Today we’d like to introduce you to Etel Spiteri.
Hi Etel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi! I grew up in northern San Diego county. After getting my undergraduate degree and working in the field for a couple of years, I found again the comforts of nature (In my early years of life I lived in the forests of Canada and France). I decided to move into a camper van I built and traveled to the most wild places I could find, from the deserts of Utah and California to the lush forests of Canada and Colorado. As I tuned in to what my body and soul craved most, adventuring in nature, I also found art. That is when I started creating beaded earrings, with inspirations drawing from the landscapes around me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has mostly been a smooth sailing journey for me. What started as a fulfilling hobby turned into a small business, I cannot be more appreciative of the opportunities life has offered me. At first I was really nervous to show my art, afraid of people not liking it or seeing the vision. After a couple of years of doing art markets, I finally feel more comfortable, there will always be those who will appreciate the vision, and those with different visions. And that’s ok!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I make art inspired by nature. The majority of my work includes beaded earrings showcasing colors found in nature or even landscapes depicted in the weaving artform. Everything I use is of the highest quality I can find. Real 24K gold, sterling silver, Japanese glass beads, precious stones like garnet and lapis lazuli.. I also make block prints by carving into linoleum, with images like snakes and flowers and wolfs on a full moon. Then I print thrifted shirts! It’s my way of tuning in to the earth, upcycling materials that won’t end up in a landfill.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Be true to your heart! It’s ok to draw inspirations from other’s work, but don’t be afraid to tune in and try different things to find your own voice.
Pricing:
- Earrings can be anywhere from $40 – $150. I price as reasonably as I can so that it can be affordable for others. However the time to make the art is consuming and the price of raw materials is high
- Block printed upcycled shirt and sweaters go for $35-50
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Foxtailpinedesigns
