Artisan of the Week, Karla of Thyme2dream

It's Sunday again. Yippee! I love Sundays because we get to find out a bit more about one of the artisans we so admire. This week we get to know a bit more about Karla of Thyme2dream and to say I've been waiting weeks to publish this is no understatement. I adore this woman's work. Fabulous Fantasy Jewellery, perfect for weddings or days you just want to pander to the faery spirit inside you.

1.Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
I create unusual jewelry for discerning Fae & Elven folk and have recently discovered that mortals like it too.

I often refer to myself as a Daughter of the Southwind, which is my way of embracing the fact that I was born and raised in the heartland of the USA, Kansas. (People of the Southwind is the Native American meaning of the word Kansas). I spent much of my childhood wishing myself to far away places- real and imagined-and most of my heroes were fanciful characters from books like Lord of the Rings, Peter Pan, and The Chronicles of Narnia.

My husband Ian hails from Edinburgh Scotland and has recently joined me in my artistic ventures- he is the official Circlet Wizard at Thyme2dream.

2.What led you to take up your craft?
I believe that the root of my artistic career really came about as a result of a restless need to do something with all the creative energy I was no longer using as my kids became more independent and moved out of the house. I just suddenly had this consuming passion to make things…I played with polymer clay for awhile, got into beading, and then I discovered wire working and was totally hooked! I first started making sun catchers and trying my hand at wind chimes, etc but then one day 89 year old gran asked me if I could make a pair of ear cuffs for her. This appealed to me as well, I had never had pierced ears and loved dangly earrings. Basically, I started making the sort of jewelry that I loved, but could never find anywhere else and the results of that effort have evolved into a full time jewelry business.

3.Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
Really almost everything..I love creating, I love interacting with other artists, I love thinking of new ways to present my work…I even love making schedules!

4.Which part do you find hardest?
KEEPING the schedules I make!

5.Where do you hope to be in 1 year’s time?
Ian and I are working towards taking our craft on the road so to speak..starting to tour the US and setting up shop at Renaissance & Fantasy fairs.. I would like to see that become a success for us. We are focusing a lot on Fantasy Wedding items online, that has been fun and I want to expand that further as well.

6.What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Be Yourself!

7.Name other artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
There are so many! I am really enjoying your features here on Autonomous Artisans- you are all so talented! My friend Kristy of Shiny Adornments has a blog that includes a lot of great information for artisans selling online..AND beautiful jewelry!

8.What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Ian made an AMAZING Coronation Chicken filling for our Hogmanay party this year…that has become my new absolute fave;-)

Thank you for joining in Kayla. I also bad at keeping to schedules. If only there were no distractions. If you like to keep up to date with what's going on with Kayla's and Thyme2dream you can subscribe to her blog or follow Kayla on Twitter. I wish you well on your goal to travel around the USA. I'm sure you will have a fabulous time and sell huge amounts of your work.

Written by Lynne of Hyperloop Hoops and Pirate Pixie Crew