Friday, February 29, 2008

Friday Features No. 3 -- Hide N Seek

Congratulations to Stacey Moore of All Because Two People Fell in Love for winning the 2008 fabric covered datebook and matching keychain wallet from Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage! Thank you so much to all of you who entered, and left such sweet comments about Mrs. Kwitty, and about our blog.


Happy Friday! It's good that it's Friday, because it has been a pretty long week for me. I am excited that it's Friday for two reasons: #1: hubby is taking me clothes shopping tomorrow! and #2: The Downtown Boutique has an awesome new "Friday Feature"!

Today we are featuring Hidden Eloise (as she calls herself) of Hide N Seek. Eloise hails from Yorkshire, England, where she says, "...There's a seven year old inside me that never grew up and takes over ....she makes me relive my childhood by playing the game of Hide n Seek." I fell in love with Eloise's artwork when I first featured her on my other blog last November.

I've asked Eloise some questions that will give us a glimpse into her life. Let's hear what she has to say.

TDB: How long have you been selling on Etsy?
Eloise: I've opened my shop exactly 3 months ago, almost to the day!!Although, I didn't even realize how those 3 months went by! I remember only snapshots in time, like the “grand opening” time, the celebrations on my first sale a day after and since then....nothing! The clock has stopped and it only ticks when I literally tick something off my never ending to-do list.

TDB: When did you start your craft?
Eloise: I've been drawing ever since I realized the world didn't come in the colours I wished. Since childhood, I wanted drawn creatures and colour everywhere...Slowly my drawings migrated from paper to desk and then the floor, the wallpaper of my childhood home and every surface “compatible” with ink or crayon. It was sort of like a “pandemic” that surrounded me and was spread everywhere I went, as long as I had the proper tools, pencils and fantasies. Someday, it came to my attention that there is a way for me to guide my artistic “merit” towards mainly paper and canvas instead of every poor living or non living thing around me. So I attended an arts school for a year in my late teens, but it took many years of unsatisfied sketchbooks, drawing woman's eyes on my partner's eyelids while he was sleeping, and painfully studying Architecture, to realise that I enjoy drawing most of all !



TDB: What inspires you?
Eloise: I get inspired by silent creatures, faded memories of childhood, childish scribblings, monochromatic lithographies, repetitive mechanical sounds of bizarre gadgets with no apparent use and vintage illustrations from children's books. I find irresistible old retro logos and fonts and love waiting for a rainbow to appear after the endless rains here in England.

TDB: If you could learn some new skills, what would they be?
Eloise: I'm always working to improve my drawing skills and I am currently very much dedicated to my Japanese language lessons. I've been studying for a few years now and I have a long way to go still. I'd love to refresh my Italian and piano skills which I both learned when younger and they are fading dangerously. I love music and languages, so you'll always find me experimenting with something.I've recently been looking to buy a telescope as well, so I can learn at least a few dozen different stars by their name and be able to point them at the midnight sky. Up until now, I've given them only my own names! I'd also love to teach a cute white owl to be my follower...I admire those skills that are almost forgotten and sometimes obsolete, in the modern clockwork cities we live. Among others, I want to learn how not to kill most of my poor flowers n plants. I think I love using my retro watering can too much:) Mail me with suggestions :D


TDB: What are your favorite materials to work with?
Eloise: For a while now it has been paper and pencil. Of the simple white and black variety respectively. I find nothing more fulfilling as a pass time than letting some thoughts travel on a piece of paper via a lonely pencil. Also you can sharpen some pencils and make paper airplanes out of some pieces of paper, both quite fulfilling activities in their own right :)

TDB: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
Eloise: A trip to Japan has been eluding me for some time now. It seems one circumstance substitutes the next and I still haven't found myself there. It's not as if it's next door as well.... :) It will also have to be in spring to enjoy the cherry blossoms and I will have to make sure I have a return ticket in case I get “stuck” there...


TDB: What other things do you enjoy, besides your artwork?
Eloise: Forest animal shaped cookies, rainy days, pecks on the cheek, soft pencils, old vintage dresses, crafty things with paper, making my own bread, staring at the moon, England's low clouds, watching seasons change, green tea, fantastic worlds that are real in my mind, reading books with not enough light, my partner's company, woolly patched socks, the melodies of old music boxes, small umbrellas, trying to feed only with strawberries and peaches, the kindness of strangers, surprises, the yellow pages of old books, miss-delivered letters, empty birdcages, mechanical automata, giant watermelons, paper windmills and watching snails kiss. Among other things.
************************************************************

Hide N Seek's (Hidden Eloise) Giveaway



Eloise is generously giving away this 8.5x11 print of "Is Miss Ladybug made out of poppies or the poppies made out of Miss Ladybugs" AND this lovely 4x6 "Hide N Seek" greeting card with a matching ivory envelope. Enter to win these treasures now, by leaving a comment below. Be sure to check out Eloise's wonderful shop on Etsy.com for more amazing artwork!
The Not So Small Print: This giveaway is open worldwide. To be entered to win this fabulous giveaway, please leave only ONE comment. Multiple comments from the same person will be deleted. Please make sure that we have a way to get ahold of you (e.g. valid email address). If you win, and we can't get ahold of you, another winner will be chosen. We will draw for the winner on Friday, March 7th.

If you are interested in being our next Friday Feature, and are willing to give away one of your awesome products, please contact me.


Have a great day!

Angie

77 comments:

Eva said...

awww. eloise stuff is adorable :-) reminds me of my good childhood!

pops said...

eloise is such a fabulous person and i am so honored to call her my friend. her talents are absolutely amazing...each and every piece of artwork comes from her heart...always excited to see her new creations. this was a wonderful interview ...one that gives true insight into the artists mind and it is so refresing...thank you for this outstanding blog and KUDOS to the downtown boutique...you are doing a sensational job...your blog is drop dead gorgeous and such a delight to read and a true treat to look at! i know i will be placing my ad soon.
once again...hiden seek is sheer perfection and so is downtown boutique...take care...hugs...pops from popalicious and popalicioustoo on etsy

Amy-Razz Pizazz Boutique said...

How adorable! I would love to be entered!
hugs,
Amy

Amber said...

Eloise - your items are absolutely gorgeous. You really capture the carefree fun of childhood in the best possible way. I am so glad that Angie introduced me to you through her blog! Have you ever thought of perhaps making ATC size prints as well? I am an avid ATC collector and would be very interested if you ever do decide to create ATC size prints.

You can contact me at Hurdler4eva on Etsy or at vanillaglitter@gmail.com

Susan said...

Oh so lovely! The artwork is beautiful.

Unknown said...

What delightful artwork! I would be honored to have this gift! Please include me. I will stroll on over to Etsy!

KJ

Pattern and Perspective said...

I have some prints and ornaments from Eloise (Hidenseek.etsy.com) and I love them. The colors pop and they do make you feel stuck in a novella that you do not want to leave:) Lovely. Great interview. I also want to learn Japanese, so I can read those Japanese craft books sitting on my self. For now, I love the pics.

Tracy Nuskey Dodson said...

Thank you so much for interviewing Eloise. She is one of my favorites and it's so nice to learn a little bit about her. Her work truly makes me smile:)

Denise said...

I just read your interview with Eloise. She really is marvelous. I have been seeing quite a bit of her work. It is amazing. I love reading her blog too!
She makes me smile.
Denise

Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn said...

What an interesting and sweet interview! I have seen Eloises' work in her etsy shop..looking at it is so comforting, like going back to a happy childhood place!

{It's a family affair} said...

WOW! How talented... Her designs are so cozy!

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful!! You're very talented :) The make me think of my little guy :)
Hugs, Crystal
adkinsc123@lycos.com

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

Oh I love her things!

And congratulations to Stacey. :)

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I love it!!! Please enter me....Smiles...Mary

CraftyHourMom said...

i'd love to be entered too! what a lovely interview, hidenseek!! i just love the Playing in Love set with the little boy and girl about to kiss... so sweeet!

Unknown said...

I absolutely love Hiden's work, and her illustrations bring me back to wonderful childhood days that seemed to never end. Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse into the wonderful soul of an artist!

Kimberly (thewildhare.etsy.com)

Raven said...

Oh, to live in her whimsical world for just one day!

So very sweet... :)


xxx
Raven
http://ravenx.etsy.com

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

I just found Eloise blog!
Her art work is phenominal! She is such an inspiration!


Thank you for the fun interview!

Hugz, Dolly

Sandy Mastroni said...

Eloise ... wonderful artwork !

Jezabels Jewels said...

oh, i just adore her work...it's so adorable! and awesome interview, if i do say so myself (which i do!) ;)

Marie Patterson Studio said...

Her art work is amazing and very inspiring!!

Superdumb Supervillain said...

Hide & Seek is my favorite!

Milk Mama said...

Oh that Eloise print is just precious!!!

Anonymous said...

i would really like to win this print.

LeesaJ said...

Her work is adorable!

renee anne said...

oh my, i dont have a baby or anything but i am so glad i came across your blog! because it is still filled with amazing little finds and things that i love and enjoy!

beautiful!

renee anne

Princess Golden Hair said...

what talent!!! they are all so sweet. I forwarded the url to my sisters.

vboackle said...

such nice work.

Unknown said...

Nice.

Pamela937 said...

Enter me please.

Jinxy and Me said...

Very cute!!!

critters said...

So whimsical. I love it!

Bunny B said...

Eloise is very talented! Love her artwork - full of fond childhood memories!

Catrina Pomerleau said...

These are adorable. Please enter me in the drawing.

Anonymous said...

amazing

Sonya said...

Beautiful, please enter me.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous Prints!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic!

Belinda said...

I love the artwork.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness1 I love all of it!!!!!

agordon10 said...

such cute stuff!

idahomom said...

This stuff is whimsical and fun. It just makes you smile.

Annie Howes said...

Eloise has such beautiful prints!

Annie
http://anniehoweskeepsakes.blogspot.com

etrnlone said...

what a talent. a very heartwarming site. love her stuff

erin, maker of chimes said...

Love her artwork! You really do find the best artists to showcase on your blog!

Mystnrayne said...

sweet prize, hope I win.

sewingmema said...

Eloise's works are the perfect thing for when you are feeling down. They just bring a smile to your face as you remember great times when growing up.

ladypawnbroker said...

This artwork is great and reminds me of first love!

jenny said...

wowoh boy are thay so ever cute i would love to win this

Unknown said...

i just love the Playing in Love set with the little boy and girl about to kiss

carissaad said...

So cute!

Carissa

carissaad at gmail dot com

Diane Duda said...

I just found Eloise's blog today which, in turn, led me here. I would be delighted if you would enter me in the contest.

Diane Duda
mdaejduda@comcast.net

Thanks!

Unknown said...

Very cute items. I wish I had half your talent :)

Starshine3 said...

Her art is just so sweet...it really reminds you of the pure & good things in life :)

sweetsue said...

Her artwork is gorgeous. It has an old fashioned (in a good way) feel that I love.

sillelin said...

beautiful

Anonymous said...

Soooo cute!! Would love to have this for my home!

Anonymous said...

Delightful in every way!

Monique
mogrill@comcast.net

Eloise H.R said...

ohhh i so want these!!! I want them i want them i want them....!! ....oooopppss....Those are mine...heh sorry..lol lol

i'm so grateful for featuring me in your gorgeous blog and SO very thankful and charmed by ALL the amazing comments from everyone!!!

Thank you all sweeties :D

Hidden Eloise

PS. Pick me pick me!! LOL

bison61 said...

they are so sweet-I liked the Swan Lake print

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Heather B said...

Those are absolutely beautiful

Anonymous said...

How cute! I love the artwork.

Anonymous said...

Sweet niblets!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

sachidewey said...

Beautiful items - thanks for the opportunity!

Anonymous said...

These are just precious!

mverno said...

this is the one

Unknown said...

Would love to win!

mousitch said...

What a nice itrm!

Marissa said...

Wow, I am ga-ga over these "old fashioned" style prints. I just adore them. I'm so glad to see they are coming back.
Thanks,
Marissa
md-sweeps (at) hotmail (d0t) com

Sweet Artworks said...

This artwork is adorable. I love it.

Anonymous said...

Please count me in!

Anonymous said...

My SIL would love this

michelle
dolls123 (at) gmail (dot) com

Miranda said...

Please enter me thanks
Miranda Allen
freebiegoddess03@aol.com

Unknown said...

lovely Pam garrettsambo@aol.com

Donna said...

Cute. I would like to win.

Charlene Kuser said...

She is such an amazing artist,and I love Eloise she is so adorable.
Please enter me for I would be proud to own this print

lilyk said...

Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!