This week I'd love you to meet April from April Heather Art she creates wonderful embroidery patterns and beautiful prints as well. Don't delay read on and don't forget to visit her shop. Thank you for stopping by!
1. Tell us as little or as much as you would like about yourself. My name is April Heather Davulcu. I go by Heather, but will answer to both. I'm a native Texan living in Pennsylvania. I've been married for 20 years and have 2 girls, 14 & 10. I started out as a mural artist 17 years ago in Austin, Texas. I started licensing my artwork in 2010, and in 2012 I decided I would focus completely on my illustration, embroidery, and licensing biz-so no more murals. I opened my etsy shop in November of 2012 and I reached my first 100 sales in March, plus I just got a nod in Mollie Makes magazine-so I think I'm off to a good start! I'm SO excited about my biz-I LOVE it.
2. What do you sell? I sell embroidery patterns (PDF), prints, notecards, and I did my
first calendar this year too. On my own website I sell my originals,
plus some Yardley Art - which is the town where I live. I did an
illustration of a local spot and then I made license plates, car
magnets, and note cards from the finished piece.
3. Why handmade? It makes my ridiculously happy to make things. I derive a great deal
of joy and happiness from seeing other people enjoy my art work, but
also I just love the process of creating. From the initial idea, to the
sketches, painting or sewing-it all really feeds my soul.
4. Where does your inspiration to create come from and/or your inspiration in life? My inspiration comes from everything around me. I am very observant and I take note of little things. My family also inspires me-they are pretty funny! My husband has a great sense of humor and I've been doing some drawings based on funny things he & the girls have said. Other things that inspire me and that I enjoy are old movies, historical costume & fashion, the outdoors, exercise, cooking, and last but not least-my faith.
5. Besides creating what else do you do? Do you have a full time job? Aside from running April Heather Art, my main activity is running the
household & nurturing these growing girls. They are light of my
life.
6. When did you start thinking you were an artist? I can't remember a time when I didn't think I was an artist, really. I remember being very young and just drawing all day long -- imagining other worlds--I got lost in my own head! My mom and dad always encouraged me too-telling me I was an artist. They entered me in art contests and classes at an early age-which was really good for my self esteem.
7. Who has been most influential in your craft work? You know its really hard for me to answer that question. There isn't just one person, instead there are many people at different phases of my life. I'm very thankful that I've had mentors over the years who have nurtured me and believed in me. I've been thinking about writing a blog post about mentors!
8. Where would you like to be in five years? In 5 years I would like to be running April Heather Art and licensing
my work in the areas of greeting cards, fabric, and home decor. I would
really like to establish a program, through my artwork, to give back to
my own community as well. I am open to all kinds of new opportunities!
And I would really LOVE to illustrate a book!
9. Is there anything you'd like to try doing that you haven't done? crafts, sports, life in general? I would really love to travel abroad. I've never been to Europe and I long to see new things, experience new sights, sounds, flavors, etc. It is something I am passionate about and have a real craving for. Right now I am just an arm chair traveler. I read travel journals, and watch travel shows to tide me over until I can get out there and see the world.
10. Besides online where else do you sell? I sold my work at a local craft show in Nov. 2012, but I don't have
any scheduled for 2013 yet. I am still refining my products and busy
adding lots of new things too. My etsy shop and my website and the only
shops I'm running currently.
1. Tell us as little or as much as you would like about yourself. My name is April Heather Davulcu. I go by Heather, but will answer to both. I'm a native Texan living in Pennsylvania. I've been married for 20 years and have 2 girls, 14 & 10. I started out as a mural artist 17 years ago in Austin, Texas. I started licensing my artwork in 2010, and in 2012 I decided I would focus completely on my illustration, embroidery, and licensing biz-so no more murals. I opened my etsy shop in November of 2012 and I reached my first 100 sales in March, plus I just got a nod in Mollie Makes magazine-so I think I'm off to a good start! I'm SO excited about my biz-I LOVE it.
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| Poodles and Polka Dot Embroidery Pattern |
4. Where does your inspiration to create come from and/or your inspiration in life? My inspiration comes from everything around me. I am very observant and I take note of little things. My family also inspires me-they are pretty funny! My husband has a great sense of humor and I've been doing some drawings based on funny things he & the girls have said. Other things that inspire me and that I enjoy are old movies, historical costume & fashion, the outdoors, exercise, cooking, and last but not least-my faith.
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| Be true to you |
6. When did you start thinking you were an artist? I can't remember a time when I didn't think I was an artist, really. I remember being very young and just drawing all day long -- imagining other worlds--I got lost in my own head! My mom and dad always encouraged me too-telling me I was an artist. They entered me in art contests and classes at an early age-which was really good for my self esteem.
7. Who has been most influential in your craft work? You know its really hard for me to answer that question. There isn't just one person, instead there are many people at different phases of my life. I'm very thankful that I've had mentors over the years who have nurtured me and believed in me. I've been thinking about writing a blog post about mentors!
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| PDF Camper Embroidery pattern |
9. Is there anything you'd like to try doing that you haven't done? crafts, sports, life in general? I would really love to travel abroad. I've never been to Europe and I long to see new things, experience new sights, sounds, flavors, etc. It is something I am passionate about and have a real craving for. Right now I am just an arm chair traveler. I read travel journals, and watch travel shows to tide me over until I can get out there and see the world.
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| Illustration Print Frida Kahlo |
Ways to contact you:
email: heather.davulcu@comcast.net
I really love Instagram-I post at least every day and love to share new work!
Heather is a wonderful artist! I love her illustrations and embroidery patterns.
ReplyDeleteClaudia-thanks so much for interviewing me!! I really enjoyed sharing my work with you!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure April!
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