Today's featured artist is Inkyspider!

It has been a while since I have featured an Etsy artist so who better to start off the new series of features than Morgen of Inkyspider Designs. Talk about starting off with a bang! Her shop is fun, bright, eclectic and unique. She has a wide range of items, i.e. clothing, housewares, scarves and more.

"I use dye, shibori, screen printing, painting, sewing and piecing to transform the cloth into garments, wall pieces and cushions."

How would you describe your shop? The first thing you’ll notice about my shop, Inkyspider Designs, are the colours. I love bright and earthy colours as well as contrast and pattern. I am a textile artist working in a mixed media of surface design techniques. Many of my designs are on t-shirts for all ages, including the sweetest little baby tees. I also have clothing, scarves, and cushion covers. All images are original, designed by me and applied to fabric with techniques such as dyeing, screen printing, painting, shibori, discharge dye, appliqué and sewing.

How long have you been crafting? I began as a mixed media painter and printmaker, receiving my arts education in Southern Africa where I was born and raised. I have been working with textiles for 18 years doing mostly t-shirts for markets and fairs. In 2005 I decided to really make the switch from painting to fibre art and I am loving it!

Where does your inspiration come from? My early inspiration comes from first memories: the red dirt, bold patterns and vibrancy of Africa. I now live in the mountainous Kootenay region of British Columbia. Nature always astounds and inspires me. I find the little teeny-weeny hidden treasures in the natural world a never-ending source of patterns and ideas.

What is your favorite piece? One of my favorite designs is my ‘Flying Lizard’ because he’s been with me the longest. He started out years ago as a dragonfly that I used to draw in the natural history section of the museum across from the art school I went to. He’s morphed so many times through different media that he really knows me quite well. Also, he’s buzzy and I find him amusing.

How do you spend time when you're not crafting? Other things that I have going on in my life are yoga, music, gardening, being involved in my community, teaching art, being outdoors and I am presently doing a course in pattern drafting and clothing design.

What is the best advice you have received? Best advice I ever got: “If you want to know something, ask”, from my Dad.

Thank you so much Morgen for participating on my blog!

Please make sure you visit Inkyspider Designs at http://www.inkyspider.etsy.com/ to see unique & fun handmade creations!