will fall into place.

Joye is graciously offering 10% off your order with discount code “SPRINGJOYE24”. She also has a 25% off sale on her Gladiolas Print [available on my blog].

The G I V E A W A Y: Visit Joye’s Etsy shop or blog shop and sign your name below with the item you find most inspiring. One randomly picked winner will win this super pretty brass locket with watercolor artwork [shown above]. I’ll pick the winner early next week. xoxo