Hola amigos, it’s time to unpack our craft passports, put on a pair of safari shorts and pack the tiny travel toiletries as we start out on the next leg of our creative Etsy world tour and travel to beautiful Chile. With this edition of ‘Exploring Etsy’ I have the profound honour of introducing you all to the exquisite creations of Isabel Guzmán and her very special shop ‘Mandarinas de Tela’.
Isabel lives in Santiago, working as a freelance Graphic Designer. Her work focuses on design, photography, digital retouching and of course her own personal art projects. When it comes to her Etsy shop Isabel is responsible for everything you see, from the drafting to the needlework and social media management. I hope you all agree with me that she’s doing a pretty fantastic job!
What is your earliest stitching memory?
I don’t remember exactly when, but I used to knit, embroider and sew with my mom, aunt and grandma since I was very little. They taught me beautiful techniques. They had lots of tailoring books and vintage dolls. Maybe my first memories are when I was 8 years old, my mom was pregnant and we used to knit shoes for the baby. I also remember painting landscapes with my aunt, near the chimney in winter time.
What fires your imagination?
If I had to choose something that makes me daydream and lights my energy, it’s Wes Anderson’s work. Lots of symbolism, pallets of colour, characters, objects and feelings that influence me. It is not hard to see when you take a look at my work. But in general, I’m moved by music, arts, and movies. Studio Ghibli greatly inspires my work, as does pop culture, and also nature! The ideas I gather from all of these things, are the ones that I try to express and put into my dolls and drawings. I also admire children’s magic and innocence, that’s why I love toys – especially vintage.
The beautiful world that Isabel has created with her work is one I could happily live in for the rest of my life, her exquisite attention to detail and all round awesomeness is plain to see in her shop, so please do take a look!
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Jessica Taylor aka Loadofolbobbins is a Textile Artist and Illustrator based by the sea in Portsmouth. At her happiest with a needle and thread, with a passion for genealogy she often explores old photographs in her Textile art. With her fingers in many creative pies she loves to experiment with new techniques, creating illustrated and stitched goodies for her new Etsy shop.
