Featured Etsy Artist: wannabes

Prepare to take a journey to a secret, ethereal world. I'm talking about the breathtaking photography of Deborah Brackenbury, "wannabes" as she's known on Etsy.

Deborah's photography, inspired by the natural world around her, captures images of delicate beauty.

When I first saw one of Deborah's photos, I couldn't believe my eyes. Her camera captures images that seem unattainable. Her eyes seize on objects that are otherwordly.

"Many of my images on the Wannabes Etsy site come from a series which was spawned by my love of gardening and hiking," Deborah says.

"Looking macroscopically at flowers and their seeds constantly reminds me of the beauty and efficiency of the architecture of various flora. My intent in these images is to bring to the viewer the same sense of awakening to the cyclical nature of plants, soil, insects, and animals. When I walk on this earth and study its inhabitants I cannot help but be reminded of the biblical verse 'Our Flesh is Grass'."

Deborah received her MFA from the University of Florida in 1994 and a BFA from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1987. In 2001, she left her position as Professor of Art at the University of Oklahoma, in Norman, OK. Now she teaches periodically at Penland School for the Arts in North Carolina.

"My photographs and installations have been widely exhibited, both in Florida, where I lived for nine years, and elsewhere in the United States. The exhibited works have included both documentary studies and images that have been posed, designed and manipulated in various ways."

Here is one of Deborah's favorite photographs: "Plastic Flowers, Plastic Bag."

"Forgive me for patting myself on the back, but I love this image," she says. "Taken at a small pond near a cemetery, strange algae grows amid plastic and fabric flowers blown from nearby graves."

When I look at Deborah's photographs, I think of faerie worlds and the hidden mysteries of nature. For some reason, Deborah has a special gift for peering into that world and capturing its secrets in her photography.

Before we leave this post, I have to tell you about Deborah's other etsy site: impurevessels. As if this woman wasn't already talented enough, she also creates concrete vessels that will defy your expectations. "Yes, it's true," she says, "concrete bowls, plates, and trays are unusual, but that's the beauty of them. Enjoy them as serving vessels, birdbaths, or decorative additions to your home or garden."

"Impure Vessels are multi-colored concrete vessels made through a unique process of layering hand-rolled and hand-cut colors of concrete in molds and wet-carving the green concrete. All the color in the pieces is integrated into the concrete through a concrete colorant, no paint is used. Each piece is finished with a food-safe waterproof sealant and all pieces are water tight."

You can visit her companion website, where her concrete vessels are showcased.

Featured Etsy Artist: MamaPatrice

I instantly fell in love with the amazing couture offerings by MamaPatrice on Etsy the moment I first saw them. Her creations are whimsical, fresh, and hip. She is clearly on top of her game, and in more ways than one, as you'll soon find out.

When Patrice Mitchell graciously agreed to be featured on Extraordinary on Etsy, I perused her Etsy shop, collecting the photos I wanted to showcase on my blog. Narrowing down my selection to just a few photos was very difficult, because they are all gorgeous and oh, so tempting. It didn't take me long to realize what an incredibly talented photographer Patrice is, as well. But first, let's talk fashion.

"I have always been an artist at heart, using one medium or another. Six years ago, I decided to teach myself to sew clothing for my daughters (and my sons as well) and soon after launched my clothing name, Mamapatrice."

"My inspiration for my work comes from many things. Sometimes it is just seeing a fabric I fell in love with, or colors, sometimes playing with colors I see. I just have to put certain colors together. My most recent design is made of silk and playing with the swatches I just had to make this ruby red silk dress with black and silver flower accents...and even hints of bronze. I am inspired with style that has a timeless, vintage feel. Sometimes a retro mood takes over."

One of her most stunning creations, I think, is Holly Jolly (shown above). "Holly Jolly" is a two-piece custom boutique set that features a sweet vintage retro apron blouse made with charming holiday prints and a hand-stitched Christmas Tree apron featuring the sentiment "Holly Jolly" in hand stitching. The blouse is completed by a pair of double ruffle pants fashioned from a vintage children's holiday print. This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime outfit to be cherished by one very lucky little girl.

But not all of Patrice's designs are geared toward children. She also has a number of offerings designed for a teen or young adult market, as well, shown here.

Accessories round out her line of boutique items, as illustrated by this gorgeous flower hair clip below.

Now, in case you haven't noticed, there's a whole lot more to Patrice than just brilliantly executed clothing designs. She's also an incredibly talented photographer, as you can clearly see from her product photos above. As most Etsy artisans know, great product photography is one of the keys to success. And not only does Patrice do her own photography, but she has elevated those skills to a whole new level, ultimately leading her to launch a professional photography business.

"This year I have also launched a photography business, which has been a perfect blend with Mamapatrice. I am able to take my photography skills to new levels, and able to offer unique perks, other photographers can not. I offer little girls a mini Mamapatrice wardrobe to choose from, for their session. I also offer a session called the Mamapatrice Experience, where I make an outfit for my client and then they are photographed in this outfit, much like I do for my listings. It's been a wonderful marriage of my worlds. I love designing highly whimsical designs for children...with my touch of vintage and dash modern."

For more information on Patrice's clothing designs, as well as her photography, visit her website where you will find links to her blog, her Etsy shop, a Mamapatrice Website, and her Patrice Mitchell Photography website. Be prepared to get comfortable because you'll be spending a lot of time perusing her amazing photographs of her equally amazing, charming vintage and modern creations.

This woman has more talent in her little finger...