With this installment of our artisans interview series, we get to know a bit more about Betzi Sylvan of Sylvan Quilts. When it comes to quilts, Betzi puts a whole new spin on the textile art. Her quilts are literally works of art, depicting scenes and landscapes with all kinds of colors and textures. In her interview, Betzi tells us more about her work, her inspirations and gives some advice to people new to the craft show world. Check out more of Betzi’s work online at: www.sylvanquilts.com

Website: www.sylvanquilts.com
Etsy Shop: sylvanquilts.etsy.com

Tell us a bit about yourself and the arts / crafts you make?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be an artist.  (Drawing, painting, jewelry, stained glass, weaving…you name it, I’ve tried it.)  About 15 years ago, I discovered quilting, and I never looked back!  Today, I make art quilts.  These are landscape collages made of fabric, and they are designed to be art pieces for the wall rather than traditional bed quilts.  I use a raw edge appliqué technique and assemble each quilt in layers, just like a watercolor painting.  Mostly, I use cotton, but my work also incorporates touches of silk, lace, yarn, etc. and small found or recycled elements such as foil, wood, and glass.  Each wall-hanging is one-of-a-kind, although I do sometimes create series featuring the same pattern or theme.  Many of my pieces are assembled intuitively, but I also enjoy working from photos and taking commissions.  Currently, my work is available at local craft fairs, through my etsy shop, and it can be seen at the occasional gallery show.

Where in Western Mass do you call home?
I’ve lived in Northampton for almost four years, but I love all of New England, Vermont, and the Adirondacks, where I spent a number of years.  Much of my art is inspired by my time in the wild places of New England, although I enjoy traveling  and have also spent time in Northern California and points in between.

What is your favorite item in your shop?
Usually, my favorite item is my newest piece – whatever I’ve just completed that I’m especially proud of.  But, at the moment, my favorite items are not quite finished.  One is a landscape quilt with three-dimensional oak leaves in red brocade, outlined in silver to represent early morning frost.  (see pic.)  I’m especially pleased with this piece because it has challenged me to try new techniques:  using metallic thread and large 3D elements, as well as more embellishments than I usually include.  This one is for the upcoming Hands All Around Quilt Show at the Mullins Center, UMASS at the end of this March.

My other favorite piece is “Geisha Moon #2.”  This is a nude set against a striking blue background filled with Japanese fabrics, which I’ve always loved.  It is the second in a series and is for my upcoming show at the Living Arts Studio in downtown Northampton this April.  I just love intense blue color and couldn’t resist the focus fabrics used here.

I hope both these quilts will be in my shop by early May!

What is your best seller?
In my etsy shop, I only sell quilts.  There’s no one style that sells best, as each is unique.  When the right person sees a quilt that speaks to them, they go for it.  At craft fairs, my best sellers are greeting cards depicting photos of my quilts.  These sell well as they give buyers a chance to take home a small sample of my work even if they can’t afford a larger quilt.  I also have a series of a small quilts called “Blueberry Moon” which sell well.  (see pic.)

How does your day go in general?
On good days (when I’ve had enough sleep) I get up at 4 or 5 am and spend half an hour taking care of e-mail, craft show applications, my etsy store, and the business end of my business.  Then I quilt until my first grader wakes up.  This usually gets me anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours of work time, usually machine stitching.  After dropping my son at school, I head to a part time job until school’s out, then I spend the afternoon doing mommy things (cooking, washing dishes, playing dinosaur, etc.)  Evenings, when I have the energy, I can get in more creative time doing hand sewing or laying out a new project.  I try to make use of every minute, which means a lot of multi-tasking:  sewing embellishments while waiting in the doctor’s office or during AWM meetings, making greeting cards during my lunch break, trimming threads while watching TV, and even planning new patterns as I fall asleep at night!  By 9 pm my brain is fried and I usually curl up for cuddle time or read a book.

What inspires you?
The natural world:  leaves, landscapes, clouds, patterns and shadows, the color of the sky at twilight and dawn.  I love trees, birds, mountains, the way light changes with the time of day and the seasons, and wilderness.  In my work, I try to capture or recreate that moment when the viewer feels connected to the world.  Each  piece is intended to delight the eye and quiet the mind while exploring value, color, and natural themes.

What is your goal for 2011?
My goals are to enter more quilt contests, to have more gallery showings, to add a few more craft fairs to my fall schedule, and to produce more inventory!  I’m also determined to learn more about social networking, facebook, blogging, etc.

What is your favorite tool that you cannot live without?
My Bernina sewing machine.  It’s a good quality manual machine, and I’m really hard on it! (see pic.)

Any advice for a newbie running his or her on-line shop?
I still feel new myself!  But, my advice would be to take good professional-looking photos of your work.  In an on-line shop, you can’t talk to the customer and they can’t touch your work, so good pics are a must!

Any advice for starting out in the craft show world?
Start small as booth fees can be very high at larger shows.  Pay attention to customer comments and feedback.  Have lots of beautiful, small, less expensive items and include themes that buyers can’t resist.  There’s always someone who will buy anything “affordable” with cats, fish, roosters, etc. on it.  You have to find that balance between making the art that you want to make and producing the art that the customer wants to buy.  You also have to be comfortable talking enthusiastically to customers about your work without being pushy.  Don’t just sit there, engage people – offer to tell them about your process, ask if they do art themselves, don’t hesitate to ask which pieces they like and why, and know when to just be quiet and let them look at your stuff.  If I pay attention, I can tell which visitors to my booth are artists, which are quilters themselves, which are knitters, and which are  patrons of the arts just by observing how they look at my items!  Finally, have fun!  If you let your passion for your work show, it will naturally draw in customers.