Homemade Harvest 2016 Artist - Yolande Mélékian

Today we meet artist Yolande Mélékian, who is new to Homemade Harvest. I am looking forward to meeting her and seeing her beautiful handmade items in person.

Tell us a bit about yourself? Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?

I’m a French artist, have been leaving in the northwest for 3 years. I started as a social worker in Paris, helping families in need to see through there life changes. I later created my own career counseling business.  After moving to the US I decided to follow my dreams and live my passion

What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?

My creation are usually inspire par seasonal theme, must specific I get inspire by materiel itself. When I found a fabric I instincly see what I what to do. My children inspire me to create fiction of character costume.

Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?.

I’m a autodidact I like to learn for myself and experiment new approach to creativity. I like to think of mistakes are new opportunities to full my creativity.

What other passions do you have in your life?

My other passion include dance, swimming,cooking french desert. But onlymy true  passion is to spend time with my kids and watch them growing.

How do you promote your work?

I promote my work through events, selling in French boutiques and by word of mouth.

In the future I’d like to be…

traveling around the world to find new inspiration for my creation.

Homemade Harvest 2016 Artist - Navanka Creations

I'm excited to talk about today's artist that will be vending at Homemade Harvest because she is a returning artist that you will be familiar with: Amrita of Navanka Creations.

She was at our 2014 pop-up and her handmade quilled ornaments sold out!  A majority of them are one of a kind, so I suggest you get there around noon if you missed out on a favorite last time.

Tell us a bit about yourself? Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?

I am a work at home mom and live with my husband and two sons in Redmond, WA. My elder one is almost seven and younger one is two and half years old.

I co-own Navanka Creations with my sister Nimisha who lives in Chicago, IL. We have two shops on ETSY where we sell our Paper Quilling and Felt creations.

 “Paper Treasures” by Navanka Creations offers unique, handmade Paper Quilling Ornaments, Keepsakes and home décor items like Wall Art, Coasters and Custom Typography Art.

“Felt Treasures” by Navanka Creations is a collection of handmade and heartfelt items made using felt. Our Felt Treasures include Hair accessories, Ornaments, Home Decor items and Keepsakes.

With my growing kids and working for two Etsy shops, I rarely get time to do anything else these days. Listening to music and reading books are my favorite activities to unwind after a long day.

What inspires you to do the kind of work you do? 

 Creating gives me immense satisfaction. I grew up in India and lot of my work is inspired by the local art and vibrant colors of India. I love to be part of special moments in lives of our customers. When my work is well received by the customers, it inspires me and keeps me going.

Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why? 

I look up to my parents for the amazing people they are. I am inspired by the hard work, sincerity and love with which they raised me and my siblings. We were always encouraged to do what we love and strive to be the best in whatever we did. As an artist I love the work of Yulia Brodskaya. I really admire the way she combined her Graphic Design education with Paper Quilling art to create her unique style and earned an international reputation as a paper craft artist and illustrator.

What other passions do you have in your life? 

 I am passionate about my family and my work. Making art and craft with children brings me great joy. I love to take photographs and hope to carve out some time and learn its technical aspects.

How do you promote your work? 

At present we promote our work mostly using social media.
Our Facebook Pages:

• Paper Treasures by Navanka Creations   
• Felt Treasures by Navanka Creations  

Our Blogs:

• Navanka Creations   
• Craft Ideas for All

In the future I’d like to be… 

I would like to keep growing as an artist and entrepreneur. I would love to be able to give back by raising money for charitable causes for children. I wish to open a Craft Academy where people of all age can come and learn various crafts and engage in creativity. I would also love to write a book on paper crafts someday.

Be sure to save November 12th on your calendar and stop by to say hello.

Homemade Harvest 2016 Artist - Julia’s Charming Creations

Homemade Harvest is less then a month away, so I thought it would be a great time to introduce the artists that will be vending this year.

We start with Julia of Julia’s Charming Creations.  She will be selling bookmark charms.  Here is an adorable photo of one of her dogs, on the computer looking busy answering customer email.

Homemade Harvest has always been known for having a very low entrance fee to vend (all vendors put in 10% of their sales to cover the food and no other fees apply) and Julia has decided she will be donating the rest of the money she makes that day. All. of. it.  How generous is that?  Please come help her and her cause at our pop up show.

Tell us a bit about yourself? Apart from being ‘creative’ what do you do?

I’ve lived with my husband in our little old cottage style house on Education Hill since 1983.  I’ve led a fulfilling life that has encompassed travel to incredible lands.  I’ve had a variety of interesting and fun jobs.  I am now enjoying retirement, especially being outside and on hikes with our three dogs.

What inspires you to do the kind of work you do?

I love to make my bookmarks/window charms/decorations so that I can raise money to donate to animals in need at People Saving Animals.

Do you look up to anyone? Who? Why?

I have enormous admiration for a friend named Vivian Goldbloom.  She has devoted her life to saving animals and a few years ago opened Emerald City Pet Rescue in Seattle.  She has a heart of gold and has saved thousands of animals over the years.  She is not at all judgmental of people, does not gossip and is a lot of fun to spend time with.  I got to know her as I have two dogs that Emerald City Pet Rescue saved.

What other passions do you have in your life?

My main passion is nature and its wildlife.  I have built our yard to be a bird sanctuary and love creating outside among the many different bird species that visit.  I adore dogs and have done so I’m sure, since I came out of the womb!

How do you promote your work?

My bookmark creations are a hobby and Ann, the owner of McDonald’s Book Exchange in Redmond, has kindly allowed me to display them at her store for no charge. This allows me to donate all my earnings to such a great cause.

In the future I’d like to be…

I think I would like to live in an adobe house in New Mexico as I love the sun and it would be wonderful to try a completely different way of life. Unfortunately my husband is not on the same page with this idea!

Be sure to follow this blog for our next interview. And check out the Facebook page for more information on Homemade Harvest 2016.